IGN

• DS
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

• PS2
• WII
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

Dokapon Kingdom is a game is far from an "anybody" title, but one that RPG fans will certainly want to give a try. Just like most of the other Atlus- published titles out there, it's hitting a smaller niche, but for those that it is aiming at (people that like RPGs, want a light, fun, multiplayer ode to the genre), it's a must-play. You won't want to hit this one up by yourself, but grab a few friends and there are few titles out there that rival its multiplayer party potential. The interface is simple, the graphics downgraded slightly on PS2, missing 480p and 16:9, but the gameplay is a blast. Matches can be played over months, one turn at a time, as four players rip through the game's 10-15 hour story mode, or it can be played in bursts, hitting up one mission as a free battle for an hour or so of traditional "party game" entertainment. There's only one "game board" to explore, but it's more a world map than a board at all, with endless potential for strategic play, lots of variation with the missions themselves, mini areas to explore as off chutes from the main area, and plenty of secrets and tricks hidden within. There's lots of fanservice and depth for RPG fans too, with upgradeable classes, level grinding, lists of skills and items, piles of equipment, and RPG balancing that starts with just four classes and opens it up to over triple that. This is the first time Dokapon Kingdom has come to the states, and the first effort is a simple -- but very entertaining -- one.

• DS
• PS2
• PSP
• PC
• 6.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Pipe Mania tries, with limited success, to introduce a bit more to the familiar gameplay you've likely played before. That you can still get your fix on that -- and for free -- online means there's not a whole lot of incentive to get involved here. The additions to things really only tend to muck it up most of the time, though, and while the game is fun, the addition of a limited story, characters and added complications really just makes it all, well, more complicated, which is the opposite of why most people would pick up a game like this in the first place.

• X360
• 5.5 / 10
• États-Unis

To dismiss this as simply Guilty Gear meets Dynasty Warriors is to completely gloss over half of the game. In addition to the strategy elements, there are duels, exploratory missions, and plenty of button-mashing beat-'em-up action. There's even an odd nod to top-down shooters. But cramming all of this stuff into one game results in (wait for it) none of the parts being particularly polished -- which is especially hard to accept at such a premium price. Yet the game is not without charm and a handful of good missions. The Guilty Gear universe is accurately represented and the bizarro storyline may be tough to swallow, but it's no goofier than some of the anime that scores big on Adult Swim.

• PS2
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

Speed Racer: The Videogame's biggest problem is just that there isn't really enough of it. I suspect that the blend of racing and combat may not have been deep enough to sustain things beyond what was burned onto the disc, but the fact that I do want more -- stuff like online multiplayer or a track editor -- just means that Sidhe managed to strike the right balance. Is the game lacking? Yeah, in that it's essentially one mode with some one-off distractions, but for straight racing, the game really does deliver. And hey, it's only $20. Not bad for a licensed game, eh?

• PSP
• 7.4 / 10
• États-Unis

I finished First Departure in about 27 hours. For an RPG, that's not a particularly long time, but considering the style and substance of the game, I'd say the length is appropriate. If you can look at First Departure and understand that it's based on a very old title, you'll likely be able to overlook the problems and get a fair amount of satisfaction from the simple but mildly rewarding gameplay and old- school themes. Otherwise, a bland, awkwardly-told narrative and weak characters prevent Star Ocean from being anything more than an amusing tribute to an old hit.

• PSP
• 8.2 / 10
• États-Unis

NBA 09: The Inside is not without its flaws, but those flaws are significantly outweighed by the many strengths of this mini-game packed monster. The on-court action can be tough to follow at times, but because the game makes no attempt to disguise its arcade-style action as a true basketball sim (and often flaunts its arcade attitude), the problems with the five-on-five action are easy to overlook. In fact, the mini-games add so much to this title I’d feel comfortable recommending it for them alone.

• PSP
• 3.8 / 10
• États-Unis

Releasing a breakdancing game is a great idea, provided that you manage to capture the sense of the art form but also make a game that's accessible and flexible for players to truly create their own routines. B-Boy manages to capture some of its elements, such as the large numbers of dance moves and the transitions between steps, and a progression system that lets you improve your skills. However, the clunky controls which are way too complicated and annoying to use, as well as battle elements that either don't work particularly well or sabotage each competition hinder the overall gameplay. Plus, advertising a multiplayer feature that doesn't exist doesn't particularly help either. It would've been awesome if it worked, but as it stands, B-Boy is a lackluster rhythm title.

• PS3
• 8.2 / 10
• États-Unis

Saints Row 2 isn't a GTA killer, but instead it's a GTA alternative. Players who enjoyed the action-packed moments in GTA will have an absolute blast with Saints Row 2. It's tough not to hate on the slightly lacking production values, but when you see the rest of the game it actually makes a bit more sense. The technical shortcomings are the only truly bad part of Saints Row 2, but the core gameplay experience is extremely enjoyable. Do yourself a favor and -- if you're a fan of open world games -- go out and pick up a copy of Saints Row 2. There's enough crazy-insane tomfoolery to keep a machete in the hands of even the most straight-laced citizens.

• X360
• 8.2 / 10
• États-Unis

Saints Row 2 isn't a GTA killer, but it's a GTA alternative. Players who enjoyed the action-packed moments of GTA will have an absolute blast with Saints Row 2. It's tough not to hate on the slightly lacking production values, but when you see the rest of the game it actually makes a bit more sense. The technical shortcomings are the only truly bad part of Saints Row 2, but the core gameplay experience is extremely enjoyable. Do yourself a favor and -- if you're a fan of open world games -- go out and pick up a copy of Saints Row 2. There's enough crazy-insane tomfoolery to keep a machete in the hands of even the most straight- laced citizens.

• PS3
• X360
• 3.2 / 10
• États-Unis

I could go on and on with complaints, but know that I would never get to a point where I say that something is even remotely decent. This is a game worth avoiding like the plague, even if the classic remains deep and warm within your heart.

• DS
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

I called out Travelers Tales in my review of LEGO Indiana Jones saying that the LEGO idea might be overstaying its welcome unless it's changed significantly for future games. Fortunately for LEGO Batman, the style still has a lot to like. Even though it's very close to the same game in a different skin, LEGO Batman is still a lot of fun to play, with a lot of places to explore and a lot of extras to uncover. I will say that LEGO Batman taps the well dry for this game design and style – Travelers Tales will have to do something different for the next franchise because we can't just keep playing the same game over and over again.

• DS
• 6.6 / 10
• États-Unis

• PS2
• 6 / 10
• États-Unis

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 is a functional, if not strong, game of golf but the same can’t be said for the game as a whole. The stroke and putting mechanics work fine but the feature set is painfully lacking. No online play and lacking game modes come together to make a game that’s very difficult to recommend for anyone when last year’s has the same golf, golfers, courses, and visuals with a much better set of features to support it. Ultimately I just have to ask myself, “Why, EA, why do this?

• PS2
• 4 / 10
• États-Unis

I could only recommend this game to the hardest of the hardcore Warriors enthusiasts who can completely disregard the overwhelming (and apparently increasing) number of problems that plague this title. While there's a time and place for hacking and slashing, it just isn't working for Warriors anymore and even the allure of leveling up isn't enough to coax me into picking up the controller again.

• X360
• 4.5 / 10
• États-Unis

I could only recommend this game to the hardest of the hardcore Warriors enthusiasts who can completely disregard the overwhelming (and apparently increasing) number of problems that plague this title. While there's a time and place for hacking and slashing, it just isn't working for Warriors anymore, and even the allure of leveling up isn't enough to coax me into picking up the controller again.

• PS2
• PS3
• WII
• X360
• 5.2 / 10
• États-Unis

Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2009 incorporates aspects of the hunting, adventure and first-person shooter genre, but doesn’t do any of it particularly well. It doesn’t require any strategy to hunt down your prey, and once you have located your target you shouldn’t have any trouble taking it down with a well-placed shot or two, and those facts conspire to make the hunting experience entirely un-gratifying. The adventure aspects of the game don’t require any strategy or problem solving either, acting instead as stilted interludes used to fill the space between point-and- shoot hunts. While this game has some fun novelty appeal, it has very little lasting appeal and is definitely a better rental than purchase.

• PS3
• X360
• 5.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Blitz: The League II provides gamers with the quintessential mediocre package. Nothing in the game - - from the campaign to the online play to the extra game modes -- stands out, but nothing is so bad that people starved for games (how could you be?) and those who like over-the-top football shouldn’t give it a look. And hey, this is the one place where a ruptured scrotum only sidelines you for a few weeks. There's always that.