IGN

• PS3
• X360
• PC
• 6 / 10
• États-Unis

Showdown may look heavy on options from its bombastic menus but ultimately it just feels like a narrow slice of Dirt 3 with some destruction derbies tacked on. There’s a good game in here, but there just isn’t enough of it. It’s perhaps eerily fitting Codies shipped this Dirt 3 follow-up with the subtitle Showdown; it may have swagger but this town really ain’t big enough for the two of them.

• PC
• PS3
• X360
• 8.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Ghost Recon: Future Solider is a refreshing change from the current trend of thoughtless shooters, and in the moments when everything clicks together, it’s hard to think of a more absorbing shooter. Unfortunately it doesn't always click though, and forgettable dialogue, poor facial animations and inconsistent visuals dent what is otherwise a great game, plus there’s no denying a little extra polish would’ve made a huge difference. But if you’re after a superbly paced, thoughtful shooter that boasts a strong campaign and enjoyable multiplayer, Future Soldier is bang on target.

• PS3
• 7.5 / 10
• États-Unis

I liked Sorcery a lot, but the game doesn’t quite rise to the level that many of us expected with such a lengthy development period. The Workshop should be commended for creating one of the best PlayStation Move games, but I think most gamers will question why and how Sorcery took so long to create. With a short adventure, no replay value and no online functionality to speak of, Sorcery is a one-off. A fun one-off, for sure, but a one-off that likely won’t push PlayStation Move controllers off the shelves.

• PS3
• X360
• PC
• 6.5 / 10
• États-Unis

When it was first announced to be in development back in 2009, the promise of SEGA's "Project Needlemouse" seemed incredible – it's no wonder fans of the Sonic franchise got their hopes up so high. Episode I then came along and, for many, failed to deliver on that potential. Episode II is a better game than that one was when it comes to the fans' key criticisms, but yet this second – and final – installment of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 still seems bland. Buy it and enjoy it as much as you can if you're a longtime Sonic follower. Just don't get your hopes up too high again. Sonic the Hedgehog 4, once more, has not been the true second coming of your hero.

• X360
• 7 / 10
• États-Unis

Akai Katana is a perfectly fun arcade shooter that unfortunately took a wrong turn on the way to your Xbox 360. What could have been an inexpensive downloadable game is a $40 retail product. Still, it's an enjoyable effort, if not an amazing one. Akai Katana has its own rhythm that, if followed, unleashes giant blood swords that crawl through every enemy in sight. So that's pretty cool.

• PC
• X360
• PS3
• 4 / 10
• États-Unis

It’s a shame that most will not have the wherewithal to endure the 20 or so hours of bad game to get to the really juicy story moments. The twists that are thrown are guaranteed to surprise. Unfortunately you’ll need to wade through an often ugly, buggy, and poorly delivered mess to get to them. The good parts of the game just make the ugly ones stand out even more and though the plot is there, you have to trudge through a lot of mud to get any enjoyment out of it.

• 3DS
• 6.5 / 10
• États-Unis

• PS3
• X360
• PC
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

V2's gratuitous X-Ray kill-cam adds a macabre elegance to every perfectly-timed shot you make that gives your careful handiwork an appealing artistic flair. While the ground combat and close-up encounters aren't as tight as you'd expect from a common shooter, the sniper gameplay is front-and-center here, and it's delivered with top-notch class and authenticity. Even if you think you've had your fill of the WWII genre, this ballsy tactical shooter could definitely change your mind, and blow other peoples' wide open.

• PC
• PS3
• X360
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

There are plenty of games which are celebrated for their gameplay but lack anything in way of story or character. Max Payne 3 is a different type of proposition. The gameplay is simple yet satisfying, but it’s entirely in the service of a strongly-authored narrative. Players aren’t at the liberty to roam, to explore, or to shake things up. Some might find this too controlling, but in return for your freedom, you’re rewarded with a mature genre piece which is also a finely-realised character study. Action games continue to inch the dial towards 11, sometimes at the expense of their narrative integrity. Max Payne 3, however, has the conviction to reign in the action, imbue it with purpose - the spectacle still sparkles but it also makes sense.

• X360
• 8.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Minecraft on Xbox is almost as good as the PC version. It’s still a great way to express yourself, but the lack of some of the PC features like mods and Creative Mode is disappointing. The vastly improved crafting interface and smooth online play make it easier to get into than ever before, which should open up Minecraft to a whole new audience. If you long to be creative and express yourself in a videogame, and don’t mind being dropped into a sandbox that lacks stereotypical game goals, Minecraft is one of the greatest options available.

• PC
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

Titles like Botanicula are why the point-and-click adventure genre continues to exist. It may not be as hilarious as adventure games of yesteryear, but it’s persistently delightful, oozing character and grabbing hold of the imagination. Many games strive to be fun, and Botanicula not only accomplishes this, but also manages to use sound and visuals to stir up emotions ranging from sadness to glee. Play this now.

• X360
• PS3
• 7 / 10
• États-Unis

Summoning a ghostly raging bull to smash the monkey into a turret? Nonsense, but a strong tactic. Blowing yourself up to slow down a group of invading attackers? Same deal. Awesomenauts loves how silly it is, but it takes its strategy seriously. This is a deeply tactical game, but it needs to be played a certain way. Awesomenauts requires patience, both to tolerate and enjoy it, especially if you’re playing against high-ranked players with objectively superior characters. You get what you put into Awesomenauts, so be prepared to commit to it if you throw your chips in.

• VITA
• 8.5 / 10
• États-Unis

If you weren't a fan of the franchise's reboot last year, then Mortal Kombat on Vita isn't likely to convert you. The new bonus challenge tower represents the main addition from last year, so if you weren't sold on the challenges the first time around, then you'd be hard pressed to desire even more of them. That said, if this is your first time experiencing Netherrealm's MK reboot or simply didn't get your fill last year, then you'll find a ton of great content here.

• X360
• 5 / 10
• États-Unis

• PS3
• X360
• 7 / 10
• États-Unis

Having no impact is kind of the M.O. of Prototype 2. I enjoyed leveling up Heller and completing side quests, but none of it really meant anything to me. Outside of the Trophies I have for my efforts, I doubt I'll remember much of Prototype 2's sterile side missions and curse word-laden dialogue. Prototype 2 is fun, but it sure is forgettable.

• IOS
• PC
• ANDROID
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

Sword & Sworcery masterfully blends music, art, storytelling and gameplay in deeply poetic ways that you just don’t see very often. As such, it doesn’t take a love of adventure games to get wrapped up in the magic of this indie gem. It may only take a handful of hours to work your way through the game’s four chapters (not counting waiting for the moon to change cycles), but the impact it leaves will stay with you long after you’ve moved on.

• X360
• PC
• PS3
• 6.5 / 10
• États-Unis

With Risen 2 Piranha Bytes continues to demonstrate skill at crafting big, believable worlds. Dark Waters is at times beautiful, offering a finely detailed set of islands to explore on your quest to become a notorious pirate captain and vanquish an ancient evil. It's Piranha Bytes' most accessible game yet, and though its style and boorish, humorous dialogue fit well with the pirate motif, it's a role-playing experience that uses convention as a crutch and marginalizes or strips away a lot of elements that made the studio's past games stand out. Disappointing character development options, sloppy combat and run-of-the-mill questing structures often make Dark Waters more of a chore to play than it should be, and exploration isn't nearly exciting enough to make up for its many flaws. If you desperately to role-play as a pirate, you certainly can in Risen 2, but you'll also find little that's memorable, and a multitude of poorly implemented ideas and missed opportunities.

• X360
• 4 / 10
• États-Unis

While it gets props for an interesting visual style and graphics, Bloodforge also brings with it an awful camera, weak story, and extremely derivative gameplay. Bloodforge’s gameplay never strives to attain more than “me too” status, bringing nothing new or interesting to the table. At only 1200 Microsoft Points, it’s fair to say that Bloodforge simply isn’t trying to compete against the likes of God of War, Darksiders, or any number of the fully-priced retail third-person action games that it’s aping. Still, considering how Xbox LIVE Arcade is chockfull of amazing gameplay experiences like Trials HD, Fez, Shadow Complex, and more, it’s very difficult to recommend Bloodforge to anyone at any price.