IGN

• X360
• 4.6 / 10
• États-Unis

• DS
• 7 / 10
• États-Unis

Bleach: The 3rd Phantom changes the direction of gameplay considerably from the two past Bleach games on DS -- both of the previous titles were fighting games, and this one's a strategy RPG instead. It's a dramatic shift, and a bold one -- most developers, particularly those holding down lucrative anime licenses like this, seem content enough to keep churning out the same design over and over, with roster updates to reflect who's died, who's gotten more powerful and who's started wearing a new outfit in later episodes of the shows. So it's immediately engaging that SEGA would greenlight a shift this sharp -- especially since those past two Bleach games have been, arguably, the best fighting games in the entire DS library. Don't jump into this one, though, unless you're a well-established Bleach aficionado, because Bleach: The 3rd Phantom is made for the fans. If that's you, go for it. If it's not, the DS library has several other great strategy RPGs to choose from -- go check out Final Fantasy Tactics A2 or Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon instead.

• PS3
• X360
• 7.8 / 10
• États-Unis

NCAA Basketball 10 is a very solid basketball game, but that’s largely due to the steps forward that were taken by NBA Live. NCAA rests comfortably on the laurels of Live, but that also means that several of the gameplay issues also make their way into the collegiate package. Thankfully EA Canada did add a few college-specific touches and they all work very well to push the game forward. NCAA Basketball 10 might not be the most original basketball on the block, but at least it’s a good one.

• X360
• PC
• 8.3 / 10
• États-Unis

Gyromancer is a Puzzle Quest clone, but that doesn't keep it from being fun and addictive. There is plenty of gameplay here to keep you busy for a while, leveling up your monsters and increasing your stable. It brings its own ideas to the table and wraps the package in very attractive fantasy art. Gamers looking for fast-paced excitement and thrills might find themselves nodding off, but there is quite a bit of depth to be explored if puzzlers and dungeon crawling is your thing. Those of you who still have love for Puzzle Quest: take Gyromancer for a spin.

• WII
• 7.4 / 10
• États-Unis

• PC
• 8.6 / 10
• États-Unis

All in all, Torchlight is a refreshing - though not revolutionary - dungeon crawler that will occupy gamers for 10-15 hours on the first run-through, and perhaps dozens more across varying difficulty levels and experiments with different character classes. The story is somewhat lacking, but not overly important when garnering quests and slaying beasts. You'll quickly lose track of time whilst exploring the bowels of the town of Torchlight, which is lovely for your sense of satisfaction, but bad for the real life priorities you'll likely neglect, such as eating and paying bills. The graphics are great, the music engrossing, and the gameplay addictive. While the lack of multiplayer at first tastes bitter, the single-player campaign more than makes up for it, as you really have little to lose at the meager asking price of $20.

• X360
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 5.3 / 10
• États-Unis

Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5 is a pretty shallow game that doesn’t really excite or engage the player. There are a limited number of levels and the multiplayer just doesn’t have it. Still, the cutscenes are well done, the voice work is reminiscent of the show, and being able to unlock episodes of the program and art are nice touches that are sure to appeal to the franchise’s young fanbase.

• PC
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

Whether or not Left 4 Dead 2 is for you really depends on your level of exposure and affinity for the style of hardcore team-focused gameplay Valve is offering here. If you’re still interested in the gameplay, then you’re going to enjoy every aspect of the sequel since it’s improved in all areas, from available game modes to strength of character and personality to replayability and its visual style. After playing, you’ll find it impossible to go back to the first game. Though plenty of other games offer co-operative gameplay against mobs of computer-controlled foes, no other game emphasizes teamwork as strongly as this, and few other games are as satisfying when you’re able to pull through successfully, particularly when competing in Versus mode against four human-controlled boss zombies. If you saw the original and were always curious to try it out, then by all means get the sequel. It is, without a doubt, the better game. Yet despite all the advancements and additions, it’s still very familiar, and something meant to appeal to those who are already sold on the concept. If you’re someone never cared for the game, Left 4 Dead 2 isn’t going to change your mind. Even so, it remains one of the most distinctive co-operative titles out there, and allows for some of the most nerve-searing team-based multiplayer gaming on the market.

• PSP
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

I love LittleBigPlanet PSP. The platforming's fun, the create tools are solid, and online's undoubtedly impressive – especially considering that these upload/download features are on the PSP. I'd like it to run a bit smoother at times, have the create tools be a bit more intuitive, and so on, but none of that should put a damper on this game for fans of the franchise or people looking to get their first taste of Sackboy’s exploits. Make no doubt about it: LittleBigPlanet PSP is an outstanding game.

• WII
• 7.4 / 10
• États-Unis

Ugly, sloppily presented and poorly featured it may be, but F1 2009 does at least nail the most vital part of a racing game – the driving. If you can see through the mist of its low-grade visuals and look beyond its threadbare options, there’s a deeply satisfying driving experience. Delicious handling and a palpable sense of speed combine to make a game that's unique on the Wii, and while there's a feeling of an opportunity missed with the licence, for fans of the sport deprived of an F1 game for so many years this does just enough to satiate the thirst.

• WII
• 6 / 10
• États-Unis

I liked Pokemon Rumble when I started. It was mindless, but it was fun, and playing with other people made it better. But as I progressed through each rank and saw the same levels, and then the same Pokemon, the experience plummeted pretty fast. If you're a pretty big Pokemaniac with a lot of friends (oxymoron, I know), then Pokemon Rumble might keep you entertained enough for a purchase. But note that I'm a pretty big Pokemon nut and even I got bored well before this game was even halfway done. There's just not enough depth to the game to make it interesting to the older Pokemon fans, or really anyone that doesn't squeal excitedly when they see a Pikachu. Honestly I recommend the free downloadable demo since you get most of the experience right there, and it's cheap as free.

• DS
• 6.8 / 10
• États-Unis

While Need for Speed Nitro on Nintendo Wii absolutely screams for a sequel, the DS version is a bit more subdued overall. Despite having more modes, locales, and overall depth to the career mode, the overall experience just doesn’t come together like it should. Drifting is a bit odd, nitro doesn’t fill up as fast as it should, and the lack of mid-air control or automatic stabilization when launching off jumps really hinders the urge to “go big” in EA’s latest racer. The Nitro series has brought some great concepts, added a bit of customization, and is still a fun way to waste time on the go. Anyone looking for a serious racer on DS should look elsewhere though, as Firebrand’s own Create & Race series still leads the pack.

• X360
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 2.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Dragon Master Spell Caster is another of the many "learning the ropes" releases for a small studio testing the waters of Wii development -- the kind of game where lots of mistakes are made, and, hopefully, lots of lessons are learned. This one had an ambitious concept, but the execution just failed miserably. And I wonder if Stickmen Studios knew that, in the end, and just allowed it to go out the door and die. In any event, this is a game that's absolutely best left ignored by everyone. One of the worst of 2009, and rightfully used as nothing more than filler for a week headlined by much more worthy releases from established, major publishers. Don't go anywhere near Dragon Master. Let it die.

• WII
• 8.1 / 10
• États-Unis

The story’s a bit silly, but hey, so is the entire Resident Evil universe, and at the very least, it’s pretty cool to see how well this game sandwiches a new story arc into the familiar scenarios. If you’re a Resident Evil freak I think you’ll appreciate how this one ends, but if you’re not up on your Biohazard history, you’ll probably be a bit lost. The rail shooter genre will never be the true Resident Evil experience, but Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles shows that the franchise can be spun out into different, successful styles of gameplay. Even with my complaints about the bouncy camera, I believe this follow-up is a significantly better experience than the original Umbrella Chronicles and one fun ride from start to finish.

• PSP
• 5.8 / 10
• États-Unis