IGN

• DS
• 5.9 / 10
• États-Unis

I appreciate the attempt to inject more strategy into the Super Collapse formula, and Dropcast definitely has a cool art style. The pieces don't come together, though, and it ends up feeling like a rush job with poor translation and cheap AI. Instead of empowering the player and letting us get the hang of the mechanics, the game starts kicking your ass from the beginning. Even when you do win a match you don't get a sense of satisfaction because it feels like a fluke. Playing against a human opponent is slightly more tolerable, but the wonky spell mechanics still keep Dropcast from satisfying.

• WII
• 8.2 / 10
• États-Unis

What it really comes down to is that Clash of Ninja has been around for nearly four years now on Nintendo consoles, and it's time for a serious, serious update. Once again Clash of Ninja Revolution is a great game, but it's also the same core experience we've been playing for years now, and it's making steps in the right direction, but inches at a time, instead of true leaps. 16:9 is now supported in addition to 480p display, there are new characters, more options, a stronger story mode, and a few new stages, so while this would currently be the definitive version of Clash of the Ninja, the rest of the Wii software is constantly raising the bar, and Naruto is moving only steps at a time. If you don't own any yet, and you're looking for a great fighter on Wii, you won't find much better (outside of Smash Bros) than Clash of Ninja Revolution 2. If you're a repeat buyer though, it's time to start weighing how important those few characters and added stages are; especially when you know a bigger, hopefully better fighter is on the way again next year.

• DS
• 5.8 / 10
• États-Unis

For the most part Legend of Kage 2 has its charms, but it just feels a little too much like an awkward throwback. While it's nice, for better or for worse, to see games embrace a game with a look and feel of a classic SNES game, these types of games still need to focus on tight gameplay. And that's where Taito's revival hurts the most: it doesn't look great or sound great, but ultimately Legend of Kage 2 doesn't play that hot either. It's good for a quick romp but it's certainly nothing special.

• PS3
• X360
• 8.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Midnight Club: Los Angeles is a great racing experience with a few mars on its paint job. The cars handle fantastically, the city is nearly perfect, the GPS stuff is awesome and customizing your ride is great. It is way too hard, however, even right from the start. Rep points help to make sure you progress even if you can't win anything, but it's annoying to keep coming in at the end of the pack and rarely nabbing the top of the podium. Fans of street racing, and especially the Midnight Club series in general, will find a lot to like here, but don't expect an easy time on the streets.

• X360
• 9.2 / 10
• États-Unis

Part of what makes the main Portal experience so successful is that the game draws you in quickly, subtly creates a believable world with every new room and then begins to slowly draw back the curtain. Much like a fine malt liquor, Portal sneaks up on you. By the time you realize what’s going on, it’s too late – you’re in its grasp, and you might as well stay up all night. If you didn’t play The Orange Box, you missed out on that experience, and now’s your chance to do so. If you’ve already played Portal, however, the draw of Still Alive is less clear-cut. If you’re mainly interested in the humor and atmosphere of the original, you might be disappointed with this download. And if the puzzles are more your thing, there’s definitely a lot of extra content here, but at a hefty price that PC gamers didn’t have to pay.

• PC
• 6.9 / 10
• États-Unis

• DS
• 3.5 / 10
• États-Unis

• 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.