IGN

• PS2
• WII
• 3.6 / 10
• États-Unis

The biggest problem with Eternal Night is just how pointlessly difficult it is. Even early on the game treated me to near-constant falling deaths and gang-up enemy attacks, but I wanted to push on and beat the game if only to see how it all ended. Unfortunately, a section with constantly spawning enemies (peppered with numerous NeoGAF and #vidgames member references, hi Gaz!) was my undoing. After boss fights over bottomless pits, sloppy platforming bits and a spoon-fed storyline, battling wave after wave of enemies was the breaking point. Just thinking about the part makes me want to punch babies; it's pointlessly difficult and absolutely unnecessary. Come to think of it, that describes the whole of Spyro's latest outing rather nicely.

• X360
• 8.7 / 10
• États-Unis

Undertow is a perfect fit for the Xbox Live Arcade. It's fast, fun, attractive and can support 16 players online. The concept is distilled down to the basics, letting the idea and its execution speak for themselves. At 800 Microsoft Points ($10 USD), this is a game that offers enough fun to support the price tag. Grab a few friends and dive in, the water's fine.

• X360
• 3.7 / 10
• États-Unis

• DS
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

With Orcs & Elves, do not expect a role-playing game with the production levels of a Final Fantasy or a Mass Effect. It’s a mobile phone game brought to the Nintendo DS, but don’t call it a port: the game looks and plays so much better than any version already on the market. The game’s back-to-the-basics approach goes against the grain that probably wouldn’t work on any other system but a portable one…and it indeed does work on the Nintendo DS. Even with its limitations, Orcs & Elves’ fast-paced, turn-based style is a refreshing change of pace from the evolved role-playing game design, and deserves a playthrough even if you love the epic presentation of those other RPGs.

• WII
• 5 / 10
• États-Unis

It's just not surprising at all that the Golden Axe series faded out and died when it did, after witnessing the downsloping progression of its first three games here on the Virtual Console. The first title was memorable and fun in the arcades. Then it was made a bit less so by its watered down home console port, which is the version the VC got. Then its sequel offered a little innovation, but played pretty much the same – and this, the third title in the Genesis Golden Axe trilogy, dropped the ball even further. SEGA was right in its decision not to release this edition on cartridge back in the '90s, as it's not worth your time or effort. And certainly not worth 800 Wii Points. So stay well away, and, if you're still a fan of the franchise, pray that the upcoming revival for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 is at least worthwhile.

• PSP
• 8.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Should you buy Syphon Filter: Combat Ops? Yes. It's ten bucks, and even if you only create two or three maps and play'em online, the fun and frantic missions should cover the cost. This game's deep and easy to play, but my only worry is how long it'll be fun to keep playing. If the install base doesn't beef up, you might be left with a worthwhile title only a few fans are using at prearranged times. It might be hard to just pop into a game while you're waiting in your doctor's office. Still, you should pick this up -- it's a shining example of how online on the PSP -- voice, votes, boards and user content -- should work.

• PS3
• X360
• 4.8 / 10
• États-Unis

• DS
• 4.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command has a few strong features and can, occasionally, be fun, but we're extremely hesitant to recommend it because there are so many mechanical issues at hand. These problems are further complicated by the technical flaws of the DS version which interfere with the gameplay. If you own both a PSP and DS, you should definitely snag the PSP version. Although, you may be better off skipping this one entirely.

• PC
• 5.4 / 10
• États-Unis

• X360
• 7 / 10
• États-Unis

• DS
• 5 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 6 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 10 / 10
• États-Unis

• X360
• 5 / 10
• États-Unis

• X360
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 8.5 / 10
• États-Unis

There’s a trend developing with New Blood: More of the same, but improved overall. That general rule can be used in almost every facet of the game, and it’s really a testament to the solid design Atlus has on its hands. No global changes were needed, but the new game has more depth in gameplay, added multiplayer support, online ranking, more VO, and better overall story, improved presentation – now with 16:9 as well as the previously included 480p – a larger span of difficulty on both the easy and hard side of thins, and a fresh coat of polish around the entire package. There’s more to improve on, including full-fledged online play, a larger array of Healing Touch abilities, improved storytelling – static images and painted backdrops aren’t exactly engaging – and the lingering possibility of amazing DS-to-Wii connectivity that could come with a new wave of handheld and console versions of the game, but we’re getting to the point where most of our issues with Trauma Center are less actual complaints or flaws in the game, and more just general ways to make the next version even better. We put this one on our Holiday Buyer’s Guide for a reason, as Trauma Center is easily one of the best third party games on Wii this year. Games like New Blood fit the Wii almost perfectly, and even after blowing through two full games during the system’s first year we’re still asking for more, as there’s simply no denying the franchise’s motion/IR appeal. We could write volumes on why this game works, but it wouldn’t change the simple fact that it just does, so rather than read about the game you’d be better off grabbing a copy (and a friend) and just diving into one of the best pure gameplay experiences Wii has to offer. Trauma Center: New Blood is the best in the series, and a must-have for any Wii owner. Buy it, love it, and then beg for more.

• PSP
• 5.5 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 3 / 10
• États-Unis

The NES eventually saw the release of a few more capable, more playable and more fun volleyball designs, like Kings of the Beach and Super Spike V'Ball. And Super Spike was actually published by the Big N here in the States, way back when, so it's possible that it will show up again here on the Virtual Console sometime in the not too distant future. So, if anything, wait for that. Because Volleyball isn't worth 500 Wii Points at all. It's a mess to control, and it feels aged much more than its other contemporaries in the early NES Sports Series. Even Soccer would be a better option. ...still better than Urban Champion, though.