DiRT 3 proves to be a worthy outing, and in comparison to its predecessors offers enough bang for its proverbial buck in terms of overall content. However, the addition of the new Gymkhana free-style mode may give long-time DiRT fans more than they bargained for, and not necessarily in a good way with regards to the progression of the Tour mode. Gymkhana aside, and what we have here is another fine addition to the series that offers up plenty of incentive to rev those engines and get down n' dirty on the race track once again.
Hunted: The Demon's Forge isn't going to win any awards for originality or for its looks, but what it does provide is a welcome action adventure game that can be enjoyed by most gamers willing to overlook the somewhat dated presentation. The gameplay is solid and the characters likeable enough to encourage players to stick with it. If you're after a co-op or solo game that rests in the done to death fantasy realm, then you'd do well to have a look at Hunted as it's enjoyable and well worth the price of entry.
As a whole Two Worlds II is a definite step up from Two Worlds in almost every regard, and it especially shines through with its in-depth and thought out quest lines. Two Worlds II isn't however a match to the bigger western RPGs out there, e.g. The Elder Scrolls series. This is let down by the overly convoluting interface and control system that makes the gameplay feel like a generation behind.
Sega Rally Online Arcade brings some much needed arcade racing action to the XBLA and at a decent price. The content may be skimpy, but what you get is quality action that plays great online and offline.
Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale is a game that means to serve the fans, but is a let down in so many areas. With the stellar Torchlight hitting the marketplace as well, the only thing Daggerdale has on it is cooperative gameplay, and it even does that poorly. Only the most hardcore D&D fans should venture forth, everyone else should cast a haste spell and run away...quickly.
Duke Nukem Forever should have been released as an XBLA or PSN game for around 1600 - 2400 points which then you could have overlooked the fact that it really cannot compete with the big boys. There is fun to be had here if you're a Duke fan, but whether it's worth the price of entry is debatable and whether it was worth the 14 year wait is something for the history books to document.
Destined to prematurely hit the bargain bucket of game stores worldwide, Thor fails miserably in its bid to reignite the action and excitement that this summers blockbuster superhero smash brought to the big screens in waves. Predictably as a videogame movie adaptation, Thor fails epically. Interestingly enough though, as a cure for long-term insomnia, it can't be highly enough recommended.
Outland is a well-done sidescrolling action game that integrates its bullet hell mechanics well. It brings a little something new to an old genre, giving it a bit of fresh life. When looking at a genre where it's so easy for companies to cut corners and make one just like any of the others, seeing a game that really goes the extra mile is a good sign and worth supporting. It might not have as much content as some may want, but it's still an worthwhile experience.
In conclusion, Red Faction: Armageddon succeeds at being an enjoyable and entertaining sequel despite itself. Compared to its predecessor, it lacks the freedom of exploration, mission variety and more regrettably, the competitive online player that helped put Guerrilla on the map in this console generation, but on the positive side, Volition's narrower focus on the single-player campaign and online co-op has resulted in a significant trimming of fat, leaving a lean, mean and undeniably fun game that continues to revel in destruction, which is the calling card of the franchise.
