GStarrz

The best-looking 1-on-1 fighter that I've ever seen, and it's so much fun that it has me looking at new and upcoming releases of other franchises like Street Fighter, Capcom vs Marvel, and DragonBall and asking myself "Why bother when I've got this?" I loved the original (still miss Nightwing, Martian, and Batgirl), but the sequel far surpasses it. The additional abilities and gear system add a lot by allowing you to experiment with different combinations. Then there's the ever-changing Multiverse and Guild Multiverse which provide plenty of variety even for folks like me who usually don't engage in online play. It just keeps getting better with new additions like legendary gear and unique new fighters like Atom and the whole Ninja Turtle team. Still have my fingers crossed for Plastic Man to make an appearance!

If you are looking for something without the blood and realism, but that provides diverse forces and units to work with plus a wide expanse of possibilities for creative and experimental strategizing, this game is second to one (Impossible Creatures with the Insect Invasion expansion). Next to IC, I've never had more fun with an RTS game, and I constantly hear it calling me back for more. When you get the titan first, you'll think it's the coolest part of the game. When you don't, you'll curse the futility of attempting to defend yourself against one. The better you get, the less the latter will happen, and you will find that being first to the titan is not a guaranteed win. There is nothing more exciting than a titan war, and the victor will be the one who best supports his powerful behemoth with the right mix of regular units, heroes, and lesser mythological creatures. Victory doesn't always go to the army of greater numbers; it's more likely to go to the army with the better supply line. Being able to pump out new units as fast as they get wiped out can eventually turn the tide in your favor even if you were out-manned at the start of a battle. To be successful in this game, you also need to learn to hold the line while sneaking in the back door to swipe a settlement and lower your opponent's maximum number of units. And never underestimate the value of a well-played god power. There is such a giddy feeling about turning half of your opponent's army into pigs, and a well-placed hell's gate or a well-timed meteor shower can give you just enough edge at just the right time. The game is already old by industry standards, but the graphics are good, the fun factor is high, and if you have any creative bone in your body, there is tremendous replay value.