Verdict: The last days of the Old West go out with a bang!

In a Nutshell: Outlaw-turned-rancher John Marston is forced to hunt down his former criminal brethren while seeking to redeem himself from the life of an outlaw.

(from the game’s website)

“America, early 1900’s. The era of the cowboy is coming to an end.

When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is sent across the American frontier to help bring the rule of law. Experience intense gun battles, dramatic train robberies, bounty hunting and duels during a time of violent change.

Red Dead Redemption is an epic battle for survival in a beautiful open world as John Marston struggles to bury his blood-stained past, one man at a time.
“

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Verdict: lots of eye candy

In a Nutshell: This is an advanced and very shiny version of Breakout.

(from the publisher’s website)

“Shatter is a retro-inspired brick-breaking game that merges familiar action with unique twists and a modern crafted production approach. Innovative controls, physics effects, power-ups, special attacks, and boss battles which combine to provide an experience that is always interactive.”

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Verdict: Beans!

In a Nutshell: An agrarian card game that encourages a lot of wheeling and dealing.

(from the publisher’s website)

“This great card game is about planting, trading, and selling beans – 11 kinds of beans (this English version includes all the cards from the original game and the first expansion). Players try to collect large sets of beans to sell for gold. There is limited growing space and always new beans to plant. To avoid planting unwanted beans, players trade them to other players who want them for their bean fields.”

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Verdict: Nice puzzler

In a Nutshell: Block pushing, timed puzzler.

(from the publisher’s website)

“Hunters have invaded the Arctic! Mr. Big, the CEO of Globoco, has decided to drill in the Arctic. Unfortunately, Polar and his family are in the way, and he’s hired hunters to clear them out by any means necessary.

Help Polar rescue his family by battling the hunters, and Mr. Big in frantic arcade play. Use iceblocks, dynamite crates, and anything else handy to drive Globoco out of your territory. Once the arctic is safe, master all 50 devious stages of Puzzle Mode.”

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Verdict: Fan-Service-Tastic!

In a Nutshell: 3rd-Person ghost bustin’ with the original gang. Bustin’ makes me feel good!

(from the game’s website)

The Ghostbusters are back in an all new story penned by the original creators! With Manhattan newly overrun by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, it’s up to you to take on the role of a new recruit joining the original fim cast of the famous Ghostbusters team. Equipped with a variety of unique weapons and gadgets, you will hunt, fight, and capture a wide range of uncanny phantasms and demons in an all new funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague.

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Verdict: very nice

In a Nutshell: The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood is the fourth chapter in the Tales of Monkey Island adventure game series.

(from the game’s website)

“Guybrush returns to Flotsam Island, but forget about a hero’s welcome. Handed over to De Singe by the backstabbing Morgan LeFlay, Guybrush is seized by an angry mob and put on trial! With a silk-tongued prosecutor in his face and a hangman’s noose dangling over his neck, Guybrush must figure out how to defend himself against grave accusations. Meanwhile, the determined Marquis sets his sights on a new and far more attractive test subject. How on earth will the Mighty Pirate get out of this mess? The monthly Tales of Monkey Island tension continues to mount in “The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood.” Brace yourself for a shocking revelation that will rock the world of Monkey Island to its core.”

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Verdict: Maddeningly Addictive!

In a Nutshell: A competitive bidding board game of strategy and cunning.

(from the game’s website)

“Secretly bid against your opponents to gain the support of the people, win territory . . . and gather more Gold, Blackmail, and Force for the next round of bidding! Will you try to control the tavern or the fortress? The harbor or the plantation? Knowing where to push for support – and where to back away and let your opponents fight – is the key to victory. It’s a game of bluff, counter-bluff, and surprise.”

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Verdict: Avast! (sea of fun)

In a Nutshell: Lair of the Leviathan is the third chapter in the Tales of Monkey Island adventure game series.

(from the game’s website)

“Trapped in the belly of the beast, our hero encounters a surprising band of castaways, including the long-lost (and obsessive-compulsive) explorer Coronado De Cava. Can the Mighty Pirate win the suspicious De Cava’s trust? Will sexy pirate hunter Morgan LeFlay prove to be a ruthless enemy, or an unlikely ally? Will the group find La Esponja Grande in time to save Elaine from the rampant Pox of LeChuck? And will the world be crushed by the gnashing teeth of a certain demonic skull? Tales of Monkey Island’s moist and absorbing third episode, Lair of the Leviathan, will answer some of these urgent questions — and raise still more — as the five month adventure builds to its epic climax!”

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Verdict: interesting

In a Nutshell: This is a first-person shooter/puzzle and was one of the 2009 PAX 10.

(from the game’s website)

“Tag: The Power of Paint, a first-person platformer created by seven RTIS and BFA students at DigiPen, was chosen from ten IGF Student Showcase Finalists as winner of the Best Student Game Award.”

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Verdict: not bad

In a Nutshell: This plays like a puzzling variation on pinball but with a rag doll and was one of the 2009 PAX 10.

(from the game’s website)

“CarneyVale: Showtime is a vertical ragdoll platform game for Xbox LIVE Community Games. In the game, you play as Slinky, a circus acrobat trying to rise up the ranks by performing acrobatic tricks and death-defying stunts through increasingly complex arenas.”

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