Bastion is a game that's confident in what it has to offer--and for good reason. It's a beautifully detailed action RPG that doesn't waste your time with anything less than its best. Simplicity and variety permeate the entire game to create a wildly customizable experience that always leaves you excited for what's coming up next. Stages consistently end on a high note, and the number of ways you can tweak your character is extensive. There's a lot to discover in Bastion, and even after you've seen it all, it's still a game that's hard to put down.

Source: GameSpot

With Dungeon Siege III, you might have expected a game that lived up to the nine-year-old adventure that started the series. Instead, you get a short and simple dungeon crawler with no aspirations to be anything more. On its own terms, Dungeon Siege III is fine, if standard-issue. You mash a button, cast some magic, and earn a ton of loot for your troubles. This game drizzles gold upon you as if it were pennies from heaven, and because you can turn unneeded items into currency right in your inventory screen, you never need to leave anything cool on the forest floor. But you needn't have played the first two games to see where this sequel falls short of its potential. And if you did play them, you're bound to be disappointed by how everything that made previous Dungeon Siege games special was stripped away. It's not that playing Dungeon Siege III is a choice you'd regret--it's that you wouldn't remember anything about it once it was over.

Source: GameSpot

This being a Fallout game, it's no surprise that you could run into a number of bugs. These include some enemies you cannot damage or target in the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System because they are standing in water; corpses hovering in midair; and non-player characters running from you in fear for absolutely no reason. Don't let such typical bugs dissuade you from considering Fallout: New Vegas - Honest Hearts, however. The story and related quests don't surprise, but this add-on gives you the opportunity to once again influence those you meet and accomplish your goals as you see fit. And, you do those things in a desert environment harboring enough creatures and caves to make it worth exploring.

Source: GameSpot

When Demon's Souls was released back in the fall of 2009, it surprised gamers for a number of reasons. Japanese developer From Software created a game that was so ruthlessly hardcore that it was surprising when the PlayStation 3 audience took so fervently to it. Equally surprising were its sales. Demon's Souls managed to sell well over 500,000 copies in the United States alone. Quite a feat for a PlayStation 3 exclusive assumed to be such a niche title that Sony didn't bother to publish the game outside of Japan. 

Source: IGN

With Dungeon Siege III, developer Obsidian Entertainment (creator of Fallout: New Vegas) has been tasked with rebooting a cIassic PC hack-and-slash dungeon-crawler series for the modern age. The original Dungeon Siege, which was released back in 2002 by developer Gas Powered Games, was beloved for its accessibility and addictive gameplay. However, Obsidian isn't afraid to make a few controversial changes to the formula, such as removing the ability to create your own custom characters in favor of offering a selection of four premade heroes. The aim is to bring the developer's storytelling prowess to a genre infamous for putting plot on the back burner.

Source: GameSpot

The original White Knight Chronicles may not have received glowing reviews, but it was a solid, gorgeous-looking Japanese role-playing game nonetheless. Level 5 took into consideration some of the fan feedback and has addressed some of the concerns in the upcoming White Knight Chronicles II. If you haven't played the original game, however, that's not a problem. White Knight Chronicles II will be released with the original game's single-player story campaign so that you can experience the entire story with the improved combat features.

Source: GameSpot

The Elder Scrolls series has come a long way since its humble beginnings on the PC back in the early '90s. Throughout the years, these games have gathered a loyal following enamored with their massive worlds and open-ended gameplay. At Bethesda Softworks BFG 2011 press event, located deep in the mountains of Utah, we got our first peek at what's to come for this venerable role-playing series.

Source: GameSpot

After last week's reveal of Katarina, the Legionnaire sniper and Lescanzi witch, we've had a chance to get hands-on with her in Dungeon Siege III, a combat heavy action RPG that takes the series in a new direction. Its twist is in the co-op, which is as polished as you'd expect; drop-in, drop-out multiplayer works solidly with up to four players, though you are limited to the same area.

Source: IGN

Decent shooting does not make for a fitting finale to Mass Effect's second chapter, however--not when prior add-ons have set the bar so high. Compared to what has come before in this universe, Arrival is a husk--outwardly familiar, yet lacking the character and careful construction that give Mass Effect 2 its soul. This is how a game can suffer when the elements that make it special are remixed or removed. By withholding excellent characters, squad banter, and the element of choice, Arrival transforms Mass Effect 2 into a mediocre third-person shooter.

Source: GameSpot

Developers 38 Studios and Big Huge Games took the opportunity at this year's Game Developers Conference to show off their new action role-playing game Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Founded by former Major League Baseball pitcher Curt Schilling, 38 Studios has assembled a talented cast from across the entertainment industry to bring its primer title to life. These include Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore, and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion lead designer Ken Rolston.

Source: GameSpot

Once again, we stepped into the young adventurer's shoes. Adept with a sword and shield, Lucas is a strong melee fighter who excels at powerful blows against single targets. Our co-op companion was Anjali, a fiery mage with some crowd-control abilities. Our mission was to help Leona, a witch looking to set up shop in the dilapidated Gunderic Manor. We agreed to investigate the manor for her and clear out any malcontents (or homeless people) we found within it.

Source: GameSpot

In certain key ways, Dragon Age 2 is a step back. Regardless of how you may feel about the changes to the formula, however, it's still a great RPG that draws you in, thanks to the power of choice. Here is a game in which decisions have consequences that ripple outward, producing effects you may not have seen coming. What makes them more effective is that there is not always a clearly bad or good path to take--not in this world in which greed and anger course through the veins of so many, regardless of their affiliation. Personal connections in your family and adventuring party further complicate matters, ensuring there isn't one obvious way to continue. It's a shame that these intricacies were tempered by unnecessary simplification and unfocused storytelling. Nevertheless, Dragon Age II makes a strong impression, pulling you through with the promise of another fun quest, another character to meet, and another beast to slay.

Source: GameSpot

It may have taken a while, but Torchlight has made it to the Xbox 360. This hack-and-slash game debuted on the PC back in the fall of 2009 to raves about its fantastic re-creation of the cIassic Diablo clickfest formula, and the nearly identical Xbox Live Arcade take on the game is every bit as hard to put down. Combat is fast and bloody, loot drops are plentiful and varied, and the overall production values are rich with cartoonish visuals, as well as a catchy soundtrack that will keep you humming tunes long after you have shut down the game. Only the absence of multiplayer keeps the game from reaching the heights of its action-oriented role-playing-game rivals.

Source: GameSpot

As entertaining as Traitor's Keep is, it's hard not to be let down by the lack of ambition. The tone, combat, and storytelling stick closely to what Fable III offered, without pushing any individual element that would allow it to stand out from its forebearer's shadow. That familiarity is certainly not a bad thing, and it's a welcome homecoming for those who crave more of the same, but in the rich world of Albion, a few doses of ingenuity could have gone a long way. Nevertheless, it's hard to deny the inherent fun Traitor's Keep delivers. The gooey charm that Fable exudes is so pleasant that it's easy to get lost in this world all over again. With new places to explore and enemies to fight, you can be sure of at least a few surprises, and your expressive adversaries provide fresh faces to square off against. Traitor's Keep is too traditional to lure in players craving something unique, but for those who want a chance to return to Albion once more, this provides a welcome return to your throne.

Source: GameSpot

It's to Trinity's credit that it stays interesting for dozens of hours when there is almost nothing to do except fight. Excellent controls, a wealth of different moves, and a variety of angry beasts keep things fresh throughout, so you won't even mind trudging through the same dungeon multiple times. It's just a shame that nothing interesting was built around this enticing combat. The weak story is difficult to pay attention to and even harder to care about, and the streamlined leveling system takes out much of the thrill of earning experience. Trinity feels like one half of a must-play role-playing game. You may crave more variety, but the combat in Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll is so good it sucks you into this adventure anyway.

Source: GameSpot

Before getting into the demo, Kajii wanted to make sure that everyone understood that this is another third-person action role-playing game that's very much about strategic, tactical swordplay. He also made sure that we were all aware that, like its challenging predecessor, Dark Souls was going to be difficult. Death will come, and it will come often. So much in fact, that Kajii hopes players will find it funny. As in the first game, you will play as a customizable hero, but for the sake of a smoother-flowing demo, the knight was fully equipped, and all the HUD elements were turned off. After the initial tutorial, you'll find yourself in the middle of some old ruins, overrun with foliage and dilapidated stone structures.

Source: GameSpot

It's unlikely that you look to an expansive role-playing game like this seeking the thrill of online rivalry, however, and Two Worlds II delivers where it counts most. The spellcrafting, potion-making, and equipment upgrade systems offer plenty of depth, yet aren't so convoluted as to make their workings a mystery. Great quests and hidden caches of treasure make this an inviting world to explore, and the ease of travel ensures that exploration is never a frustration. Great writing, memorable characters, and beautiful visuals could have taken Two Worlds II to the next level, but even without them, there is enough combat and mission variety to keep you busy and happy for dozens of hours. If you long for a bit of old-world flavor, you'd do best to overlook the ragged edges and allow Antaloor to work its magic on you.

Source: GameSpot

To help curb potential living room fisticuffs, items and equipment you find during your travels are unique to the individual characters--meaning only one character may wear a particular pair of gloves or wield a specific staff. Inventory is also shared among the party members. Players may drop in and play and drop out when they're finished, with the computer retaking control of their discarded hero. In addition to co-op play, Obsidian is pouring a lot of effort into crafting a robust story. Creative writer Geroge Ziets, author of the moody Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer expansion, is penning this tale, with series' progenitor Chris Taylor serving as a project adviser.

Source: GameSpot

There isn't one element of Venetica you can hold up as something really great. The bits and pieces that make up this adventure sound fine in theory--lots of quests, diversity of spells, picturesque backdrop--but all come with warning signs. Venetica is not a terrible game by any stretch, but its elements are so mired in mediocrity that it's often difficult to see the good hidden behind the sea of problems. Scarlett is a strong protagonist, and it's really easy to get behind her quest because you play such a pivotal role in shaping who she is. But one strong character is not enough to make this lengthy RPG worth playing, and there isn't a unique hook to make this feel different from other games. Unless you've exhausted the wealth of superior offerings out there, there isn't much of a reason to visit Venetica's disappointing world.

Source: GameSpot

Torchlight is one of the freshly announced Xbox Live Arcade titles that are part of Microsoft's House Party event set to run in February and March. The game is a conversion of the sleeper hit from developer Runic Games that served up a tasty dose of Diablo-esque dungeon exploration.

Source: GameSpot