Pads & Panels

#9 Mortal Kombat (PS3, 360)

Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment – Developer: NetherRealm Studios

Who would have thought that all this franchise needed to return to the top was to take things back to its roots? The ninth iteration of the notorious franchise ditched the comic crossovers and the gimmicky create-a-character modes and returned to form in spectacular fashion . The fighting returns to a 2D space, the fatalities are even bloodier and more over the top than in recent memory, the graphics are better than ever, but more importantly, the controls are rock solid and have that easy-to-pick-up, hard-to-master feel for which the series was once known. (more…)

#10 Halo: Reach (360)

Publisher: Microsoft – Developer: Bungie

Our Review

Bungie may have bid a fond farewell to one of its most popular franchises in the form of Halo: Reach, but that’s not to say it didn’t leave the series with a bang. Described as “The Halo they always wanted to make,” this prequel to the series attempts to throw in everything but the kitchen sink. The single-player campaign, while somewhat shorter, is easily one of the best narratives Bungie has told in the series and eloquently brings everything full circle. The tighter scope also manages to make Reach more personal and engaging than previous titles in the series. (more…)