It's raining games!

The blitz of holiday-season game releases has officially started. One look at the crowded list of new releases proves it.

This is the time of year that I really get the most out of the Netflix-style Gamefly rental service - instead of buying games, I end up playing several new titles a week for about $20 a month. At the moment I've got Wet and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, with Halo: ODST shipping out next week. I'll post impressions of each, but for now here's a roundup of some recent reviews of high-profile releases:

Wet

A 1970s pulp-style action game with an emphasis on acrobatic, over-the-top moves and presentation


Team Xbox's Wet review
Gamespot's Wet review
1Up's Wet review
IGN's Wet review
G4's Wet review


Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

Four-player comic book beat'em-up with light role playing elements, featuring a roster of Marvel stars from Spider-Man to the Fantastic Four


Gamespot's Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 review (above)

IGN's Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 review
1Up's Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 review
Game Daily's Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 review


Need For Speed Shift

The latest in EA's acclaimed arcade racing series takes a more realistic approach


Gametrailer's Need For Speed Shift review (above)

IGN's Need for Speed Shift review
GameSpy's Need for Speed Shift review
Team Xbox's Need for Speed Shift review


NHL 10

This sequel to last year's groundbreaking sports title has gotten more attention than actual pro hockey


Gametrailers' NHL 10 review (above)

G4's NHL 10 review
IGN's NHL 10 review
Gamespot's NHL 10 review


Dirt 2

Codemasters' all-in-one offroad racing extravaganza


Gamespot's Dirt 2 review (above)

IGN's Dirt 2 review
G4's Dirt 2 review
1Up's Dirt 2 review


The Beatles Rock Band

The Fab Four is introduced to a new generation of fans. Again. But the real star here is the four-part vocal harmonizing


Gamespot's The Beatles Rock Band review (above)

1Up's The Beatles Rock Band review
IGN's The Beatles Rock Band review
GameDaily's The Beatles Rock Band review
G4's The Beatles Rock Band review


Guitar Hero 5

A terrific new setlist and a roster of stars like Kurt Cobain is just the beginning


Gametrailers' Guitar Hero 5 review (above)

Gamespot's Guitar Hero 5 review
IGN's Guitar Hero 5 review
G4's Guitar Hero 5 review
Team Xbox's Guitar Hero 5 review