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On July 19, 2008, seismologists across the globe experienced a strange phenomenon -- the needles on their trusty seismographs began to bounce ever so slightly. Some would blame it on tiny movements in our Earth's tectonic plates. Others would attribute it to faulty equipment. Those with an active internet connection and a penchant for gaming news, however, quickly discovered the cause of the activity -- simultaneous, powerful groans, uttered in response to an image of Sonic the Hedgehog, brandishing a broadsword.

On the surface, Haze does everything right. Its mechanics are rock solid, collision detection is spot on, the guns have a great feel, and there’s an attempt at a moral message to the storyline. Digging deeper, Haze falls apart and becomes nothing more than a forgettable FPS with some fun four player online co-op.

The date of 9-9-99 should ring familiar to gamers. The Dreamcast launched alongside Namco’s epic fighter Soul Calibur on that September day, setting a precedent Dreamcast developers would struggle to match for the lifespan of the console. On the Live Arcade, the game proves it has extensive legs in its gameplay, but Namco has botched this port by excluding vital features.

It’s amazing what taking such a simple feature such as jumping out of game to do. Over the years, it’s something we’ve become so accustomed to, it’s impossible to live without. Bionic Commando didn’t just take it out, it replaced with a far more difficult to master mechanic, the bionic arm. A video game legacy was born.

Become a deadly assassin in the Holy Land of 1191 AD in Assassin's Creed ($60/360 or PS3). Incredibly detailed with historically-accurate models of Jerusalem, Damascus, and Acre, the game features an open level design, high-concept story, and plenty of fighting — a great mix of history, intrigue, and action that should be perfect for that post-Halo 3 hangover.

Sure, it's just a precursor to the full version of Gran Turismo 5, but we're getting Gran Turismo 5 Prologue ($40; April 15) anyway. Offering more than 70 cars from the likes of Ferrari, Lotus, BMW, and more, and with six different tracks to drive on, it's more than a simple preview. Prologue will also offer online racing with up to 16 players, gorgeous graphics rendered in 1080p at 60 frames per second, and as always, legendary Gran Turismo vehicle tuning.

Grant Theft Auto is a series that needs zero introduction, so we'll refrain from telling you that it's one of the most influential (and controversial) video games ever. We won't waste your time telling you that the franchise has sold more than 65 million copies, or that your grandmother is carjacking fools right now from the secrecy of her bedroom. No, we'll just let you know GTA IV ($60) is now available and you want it — you want it badly. The game takes place in an environment with an uncanny resemblance to New York City, but a bizarro version with a lot of crime.

After all this time, why miss out on Snake's final mission? Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots ($60) is being touted as the final installment in the long-running stealth action series, and should see the return of some of your favorite characters from previous MGS adventures. Unfortunately, the game has been kept under surprisingly tight wraps, so there are few details to go around — but rest assured, the game will be gorgeous, intense, and, knowing series creator Hideo Kojima, a hell of a lot of fun.

Midway provides us with a first look at their upcoming Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe mashup for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms.