If we were to head out on an expedition, we’d be sure to bring on our shiny new PS Vita. But the real question: What games would we bring? We’ve got answers in our PS Vita reviews feature that breaks down the good, the bad, and the ugly of the portable system’s first wave of games.

We also take a look at the best and worst DLC, and name the 10 Greatest PS3 Games You’ve (probably) Never Played. How do we know you haven’t played these games? Because these are the games that made game critics sing…and game company accountants weep.

Elsewhere in the issue, we take a closer look at Resident Evil 6 after Capcom’s recent announcement confirming a November 20th, 2012 release. And our lead preview of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron seems to indicate that the gaming franchise is trending upward—in direct contrast to the film franchise.

Twisted Metal heads up our reviews this month, and the long-awaited return of the franchise delivers frenetic vehicular mayhem at its finest. And if ragin’ in the streets isn’t enough for you, head to the slopes as we review the new SSX. But the most memorable review game this month may actually be the beautiful, affecting Journey.

It’s all in PTOM’s April issue, hitting newsstands everywhere on March 13.

We’ve also got new info on Hitman: Absolution, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, and the recently announced Rainbow 6: Patriots. And with PS Vita’s launch on the horizon, check out our hands-on impressions for a number of launch titles. And just for fun, our “Around the World in 96 Games” feature offers lessons in geography and culture based on information culled from PlayStation games. It’s everything you need to know about the world that you couldn’t be bothered to learn in school because you were too busy playing games.

PTOM also reflects back on the year that was 2011, looks to the future with some New Year’s resolution suggestions for Sony, and give our final verdicts on the last batch of games from this holiday season.

Some of our big reviews this issue are the highly anticipated Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, but it’s our head-to-head review feature for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 that’s sure to inspire the most debate. We’ve already started receiving *ahem* heated comments from subscribers who have already received their issues.

Regardless of these occasional differences in opinion, though, it’s great to be part of the PlayStation family. So hug it out, peoples! And have a safe, prosperous, and happy New Year.

If modern war doesn’t have enough shooting to satisfy your trigger finger, how about a good ol’-fashioned American crime spree? We’ve got Saints Row: The Third’s Super Genius Man-Cat Professor Genki with an exclusive tour of the violence-ridden city of Steelport. It’s the wackiest spin on the open-world crime game that we’ve seen since….well, never. Honestly, in what other game can you fire a weapon that shoots a mind-controlling octopus that you can detonate for wide-scale destruction? Or call in an airstrike to take out rival gang members? There’s even a controller button dedicated to delivering nutshots! It’s outrageous—in that special, tasteless way we so adore.

Rounding out the issue, we’ve got big-time previews of THQ’s brawlers WWE ‘12 and UFC Undisputed 3, hang out with platform pals in Rayman Origins and Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, and take spin in Ridge Racer: Unbounded. We’ve also got the final verdict on the latest PlayStation releases including Resistance 3, Dead Island, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, NHL and Madden 12, and the oh-so-special Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection.

We’ve also got first looks at Borderlands 2 and our new gamegal crush with Lollipop Chainsaw. PTOM is on newsstands September 27th and hitting subscribers mailboxes right now. Enjoy!