A fantastic story and characters, loads of style, and top-notch production value. [Sept 2002, p.2002]

Despite the steep learning curve, it has more content and more unlockable secrets than nearly any other game to date. [Jan 2005, p.70]

The whole thing is animated by a catchy faux indie rock soundtrack. [July 2005, p.58]

Because of the high reliance on other people, diplomacy is a coveted real-world skill as well, and those who can use it wisely always have the most fun. [Feb 2004, p.62]

You can finally enable player names to appear below each player on the pitch, and this makes is so much easier to tell who is who. The game is loaded with modest and subtle changes like this that end up adding a lot to the game.

Unlike its PC counterpart America's Army also serves up some excellent single-player missions. [Feb 2006, p.88]

They've left out the overbearing story elements and achieved a deliriously unselfconscious zaniness. [July 2005, p.91]

It's too easy, and over too soon, but for $30 it's nearly a comlete childhood on a CD. [Aug 2005, p.70]

Has something for everyone who has a joystick connected to his computer. [Mar 2003, p.83]

The 2007 model adds a few necessary tweaks, such as multiple levels of minor leagues. and a more detailed almanac so that you can track more information about your leagues history. [Oct. 2006, p.69]

Anyone looking to quickly dismiss it as just another ripoff in the same vein as "MTV Sports: Skateboarding Featuring Andy Macdonald" had better take a long second look, as this game is a great experience in its own right.

For grand tactical combat poured sweet and clear, Boku's Combat Command 2: Danger Forward is an excellent choice.

How can you not love a game where people clap for you when you successfully complete a scenario? Brilliant.

Hunters is a grand handheld shooter with as darling an interface as you could hope for. Everything else--and ther's plenty--is gravy. [July 2006, p.90]

It's all just another example of how well Nippon Ichi's strategy role-playing games are continuing to evolve. [Sept 2005, p.87]

Rarely inconsistent, often frustrating, and always flexible, the world of Gothic II is, for lack of a more appropriate term, the most believable virtual place you can visit. [Feb 2004, p.59]

An orcload more of the almost anachronicstic same...It's simply Warlords, the best damn hardcore computer-fantasy-wargame series out there. [Jan 2004, p.66]

There isn't anything revolutionary in Phase Two, but everything is top quality. [Nov 2005, p.76]

The uncanny shortage of "Diablo" fans with an interest in the obscurities of Chinese history probably limits the game's appeal. [Nov 2002, p.87]

It has terrific graphics, better sound and music (the LEGO songs are great), and surprisingly entertaining gameplay. [May 2003, p.87]

Mirrors its PC version so closely that you could own just one version without missing much. [Feb 2006, p.88]

The missions are challenging, with a nice, even learning curve spicing things up with some dynamic victory conditions and other such swerves along the way to keep things interesting. [Jan 2004, p.71]

The most detailed and elaborate simulation of its type, a game whose sheer scope makes it compelling even if it hasn't changed much over the years. [Jan 2003, p.76]

Europa Universalis III is still one of the best grand strategy games you can find. [Apr 2007, p.64]

Even in such an obvious "as is" state, it remains the best turn-based strategy release since 1999's "Jagged Alliance 2."

Unlike last year's model, it has a career mode that supplements its season and exhibition play. [Jun 2006, p.90]

Beyond multiplayer flaws, there are a few other things that keep Shogo from being the be-all and end-all of 3D shooters. Chief among these is the absolutely pathetic enemy AI. Enemies in Shogo don't move much, and very rarely pursue you.

If you're new to immensely detailed simulation games, Restaurant Empire might be frustrating, but it's very accessible, since you can lower the difficulty until you get the hang of it. [July 2003, p.80]

Don't let its budget price fool you, MoonBase Commander is an incredibly entertaining game regardless of its price tag and quirky online support. [Nov 2002, p.86]

Gameplay is ultimately what we're interested in, and in this area, Duke is the king. But so what? If 3D Realms really wants to impress us, they can move beyond this type of gameplay.

Easily the most polished, intelligent and satisfying wargame since "Combat Mission." [Sept 2002, p.78]

Feels like a breath of fresh air, an unpretentious and stupidly entertaining little game that has little grasp of reality but delivers serious fun. [Oct 2004, p.83]

It's the best evidence of games' actually having some value beyond entertainment, and it's a total bonus and not necessary for game enjoyment. You can play it just as a game, and it works fine too. [July 2006, p.62]

Enjoy Battlefront's quick, heady, affectionate rush while it lasts and pray they don't dumb it down any further. [Dec 2004, p.82]

City Life is all about creating a provocative and challenging social model, then giving you the tools to play with it and the 3D engine to admire it. [Sept. 2006, p.66]

It's brilliant and obscure and like all the best satire, you probably don't even know that it's laughing at you. [Oct 2005, p.88]

Jumpgate is a huge exception to the unofficial rule for online-only games. It is stable, solid, and virtually lag free even over a dial-up connection.

Much like "Shogo", Blood 2 excels in pure feel and fun factor alone. It may not have impressive scripted scenes around every corner and the plot is incredibly weak at best, but the core of the game-running around and shooting people-is extremely satisfying.

If you are looking for a diverse lot of cars and some stunningly beautiful roads to drive them on, then Rally Trophy is squarely at the front of the rallying pack.

Still, if you were intrigued at all by the PvP aspects of the original design but frustrated by the steep learning curve--or if you're just brand-new to the game--Factions is the best place to jump in and experience one of the deepest and most rewarding franchises in gaming. [Sept. 2006, p.79]

While veterans of the series who like fast and loose gun battles might complain about the design changes, anyone who appreciates variety and a touch of realism in their WWII shooters should appreciate the new direction. [Jan 2004, p.77]

Complaints aside, GRAW is possible the best-produced and most engaging entry in the whole Tom Clancy milieu. [Jun 2006, p.89]

Camelot has never looked better, and Catacombs definitely gives seasoned players a good reason to stay, adn new ones a good reason to try this classic. [June 2005, p.70]

There is certainly enough new here to recommend it to even casual fans. [Jan 2006, p.60]

A satisfying, complete, and reassuringly familiar gaming experience.

There is a great deal of depth in the game's history for the developers to build on, and a great deal of depth in the skill system for players to explore. [Mar 2003, p.82]

A fantastic game full of personality, brains, and drop-dead looks with the backing of a popular license. [Dec 2004, p.80]

Wild World is more of an expansion than a sequel. The DS version adds online play and a camera that follows you instead of one that shifts from screen to screen. [Mar 2006, p.89]

In the end, it does a decent job of bringing the massive battle formula to the King Arthur license. [Feb 2005, p.9]

But don't come to the title expecting flashy graphics; most of the too few animations look pretty shoddy. [July 2004, p.7]

The gameplay is far too unbalanced, making for simple wins and an experience that gets old quickly. Still, fans of the old "NFL Blitz" games or "NBA Street" won't be disappointed. [May 2004, p.12]

In the end, being a remake holds these snakes back. [June 2004, p.11]

While it can become predictable at times, the game does have Xbox Live support, which adds to its shelf life. [Apr 2004, p.8]

In the end, it does a decent job of bringing the massive battle formula to the King Arthur license. [Feb 2005, p.9]

The gameplay is far too unbalanced, making for simple wins and an experience that gets old quickly. Still, fans of the old "NFL Blitz" games or "NBA Street" won't be disappointed. [May 2004, p.12]

The gameplay is far too unbalanced, making for simple wins and an experience that gets old quickly. Still, fans of the old "NFL Blitz" games or "NBA Street" won't be disappointed. [May 2004, p.12]

The game does suffer from a sub par song list, but if you're really into the music genre, the chance to Groove is more than enough reason to get an EyeToy. [May 2004, p.11]

A memorable fight. [Aug 2004, p.7]

The game does a great job at recognizing tones. [Oct 2004, p.9]

The most glaring error in the game, however, is the pop up. Enemies appear out of nowhere because the engine is unable to draw them close enough. [Apr 2004, p.7]

While the game is not very impressive when it comes to graphics, it makes up for it with goofy character designs and brightly colored backgrounds. [June 2004, p.12]

In the end, it does a decent job of bringing the massive battle formula to the King Arthur license. [Feb 2005, p.9]

Provides a very satisfying wrap-up to this series and, in some ways, is the best gaming experience of the group.

At a good 20 hours and packed with loads of collectible cards, Acid 2 is classy, original work for the PSP. [July 2006, p.89]

The generous slathering of nostalgia for the locations and characters of the old arcade games is a treat. [Dec p.93]

If you can stomach the difficulty and the middle-of-the-road graphics, Dark Corners of the Earth offers a lot of suspense-filled gameplay in the 10 or so hours it takes to complete the adventure. [Sept. 2006, p.70]

If you don't have any friends over 30, the developers have kindly provided 'bots. [July 2005, p.91]

Wings of War isn't perfect, but beautiful; stylistic design and creative mission structure go a long way toward disguising the game's few drawbacks. [Dec 2004, p.93]

With Rise of the Witch-King, EA has officially left precious few licensing stones unturned. [Mar 2007, p.64]

The generous slathering of nostalgia for the locations and characters of the old arcade games is a treat. [Dec p.93]

Just as solid a race game on the PC as it was on the Xbox, and definitely one of the better Rally-based arcade racers out there. [Feb 2003, p.77]

No real surprises; this is a fine expansion if you have a higher level character, but, beyond the Alternate Advancement system, there's little to entice you if your entire stable of Everquest II characters tops out at level 23. [Jun 2006, p.82]

Despite a name that sounds like a new blend at Starbucks, there's a lot to like about Shadowgrounds. [Oct. 2006, p.70]

Lavish aesthetics notwithstanding, Adventure Pinball also plays a mean game. Only the inevitable onset of repetition dulls its luster.

Koios Works is building the best ancient wargames since the "Great Battles" series of the late nineties. [Aug 2005, p.74]

There are times when it plays like a dream; conversely there are times that it plays more like the Arena League rather than the NFL.

Quotation forthcoming. [Nov 2005]

It will take at least a full game or two (or three) before you have any idea what you are doing, but even before you learn the ropes, Europa 1400: The Guild is strangely addictive. [Apr 2003, p.85]

Running a multiplayer league pretty much works as advertised, but it feels tacked on...It's the kind of game that is worth wading through its warts to get to the good stuff. [May 2004, p.64]

A light but oddly entertaining gaming hors d'oeuvre... And the price is right. [Oct 2002, p.75]

The framework is there for a solid game with a compelling, if not entirely original, story. [Jan 2003, p.74]

It's about as straightforward as an expansion pack gets. There's just more of everything, and one or two minor interface tweaks.

The lush ground terrain and scenery make this one of the richest looking settings for some quick action. Just don't bank on realism.

Normally, mining the license library to populate new hardware is a move that smacks of laziness and creative bankruptcy. In this case, Capcom seems to be on to something. [May 2006, p.91]

Only those hungry enough for the challenge to overlook the stodgy game engine need apply.

Which brings us to the game's greatest flaw, a smorgasbord of bugs, glitches, and blatantly missing features. [Dec 2003, p.82]

A better-than-average expansion pack, worth the asking price of thirty greenbacks, but diminished by its lack of real inspiration. [Sept 2003, p.72]

The number of levsls has shrunk with the rest of the package, a bummer revelation that casts a minor cloud on this tropical beach party. [July 2006, p.89]

While it's incredibly playable and entertaining for 10 hours or so, it's also limiting and linear. [Nov 2003, p.99]

But for every warm fuzzy old-school feeling it invokes, there's an annoying old-school counterbalance, including a litany of bugs (some of whihch have been patched) and a tired, predictable plot. [Jan 2003, p.70]

While some features are better, the most important part—the AI—has received little attention. While it's still a fun game, it's not much of an improvement over last year's edition.

This game takes about as much time as reading a few twenty-page comics...There aren't many superhero games that have even come close to the sheer reverence this game holds for its lead character.

While it's rough around the edges, playing more like a prototype than a finished product, there's finally a reason to get excited about the future of the series. [Jan 2004, p.70]

While the AI is good on the field, it's terrible in the front office. [June 2005, p.57]

A reminder that sometimes a solid jaunt through a colorful little world is better than plodding through yet another post-apocalyptic wasteland. [Feb 2003, p.73]

For all its clumsy new baggage and rushed feel, Homeworld 2 takes itself seriously, designed from the ground up as a reward to the faithful rather than an olive branch to the casual newcomer. [Dec 2003, p.84]

It's impossible to dislike, despite its flaws. [Jan 2005, p.63]

Mobile forces is vanilla near-future sci-fi, and this non-descript, and non-story sensibility hurts the game a bit. [Nov 2002, p.83]