Unwrapping the horror that is... Baltimore. [Dec p.60]

The insanely high upkeep costs involved in maintaining new cities, coupled with the dubious payoff of repetitive alien attacks, will probably drive more than a few entrepreneurs back to the friendlier phantasmagoria of "Shadowlands." [Jan 2005, p.67]

While the game's multiplayer is truly innovative, it seems to come at the expense of the solo game.

While it's great to see it return to the PC after a three-year absence, it doesn't reach the heights of previous editions. [Feb 2003, p.67]

There aren't many gameplay variations, but it's a nice, colorful diversion. [Feb. 2007, p.74]

The translation ot what seem like a bazillion Yu-Gi-Oh! cards to a handheld game isn't easy, but for the most part this is as perfect a translation of a CCG as you could wish. [July 2006, p.88]

It's so close to being a masterpiece that you'll inevitably be disappointed, but when you step back and look at the whole instead of focusing on the parts, the one thing that stands out more than save limitations or the lack of configuration is the spectacular action.

Plays like a series of Shakespearean plays with every king having a character arc and every count's struggle up the ladder of power a fascinating narrative. [Aug 2004, p.62]

It's crazy, but there's something that keeps you coming back even when you think you'll be bored watching ships being built or exploring for mineral deposits. [Mar 2004, p.82]

Yet another one of those blandly respectful WWII shooters, with all the reverence for history of a five-day bus tour. [Aug 2005, p.90]

Hall of Fame was released for the major console systems in 2004, but this PSP port comes with extra tables, all presented as virtuoso 3D recreations, fully playable from your choice of six camera views that can easily be switched on the fly. [Mar 2006, p.91]

Despite the surface problems, there's a lot of real depth to Soldiers of Anarchy – just kitting out your team can take almost as long as a mission itself. [Feb 2003, p.71]

Even with its sometimes infuriating difficulty level (think the last 45-minute-no-break-boss-battle from "Serious Sam"), Bandits is an out-of-left-field action game that satisfies your inner Mel Gibson. [May 2003, p.83]

Overall, Out of the Park Baseball 2006 is the most ambitious text-based baseball GM simulator ever, and one of the best games of the year. [Sept. 2006, p.65]

Its weak campaign notwithstanding, Pterodon has the right idea when it comes to winning hearts and minds. [May 2004, p.59]

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]

Combined with the recent God of War, a pattern seems to be developing: the gifts Ares bestows come at the cost of a clad torso. [Dec p.88]

Styled to appeal to the shooter crowd. Unfortunately, it feels as if the developer lavished too much attention on making the violence stylized and realistic, and then just threw a game around it. Great concept, extremely sloppy execution.

It never goes beyond being just another real-time strategy game. [Feb 2006, p.63]

Offers entertaining and strategically larcenous gameplay with a fun sense of humor.

Breezy, lightweight entertainment at best. As a quick coffee break-style diversion, the product succeeds well enough.

As a playful arcade game, this offering is betrayed by its simulation fetish.

While the writing is more polished this time around, the dialogue remains inconsistent in voice. For every dramatic moment, there's a completely out-of-place near-verbatim take on "Monty Python,' or a silly inside joke. [Aug 2004, p.58]

Combined with the recent God of War, a pattern seems to be developing: the gifts Ares bestows come at the cost of a clad torso. [Dec p.88]

Short but endearing. [Sept 2005, p.57]

It gets the feel of the character right, and while the levels and controls can become annoying at times, most of the gameplay - particularly when fighting - is entertaining. [July 2003, p.82]

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]

Stylistically, Scrapland looks amazing. The characters have a cartoon-y, "Futurama" groove going, and the city itself is the kind of visionary, noirish setting Ridley Scott might have used in "Blade Runner" if he hadn't been so in love with rain and grime. [Feb 2005, p.67]

It's goofy, satisfying, and unapologetically drenched in hilarious M-rated cussing, blood and ragdollery. [Sept. 2006, p.81]

Yet another one of those blandly respectful WWII shooters, with all the reverence for history of a five-day bus tour. [Aug 2005, p.90]

The gameplay is comparable to someting like "Devil May Cry" or "Otogi" in that gamers have two weapons and are capable of unleashing combos on enemies using both of those weapons with just a few simple button taps. [Nov 2004, p.NP9]

An ideal game for the 4X gamer who prefers managing armies over micromanaging cities. It doesn't quite have the panache of "Civilization II" or the drama of "Alpha Centauri," but it's colorful, relatively fast-paced, and it has that "one more turn" addictiveness that will keep you burning the midnight oil.

It's all atmosphere and, particularly when you're talking about horror, that's often enough. [Mar 2004, p.66]

Boredom becomes a factor partly because of a limited number of combinations with which to experiment. [Apr 2003, p.78]

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]

Definitely gets points for its sense of humor. [Jan 2005, p.78]

While most games have you fighting zombies, this one puts you squarely in the rotting feet of one Edward Stubblefield, who one day finds himself slightly undead. [Mar 2006, p.53]

The multiplayer maps and modes in Athena Sword are arguably worth the price; the single-player missions are just icing on the tasty tactical cake. [July 2004, p.65]

Pure blah from the opening missions in snowy Stalingrad to the last hurrah on the beaches of Normandy. [Jan 2004, p.67]

While everything doesn't quite pull together as well as it should, there is enough here to interest anyone that enjoys cunning design and challenging puzzles.

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

An ambitious mess, a noble mess, certainly a well-intentioned mess, but ultimately a mess nontheless. [Mar 2003, p.78]

Has a lot going for it, though it's not the best introduction to this stellar series, and it doesn't offer quite as much bang for the buck as it should to the existing fanbase. [Sept 2003, p.77]

Amped 3 aims to keep you distracted by constantly nickel-and-diming you with a hundred mini-challenges, each with its own pointless reward, spread across a dozen mountainsides. [Feb 2006, p.87]

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.

Another second-rate port of a mediocre console shooter. [Feb 2004, p.66]

The techincal aspects of Sonic Heroes are handled well, with the exception of the camera and voice work. In fact, the camera is worse than "Mario 64's" (and that's saying a lot) and the voice acting is downright repulsive. [Apr 2004, p.9]

Though the controls are somewhat klunky, getting too hung up on the flaws of Total Overdose misses its greatest pleasures. [Feb 2006, p.54]

There are better, more challenging alternatives out there for just $10 or $20 more.

It's so schizophrenic that it almost feels as if two developers of wildly different skill levels worked on the game at the same time, and everything was sort of thrown together at the last second. [Feb. 2007, p.72]

The irony is that although it plays better now, the 3D makes it look, well, flatter. [Feb 2005, p.61]

Undoubtedly, Alone in the Dark remains one of the most ground-breaking games of all time... Although the second and third games lack the magic of the first one, the collection remains a treat for any adventure fan.

Quotation forthcoming. [Jan 2006]

The game certainly looks interesting in pictures, and the soundtrack is psychedelically soothing. All it's missing is entertaining play. [Dec. 2006, p.74]

Where the game starts to falter is in its handling of the major issues your candidate must address during the campaign. [Dec 2004, p.77]

Unsophisticated mission design and racketeering repetition make it less ideal for non-fans. [July 2006, p.57]

If you know what the IRL is about then this game is entertaining, but it's not the definitive IndyCar simulation it seems to want to be. [Jan 2004, p.84]

The Gladiators means well, but in the end, it exists only as chewing gum for the eyes and should be factored into any gaming budget or scheduled accordingly. [May 2003, p.80]

Something that delivers the goods this fast and with such a high smile-to-trigger-pull ratio will be hard for anyone to put aside for long. [July 2006, p.83]

It features great graphics, a slightly modified version of "EverQuest's" gameplay model, and lots of frustrating problems. True to its theme, you should only consider playing it in the future.

With its engaging advancement system and visual feel that invokes the best of "Morrowind," Horizons may not be the true home for wandering seekers, but it's an excellent place to stay. [Mar 2004, p.77]

Stylish and interesting, but still in need of some animated substance. [Feb 2004, p.66]

For the adventure purist, Riddle of the Sphinx is an intriguing journey that should not be missed. For those who do not typically enjoy lonely exploration, this game may still be a trip worth taking for the sake of learning and experiencing a bit of the Toblers' Egypt.

Considering the thin gameplay and locked content, it shouldn't be any surprise that Operation Genesis is a console port. [June 2003, p.81]

Adds two new main areas for adventurers to explore. But the puzzles found in each are sadistically hard and way too obscure. [Oct 2004, p.84]

The voice acting is so good gamers will think it's actually the original cast. [Aug 2004, p.7]

A fair example of how classic games can successfully be brought up to modern standards while keeping the spirit of the original intact.

Even a game with outstanding eventual depth needs to give players some evidence early on that rewards will eventually apprear. [Mar 2004, p.69]

Even after five years, it still hurts so good. [May 2006, p.56]

What you see--or more specifically, what you hear--is exactly what you get. [Apr 2006, p.91]

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

Ballistics is, without a doubt, the fastest racer ever made. The game is all about speed. Make that insane speed. Reaching velocities that pop the sound barrier, this is a racing game for adrenaline freaks.

The single note that rings true is the superb sound work, from the voice acting of dead ringers for Christopher Lee and Samuel Jackson to the cyclopean rumbles of heavy Republic artillery rolling into position. [Sept 2002, p.83]

If you have a wheel/pedal setup, a high end PC and take your racing Sims seriously, F1 World Grand Prix is difficult to recommend.

This is not a stingy game. Nearly everything you do will earn you some sort of profit, but it's about the long-term gratification. [Oct. 2006, p.66]

New year, same old arcade b-ball. [Jan 2006, p.61]

Rounds the original game out nicely, providing a surprisingly un-chilling reception to those burnt out on battle.net. [Feb 2003, p.81]

All the missions are canned—there are no random missions thrown into the mix. If you fail the main objective of the mission, you get to repeat it again and again until you complete it.

The plot isn't thick enough to block candlelight, and the cut scenes that litter each mission are somewhat problematic...Thankfully, the strategic elements are far more engaging.

An amusing waste of eight hours for adventure game fans, but other than its core gimmick of solving a murder before it happens, it's something we've all seen before. [May 2003, p.86]

This game might be the foundation of a large scale, ultimately satisfying Star Wars universe. But it's not that universe yet. [Oct 2003, p.82]

Although no scenarios have the sweep of the Norway scenario of the original and the great OKW lackey voice-over is sorely missed, Scorched Earth is a great learning tool for beginning war gamers and is fun for veteran gamers.

Achieves exactly what many series games usually don't: it really gives you a feel for this much different theater and the combat that occurred there.

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

Quotation forthcoming. [Mar 2006]

Enclave isn't a clever game, nor is it an ambitious one... If your looking for a quality fantasy beat-em-up with more brawn and beauty than brains, it's a winning choice. [May 2003, p.81]

With all the "StarCraft" and "Age of Empires" wannabes clogging store shelves, it's rewarding to find a real-time strategy game that does its own thing and does it pretty well.

The experience is so immersive one can build a fishing rod, catch a fish, and bake it in an open fire. [Apr 2004, p.7]

The most maddeningly convoluted gaming experience this side of Derek Smart. [Feb 2006, p.67]

Great level design, satisfying weapons, and unique enemies make this a title that any shooter fan will definitely want to check out, even if the thought of going to a KISS concert gives you hives.

It's better to have not played a game that teases you such as this than to have played it and pulled your hair out in frustration.

It has one basic concept, which it runs into the ground. You'll be doing a lot of the same things over and over through the game's three locales, and it's liable to get boring after a while.

Brutally hard. [July 2005, p.91]

Yet another one of those blandly respectful WWII shooters, with all the reverence for history of a five-day bus tour. [Aug 2005, p.90]

A great expansion pack seriously improves the core game. Marine Mania does not. [Mar 2003, p.80]

There is no good way to communicate with other players, making cooperative play that much more difficult. [July 2004, p.6]

A lame expansion... Towers, cars, and six worlds. These are the sort of additions that belong in a patch. [May 2003, p.79]

Remarkable design. [Sept 2005, p.86]