There is a significant difference between the two games—"Age of Empires" is a lot of fun. "Fate of the Dragon" is not.

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]

Ultimately fails as a game because of one poorly implemented feature: the "save game," or as it's called around here, the thing that keeps you from re-playing sadistically difficult levels 20 or more times. [Jan 2005, p.68]

It's a half-hearted effort that meets with only limited success. [Feb 2006, p.66]

Chromehounds isn't just the most exciting giant robot game since MechWarrior 2 opened with that famous Digital Domain cutscene; it's absolutely a reason to buy a 360 and a Live subscription. [Oct. 2006, p.81]

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]

But, for various reasons, Paraworld doesn’t hold up next to the latest RTS games. It’s a bit like one of its own dinosaurs. [Dec. 2006, p.76]

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

It's Capcom's welcome variation on conventional RPG's, the difference being that you don't really go anywhere. [Sept. 2006, p.81]

Rip-off. [Oct 2005, p.92]

Succeeds despite some serious problems, but only if you're persistent and willing to put up with its quirks, style of gameplay, and pacing.

It's a game about nothing... It's a world entirely in the hands of its players, so the possibilities for creativity and expansion are virtually endless. [Apr 2003, p.74]

The whole thing has a "what the hell is going on here?" sensibility that never lets up, even after the game is over. [Feb 2003, p.70]

While it's a bit unpolished and repetitive, and resorts to action when tension might be better generated through inaction, it still manages to impress. [Jan 2004, p.80]

The best case for Sims in you pocket is on the DS where the conceit is that you’re running a hotel. [Mar 2006, p.89]

As such, not only is The Outfit worth having, but it's probably the best reason to have an Xbox 360. [Jun 2006, p.90]

It's a game that turn-based strategy fans will likely put on their laptops break out regularly. As long as no one is looking. [Feb 2006, p.61]

There's not much here that's more challenging than slicking your hair into a Pierce Brosnan pompadour. [Feb 2006, p.93]

Unless you're just here to admire teh decent-ish graphics, suck it up and play "Combat Mission" already. [Aug 2004, p.60]

If you want to run a franchise and delve into all of the other options that the game offers, the horrid interface combined with the franchise mode shortcomings make it impossible to recommend. [June 2003, p.86]

Suffers from the same bad camera angles and shoddy AI prevalent in the original. [June 2004, p.12]

Brilliant career mode. [July 2005, p.85]

it's ultimately just another tactical shooter to throw on the growing pile of games that make you truly appreciate your mouse and keyboard. [Dec p.92]

There's a great primal vibe that somehow makes you enjoy every minute the six sides spend at each other's throats. [Jan 2004, p.82]

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

It's missing the polish of the games from that era, and it eventually succumbs to a samey sameness. But until it reaches that point, it satisfies the need for speed and shotguns. [May 2006, p.92]

An extremely mixed bag. The game mechanics are full of holes, the interface is clunky and unintuitive, the puzzles can be mind-numbingly obscure, and the technology driving the whole thing is unimpressive. Still, the game's focus on character progression and dungeon crawls adds depth and interest.

At its best it can be a blast; how many times do you get to send the Fighting Nuns against the Press Corps in no-holds-barred combat in the streets? But the entire thing seems rather empty.

Less well-executed than the story, but nevertheless intriguinig, is the open-ended style of gameplay. [Jan 2003, p.85]

Any way you cut it, Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers is one rigid, uncompromising design with a high frustration factor. [July 2006, p.60]

A meaty, critic-proof must-buy for any Galaxies subscriber. [Oct 2005, p.83]

If you really want to play the game (and it's worth playing), you're better off buying a used Dreamcast and playing the original version of the game on that.

It's not a bad game; but with better AI and a few simple options (such as the ability to choose your equipment before a mission, or a "save anywhere" feature), it might have more to recommend it.

Take ("F1 2000") and speed up the graphics a bit, add a new training mode, polish the AI, and offer rainy day racing and all the real-life grids from the 2000 Formula One season and you've got F1 Championship Season 2000.

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]

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

RPG fans who are weary of the frenzied pace of recent games will enjoy a good chunk of Soulbringer, but it certainly won't win over any non-RPG gamers, as the quirks and frustrations are numerous indeed.

Judged by what it is supposed to be, an RPG along the lines of the Final Fantasy series, it is a fine effort that shouldn't be neglected.

Ultimately, incisive humor and caustic personality win out over dicey combat and console-itis. [Oct 2005, p.66]

A mediocre to average game with just enough in the way of innovations and highlights to make it worth a look. [Sept 2003, p.79]

As a pure single-player action game, the expansion is a mixed bag, but there's still some great gaming to be had with the whole "Black Hawk Down" experience. [May 2004, p.64]

It all comes down to you and a rock, floating together in space, with all the action and serene beauty of the docking sequence from "2001." Play some Strauss and go make another sandwich. [Sept 2003, p.78]

Everything about Rogue Trooper screams "competent," which doesn't amount to memorable or particularly inspired. [Sept. 2006, p.76]

Aloof and distant, Secrets of Da Vinci isn't a bad game, just an unfriendly one. [Oct. 2006, p.72]

While Wild Arms 4 isn't as wonderfully radical....it still makes returning to the weary world of Filgaia for the fith time far more enervating than it has any right to be. [Apr 2006, p.93]

Despite the excellent manual, the cumbersome interface and maze of data make it seem more like a first draft of the future than mission accomplished. [Sept 2005, p.56]

Most of the guns are uninspired and even boring - even the shotgun seems dull. [Feb 2004, p.60]

It's at times annoying, but mostly just challenging, presenting American RPG players with a welcome, exciting, and unique new arc. [Jan 2006, p.89]

Parallel Lines proves that effective story-telling sometimes makes up for mediocre gameplay. [July 2006, p.87]

It's a lot of clicking, looking at things, tweaking routes, and clicking a little more, and as with most of these types of games, is oddly compelling in an Excel spreadsheet kind of way.

The learning curve is extremely steep, so if you decide to take the pilot's seat, be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride. It's exactly the sort of title you would expect from a small, grassroots developer—made with obvious enthusiasm but lacking a lot of the polish of its market-dominating competitor.

May be too complicated for many real-time strategy players and a little too silly for hardcore wargamers. If you don't mind making some compromises in either direction, however, there is ample fun to be had.

Surprisingly well made and entertaining. [Jan 2004, p.76]

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]

The racing is at best mediocre and at worst awful, so it's a good thing they included missions you can complete for cash. While they're a terrific idea (more variety is a very good thing), they're also completely brain dead.

While Gladiator has excellent production values, its gameplay is fairly pedestrian compared to some console offerings. However, its style of gameplay is still fairly unique in the PC world, making it oddly compelling in very short bursts. [June 2004, p.80]

There's simply no way to get your fingers around it all. [Feb 2006, p.93]

Parallel Lines proves that effective story-telling sometimes makes up for mediocre gameplay. [July 2006, p.87]

Iron Storm has its own versin of the "what if" game: what if WWI had never ended? Unfortunately, it may leave you wondering, "What if I was playing a game that was more fun?" [Feb 2003, p.80]

The lack of difficulty is only surpassed by the lack of control. [Apr 2004, p.74]

Over the course of seven games and three acronoyms, the Tony Hawk series has inexorably morphed into the Hot Topic of the videogame universe, a game that glitzily packages and commodifies the skater subculture it glorifies. [May 2006, p.54]

Taken purely as a game, Getting Up works. But whoa, its message is a mess. [May 2006, p.49]

The ease with which you can jump into Typhoon makes it intriguing at first, but the simplicity of combat and repetitiveness of the campaign makes the excitement short-lived.

The lack of support for AI in dogfights, a bad padlock, and a half-assed view system make this a second-rate multiplayer flight sim. [Jan 2003, p.66]

Seems like one of the better bland, forgettable shooters out there, if there is such a beast. [Aug 2005, p.72]

One mean mother of a four-wheeled game. Warts and all, it still offers classy pick up n' play handling, efficient interface, and stupendous presentation.

What it was designed to do, it does very well. It barely makes a pretense of doing anything else, however—extra bells and whistles are definitely not part of the package.

Like far too many other sequels, the game doesn't live up to the expectations its predecessor set forth. Though it is well produced and solid, most adventure veterans will probably find themselves wishing for a little more "Circle [of Blood]" rather than such a straightforward Sword.

There's not much here that's more challenging than slicking your hair into a Pierce Brosnan pompadour. [Feb 2006, p.93]

Invading Russia in the winter was never this hard. [Sept 2005, p.54]

Since this is largely a pure math game, the AI can be brutal. [June 2005, p.56]

What's truly satisfying is these games make history entertaining. [June 2005, p.90]

For the most part, this is RTS 101... all over again. [March 2005, p.77]

It's pretty looking and fun enough for government work, but a bit awkward and not terribly original.

It doesn’t help that this has been a great year for real-time strategy. Three years ago, Joint Task Force would have stood out. [Dec. 2006, p.74]

The armored Task Force engine is one of the most complete, and completely baffling, systems in modern computer wargaming[sic]. [Dec p.63]

Fun to watch and play, but unless a patch fixes the AI it is only a game for big fans of mecha or RTS games, as that bothersome element makes it that much less enjoyable.

O.R.B. has a nearly perfect interface, and its graphic engine renders everything from the wisp of exhaust trails to the imposing bulk of planets with great skill. [Feb 2003, p.76]

One of the most interesting gameplay experiences in recent memory. If you enjoy freeform play in a universe where you're just one of many players, it's worth a look.

It's not great, and using the keyboard is murder, but with both solid single-player and multiplayer support, Battlegrounds is a surprisingly commendable mix of card fighting and 3D brawling. [Mar 2004, p.79]

Kung Fu fans will ultimately rise to the occasin, leaving all others to enjoy the excellent combat system. [Apr 2004, p.8]

Lots to do, attention to detail, excrement jokes, and solid gameplay make this worthy of attention from old-school adventurers, and new players should enjoy it as well. [Apr 2003, p.85]

If directing your armies around Napoleonic Europe with somewhat abstract Quick Combat resolution gets you excited, you can pretty much overlook all the other problems. [Oct 2005, p.70]

That you can complete the game without really solving the case on your own makes this as much an interactive movie as an adventure. [Jan 2005, p.71]

The game grows on you, however, mostly because of its kooky style.

What it basically boils down to is long animation run times and, as a result, the system taking a second or two to recognize player input for the next movement. [Aug 2004, p.7]

It's a decent enough game, but the comic deserves better. [Feb. 2007, p.74]

Do yourself a favor and forget this Keepsake. [Sept. 2006, p.76]

Too bad Star Fury fails so spectacularly at creating the sense of moving a ship through space. [Feb 2004, p.80]

It’s altogether an attractive package that will appeal both to racers who love precision and to gamers who thrive on panic. [Mar 2006, p.59]

The inevitable galaxy of patches to come will surely help, but for now, the vacuum abides. [Nov. 2006, p.82]

Another example of a game that sports graphics that make you want to stand up and cheer and gameplay that induces hair loss due to nerve-bending frustration.

A terrific program to keep around for dabbling purposes—load up a design, tinker with it, put it away for a while. More obsessive types will probably tweak their rides infinitely.

Delivers good, slow-boil tension wrapped around an interesting mystery in an atmospheric setting. [Dec 2003, p.95]

Quotation forthcoming. [Mar 2006]

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.

There is very little newness here, but the game proves infinitely more playable than its predecessor thanks to reduced difficulty. [Apr 2004, p.8]

Imagine a murky graphics engine that blurs as it moves, is way too dark and missing a gamma setting, and gets frequently swallowed up by flashy spell effects.