If you're a role-playing freak who hasn't given this series a shot, I'm comin' to take your nerd card. [Jan 2009, p.88]

It's still quite a good game--I just wonder why it feels like a step back from the previous trology. [Jan 2009, p.69]

It's still quite a good game--I just wonder why it feels like a step back from the previous trology. [Jan 2009, p.69]

Underworld is an excursion worth taking for fans of low-impact, low-commitment adventuring; I just wanted more. [Jan 2009, p.71]

L4D is one zombie apocalypse I completely and utterly embrace. [Jan 2009, p.84]

The outstanding music and the tension of pursuit make this a first-person experience like few others. [Dec 2008, p.65]

The outstanding music and the tension of pursuit make this a first-person experience like few others. [Dec 2008, p.65]

The campaign's quick-paced action and violent nature will entice any FPS fan. [Jan 2009, p.75]

Tearing into Gears 2 is a treat--this blood-soaked sequel offers a smorgasbord of sadistically entertaining content. [Dec 2008, p.78]

Single-player's certainly the game's weakness, but the multiplayer excelence more than makes up for it. [Jan 2009, p.81]

Still, it's the kind of hugely ambitious game that doesn't come around very often. [Dec 2008, p.69]

An improvement in every possible way over the original MotorStorm, this is what we all knew the original could be. [Dec 2008, p.76]

Yes, it's the most charming game I've ever played, and it's one of the most enjoyable. [Dec 2008, p.72]

Fable II is the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for folks who hated(and liked, too)the latter. [Dec 2008, p.80]

Still, despite the tedious travel periods, Far Cry 2 features some truly gorgeous environments, (mostly) satisfying combat, and a lengthy, entertaining campaign. [Dec 2008, p.66]

Still, despite the tedious travel periods, Far Cry 2 features some truly gorgeous environments, (mostly) satisfying combat, and a lengthy, entertaining campaign. [Dec 2008, p.66]

Still, Saints 2 evolves the genre with its character creator and the ability to play the entire game cooperatively online. [Dec 2008, p.74]

Still, Saints 2 evolves the genre with its character creator and the ability to play the entire game cooperatively online. [Dec 2008, p.74]

It's a fun, beautiful, and intense alien-zombie game wrapped around a mediocre sci-fi horror center. [Dec 2008, p.70]

It's a fun, beautiful, and intense alien-zombie game wrapped around a mediocre sci-fi horror center. [Dec 2008, p.70]

And once the music ended, it was pretty clear: Rock Band 2 is another chart-topper. [Nov 2008, p.79]

It won't light the world on fire, but this playground offers plenty of things to do and destroy. [Nov 2008, p.69]

It won't light the world on fire, but this playground offers plenty of things to do and destroy. [Nov 2008, p.69]

Parity's finally come to Madden multiplayer, though - the new difficulty-balancing feature works great, and it allows me to finally play competitive games against better players. [Sept 2008, p.80]

As for total newcomers, welcome to what is, in my opinion, the most fun, fully 3D fighter on the market. [Sept 2008, p.76]

As for total newcomers, welcome to what is, in my opinion, the most fun, fully 3D fighter on the market. [Sept 2008, p.76]

The controls are indeed a dream, effectively putting to rest the notion that a strategy game can't work on a console. [Aug 2008, p.70]

The controls are indeed a dream, effectively putting to rest the notion that a strategy game can't work on a console. [Aug 2008, p.70]

"Groovy," "trippy"...however you want to describe it, Extreme does right by the classic. [July 2008, p.84]

"Groovy," "trippy"...however you want to describe it, Extreme does right by the classic. [July 2008, p.84]

This sequel feels like the original game on expert mode - and that's a good thing. [July 2008, p.81]

But most importantly, it feels like an overhaul without losing the fun details and epic feel that have always made the series work. [Aug 2008, p.74]

Blast Works sure looks juvenile, but it's not a bad shooter--it's an enhanced version of "Tumiki Fighters", an indie PC game that uses "Katamari Damacy"-like mechanics. [June 2008, p.76]

Despite the addition of execution moves and a recharging life guage, the series' renowned(and reviled) difficulty is left mostly unchanged. [Aug 2008, p.80]

Prepare for some frustrating deaths. [July 2008, p.79]

Prepare for some frustrating deaths. [July 2008, p.79]

I'm no fitness expert, but I don't see Wii Fit supplanting gymnasiums or aerobic instructors any time soon. Not that it's bad. [July 2008, p.76]

Representing this summer's European tourney, UEFA impresses in many ways: shimmering presentation, engaging game modes, and tweaks to problems that hurt "FIFA 08". [June 2008, p.78]

Representing this summer's European tourney, UEFA impresses in many ways: shimmering presentation, engaging game modes, and tweaks to problems that hurt "FIFA 08". [June 2008, p.78]

Hit me over the head like a ton of virtual bricks. [July 2008, p.74]

GTA4 is a traditional crime story through and through, with a script that rarely strays from its purpose, a pitch-perfect supporting cast, and an expert combination of in-game storytelling and crafted cut-scenes. [June 2008, p.80]

GTA4 is a traditional crime story through and through, with a script that rarely strays from its purpose, a pitch-perfect supporting cast, and an expert combination of in-game storytelling and crafted cut-scenes. [June 2008, p.80]

It's not perfect, but it's refreshingly original. [May 2008, p. 88]

Get FES no matter how familiar you are with "Persona 3". [June 2008, p.86]

I say Prologue is a demo. [July 2008, p.80]

Still, it's one of the few games that can overcome shaky fundamentals in light of an astonishingly engaging adventure. [May 2008, p.77]

As an example of how to forge a modern action game for DS, Dragon Sword has no equal. [Apr 2008, p.80]

Core defines "great portable experience." [Apr 2008, p.86]

With rock-solid gameplay and plenty of creeps, Bloodshot finds its soul by making your heart race. [Apr 2008, p.74]

Thanks to the awesomely balanced difficulty curve, I haven't had this much fun dungeon-crawling since "Diablo II." [Apr 2008, p.82]

That said, Brawl still shines as the go-to party game for a houseful of friends. [May 2008, p.70]

Everything included has been executed so ridiculously well that it's easy to forget this is a PSP game and think you're back swinging your blades on PS2. [Apr 2008, p.84]

Success is 30 percent planning, 30 percent persistance, and about 80 percent luck--making for a challenging, infuriating, but deeply rewarding experience. [May 2008, p.89]

All serious gamers should check this one out. [Mar 2008, p.85]

As much as I adore the gameplay, the story is by far the best reason to take this case. [Apr 2008, p.81]

Pulse's career mode is perhaps its biggest achievement, with a progression system set up in grids that unlock as you go. [Mar 2008, p.84]

A pleasant surprise. [Apr 2008, p.76]

Wonderfully unique. [Apr 2008, p.78]

The interface may be intimidating, but the strategy is deep, and the many come-from-behind victories are near exhilarating. [Feb 2008, p.82]

Devil May Cry 4 is easily the best DMC since the original--and it's loaded with massive replay value--but some puzzling design choices ensure that Capcom still has plenty of work to do. [Mar 2008, p.77]

Devil May Cry 4 is easily the best DMC since the original--and it's loaded with massive replay value--but some puzzling design choices ensure that Capcom still has plenty of work to do. [Mar 2008, p.77]

As someone who's closely followed Criterion's racing series for the last seven years, it warms my heart to see it evolve into something as innovative, satisfying, and polished as Paradise. [Feb 2008, p.74]

As someone who's closely followed Criterion's racing series for the last seven years, it warms my heart to see it evolve into something as innovative, satisfying, and polished as Paradise. [Feb 2008, p.74]

You'll find way more pimp than punk here. [Apr 2008, p.72]

Online play alone will make this cartridge a near-permanent fixture in my DS. [Mar 2008, p.83]

UT3 may be a bit light on strategy, but it's heavy on fast, frantic mayhem. [Feb 2008, p.80]

Far from being a ponderous sci-fi exposition, Mass Effect boasts a dynamic, well-constructed story with a broad emotional range. [Holiday 2007, p.82]

"Guitar Hero" is still the way to go for lone wolves, but if you have the space, the manpower, and the means($170), Rock Band unquestionably, unequivocally rocks. [Jan 2008, p.92]

"Guitar Hero" is still the way to go for lone wolves, but if you have the space, the manpower, and the means($170), Rock Band unquestionably, unequivocally rocks. [Jan 2008, p.92]

With 64 levels, versus and co-op, and Retro-Evolved included, Galaxies has tons to love, even if the standard control's busted. [Holiday 2007, p.57]

Everything's fun and exhilarating, but it never builds to more than the sum of its parts. Just keep your expectations in the right place, and you'll enjoy your time in the tropical sun. [Holiday 2007, p.76]

While I too had a good time out on the tracks, ProStreet's bog-standard (but still superb-feeling) racing does little to evolve the series. [Holiday 2007, p.68]

While I too had a good time out on the tracks, ProStreet's bog-standard (but still superb-feeling) racing does little to evolve the series. [Holiday 2007, p.68]

Developer WayForward has delivered what Konami of Japan was largely too afraid to give us: a straight-up, balls-to-the-wall, classic-feeling Contra. [Holiday 2007, p.86]

In its silly simplicity, Cooking mama does what many can't: keep me heading back to the kitchen for one more snack. [Holiday 2007, p.86]

Where series like "Zelda" are starting to stagnate, Mario continues to innovate and impress. [Jan 2008, p.84]

Just sucks this head-scratcher will probably get lost inside Mario's galaxy this winter. [Holiday 2007, p.67]

Add to that the experience and reward system, 16 maps out of the box, and the party system, and COD4 delivers a knockout one-two single and multiplayer shooter punch. [Holiday 2007, p.71]

Add to that the experience and reward system, 16 maps out of the box, and the party system, and COD4 delivers a knockout one-two single and multiplayer shooter punch. [Holiday 2007, p.71]

The “ain’t broke, don’t fix” approach is evident: The fundamental rhythms and patterns of the game haven’t changed, the structure of the career mode remains intact, and the set list is stocked with hits (as well as a few stinkers). [Dec 2007, p.102]

EOJ's longevity will depend largely on the planned release of new cards (building your own deck is crucial to the fun), but this is a solid start to a potential phenomenon. [Dec 2007, p.110]

Classic "Rondo" alone would be a great budget title for virgin Western audiences; adding a remake and "Symphony" turns this into a no-brainer. [Nov 2007, p.120]

Phoenix Wright latecomers risk confusion, but invested fans get a well-plotted conclusion to the trilogy--and that's what's important. [Dec 2007, p.126]

Not only is Future a great game, it's the best yet on PS3, arguably the best-looking game ever, and an absolute pinnacle of fun. [Dec 2007, p.112]

The Orange Box is the greatest quantity of quality gaming ever...Even at $60, this box is value-priced to the point of philanthropy. [Dec 2007, p.124]

But Tactics is still engrossing, time-consuming fun. [Nov 2007, p.116]

While the on-field action feels sluggish and unresponsive at first, you soon learn to work with the pace of the game and play it like you would the sport, rather than just the videogame. [Nov 2007, p.107]

While the on-field action feels sluggish and unresponsive at first, you soon learn to work with the pace of the game and play it like you would the sport, rather than just the videogame. [Nov 2007, p.107]

It's fun as hell. looks great, and might have the most visceral destruction-derby gameplay since those old "Destruction Derby" PS1 games from Reflections. [Nov 2007, p.111]

If you're a stealth-action fan who's still ignoring the Syphon Filter franchise, you're doing yourself a disservice. [Nov 2007, p.118]

Perfectly tuned to the 360 controller, it's killer racing action for newbie and veteran alike. [Dec 2007, p.123]

By all rights, a "Zelda" game controlled entirely by stylus should be a disaster, but somehow Nintendo has performed a miracle. [Nov 2007, p.114]

Sure, no one aspect of the game is life-changing on its own, but perhaps the package as a whole is. [Dec 2007, p.116]

The difficulty will undoubtedly polarize, but as something unique, Skate is more than welcome. [Nov 2007, p.108]

The difficulty will undoubtedly polarize, but as something unique, Skate is more than welcome. [Nov 2007, p.108]

The ability to steer every object, projectile, and hurled corpse with motion control adds an unprecedented layer of complexity and fun to an otherwise familiar fare. [Oct 2007, p.92]

08 is the best hockey game in years. [Oct 2007, p.87]

08 is the best hockey game in years. [Oct 2007, p.87]