The foliage resembles that found in a pop-up book, the mingames are growing old, and though "2004" revolutionized the game, 2005 is mostly spit and polish. [Nov 2004, p.138]

The foliage resembles that found in a pop-up book, the mingames are growing old, and though "2004" revolutionized the game, 2005 is mostly spit and polish. [Nov 2004, p.138]

Flow? NHL 2005's skaters have no flow, 'cause they're always lying out on the ice from hit after hit - just like last year. I know hockey is a rough game, but c'mon, I like to control the puck for more than two seconds before picking up my teeth. [Oct 2004, p.99]

All quirky style with little substance, Overdose has you blasting through endless hordes of goons - although the real enemy is the camera and clunky controls. [Dec 2004, p.170]

Whatever your skill level, good luck finishing the last three levels without unlimited credits. [Nov 2004, p.143]

Slowdown, crappy animation, dumb A.I., and a laggy control scheme are bad enough, but it's the stupendously awful level design - with impassible areas that might as well be invisible walls - that really takes the cake. [Nov 2004, p.130]

The quality of the raccoon's second release is staggering, setting the bar awfully high for his jumpy brethren. [Nov 2004, p.142]

As much as Demon Stone tried to suck me in with its impressive graphics and presentation, it pushed me away with rote gameplay and imbecilic A.I. [Dec 2004, p.148]

In typical Treasure fashion, the screen is almost always littered with enemies, and the challenge level is absurdly high for a beat-em-up. [Nov 2004, p.152]

My biggest gripe is stil the size of the game - it's not tiny, but it's also not big enough to match the otherwise epic feel of Fable. The world might be as deep as an ocean, but it doesn't matter so much when it's only the size of a swimming pool. [Nov 2004, p.146]

Don't overlook this title just because it's 2D; the graphics here are detailed and ingeniously designed - the current pinnacle of pixelated art and animation. Behind the pretty facade is a fighting system as deep as any classic of the genre. [Oct 2004, p.110]

Slowdown, crappy animation, dumb A.I., and a laggy control scheme are bad enough, but it's the stupendously awful level design - with impassible areas that might as well be invisible walls - that really takes the cake. [Nov 2004, p.130]

Fight the war with friends instead: Co-op mode minimizes casualties and lets the otherwise captivating "oh sh***!" moments shine. [Dec 2004, p.156]

Fight the war with friends instead: Co-op mode minimizes casualties and lets the otherwise captivating "oh sh***!" moments shine. [Dec 2004, p.156]

It also introduces a cerebral angle to a genre that's left little to the imagination and makes it all the more unnerving as the hell on the other side of the hole in your wall closes in. [Oct 2004, p.96]

The speed is staggering, and the smashes spectacular...Burnout 3 blows the doors off its predecessors with bliteringly fast online play, a massive single-player mode lousy with unlockables, and all the right gameplay tweaks. [Oct 2004, p.100]

The game's wide array of races runs the gamut from interesting to bizarre, but one constant factor lessens the overall impact - the racin' be slow. [Nov 2004, p.128]

I haven't had any desire to catch 'em all for damn near five years now, but this remake lured me back into the critter-collecting biz. [Nov 2004, p.153]

I haven't had any desire to catch 'em all for damn near five years now, but this remake lured me back into the critter-collecting biz. [Nov 2004, p.153]

It also introduces a cerebral angle to a genre that's left little to the imagination and makes it all the more unnerving as the hell on the other side of the hole in your wall closes in. [Oct 2004, p.96]

The speed is staggering, and the smashes spectacular...Burnout 3 blows the doors off its predecessors with bliteringly fast online play, a massive single-player mode lousy with unlockables, and all the right gameplay tweaks. [Oct 2004, p.100]

Collectively, the infuriating missions and maddening difficulty swings prove to be overwhelming, sucking away what little fun there is. [Nov 2004, p.136]

Collectively, the infuriating missions and maddening difficulty swings prove to be overwhelming, sucking away what little fun there is. [Nov 2004, p.136]

Collectively, the infuriating missions and maddening difficulty swings prove to be overwhelming, sucking away what little fun there is. [Nov 2004, p.136]

SRS just lacks the certain something that made "Need for Speed Underground" so exciting. It's disappointing, because SRS covers all the bases except for the two most important in this genre: There's no real sense of speed, and the handling lacks weight or feel. [Oct 2004, p.98]

The game deteriorates into a sloppy mess of nonsensical objectives, oh-so-awkward moments, and guards as brainy as microbes. [Oct 2004, p.110]

No other 2D fighter offers the same weirdly perfect blend of tight controls, intuitive moves, and lovable characters. [Sept 2004, p.105]

The twixt-battle strategy curves the game throws in - take on temporary status effects, recoup numbers lost in battle, form alliances with other clans - make it a notch more interesting than any other Dynasty title. [Oct 2004, p.102]

Storywise, if developer Tri-Ace had slimmed down the boring, medieval planet section (which hogs about 70 percent of the game) and fast-tracked you to the crazy head trip that is the fourth dimension, Time could have been an awesome, shorter RPG. Instead, it's merely a solid, loooooong game. [Oct 2004, p.104]

This mind-boggling sequel to cult hits "Disgaea" and "La Pucelle: Tactics" is easily the most overwhelming game I've ever played, with almost infinite aspects to consider. [Oct 2004, p.108]

Or, if you're a life-hating masochist, you can waste $40 on The Guy Game, spend countless hours answering dumb trivia questions - and guessing if vapid skanks can answer dumb trivia questions (usually not) - and then...maybe see breasts. [Nov 2004, p.128]

There are some potholes - the graphics get choppy at times, and the retail-car challenges seem tacked on - but the sheer variety is something that even non-NASCAR fans will find addictive. [Oct 2004, p.98]

SRS just lacks the certain something that made "Need for Speed Underground" so exciting. It's disappointing, because SRS covers all the bases except for the two most important in this genre: There's no real sense of speed, and the handling lacks weight or feel. [Oct 2004, p.98]

There are some potholes - the graphics get choppy at times, and the retail-car challenges seem tacked on - but the sheer variety is something that even non-NASCAR fans will find addictive. [Oct 2004, p.98]

SRS just lacks the certain something that made "Need for Speed Underground" so exciting. It's disappointing, because SRS covers all the bases except for the two most important in this genre: There's no real sense of speed, and the handling lacks weight or feel. [Oct 2004, p.98]

For me, the big thing is feeling like I'm actually on the ice. ESPN's physics and skating put me there. "NHL 2005" is too stiff compared with the flow in 2K5. [Oct 2004, p.99]

For me, the big thing is feeling like I'm actually on the ice. ESPN's physics and skating put me there. "NHL 2005" is too stiff compared with the flow in 2K5. [Oct 2004, p.99]

This budget-priced shooting gallery would be more thrilling if your plane didn't control like a garbage truck sliding across ice. [Dec 2004, p.170]

Or, if you're a life-hating masochist, you can waste $40 on The Guy Game, spend countless hours answering dumb trivia questions - and guessing if vapid skanks can answer dumb trivia questions (usually not) - and then...maybe see breasts. [Nov 2004, p.128]

I felt liberated by the lack of a time limit in the sequel's new cave system, and you WILL get addicted to collecting every beautifully rendered junk trinket in the game. [Oct 2004, p.112]

The only thing more frustrating than fighting the overpowered CPU is hoping a boneheaded A.I. tag partner won't blow a crucial match. [Nov 2004, p.151]

The game's wide array of races runs the gamut from interesting to bizarre, but one constant factor lessens the overall impact - the racin' be slow. [Nov 2004, p.128]

Remind me - what exactly is it about frantic, feverish, and somewhat random button-pressing that's...fun? 'Cause these minigames just aren't. [Oct 2004, p.114]

Everything runs silky smooth, the PS2 pad actually seems to respond better than the GC controller, and except for the occasional bit of grainy graphics, this is a perfect replica of the original. [Oct 2004, p.106]

Any aspect of the game that apires to distinction is negated by mediocrity. [May 2003, p.126]

It took me exactly four hours and seven minutes to finish Astro Boy, which (if you buy the game at list price) comes out to around 10 dollars per hour. It's not a particularly memorable four hours, either. [Oct 2004, p.107]

Astroy Boy assaults you with old-school charm. Factor in snazzy visuals, tight controls, and demanding difficulty, and you get a solid purchase...and one that's not just for kids. [Sept 2004, p.110]

It's your standard third-person action-adventure game, sans cool gameplay hook, distinctive protagonist, or over-the-top concept. [Sept 2004, p.102]

Hot Shots may be outlandish by design, but the golf proves true. Off the tee, out of the sand, the chipping, the putting...it's all pretty realistic, and ultimately that's what will keep you playing. [Oct 2004, p.108]

[Chris]: Madden just plays better than "ESPN." There. I said it. [Bryan]: No, Chris - It plays a LOT better. And and I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play (especially in the secondary) and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. [Sept 2004, p.94]

[Chris]: Madden just plays better than "ESPN." There. I said it. [Bryan]: No, Chris - It plays a LOT better. And and I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play (especially in the secondary) and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. [Sept 2004, p.94]

[Chris]: Madden just plays better than "ESPN." There. I said it. [Bryan]: No, Chris - It plays a LOT better. And and I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play (especially in the secondary) and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. [Sept 2004, p.94]

Three out of three EGM reviewers agree: Black Arrow is almost indistinguishable from the original Rainbow Six 3...Besides new maps and a few new modes, there's nothing different about Black Arrow's gameplay. [Sept 2004, p.106]

Put simply, this game looks awful...An excercise in frustration with clumsy controls and uneven level design. [Nov 2004, p.150]

Beyond isn't survival-horror, exactly...more like annoyance-horror. The creepy moonbase is spectacularly atmospheric, yes, but many of the puzzles are extremely difficult (I doubt anyone will finish this without some Internet assistance), and important items have a habit of hiding from you in dark, missed areas. [Sept 2004, p.104]

Precise controls, a deep magic system, and massive levels make this a fully above-average slashathon. [July 2004, p.99]

Tight control and unlockable combos keep you from falling asleep, but the rote, dungeon-hacking gameplay wears think quickly...especially solo. [Sept 2004, p.100]

Besides the horrendous camera and controls, what irked me the most was how nonsensical it was. Its relentless linearity leads to jumping puzzles that make absolutely no sense. [Oct 2004, p.101]

ESPN's franchise mode is much improved, but I'm not entirely sold in its biggest addition, Weekly Prep, either. [Sept 2004, p.94]

Both the hokey dialogue and overly dramatic voiceovers are on par with a late-night B-movie on Cinemax. [Oct 2004, p.111]

Besides the horrendous camera and controls, what irked me the most was how nonsensical it was. Its relentless linearity leads to jumping puzzles that make absolutely no sense. [Oct 2004, p.101]

ESPN's franchise mode is much improved, but I'm not entirely sold in its biggest addition, Weekly Prep, either. [Sept 2004, p.94]

The Xbox version has superior graphics, sound, and control; and the features unique to the Cube are unremarkable. Without multiplayer, Pandora goes from "must-buy" to "solid rental." [Sept 2004, p.108]

Besides the horrendous camera and controls, what irked me the most was how nonsensical it was. Its relentless linearity leads to jumping puzzles that make absolutely no sense. [Oct 2004, p.101]

The option to equalize the stats of both teams in an online contest stands out as particularly brilliant. Not that most of it isn't already brilliant. Because it is. [Aug 2004, p.100]

The option to equalize the stats of both teams in an online contest stands out as particularly brilliant. Not that most of it isn't already brilliant. Because it is. [Aug 2004, p.100]

The option to equalize the stats of both teams in an online contest stands out as particularly brilliant. Not that most of it isn't already brilliant. Because it is. [Aug 2004, p.100]

To learn how to perform each event, you need to check the directions from the pause menu; what happened to just explaining the mechanics onscreen? [Sept 2004, p.102]

The new modes help to streamline group play, and the radically diverse song selection rules. [Aug 2004, p.103]

The game's gorgeous graphics will work your eyes just as hard as the battles work your thumb, too. [Aug 2004, p.110]

While the different endings are the most interesting aspect of Samurai, they also introduce a whole pile of tedium, as you're forced to sit through the same lengthy cut-scenes over and over. [Aug 2004, p.104]

The lack of a career mode and create-a-wrestler (both considered genre norms) makes Bandai's grappler one of the shallowest wrasslin' titles out there. [July 2004, p.98]

I give developer Treyarch credit for its ambitious GTA-style playground game design, but the errands Spider-Man sends you on are repetitive and dull. Combat is part of the problem; you can buy all sorts of fancy moves and combos, but why bother when button-mashing works just as well? [Sept 2004, p.98]

I give developer Treyarch credit for its ambitious GTA-style playground game design, but the errands Spider-Man sends you on are repetitive and dull. Combat is part of the problem; you can buy all sorts of fancy moves and combos, but why bother when button-mashing works just as well? [Sept 2004, p.98]

I give developer Treyarch credit for its ambitious GTA-style playground game design, but the errands Spider-Man sends you on are repetitive and dull. Combat is part of the problem; you can buy all sorts of fancy moves and combos, but why bother when button-mashing works just as well? [Sept 2004, p.98]

Admittedly, I would rather go through a season of the deep-pitching "MVP Baseball" or option-heavy "ESPN" over this, but if you don't ahve someone to play alongside you, SlugFest ain't a bad consolation. [Aug 2004, p.100]

Admittedly, I would rather go through a season of the deep-pitching "MVP Baseball" or option-heavy "ESPN" over this, but if you don't ahve someone to play alongside you, SlugFest ain't a bad consolation. [Aug 2004, p.100]

Matches are slower than molasses on a flat surface and play out like blooper reels, with fighters facing the wrong way, refusing to pick up tables or pull off signature strikes. [Sept 2004, p.99]

Newcomers should stay away ("I can't duck? or shoot up?!"), but for those of us who grew up with Capcom's blue bomber, 30 bucks for this high-quality collection of old-school favorties is a steal. [Aug 2004, p.101]

In Advance Tour, all the extraneous questing, character building, and item collecting just works. [July 2004, p.106]

Matches are slower than molasses on a flat surface and play out like blooper reels, with fighters facing the wrong way, refusing to pick up tables or pull off signature strikes. [Sept 2004, p.99]

Newcomers should stay away ("I can't duck? or shoot up?!"), but for those of us who grew up with Capcom's blue bomber, 30 bucks for this high-quality collection of old-school favorties is a steal. [Aug 2004, p.101]

This is the first game to successfully mix death-on-the-freeway antics with a plot you might actually care about, and it's worth a shot for that alone.

This is the first game to successfully mix death-on-the-freeway antics with a plot you might actually care about, and it's worth a shot for that alone.

The single-player game is a perfectly adequate sequel to the original, but the multiplayer stuff may well be the best online experience on the PS2 right now. [Aug 2004, p.102]

FM4 is taxing on the ol' noggin...But you just can't beat FM4's deep (and plentiful) gameplay and high production values. [July 2004, p.99]

The completely screwed-up camera, noticeable lack of sound effects, and gameplay bugs make it obvious no one working on this game cared about it - why should you? [Sept 2004, p.104]

This includes multiplayer, which is a joke: dull levels, instant respawns in capture the flag (try invading a base when downed enemies just reappear right away, with full health), and a horrible interface that leaves online soldiers more confused than eagerly anticipating the action. [Aug 2004, p.110]

Nothing beats wondering weather something will work - can I possess that sniper in the watchtower, make him shoot the other sentries, then dive to his own death - and discovering that it does. [Aug 2004, p.102]

Nothing beats wondering weather something will work - can I possess that sniper in the watchtower, make him shoot the other sentries, then dive to his own death - and discovering that it does. [Aug 2004, p.102]

Greater emphasis is placed on timing and position to execute effective shots on the court, which makes it a little more difficult to get into than "Virtua Tennis"-style games, but ultimately more rewarding. [Aug 2004, p.104]

The remake sports improved visuals, some new battles, and a top-notch updated localization, but sadly, the battle animations are terrible. Otherwise, though, my complaints are few. [July 2004, p.107]

Exploring a massive, multilayered Zelda dungeon with three other people definitely ranks up there among the most satisfying multiplayer gaming experiences I've ever had - online or off. [July 2004, p.104]

The gameplay is the equivalent of chewing a piece of gum all afternoon - inoffensive, but you just want to spit it out after a while. [Sept 2004, p.99]

A simple, solid adventure with smart puzzles and high production values, but it leads its junior wizards through every baby step. [Aug 2004, p.101]

The gameplay is the equivalent of chewing a piece of gum all afternoon - inoffensive, but you just want to spit it out after a while. [Sept 2004, p.99]

A simple, solid adventure with smart puzzles and high production values, but it leads its junior wizards through every baby step. [Aug 2004, p.101]

A simple, solid adventure with smart puzzles and high production values, but it leads its junior wizards through every baby step. [Aug 2004, p.101]