No slowdown, now flicker, no nothing. Most importantly, it's still among the best 2D action games ever created. [July 2004, p.102]

Thief's visuals are so nearly pitch black that it's easy to get lost in the shadows, making mapping out new environments a plodding process. [Aug 2004, p.108]

A seasoned gamer might find Vs. easy at first, but mastering each stage in an attempt at beating the high score proves much more challenging - and ultimately rewarding. [July 2004, p.108]

Kinda like last year's "Metal Arms," this over-the-shoulder robo-shooter totally ambushed me with how unexpectedly awesome it is. [June 2004, p.103]

Ostensibly a real-time strategy title, Future Tactics is really a glorified game of hide-and-seek: You either fall into your enemy's sights or manage to luck out for another turn. [July 2004, p.94]

Ostensibly a real-time strategy title, Future Tactics is really a glorified game of hide-and-seek: You either fall into your enemy's sights or manage to luck out for another turn. [July 2004, p.94]

Though the fighting's great (even when it's on the slightly confusing four-player variety), I can't help but be disappointed by the rest. [June 2004, p.108]

Ostensibly a real-time strategy title, Future Tactics is really a glorified game of hide-and-seek: You either fall into your enemy's sights or manage to luck out for another turn. [July 2004, p.94]

A somewhat confusing interface and disjointed midbattle cut-scenes make keeping track of allies and major enemies a chore, occasionally shrouding the path to victory, but otherwise, Samurai Warriors slices and dices. [June 2004, p.102]

Van Helsing may be short and sometimes repetitive, but it's still a fun ride. [July 2004, p.92]

Van Helsing may be short and sometimes repetitive, but it's still a fun ride. [July 2004, p.92]

Straightforward run-and-gun action gets the blood pumping...Until you have to stop to check the map, which is all the time. That's a problem because looking at the map doesn't suspend the action. [June 2004, p.94]

ESPN may lack the innovations and overall polish of "MVP," but it's otherwise a serious contender. [May 2004, p.90]]

This game has it all: monsters to capture and raise, upgradeable items and spells, and incredibly rich character customization. I got sucked in to this as badly as I did with both "Final Fantasy Tactics," so that's saying a lot: 50-some great hours, lots. [June 2004, p.97]

It's rare to find a racer that's so easy to pick up and play - and so immediately addictnig. It's not a serious sim, but you'll be too busy enjoying yourself to care. [July 2004, p.102]

Control is stiff and floaty, while boss battles often require stubborn persistence instead of strategy. [July 2004, p.95]

Control is stiff and floaty, while boss battles often require stubborn persistence instead of strategy. [July 2004, p.95]

Those who have long since retired their Shrek-themed bedsheets will find the game easy and repetitive [July 2004, p.94]

Those who have long since retired their Shrek-themed bedsheets will find the game easy and repetitive [July 2004, p.94]

Those who have long since retired their Shrek-themed bedsheets will find the game easy and repetitive [July 2004, p.94]

The new "Devil May Cry"-like control scheme makes it easy to quickly change targets and evade swarms of Genma demons. [July 2004, p.96]

Ten years ago this balls-out approach might've been considered fresh, but today it feels like an empty stereotype of the genre's past. Some might dig its old-school vibe, but I'll take a pass. [June 2004, p.93]

You can button mash your way to victory, trust me. Even the hardest of hardcore UFC fans should pass on Sudden Impact. [Bryan; July 2004, p.98]

Siren is an experiment gone awry -- a confusing fog-sacked combination of stealth and survival-horror that'll drive you batty with frustration before it can creep you out.

Even though it's easier than before to bail yourself out with Plan B and a submachine gun if you do get caught, the subtler assassinations are usually worth the trying and dying. [June 2004, p.90]

I almost died laughing during a round of battle sync mode, in which two people dance simultaneously doing coordinated moves. [May 2004, p.90]

Get some friends together, though, and you've got one seriously fun multiplayer RPG. [Jan 2004, p.164]

Even though it's easier than before to bail yourself out with Plan B and a submachine gun if you do get caught, the subtler assassinations are usually worth the trying and dying. [June 2004, p.90]

Passes and shots occur long after you've pushed the appropriate button, which in turn severely handicaps your ability to score and shut down the opposition. [June 2004, p.96]

Ten years ago this balls-out approach might've been considered fresh, but today it feels like an empty stereotype of the genre's past. Some might dig its old-school vibe, but I'll take a pass. [June 2004, p.93]

The series' much ballyhooed new FielderCam is underwhelming - this behind-the-fielder view controls well enough, but it's virtually impossible to know the tragectory and speed of the ball, leaving you to rely on onscreen indicators. [May 2004, p.90]

Missions degrade into mindless, clunky combat, in which imprecise fisticuffs and useless, fragile weapons abound. Don't bother. [June 2004, p.92]

Missions degrade into mindless, clunky combat, in which imprecise fisticuffs and useless, fragile weapons abound. Don't bother. [June 2004, p.92]

ESPN may lack the innovations and overall polish of "MVP," but it's otherwise a serious contender. [May 2004, p.90]]

With its $30 price tag, the game is perfect for pinchpennies, but there might've been more: more hilarity, more reflex testers, and more ways to tap Nintendo's rich history. [May 2004, p.106]

The player models - especially the detailed faces - look amazing, right down to Allen Iverson's tats and Larry Bird's disturbingly tight shorts. [June 2004, p.92]

Fight Night does what any good "sports sim" should: It teaches you how to excel at the sport it sims while still remaining fun, somehow. [May 2004, p.87]

Fight Night does what any good "sports sim" should: It teaches you how to excel at the sport it sims while still remaining fun, somehow. [May 2004, p.87]

The player models - especially the detailed faces - look amazing, right down to Allen Iverson's tats and Larry Bird's disturbingly tight shorts. [June 2004, p.92]

Even crash-test dummies would yawn at this wreckage. [June 2004, p.96]

The stiff difficulty, branching levels, and especially your severely limited inventory make cooperation among players essential, but the inexplicable lack of voice (or even keyboard) chat completely destroys all hope of real teamwork. [June 2004, p.100]

Like most of Koei's games, Crimson Sea 2 has a learning curve as steep as a black-diamond slope. But put in the training time, and Sea 2 plays like a faster-paced "Phantasy Star Online." [May 2004, p.95]

Light on story, this Onimusha saga spin-off is almost all slice and dice. Think of it as "Super Smash Bros." with Bushido instead of butt stomping - simple fun for four players, with strategy based not so much on <I>how</I> you swing your sword ("Sword Calibur" it ain't), but when. [Apr 2004, p.119]

If you have a PS2 and are interested in a solid, addictive squad shooter...get "SOCOM II." Oh, you say you really want to play "Rainbow Six 3"? Then buy an Xbox and play that version instead. [May 2004, p.94]

A Zelda: Wind Waker&#150;esque cartoony graphics style would have been perfect for Jack, who, now that he's 3D, looks kind of like Jay Leno or John Kerry what with his freakishly long chin. And the cut-scenes&#151;often the only good part of a licensed game like this&#151;are embarrassing.

The killer visuals just can't disguise the repetitive levels and frustrating trial-and-error missions. [May 2004, p.108]

A Zelda: Wind Waker&#150;esque cartoony graphics style would have been perfect for Jack, who, now that he's 3D, looks kind of like Jay Leno or John Kerry what with his freakishly long chin. And the cut-scenes&#151;often the only good part of a licensed game like this&#151;are embarrassing.

It may not only threaten to take over your life, but also frustrate the heck out of you. [June 2004, p.98]

No matter who you play as, the near constant, incredibly frustrating puzzles paralyze the otherwise decent gameplay. [Apr 2004, p.122]

Even more wow is the multiplayer game. Folks, this is the reason to get on Xbox Live. I don't care about the money for the subscription, for broadband, and for the cable dude to come out to your pad-you gotta play four-player Pandora.

The series' much ballyhooed new FielderCam is underwhelming - this behind-the-fielder view controls well enough, but it's virtually impossible to know the tragectory and speed of the ball, leaving you to rely on onscreen indicators. [May 2004, p.90]

The blah environments and goofy animation do little to draw you into what's supposed to be a realistic combat experience. Spotty A.I. and clunky controls make it even harder to maintain gung-ho enthusiasm. [March 2004, p.118]

Up from the depths of the minors a year ago, MLB 2005 is starting to look like it belongs in the bigs...Maybe next year, 989, you'll go all the way. [May 2004, p.96]

Breakdown is the most boring game I [Crispin] have ever played. Its pacing is just off - especially in the first half, when you dart through lame environments for too long, with nary a bulgy-veined monster to muss your hair. [May 2004, p.99]

The most calming game I've played...The downside to this pastoral pleasantness is that it requires Zen-like patience. Chances are, you don't have it. [Apr 2004, p.130]

I expect "Seven Samurai" Director Akira Kurosawa's grave is equipped with some sort of industrial centrifuge to accommodate the amount of spinning he's doing right about now. [May 2004, p.96]

While the fantastic Worms formula stays intact here, it becomes infinitely more difficult to gauge distances, wind, and all that in 3D. For that reason alone, I can't recommend this one over its 2D predecessors. [Apr 2004, p.116]

While the fantastic Worms formula stays intact here, it becomes infinitely more difficult to gauge distances, wind, and all that in 3D. For that reason alone, I can't recommend this one over its 2D predecessors. [Apr 2004, p.116]

Controls in this game feel clunky. Add a few truly lackluster modes on Xbox Live and you have a game that should, by all rights, be a budget release. [May 2004, p.97]

The story loses steam about two-thirds of the way through; solving puzzles, which are few and far between, requires little brainpower; and it's far to easy to survive your sentence with so much free ammo and health lying around. [May 2004, p.86]

Proves that battling blazes is not only a hazardous profession, but it's also tedious, frustrating, and a real head trip (wait till you face fire-possessed flying laundry and fireman-hating robots.) [Apr 2004, p.120]

Aside from offering a deeper, feature-heavy dynasty mode (now complete with minor league squads), 2004 revolutionizes the art of videogame batting muich like 2003 did with pitching. [Apr 2004, p.117]

Highly frustrating missions pepper the game, usually filled with cheap enemies who have impeccable aim and a superhuman ability to absorb multiple shotgun blasts at point-blank range. [Apr 2004, p.116]

The story loses steam about two-thirds of the way through; solving puzzles, which are few and far between, requires little brainpower; and it's far to easy to survive your sentence with so much free ammo and health lying around. [May 2004, p.86]

Aside from offering a deeper, feature-heavy dynasty mode (now complete with minor league squads), 2004 revolutionizes the art of videogame batting muich like 2003 did with pitching. [Apr 2004, p.117]

But with each new feature comes a downside: First-person aiming makes regular combat easier...but it also makes boss battles far <I>too</I> easy; the new cut-scenes are brilliantly produced...when they're not overdosing on painfully cliched bullet-time effects; and the graphical overhaul is nice...but we know GameCube is capable of better. [Apr 2004, p.126]

Aside from offering a deeper, feature-heavy dynasty mode (now complete with minor league squads), 2004 revolutionizes the art of videogame batting muich like 2003 did with pitching. [Apr 2004, p.117]

Along with top-notch handling and car physics, you'll find a meaty championship mode, wicked terrain, and dazzling weather effects (tackling the Japan course during a torrential downpour is especially impressive) under McRae's hood. [Apr 2004, p.122]

Unfortunately, the actual battles aren't that great; they're a tedious exercise in repeatedly pressing the A button to advance dialog boxes. [March 2004, p.130]

None of this stuff is actually much fun - I just had such a good laugh watching the awkward character animations that I figure this sucker's a must-rent for comedy value alone. [May 2004, p.98]

The game initially strikes a good balance between challenging and rewarding but becomes extremely difficult in later stages (despite bike upgrades), ramping up the frustration factor considerably - and unnecessarily. [May 2004, p.88]

Voice recognition will be a lot more fun when it <I>works</I>. Until then, if I really want to be ignored and misunderstood by a girl, I'll go clubbing and hit on the hughty hipster chick in the Pabst Blue Ribbon T-shirt. [Apr 2004, p.118]

The robust gameplay will keep you coming back. All three level types are totally engaging, and a wealth of secrets (hidden stages, dragons, and weapons) means that a weekend rental won't be nearly long enough. [Apr 2004, p.120]

Quicksilver pacing, white-knuckle tension, and spit-shined effects put Gaiden among the most remarkable action games ever made, but it's every bit as hardcore. [May 2004, p.104]

The game initially strikes a good balance between challenging and rewarding but becomes extremely difficult in later stages (despite bike upgrades), ramping up the frustration factor considerably - and unnecessarily. [May 2004, p.88]

Somehow, developer Sonic Team managed to meld everything great about the previous PSOs (aesthetic beauty, and engaging online community, and the never-ending quest for better equipment) with a simple, addictive card game. [Apr 2004, p.128]

But it's all a big cockpit tease, because online play is busted. [June 2004, p.106]

A no frills, no thrills watercraft racer, this game proves that even budget-ware can look sharp on Xbox... This game is fundamentally unremarkable. [Feb 2004, p.122]

Gone is the great adventure, lost to the simple need to collect stuff, and in its place is the carrot and the stick - which even the most dedicated mule will only chase so far. [May 2004, p.88]

Gone is the great adventure, lost to the simple need to collect stuff, and in its place is the carrot and the stick - which even the most dedicated mule will only chase so far. [May 2004, p.88]

Gone is the great adventure, lost to the simple need to collect stuff, and in its place is the carrot and the stick - which even the most dedicated mule will only chase so far. [May 2004, p.88]

It's been a while since I played a game with such engaging, pure, and thrilling action, and on top of the excellent single-player game, there's a pretty cool co-op mode to nicely round out the package. [Apr 2004, p.114]

This year's MX is certainly the most professional motocross game I've played - the physics are flawless and every race has nail-biter potential, even if you're dead last heading into the final lap. [Apr 2004, p.118]

If not for some serious balance issues (some bosses can easily kill you in two hits), stupidly out-of-place stealth levels, and finicky weapon controls (it's really hard, for some reason, to hit someone with a stick), Honor might have been more than just a solid rental. [March 2004, p.120]

As good as it gets. The "FIFA" series may have a bit more flash, but Eleven is top of the table when it comes to gameplay - and that's all that counts with soccer. [March 2004, p.118]

It's been a while since I played a game with such engaging, pure, and thrilling action, and on top of the excellent single-player game, there's a pretty cool co-op mode to nicely round out the package. [Apr 2004, p.114]

This year's MX is certainly the most professional motocross game I've played - the physics are flawless and every race has nail-biter potential, even if you're dead last heading into the final lap. [Apr 2004, p.118]

It's been a while since I played a game with such engaging, pure, and thrilling action, and on top of the excellent single-player game, there's a pretty cool co-op mode to nicely round out the package. [Apr 2004, p.114]

Stiff, robotic controls present the game's biggest hurdle. Most action sequences are a joke, as gun battles consist of standing while firing at a bad guy who is five feet away. [March 2004, p.119]

It fuses a boring turn-based strategy game with a lackluster one-on-one fighter...In short, two half-assed components combine to make...well, you do the math. [March 2004, p.114]

Champions reminds me of the classic action of "Gauntlet," only with infinitely more depth. Fantastic visuals, fun combat, complex and superbly designed dungeons, and even an engaging story line combine to keep players enraptured. [March 2004, p.116]

Instant deaths, abetted by a bad camera, put the brakes on the best bits of an otherwise ugly and repetitious game. [Apr 2004, p.121]

It fuses a boring turn-based strategy game with a lackluster one-on-one fighter...In short, two half-assed components combine to make...well, you do the math. [March 2004, p.114]

Just watch out for that crazy difficulty spike that happens about halfway through each title - and don't forget the Visine. [March 2004, p.120]

It begins so poorly, in such spectacularly mediocre fashion, that were I not reviewing it, I'd have chucked it in a drawer until someone invented a way to retroactively make the first half interesting. [May 2004, p.98]

The story mode in Colosseum is surprisingly dark (by Pokemon standards), but with its lifeless characters and endless torrent of dialogue windows, it's not quite the full-fledged RPG fans may be hoping for. [Apr 2004, p.130]

You can't ignore Zero Mission's artful graphics, haunting soundtrack, and brilliantly balanced gameplay. This is a must-have for all GBA owners. [March 2004, p.128]

Daunting as the setup might be, give Chronicles a chance and you'll likely get hooked. It's a simple, beautiful, and rewarding experience. [Mar 2004, p.124]