So even though Live is lookin' better, it could still use more time in the gym. [Nov 2007, p.103]

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]

And I'm somewhere in the middle, because even though Contagion does have an interesting techno facade and a completely tolerable control scheme, it still feels like every shooter I've ever played. [June 2007, p.95]

Barely recognizable as a "Sims" game, MySims also lacks the compelling variety and randomness of "Crossing". [Oct 2007, p.84]

Like these guys say, the standard Sonic action is easily the main draw, especially when it gets more challenging--and satisfying--toward the end. [Oct 2007, p.102]

If you're brave enough to look past aesthetics, Eternal Sonata is worth hearing out. [Oct 2007, p.100]

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]

It has some decent ideas(faceoffs are more interesting this year, and the simulation setting option is way better than the arcadey default), but 2K8's fundamentals are flawed. [Nov 2007, p.105]

But Stranglehold is choked by some mediocre level design, unreliable controls, and a point of view so tight on the creepy virtual Chow Yun-Fat that it feels almost claustrophobic. [Nov 2007, p.104]

Only tried-and-true multiplayer modes with smooth Net play save this from utter mediocrity. [Oct 2007, p.86]

Don't buy it if you want a dragon that does what it's told. [Sept 2007, p.82]

Like many, I was pretty bitter at the loss of the originally planned single-player mode, but what Warhawk ultimately evolved into is a fantastic, accessible take on "Battlefield". [Oct 2007, p.94]

The game sabotages things right from the start by sticking you with four of the most vapid, unlikable protagonists I've seen in my 20 years as an RPG fan. [Sept 2007, p.94]

The lack of online in the first MHF was bad; in a sequel it's unforgiveable. [Oct 2007, p.103]

Only the not-as-awesome-as-they-could-have-been graphics stump this patched-up Stuntman. [Sept 2007, p.88]

Still, the cool battle system and character customization options keep it from reeking of cattle crap. [Oct 2007, p.100]

Well, for what it's worth, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam wins the distinction of being the first game that made me fall asleep while playing it. [Sept 2007, p.92]

Well, for what it's worth, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam wins the distinction of being the first game that made me fall asleep while playing it. [Sept 2007, p.92]

Do you have the patience to work through the frequent shot frustration? If so, you'll enjoy the almost ridiculous amount of content shoehorned in here. [Oct 2007, p.91]

Do you have the patience to work through the frequent shot frustration? If so, you'll enjoy the almost ridiculous amount of content shoehorned in here. [Oct 2007, p.91]

Still, it's a solid end to the Prime trilogy. [Nov 2007, p.98]

This is a beautiful-looking game. This is a beautiful-sounding game. And this is a beautifully designed game with a story and atmosphere that sticks with you long after you've emerged. [Oct 2007, p.96]

While it certainly doesn't reinvent the genre, Jeanne's gameplay wisely blends aspects from other successful tactical-RPGs. [Sept 2007, p.97]

Still, like the original, it's highly enjoyable to exercise your noggin in quick spurts. [Sept 2007, p.98]

P3 proves RPGs don't need big budgets to be all-around awesome. [Sept 2007, p.96]

Sure, the core game gets the job done, but you might still consider waiting for a brighter spot of strategic swords-and-sorcery. [Sept 2007, p.100]

Geez, how many disappointing "Mana" titles will we have to suffer though before Square Enix puts this once-proud franchise out of its misery? [Sept 2007, p.100]

Those realistic touches finally makes this the game we knew next-gen Madden could be, burying all memories of target-video snafus. [Oct 2007, p.90]

Those realistic touches finally makes this the game we knew next-gen Madden could be, burying all memories of target-video snafus. [Oct 2007, p.90]

Simplicity is bliss, and these puzzles are satisfying, but Picross requires patience of both the mental and physical variety. [Sept 2007, p.98]

Mario Strikers Charged isn't a soccer game. It's a chaotic war of dispossession, body-checking, and garbage goals. [Sept 2007, p.80]

And the game's twist will excite only fans of backtracking, who, as far as I know, don't actually exist. [July 2007, p.83]

I'm thinking Koei should've just dubbed this one My First Dynasty Warriors, as this romp through ancient China is ridiculously basic. [Aug 2007, p.81]

Ultimately, Square Enix really ought to have put this and the first game on one UMD... [Aug 2007, p.82]

Even scalpers don't get full ticket price for the encore. [Sept 2007, p.96]

08 gives good fan service, but the car nut in me is more satisfied with the recent releases of "Dirt" and "Forza 2". [Sept 2007, p.92]

08 gives good fan service, but the car nut in me is more satisfied with the recent releases of "Dirt" and "Forza 2". [Sept 2007, p.92]

Two necessary fixes, EA: 08 needs more online options, and let my QB get some air under the ball. Otherwise, this is brilliant. [Sept 2007, p.87]

What's more, the game's confining mission-based, dungeon-crawl layout may turn off fans accustomed to the series' traditional expansive, expressive worlds. [Aug 2007, p.83]

You'll find a decent tennis game in here somewhere (albeit with a much steeper learning curve than you'd expect) and plenty to do, but it's not really worth digging for under such an obnoxious exterior. [Aug 2007, p.86]

Too bad the extra content isn't quite as fresh. [Aug 2007, p.85]

It's a real shame, though, that the developers thought that simply putting the name of a Hall of Famer on the jersey was enough. [Sept 2007, p.86]

It's a real shame, though, that the developers thought that simply putting the name of a Hall of Famer on the jersey was enough. [Sept 2007, p.86]

From the annoying time management of the schedule-based career mode to the ho-hum training minigames, Smash Court feels like a less entertaining "Virtua Tennis" knock-off. [Aug 2007, p.84]

Genuinely new content doesn't abound, but Sigma remains such an expansive, challenging, and well-paced thrill ride that you won't care. [July 2007, p.84]

Overlord has a neat idea, but it really needs more direction. Or should I say directions? [Aug 2007, p.77]

Distressingly little effort went into crafting this anniversary package: Square Enix merely cobbled together aspects from the PS1 and GBA remakes, touched up the graphics with high-resolution art, and added one new, ultra-difficult dungeon at the game's end. [July 2007, p.95]

GrimGrimoire is fun at first, but not in the same league as developer Vanillaware's "Odin Sphere". [July 2007, p.92]

Keeping the "set" locations small allows for some impressive and immersive detail--throw in quality script and voice acting, and the whole experience is compelling enough (and very well paced) to transcend its brief playtime. [Aug 2007, p.74]

Keeping the "set" locations small allows for some impressive and immersive detail--throw in quality script and voice acting, and the whole experience is compelling enough (and very well paced) to transcend its brief playtime. [Aug 2007, p.74]

Still, I love how The Bigs has the bells and whistles without the SlugFest-style BS like punch-throwing or loop-de-loop curves. [Aug 2007, p.76]

Still, I love how The Bigs has the bells and whistles without the SlugFest-style BS like punch-throwing or loop-de-loop curves. [Aug 2007, p.76]

For me, this is what I had hoped "MotorStorm" would have delivered. With the exception of online racing, Dirt delivers on much of what that game so sorely lacked. [Aug 2007, p.78

Take this as a reminder that just because you can put SimCity on the DS doesn't mean you should. [July 2007, p.93]

Though they suffer a bit when things get hectic, the Wii-mote-enabled controls generally serve RE4 well: Aiming weapons, swiping your knife, and shaking off face-sucking nasties with real-world moves adds urgency to an already incredibly intense experience. [July 2007, p.82]

"Brain Age" is the type of game that makes you react; this is a game that makes you think--and even punishes trial and error (which I found out the hard way). [July 2007, p.96]

Monster Madness is a train wreck if you happen to be an only child or lack nearby friends. [June 2007, p.89]

Please, someone invent a real time machine so I can zip back to early April and warn myself not to play this dog-tired-dogfighting-through-the-decades air-combat crapshoot. [June 2007, p.93]

A must for car-loving 360 owners. [Aug 2007, p.80]

Sadly, match types come in just two flavors: artifact raids or kill sprees, which makes $60 seems extortionate. [Aug 2007, p.78]

It's just such a waste to see "Mario Party" get a frsh start here, only to have us turn the Wii-mote on its side to use it like any other motion-control-free controller. [Aug 2007, p.72]

It's a steep, steep difficulty curve...but extremely rewarding once you conquer it. [Aug 2007, p.84]

An epic adventure is hiding in here somewhere, but AI3 doesn't bother getting around to it till it's done boring you. [June 2007, p.91]

It's pretty telling that it's a simple cash-in when the game is far better using last generation's controller. [Aug 2007, p.70]

As a fan of both shooters and fighters, I dig the shooter-fighter mashup concept--it's just a shame that it really doesn't work as well as you'd imagine. [July 2007, p.89]

By axing most of the series' normal role-playing elements, the developers have effectively devolved Dawn of Mana into a linear adventure-platformer. [June 2007, p.90]

While intriguing, the game is never captivating. [June 2007, p.94]

Take the time to savor Odin Sphere--they don't make too many like it anymore. [July 2007, p.92]

The developers got so many of the visual details dead-on...didn't they think that maybe the gameplay should be at least marginally decent too. [July 2007, p.86]

The developers got so many of the visual details dead-on...didn't they think that maybe the gameplay should be at least marginally decent too. [July 2007, p.86]

Kids weaned on "Final Fantasy VII" likely won't have the patience for it, but questers of the appropriate age(and/or nerdy enough to dig the Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack)should dive in. [June 2007, p.92]

Too much of the good stuff (unlocking new areas, upgrading equipment, and raising livestock) happens either by accidental discovery or hours into the game--after most people will have lost interest. [July 2007, p.97]

Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars does all that rather well, and even streamlines the fine BFME2 controls, letting you construct units and buildings without having to scroll back to click on the proper source structure. [June 2007, p.86]

Reminisce feels like a long-winded anime with mediocre RPG battle mechanics grafted on just so they could sell the thing for more money. [June 2007, p.92]

Webslingin' remains the selling point, but the combat--although built from the ground up for this game--still consists of random button mashing. [July 2007, p.88]

Webslingin' remains the selling point, but the combat--although built from the ground up for this game--still consists of random button mashing. [July 2007, p.88]

Things pick up around chapter 8, but by then you may be in deep sleep. [June 2007, p.84]

Ultimately, it's another addictive treadmill of a game that offers nearly limitless replayability and depth. [July 2007, p.94]

Ultimately, it's another addictive treadmill of a game that offers nearly limitless replayability and depth. [July 2007, p.94]

While I think it's kind of neat to have a big party of six tearing through dungeons, controlling them all during real-time combat is a bit cumbersome, and I wish the loot was a bit more inspiring than the generic fare you find here. [Mar 2007, p.95]

The red-hot Wii gets an entertaining new "Mario" platformer that fills the crucial gap the delayed "Super Mario Galaxy" should have occupied. [May 2007, p.76]

But here, the stop-and-go progression between books and battles presents an identity crisis: Is this an RPG or another DS "minigame"? Either way, it didn't keep my attention long. [May 2007, p.86]

Screw fighting, I surrender--anything to keep me from wading through this awkward war game. [May 2007, p.81]

I find the core game to be a lot of thumb-flattening fun--it's just no "Top Spin 2." [Apr 2007, p.84]

I find the core game to be a lot of thumb-flattening fun--it's just no "Top Spin 2." [Apr 2007, p.84]

EXA sports the same exact engine, combat system, enemies, environments, and amateur-hour voice acting as 2005's "Shining Force Neo." It's probably more appropriate to think of it as an "expansion pack" than anything else. [Apr 2007, p.89]

The controls are great once you get them customized properly*fire buttons on L1 and R1), with nimble movement and crazy bursts of speed seldom seen outside of anime, but this dexterity is wasted on short missions, bare-bones multiplayer, and the same ol' gameplay AC has been recycling for years. [Apr 2007, p.85]

The controls are great once you get them customized properly*fire buttons on L1 and R1), with nimble movement and crazy bursts of speed seldom seen outside of anime, but this dexterity is wasted on short missions, bare-bones multiplayer, and the same ol' gameplay AC has been recycling for years. [Apr 2007, p.85]

This is simply one of the finest, most beautiful, PC-style RPGs you can get. [May 2007, p.82]

After Burner sports merely decent graphics while managing to suck all the fun out of a once-great franchise. [Apr 2007, p.92]

Breaking up recipes into several steps, each its own minigame, is an enjoyably elegant gameplay mechanism; it works particularly well here on the Wii. [May 2007, p.80]

This is what gaming is all about: simple controls, nonstop action, and buckets of fun. [May 2007, p.84]

Marble mania ought to be the final test for any aspiring surgeon due to its requirement for a steady hand and a high level of patience. [Apr 2007, p.79]

Navigating your too-large cartoon plane among clunky cliffs and bluffs is akin to playing in a world of giant Duplo bricks. [Apr 2007, p.82]