Even with wussy characters and settings all over the place, the story and gameplay in Kingdom Hearts rivals the "Final Fantasy" series. [Oct 2002, p.182]

Beauty abounds in this game; the bright visuals and hypnotic driving beats complement the gameplay perfectly. An awesome on-the-go treat for your eyes, ears, and mind. [May 2005, p.91]

Offers the kind of over-the-top, seesaw multiplayer experience that keeps you reminiscing long after the game concludes, but also has a deep, fun single-player experience, thanks in part to the new minigames. [Feb 2005, p.98]

This sequel makes it fun to be the Prince again.

This sequel makes it fun to be the Prince again.

Essentially, if you like the way strategy games engage your faculty of forethought and resource management, then MGA2 will be (at least) a 30-hour trip into grid-based nirvana. [Apr 2006, p.106]

Taking the checkered flag involves strategy, which the Grudge/Alliance feature exemplifies perfectly. Still, the controls are a bit too unforgiving for the casual racing fan. [Oct 2003, p.132]

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]

Thanks to some intelligent tweaks, you'll now find a much better balance between offense and defense. It's not as easy to blow by a defender on the perimeter, but when you do, the adjusted A.I. compensates and another defender picks you up.

You can call an RPG a lot of things - compelling, cinematic, thought-provoking - but rarely addictive. Dark Cloud 2 is completely, utterly addictive. [Mar 2003, p.111]

Even though Tricky isn’t completely fresh, it’s substantial enough to squash any challengers out there. [Jan 2002, p.222]

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]

Take a self-guided tour of Little America - it's not every day you get to fly an autogyro. [Jan 2004, p.189]

The spirit of skateboarding in game form. Truly amazing. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Finally, a Japanese role-playing game for everyone who hates how talky and slow-moving the genre has become--Silmeria thrusts you into an action-packed quest laden with complex dungeons, tricky puzzles, and plenty of intense, strategic combat. [Sept. 2006, p.104]

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 whatever reason, shooting down scores of TIEs never, ever gets old. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Gameplay is instinctive, chaotic, and breathtaking. Unfortunately, the entire thing is still very linear, a bit too segmented, and repetitive. [May 2003, p.124]

Otogi has incredible art direction, virtually flawless controls, and one of the most addictive (and rewarding) combat systems out there. Hack-n-slash in 3D has never been this good on Xbox. [Oct 2003, p.154]

I can't remember the last time I had this much fun with a racing game. [Dec 2002, p.202]

Immediately approachable by anyone, and no boxing sim has ever made the sport more accessible in all its bloody glory than this year's Fight Night.

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]

One of the best licensed games of this generation and one of the best brawlers since the days of Billy and Jimmy Lee.

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

Round 3 addresses the imbalances of the previous games for a more realistic but still gripping experience. [Apr 2006, p.88]

This game hangs with the best of them, and in a few areas, outskates even "Tony 3." [August 2002, p.123]

BO is literally one big blast after the other. Keep in mind, though, that the “Online” in BO is really what you make of it. [Dec 2001, p.260]

This Namco fighter lets you use weapons to kick your opponent's ass. [Jan 2004, p.189]