It's not terribly deep, but like tearing around on your uncle's ATV, it's fun while it lasts. [Jan. 2007, p.63]

Last year's realistic military-shooter SOCOM 3 was great, but I felt tricked after popping in the so-called sequel, Combined Assault. The game is a lot like the previous one, with a key difference: the "combined assault". [Jan. 2007, p.104]

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

Factor in a slick presentation, sweet unlockables, and Wi-Fi multiplayer for many games, and it's a must-have PSP release. [May 2006, p.106]

If you need a simple gunplay fix this could maybe see you through a weekend... [July 2006, p.92]

I enjoyed watching the fireworks as my pyromaniac character exploded another radio tower/tank/U-boat/door, but between history class and explosions, Assault didn't keep my blood pumping.

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

This incredible compilation is a dream team of sorts for anyone old enough to remember having to <I>out</I> to play the best videogames. [Jan 2004, p.128]

Like a mediocre Buffy episode: Decent plot, predictable Scooby-gang hijinks, and lots of fighting action and bad vampire puns... It also throws in...the iffy graphics engine that produces lifeless character movement and collision issues. [Oct 2003, p.134]

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.

While "Live" is completely redesigned and "NBA 2K3" pushes the online envelope for the Xbox, Inside Drive has, uh..... downloadable shoes. [Jan 2003, p.210]

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

If you're a fan of films like "Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch," you'll feel right at home with this twisted tale. [Mar 2003, p.122]

Ys noticeably lacks ambition, but it totally nails the classic feel it's going for. [March 2005, p.126]

The problem is, the control is so sluggish that combat is a chore while exploring is a bore. [Feb 2006, p.110]

Instead of being boring, it's totally unbalanced and infuriating. [Jan 2004, p.142]

The nuts and bolts of Tony Hawk still provide some fun, but at this point it's just ancient left-overs of what used to be something special. [Holiday 2007, p.68]

Nope, this 3D fighter forces you to wrap your head (and hands) around a shockingly deep control system utilizing nearly every button on the Wii-mote and Nunchuck. [Dec. 2006, p.118]

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]

It doesn't take an old-school purist to realize that this game just hasn't translated well to 3D. [Mar 2006, p.105]

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

The first few levels drag a bit, but by the time you hold your full suite of special abilities, the combat really clicks. [May 2008, p.80]

Running around thwacking enemies feels fun enough, but poor A.I. renders your other party member nearly useless - you'll often have to switch between them just to keep them from getting killed. [Feb 2004, p.128]

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]

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

The game is a whole lotta fun. The pacing's a bit off--the story missions seem to take forever on the first few mountains, then you scream through the last three.

Sucks all these sci-fi staples together into some kind of cliche black hole that also happens to look killer and deliver serious scares and thrills. [June 2005, p.96]

The story never really gets interesting, but the action-heavy combat system is fresh and gets more fun the longer you play. [Jan 2006, p.128]