The game has a great sense of humor, and I enjoyed the story missions, but the side quests hardly vary at all from one level to the next. Just screwing around and messing with citizens isn't as fun as it could be, either.

It's too simplistic. While the game gives the illusion of Splinter Cell-style freedom in how you want to take out your enemies, Batman only really ever has one course of action: knock something over, scare the bad guys into dropping their guns, then come in punching and kicking. [Sept 2005]

Darkness' molasses pace, cut-rate presentation, and simplistic throwaway quests leech any sense of drama or importance. [Aug 2005, p.113]

It's too simplistic. While the game gives the illusion of Splinter Cell-style freedom in how you want to take out your enemies, Batman only really ever has one course of action: knock something over, scare the bad guys into dropping their guns, then come in punching and kicking.

It's too simplistic. While the game gives the illusion of Splinter Cell-style freedom in how you want to take out your enemies, Batman only really ever has one course of action: knock something over, scare the bad guys into dropping their guns, then come in punching and kicking.

It's fast, and it's pretty fun. It's just not particularly special. [July 2005, p.110]

From start to finish, Canvas is packed with beautiful graphics, awesome level designs, and compelling gameplay. Boss battles are cool and unique, and the minigames and bonus options are worth unlocking--really!

It's fast, and it's pretty fun. It's just not particularly special. [July 2005, p.110]

Maybe In the Groove isn't a real dance revolution, but it takes some (gulp) steps in the right direction. [July 2005, p.112]

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.

While it's got heart and spirit in spades - heck, even the cutscenes are up to snuff - it sorely lacks depth. [July 2005, p.113]

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.

But the move to Xbox feels like more of a formality-you don't really notice the slightly nicer environments, and if ever a game didn't need custom soundtracks, this is the one.

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.

It's a work in progress somehow on shelves, full of frustrating bugs; shooting for the stars, it lands well below its own lofty expectations. [Aug 2005, p.116]

More unique battlegrounds, different attack ranges and effects, a new mechanic or two - the Emblem formula would benefit from some added complexity. [July 2005, p.117]

The technology works perfectly - spinning your GBA around feels utterly alien yet supremely fun. [Apr 2005, p.135]

Scores with the cause-and-effect physics of a PC game but seldom capitalizes on the unscripted chaos. [June 2005, p.101]

Pares down the survival-horror experience to its most basic, frightening form - running for your life. [June 2005, p.100]

Beyond merely bad - it's kind of depressing. [July 2005, p.119]

Too many levels center on mindless droid hacking. [Aug 2005, p.110]

Trust me: The nostalgia is lost after you bash your hundredth battle droid or start getting creamed by the enemies' cheap gang-up-on-you tactics. [July 2005, p.116]

Quotation forthcoming. [July 2005]

Too many levels center on mindless droid hacking. [Aug 2005, p.110]

The concentration required to go six or so laps without hitting walls or A.I. cars is incredible but also really rewarding. [June 2005, p.100]

I have exactly three words for the golf snobs: unlockable trucker hats. [July 2005, p.120]

If you've played one sci-fi shooter, you've played 'em all. Nothing echoes this sentiment quite like Pariah, a story-driven shooter that never really comes together as a satisfying package. [June 2005, p.104]

Forza's handling is impeccable. Many car sims have done an adequate job of providing an impression of the forces exerted on a car as it hurtles around a track, but in Forza it's as though you can feel the exact point where your tires lose traction.