Metro Redux may not offer much to entice players who have already played and enjoyed these games, but this remastered bundle is the best way for newcomers to experience the thrills and scares of this under-appreciated series.

Minor issues aside, Denki has created a wonderful, addictive game that I'm sure I'll be returning to throughout the year. Whether you're a dictionary-reading diehard or an armchair general, Quarrel has enough depth and charm to keep most gamers smiling.

The new material that EA has implemented is minimal at best, and most of the additions don't generate a lot of excitement. With that said, this is still the best-playing baseball game on the market. [March 2005, p.118]

If you liked the original Persona Q, Persona Q2 checks the same boxes while adding a few new wrinkles to the formula. As a Persona fan, it feels like the ultimate tribute to the last 13 years of the series, with nostalgic music and callbacks to previous events. When I wasn’t chuckling over a joke between the cast members, I was reveling in fusing new personas and finally besting a long, punishing boss battle. Persona Q2 is a worthy last hurrah for the 3DS, and helps the system go out on a high note.

The combat animations and audio are good, but the severe lack of cities with NPCs to barter and interact with is a shame. [Feb 2003, p.107]

Metro Redux may not offer much to entice players who have already played and enjoyed these games, but this remastered bundle is the best way for newcomers to experience the thrills and scares of this under-appreciated series.

There's no denying Splinter Cell's brilliant level designs, countless gameplay innovations, and seamlessly integrated storytelling. [May 2003, p.84]

I like the way that Infamous Second Son splinters off from the first two entries in the series. Delsin’s conduit ability creates uncertainty in the gameplay mechanics, and the choices he makes apply similar levels of ambiguity to the narrative arc. I never really grasped what was coming next from this tale, outside of knowing that the open world activities and encounters would be repeated ad nauseam.

The game’s overall scale is still impressively large, but there’s only one main area to explore. Visiting the first entry, enhanced as it is, certainly gave me a greater appreciation for the strides that the series made later. That’s probably not what Sega was hoping for here, but it’s unavoidable considering the close proximity to Yakuza 0’s release.

Metro Redux may not offer much to entice players who have already played and enjoyed these games, but this remastered bundle is the best way for newcomers to experience the thrills and scares of this under-appreciated series.

The game achieves its core focus, taking you along for a thrilling ride. [Oct 2008, p.103]

Ender Lilies doesn’t revolutionize Metroid’s decades-old template, but that’s okay. It’s a well-made experience, and I had a great time pouring over two dozen hours into this adventure. The presentation rocks, the action is more rewarding than punishing, and its gothic world and lore are alluring. Ender Lilies is a great meat and potatoes experience, demonstrating that simply executing a familiar formula at a high level can be just as welcomed as reinventing the wheel.

Test Drive is all about unlocking fast cars and then unleashing them on the streets at mach speeds. [July 2002, p.80]

If I didn't know better, I'd think I had mad skillz. The computer is a pushover, and easily stolen from, dunked on, and blocked. [Jan 2002, p.86]

Despite those deviations from the series that inspired Raptor Claw to develop this game, Fur Squadron Phoenix is an excellent spiritual successor for those who remember that Fox and Falco exist outside of the Super Smash Bros. games. Nintendo may not know what to do with the Star Fox franchise, but Fur Squadron Phoenix makes a great case that the genre can still flourish in 2026.

While EA continues to tinker with its gameplay, I think footie fans will enjoy World Tour's more traditional and consistent controls. [Feb 2003, p.98]

Much like the PC Call of Duty (which I should note is a completely different game), this console title features a brilliant targetting mechanism that allows players to zoom in and aim down the sight of the firearm. [Jan 2005, p.115]

The movies may be done, but with games like Battlefront II, I have a feeling that the best in Star Wars is yet to come. [Dec 2005, p.152]

Despite some issues with the audio and the slowness of the third act, Pentiment is a wonderfully unique storytelling experience overflowing with respect for the historical era it strives to recreate. Much like the game’s themes of stories persisting over time, I’ll be thinking about Andreas Maler and the town of Tassing for years to come.

EA has made significant strides in creating a more realistic flow to digital hoops... I have to give the nod to ESPN, but I eagerly look toward next year's Live. [Nov 2003, p.147]

No Treasure game would be complete if it wasn't replete with awesome boss battles. Wario World has them in droves. [July 2003, p.108]

Offers a ton of bloody entertainment, even when going online isn't an option. [Apr 2005, p.131]

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds offers some exciting twists on the tried-and-true kart-racing formula, making for a streamlined experience that wastes no time getting you into the action. Though there’s substantially less content and replayability than its primary contemporary, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is concise and effective in its mission, offering the most well-rounded kart racer of the year.

Despite its shortcomings, SMT IV is a handheld adventure that RPG fans are sure to embrace for hours on end. While it doesn’t go in too many new directions, it makes some bold story moves that kept me reflecting long after I stopped playing.

If you can accept the fact that the playtime is shorter than the running time of a Kevin Costner film, The 2nd Runner offers an explosive and highly fevered gameplay experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. [May 2003, p.85]

The gamplay, however, is devilishly clever in its use of politics, economics, and social standing to keep your butt planted, and your attention riveted. [Feb 2003, p.107]

If you don’t mind periodically revisiting game design from 1999, Alan Wake is an engaging horror mystery that brings the heart of Stephen King’s style of storytelling to the interactive medium.

The PSX version of Tony Hawk 3 has only proven to me that part 2 was such a monstrous release, not even its masters could defeat it. [Dec 2001, p.110]

This is one of the funniest games ever made, and a fantastic way to teach yourself the controls of the Wii while simultaneously charming friends into understanding why you just spent a few hundred dollars on this new game system.

An extremely solid game that maintains the great tradition of the franchise. While I doubt it will be remembered as a classic, it will definitely provide fans with many great moments of fun. [Jan 2005, p.127]

Though it's almost expected that MLB The Show will have another solid outing, I still can't help but smile when, after my first few games, I realize that baseball is back and we once again have a terrific representation of that in video game form. Whether I was leading my team to the World Series in March to October, charting my player's career in Road to the Show, or learning about the game's history in Storylines, I continually needed to pull myself away from playing "just one more." MLB The Show 25 delivers perhaps the most well-rounded package of any of the mainstream sports video games, making for a title I first fired up during Spring Training and could very well still be playing when the World Series rolls around.

There are so many things to like about DAoC that it's hard not to find the game charming. [Jan 2002, p.93]

Xbox's NASCAR Thunder is better. [Dec 2001, p.93]

The Matrix vibe is in full effect, and I can give you my personal guarantee that you won't be able to put it down until you've seen all the new footage. [June 2003, p.100]

I've played through all of the Angry Birds games, and had the most fun with this Star Wars-themed version. And that's not just because it's Star Wars. This game shows Rovio is at the top of its game, using a beloved license to deliver the series' most creative levels to date.

A genuine treat, and even its short length doesn't hold me back from granting it my solid seal of approval. [Jan 2005, p.145]

Color Splash’s RPG elements might be paper thin, but fans of the series won’t be disappointed with this latest adventure. While the game’s combat isn’t much deeper than Mario’s paper-thin body, this plumber’s antics and colorful world are worth the price of admission.

In terms of gameplay quality, this may be another middle-of-the-road shooter, but the unique premise sets it aside from everything else out there. [Sept 2005, p.94]

By combining a completely new gameplay style with nicely designed traditional 2D platforming levels, Kirby: Canvas Curse manages to fulfill the true potential of Nintendo's highly touted touch-screen gameplay. [Aug 2005, p.108]

Stacking is a bit rough around the edges, but the puzzles are clever, the humor hits the mark more than it misses, and the characters and story are delightful, leaving adventure fans with little more to ask for.

It took me a little over six hours to get my first victory screen, but that wasn’t the end of the game. Unlocking everything, uncovering secrets, and piecing together the lore are all a part of the almost inexhaustible experience. It can be acutely irritating to fall victim to a first-level foe after nearly making it to the last boss in the previous run, but the game is hard to put down. Loot River reimagines some of its inspirations' best elements, offering players a chance to sail cleverly through each environment, grow powerful enough to slice up once-impossible threats, and unravel a story that smartly weaves into its gameplay.

Much of the world's luster, from the textures to the character models, is sadly diminished in this version. [Aug 2005, p.85]

Wii MotionPlus is a great boon to the Wii version of Tiger - the game is merely a [70] without it. [July 2009, p.82]

GRAW games are all about multiplayer, and this version doesn’t disappoint. PS3 owners will receive 14 additional maps, most of which are just variations on the Xbox 360 maps and a few classic ones from Ghost Recon past, and two new co-op modes that task you with locating POWs and evading enemy forces.

Even though the classic Pokémon formula still works as evidenced by HeartGold, I can’t help but hope for a new Pokémon title that breaks some new ground.

Tetris 99 is a pleasant surprise, and is my favorite content offered by the Nintendo Switch Online service to date. The idea of playing Tetris against 98 other players at once seems ludicrous but is fun in practice and delivers intense moments just like when you’re among the final few in a battle royale game.

While those looking for the pure historical war experience may find themselves wanting a bit more, with such a critical emphasis on the commanders and their supreme battlefield presence, those willing to indulge in a more prodigious past have lots to enjoy. With strict historical adherence out the window and a bit of a streamlined tactical combat experience, Three Kingdoms still has a lot to offer the strategy enthusiast.

For a game that has been around for three years, it still performs admirably and stacks up well against today's most sophisticated fighters in terms of graphics and replay value. [May 2003, p.91]

It's the kind of strategy game that I love; it lets you visualize and execute your best-laid plans, even if they can go down in flames. [Feb 2013, p.92]

Despite these issues, EA Sports MMA is still a powerful brawler, and another year or two in the gym should turn it into a true monster.

Telltale has once again left me thinking and longing, and I hope they make these endings mean even more in the future.

Despite these issues, EA Sports MMA is still a powerful brawler, and another year or two in the gym should turn it into a true monster.

One of the most addictive things you can do that won't make various parts of your anatomy turn black and fall off. [Nov 2001, p.125]

Aped 3 isn't just a game that works, it's a title that will suck hours away from your life and demand that you dominate mountains. [Dec 2005, p.163]

Instead of feeling like the first chapter in a multi-part story, The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is more like a snapshot. It only takes a couple hours to finish, and depicts a routine day in the life of Chris and his dad. It has explicit connections to the upcoming Life is Strange 2 that have me excited, but The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit also stands alone as a clever and heartbreaking look at a kid who deserves better.

In many ways, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time feels like a game that shouldn’t work. Single-player, mascot-driven, hardcore platformers are few and far between these days. Moreover, most franchises born in the mid-‘90s have had to continually reboot themselves to match the tastes of an ever-changing market. At its core, Crash 4 remains rooted to the old way of doing things, but that’s not a bad thing. The visuals are cleaner now and Crash has a few new gimmicks, but if you squint, Crash 4 looks like the same old platformer you’ve always loved.

If you're a Caduceus veteran, the new controls, multiple difficulty options, and new surgeries and tools will more than satisfy. [Jan 2007, p.103]

Let's put it this way: Anything you see Indy do in a movie, he can do in the game - the control is that good. [Mar 2003, p.86]

Even if you've already played the GameCube or PS2 incarnations, this late bloomer is worth investing in. [June 2003, p.113]

Rather than simply port the current generation version of NBA 2K14, Visual Concepts deserves praise for drastically renovating its two most popular modes for its next-generation console debut.

EA Sports College Football 25 makes the gridiron feel new again with stellar visuals that heighten the gameday intensity and smooth controls that evoke the high-octane moment-to-moment action that makes college football so beloved. I enjoy the painstaking, time-consuming process of revitalizing weak programs in Dynasty as well as competing against teammates to earn that coveted starting spot in Road to Glory, but some skin-deep progression systems and game modes are concerning; beyond the campaigns, there simply isn’t enough to see or do. Nevertheless, CFB 25 is a confident spiral throw in the right direction, and I’m excited to see how its strong foundation evolves in future releases.

Digital Extremes provided a rip-roaring play, but neglected to make it mean something. [June 2005, p.124]

This newer game is by far the more impressive choice, with fully fleshed out features, excellent animation, solid soccer gameplay, and an exciting presentation, replete with another batch of great music from around the world. [Jun 2006, p.112]

This is a great game, single- or multiplayer, online or off.

Stylish action games have evolved a lot in recent years, and this release skillfully straddles the line between new and old. The extra characters offer more variety and versatility that any fan of the genre should appreciate. They don’t completely mask the other problems, but the inventive twists on the content ultimately outweigh the legacy complaints.

Even without a clear narrative purpose, Darksiders never wavers from being an enjoyable adventure. I had a blast playing it, and strangely enough, the obvious nods to other games added to the fun. Despite a lame last boss fight, the setup planted for the sequel has me counting the days until it arrives.

Danganronpa proves why having an interactive experience can make stories more thrilling, even in the context of such a bleak scenario.

Stacking is a bit rough around the edges, but the puzzles are clever, the humor hits the mark more than it misses, and the characters and story are delightful, leaving adventure fans with little more to ask for.

The multiplayer isn't much to speak of, but does offer some classic deathmatching. [Jan 2006, p.85]

SvR’s great right stick grapple system hasn’t changed much in the last few years, so it’s hard to say the series has evolved much on the mat. I’d still love to see a tutorial system to help newcomers ease into play.

Make no bloody, broken Nazi bones about it: The Switch version is the least visually appealing version of Wolfenstein II. However, for me, that compromise is easy to accept when I can take Machinegames’ opus with me wherever I go. Even the worst version of The New Colossus is an incredible, must-play game for anyone who loves zany action and honest, powerful stories about the cost of hope.

NCAA at home or on the go? Now you can truly run the option. [Sept. 2006, p.100]

The gameplay has some rough edges, but as an interactive story, this is an experience that shouldn't be missed.

Effectively the Gran Turismo of the F1 video-game scene. [Nov 2001, p.108]

While it doesn’t offer the same breadth and reimagining of core systems found in The Taken King, Bungie’s latest release has a sentimental tone that is refreshing. This adventure through forgotten legends stands strong on its own, and continues an unbroken string of content drops that have each made Destiny a richer universe.

The gameplay has some rough edges, but as an interactive story, this is an experience that shouldn't be missed.

Joe Danger: Special Edition offers enough new content for a fan of the original to enjoy, but it's a must-download for Xbox owners that never had a chance to play it.

What it does have, though, is rock-solid netcode and the most exquisite balancing and map design I've ever seen. [Aug 2004, p.104]

Rollerdrome immediately clicked with me, and I ate it all up. As polished and fun as the experience is, it feels like Roll7 is just dipping its toes into the water. I hope this talented studio gets the chance to make a sequel to further flesh out this unique concept with more detail in the story and greater player progression. Regardless, Rollerdrome is a fantastic first foot forward. I adored the campaign gameplay and have a feeling my friend group will use this unique title for late-night scoring competitions.

This newer game is by far the more impressive choice, with fully fleshed out features, excellent animation, solid soccer gameplay, and an exciting presentation, replete with another batch of great music from around the world. [Jun 2006, p.112]

Even with so much of the gameplay clinging to the formula Traveller's Tales created for its first LEGO game, The Clone Wars offers a vastly different experience that captures the best of both of the LEGO and Star Wars licenses. It's easily the best LEGO game to date.

This enhanced remake of Final Fantasy IV does a remarkable job of blending 3D visuals with classic gameplay; it's familiar, yet still drives you to keep playing. [Aug 2008, p.91]

Even with so much of the gameplay clinging to the formula Traveller's Tales created for its first LEGO game, The Clone Wars offers a vastly different experience that captures the best of both of the LEGO and Star Wars licenses. It's easily the best LEGO game to date.

It may not be the lengthiest of adventures, but it does prove to be entertaining. [April 2002, p.89]

The movies may be done, but with games like Battlefront II, I have a feeling that the best in Star Wars is yet to come. [Dec 2005, p.152]

Featuring a different assortment of classics than the consoles' Capcom Collection, Remixed even features the first "Street Fighter", which isn't always easy to come by. [May 2006, p.111]

The Stanley Parable is built upon a single, simple premise, and only offers a few hours of entertainment. That said, they were a few hours unlike any I've experienced playing games before. If you're a fan of experimental indie projects or just in the mood for a fun detour from your typical gaming adventure, look no further.

Like many of the '80s action flicks it mimics, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon has the potential to alienate people with its crass sense of humor and repetitive one-liners. But if you long for an era when smart-mouthed badasses were more concerned with making things go boom than catering to your social sensitivities, Rex Power Colt is your man, and Blood Dragon is your game.

Little more than "Battlefield 2" with mechs and gunships. In nearly every way, a round of 2142 plays out exactly like a round of its predecessor. Not that that’s a particularly bad thing, but for all intents and purposes this is a $50 mod.

Blood Dragon's neon veneer and synth-heavy soundtrack may call to mind B action movies, but this retro aesthetic is slapped on top of the state-of-the-art Far Cry 3 engine. The tight gunplay, open-world exploration, animal hunting, and wealth of side activities all return with slight modifications to fit the totally radical motif.

It's a fantastic addition to XBLA and PSN, and it's a great way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Galaga.

It's too bad the single-player mode is a bit short, or this would have been darn near perfect. [Apr 2002, p.89]

It's a fantastic addition to XBLA and PSN, and it's a great way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Galaga.

This first expansion to "Supreme Commander" is an excellent add-on to an already outstanding game. [Dec 2007, p.155]

Even serious engagement doesn't ensure story completion without many hours of investment, and only the most dedicated players will see the full spread of what Hades has to offer. But Supergiant’s latest opus is a beautiful and thoughtful twist on Greek mythology, flipping these old stories on their head and transforming them into commentaries on modern relationships. High-octane action gameplay may pull you into hell for the first time, but I suspect you’ll stay to find out about this eccentric and fascinating family.

I’m not sure why EA stripped away features that already worked beautifully. I wish this year’s five new courses were just the beginning of the additions instead of one of the highlights, but it’ll have to do while we wait for a course creator.

Slime Rancher has the ability to keep you hooked for hours; I often looked out over my ranch, felt pride at my accomplishments, and eagerly ventured back into the wilderness to see what other strange things I could find.

Dawntrail doesn’t reach the peak of earlier Final Fantasy XIV expansions, but its path is different. Its mission is to begin a new grand tale, and it absolutely succeeds in placing the threads for the future while weaving an effective story about legacy and loss. Although I have grievances about the pace of questing and the main character’s contradictory actions, I’ve loved my time exploring Tural and can’t wait to see what the next chapter of the story brings.