As far as multiplayer enjoyment goes, there are definitely some fun modes and a lot of room for craziness. [May 2003, p.91]

There is a load of personality in Chicken Little, and the large variety of level types and playable characters will appeal to fans of the film. [Nov 2005, p.149]

It's designed to have you play through it multiple times, but I don't know if you'll come back for more after the first pass. [May 2005, p.114]

By rigidly following Dragon Quest traditions, we end up with flat, cartoonish characters who inhabit a repetitive, cyclical world. But The Dark Prince plays to its strengths to deliver a solid RPG experience with a cozy narrative seasoned by a long list of charismatic creatures and entertaining dungeons.

I didn't mind investing over 50 hours to the grind in The Surge. I felt powerful at times and exploring every little area rewarded me with a nice bounty. It just clings too tightly to a one-note approach to world building, enemy encounters, and level design. This is a genre that has a rich history of wowing players, sometimes from the look of a boss, and maybe even the design of the world it inhabits. I was never dazzled by The Surge. I mostly felt like I was battling animated junk in a junkyard.

I could see this reaching a more casual audience of duffers, but hardcore fans of golf video games probably won't be satisfied. [Jun 2006, p.113]

Giving players creative control isn’t enough of a spark to make this experience shine.

An adequate boxing title for fans of the franchise. [Dec 2002, p.144]

Baba is You makes you feel brilliant as you transform the properties of each puzzle to get the win in the early game – but then things get complicated.

All told, this GBA edition is done well enough that fans of the series will be satisfied with the on-the-go experience, but don't expect to be blown away. [Sept 2003, p.125]

Whenever the guns are pumping, it's a legitimately blast to play. That’s where the experience shines, and everything else around it holds it back from being truly engrossing. This is one of those games that frustrates because you can see the greatness within it, but it's always just out of reach.

Burning Skies isn't a failure by any means. While the visuals won't sell you on the console's power like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, the campaign is filled with the big boss fights and unique weaponry you expect from the series. As long as you're not hoping for a console-quality multiplayer experience, Burning Skies should satisfy fans.

The Top Spin series, despite its gameplay issues, at least made an effort. Virtua Tennis needs to try much harder if it’s going to regain its title as the preeminent tennis franchise.

The map changes are great, but the other aspects feel like modified retreads of the first game. Even with the story’s interesting attempts to look at the origin of the Yo-kai Watch, it plods along without ever rising up to something worth seeing to the end. Yo-kai Watch 2 still stands as a worthwhile Pokémon competitor, but its forward progression is only happening by small steps.

Like last year’s Thrillville, Off the Rails, requires some research on the part of the player to discover which things are fun (designing faulty rides) and which are a waste of time (talking to guests). Unfortunately, even the content that survives the cull isn’t enough to make the whole experience more than a diversion.

The narrative is often a slog (though it can be interesting and heady at times), and it devotes too much time to world-building and setup. As much as the game tries to highlight different walks of life, all of the characters, even Jensen, end up looking like faceless beings used to dump lore onto the player. I like seeing games tackle difficult subject matter, but that message, while occasionally coming through loud and clear, is ultimately lost in this dull and slow-moving story. It starts off with a bang, but quickly becomes a muddled mess of politics and techno-babble.

Another Lost Phone’s voyeuristic mystery is worth playing, despite some missteps. Its subject matter is compelling, and is conveyed in inventive ways. I enjoyed learning about Laura, but I would have had a better time with more engaging puzzles and a more memorable cast.

Drone Tactics is functional and occasionally fun, but it never gets exciting.

The presentation is strong, and there are some genuine moments of surprise - most memorably a scene that shrinks your character down and places you on a life-sized pool table. [Feb 2004, p.109]

The action does get intense, and if anything else, having to keep your eye on your comrades in a way highlights the grim fight for survival and tight-knit nature that all soldiers need in battle. [Oct 2004, p.129]

The one undoubtedly cool thing that ProStreet brings to the table is its online play (except on Wii), where you can create your own race days and invite friends to compete them. The race day will keep a persistent leaderboard of everyone’s progress, so you can always go back and knock off your buddy.

I’ve wanted a solid follow-up to Yoshi’s Island for years, and this game is the third in a trilogy of follow-ups that range from half-baked to decent. Considering how unimpressed and apathetic I was towards most of Yoshi’s New Island, it might be time to just be happy with my Super Nintendo memories when it comes to this series.

While head and shoulders above its console brethren, Crouching Tiger on the GBA is still a medicore effort. [Dec 2003, p.185]

Unfortunately, the joy that comes with slaughtering entire civilizations is still plagued by plenty of slowdown and environment pop up. [Oct 2003, p.139]

Character progression is interesting at first, but the game quickly becomes trivially easy. [Issue#203, p.95]

While I continue to respect Klei Entertainment's art style and devotion to bloody fantasy above all else, it needs to design less frustrating levels and encounters before its games truly click for me. The upgrades in Shank 2 are a lot like the act of revenge: It feels satisfying in the short term, but in the end you're left with the empty feeling that maybe it didn't improve that much at all.

Rock Revolution is exactly what you’d expect from the music game genre, assuming the last three years never happened.

This collection offers up a wide range of brawlers and shooters from days long gone, but sadly, not many of these are all that memorable.

If you’re eager to catch up with the cast or music of Persona 3, Dancing in Moonlight is worth a few excursions into the Dark Hour.

While I continue to respect Klei Entertainment's art style and devotion to bloody fantasy above all else, it needs to design less frustrating levels and encounters before its games truly click for me. The upgrades in Shank 2 are a lot like the act of revenge: It feels satisfying in the short term, but in the end you're left with the empty feeling that maybe it didn't improve that much at all.

Persona 5’s soundtrack helped define its captivating sense of style when it released last year, and Dancing in Starlight is a good celebration of it. The clumsy dancing interface and short tracklist make it fall short as a rhythm game, but some great remixes and fun progression hooks make it a worthwhile way to revisit the look, feel, and sound of one this generation’s most stylish RPGs.

Character progression is interesting at first, but the game quickly becomes trivially easy. [Issue#203, p.95]

Yes, there are exclusives here (single and multi-player maps and offline multiplayer split-screen), but the shared maps are shorter - which can cut down the strategy of using your Zulu go codes. [Apr 2004, p.96]

Keep your expectations in check, and there's some fun in the mayhem. [Oct 2005, p.126]

The main single-player mode remains way too clunky for me to award this game high marks. That said, the great parts of this game are really something to experience.

This franchise's attempt to step out from its own shadow is only half successful, and not because it dared to do so in the first place, but because it didn't dare enough. It also lacks a singular vision, and instead feels like a collection of parts pieced together.

Arctic Edge looks good for MotorStorm’s first appearance on the PSP, but gone are the days when I can be impressed with simply squeezing down a console title intact onto a handheld. Let’s ask for more so we can get more.

Stick with it and you'll find a unique puzzle game that's quirky enough to redeem most of the bad bits. [Issue#204, p.96]

It works well enough with a bit of practice, though, and 50 complete scenarios in the single-player challenge mode add up to plenty of time spent playing god. [Oct 2008, p.106]

Young Horses has created a silly but heartfelt story and adventure game, but the creature-capturing gameplay never really hits its stride.

The gameplay is simple yet heavily varied, which in turn keeps the action fresh and fun. [Aug 2005, p.98]

I look forward to the day when Tak gets the game he deserves. [Oct 2005, p.128]

The crafting system is superficial but pretty much all of Brutal is that way. Its most interesting qualities are gimmicks – the ASCII visuals, the procedural generation, a shield that you can throw like Captain America because why not?

Although Max may provide a better realization of the "draw-in-your-solution" sub-genre of creativity-driven platformers than what has come before, the Wii remote still cannot offer the accuracy truly needed to make a game like this shine.

This is worth a look for Cooking Mama noobs, but veterans might find it a little stale.

If you’re a die-hard Might & Magic Heroes fan, this addition to your collection is probably justified for the skirmishing alone, but it does little to tread new ground. If you’ve always wondered about breaking into the series, one of the classics would be a better choice.

The game controls like an awkward 6'7" giant. [Nov 2005, p.148]

Farpoint is not the system-selling game the PSVR desperately needs. This competent shooter sews together a few VR thrills and benefits from the excellent PlayStation Aim controller, but the linear design feels dated by comparison to contemporary shooters. Therein lies the rub for virtual reality right now – you can’t innovate with dated concepts, even if they have a sheen of novelty overlaying them.

The courses are twisted and the mud splatters nice and thick. [Dec 2001, p.95]

If you want a looter-slasher that’s all about the stat bumps and the delight of seeing enemies suffer from the enchantments you worked hard to unlock, Godfall delivers plenty of that and is backed by a hell of a combat system. It hits that one note and holds it from start to finish.

The dancing game has that perfect mix of embarrassment and fun that makes it just as entertaining to watch as it is to play.

The gameplay is easy to pick up and surprisingly deep; but more importantly, it's continually fun. [Aug 2003, p.99]

All of this represents good progress for the franchise, but while NASCAR Heat 2 adds racing series, rivalries, and other features, it misses an opportunity to make them meaningful and expand the actual scope and excitement of the game.

It became clear at this point that Horizons follows the MMORPG cannon to the letter, that the graphics are very average, and that there's no reason to play outside the social aspect. [Feb 2004, p.111]

Overall the production value on this game is solid, but since the gameplay is neither groundbreaking nor terribly engaging – the game just falls right in the middle of the pack. [Apr 2002, p.75]

Worthy of a rental, and it may just spawn its own little cult. [Jan 2004, p.151]

Like last year’s Thrillville, Off the Rails, requires some research on the part of the player to discover which things are fun (designing faulty rides) and which are a waste of time (talking to guests). Unfortunately, even the content that survives the cull isn’t enough to make the whole experience more than a diversion. [Dec 2007, p.143]

There is a load of personality in Chicken Little, and the large variety of level types and playable characters will appeal to fans of the film. [Nov 2005, p.149]

The coolest, most bad-ass new character I've seen in a game since "Devil May Cry"'s Dante. [Oct 2002, p.85]

Your Shape featuring Jenny McCarthy is a decent title, but it's in dire need of a shot in the arm. [Jan 2010, p.87]

Luckily, Song of the Deep’s combat and beautiful presentation, showing cutscenes as colorful storybook illustrations accompanied by narration from an Irish-accented speaker, push the game a fair distance above its failings and make it a journey worth taking for anyone who enjoys Metroid-inspired games or action/adventure games with interesting stories.

There are few tables to choose from, all of which are fairly standard in design. [May 2005, p.136]

Unfortunately, most of the forms are just too random and arbitrary to be really compelling. [Feb 2006, p.113]

The loading times between games somewhat diminishes the fast-paced feel that Wario Ware delivers. [Feb 2006, p.113]

Chromehounds wields tons of fire-power online, but its gameplay gears are rusty. [Aug 2006, p.87]

Even as the story and gameplay falter, it's hard to argue with the joy of smashing open walls and hunting down demonic threats. [July 2008, p.84]

The GameBreakers are unbalanced and the new non-interactive GameBreaker 2's are shameful. [May 2005, p.136]

Had the enemy AI been better, the speed not so sluggish, and the combat a little bit more on the arcade side like "Secret Weapons Over Normandy," this game could have been something special. [Feb 2004, p.97]

There is something to be said for this title due to its pure outrageousness. [Apr 2002, p.77]

The Gamespeak and platforming elements that were so fun in 1997 are now tedious. [Dec 2001, p.101]

Crimsonland feels like an incomplete game. It has all the gameplay mechanics in place, but its backgrounds, character assets, music, and general presentation look and sound like they were put in for testing purposes while awaiting the real art and music to arrive. The twin-stick shooting at the core is fun, but the experience can’t help but be diminished by nearly every other aspect of the game.

There is no battery backup to save with, and $40 is pretty steep for another version of Tetris. [January 2002, p.98]

With no reason to connect with these characters and little in the way of action to separate itself from the packed FPS crowd, Resistance 3 makes it clear that the series doesn't belong amongst the triple-A competition in the genre.

Came up a little short on the gameplay side of things. My major gripe stems from the fact that I just didn't give a damn about the story. [Nov 2002, p.149]

A true career mode is needed to help flesh this collection of tracks out. [Apr 2003, p.85]

It’s all decently fun, and the Wii controls are utilized to good effect. But, you know, there’s only so long something like this is going to hold my attention. If you’re of an advanced age like myself, say over 10, this is probably going to seem a bit dull.

There are worse things out there than grinding levels, and Twin Age controls better than most DS games in the genre. [June 2008, p.101]

Apart from looking like an ugly baby conceived in the back of a broken-down El Camino by a couple of illeterates, tilting the Wii remote translates to your car surprisingly well. [Dec 2007, p.137]

If you’re willing to play the game of “try, try again,” you can have fun with The Bigs 2’s career mode. However, if you’re looking for a multiplayer game or an experience based on skill, the unbalanced run scoring and Big Slam will drive you crazy.

Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice is a big step in the right direction for the spinoff series. While it still has quirks, it's a fun, easy experience that anyone can play. Though I still vastly prefer the classic Sonic games, Fire & Ice is an enjoyable spinoff title that brings some great elements of those games back into the forefront.

An entertaining, but ultimately disposable, driving title. [Apr 2003, p.85]

Unfortunately, the entire affair is filled with repeated waves of what amount to the exact same enemies, and it doesn't take long for boredom to set in.

Struggle through the admittedly bad third-person action, and you'll find a role-playing experience well worth your time.

Manages to maintain a tongue-in-cheek cheese factor that makes the journey entertaining enough...in that shameless softcore kind of way. [July 2004, p.114]

Go talk about colored bubbles with your online friends, because we've all played this game already. [Dec 2004, p.183]

Rock Revolution is exactly what you’d expect from the music game genre, assuming the last three years never happened.

The simple play dynamic of placing armies, rolling die, and attacking neighboring territories remains intact, but with a few nice extras like Mission Risk, Capital Risk, and a load of customizable game options. Is it fun? You bet. [Oct 2003, p.123]

This certainly shouldn't beat "Burnout" or "Need for Speed" for your racing dollars, but it might if you're shopping for the family. [Aug 2006, p.81]

It’s far too repetitive and laborious for a game with such a light, user-friendly tone.

If you are looking for a handheld multiplayer experience, and are willing to tolerate some control aggravations, you may want to take a gander at Renegade Squadron. But if your desire lies anywhere outside of this, these are not the droids you are looking for. Move along.

It's nothing spectacular, but all systems need good puzzle games and this seems to fit the bill nicely. [Jan 2005, p.149]

Last Day of June paints a world that is visually beautiful on the surface and darker at its core, but its emotional story loses luster quickly. While some narrative twists drew me in nearing its conclusion, I never connected enough with the story and felt distracted by its repetitive nature.

The bar of excellence has been raised to a staggering new height, and High Heat doesn't even come close to touching it. [Apr 2003, p.83]

Sure, I can mow down countless humans in any FPS, but drilling a gentle animal is not my idea of a good time. [Mar 2003, p.83]

Don't buy this for the single-player campaign. It's awful. [Jan 2006, p.155]

The great level designs provide frantic fun, but despite my many fond memories of Sonic, it's difficult to heap praise on a game that makes me feel like I'm still playing the Sega Genesis. [Jan 2006, p.157]

Chroma Squad is an overall enjoyable experience that runs on nostalgia, but falls short of becoming everything it could have been. Though the progression system comes to a screeching halt during the latter portions and gameplay repetition can lead to tedium, I still found enjoyment throughout the lengthy story.

Purple Lamp showcases a clear adoration for SpongeBob SquarePants, with jokes, deep cuts, and characters that brought me back to my childhood. And when they weren’t forced or overused, they worked well in the narrative. I especially loved hearing that one fish scream about his love of chocolate, and hearing “My leg!” brought me great joy. When The Cosmic Shake is at its best, it sounds, looks, and plays like the kind of game I would have begged my parents to buy me growing up. But when it falters, it’s boring. It’s a game I recommend to fans of SpongeBob SquarePants with ease; for those looking for a great platformer, though, better options lie elsewhere in the sea.