Danger Zone 2 takes necessary, if limited, steps beyond its predecessor with new pieces that fit nicely into the structure of chaos. It makes a spectacle all right, but it’s fleeting.

As we approach a new console generation, Visual Concepts is building a version of NBA 2K21 from the ground up for the new systems. As a result, this current-gen NBA 2K21 feels left in the dust. It still offers the strong gameplay the series is known for, but compared to last year, it’s not making many leaps. I know I’ll still play it a good amount until I move on to the new-gen edition, but it’s disappointing that loyal fans playing on current-gen consoles didn’t get more of an upgrade. It still gives you a decent basketball experience, but we’ve come to expect better and more.

Fails to establish any real mood or atmosphere, and just ends up being boring. [May 2005, p.110]

Hyper Scape is inoffensive and might be the right battle-royale choice for you, depending on your stream engagement. However, it doesn’t push hard enough on any one of its differentiators, and it ends up struggling to find a sense of itself in a genre with oodles of established choices. Toes dipped into shallow water may pay off for a deep water swim in the future, but Hyper Scape holds itself back from really trying to shake things up.

I don't regret my time with Silent Hill: Downpour, but mediocrity hung over most of my playthrough like a fog. [Apr 2012, p.82]

It’s easy and accessible fun, but Zoo Tycoon has a long way to go before it has the depth to make it rewarding.

I just would have liked to see more time devoted to cleaning bugs and buffing out the core riding mechanic. [Mar 2009, p.89]

It may not be as polished or balanced as Gears of War or Killzone, but Earth Defense Force 2025 is full of gleeful carnage and B-movie charm that make it hard to put down.

Dynasty Warriors 8 attempts to change the series’ long-standing formula with the addition of the Ambition mode and history-altering storylines. Combat is tedious, however, and it still defines the majority of the experience.

The game’s design is overly simplistic, perhaps as an attempted nod to younger players. It hurts the experience, since it feels like you’ve won every fight before you even begin, even against bosses. It’s rare that any puzzle or battle requires more than the mildest attention. Even knowing that, Dark Legend benefits from its clever premise – one that certainly stands apart from the rest of the Wii ­catalog.

Playing Gundam Versus is its own reward. While it may not be a great introduction to the series for those who read the names of mobile suits as gibberish, anyone with a fondness or curiosity for one of the most enduring sci-fi franchises of all time has more than enough toys to play with for a long time. The combat is a great blend of reverent, fast-paced, and precise, and while solo players may be disappointed in how unsatisfying the single-player is, those who’ve spent years building their own stories with action figures will find a lot to love.

The AI for your defenders is horrible. Attacking forwards don't have the plague, fellas, just the ball. [May 2004, p.99]

There is a reason many of the RPG game mechanics this game uses are no longer found in other RPGs – they suck. You may be better off making up your own fantasy game with RPG Maker.

If you don’t mind playing a game for six or seven hours before getting to the good stuff, Web of Shadows eventually packs a nice little punch. However, if you want instant gratification from your games, this experience won’t do much for you.

With so many genuinely good action/RPGs that aren't riddled with archaic missions and gameplay, I have trouble recommending Nier solely on the basis of a decent (but unevenly executed) story.

Overall, Mass Effect fans could take or leave Infiltrator. It's not some important lost lore chapter. It's the best mobile Mass Effect experience yet, but it's got a long way to go to catch up with its console big brother.

The game controls often feel unresponsive in real-time, but using the Clash meter slows the action down and allows you to make cuts that spell the difference between torn tendons and touchdowns. If senseless violence and arcade football are your passions, Blitz is the league for you.

As the game wears on, the simple pleasures of the gameplay fade, and the incredibly frustrating boss battles mount in aggravation, leaving us with nothing more than another unsatisfying licensed game. [Dec 2005, p.159]

After a while, the recycled environments and repetitive battles start to feel like a chore rather than a reward. [Mar 2007, p.96]

I applaud the ambition, but not every grand venture ends with triumph.

Brink is not a bad game. If Splash Damage can stabilize the performance and fix some glaring omissions (like a pre-game lobby) with a patch, I'd gladly spend more time with it. But with only eight multiplayer maps, 20 progression levels, no clan support, and average gunplay, it's not a good value proposition. Especially considering many Xbox Live games offer a similar amount of content for a fraction of the price.

If a slower-paced, more complex title in the vein of EverQuest is what you’re looking for, Vanguard will serve you well. A lack of polish in several areas and strong competition keep this game from being particularly special, though.

When it embraces the full weight of its gameplay mechanics, it’s an enchanting experience. It hits speed bumps often and comes dangerously close to losing its way, but concludes with two strong acts. Valley is one of those gaming oddities with unique highs unlike almost anything else, which makes the lows worth tolerating.

Not only does it throw a lot of racing at you--in various forms and on a bunch of locations--but it captures the spirit of Rainbow's rhythm racing. [May 2006, p.113]

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]

Want to play football on the go? Take a piece of paper, fold it into a small triangle, and flick it into someone's face instead. [Jan 2005, p.144]

While the GameCube has several genres it excels at, the tactical shooter field clearly isn't one of them. [Sept 2004, p.112]

Déraciné approaches VR in the right way, letting the player soak in the environment at their leisure, but the teleportation movement is awkward and most of your engagement outside the narrative hinges on how much you enjoy picking up objects, looking at them, and putting them somewhere else. The world is interesting, and the narrative features a handful of fun, dark twists, but the ultimate experience is bland, even if it does have its charms.

The brightest moments are when the action gives way to pure chaos. I watched electricity arc between humans, made brains pop out of heads, and turned a secret base into smoldering ruins with my spaceship’s death ray. But like a person floating above the ground in the glow of an abducto beam, those moments aren’t connected to anything substantial; they just make some noise and get flung aside.

Tak becomes more pedestrian and predictable as each area unfolds. [Nov. 2003, p.150]

Sure, it has a map now and (gasp!) touch screen menu support, but other than that it's pretty much identical to its GBA cousin. [Nov 2005, p.180]

The RPG-style fights are uninspiring, and the storyline is simplistic. Still, the graphics are bright and inviting, with menus that are easily navigable. [June 2004, p.138]

Despite the new locations and some of the strategic and even slight gameplay changes this brings, I'm not convinced that this isn't an expansion pack. [Dec 2003, p.159]

If you have yet to play this series and like card games or RPGs, Lost Kingdoms II is a no-brainer. [June 2003, p.107]

Playing Lost Planet 2 for the story is like going to a movie to watch the credits. If you go into this game, go into it with the intent of joining up with your friends to slay moon-sized monsters, and enjoy one of gaming’s top co-op experiences.

The game is the worst type of Renasissance man - Jack of all trades, master of none. [Jan 2005, p.133]

Yooka-Laylee liberally shatters the fourth wall by acknowledging its own existence as a game. Each time dialogue happened between characters, I eagerly awaited jokes about other games. You even get herded through quiz-style sequences; thankfully, these don't serve as roadblocks as much as they do fun allusions to games like Banjo-Kazooie. I laughed out loud at these silly references on multiple occasions, and some of the fun story moments are just as amusing as the gameplay.

I'd rather have a simple and well-balanced game than a complicated and lopsided one, and Suikoden Tactics definitely has too many short legs. [Dec 2005, p.175]

NBA Playgrounds may not revolutionize arcade basketball, but it’s a welcome newcomer. If Saber Interactive tightens its gameplay shortcomings and introduces more ways to play, the game could have a healthy run as an alternative for those who don't want the heavy investment of a sports sim.

Gamers who enjoyed the movie could do worse than this well-polished platformer.

Out of all of the books, games, and movies, it allows you to get closer to the school than ever before – all at the expense of actually enjoying your stay. It’s boring and tedious, just like a real school is. However, it’s also a place where your Harry Potter knowledge can bloom. On this note, only hardcore Harry Potter nuts should enroll.

Playing Lost Planet 2 for the story is like going to a movie to watch the credits. If you go into this game, go into it with the intent of joining up with your friends to slay moon-sized monsters, and enjoy one of gaming’s top co-op experiences.

I can't imagine the conversations that led someone to decide that this sparse (though accurate) game would be a good idea. [Oct 2004, p.140]

You can also play the Rapid play mode where you work under the clock with the Brain Age twist, but honestly, there isn't much else to this game. [Apr 2007, p.110]

It's incredibly flawed in areas that some consider core to the gaming experience and requires patience to persevere through the problems and get to the best moments. But for everything it lacks, it transcends the stigma of a budget title. If you're looking for a strange but nonetheless unique experience, Deadly Premonition may satisfy an itch you didn't even realize you had.

What makes Regeneration falter is the fact that it's bland, repetitive, and uninspired - like Carson Daily. [Oct 2005, p.126]

Laughable enemy AI, a poor targeting system, and sluggish movement really hold it back from being anything more than average. [Feb 2005, p.112]

If you sleep on Star Wars sheets, give it a try. If not, pretend it doesn’t exist – just like the animated movie.

UFC still has some untapped game potential, but Throwdown is its best effort so far. [June 2002, p.78]

What EA has so successfully done is taken a franchise that scares away most hardcore sports fans and built a game that's technically solid, entertaining, original, and unbelievablly fun. [Nov 2003, p.142]

This game proves thqat RTS games can be done right on a console. [Jan 2004, p.131]

Even with a well-balanced multiplayer experience, I can't say that Sword of the Stars is incredibly ambitious, but it's definitely an entertaining and accessible way to extend your galactic influence. [Sept. 2006, p.99]

It's better than last year, if only by a few degrees. [June 2002, p.81]

About the only thing missing is the gameplay. [May 2003, p.55]

There’s definitely a charming old-school spark to this reboot, but without anything beyond the constant monster mashing and levels that seem to blend together, you may find yourself needing excitement badly.

This sequel won't disappoint anyone looking for a standard midair action game, but it's not going to change your perceptions of the genre.

A solid rental if you like bloody action games.

Ultimately, Kingdom Come feels a bit like homework. If the historical setting and focus on realism appeal to you, then the deep gameplay systems and methodical pace are worth learning. If you'd rather be a magic-wielding wizard or the unequivocal hero, on the other hand, the source material will bore you almost instantly.

The Switch version of FIFA 18 is a better portable experience than you've been able to get on Nintendo consoles up to this point, but it's hampered by Nintendo's insufficient online strategy. Unlike some previous EA Sports titles on Nintendo platforms, FIFA 18 isn't an ill-formed castoff, but it's an uneven performance and not a clear-cut victory.

I can't see the point in playing a boring retro-wannabe when there are plenty of good games that are actually retro and don't use "old-school" as an excuse for lack of originality. [Jan 2006, p.156]

Deliver Us Mars’ protagonists quickly cobble together a space shuttle that barely manages to get them to their destination. A similar story feels true of this game. A gripping narrative fuels gameplay that otherwise feels functional but underbaked, making my time on the planet a mixed bag. Deliver Us Mars shines best when it lets you absorb its story, but expect to stumble over several design craters along the way.

The one thing that makes this game worth it to NASCAR rubes like you and me is that the new speed blur makes side-by-side racing pretty damn cool. [Oct. 2006, p.94]

Ultimately I can't recommend Lost In Shadow to everyone. The puzzles and combat are too difficult for children (even on easy mode), and platforming fans will be put off by the unresponsive controls.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 might be lacking in some areas, but this is one instance where the sheer quantity of features prevails since their structure is thoughtful enough to make this game more than just a lazy vacation.

Juiced certainly has the makings of an average street racer, with lots of customizables and affected street appeal. [July 2005, p.116]

Mario Party: Star Rush feels more like a collection of modes than a fun next step for the series.

Visual Concepts has fixed most of the problems that made last year's game such a horrendous experience, and appears to be in a good position for next season (if 2K signs another contract with Major League Baseball). The game is still rough around the edges and can be infuriating at times, but it is a passable baseball experience for 360 players that need their fix. PlayStation 3 owners should stick with The Show.

The only impressive thing about Wii Party is how Nintendo dumbed down and removed the soul from a franchise that was already as stupid and soulless as Mario Party.

I find Project Gotham tracks have done better in giving player bite-sized, drift happy courses, but overall this game is the burst of speed that this genre needs.

It's ultimately only a bare-bones reminder of a much greater work of art. [Jan 2005, p.148]

I hate feeling like a buzzkill here, but I can’t recommend this to anyone who wasn’t evangelical about the original Costume Quest. The changes to the game are a stride in the right direction, but it still has quite a ways to go if it wants to be seen as anything other than a series of funny skits divided by boring combat intermissions. I don’t feign enthusiasm when I see a kid wearing a mediocre costume, and I’m not going to do it here.

In terms of real-time strategy releases, Army Men: RTS is the definition of mediocrity. [May 2002, p.83]

With a near-limitless plethora of horses, tons of strategy, and loads of gameplay extras, this is a sure bet. [May 2003, p.83]

It's about on par with a video poker machine in terms of graphics and sound. [May 2004, p.108]

It has a good sense of speed and physics, and the tracks accentuate these qualities quite well. [Apr 2003, p.93]

The games are a blast worth remembering. Old racing is the new hotness. [Oct 2005, p.128]

Not only is it the best Arnold or Terminator-themed game ever (which isn't saying all that much), but it's also one of the best licensed games around. [Oct 2004, p.127]

Visual Concepts has fixed most of the problems that made last year's game such a horrendous experience, and appears to be in a good position for next season (if 2K signs another contract with Major League Baseball). The game is still rough around the edges and can be infuriating at times, but it is a passable baseball experience for 360 players that need their fix. PlayStation 3 owners should stick with The Show.

I salute indie developers like Arcen Games for putting unique and creative designs like this out there, but every great idea needs to be executed well to reach its potential. A Valley Without Wind 2 just doesn't get there.

Neverending Nightmares is an emotionally resonant experience. I felt fully empathetic towards Thomas’ struggles, which is an impressive feat. The limited interactivity holds it back from taking full advantage of its medium, but I understood and was affected by Thomas’ inescapable depression.

The control scheme is horrific and cannot be changed. [Nov 2004, p.156]

The disturbingly dwarf-sized characters may serve as an analogy for the game’s place among strategy RPGs: It’s shorter and uglier than most that have come before, but it’s also unique in a way that some will find charming.

Not brilliant, but it's a competent licensed title that should appeal to hardcore W&G fans. [Nov 2005, p.149]

Hell Yeah is an enjoyable 2D sidescroller that waxes nostalgic about classic games just as much as it establishes its own identity as a "how-to" guide to murdering monsters in ridiculous ways.

Even though Atelier Iris 2 has undergone enhancements, it's the ultimate loss of complexity in the story and gameplay departments that make it fall short of greatness. [Jun 2006, p.113]

If you only buy one sudoku game this year, maybe you should reconsider and buy zero. [June 2007, p.118]

On the plus side, this is the first game that successfully makes Superman a fun character to play.

Although the graphics are generally good, there is still something unappealingly sluggish about this game. [May 2002, p.85]

Goblet of Fire is the best console Harry Potter action game yet, but it's still a far cry from good. [Dec 2005, p.161]

Depressingly lackluster. [Mar 2004, p.106]

The graphics are great and the only deterrents are some questionable physics and the idea that a cop could catch me in my Opal. [Nov 2002, p.134]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

A graphical masterpiece, especially considering the limitations of the hardware. [Jan 2005, p.148]

Even if it doesn’t make you smarter, you won’t feel completely stupid for buying this puzzler.

Trips down memory lane have peaks and valleys, but this one is definitely worth taking. [Jan 2006, p.138]

Golf With Your Friends captures the spirit of minigolf – you’re going to have some laughs, frustrations, and at the end of the day, not take it all too seriously.

While it’s still a passably good time, it’s not even close to the fast and precise feel that this title achieved on the 360.

The big question is how the Wii remote controls work in replacement of the old maracas. Sadly, many enthusiasts will be frustrated. While the functionality is okay, the faster movements required on the higher difficulties frequently don’t register as you switch between notes – resulting in failures you don’t deserve. It cripples what is otherwise a fun return to maraca-shaking goodness.