The frantic fighting and creative spell-casting are highly addictive, and the difficulty is where I'd want it to be. [Oct 2002, p.86]

Doesn't quite live up to its potential, mostly due to very mechanical control and a shallow trick system. [Dec 2003, p.159]

Episodic games can be tough to evaluate without seeing the story as a whole, since effective storytelling relies on narrative peaks and valleys. I don't expect every chunk of a multipart tale to knock my socks off, but this abrupt shift in density and quality of puzzles is tough to ignore. I'm hopeful that the series is able to conclude on a high point, and that this was just an unfortunate misfire.

WWE 2K18 features some incremental additions, but the action is largely similar to last year’s game. In fact, there were moments where I worried that I’d accidentally booted up 2K17. As it stands, 2K needs to do more to expand its reach beyond the hardcore audience that comes back year after year.

Gotham Knights didn’t wow me with its overly familiar objectives, combat, and activities, but it didn’t leave me sour. It’s fun to control some new heroes as they brood over Gotham from its building overhangs and uncover hidden plots against its people. Those heroes are right to wonder if they’re living up to a vaunted legacy. And even if they’re not quite up to snuff, Gotham has enough baddies to punch to make for a good time, whoever you are.

This quirky RPG port of a PSone title has a reworked turn-based battle system that makes the already simplistic experience mind-numbingly dull.

Monsters' mazes are inventive, chock-full of roaming baddies and power-ups, and end with cool boss battles. [Mar 2002, p.91]

While Soccer Story is a tale about the beautiful game, the soccer matches take a backseat to story and exploration. The adventure and role-playing aspect is a lot of fun, especially with soccer so integrated into the world, but the weak soccer matches keep it from truly being a great sports role-playing game. Buoyed by its charming and humorous premise, Soccer Story provides a satisfying adventure and a different type of soccer game, but one that doesn’t quite score a hat-trick.

A little over halfway through the campaign, the gameplay starts to lose steam.

You need serious tenacity and perseverance to see the sights, but they are wonders worth seeing.

In spite of grappling with the plot holes and lackluster character motivations, I still took joy in a number of moments peppered throughout the episode.

I respect Halfbrick as one of the developers responsible for shaping the current state of mobile gaming, but Fish Out Of Water is a barebones offering that sinks rather than swims.

This is a classic in my book, and I'd love to rate it higher than I am. However, time marches on, and by today's standards PaRappa isn't the top dog anymore. [July 2007, p.106]

Decisions made by Square Enix to keep Bloodmasque profitable are the same ones that keep it from being particularly fun.

The nine maps available aren’t nearly enough, the lack of rankings and leaderboards provide no incentive to hone your skills to perfection, and the extremely meager offline options drag everything down.

If you can't get enough of dramatic, transparent shots of enemies getting shredded by sniper fire, Sniper Elite III has you covered in spades. If you're interested in more motivation beyond the glory of the kill, look elsewhere.

Fans of the show will drool over the voices, music, and perfectly replicated look of the animated series. [Jan 2003, p.96]

The AI acts a little dense on occasion. [Apr 2003, p.98]

A pure strategy game, I loved the combat's flank system, where you receive a semi-random amount of command points to spend on actions per flank. [Feb 2005, p.125]

I wish I could say that Prisoner of Azkaban was a bold new start for the series. It's not, but this is a significantly better game than either of the previous two entries. [July 2004, p.111]

Wildly amusing and quirky to the extreme, Technic Beat is a flawed but enormously fun music game that should readily appeal to those fond of cult favorites like "Amplitude" or "Rez." [Nov 2004, p.158]

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons has some aggravating design choices that prevent it from reaching the heights of similar comebacks like TMNT or newcomers like Young Souls, but this is a respectable return for the Lee brothers. If you’re hankering to punch goons in the face, a good time can be had as long as you bring a measure of patience.

At best, this game is a stopgap to hopefully something better in the future, because it's signaling its stagnation.

For those of us that loved the original, Manhunt 2 is a trip that’s worth taking, even if it’s not nearly as memorable or enjoyable. While I applaud the series for it’s uncompromising take on morality and violence, it’s hard not to notice that recent titles like "Mass Effect" and "BioShock" have covered similar territory in a more mature – and much more enjoyable – fashion.

Avengers is in great shape right now, dazzling with its story and action. I’m hooked on the end-game content that is available now, and I want to see just how powerful these heroes can become after leveling them completely.

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.

This is the best version of this game out there, and every RPG fan should experience the original "Final Fantasy" at least once. [July 2007, p.107]

Predictable, often boring, and finishing off with an abrupt ending – this episode disappointed me in many ways. However, I was also drawn in by the tragic relationships that arise out of Bruce’s dual lives as a billionaire and the Caped Crusader.

When you look past the mask of satirical humor this game puts on, My World, My Way is just a parade of tired mechanics orbiting a single cool concept.

Sticking to walls is entirely too easy and camera control on the d-pad isn't an optimal configuration. [May 2005, p.134]

The impressive Dynasty mode and new Team Intensity Mode (which lets you track and alter the individual momentum of your players) offer some interesting strategic aspects to the game, but in the end March Madness still ends up a few baskets short of its competition.

What it may lack in revolutionary features it makes up for on the tracks where speed, skill, and surprises are not in short supply.

I was looking for a substantial Diablo experience to play on my phone with Immortal, and it often reaches that bar. While I don’t see myself going deep into the endgame unless Blizzard resolves the issues with legendary gems, I still plan to spend hours in Diablo Immortal, leveling a character in every class and playing until my hands ache.

For a motocross game, MetalX is pretty hardcore. [Aug 2003, p.91]

I want to like Panzers – the basic design is full of concepts that I enjoy, and the presentation is outstanding. It’s a pity that the gameplay sadly lacks the chops to pull it all together.

Sure, it has framerate issues and stiff animation, but it also has real-life players, solid physics, multiple game types, and a pretty easy learning curve. [Feb 2004, p.109]

Instead of shoring up Dragon Rising's shortcomings and improving the Operation Flashpoint experience, this sequel stubbornly clings to the quest for realism while ignoring the technical issues plaguing both games. [June 2011, p.90]

House Flipper seems like a killer idea for a sim game, and while your first few sales deliver some of the before-and-after magic, the game fails to capture the larger remodeling fantasy. Empyrean has been delivering a steady stream of updates and improvements to House Flipper, but it’ll take a lot more elbow grease to get this fixer-upper ready for market.

Legacy is a little too "classic" for its own good; it needs more than a facelift to appeal to the modern gamer. [Mar 2009, p.95]

Everything a puzzle game should be: simple, fast, hard, fun, addictive, and serviceably pretty. [August 2002, p.82]

Sega Superstars Tennis is by no means amazing, but it should manage to satisfy Sega and tennis fans alike.

Blazing Angels is a competent air combat title. I just wish Ubisoft would have delivered the kind of epic experience I’m used to after playing games like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty.

Crash Team Rumble could be viewed as the natural progression of difficulty in the Crash Bandicoot franchise. It takes an entirely different type of preparation and offers a different reward, though. Crash Team Rumble's take on multiplayer platforming madness is unique, with enough depth to keep you on your toes after hours of gameplay. Those searching for a fresh take on the long-running series should give it a try.

I can either pity this title, or I can tell you the truth - Galleon just isn't worth your time. [Oct 2004, p.140]

Some games run into problems trying to be everything to everyone, but SimCity Creator suffers from the opposite affliction. It doesn’t try to be anything to anyone. Well, that’s one thing it does right.

This HD version of Resident Evil: Code Veronica X rewards players armed with patience, resourcefulness, and plenty of ink ribbons with a harrowing but memorable trek through the series' heyday. If you've got the grit, try downloading this affordable piece of Capcom history on PSN for PS3 and Games on Demand for 360.

With a few tune-ups, Endless Boss Fight could be great. A more consistent and satisfying string of rewards would get me hooked, and better controls would alleviate my frequent frustration – all of which would give me even more reason to continue diving into the cool asynchronous multiplayer arena. Unfortunately, that’s not the game you get when you play Endless Boss Fight.

The visuals are a throwback to the early days of PS2, if not Dreamcast. [Aug 2003, p.91]

You spend so much time wandering aimlessly and kicking prone undead that you never really have a chance to get wrapped up in the exceptionally intriguing and involved story. [May 2004, p.100]

Routed by the gameplay, options, and depth of "NBA Street." [Nov. 2003, p.149]

It's nice that this sequel let's you freestyle more often, and the scoring seems more logical than before. [Feb 2002, p.82]

Overall, this game performs like a solid pro baseliner - playing it safe, but hitting a majority of its shots in-bounds. [Oct 2003, p.139]

Innocent Life is a good fit for the PSP, working well in short bursts or long doses, but too many elements drag down the pacing and prevent true agricultural greatness.

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

This time around, it feels like an actual game and not just an extended tech demo. If you can shift down your expectations somewhat (and give up your dreams of breaking any land-speed records), Joy Ride Turbo delivers a solid arcade-racing experience.

Despite having many issues with Shenmue III, I’m glad I returned to this world. It scratched an itch I didn’t know I had, and periodically showed me why it was an important game back in the day. But it mostly reminded me of why a third entry didn’t release for almost two decades.

The other half of the Outlaw equation, the humor, left me cold. [Sept 2005, p.100]

Top off this stubbornly shoddy gameplay with un-funny cutscenes and a glaring lack of online play and, well, there isn't much here to be super happy about. [Apr 2005, p.117]

Mafia III is a missed opportunity to put an important time in American history in the spotlight, and ends up being one of the most lifeless and one-note open-world experiences I’ve come across. You can see the potential for a great game here, but it sticks to safe and simple gameplay and storytelling conventions, and ends up being a bloody bore.

Eidos-Montreal may have adhered too closely to the series’ roots, resulting in a reboot that suffers from classic problems like simplistic combat and trial-and-error sneaking missions. However, locked behind this old-school game design is a gem that stealth fans should eye up for their collection.

An experience that is unquestionably less fun than doing one's taxes. [May 2005, p.116]

Although it is plagued by flaws in several areas, I still want to keep playing until I've conquered every challenge that the designers could fit in. And that says something about a game. [Sept. 2006, p.98]

Travis Strikes Again finds a good balance between fun, approachable action and reveling in Suda51 and Grasshopper’s signature style. It’s not the most intricate action game out there, but the simple combat works well as a vessel for several one-off moments that elevate it above its simple premise. It’s more of a prelude than a main event, but both on its own and as sign of things to come, Travis Strikes again is a promising return to form.

I wish I could say that Prisoner of Azkaban was a bold new start for the series. It's not, but this is a significantly better game than either of the previous two entries. [July 2004, p.111]

Early levels are frustrating when going solo, but bringing a few friends along makes it a significantly more manageable and fun experience. [Sept 2010, p.92]

Dynasty Warriors certainly has a specific and rabid fanbase, and those folks will certainly enjoy Next if they've maintained their interest in the series after so many entries. If you're a member of the gaming population that scratches their head at the popularity of this repetitive franchise, this Vita entry will do nothing to change your opinion.

Undeniable Final Fantasy charm flows through Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, and it pains me that the gameplay doesn’t justify a delving into it.

I was left wanting more, and wondering why solid gameplay sections were only used once.

If you're looking for a reinvention of the franchise, you'd best spend your money elsewhere. [Aug 2005, p.108]

I don't regret the time I spent with All Zombies Must Die, but there isn't enough about the game that sets it apart from the myriad other titles like it on the digital marketplace. If you're looking for some decent Zombies Ate My Neighbors-style couch co-op action, you can do a lot worse for your $10. If you want a game that innovates on the twin-stick shooter genre in a meaningful way, however, I wouldn't look here.

In many ways, Bright Memory: Infinite feels like an extended tech demo. The jaw-dropping action and stellar graphics would serve as a great selling point for any new platform and almost appear too good to be true. Developer FYQD Studio proved some killer concepts but didn’t evolve them across a more complete adventure. Short games aren’t inherently bad, but Bright Memory: Infinite leaves me wanting so much more and is full of unrealized potential.

The interesting premise of accepting missions by possessing villagers' bodies is weighed down by a very average presentation and a game design that is pretty basic. [Jan 2002, p.83]

The best QBC yet, and that fact still only scratches the surface of what this franchise could do. [Nov 2001, p.112]

The battles are easily the best part of an otherwise middle-of-the-road RPG. [Oct 2002, p.85]

There aren't many thinking-man's action games like this on the GBA. [Dec 2003, p.187]

Code of Princess surprised me with its combat depth, offering a challenge for those with enough patience to see it through. As a handheld title, the short missions and easy-to-remember controls suit the 3DS well. In the greater scheme of things, however, Code of Princess' difficultly spike is overwhelming if your tolerance doesn't extend to repeated content and frustrating bosses.

Book of Shadows holds plenty to love if you enjoyed the first game, but the wavering quality holds it back. Think of it like a good book; you turn the pages with fervor, awaiting the next big reveal, but the problem is you're yawning through boring parts just as much.

Load times seem to be worse. However, the fluid control and excellent career modes are still in. [Nov 2005, p.161]

The game's minor flaws don't hold back the decadent experience from being an unhinged, flaming rollercoaster ride.

Though a little short on gameplay depth, Road Rage is worth repeated play because of the show-lifted locations and both original and reused character quotes. [Mar 2002, p.81]

For all the cool special moves and boss fights, the heart of any RPG is the story. Sadly, Command Mission doesn't just fail in this area; it is a discotheque fire disaster with no survivors. This game's plot isn't merely bad - it's embarrassing and painful. [Oct 2004, p.128]

Ultimately, LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars isn't irredeemably bad, it's just another in a long line of disappointments. In many ways, it's a lot like the Mega Bloks version of an excellent game. It's similar enough if you're desperate, but your money is better spent on the genuine article.

There’s a lot to love about Miitopia, even though I was fatigued during the last several hours. I enjoy games like The Sims, where you can create characters and watch their personalities interact in unexpected ways. That element is abundant here, along with the mechanics of a respectably deep RPG – regardless of whether you enlist Pringles Guy.

Unfortunately, the game's cel-shaded graphics are the real loser here because they're wasted on the wrong title. [Mar 2002, p.81]

The Park is more unnerving that outright scary, though there are a few attempts at jump scares scattered throughout the game.

Despite multiple shortcomings and my general aversion to the game’s writing, High on Life has occasional glimmers of potential. I’d like to see a sequel polish and improve upon this foundation. I’m always itching for more creative takes on shooters, but High on Life is a reminder that “different” doesn’t always mean “good.”

I'd hoped it would be a compelling hybrid, but it unfortunately does not hold up in that arena either. [Sept 2009, p.92]

It's too bad none of this care and effort went into the actual combat engine, which is a simplistic throwback to 8-bit brawlers like "Double Dragon", minus the old-school charm. [Nov 2003, p.167]

Most of this game’s content is in betrayal of the license, and it’s not all smut, either. In one mission, you are tasked with assassinating Fidel Castro, an act that ends up being just as comedic as The Naked Gun’s assassination attempt on Queen Elizabeth II. Unfortunately, the intent of this sequence isn’t to make ­players laugh.

This game is like your favorite team going from a 5-11 season one year to a 6-10 record the next. Regardless of whatever improvements have occurred, you aren’t going anywhere with that kind of record.

The stealth gameplay is repetitive and unoriginal, sucking all of the cheeky fun from the Japanese franchise. [Feb 2004, p.103]

This isn't a bad game; it's just a very, very dull one. The only action to be found anywhere is in the ship battles, but even these are tedious. [Jan 2004, p.157]

The platforming levels are derivative and uninspired. Though dull, these sections are broken up frequently by minigames that, more so than in "Spyro Orange," are frustrating and not very much fun at all. [June 2004, p.139]

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 problem is that I can't get myself to really like Rena; she really comes off as a vapid, mindless character. [Feb 2004, p.105]

Soulstorm retains the series' signature charm, but it's not enough to forgive its tedious and dated design as well its litany of swear-inducing technical issues.

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.

It’s been awhile since I played a game that butchered so many of the basics of gameplay and design. [Sept 2008, p.103]