Some gamers may appreciate the freedom Fuel gives you, but I feel like the lack of payoff and context blunts any adventurous feelings I have. [July 2009, p.84]

Its turn-based tactical squad battles are a pleasure to master, even if they tend to be a bit short and shallow.

I just didn't have any fun playing this game. Honestly, I hated every second of it. [Nov 2004, p.154]

From its art style and writing to its structure and design, Super Daryl Deluxe is strange. I enjoy the combat, humor, and the checklist structure of the quests, but the nondescript method by which you complete some missions mars the experience. Super Daryl Deluxe features multiple good ideas, but the execution is limited in its success.

A great time for younger folks obsessed with the movie, and a reasonably competent but entirely by-the-numbers platformer to more seasoned gamers. [May 2007, p.86]

In its defense, the 360 version does include support for the 360 camera – but I had a hard time getting my motions to track with enough precision to make the process fun.

Even without the NFL license, Throwback’s pure gameplay reminds me why I sunk hundreds of hours into Tecmo Super Bowl as a kid. But without the deep customization and multiplayer options we’ve come to expect from football games, Throwback fails to build on the nostalgia factor.

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

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.

It's too bad the developers felt they could coast along on the strength of a handful of good ideas. [Ocvt 2007, p.121]

Along these lines, Cooking Mama could have been a wacky, gameplay-oriented way to have some fun with my food. Because of the dual-screen layout and minigame design, it just plain isn't. [Oct. 2006, p.114]

The PS2's library is already stocked with at least four snowboarding games that are infinitely better than this. [Jan 2002, p.83]

Although it looks nice, this game has a number of problems; the fact that chariots are really slow and tip over very easily is the most glaring. [Apr 2002, p.83]

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

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]

This game is more ambitious than Sony's PSP baseball title, but MVP's gameplay hiccups may leave you looking elsewhere. [July 2005, p.126]

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

It delivers new experiences with its gameplay, offers rewarding bonus content (playable minor league teams, and collectable baseball cards), and improves upon its already robust online play with an array of sorting options that will allow players to find the appropriate match-ups. The only area that needs work is Franchise mode.

Poorly spaced checkpoints, dank too-similar environments, and magical teleporting allies are a few other annoying and strange traits that cause this game to fall down a few notches.

Perhaps what’s most impressive to me is how effectively lean Scanner Sombre is. The entire game is only three hours. Mechanically speaking there isn’t much you do outside of using the scanner to solve puzzles, find your way, and outwit foes. However, the foreboding atmosphere and where its plot ultimately leads is satisfying enough that its gameplay and storytelling are compelling. Whether you’re coming across a new upgrade for your LIDAR or slowly mapping out a spooky tunnel and inching toward danger, Scanner Sombre is a consistently spooky and somber game that’s worthwhile for those who want to scratch that horror-adventure itch.

If the Smash Bros. formula has worn thin for you, the Smash-Up experience will feel as sturdy as a wet paper towel. On the other hand, Smash Bros. and TMNT fans should embrace this game’s dodge-happy action.

The complete package, with all of the options and modes that any angler could wish for in a fishing title. [Mar 2003, p.75]

The occasional control wonkyness is the one new negative, which is counteracted by the added minigames and location. [Feb 2005, p.125]

Jimmie Johnson's game isn't the championship win that the man himself is probably accustomed to, but it's a fun title that will have no problem fulfilling anyone looking to have a good time with a kart racer.

Xenoverse stands as one of my favorite Dragon Ball Z video games. I like taking my own custom character into familiar battles from the show, and I enjoy acquiring new equipment as I progress. My character may have looked nothing like me, but I really felt like I was actively participating in the flashy action alongside the familiar cast.

I half expected this game to be a shallow vanity project, but it's got more substance than that. The number of tracks and the career structure expose you to more content than most rally titles, even if the racing itself isn't tight enough to compete with the top dogs.

Without spoiling the ending, I enjoyed how the team reminisced on some of the major plotlines of the series. I had fun remembering the team's adventures over the last 11 months, but I wish the story had spent a little more time on the events in this episode. Despite some awesome action scenes, the events of the episode feel rushed and the overall conclusion ends abruptly, leaving me unsatisfied with how everything plays out.

The roster itself is a healthy mix of legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain to modern-day stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry. Several team lineups have glaring omissions like Klay Thompson, Isaiah Thomas, and Giannis Antetokounmpo (though Saber plans to continually add new players).

As a party game, London Games succeeds rarely, but its implementation of recognizable (and unrecognizable) characters from Mario and Sonic is perfect. It definitely has all of your favorite characters in it, but that's not enough of a reason to play.

The game doesn't have any glaring failures, which is always good. And it made me laugh, which isn't necessarily bad. [Feb 2004, p.107]

The dark side courses through Star Wars Battlefront II, playing mind tricks on gamers to spend more money to become stronger. By the time you read this review, there’s a chance EA may change how the Star Cards or loot crates work, but at this point in time, this predatory microtransaction model Force-chokes Battlefront II’s experience. It’s a shame to see a game with such clear greatness get pulled down to these depths. Star Wars deserves better. We deserve better.

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]

There were so many aspects of this game that showed promise, but I winced in pain as I watched each one fail to attain noteworthy heights. [Dec 2004, p.175]

Like Joey Harrington, this game is totally worthless and not worth $40. Do not buy this title. [Nov 2005, p.182]

The scares may be lacking and some of the puzzles are dull to a fault, but this studio has expertly crafted a game that lets players unravel its story in a meaningful way.

I didn't hate every second I spent with this platformer. The music is great, the early Genesis-era stages are plain and simple fun, and the Sonic 2-style special stages make good use of the handheld's 3D to gauge depth. However, the lack of worthwhile new content and sloppy level design makes the whole product feel like a rushed tie-in to the superior console version.

Heroes V still comes recommended to strategy gamers, and Hammers of Fate slickly integrates more good ideas into the game. There’s no reason not to like this expansion pack.

Is it great? Heck no. Does it offer little substance, but an enjoyable handful of thrills? It does, more often than not. [Aug 2005, p.97]

Numerous (but lackluster) courses and a local wireless multiplayer option give the game some legs, but there's not much beyond the enjoyable swing mechanic that really impresses. [Feb 2006, p.111]

Whether you’re playing the goal-based scenarios or the open-ended sandbox mode, I still can’t stop thinking of ways to design a perfect dining hall. Though the frustration of failure sometimes got the better of me, I often couldn’t wait to get back in front of Recipe for Disaster to play through several more days of this enthralling restaurant simulation.

Despite a few memorable sequences, the occasional good puzzle, and some barely adequqte multiplayer modes, Geist fails in most respects. [Sept 2005, p.106]

From action-style combat scenes to cutesy animal sidekicks to world-saving dilemmas, this is a Tales game through and through. I’m pretty sure that’s not a compliment anymore.

There’s plenty here to twist and turn your brain.

This Advanced Warfighter tries to follow along the same evolutionary path as the Xbox 360 title, but it can only make half the effort. [May 2006, p.106]

The Sims 4 is a beefier and better game with its diverse expansion packs and added content since release, but without much of that being available on console just yet, this feels like a step back from the PC version. Nonetheless, this is essentially the same core experience as the base game on PC, and it’s worth checking out if you don’t already own the game. Although the console version features some dodgy controls, it largely delivers on its promise of bringing a faithful port to the console audience.

Sure, simplistic blasitng is fun for a while, but there is no variation to the gameplay, and the bonus modes aren't different enough from Story mode to be worth playing. [Nov 2004, p.158]

MediEvil Resurrection is largely based on old hack n' slash design tropes (like collecting runes to open doors and rudimentary arena-based boss battles) that seems a bit dated in this day and age. [Oct 2005, p.154]

The word I would best use to describe Black The Fall is perfunctory. It mostly functions, but has no highs outside of the opening. It offers no narrative incentive to deal with its onslaught of boring and outright bad puzzles. I rarely finish games that make me wish I could have the time I spent with them back; Black The Fall is an unfortunate exception.

Black Rock Shooter is competent at what it does and, for the most part, entertaining to play. However, it could use a bit more polish and imagination in its design. It doesn't turn the genre on its head, but with my guns blazing through the chaos, I found a more meaningful story than I expected.

I had high hopes for the return of my favorite childhood football game. But without any meaningful new features or the NFL license to prop up the game on nostalgia value, it fails to turn in a memorable performance.

Oddly enough, you aren’t able to decorate a home of your own. You have to live vicariously through your clients as you apparently live out of a car. Happy Home Designer may be fun for people who are ravenous over home design, but without the additional Animal Crossing elements, I never felt like I was putting down any serious roots or working toward a larger purpose.

FacebookPost TwitterTweet EmailEmail CommentComment Frogwares has made a name for itself with wannabe detectives through a run of imperfect-but-entertaining Sherlock Holmes adventure games built around deductive reasoning. However, the developer’s interest in this unique brand of puzzle-solving extends beyond the world-famous consulting detective. The Sinking City is Frogwares’ latest and most ambitious adventure game to date, setting players loose in a Lovecraftian open world with a journal full of twisted cases. The expanded scope and greater emphasis on action introduce issues, but as a whole, The Sinking City still presents a mystery worth unraveling. Players take on the role of Charles Reed, a private detective whose horrific visions have brought him to Oakmont, the titular sinking city ravaged by a mysterious flood and the supernatural terrors it has unleashed on the beleaguered population. As you undertake cases for various influential families and factions, Reed is quickly ensnared in Oakmont’s politics and power struggles. Like everything in Oakmont, no case is ordinary or straightforward, such as helping the rich and strangely simian Robert Throgmorten track down his missing son, or investigating a faction of fish-like Innsmouthers whose generous food donations to starving citizens may hide an ulterior motive. Once again, Frogwares exhibits a deep understanding and appreciation for the source material, touching on many of the tenets of Lovecraftian horror while weaving its own unique tale. You gather clues from various locations and crime scenes, and then piece them together through deductive reasoning to solve each mystery, much like the Sherlock Holmes games. You may find yourself with only a name or a scrap of a letter to go on, and it’s up to you to figure out how to proceed. Perhaps searching through patient records at the hospital will give you another lead, or cross-referencing dates and locations in the local paper might turn up another witness. These player-driven puzzles and deductions are the heart of The Sinking City, and are just as entertaining and rewarding without the deerstalker and calabash pipe. This time around, some of the deductions are also subjective, requiring you to make a call and live with the consequences. Is that character a cold-blooded murderer, or was he possessed by some cosmic horror (a real possibility in Oakmont) and not responsible for his actions? Should you turn him over to the authorities, or let him go free? The consequences of your decisions aren’t particularly far-reaching from a narrative perspective, but they are often memorable, and your inability to get through every case without getting your hands dirty fits with the grim world and themes. While Reed himself remains a bland and forgettable cypher, the evolving mystery behind Oakmont’s curse and its eventual fate kept me engrossed for the long run. While that world-building and atmosphere is where The Sinking City really shines, traveling around said world isn’t as fun. Getting from one area of the city to the next is a time-consuming process, often requiring hopping between roads and boats to get where you’re going. And you always have a lot of places to go; in addition to the aforementioned hospital and newspaper headquarters, you’ll be visiting the police station, city hall, and library to drum up more leads, and it’s not always clear which location you need to visit. Fast travel helps with this process, but it isn’t particularly fast, requiring you to first find and run to a phone booth, then wait through a lengthy load time. As you’re traveling to various locations, eldritch monsters occasionally spring up, leading to survival-horror combat. Simply put, the stiff and sluggish gunplay is not fun, and frustrates more than it excites. However, the grotesque enemy creatures introduce an ever-present threat and tension that heighten the Lovecraftian world you’re exploring. Ultimately, The Sinking City’s combat is a necessary evil that I’m glad Frogwares included, even if its implementation leaves a lot to be desired. The Sinking City also suffers numerous technical problems. In addition to the long load times, screen-tearing is a persistent distraction from exploring Oakmont’s creepy locales on console (Frogwares says it’s working on a patch to correct this), and uneven voice performances and cutscenes also take their tolls on the immersion. The main quest is a little too long for its own good, but those who can overlook the game’s shortcomings will find a wealth of solid side quests to keep them hanging around. The Sinking City shares all of the same problems of Frogwares’ previous games, but it also capitalizes on the same strengths. Reed’s cases offer up surprising twists and memorable moments, and flesh out a twisted world and cast of characters that I enjoyed learning about. The combat and repetition may elicit the wrong kind of madness, but fans of Lovecraftian horror should still consider visiting The Sinking City.

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.

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's not "World of Warcraft", but it's still a lot of fun. [Jun 2006, p.115]

This is a difficult game. [July 2002, p.93]

The gameplay is surprisingly deep. [Sept 2002, p.94]

The AI in this title is some of the worst I’ve ever seen. [Feb 2002, p.87]

It's never been easier to get into the competitive Pokémon scene, and playing Pokémon Champions has been a highlight of my last week. Champions seems to be designed for people like me, who are familiar with competitive battles and want an easier way to participate. However, it also makes moves to cater to completely new players and extremely seasoned players, and by trying to satisfy all three audiences, it fails to properly serve either. With minimal content and a pressure to collect Pokémon in mainline games, it works best as an additional mode for the main series. As a standalone product, it's a game confused about its own goals. And much like the in-game status condition, that confusion only hurts it in the long run.

This sequel adds an additional mountain and the use of a snowboard, but the series' easygoing vibe isn't dramatically altered. [May 2009, p.87]

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

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

Manages to transcend its problems with clever platforming and some interesting level designs. [Jan 2006, p.138]

Extraction Point is somewhat better than the newer Perseus Mandate, but even so it’s too short to be truly noteworthy. There are moments here and there that make the experience decent, but the overall package is lacking. Do yourself a favor and wait for Project Origin rather than picking this up.

A surprisingly fun time. And yes, the girls are pretty hot. [Jan 2005, p.125]

Unlike its Xbox cousin, this version of the PC mega-hit offers no compelling content other than slightly reworked levels and a prologue mission that adds about two hours of gameplay. [July 2003, p.105]

An uneventful, but not altogether unenjoyable racing game that fails to distinguish itself from the pack. [Dec 2002, p.120]

You'll miss things like camera control, intelligent AI, and set battle formations for your units. Also frustrating is the fact that you don't carry over supplies or accomplishments from mission to mission. [Aug 2003, p.89]

As intriguing as this setup may be, it comes up short on the gameplay end. The controls are unconventional and your general movement is implemented poorly. [Nov 2003, p.153]

The gameplay itself isn't terrible, but it still assigns way too many functions to the A button. [May 2003, p.87]

The portable versions of the LEGO games have been disappointing, and the trend continues. [May 2011, p.97]

In short, The Last Remnant that has all the trappings of a game in the RPG genre, but fails to stand out from the crowd. [Dec 2008, p.119]

Fans of the series will appreciate the games faithfulness to the show, but to everyone else, Sidetracked will just feel like an uglier version of countless games you've played before. [May 2006, p.101]

Wheelman has enough explosive thrills that you’ll be yelling and laughing the whole time.

Sunset has some great elements, especially in terms of diverse characters and intriguing subject matter, but that doesn't excuse its shortcomings. As beautiful and contemplative as the writing is, I spent too much of the game frustrated by glitches and bored by exploring the same surroundings.

Compared to Telltale’s other work in this universe, Michonne’s mini-series lacks any discernible guiding philosophy outside of poorly articulated and uninteresting nihilism. I’m not attached to any of these new characters and I know that Michonne is not in harm’s way given that the series occurs between certain issues of the comic, so what impetus is there to care about anything that’s going on here? While the aimlessness of Give No Shelter might thematically match the hopeless wandering of its source material, it makes for a rather unpleasant and forgettable time.

Civilization Revolution 2’s flaws don’t detract from its addictive nature.

It's not an unqualified success, but it's the kind of points racing that gets the job done and which helps build toward that championship. It has that competitive spirit that a racer has to have, and that's not something that can be taught – it has to be inside of you the whole time.

I'm really pleased to see the inclusion of a good selection of original arcade ports as well. [Jan 2005, p.119]

The plot makes about as much sense to me as the backwards-talking midget from "Twin Peaks," but the CG cutscenes are surprisingly detailed and lengthy. [Feb 2004, p.108]

Just rent "Hackers" again and forget this junk heap. [Oct 2005, p.134]

Don't be dissuaded by the kid-friendly appearance, this is a thoughtful game both emotionally and strategically. [Oct 2005, p.151]

As it winds towards completion, the plot jumps the rails more than once. I lost touch with what was going on, but eventually I was charmed by the pure insanity on display.

Despite its shortcomings and the campaign’s lack of variety, Black Ops 7 is a solid entry solely for establishing new ways to play while making Call of Duty the social space it used to be. Treyarch and Activision’s commitment to additional modes continues to cannibalize their storyboards, and while it remains to be seen if their open stance on skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is merely a PR tactic, they’re still capable of producing absorbing multiplayer and Zombies experiences that improve with every round. Black Ops 7 may not be the sequel some wanted this year, but in the most BO4 way possible, it emulates individualism to set a new bar that’s worth surpassing.

Other than brief moments, no part of The Crew 2 is captivating enough, including the rubberband-based gameplay, the events themselves, and the overall setup of the open world.

While it pains me to say this, maybe Crash should make like the entire cast of "Blossom" and disappear. [Nov 2004, p.146]

After a cool introductory sequence, things go downhill immediately. [Jan 2010, p.85]

The racing is slow as molasses, the weapon selection is pathetic, and it only supports two-player split-screen. [Aug 2003, p.91]

The game's pacing is easier than GT, letting you fill up your garage pretty quickly - which is great fun since you can race your stable online. [July 2003, p.104]

There is simply no reason for a PlayStation 2 game to look this bad. I mean, the framerate chugs when you're walking, fer Chrissakes! [Mar 2003, p.83]

Get ready to crash into some rails - a lot of rails. [Dec 2003, p.150]

No ambition equals low score. That's just the way it goes. [May 2003, p.90]

If playing Street Fighter II anywhere you go sounds like fun, Ultra Street Fighter II isn’t a terrible version of it, and playing with friends brings back fond memories of when fighters were less intimidating. It may even kindle a newfound love for a game that has aged beautifully. But as a package, Ultra feels like the version of Street Fighter II we’re stuck with for now (since it’s otherwise not available on modern consoles), when it could have been the one we’ve been waiting for.

Even though you are the coach in this game, you're still little more than a bystander. [Aug 2006, p.84]

As someone who has grown increasingly wary of the rote formula most modern adventure games cling to, Hidden Agenda is another fresh and worthwhile experience from Supermassive. It may not have the same impact or polish as its predecessor, but it provides an evening of solid entertainment and a great alternative to the standard choose-your-own-adventure fare.

It's so stiff and sluggish that you'll often find yourself wondering if the buttons on your PSP are shorting out. [Nov 2005, p.180]

While technical limitations hold the game back from greatness, when you look past the downgraded visuals there's a lot to like. [Oct. 2006, p.114]

Breach & Clear's monetization scheme doesn't interfere with the gameplay, and although strategy plays less of a role than I would like, combat is still fun. However, the progression system and customization options fall flat, and the game needs more than one simple mode and 15 maps to remain entertaining.