There are a lot of nice touches...Too bad the gameplay is so damn mediocre and dull. [August 2002, p.79]

If the passion of soccer leads people to violence, then I would watch out if I were FIFA Street - the game's liable to make some people mad. [Apr 2005, p.120]

Perhaps the most damning thing about this game is that its simple nature is almost out of necessity. [Aug 2005, p.106]

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]

Strange missteps abound in Heroes Over Europe, but glimmers of fun WWII arcade flight shooting shine through from time to time. [Oct 2009, p.90]

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

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

Legendary is by no means awful — it’s just about as vanilla as first-person shooters get. It all wraps up with a completely unsatisfying “wait for the sequel” type cliffhanger. We’ll see. [Jan 2009, p.66]

Rather than the fun and addicting challenge of past Mario vs. Donkey Kong titles, Minis on the Move feels more like homework.

Alone in the Dark can be applauded for its innovation, but it cannot be saved from its dysfunction. Had Eden Games added polish, or dare I say it, play-tested the game, it could have been a welcome addition for survival horror fans.

With so much conversation with characters that feel like they'll be left in the past after this episode, a dreary prison setting, and gameplay that generally fails to engage, Jailhouse Block is the weakest entry of the season. The fleeting high moments like the difficult decision or the climactic battle don't save the episode. However, like most episodes Telltale releases in any of its myriad licensed series, it ends on a solid cliffhanger that has me intrigued about what happens next.

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]

With so much conversation with characters that feel like they'll be left in the past after this episode, a dreary prison setting, and gameplay that generally fails to engage, Jailhouse Block is the weakest entry of the season. The fleeting high moments like the difficult decision or the climactic battle don't save the episode. However, like most episodes Telltale releases in any of its myriad licensed series, it ends on a solid cliffhanger that has me intrigued about what happens next.

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]

With so much conversation with characters that feel like they'll be left in the past after this episode, a dreary prison setting, and gameplay that generally fails to engage, Jailhouse Block is the weakest entry of the season. The fleeting high moments like the difficult decision or the climactic battle don't save the episode. However, like most episodes Telltale releases in any of its myriad licensed series, it ends on a solid cliffhanger that has me intrigued about what happens next.

With so much conversation with characters that feel like they'll be left in the past after this episode, a dreary prison setting, and gameplay that generally fails to engage, Jailhouse Block is the weakest entry of the season. The fleeting high moments like the difficult decision or the climactic battle don't save the episode. However, like most episodes Telltale releases in any of its myriad licensed series, it ends on a solid cliffhanger that has me intrigued about what happens next.

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

Nintendogs + Cats definitely retains the inescapable charm of its predecessor, and I expect that will be enough for many of the younger and casual fans loved the first. For me, I expect more than marginal improvements after a six-year layoff.

Even a clunky, hard-to-control Modern Warfare is better than no Modern Warfare, and Reflex may be fun for Wii owners who haven’t played – or seen – another version of the game. Ultimately, however, Reflex is proof that if there’s a way to make an FPS work on the Wii, no one has found it yet.

Nintendogs + Cats definitely retains the inescapable charm of its predecessor, and I expect that will be enough for many of the younger and casual fans loved the first. For me, I expect more than marginal improvements after a six-year layoff.

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

As fun as combat is, it's not enough to have me engaged in Warlock beyond my professional obligations.

It just doesn’t play well. The controls are clunky, the pacing is unsatisfying, and the multiplayer feels tacked-on. While the original Overlord was a compelling game at heart, Overlord II just feels like an unpolished retread of ­familiar ground.

As forgettable as that time I backed into a parked car and immediately drove away. [Apr 2003, p.95]

Nintendogs + Cats definitely retains the inescapable charm of its predecessor, and I expect that will be enough for many of the younger and casual fans loved the first. For me, I expect more than marginal improvements after a six-year layoff.

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

The Enigma lives up to its name of being difficult to understand from start to finish. Telltale is all over the place in this episode, but the desire to be gritty and different is exposed too much, and the story suffers from it, feeling more like an odd one shot than the first part of something larger. Mysteries abound, however, and enough engaging narrative threads are left dangling to potentially right this second season’s direction.

Rain tries to tug at the heartstrings, but I never felt connected to the characters.

The matches themselves typically last less time than they take to load. [July 2004, p.115]

State of Decay 2 has a lot to love, but it’s overwhelmed by legacy issues and a slew of all-new ones that came along for the co-op ride.

The target audience is children, but only for the young tykes out there who are new to the gaming scene. The pacing is just way too slow to appease anyone else. [July 2003, p.107]

In this day and age, you just can't get away with not sharing user-created content online. [Mar 2009, p.95]

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.

The nice backend clan support is wasted since the game just isn’t much fun to play. The shooting lacks the high-intensity lethality of Counter-Strike, the lightning-paced speed of Tribes, and the great cooperative mechanics of Battlefield. You won’t spit this hamburger out, but you probably won’t tell your friends about it, either. [Oct 2009, p.92]

Even with its twisted takes on nostalgic ride designs and copious whimsical fanfare, I was left feeling deflated by Park Beyond's business-oriented objectives and lack of investment in unbridled player creativity. For a game that endeavors to push the limits of your imagination, it's a little too concerned with whether you’re tall enough to ride.

It's not worthless, but I can't find anything to put it ahead of "Mortal Kombat" or "DOA 3" for my playing time. [July 2003, p.116]

A lot like riding with a mechanical bull: sort of fun, sort of painful, with absolutely no sense of control. [Feb 2004, p.105]

State of Decay 2 has a lot to love, but it’s overwhelmed by legacy issues and a slew of all-new ones that came along for the co-op ride.

This brings us to the juncture where Fist of Mars unfortunately falls to keep itself together: its story. [Mar 2002, p.90]

One year after the initial launch of Job Simulator, Virtual Rick-ality doesn’t do much to expand on that VR experience; Owlchemy Labs has applied a new coat of paint to an old foundation. This game achieves its modest ambitions of letting fans to dive head-first into the Rick and Morty universe. While I enjoy the faithfulness to the subject matter, Virtual Rick-ality doesn’t have the depth or variety to make it successful on other levels.

It just needs to get its butt back into training camp to iron out the fundamentals of the game. [Dec 2005, p.190]

It’s equal parts silly, gory, and stupid – exactly what you’d expect from the concept.

There is so much mindless shooting and wandering in Bullet Witch that when you actually are having fun, it feels accidental. [Mar 2007, p.104]

Absurdly unpolished.

If you have the option, definitely play Yaiba on PC. The textures, resolution, and framerate are noticeably better and worth the extra few days’ wait.

It feels like a lot of a sizzle for such a small piece of steak. If this had been packed in with the Xbox One to demonstrate the new Kinect, it would seem like a nice extra. As a standalone game, it's just not compelling.

The rigs get hung up on everything from pylons to small picket fences, tip easily, and generally bounce all over the damn place like superballs. [Feb 2004, p.103]

It's impressive how much content Treyarch managed to cram onto this Wii disc, but it's by no means the way to experience Black Ops. The campaign is well-paced, and the multiplayer is packed with features that can keep you coming back if you can get over the less-precise controls. If you have a choice, however, this version is not the one to play.

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

This is the first licensed game I’ve played that is actually shorter than its movie. I’m not exaggerating; in a little over an hour I had received trophies in all of the main surf events.

Play it for the novelty and the rapid-fire assault of jokes, but don't be surprised if most of them miss the mark.

Like its second-fiddle protagonist, Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z resides in the shadow of many other better third-person action games, but it’s not terrible if you’re specifically looking for a schlocky Saturday.

It's generic in just about every way, from cheesy dialogue to predictable enemies. [Dec 2001, p.95]

If it got a visual downgrade, Pid would be right at home during the 8-bit era. Might and Delight have created a fine homage to retro gaming, but it comes with that era's often redundant gameplay and maddening boss battles. Game design has moved on, and unless you're ready for a frustrating experience (with a few key moments of promise), I suggest doing the same.

It’s a mix of exciting and overwhelming as you try to maintain what feels like 50 pots boiling over at different times. [Mar 2007, p.104]

I left my time with The Eternal Castle Remastered extremely impressed by its aesthetic achievements but more than a little let down by how much the gameplay feels like a chore. The quality of its visuals are undeniable, but sometimes it’s better leaving certain things, like clunky controls, in the past.

Mowing down wave after wave of comatose fodder kills any chance of this game’s strategies having any meaning. An overhaul on the battlefield is sorely needed.

Due to last years’ visual overhaul, these wrestlers continue to look better than ever. Unfortunately, WWE’s gameplay hasn’t made the same strides as its graphics. Reliving Steve Austin’s career will likely appeal to a lot of wrestling fans, but it’s more fun to watch than to play.

The overriding feeling during my entire playtime was, "Oh no. I have to do another race." [Dec 2005, p.156]

Without its many technical issues, Save the Light could have been a good video game adaptation of an excellent show. The involvement of its creator is apparent and the voice cast gave the game the same consideration they do the source material. I even liked the combat and storytelling, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the frustrations of having to frequently restart the game or watch helplessly as Steven’s run animation looped while he stood next to a rock.

It’s this buildup of minor annoyances that makes it hard to recommend Dragon Quest Treasures. The experience is driven by charm and nostalgia, but if you don’t have an existing appreciation for the series, there isn’t much here that I could recommend over most other open-world role-playing games. It’s an experience that would greatly vary depending on the player; in other words, one player’s Dragon Quest trash is another player’s Dragon Quest Treasure.

The good news is that the game, as dull as it gets, doesn't last for more than five hours. It's quick and dirty. [Apr 2009, p.77]

I really, really wanted to like Siren, but in the end, I just didn't have much fun or feel like the innovative parts of the game were used to their advantage. [May 2004, p.97]

Unfortunately, my impressive creation was forced to engage in mundane missions and unexciting encounters - it was like watching Superman pay bills or walk the dog. [Apr 2004, p.98]

Outside of new pitch types and fielding animations, the over-the-top angle hasn't evolved at all in this iteration, and the new simulation aspect pales in comparison to al of the other titles on the market. [July 2004, p.114]

Gun games are just going to keep getting these crappy scores until they show us something new, and it sure doesn't have anything to do with ninja. [Feb 2003, p.98]

Very badly thought out control scheme. [June 2002, p.83]

The game is more enjoyable than the movie, but only if you intend to put your skills to the test in the competitive arena.

Treachery in Beatdown City didn’t work for me, but it’s a far more creative and ambitious project than many of its contemporaries. Its subject matter is timely, and I enjoyed the attempt to reinterpret some of city life’s biggest problems through the lens of old-school games like Double Dragon. The idea of RPG-style menu-selected moves in a beat-em-up is very clever, even if the implementation here didn’t hit the mark. As it is, even with a lot of creativity on display, it’s just not a city I recommend visiting.

It's definitely different, but in ways that are detrimental to the experience you'll have with it. [June 2003, p.108]

The wry subtlety of the novels' text pops up once in a while, but not nearly enough, which leaves only a derivative and dull game where there could have been a humorous midadventure. [Jan 2005, p.119]

I liked the quirkiness of Weapon Shop De Omasse, but I was never truly captivated by it.

Spyro's gameplay works just like it's suppose to--just like it has in every other game in the last decade, so it feels like the development team just phoned this one in. [Nov 2007, p.142]

The graphics have translated nicely to the GBA, and the control works just dandy, but the level design drives me absolutey insane. [May 2004, p.108]

AL delivers a polished Kirby experience here that plays well, but it ultimately amounts to a forgettable adventure that demands so little from the player that I sometimes felt like I was barely involved at all.

There is definitely something unique going on here, but it doesn’t have that certain hook that a puzzle game needs to pull in the addicts.

The story aspects and art style are unique, but the seemingly slow-motion gameplay is not. [Feb 2003, p.105]

Spyro's gameplay works just like it's suppose to--just like it has in every other game in the last decade, so it feels like the development team just phoned this one in. [Nov 2007, p.142]

As much as I would like to recommend that people see the insanity that unfolds, the shoddy play will likely drive most gamers into a mental institution. [Jan 2006, p.138]

The young audience that this product is aimed at will find the odd control dynamic to be unduly frustrating. [Nov 2001, p.110]

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.

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.

I found the gameplay became a bit stale after the first few runs. [Nov 2001, p.112]

I'm not a big proponent of the isometric view, and marrying it to sloppy stealth-style gameplay only exacerbates the problem. [Feb 2004, p.114]

As much as I would like to recommend that people see the insanity that unfolds, the shoddy play will likely drive most gamers into a mental institution. [Jan 2006, p.138]

Nothing more than an unpolished, but promising, rhythm title. [Feb 2004, p.103]

The game's one noteable feat - online, cooperative multiplayer. This, I am delighted to say, works swimmingly. [Feb 2006, p.102]

Metroid: Other M is the most disappointing Nintendo release in quite some time and a blemish that isn't likely to be forgotten on an otherwise superb franchise.

The game is more enjoyable than the movie, but only if you intend to put your skills to the test in the competitive arena.

You run around, you shoot people, and that's about it. [Nov. 2006, p.146]

The good news is that the game, as dull as it gets, doesn't last for more than five hours. It's quick and dirty. [Apr 2009, p.77]

For sneaky spy maneuvers, go to "Splinter Cell" for the same over-the-top fun and much better example of gadgetry, espionage, storytelling, control, and graphics. [Mar 2004, p.114]

With crawling load times and a story that reeks of awkward Japanese translation, a glance should be all you give this game. [Oct 2008, p.109]

This release, though graphically superior, just doesn’t stack up in terms of intensity or execution of gameplay. [Feb 2002, p.90]

Unless you’re a hardcore fan of the book series and film, I’d take a pass on Eragon.

I absolutely love the off-the-wall concept...The only thing that truly hold this title back is the racing. It's just way too slow and clunky. [Oct 2004, p.136]

Some great ideas (art style, reversal system), but it still can’t hang. [Feb 2002, p.85]

That potential clearly exists in the final version, but woefully underdeveloped single-player and multiplayer offerings ultimately suck the air out of the cockpit. [Tested with Oculus Rift]