The gameplay has a nice balance to it, but is also fairly shallow. [Dec 2002, p.118]

I wonder if this is the game that should have graced the big consoles instead of "Robotech: Battlecry." [Jan 2003, p.122]

Minus the crazy physics, Fatal Inertia really doesn’t advance the genre in any meaningful ways. I like the game, but moreso because it reminds me of other games I enjoy than because I love it in its own right.

It's neat, but after a couple of hours you won't really feel the need to keep playing. [Dec 2003, p.158]

Unlike "The Sims," which allows you to build your own destiny from the ground up, Playboy: The Mansion is done in by the very fact that all you can do is be Hefner. [Apr 2005, p.117]

Sword Coast Legends has some great ideas and a wonderful world to draw upon, but struggles to live up to its potential.

As a debut title, it's a straight-forward affair. [Dec 2008, p.112]

As Velvet Assassin's story unfolds, a realization begins to dawn. Events have nothing to tie them together. [July 2009, p.83]

I liked puzzle mode the best, but wanted a little more. There is nothing else to this game. I guess you get what you pay for, but even at $20 it would have been nice to see a two-player mode.

Without question, the only suitable home for this game is in a molten river on Mustafar right next to Anakin's legs and arm. [July 2005, p.117]

Good, but a multiplayer mode would have been nice. [Nov 2002, p.128]

The hand-drawn environments are gorgeous, as are the visuals as a whole, but that doesn't mean I want to see the same areas again and again. [March 2005, p.130]

Sky's laundry list of quests is strangely solid in both its simplicity and repetitive challenge. [Dec 2002, p.130]

It's a cakewalk of a game that spends far too much time admiring its scenic sights from horseback. Now, if you're looking for a horse and carriage simulator that periodically makes you feel like you're drunk, run out and get it immediately.

It simply doesn’t have enough to redeem itself from its laundry list of flaws.

The worlds are fun to explore and navigation captures the right balance between challenging and doable. Checkpoints are generous and things you've already killed or collected stay that way so backtracking isn't an issue.

Despite these annoyances, Captain America: Super Soldier is a fun, if sometimes mindless, action roller coaster. The game doesn't stray too far from tried and tested gameplay mechanics, but its lack of creativity ultimately holds it back, and it lacks one final level of polish needed to shine.

Game & Wario is a strange game that doesn’t offer a particularly cohesive experience, but that’s all part of the charm. It is a humorous and fun title that is perfect for showing off why the Wii U is special.

The level designs are simply atrocious and have no flow to them whatsoever. [Jan 2005, p.145]

Chronicles' biggest problem is its repetitive combat.

The lackluster play control cannot be denied. [Oct 2002, p.82]

It's well made, and the technology really makes you feel like you and Rio are in this together. It actually makes you care about the adventure at hand, which is the true mark of a great game. [Mar 2004, p.102]

Cartoon monkeys are cool. This game is not. [Jan 2005, p.125]

Tiresome platforming litters nearly every level as you collect diamonds, save cats from plummeting, and smack thugs around. [Sept 2004, p.118]

Even with its brief length and scattered pacing, Episode 2 could have been noteworthy if it played to the strengths that propped up Episode 1. Instead, Assembly Required doesn’t bring the charm or the high level of action its predecessor does, and it ends up feeling like an epilogue rather than a full episode.

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.

All in all, it's a neat trick. [Aug 2005, p.108]

As much as Hunted grated on me, I really liked Caddoc and E'lara. Even though their physical designs ape the stereotypical buff dude and barely clothed sexy elf, their personalities transcend their clichéd appearances. Their relationship is based on mutual respect, and there isn't any forced flirtation in their myriad conversations. The pair clearly enjoy each other's company, and I would have loved to learn more about their past together. If that means having to play through more of this, though, I'll just read some fanfic and call it good.

If you're interested in Moon Diver, play halfway through the game by yourself to gain some levels, collect various magic, and get used to the structure. Then fire up multiplayer and never look back.

I enjoyed the Deception series on PSone, but this sequel hasn't made any strides forward. [Dec 2005, p.174]

Although using the analog stick or d-pad doesn't compare to the arcade joysticks of old, I appreciate being able to tweak the number of lives you get for each game. [Oct 2005, p.128]

This game, like the monkey villain I speak of, is also quite bad. [Jan 2002, p.98]

A soulless racer that the developer tries to make look good. [Jan 2003, p.114]

After the novelty is gone, it's an adequate, if goofy, golf title with passable technical execution. [June 2004, p.123]

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

Please, just don’t play this.

Gardening Mama could use more of a Harvest Moon crop economy instead of rewarding players with lawn decorations and new slacks. But if you like Cooking Mama, this is certainly on par.

Pretty uninspiring stuff, but I guess if you're a parent looking for a (relatively) harmless game to pick up for a small child it might do the trick. I'd like to think your kids deserve better.

For all those complaints, however, I do admire that Nintendo tried and arguably succeeded at creating something unique that could not really be ported to another platform even if Nintendo wanted to. Nintendo does not automatically get credit for making something different, of course – the game still needs to be fun to play and give you reason to play – but I will always appreciate Drag x Drive for being unlike anything else and working better than I expected.

Krome has done a fine job of translating this fantasy into the video game sphere. Legend of the Guardians sticks to a couple of core experiences and executes them well. You could do a lot worse than flying the skies protected by these stalwart owl defenders.

The PC original had the same problems, but a post-release patch made a marked improvement by adding a useful dodge feature that allowed player skill to overcome some of the horrible combat design. Unfortunately, that addition is not included in the console version. Publisher Deep Silver does not have any plans to release it later, citing the space restrictions "certain first-parties" put on title updates. Between that and the inferior graphics, framerate, and interface, I strongly recommend going with the PC version over this lackluster console port.

Magic 2015 – Duels of the Planeswalkers is possibly the best of the series, and an excellent option for gamers that might be interested in learning how to play Magic: The Gathering.

From design to execution, this is a mess of a game, and a new low point for the once-loved marsupial.

This game is stuffed with things to do, but it doesn’t take long to figure out that you’re just going around in circles. The gameplay fails to elevate this title, and players are unable to take advantage of the possibilities all around them.

It still has a wyas to go to catch "GTA", but with its finely crafted sequel Luxoflux has raised this series up from another me-too title to a necessity for fans of this genre. [Jan 2006, p.135]

Despite these annoyances, Captain America: Super Soldier is a fun, if sometimes mindless, action roller coaster. The game doesn't stray too far from tried and tested gameplay mechanics, but its lack of creativity ultimately holds it back, and it lacks one final level of polish needed to shine.

It's very unpolished, but incorporating a number of RPG elements into the formula that Koei's had so much success with is such a great idea that Joan of Arc is rather enjoyable nonetheless. [Apr 2004, p.109]

You could fit the amount of innovation this game has into Yoda's shoe. What's that you say? Yoda doesn't wear shoes? Exactly...It somehow loses the magic of the movies and feels flat and lifeless. [Oct 2004, p.146]

It tarnishes the hallowed GoldeneEye name that gamers have held close to their hearts since 1997, and is the equivalent of tossing a martini into Bond's face and then shooting him in the family jewels with a tranquilizer dart. [Jan 2005, p.114]

In the end however, these extra layers can’t fix the subpar combat and disappointing storyline at the game’s core, leaving Avatar a lackluster, though not entirely unpleasant, experience. While forgiving sci-fi fans might still appreciate this intergalactic romp, the average gamer is left with an easy choice: this game is a rental at best.

Numerous playable characters are a big plus, but the repetitive enemies and environments are not. However, I'm always a fan of good cooperative play, which this title successfully incorporates. [Nov 2004, p.149]

It tarnishes the hallowed GoldeneEye name that gamers have held close to their hearts since 1997, and is the equivalent of tossing a martini into Bond's face and then shooting him in the family jewels with a tranquilizer dart. [Jan 2005, p.114]

When I show my friends what Xbox One is capable of graphically, I’m going to pop in Ryse. The visuals are breathtaking, but the gameplay flips on a dime between being legitimately fun and downright bad. There is no middle ground. It’s very much the extreme of both.

Unfortunately, THQ changed absolutely nothing, which means that "Golden Axe," in particular, looks and sounds extremely dated." [Dec 2002, p.150]

Works as a quick diversion, but I had no desire to put in much time with it. [July 2002, p.93]

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]

Black Mirror is a difficult game to recommend. The story falls flat, characters are forgettable, and exploration is tedious because of poor environmental design and wonky camera angles. Despite a few clever puzzles, this emotionless journey into gothic horror left me with more questions than answers.

Of course, there are a number of much better multiplayer titles on the DS, but it's something. [May 2006, p.110]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Given the sizeable quality gap that still exists between Live and NBA 2K, you wonder if other voices in the organization may say it’s time to cut their losses and move on.

If pushed and polished, Create could have been a rewarding experience. Instead, it feels like EA Bright Light needed some inspiration of its own. [Jan 2011, p.82]

These minigames are passable at first, but the fact that you have to complete one every single time you open a chest will have you questioning whether any treasure is worth this constant hassle.

Dead to Rights: Retribution isn’t subtle or refined, but it excels at letting players move from one sleazy place to another and scouring it clean of life.

Even with these intriguing traits in place, King's Field: The Ancient City will bore approximately 99.9% of the gamers out there. Primarily because the game is so slow and burdensome. [Apr 2002, p.77]

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]

Collectors will get a kick out of it for some of the extra data, but the games don’t quite have the same luster as they do when you play it on an actual unit (although "Astrosmash" is much easier to play using the PS2). d-pad)

As much as I disliked lumbering through levels as Sonic’s hulky Werehog, I disliked hunting through the hub worlds looking for coins even more. Sega, if you really want to fix Sonic, the first thing you should do is stop trying to fix him.

Telltale's flawed but entertaining approach to the Back to the Future license left me hopeful for the developer's take on Jurassic Park. Despite some early reservations, I still felt like that goose-bumped 13-year-old boy as the game's opening theme started and Jurassic Park's logo popped on screen. Unlike my younger self, however, I was in for a disappointment.

As much as I’d love to own a panda, after an eight-hour shift in the dullest pet shop in the planet, I was ready to tell my mom to stuff the allowance.

It has potential, but doesn't deliver the gameplay necessities to warrant a purchse. [Feb 2003, p.110]

The unique abilities of Constantine and scary atmosphere that Bits has established will make your mouth water, but you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who can tolerate the shoddy gameplay. [Apr 2005, p.120]

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.

It still has a wyas to go to catch "GTA", but with its finely crafted sequel Luxoflux has raised this series up from another me-too title to a necessity for fans of this genre. [Jan 2006, p.135]

Much improved, and it's still only okay. [Dec 2002, p.123]

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]

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.

Trick buttons can't pull chase out of mediocrity. [Oct 2002, p.91]

Just another mediocre pretender to the crown. Bottom line: I just didn't want to keep playing. [Feb 2003, p.101]

Without question, the only suitable home for this game is in a molten river on Mustafar right next to Anakin's legs and arm. [July 2005, p.117]

With the startling amount of missing content, kneecapped modes, and uneven gameplay in NHL 15, either EA Sports isn't giving EA Canada the same level of resources as its other sports franchises or the development team is woefully incapable of negotiating a console transition. If the publisher doesn't care to put a winning effort into its NHL series, hockey fans have no reason to jump over the boards and buy the game.

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 core of what makes these games so memorable is still there in full force - pretty girls, unspeakably embarrassing sexual acts, and an endearing dorkiness that makes the entire experience feel mroe charming and humorous than exploitive. [Nov 2004, p.148]

Touch Detective is packed with such funny dialgue and stylistic quirk that it may take a few hours to realize that it isn't a very good game. [Nov. 2006, p.146]

My favorite level was when I chased a car around for 10 minutes, trying to destroy it. Wait, that was my least favorite level. Wait, that's EVERY level! [Oct 2003, p.123]

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

Just a mishmash of concepts that never really gel into anything great. [June 2004, p.139]

There is little in the way of discernable strategy or skill, the controls are never explained, and they’re unresponsive once you do figure them out. If this game had a head, it should hang it in shame for claiming to be part of the 360 library.

Brawlout probably isn’t for most Smash fans, including me. It simply can’t compete in terms of roster size, interesting characters, and overall personality. All of those things are critically important. Gating what little it has to offer behind a slow-drip progression feed is a mistake, too. Players who don’t have the time or patience to unlock everything can console themselves with the knowledge that they aren’t missing out on much.

While it's not the next evolution of competitive FPS by any stretch of the imagination, a clean frontend with good party support and matchmaking at least lets those players who can forgive its faults an easy way to play the game the way it was meant to be.

I'd stay away from it unless the very idea of an isometric hack n' slash in space seems too good to be true. [Oct 2008, p.111]

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]

Never has a hero looked so stupid. As catastrophic as these missteps are, they pale in comparison to Spidey’s egregious video game blunder, Friend or Foe. [Nov 2007, p.144]

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]

Where the game falls depressingly short is in Level-5 ignoring the many valid criticisms of the first game and churning out a cookie-cutter sequel that is even more of a rehash than the average yearly sports title or shooter franchise.

This is a small step forward, but for a series that hasn’t moved an inch over five installments, it’s a mind-boggling breakthrough.

Without any degree of difficulty, however, you don't feel like you are doing anything other than making your tour guides talk.

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]

The developers have come up with an admirable gameplay engine for this brawler, one that provides the fluidity of a fighter, but with a streamlined control scheme that allows rookies to get in and have some fun beating down chumps. [Oct 2005, p.134]