If you’re already a fan of Harvey and the craziness that surrounds him, you’ll love how this game nails the feeling of the series. If you’re just a regular gamer looking for a solid legal adventure, other attorneys will represent your interests better.

True fans of the series can take heart at its improvements, but it looks like next year will have to be its Cinderella season. [Sept 2002, p.79]

The best imitation of The Behemoth's Castle Crashers that you're going to find on the Wii. [Issue#206, p.96]

The tricks are nice, but executing them is also uneven. I wouldn't say this title isn't fun, but "Burnout 2" is simply a better experience in almost every way. [July 2003, p.117]

Unfortunately, the shining strengths of the game are buried underneath a thick layer of rust that only the thirstiest of air-junkies should bother chipping through. [Feb 2010, p.95]

The best Turtles game in years, which admittedly is kind of like saying you just got the best punch in the gut you’ve had in years. Nonetheless, TMNT entertains pretty consistently, delivering fast-paced thrills but almost no genuine challenge.

I can see FPS fans having fun with BlackSite since it provides all the standard FPS rollercoaster thrills, but most of us have been up and down those hills a few too many times.

Metal Gear Survive doesn’t fail due to its baggage or expectations. It blunders entirely on its own merits. Its co-op suite shows promise and could become legitimately great in time, but the rest of Survive is a boring, grind-heavy slog where the biggest reward is simply more stuff. For as many bits of metal, wood, and fabric I had after 70 hours of play, I couldn’t help but think I’d wasted all of my time.

Karateka steps beyond its simplistic gameplay with exceptional production values.

There may be a very deep and interesting strategy game laying somewhere within Generation of Chaos, but you're going to have to work to find it. [May 2006, p.111]

Burning Skies isn't a failure by any means. While the visuals won't sell you on the console's power like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, the campaign is filled with the big boss fights and unique weaponry you expect from the series. As long as you're not hoping for a console-quality multiplayer experience, Burning Skies should satisfy fans.

Suicide Squad is technically sound, and the action can be fast, frantic, and occasionally fun. The game could be considered a deconstruction and satirizing of the superhero concept. But for me, the whole thing feels mean-spirited, pessimistic, and glib. In other media, I’ve generally liked the irreverence of the Suicide Squad tales, but everything in this game feels less about laughs and more just joyless. I suppose it can be fun to piss all over any sense of genuine heroism in a comic book-inspired tale, but it can’t come as a great shock when some fans like myself just aren’t interested in the bloody and smug results.

Merely mediocre action. [Dec 2005, p.161]

This game's visuals are more a bitter pill for the eyes than a feast, and most of your time is spent jamming on the A button; but I couldn't help but enjoy Dark Legacy. [May 2002, p.84]

Essentially the video game equivalent of sleeping with your eyes open. [Nov 2004, p.149]

A decent addition to the series. [Nov 2002, p.133]

Even ignoring the ludicrous plot, what really matters here should be the shooting mechanic, which just isn’t much fun. The strangely designed cover system has you popping up and down like a hyperactive rabbit, so you never really get a full view of the action. And get this: in the cooperative multiplayer, you play in split screen – in letterbox format! What were they thinking? I don’t know what else I can tell you to discourage you away from this complete disaster.

At its best, Blade Dancer offers familiarity, along with a half-hearted attempt at multiplayer. [Aug 2006, p.93]

Almost all of the riddles revolve around finding an item and returning it to the appropriate specter - a convention that plays out as tedious and tiresome a short ways into the title. [Aug 2004, p.99]

If broken gameplay mechanics and community college acting didn’t weigh down the game, it might actually be worthwhile.

The graphics can only be described as awful, missions are boring, and combat ranges from dull to frustrating. [June 2004, p.123]

Spider-Man 3’s greatest strength isn’t how accurately it captures the essence of this hero; it’s the game’s ability to keep you in a state of wonder. You never really know where Spidey will be headed next, or what challenge you’ll be tasked with upon arrival. Variety really makes this game stand out above the others.

Regardless of your skill, everyone will be thankful for the improved battle interface. [Feb 2004, p.114]

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]

Deformers has some rough edges to put up with, but none of them are reason enough to avoid the game completely. Though it may not have the staying power to tussle with stronger multiplayer offerings, at the core of Deformers is a strong multiplayer experience with a great mix of simple basics and potential for the once-in-a-blue-moon moments that define multiplayer games.

Even though I’ve got the gas pedal down as far as it’ll go, the game fails to satiate either the need or speed parts of the equation.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity struggles with its simple dungeon exploration. The levels are never complicated or interesting, and combat offers very few tactical options. Outside of the dungeons however, the game shines with an interesting world, cast of Pokémon characters, and even its sugary-sweet story geared towards a younger audience.

Sound, suspense, storyline, and action make RE 2 a classic on any platform. [Apr 2003, p.89]

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]

I looked forward to each installment of the Planet of the Apes movies, and I enjoyed the strange, brutal future they outlined. Last Frontier is an interesting take on that world that trades in the same themes of the struggle between compassion and forgiveness versus the appeal of tyranny and vengeance. It’s a shame that the interactive elements and choices have about as much effect on that world as the close-door button in an elevator. It’s a ride that might be worth taking once, but don’t bother going back in when you’re done.

Despite its long and circuitous course to arrive at port, Skull and Bones is the type of game that may change significantly in the coming months. But to evaluate it as it stands, fellow pirate enthusiasts may discover what I did – a flawed but beautifully presented historical fantasy in which one can take to the water and make a fortune, even if absolutely everything about the pirate life isn’t always pretty.

For parents who are looking for a wholesome game to play with their children, Okabu is a no-brainer. Even without a kid for a sidekick, Okabu's light-hearted romp is worth a look for gamers wanting a break from more serious and demanding titles.

I think kids are going to find Tarzan Untamed cool enough, but due to its oft-frustrating difficulty, only the most determined will make any headway into the game. [Jan 2002, p.78]

If you are the forgiving type, and can work your way through the unsatisfactory beginning, you'll see that this game actually has a lot to offer. [August 2002, p.79]

All around, Curse just bored me. The menus are clunky, the mape is useless, and combat is too easy. [Feb 2004, p.68]

An amazingly generic action title. It's a shame, as Samurai Jack is easily one of the most unique cartoons on the air today, so this could have been so much more. [May 2004, p.93]

Zip Lash isn’t the game that’s ultimately going to convert people into being Chibi-Robo fans; it’s a competent platformer, but it sticks too close to the genre manual and is missing a much-needed spark.

Unfortunately, the shining strengths of the game are buried underneath a thick layer of rust that only the thirstiest of air-junkies should bother chipping through. [Feb 2010, p.95]

Attractive visuals only carry the game so far. Just when I finished one infuriating, monotonous boss fight I'd get thrown into another directionless, obtuse puzzle room.

Combat just plain sucks. [July 2005, p.120]

The missions have a shocking lack of variety, mostly just forcing you to do the same handful of things, but with stronger foes.

Often fun and engaging, despite its flaws. [Oct 2005, p.152]

As a movie, Late Shift is an enjoyable time. The acting is good, the script is well-written, the cinematography is serviceable and occasionally great, which all results in a competent genre film. However, Late Shift’s rigid structure makes it less appealing as a game, with the high production values failing to hide the fact that your choices don’t amount to much at all.

Saw fails to deliver the suspenseful crescendos, surprising twists, and apprehensive atmosphere of the films. Instead, it’s padded with unremarkable gore, poor pacing, and uninspired level design.

How does this game handle? Well, to quote "Airplane"'s Ted Striker: "Sluggish - like a wet sponge." [July 2002, p.83]

Definitely receives the Most Improved Series award. [Apr 2002, p.77]

Apart from the controversial violence contained within, there's little of real value here. [Jan 2002, p.83]

An amazingly generic action title. It's a shame, as Samurai Jack is easily one of the most unique cartoons on the air today, so this could have been so much more. [May 2004, p.93]

I'm still not sold on the saggy engine, but the new Career mode storylines help to keep me playing. [Feb 2003, p.101]

This sad excuse for a port doesn't even deserve a body bag. Just toss it in the river. [Nov. 2006, p.146]

What this franchise did to deserve a sequel I really don't know. [Apr 2006, p.118]

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]

There are some minor tweaks here and there for this Wii remake, most notably the use of the nunchuk for reeling in the lunkers, but nothing that stops this game from being extremely dated and lacking in content and variety.

NBA Live 15 may not be ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with its competition, but with much improved presentation and mechanics the series is trending in the right direction. The remaining gameplay issues and lack of mode depth, however, makes it tough to recommend this particular version.

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

Difficult to control, slow, and(as the game goes on)more and more arbitrarily forced fights suck fun directly from the player. [Oct. 2006, p.100]

As it stands, Aaru’s Awakening is more entertaining to watch than it is to play.

I don't use this example lightly, but think back to "Grabbed by the Ghoulies," a similarly good-looking, but unfun and almost unplayable nightmare of gameplay design missteps. [Nov 2005, p.178]

The cutscenes are great, making an episode's worth of good animation here for the viewing, but I wouldn't want you to pay $50 and suffer through this hack-job of a game just to get to it. [Sept 2003, p.109]

My favorite part is the interviews. Around 20 legends talk about the business. [Feb 2003, p.97]

If a small portion of you has always wondered what a game like this is all about, this is the best card game that money can buy. [Apr 2003, p.85]

A tolerable fix for "Medal of Honor" fans, but Ghost Recon will struggle to find a place with GameCube's core demographic. [May 2003, p.87]

Faulty and boring puzzles drag down a promising premise and an intriguing story.

Warcraft III: Reforged teaches the harsh lesson that sacred, legendary titles need to be revisited with only the utmost care. Core elements that made the original an absolute Earth-shaker still remain, but as a remaster meant to enhance the original experience, Reforged is greatly flawed.

Easily the best fishing game I have played in a long, long time, and instantly climbs to the top of my list of all-time fishing titles. It's that good. [Oct 2004, p.136]

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.

The limited inventory system often forces you to waste items to make room, and multiplayer is a complete waste – unless prancing through the fields collecting faeries with a net is your cup of tea. However, for a children’s movie licensed game you could do a lot worse.

There aren't enough carrots dangled under your nose to keep you crawling through the monotony of randomly generated dungeons, and the text-based.

The playcontrol is spot-on and still feels like a descendant of the original "Prince of Persia." The fluid character animation is some of the best around. [Oct 2003, p.144]

Being a basketball game that works most of the time isn’t enough. Not being up to par with its stellar rival is forgivable, but Live also lacks a point of distinction that justifies its existence to basketball fans. Without that, it ultimately may not earn a contract extension.

Kids, especially, are asked to play things much worse than this Corner Shop collection. [Apr 2006, p.134]

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]

A been-there-done-that title that does pretty well by itself. [May 2002, p.93]

Sure, I can mow down countless humans in any FPS, but drilling a gentle animal is not my idea of a good time. [Mar 2003, p.83]

The story is delivered witih all the emotion of a grade school play. This woldn't be such a bad thing, if the gameplay weren't absolutely abysmal. [Dec 2002, p.122]

Not only does its gameplay come nowhere near replicating the physics and control of rally racing, but it also looks like a chunky ass. [Mar 2003, p.92]

Relatively funny, has an excellent soundtrack, a bunch of cool missions, and a clever economy mechanic. Why the mediocre score? You're in a truck. Driving a semi will just never be fun. [Sept 2003, p.121]

If you enjoy making fun of bad movies with friends, the co-op mode might provide you a gaming equivalent, but that’s all it’s good for.

Rise of the Manhunters makes good use of the Green Lantern license, yet struggles to deliver an intense combat experience. It ends up feeling like an excruciatingly long game, despite it offering only six to seven hours of gameplay.

A totally functional shooter. Too bad it's not much fun. [Aug 2005, p.107]

For me, it felt a bit like eating Cheerios with a fork - different, but not advisable. [Issue#204, p.90]

The graphics are fantastic and simply smoke the traditionally animated cutscenes - which look drap and lifeless in comparison. [Dec 2003, p.144]

I was quite surprised to find myself really enjoying this installment. While I won't put it with "VF 4" or "Soul Calibur II," it does enough to dish out a good time. [Dec 2003, p.150]

The strategic elements are painfully shallow and are accompanied by archaic visuals. Sadly, a crayon drawing from a five-year-old shows more detail and realism than the military units in this game. [Oct 2003, p.122]

Tweaks are needed in the AI to better replicate competitors' actions and racing lines, and I'd like to see some long-overdue additions (like user-controlled pit stops), but this game has got the feel of a stock car down pretty good – especially with about a billion ways to setup your car. It's a mix of the new and familiar that shakes out to be a pretty fast restart.

Although the vehicle models are still the best in the biz, I was expecting more from an Xbox game. [Nov 2001, p.121]

We're talking like Weather Channel boring here. Guinness World Record boring. [Oct 2004, p.129]

It's as easy to put down as it is to pick up. [Nov 2002, p.134]

The aspects of Lifeless Planet that succeed elevate it past the technical shortcomings, but only so far. You will find a compelling world and a story worth experiencing, but you do so at the expense of well-polished animation and gameplay that hinders the overall experience.

Don't let the allure of authentic arenas and improved NBC-branded commentary fool you - NHL 15 is a colossal disappointment. Missing modes like the six-on-six EASHL, GM Connected, and Live the Life, NHL 15 starts the game down a man. When you add the fact that existing modes like Be a Pro and Be A GM have been fundamentally stripped of essential features, it's downright insulting to hockey fans everywhere.

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

Keep expectations in check, and your band should have a good time, even if it’s nowhere near the “ultimate” music game experience.

The general feeling this game conveys is confusion and chaos, akin to being flushed down a jet-powered toilet. [Apr 2006, p.118]

Those who can look past Locomotion's hideous shell and see its inner beauty will be treated to an economic simulation that is very well-designed, both detailed and accessible, and a lot of fun once you get into it. [Nov 2004, p.167]

Tiresome and repetitive.

I can't let my desire to root for an underdog discount the fact that this game is really nothing special. [Sept 2004, p.111]

Not only is the running game slow as ass, but I once saw a failed field goal earn my opponent three points. [Mar 2003, p.85]

Nintendo’s handheld systems used to be the last refuge for quality Sonic titles, but the series’ awful 3D gameplay has infected that lineage with Sonic Lost World. This portable version of Sonic’s latest adventure hits the same sour notes as the recent console games, while maintaining the subpar side-scrolling feel established in the 3DS version of Sonic Generations.