The word “good” should never be used when describing this game, but “entertaining” definitely fits it. Who doesn’t love smashing stuff? The Hulk does it better than anyone, and it’s captured quite well within this game.

Grave Danger's biggest problems are old bugs that never got exterminated, like the one that leaves your vehicle stuck in walls. [Aug 2008, p.87]

Oh, how many restless nights have I spent yearning for a Koei game that would combine the worst parts of "Dynasty Warriors" with those of "Samurai Warriors"! [Oct 2007, p.113]

Haze’s saving grace is its co-op gameplay, which can be fun when you shoot a friend’s Nectar tank from behind to watch him freak out. But these short experiences do nothing to offset the major disappointment the rest of the game delivers.

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

Every ambitious idea in C.O.P. is countered by a lazy compromise, right down to the unnecessarily acronymized title (which is never explained in a satisfactory way in the game). The game offers oodles of content for anyone willing to put up with the sub-par execution, but if you’ve ever played a Grand Theft Auto game or have reasonable standards for gameplay and storytelling, there’s no reason to waste your time on C.O.P.

As a stealth game, Shinobido 2 is successful and rewarding. I could even confidently recommend it to Metal Gear fans looking to scratch a sneaky itch in the beginning of the Vita's life cycle. Outside of sneaking up behind people to perform kills however, the game feels unpolished and not entirely thought-out.

Only approach this game if you intend to play Fate of Atlantis. Staff of Kings hardly finds the Indiana Jones pulse.

Though Crimson Dragon has a slight next gen aesthetic, the controls are unintuitive and sluggish – proving that you can’t change the recipe after you’ve started cooking.

You became a slave to theTV and a slave to Pikachu. Pokemon fans will be glued to their seats. Everyone else will be turned of, pun intended. [Jan 2004, p.141]

I guess this might be a fun game to rent and beat on a Saturday. After all, developer Collision does add a little something at the end of the game to make it not as much of a downer.

Medal of Honor: Warfighter more resembles an untrained insurgent trying to figure out a state-of-the-art rocket launcher than a Tier 1 soldier.

If you buy a "Rolex" watch from a street vendor, you have a good idea of the quallity that went into it. The same realization applies for this poorly handled clone. [Oct 2007, p.127]

The game squanders its stylish setting, writing, and entertaining puzzle solving by minimizing the fun investigation segments, focusing squarely on broken combat and platforming.

If you’re willing to loosen up and act silly, the end product can be hilarious, especially if you completely ignore the “director’s” instructions.

A serviceable platform title that neither offends nor inspires. [June 2002, p.87]

Yes, the cars look great, and their damage is awesome - but getting there isn't half, or any of the fun. [July 2002, p.87]

Simple and to the point, Run Like Hell is the "Alien" game we never had... A nicely tense ride. [May 2003, p.88]

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

Puzzle gaming has had a number of complex entries recently, and this isn’t one of them. It is, however, a fun diversion for about an hour.

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]

It feels like a war machine that is too far behind the times, and it gets blown away by its competitors before it can even begin the battle. [Feb 2005, p.121]

Player choice has always been a key feature for the Fable series, shaping a hero based on your decisions and actions. In Fable Heroes, the only choice is a forked path at the end of every level. One path leads to one of the game's repetitive boss battles, and the other takes you to a mind-numbing minigame. Sadly, both choices are wrong. When you find yourself standing at this fork in the road, reach for the power button and turn off your system.

If you are feeling nostalgic for Mega Man, dust off your NES or Super Nintendo; Mighty No. 9 is not the spiritual successor we wanted. It may look and play like Mega Man, but Comcept’s robotic doppelganger doesn’t have the heart of Capcom’s Blue Bomber. A sparkless facsimile, Mighty No. 9 never captures the excitement or creativity of Mega Man’s classic exploits

Juggling different weapons and dodging enemy fire makes the gameplay feel frantic and exciting, but too little enemy and level design variation hold this competent shooter back from greatness. [Apr 2011, p.96]

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. [Aug 2008, p.85]

Certainly doesn't hang with the recent crop of console wrestling games, but for portable brawling, you can't really do much better. [Jan 2005, p.149]

Collecting puzzle pieces and 3D figures should be a nice distraction, but they're certainly not enough incentive to replay these tedious levels. Rabbids Travel in Time 3D offers no real sense of what you're doing, who you're fighting, or why you should care. This wouldn't matter if the platforming was interesting, but its low difficulty and lack of variety make this an entirely forgettable experience.

You really couldn't ask for a better version of Space Channel 5 on GBA. [Fall 2003, p.126]

Great greaphics, good sound, creative level design, tons of extra features, and a perfectly paced ramp-up of difficulty. [Dec 2002, p.130]

It's a nice homage to wrestling's past, but just can't compete with the wrestling games of the present. [Aug 2004, p.96]

Chosen One offers a decent arcade basketball experience, but its short single player and weak online options ultimately keep it from unseating the current street champ, "NBA Street Homecourt."

Some ideas here might have worked well if the developers had honed in on a few systems to perfect. Instead, the game throws so many overwhelming systems at you that many get lost in the shuffle. As much as I like to root for the underdog and want to see niche games catapult to new heights, Mugen Souls needs so much refining that I can't cheer it on.

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. [Issue#199, p.101]

Just a little too barebones for its own good. [May 2007, p.97]

It is a good thing this game only costs $20, because that's exactly what it's worth. [Feb 2004, p.109]

Repetitive quests that require taking down specific enemies or fetching items in areas you'll revisit multiple times over becomes dull quickly. [Mar 2011, p.98]

During my playtime, my emotions always registered somewhere between mildly annoyed and just plain bored. [May 2004, p.94]

While the controls aren't as big a deal on the PC, the spotty AI, poor pacing, and lack of depth doom both versions. [Nov 2008, p.118]

As a vehicle combat title, Crush Hour is bad; and as a wrestling game, it's doubly bad. It doesn't matter that it's cheap - you're still throwing your money away if you end up buying it. [May 2003, p.86]

Outside of clips stolen from the motion picture, you won’t find any kind of story here, either. Pandemic worked wonders with Star Wars, but couldn’t grasp the One Ring. Conquest is a joyless trip through familiar territories, and sadly, nothing more than that.

The production values are pretty abysmal, but this absorbing strategy title has hours of potential playtime packed in – more than worth checking out.

Sure, Mini Coopers are neat little cars, but I think I would rather be run over by one than play this game again. [Aug 2003, p.91]

Here to demonstrate for us what happens when you take away good physics and the feeling of speed from a racing game. [Jan 2004, p.135]

It's virtually void of driving freedom - the map blows. It has no trademark Simpsons charm, either. The gameplay is apocalyptically bad. [Aug 2003, p.104]

For me, the infectious old-school vibe and the fact that it delivers a ton of nerve-wracking situations were enough to make me ignore any frustration I have with the less-than-perfect execution. [Sept 2003, p.120]

This game expands the show’s fiction and reveals a few mind-blowing twists, including one that has completely altered all of my theories about the show. As of the time of this writing, it is one of the biggest reveals yet.

Despite its shortcomings, Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet is a charming game.

The word “good” should never be used when describing this game, but “entertaining” definitely fits it. Who doesn’t love smashing stuff? The Hulk does it better than anyone, and it’s captured quite well within this game.

It does excel at what the movies do best: making mass bloodletting entertaining as hell, and at a handy $20 pricepoint. [June 2003, p.105]

The only area where this game really shines is in its visuals. Developer Eurocom has pulled out all of the stops to bring out the highest level of realism in the character models and lush landscapes. This game may put a twinkle in your eye, but it’s quick to follow it up with a razor-sharp cutlass.

I found myself repeating ("stupid") endlessly as I writhed and winced my way through this lifeless and contrived adventure. [Jan 2005, p.119]

Circle of Doom’s problems all seem so frustratingly obvious the first time you see them that it makes you wonder why they were never changed.

Go pick up a cheap copy of any flavor of Guild Wars if you want subscription-free heroic fantasy PvP.

I'd avoid this game faster than doing the skeleton in the nude. [Apr 2002, p.89]

All told, faithful arcade fans should have a look, but no one else should feel the need to drop in their tokens. [Oct 2005, p.140]

Moebius is missing a spark — something that makes you want to keep playing. It has a few shining moments with some standout humorous lines, but they're buried in bad dialogue, empty characters, and a dry mystery. Sadly, I don't think people will be talking about Malachi Rector with the esteem they do Gabriel Knight.

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]

I commend the developer for including different modes, but their inadequacies reveal a title that doesn't fully develop any one aspect of itself.

It's not the most innovative or the most visually dazzling game. This won't be the one you put in to show off your new console to your friends. However, when you're done with the prettied-up versions of the big franchises, you'll find yourself wanting to return to Knack. It's got charm and heart, and offers a whole lot of good gameplay.

Natural Motion’s Euphoria technology is a great building block for a football game, but Backbreaker suffers from too many rookie mistakes. Only the most hardcore gridiron fans dying for an alternative to the EA Sports offerings should bother bringing this one in for a look.

A solid 3D Othello, tic-tac-toe kind of a game. [Feb 2003, p.101]

Chosen One offers a decent arcade basketball experience, but its short single player and weak online options ultimately keep it from unseating the current street champ, "NBA Street Homecourt."

This title is like a burrito stuffed with dirt, topped with soap shavings, and wrapped in a warm leather shell. [Feb 2003, p.98]

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

Will quickly be overshadowed and fade into obscurity. [Nov 2002, p.134]

The one saving grace of Flower, Sun, and Rain is the story. [July 2009, p.90]

Too many of the missions are annoying scavenger hunts. [Jan 2003, p.92]

Its platforming-by-the-numbers approach is where it both stands and falls. [Feb 2002, p.100]

During my playtime, my emotions always registered somewhere between mildly annoyed and just plain bored. [May 2004, p.94]

Rise of the Argonauts is an average action game. [Feb 2009, p.84]

I wish I could say that this game's poor design and execution was a surprise, but let's be honest: old Sonic's been down so long it looks like up to him. [May 2009, p.87]

If you dig deep, you can find charming parts of Valkyria Revolution – the thrill of taking down a group of foes with a well-placed grenade, or the rousing music and majestic scenery combining for a memorable moment. But these bright spots are far too rare in an experience that deals primarily in drudgery, from repetitive missions to overlong expository scenes. Even if you find and appreciate the good parts, the prize is too small for the price you pay on the battlefield.

It's just a long series of boss battles interspersed with dull cuscenes and pointless flying around. [Sept 2004, p.110]

One of the crappier basketball games on the planet. [Mar 2002, p.79]

Everything is solid, but there's little that will make you throw your hands up with delight. [May 2002, p.91]

Pretty lame in almost every way, shape, and form. [Jan 2003, p.100]

The mild strategy elements and simple gameplay involved could appeal to younger players, but not to anyone who actually enjoys controlling events onscreen. [Mar 2004, p.114]

Keep your expectations in check, and there's some fun in the mayhem. [Oct 2005, p.126]

I was thankful that this experience didn't last over three hours total, but players who paid money for it might not be as pleased. Spirit Camera has some extras to check out, but most of them involve repacking campaign content or taking photos with silly ghosts inserted into them. You can always play through a harder version of the campaign with added text and a cute new outfit for Maya, but I wouldn't recommend it.

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. [Jan 2009, p.67]

It all feels like after-school study when you just want to be entertained. All the hallmarks of a first-party Nintendo release – overflowing charm and impressive technical aptitude – are here. A lot of thoughtful work went into Welcome Tour to make me understand and acknowledge its $10 price tag, but it’s just not a tour I would recommend taking.

On one hand, the lack of polish and the glitches cause me to give the game a less-than-stellar score. On the other hand, I can’t deny that my co-op partner and I were laughing and enjoying ourselves for the large majority of the campaign. As a mindless co-op shooter, it delivers.

Outside of clips stolen from the motion picture, you won’t find any kind of story here, either. Pandemic worked wonders with Star Wars, but couldn’t grasp the One Ring. Conquest is a joyless trip through familiar territories, and sadly, nothing more than that.

Sumo and Elbow Rocket’s insistence on treating a game from 2007 like a sacred text is strange. The original Crackdown was fresh and exhilarating, and bounding across the city as a superhuman agent was a thrilling sensation. Since then, a lot has happened in the genre. Developers have found ways to incorporate destruction into the action as they weave interesting choices and competent world-building into their narratives. Crackdown 3 aims far lower, and manages to hit that disappointing target.

The humor and style will charm many, but those looking for a hardcore experience in any of the game's genres should look elsewhere. [Jan 2005, p.125]

If there’s anything nice to say about Race O Rama, it’s that it provides a teachable moment for parents: Sometimes it’s best to leave well enough alone.

A lesson in what happens when there is an unwillingness to evolve or risk new ideas. [June 2005, p.126]

The uninspired single-player campaign, uneven multiplayer execution, and rampant presence of glitches undermine Medal of Honor: Warfighter's efforts to join the Tier 1 of military shooters.

The Legend of Korra is a great TV series that is ripe for a strong video game adaptation, and Platinum has laid the groundwork for an interesting combat experience. However, missteps in balancing, combat timing, and level design add up quickly, and even Korra’s sassy quips can’t pull the game back from the brink.

Everything in this title borders on barely functional, from the blurry graphics (no, that isn't Vaseline on your TV screen) to the imprecise targeting. [Aug 2004, p.96]

Not a bad game overall, but there's much better stuff out there. [Feb 2002, p.100]

Even if Sports Story was polished and bug-free, it would still fall strikingly short of the first title in the series. The new sports don’t play well, the fetch quests are tiresome, and the story is tedious and less charming than that of Golf Story. What remains of the retro golf experience is fun, but the whole game feels like a textbook example of being unable to deliver on lofty ambitions.

The four-player Xbox Live mode may offer some thrills for devoted brawler fans, but everyone else will want to stay away from this stale relic. [June 2005, p.132]

This game expands the show’s fiction and reveals a few mind-blowing twists, including one that has completely altered all of my theories about the show. As of the time of this writing, it is one of the biggest reveals yet.

Lacks the planned skill of the criminals that the game portrays; and instead, comes off as a mindless licensed product. [Aug 2003, p.98]

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.

Omerta fails to close the loop that XCOM managed so adroitly by having a strategic layer so simple as to be a pointless afterthought, with no simulation depth to make up for a game world that turns the other cheek to the most egregious of criminal offenses and a combat system that doesn't rise above basic adequacy.