While this game plays better on the pitch because AI teammates are smarter at taking runs, distributing the ball, and springing others with through balls, it lags behind FIFA in its feedback to the player and the fact that it has a better sim feature while you are on the bench.

Bloober Team’s latest is one of the scariest horror experiences I’ve played in a long time, and its strong sense of place, story, and action put it above the majority of other games in the genre. Observer is simply the best of both worlds and is a must-play for anyone who considers themselves a fan of either sci-fi or horror.

Metro 2033’s greatest success is the consistency of its pacing. You’re constantly encountering new factions, discovering interesting new locations, or being tasked to do something you haven’t done before.

Exit isn't a perfect experience, but if you can get the feel of the controls, it does offer some smart puzzles and a unique presentation. [Mar 2006, p.120]

If you think Peter Jackson's true masterpiece is "Dead Alive," you'll be right at home with The Suffering. [Apr 2004, p.90]

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]

Basically, if you are level 30 and up, this expansion throws a ton of new content your way. [Dec 2004, p.177]

Accent Core is the latest of these, and it provides a fresh wave of balance tweaks, new mechanics, and two additional playable characters (ABA and Holy Order Sol). The changes are solid, but there isn’t anything that radically alters the landscape of the combat.

This game has but one feather in its cap: its difficulty. [Nov 2004, p.170]

Sniper Elite 4 is a well-rounded experience that delivers on multiple fronts. The campaign is flexible and full of satisfying objectives, and I enjoyed jumping into missions with a friend. The unique collection of competitive multiplayer modes rounds out Sniper Elite 4, giving shooting fans a game that’s worth a look despite its flaws.

Even with these positives, and a better-late-than-never addition of the Ultimate Team mode, NCAA Football 14 is not a game that shows a series playing at its peak as a console generation ends.

As it is, Evolve does its one thing remarkably well, and the few other gripes I have – including long, multi-stage load times and the inability to customize A.I. teammates when playing with friends – don't dampen my enthusiasm for playing more.

War for Cybertron isn't a perfect game, but it fulfills my youthful fantasies in a way that has me believing the developers had a window into my boyhood imagination.

NHL 18 may not win every scrum in the corner or go top shelf with every shot it takes, but it still shows enough grit and hustle to earn your respect. The new offensive and defensive tools are welcome additions on the ice, and the entertaining Threes mode could become a party staple for hockey fans.

NHL 20 is an uneven experience. One minute I’d feel the high of setting up an awesome play and seeing the puck land in the back of the net, but then I’d slam my stick into the ice frustrated by disappointing aspects across its modes. Seeing similar issues continually bleed over year after year is getting harder to forgive the longer they go on, but it’s still the only way you can really experience the thrill of being on the ice, and at the very least, it captures that well.

Tropico 4 is a great game that suffers from a few regrettable issues on console. Assuming the sound problems get fixed (or you install it to your Xbox's hard drive), I heartily recommend it as the simulation/city-builder of choice on 360 despite the less-than-ideal gamepad interface.

However, the fact remains that this is still the same flawed game that was released for the current-gen systems. [Oct. 2006, p.104]

Strider is a great reboot for old-school arcade junkies and at the same time a fresh action experience for newcomers to the franchise.

If you’re in the mood for something that recalls games like Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space, Cronos might hit the spot. But it’s not without its pain points.

Grandia III's beauty never ceases to amaze, but above all, this game just grips you with its winsome storytelling. [Mar 2006, p.104]

It fails to really capture that edge-of-your-seat feeling due to its slow combat. What it does do, however, is stir your emotions a little, which isn't easy. [Jan 2004, p.151]

Thanks to its vibrant art, music, and storytelling, I had a wonderful time with South of Midnight. Its narrative goes to some surprisingly dark places, yet it still brims with whimsy, making it a fitting adaptation of the source mythology's similar tone. I couldn't have told you what a Rougarou was a few weeks ago, but thanks to this game, I've got a catchy melody of its name that plays on repeat in my head. It's fitting that, like the stories and songs it seeks to honor, South of Midnight has successfully passed Southern folklore on to a new, wider audience.

Even though you may have to wince through a few conversations, VA-11 HALL-A sells its cyberpunk atmosphere with great presentation, including an exceptional soundtrack and cool character art.

Games of this era hold up well even today, and the excellent two-player mode is nice for those of you (all seven!) that still use you GBA link cables. [Nov 2005, p.182]

It's worth a look, both for the fun it delivers and also to see how closely it comes to mimicking the genre conventions.

The Gunstringer proves that Kinect can appeal to hardcore gamers looking for fast-paced action and a great story. You won't find animal petting, unnecessary exercising, or a blurry approximation of yourself digitized in this game. This is a classic game design that just so happens to have motion control.

If you’ve beaten the game and moved on, there’s enough new stuff to explore that it warrants another playthrough. And for those who are looking for a quirky RPG with epic moments (and pig-throwing hijinks), here it is in one neat bundle.

The multiplayer isn't much to speak of, but does offer some classic deathmatching. [Jan 2006, p.85]