Katamari Forever serves as a fine introduction to the concept for those who have yet to push the ball, but former Katamari addicts may find they’ve rolled down this road before.

For those who have never played the Naruto Clash of Ninja fighting game series, start with this one. It’s got 40 characters, a slick fighting system, tons of unlockables, and online combat for the first time. Longtime fans might be wary of the game, however, as this is the fifth game in the series in four years.

Everyone has their own criteria for what makes a game as huge and complicated as an MMORPG fun, and D&D Online will be just what a certain number of folks want out of their $15 per month. [May 2006, p.108]

When the laughter dies and some of the jokes fall flat, however, Sam & Max teeters as its gameplay is unable to support much interest for some stretches. [Sept 2008, p.105]

Drone Tactics is functional and occasionally fun, but it never gets exciting.

Most of the historical objectives in these matches work well from a gameplay perspective, but some feel like chores.

Classic compilations really don't get much better than this...A nostalgic dream come true.

This former 3DS game doesn’t stand toe-to-toe with the best console shooters, but it’s a faithful port. Revelations has a lot to offer fans of the series and players looking for a more evenly paced, thoughtful shooter.

Back 4 Blood is one of my comfort food games of 2021. It is an excellent time with friends that scratches an itch I’ve had since the glory days of Left 4 Dead. While it never reaches the heights of its inspiration, the addition of cards makes me hungry to play more, even when the game isn’t at its strongest.

Gives new meaning to depth. [Dec 2002, p.149]

All told, this GBA edition is done well enough that fans of the series will be satisfied with the on-the-go experience, but don't expect to be blown away. [Sept 2003, p.125]

Unsurprisingly, this looks better than the PS2 version, but me timbers remain unshivered. [June 2002, p.83]

Dying Light is a strong open-world zombie game that delivers a good experience on nearly every front.

Combining picross with a relatively obscure anime (and not even using the anime’s name in the title) is a weird choice, but if you’re looking for more picross, you can’t go wrong here. The quality-of-life improvements are good, the Color Picross mode is fun, and having a little bit of story is a nice change of pace, even if the plot doesn’t have much to it.

In many ways, the F.E.A.R. story feels like it has run its course. Like most long-running horror series, the scares that thrilled us years ago no longer do the trick, and as I learn more about Alma's family, the less interested I become in trudging forward. However, if you hardly pay attention to narratives and are looking for a fun multiplayer experience, F.E.A.R. 3 is worth checking out.

The ideal way to experience Spirits Unleashed is to round up your buddies, rotate through maps, take turns playing as the ghost, and proceed to hoot and holler. If that’s not an option, matchmaking with random players is smooth and quick, and in-game markers make teamwork possible even if everyone’s playing off-mic. The thrill of Ghostbusting eventually starts to wane, but it takes a while to get to that point, and updates down the road could help to keep those Proton Packs humming.

The load times can be annoying, but it's a small price to pay for Power Stone on the go. [Nov. 2006, p.144]

The Swords of Ditto’s repetitive nature grinds after a few playthroughs, but it’s a journey worth taking at least a few times.

Pulling off a frictionless heist is the exception to the rule in Payday 2, but the tension is still palpable as you try to orchestrate a robbery without getting caught, and the adrenaline flows steadily as you inevitably repel the barrage of police waves while trying to make your getaway. The overly expensive upgrade system and lackluster AI could use some work, but the minute-to-minute action is thrilling enough to overcome these complaints.

Spidey's acrobatic moves are also captured perfectly, and experimenting with his powers is the most enjoyable aspect of this adventure. [Nov 2005, p.142]

This collection is a good way to revisit the two best games in the series, though it may be better suited to newcomers than gamers who just want to relive their favorite moments.

Despite its shortcomings and frustrations, Cris Tales is an enjoyable adventure for RPG fans to take.

Full of fan service, this one is for the Naruto faithful. It's competent and looks great, but if you're just after a good fighter, you can do better. The fighting genre is experiencing somewhat of a second golden age of games right now and Generations isn't quite one of them.

Even so, the improvements to the controls and mechanics, plus an option to have a buddy jump in for co-op at any time, means there's never been a better time to pick up a Zap-O-Matic and vaporize some meatbags. [Nov. 2006, p.130]

F.E.A.R. 3 features many of the integral pieces necessary to deliver frights – haunting sound effects, an arresting atmosphere, and foreboding environments – yet too often the game recycles old techniques that proved scary in 2005 but do little to raise my blood pressure now.

Speaking of strategy, Wolfenstein is in dire need of a new one. Grinding through waves of predictable enemies in corridors is no way to pay homage to the franchise’s unquestioned legacy in the genre.

Filled with amazing battles and worthy strategy, and anchored by strong gameplay. [Dec 2004, p.166]

It’s hard to overstate my enthusiasm for the original Amplitude. While I have reservations about some of the music selections and progression, that doesn’t stop me from enjoying this revival. Amplitude is a taste of the past, but it’s far from outdated.