It's nothing fancy, but for puzzle freaks, this is a nice edition to the PSP library. [Jun 2006, p.118]

If you can take the time to understant the nuances that went into this game, you'll come to the startling revelation that Enclave is a medieval "Max Payne." The control schematic is a perfect match. [Aug 2002, p.84]

Much like the impressive and abundant explosions the game contains, whatever spark of interest Mercenaries may ignite quickly fizzles out due to lackluster mission objectives, flat story and characters..., and a generally derivative feel. [Feb 2005, p.110]

Thw Wii version has Wii remote racing, tricking, and pre-loading, and both have some slightly different events, so if you don't have a next-gen console you're still getting some solid racing. [Jan 2008, p.89]

Despite Showdown's limitations, as it has with its other games, Codemasters has provided this title with a solid foundation. The handling of the cars is thankfully easier than the base Dirt series (including in the Hoonigan events), and the balancing on the Boost ability is great. Codemasters' first try at this offshoot series is decent. It's limited more by its execution than its premise.

Divinity: Dragon Commander has a lot of layers. I enjoyed the Risk-like strategy of spreading my army across a world map as I sabotaged my opponent’s units using different battle cards, but I dreaded the slog of each RTS battle. If Larian Studios can refine their battle system then it might have a strategy series that appeals to a wider audience, but right now only hardcore strategy fans feel safe under this commander’s wings.

It's not particularly innovative, but it does allow for some great, challenging strategy. [May 2005, p.116]

Despite Showdown's limitations, as it has with its other games, Codemasters has provided this title with a solid foundation. The handling of the cars is thankfully easier than the base Dirt series (including in the Hoonigan events), and the balancing on the Boost ability is great. Codemasters' first try at this offshoot series is decent. It's limited more by its execution than its premise.

The Switch version of NBA 2K18 is rough around the edges, but the strong collection of core modes that make the game a perennial contender from sports game of the year are all here. Despite the drop in graphical fidelity, connectivity headaches when in handheld mode, and barren online modes, you’ll have a hard time finding a better basketball sim experience.

Even though Revenant Wings isn’t an outstanding title, it still manages to do something remarkable: It’s a playable and fun handheld RTS – and probably the first of its kind.

It's a cool idea and it looks fantastic, but it's just not that much fun to play. [Jan 2003, p.112]

It's one thing for the current-gen versions of this game to be not as visually compelling (such as the sense of speed not being as good), but it's unfortunate that you only race against three other cars during typical challenges.

No Man’s Sky rarely reaches beyond its vibrant world-building efforts to provide satisfying gameplay and story. Over dozens of hours of play, I couldn’t escape the sensation that I was playing one impossibly immense side mission, and I kept waiting for the real game to start.

Golf With Your Friends captures the spirit of minigolf – you’re going to have some laughs, frustrations, and at the end of the day, not take it all too seriously.

Looking very similar, both of these versions certainly don't pack the graphical punch as the next-gen versions, and the sense of speed and some of the racing thrills suffer because of it. [Jan 2008, p.89]

The NASCAR Heat series is three years in and is just now hitting its stride. This year’s addition to the career mode is a solid foundation that pays off in the present and sets it up for the future. I don’t think the game has necessarily locked down each of its main components – gameplay, online, and career mode – but it’s making its way through the pack.

Yes, it's simple and not terribly original, but it does provide plenty of fast-paced action and some solid visuals. As action games go, you could do much worse. [Mar 2004, p.100]

If, like me, you’ve cooled on the music genre in recent months, I don’t think Green Day is the band to reignite your love affair with Rock Band. In the future, maybe Harmonix could attempt a single band title based around a more complex – and more fun to play – band like Muse or Rush.

Rhythm Heaven ends up being pretty limited in its ambitions and scope, but I can’t deny that it had me toe-tapping along for the ride.

There are plenty of RPG's that manage to be consistently solid without dragging the player kicking and screaming through the first 25 percent of the story. [May 2006, p.101]

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]

It includes everything offered in the PS2 version, but features an odd control scheme. [Nov 2002, p.134]

With only a few minor play control tweaks and touch ups, Dynasty Tactics 2 feels much more like an upgrade than a new chapter. [Oct 2003, p.120]

It's sequel time and all NFL Street 2 can come up with on the field is one new move. [Feb 2005, p.113]

Take 2's under-rated Mafia is still the closest video games have come to capturing an atmosphere similiar to that of this legendary film in a gameplay context. [May 2006, p.99]

Moves slower than Jacque Cousteau on the toilet. [Jan 2003, p.96]

Coffee Talk shows the powerful relationships that can form around a cuppa joe, but it does so in predictable, well-worn ways.

Struggle through, though, and you'll be rewarded with a few moments of pure puzzle transcendence. [Nov 2005, p.182]