While it may not approach the craftsmanship or innovation of a "Half-Life 2," TimeShift introduces enough interesting elements to its derivative gameplay to make this game worth a look.

Most of my favorite moments in Just Cause 4 had nothing to do with the story missions, and instead emerged out of playing with Rico’s ridiculous toolset – like turning a dumpster into a humble airship with a couple of balloons and riding it across the island, or rigging the horses on a merry-go-round with rocket boosters and watching it spin out of control.

Tight controls and cheeky humor make Brave and the Bold an easy recommendation for bat and brawler fans alike. Accessible and entertaining, it's also a perfect fit for –familyplay.

Even with the man who created the 007 persona back in the starring role, this sequel just can't measure up to the standards of excellence set by the Bond films or by the action game genre in general. [Dec 2005, p.160]

Has just about everything you're looking for in an action/adventure game. [Oct 2002, p.84]

Just as addictive as its predecessors, but features more thoughtful challenges and conquests. [Mar 2004, p.97]

Pacing and AI problems hold this back from its potential. [June 2004, p.135]

I wish I could say that Prisoner of Azkaban was a bold new start for the series. It's not, but this is a significantly better game than either of the previous two entries. [July 2004, p.111]

Thunderforce's control is perfect; it is neither too sensitive, nor too sluggish. Plus, the player can adjust the speed at anytime. Trust us, without a perfect speed, Thunderforce V is nearly impossible. [Sept 1998]

Animation is generally poor, facial modeling is bland, and the AI manages to feel artificial but without the intelligence. [May 2005, p.136]

At least you don't have to solve solo; The Cave supports up to three players working together on a single TV, but falls short of letting players split up, so you still have to switch back and forth as puzzles demand characters in different locations. Still, that cooperative vibe echoes the way many players first encountered the genre – a group of friends gathered around a screen, laughing at the crazy solutions required to slip past a perplexing blocked path. In replicating that novel experience, The Cave succeeds.

If you loved the original Steel Battalion, I can't recommend this purchase enough...But be forewarned that there aren't exactly a ton of people online and the quality of the experience suffers for it. [May 2004, p.103]

Overall, Boyfriend Dungeon is an enjoyable experience for fans of both roguelikes and visual novels. I like that it gives you the option to make the adventure live up to the romance simulator hype, or just meet some great characters to become friends. Boyfriend Dungeon offers a charming gameplay experience despite its simplistic mechanics and redundant enemies. With more characters teased for the future, I can’t wait to dive in to see what’s next.

Code Vein has some cool things to enjoy along the way and some nice ideas that shake up the core formula, but they are all incidental details. The heart of Code Vein remains overburdened by stale scenery, boring bosses, and tiresome trudging, and all of that is beyond what some nice touches can redeem.

All 4 One's insane amount of variety will satisfy both fans of the series and gamers interested in a change of pace. The game's sense of humor alone is sufficient grounds for recommendation. Insomniac's latest cooperative treat is a breath of fresh air.

Madden NFL 25 is a consistently good entry in the annualized franchise, but it does little to push for the highlight reels.

Midway has taken the story mode to the next level, now we need to see the gameplay step it up a notch to match the flash. [Apr 2006, p.117]

The Just Dance series was design to be a party game, and, sadly, it doesn't perform well outside of that kind of atmosphere.

The design of the world, the way Fury explores it, the few puzzles, and the combat are all well-designed, elevating it above the elements that make it feel like a game from the past.

Relic's Dawn of the War series remains the best video game adaptation of this universe, but Space Marine is a close second. The combat – for both single and multiplayer – pumps out barbaric excitement and continues to improve as the adventure unfolds.

What it may lack in revolutionary features it makes up for on the tracks where speed, skill, and surprises are not in short supply.

This is worth a look for Cooking Mama noobs, but veterans might find it a little stale.

It may be horseracing, but Gallop Racer once again proves to be a surprisingly irresistible and incredibly deep play. [Oct 2004, p.134]

Everything looks slightly miniaturized and washed-out, and the music is inferior to the SNES version. [Dec 2002, p.150]

In all honesty, there's not a single thing about this version that stands out as superior to "Wrath of Heaven" (PS2). [Apr 2004, p.105]

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

This isn't a game for the faint of heart or the heavy of foot. [June 2005, p.129]

I like Sorcery, but the Move controls hold it back. It could have been a fun action game with an engaging story and environmental puzzles (I use the term "puzzle" generously, as they are all incredibly simple). Instead, Sorcery prepares you to hang framed pictures in your house by making you pretend to hammer a wall for five or six hours.