Overall, Tanuki Forest is a quality take on the endless runner genre and looks very pretty (especially on iPad), but the prevalence of well-worn features from past successful entries in the genre simply instills too much déjà vu to push it to king-of-the-hill status.

Unfortunately, the shining strengths of the game are buried underneath a thick layer of rust that only the thirstiest of air-junkies should bother chipping through. [Feb 2010, p.95]

Considering the sheer number of spin-offs and expansions, it can be easy to overlook a new addition to the growing Sims series. When each installment only offers a slightly different flavor of the same gameplay, they all start to blend together. Despite the problems with The Sims Medieval, at least it isn't more of the same. Next time, I'd prefer something that's also good instead of just different.

They say an elephant never forgets, but that doesn’t mean you can’t forget an elephant. Tembo the Badass Elephant is charming and fun while it lasts, but its by-the-numbers gameplay makes me doubt that it will leave a lasting impression on anyone.

With the game's core of boring combat, however, these latest tactical additions aren't enough to make the game's transformation from a lump of coal to a diamond complete. [May 2006, p.111]

Simplistic and primitive, but for the most part it works. [Mar 2003, p.92]

While this episode brings interesting themes of its own, I was disappointed at how racial tensions and politics weren't built upon further, and that many consequences didn't tie over in meaningful ways from the previous episode. Instead, Rules feels like a turn in the wrong direction, with choices that never quite hit their mark. Hopefully the Diaz brothers carve a new and more interesting path as their journey continues.

Even if the gameplay formula is a bit rough, any experience that forms this kind of connection with the player is worth your consideration.

A few months ago, I reviewed LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. That game introduced some light RTS elements to the series, along with loads of vehicle-based missions, and a huge cast of playable characters. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean falls short of that high mark, delivering a more traditional LEGO experience. That's not to say that Pirates is a bad game – quite the contrary. It's just puzzling to see a series that has struggled to evolve take a step back. Where are the epic ship-to-ship vehicle battles? Why is the pirate-infested port hub so boring? [July 2011, p.89]

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is a complicated package. Its core combat and attention to character detail are great, but everything around that is bone dry. Playing as these lovable Nicktoons may interest some, but I didn’t want to stick around for the no-frills matches. Hopefully, Ludosity and Fair Play Labs can keep adding to Nick Brawl post-launch and flesh out what's missing while getting Nickelodeon’s full backing to make it a better product for the fans.

Ultimately, Puyo Puyo Tetris still includes the ability to play classic Tetris or Puyo Puyo to your heart's content, and that core gameplay remains as fun and absorbing as ever. While that's probably enough for most fans to justify the purchase, I wish the new flavors were more appetizing.

This certainly shouldn't beat "Burnout" or "Need for Speed" for your racing dollars, but it might if you're shopping for the family. [Aug 2006, p.81]

As undeniably fun as this game is, its downfall is its lack of depth. You can burn through the initial difficulty setting in the career mode in a couple hours.

The core gameplay(which is lifted almost entirely from the Mega Man Zero series on GBA)is nearly perfect, but nobody bothered to implement all of the other things that a game needs to be truely exceptional. [Oct. 2006, p.112]

The storytelling is where this title shines, but the rest of 2econd Coming basks in mediocrity. [May 2002, p.81]

If you're looking for one of those rare games that does humor right, Rock of Ages is a stand-out example. It's just a shame that the gameplay didn't quite match up.

This version is certainly a little easier on the eyes, but it never really gets the bat squarely on the ball with the gameplay that is delivered. As a Cubs fan say, maybe next year. [Jun 2006, p.115]

While you can play any of the games solo, Wii Play is clearly designed as a pastime for friends; every one of the nine is best played with two remotes. It’s also a little odd that the entire game seems oriented towards teaching players how to use the Wii remote.

The one undoubtedly cool thing that ProStreet brings to the table is its online play (except on Wii), where you can create your own race days and invite friends to compete them. The race day will keep a persistent leaderboard of everyone’s progress, so you can always go back and knock off your buddy.

Firmly back in the second dimension where it belongs, this portable entry in the "Worms" franchise will take you back to the glory days of "Armageddon" and "World Party". [May 2006, p.113]

I particularly appreciate how I can earn points to boost my attributes and buy stuff in every nook and cranny in the title – yet another example of how I played this game almost in spite of itself.

It's your run-of-the-mill hack 'n slasher. [Apr 2002, p.83]

Sometimes you don't have the car to beat, and you end up point racing for whatever you can get. Eutechnyx's effort here is appreciated, but it's not championship material.

Virtua Tennis needs to try much harder if it’s going to regain its title as the preeminent tennis franchise.

Sometimes you don't have the car to beat, and you end up point racing for whatever you can get. Eutechnyx's effort here is appreciated, but it's not championship material.

It's not Agent 47's best performance, but as always, he gets the job done.

Epic Mickey goes out of its way to show gamers Walt Disney's body of work, but rarely fires on a level that turns this beloved content into exciting gameplay.

SteamWorld Build is a unique hybrid that entertains for a time. Its early hours are fun, thanks to how well it uses simplified genre staples to create a more arcade-friendly gameplay loop, a sentiment bolstered by a solid tutorial and intuitive control scheme. Regrettably, SteamWorld Build's campaign overstays its welcome. The lackluster story and rigid final objectives turn what was initially an engaging experience into a tedious grind.