The brightest moments are when the action gives way to pure chaos. I watched electricity arc between humans, made brains pop out of heads, and turned a secret base into smoldering ruins with my spaceship’s death ray. But like a person floating above the ground in the glow of an abducto beam, those moments aren’t connected to anything substantial; they just make some noise and get flung aside.

Tak becomes more pedestrian and predictable as each area unfolds. [Nov. 2003, p.150]

Sure, it has a map now and (gasp!) touch screen menu support, but other than that it's pretty much identical to its GBA cousin. [Nov 2005, p.180]

The RPG-style fights are uninspiring, and the storyline is simplistic. Still, the graphics are bright and inviting, with menus that are easily navigable. [June 2004, p.138]

Despite the new locations and some of the strategic and even slight gameplay changes this brings, I'm not convinced that this isn't an expansion pack. [Dec 2003, p.159]

If you have yet to play this series and like card games or RPGs, Lost Kingdoms II is a no-brainer. [June 2003, p.107]

Playing Lost Planet 2 for the story is like going to a movie to watch the credits. If you go into this game, go into it with the intent of joining up with your friends to slay moon-sized monsters, and enjoy one of gaming’s top co-op experiences.

The game is the worst type of Renasissance man - Jack of all trades, master of none. [Jan 2005, p.133]

Yooka-Laylee liberally shatters the fourth wall by acknowledging its own existence as a game. Each time dialogue happened between characters, I eagerly awaited jokes about other games. You even get herded through quiz-style sequences; thankfully, these don't serve as roadblocks as much as they do fun allusions to games like Banjo-Kazooie. I laughed out loud at these silly references on multiple occasions, and some of the fun story moments are just as amusing as the gameplay.

I'd rather have a simple and well-balanced game than a complicated and lopsided one, and Suikoden Tactics definitely has too many short legs. [Dec 2005, p.175]

NBA Playgrounds may not revolutionize arcade basketball, but it’s a welcome newcomer. If Saber Interactive tightens its gameplay shortcomings and introduces more ways to play, the game could have a healthy run as an alternative for those who don't want the heavy investment of a sports sim.

Gamers who enjoyed the movie could do worse than this well-polished platformer.

Out of all of the books, games, and movies, it allows you to get closer to the school than ever before – all at the expense of actually enjoying your stay. It’s boring and tedious, just like a real school is. However, it’s also a place where your Harry Potter knowledge can bloom. On this note, only hardcore Harry Potter nuts should enroll.

Playing Lost Planet 2 for the story is like going to a movie to watch the credits. If you go into this game, go into it with the intent of joining up with your friends to slay moon-sized monsters, and enjoy one of gaming’s top co-op experiences.

I can't imagine the conversations that led someone to decide that this sparse (though accurate) game would be a good idea. [Oct 2004, p.140]

You can also play the Rapid play mode where you work under the clock with the Brain Age twist, but honestly, there isn't much else to this game. [Apr 2007, p.110]

It's incredibly flawed in areas that some consider core to the gaming experience and requires patience to persevere through the problems and get to the best moments. But for everything it lacks, it transcends the stigma of a budget title. If you're looking for a strange but nonetheless unique experience, Deadly Premonition may satisfy an itch you didn't even realize you had.

What makes Regeneration falter is the fact that it's bland, repetitive, and uninspired - like Carson Daily. [Oct 2005, p.126]

Laughable enemy AI, a poor targeting system, and sluggish movement really hold it back from being anything more than average. [Feb 2005, p.112]

If you sleep on Star Wars sheets, give it a try. If not, pretend it doesn’t exist – just like the animated movie.

UFC still has some untapped game potential, but Throwdown is its best effort so far. [June 2002, p.78]

What EA has so successfully done is taken a franchise that scares away most hardcore sports fans and built a game that's technically solid, entertaining, original, and unbelievablly fun. [Nov 2003, p.142]

This game proves thqat RTS games can be done right on a console. [Jan 2004, p.131]

Even with a well-balanced multiplayer experience, I can't say that Sword of the Stars is incredibly ambitious, but it's definitely an entertaining and accessible way to extend your galactic influence. [Sept. 2006, p.99]

It's better than last year, if only by a few degrees. [June 2002, p.81]

About the only thing missing is the gameplay. [May 2003, p.55]

There’s definitely a charming old-school spark to this reboot, but without anything beyond the constant monster mashing and levels that seem to blend together, you may find yourself needing excitement badly.

This sequel won't disappoint anyone looking for a standard midair action game, but it's not going to change your perceptions of the genre.