The Switch version of FIFA 18 is a better portable experience than you've been able to get on Nintendo consoles up to this point, but it's hampered by Nintendo's insufficient online strategy. Unlike some previous EA Sports titles on Nintendo platforms, FIFA 18 isn't an ill-formed castoff, but it's an uneven performance and not a clear-cut victory.

I can't see the point in playing a boring retro-wannabe when there are plenty of good games that are actually retro and don't use "old-school" as an excuse for lack of originality. [Jan 2006, p.156]

Deliver Us Mars’ protagonists quickly cobble together a space shuttle that barely manages to get them to their destination. A similar story feels true of this game. A gripping narrative fuels gameplay that otherwise feels functional but underbaked, making my time on the planet a mixed bag. Deliver Us Mars shines best when it lets you absorb its story, but expect to stumble over several design craters along the way.

The one thing that makes this game worth it to NASCAR rubes like you and me is that the new speed blur makes side-by-side racing pretty damn cool. [Oct. 2006, p.94]

Ultimately I can't recommend Lost In Shadow to everyone. The puzzles and combat are too difficult for children (even on easy mode), and platforming fans will be put off by the unresponsive controls.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 might be lacking in some areas, but this is one instance where the sheer quantity of features prevails since their structure is thoughtful enough to make this game more than just a lazy vacation.

Juiced certainly has the makings of an average street racer, with lots of customizables and affected street appeal. [July 2005, p.116]

Mario Party: Star Rush feels more like a collection of modes than a fun next step for the series.

Visual Concepts has fixed most of the problems that made last year's game such a horrendous experience, and appears to be in a good position for next season (if 2K signs another contract with Major League Baseball). The game is still rough around the edges and can be infuriating at times, but it is a passable baseball experience for 360 players that need their fix. PlayStation 3 owners should stick with The Show.

The only impressive thing about Wii Party is how Nintendo dumbed down and removed the soul from a franchise that was already as stupid and soulless as Mario Party.

I find Project Gotham tracks have done better in giving player bite-sized, drift happy courses, but overall this game is the burst of speed that this genre needs.

It's ultimately only a bare-bones reminder of a much greater work of art. [Jan 2005, p.148]

I hate feeling like a buzzkill here, but I can’t recommend this to anyone who wasn’t evangelical about the original Costume Quest. The changes to the game are a stride in the right direction, but it still has quite a ways to go if it wants to be seen as anything other than a series of funny skits divided by boring combat intermissions. I don’t feign enthusiasm when I see a kid wearing a mediocre costume, and I’m not going to do it here.

In terms of real-time strategy releases, Army Men: RTS is the definition of mediocrity. [May 2002, p.83]

With a near-limitless plethora of horses, tons of strategy, and loads of gameplay extras, this is a sure bet. [May 2003, p.83]

It's about on par with a video poker machine in terms of graphics and sound. [May 2004, p.108]

It has a good sense of speed and physics, and the tracks accentuate these qualities quite well. [Apr 2003, p.93]

The games are a blast worth remembering. Old racing is the new hotness. [Oct 2005, p.128]

Not only is it the best Arnold or Terminator-themed game ever (which isn't saying all that much), but it's also one of the best licensed games around. [Oct 2004, p.127]

Visual Concepts has fixed most of the problems that made last year's game such a horrendous experience, and appears to be in a good position for next season (if 2K signs another contract with Major League Baseball). The game is still rough around the edges and can be infuriating at times, but it is a passable baseball experience for 360 players that need their fix. PlayStation 3 owners should stick with The Show.

I salute indie developers like Arcen Games for putting unique and creative designs like this out there, but every great idea needs to be executed well to reach its potential. A Valley Without Wind 2 just doesn't get there.

Neverending Nightmares is an emotionally resonant experience. I felt fully empathetic towards Thomas’ struggles, which is an impressive feat. The limited interactivity holds it back from taking full advantage of its medium, but I understood and was affected by Thomas’ inescapable depression.

The control scheme is horrific and cannot be changed. [Nov 2004, p.156]

The disturbingly dwarf-sized characters may serve as an analogy for the game’s place among strategy RPGs: It’s shorter and uglier than most that have come before, but it’s also unique in a way that some will find charming.

Not brilliant, but it's a competent licensed title that should appeal to hardcore W&G fans. [Nov 2005, p.149]

Hell Yeah is an enjoyable 2D sidescroller that waxes nostalgic about classic games just as much as it establishes its own identity as a "how-to" guide to murdering monsters in ridiculous ways.

Even though Atelier Iris 2 has undergone enhancements, it's the ultimate loss of complexity in the story and gameplay departments that make it fall short of greatness. [Jun 2006, p.113]

If you only buy one sudoku game this year, maybe you should reconsider and buy zero. [June 2007, p.118]