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

The unintentionally dirty translation mistakes are largely gone, the hero is pretty savvy, and the story almost kind of makes sense. [Apr 2006, p.134]

This is the most mindless button masher I've come across in a long time...Like its silently morbid hero, the new Gungrave shows up dead on arrival. [Nov 2004, p.158]

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

A decent enough way to get your World War II on, but does nothing to move the genre forward or distinguish itself from other FPS games. [Dec 2003, p.136]

Unfortunately, the combo system is designed for a button-mashing extravaganza - and combos of X-X-X just don't cut it today. [Mar 2003, p.88]

The mere fact that it fills a niche on the Wii doesn't excuse this disappointing lack of substance. [May 2008, p.95]

Jett: The Far Shore shines bright in some narrative-heavy sections, and its visuals can be impressive, but – despite starting off full of potential – it fails to fulfill its promise. Sadly, Jett’s finale, much like my time spent piloting its interstellar spacecraft, feels more unfulfilling than thought-provoking.

We Ski tries, and is largely successful, at creating a casual skiing game with a novel control mechanic. Which is great, but the actual content wouldn’t have held my attention for even an hour if it were just some old PS2 game (which, graphically, it sadly resembles).

Whether alone or with a friend, Beatmania delivers where it counts. [Apr 2006, p.124]

I don't regret my time with The Simpsons one bit and would have downloaded the game whether I was reviewing it or not. I'm sure plenty of brawler fans are in the same boat and won't be swayed one way or the other by reviews. However, if you've never heard of this game before now, it probably won't have the same sprinkling of magic dust as it does for longtime fans.

It's easily one of the most unique and entertaining multiplayer choices for the GameCube. [Apr 2005, p.131]

If you're into insane boss fights and haven't already hit this up on another system, Lost Planet deserves to be found. [Mar 2008, p.100]

A dark and unnerving game that will impress and worry you with how nefarious it truly can be. [May 2002, p. 82]

The only flaw is the difficulty curve - it's steeper than trying to jump into Counter-Strike online play as an FPS newbie. [Dec 2003, p.183]

Its graphics are merely average and the fighting is uninspired. [July 2003, p.107]

Presents absolutely no challenge, even on the hardest difficult setting. [August 2002, p.91]

I hate this game's archaic point of view which I've dubbed Pole Position Syndrome. [June 2002, p.87]

What kills this title for me, though, is the ridiculous emphasis on scouting. How am I supposed to conquer the continent when I can only see what's happening on 20 percent of any given battle map? [Jan 2006, p.138]

MediEvil still deserves to be heralded as a classic for its time and place in gaming, and I love how it looks in revitalized form on PlayStation 4. However, its gameplay is a relic of yesteryear, and an example that shows us just how far games have come over the years. Rest in peace, Sir Dan.

Basketball fans who want more arcade-like action than the sim-heavy "College Hoops 2K8" may find some fun in March Madness, but serious hoops fans should stick with 2K.

Some horror games skillfully wield repetition as a tool, letting players grow accustomed to the familiar to set up scares both subtle and cuss-worthy. Unfortunately, Maiden of the Black Water is waterlogged with repeated environments and monotonous phantasmagorical photo sessions.

With a brief runtime of a couple of hours, Open Roads is a respectable tale that sometimes feels ready to hit that higher narrative gear before easing off the gas again. Although visually pleasing and well-acted, the emotional impact is muted. While I didn’t mind sitting shotgun as Opal and Tess had lighthearted debates over the semantics of trailer vs. mobile homes and reminisced about old flames, it’s not a road trip that will stick with me for the long haul.

Original design and a quirky style keep Fancy Pants enjoyable throughout, but some significant features need a little tweaking before this sketchy hero can stand with the big platforming heavyweights. [July 2011, p.94]

If you're a Metal Slug fan/PSP owner who hasn't had a way to play this entry in the series before, XX is worth checking out. It's a tough recommendation for everyone else.

The crafting system is superficial but pretty much all of Brutal is that way. Its most interesting qualities are gimmicks – the ASCII visuals, the procedural generation, a shield that you can throw like Captain America because why not?

Terrible pacing of the game, which crawls along at a snail's pace due to constantly interrupting dialogue scenes. [July 2005, p.120]

Several dozen unlockable outfits can be mixed and matched at your leisure to create the silliest looking avatar imaginable, and the longer arcade shooters from the first game return as brief alternatives to the more frantic minigames.