It seems to shoot itself in the foot whenever it's poised to really take off and achieve something, but there's still some enjoyment to be had here. [March 2005, p.137]

Liberation Maiden, for better or worse, is a brief, fast-paced experience. I found myself laughing at the game's opening, and even though I never became genuinely engaged in the plight of Shoko and New Japan, I enjoyed taking it all in.

I don't regret my time with Silent Hill: Downpour, but mediocrity hung over most of my playthrough like a fog. [Apr 2012, p.82]

While XIII has style in spades, gameplay is nowhere near as groundbreaking. [Dec 2003, p.166]

It’s a retread of familiar territory in every way, such that a game like this five years ago would have had me reeling, but now leaves me feeling flat.

The AI is still riddled with holes and your money plays from last year will still work. [Oct. 2006, p.94]

If you tough it out, there are rewards. Just be ready to bleed. [July 2002, p.82]

Haunted Hollow’s biggest fault is that you have no incentive to keep playing; the asynchronous multiplayer works well, but all you earn for successful Haunted Hollowing are Game Center achievements. No new worthwhile content is unlockable without spending money.

I'm still not sold on the saggy engine, but the new Career mode storylines help to keep me playing. [Feb 2003, p.101]

They Need To Be Fed 2 controls well and I enjoy its gravitational gameplay, but the uninspired level design and neutered challenge hold the overall experience back. The short, easy levels are perfect for that brief moment in line at the store, but the simple-yet-fun premise doesn’t evolve much beyond the first few introductory levels.

Fails to establish any real mood or atmosphere, and just ends up being boring. [May 2005, p.110]

A serviceable, inexpensive RPG that will satisfy fans curious about this "lost" chapter in the KH series and the few people who really enjoyed the ­original CoM.

The structure is here for a great title, but it doesn't help when half the game's gone up in smoke. [Apr 2006, p.135]

What was an average nostalgic sword-slashing game on the PS2 has become a choppy, awkwardly-paced handheld adventure with a soundtrack player and a couple of new minigames tacked on to throw you off the obviously evil scent. [Apr 2006, p.133]

The main reason I am less than enamored with this title is that it features some of the worst jumping controls in memory. Frustrating and painful. Bad Mickey. Bad. [Oct 2003, p.145]

Pretty visuals can only get you far, however, and Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising doesn’t offer enough entertaining or unique content to keep it from being anything more than a passable RPG. At the very least, it introduces the Eiyuden world and some characters involved in Hundred Heroes, but that’s very little incentive for putting up with tedious gameplay and boilerplate characters.

While Drakensang easily exceeds any expectations regarding presentation and scope, the finer points of RPG design - notably combat and player-driven interactions with the game world - are lost on the game. [Mar 2009, p.92]

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.

It's just unfortunate that Otogi has come this far with its visuals only to be undermined by the subtle oh-so-important aspect of vids known as gameplay. [Oct 2003, p.133]

Aside from the obvious problems, the real problem is that nearly every part of the now-aged Driver formula has been done better elsewhere. [May 2006, p.98]

There's a fair amount of depth, with various tricks, items, and things to do with your dog. [Feb 2006, p.113]

There is little in the gameplay that can't be done by a freakin' Commodore 64! [Dec 2003, p.174]

Unlike a lot of titles geared toward the younger set, this one is actually fun and well designed, with great graphics and good sound. [Aug 2003, p.93]

If you're looking for a weekend rental, this could be an okay retro choice. [Dec 2008, p.124]

It’s a decent brawler that doesn’t do anything new or interesting, and it stars a skeleton on fire. I’ll gladly take it over yet another collect-a-thon platformer.

I'm glad Gearbox stepped up and finished this game, but after hearing about it for 12 years, I have no desire to relive any of it again. I'm now satisfied in my knowledge of what Duke Nukem Forever is and ready to never talk about it again. Welcome back, Duke. I hope your next game (which is teased after the credits) goes off without a hitch.

The reboot, in spite of its dumb writing, felt fresh and was consistently entertaining throughout its campaign thanks to its focus. The sequel, however, feels stretched out, like it’s trying to be an RPG, an open-world game, and a shooter all at once with little success. In the end, there’s precious little of Shadow Warrior 2 that makes for a compelling experience.

After squeezing off I don't know how many rounds into untold numbers of bodies, I'm more prone to being lulled into a nice nap than a frenzy. [Oct 2005, p.128]