This puzzle element is actually a lot deeper and more clever than I expected, but that doesn't change the fact that the core of the game is over 20 years old. [Dec 2005, p.190]

Dead or Alive 6 sports a robust fighting system, but the framework around it doesn’t capitalize on that. While the tutorial and DOA Quest mode do a decent job of getting you up to speed on what makes combat tick, the awful story mode does it no favors, and the barebones online puts a damper on what could have been a second wind for the series.

Graphically, it's definitely improved, but that's not going to save Ty from his own mediocrity. [Nov 2004, p.149]

But at least the game supports multiplayer; though the offerings hardly compete with the big boys, Wii owners finally get a taste of just how addictive these matches can be.

Vane feels like an indescribable fever dream when it works, relaying a wordless story about a transforming creature trying to figure out its place in a world that appears to be falling apart. Too often though bugs and a lack of clear direction reminded me that Vane could have used a little bit of extra development time for polish.

Elite Squadron’s big problem is its controls. The game has a couple control schemes, but I couldn’t find one that didn’t feel both clunky and inaccurate.

Each level follows the exact same progression path, and this dull repetition ultimately makes what could have been a great tornado game nothing more than a funnel cloud.

Probably the best looking, worst playing space-based MMO I've ever spent time with. [Aug 2003, p.101]

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

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]

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]

Brink is not a bad game. If Splash Damage can stabilize the performance and fix some glaring omissions (like a pre-game lobby) with a patch, I'd gladly spend more time with it. But with only eight multiplayer maps, 20 progression levels, no clan support, and average gunplay, it's not a good value proposition. Especially considering many Xbox Live games offer a similar amount of content for a fraction of the price.

Ultimately, CT just doesn't have a whole lot of staying power. [Mar 2002, p.88]

The game displays a lot of promise early on, but it devolves into mediocrity after you've invested a few hours learning its basic systems.

Everything looks slightly miniaturized and washed-out, and the music is inferior to the SNES version. [Dec 2002, p.150]

I got the distinct impression that I was jumping through hoops for the sake of the hoop, not the game. [July 2003, p.120]

Sadly, not only does Amazing Spider-Man fail to deliver, it may also diminish my enjoyment of this summer's film.

Chosen One offers a decent arcade basketball experience, but its short single player and weak online options ultimately keep it from unseating the current street champ, "NBA Street Homecourt."

Ooblets offers solid fun, and I enjoy its cheerful tone. I only wish playing it didn’t feel so much like work. Despite the pride I had in my farm, clearing checklists eventually felt more laborious than satisfying. There’s fun to be had as long as you’re willing to work for it.

The action is satisfactory, and the multiplayer options are robust. [Nov 2005, p.148]

I'd rather waste my time and enjoy it, too.[Feb 2002, p.100]

They have screwed up the once-intuitive interface, replacing it with this monstrosity, which makes everything dependent no using the right analog stick and the clumsy R3 button. [Oct 2004, p.136]

A totally functional shooter. Too bad it's not much fun. [Aug 2005, p.107]

Due to bad enemy pop-up, a lousy camera, and an abundance of crummy underwater levels, it's bad in a different way than intended. [Apr 2003, p.68]

Full of more holes than Swiss cheese. [Nov 2002, p.119]

Something always felt a little off when using the touch screen. I just don’t think this kind of touch interface is well suited to the rhythm game genre. After awhile I actually did start to enjoy myself a little, but Nintendo was never able to convince me that the game works well.

If you already like the series, not enough has changed to stop you from enjoying it. And that's exactly the reason why new players may as well just stay away. [July 2006, p.106]

It’s too bad that the game feels so bad. Literally, this hurts to play. The controls are a mess. My hand cramped shooting with L and aiming with a stylus.