If broken gameplay mechanics and community college acting didn’t weigh down the game, it might actually be worthwhile.

Unlike the movie, which was lush and vibrant from beginning to end, this looks worse than a '70s kung fu movie dubbed off broadcast television. [Oct 2003, p.117]

If you’re looking for cheap multiplayer, buy an older Call of Duty or Gears game. As is, there’s really no reason for Special Forces: Team X to be a must-have for any shooter fan.

There are even a few lame vehicular bonus stages thrown in for good measure, but none of the various stage types offer anything close to depth or originality. [Nov 2004, p.145]

This simply plays like a buggy military training application, and forgets to deliver the entertainment that you'd expect to find in a video game. [May 2005, p.121]

The reboot is close enough to the original – warts and all – to entertain the faithful. If you don’t have any nostalgia surrounding Larry and his plight, however, you may be left wondering why anyone bothered digging him up again.

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

It's boring. [Jan 2003, p.94]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Look up into the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s another crappy Superman game!

This game is a tale of two bastardizations. In trying to satisfy both casual fans and those who want more depth, Madden NFL 10 for Wii tries to serve two masters. In the end I don't think it achieves either goal. [Sept 2009, p.91]

It's much better than a game that totally sucked, which games it just another average, and unremarkable, third-person action title. [Nov 2002, p.127]

It's a shame that Shinobi uses a password save, because I really would have dug this game if it wasn't for this blunder. [Feb 2003, p.110]

Dead or Alive 5 can be a decent fighter when you're settling into a good match, but the overall package just doesn't deliver what a sequel should. New characters Mila and Rig are fun to control, and some cameos from Virtua Fighter are a nice bonus, but this series simply hasn't progressed in the same way that its peers in the genre have. This may have sufficed as a sequel in 2007, but Dead or Alive is getting lapped by its competitors in 2012.

If "Driver" married its cousin, there's a good chance the spawn of said union would look a lot like The Dukes of Hazzard: Return of the General Lee. [Oct 2004, p.129]

Dead or Alive 5 can be a decent fighter when you're settling into a good match, but the overall package just doesn't deliver what a sequel should. New characters Mila and Rig are fun to control, and some cameos from Virtua Fighter are a nice bonus, but this series simply hasn't progressed in the same way that its peers in the genre have. This may have sufficed as a sequel in 2007, but Dead or Alive is getting lapped by its competitors in 2012.

If you want a good wartime shooter, "Medal of Honor: Frontline" is far superior to Desert Storm. Look at that - I just saved you $40. [May 2003, p.87]

These hardware features may offer gamers a way to show off the capabilities of their new handheld, but Little Deviants isn't supposed to be a tech demo. It's a game, and not a good one.

Decisions made by Square Enix to keep Bloodmasque profitable are the same ones that keep it from being particularly fun.

Outside of the OR, however, LifeSigns’ bedside manner is far from pleasant.

If you buy a "Rolex" watch from a street vendor, you have a good idea of the quallity that went into it. The same realization applies for this poorly handled clone. [Oct 2007, p.127]

The character animations are incredibly fluid and impressive, and several of their conversations are good for a chuckle. Unfortunately, these scattered bits of life aren't enough to bring Sissel's adventure back from the dead.

While the multiplayer modes are nice, poor targeting, underwhelming graphics, and erratic movement make this game a mere blip on the radar. [Nov 2002, p.144]

The only area where this game really shines is in its visuals. Developer Eurocom has pulled out all of the stops to bring out the highest level of realism in the character models and lush landscapes. This game may put a twinkle in your eye, but it’s quick to follow it up with a razor-sharp cutlass.

If you dig deep, you can find charming parts of Valkyria Revolution – the thrill of taking down a group of foes with a well-placed grenade, or the rousing music and majestic scenery combining for a memorable moment. But these bright spots are far too rare in an experience that deals primarily in drudgery, from repetitive missions to overlong expository scenes. Even if you find and appreciate the good parts, the prize is too small for the price you pay on the battlefield.

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

I haven’t laughed this much while playing a game since I was making fun of "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast," but Battle of the Bands’ one great idea would have benefited from some more robust gameplay.

You know the drill: extremely linear level designs that stitch together corridors, open areas, and dull objectives with all the refinement and subltlety of a drunken quilting circle. [Mar 2006, p.100]