The results are nothing short of astonishing. It's nice to see Springfield get the respect it deserves. [Oct 2003, p.134]

I was a bit worried that moving toward a slower, sim-based game would hurt the experience, but I found that it’s just as intense.

Gamers should expect more of the same from this follow-up. If Fallout 3 holds a place among your top 10 games of this generation like it does for me, another rewarding 200-plus hours of survival awaits you.

The game offers two different story modes that each last a couple hours, but aside from a thin combo challenge there isn’t much to do here other than test your might online. Still, fans of both universes are sure to squeeze hours of entertainment out of this package.

Trips down memory lane have peaks and valleys, but this one is definitely worth taking. [Jan 2006, p.138]

Guardian of Gotham is consistently strong throughout its two hours, constantly presenting tense scenes that play off the choices you’ve made in previous episodes, with one major disappointment: It ends on an abrupt note that offers no idea of what’s to come in the final installment. Still, this episode packs enough dramatic moments, character development, and entertaining action sequences to emerge as one of the best episodes in the series and one of the best experiences by Telltale in recent memory, period.

I’m hoping that people get into it, because I plan on keeping this one in my regular rotation for some time.

Although Brothers in Arms is not light years from your average military title, it institutes important gameplay changes that invigorate the player and influence the way the title is played. [Apr 2005, p.124]

For a game that's been billed as a modest little action game, that's a hell of a lot of replay value. [Nov 2001, p.116]

Dirty Rally can be unforgiving, unrelenting, and seemingly as high in its demands as the infamous hill climb at Pikes Peak. But the journey is sublime.

The game contains the sophistication of a sim-racer while still packing enough pick-up-and-play fun for anyone watching from the couch. I don’t imagine, however, that there are going to be a lot of people content to simply sit and watch Dirt 2 without getting their hands on ­it.

The nonstop action Chaos legion exhibits is unparalleled. [June 2003, p.101]

Questionable fielding holds it back from capturing the Golden Glove. "MVP" still holds that honor, but Major Leauge's innovative techniques make it this year's most exciting baseball game. [March 2005, p.118]

Smart mechanics, aggressive battles, and tight storytelling make this a strong new contender in the genre, even if the campaign's pacing sometimes misses the mark.

Even with some unpolished technical aspects, the way the story unfolds is innovative and engaging, and the number of ways around every problem is impressive. [Sept 2004, p.106]

Tightly balanced between resource gathering and fierce shooting exchanges, this dwarven mining expedition is a great time – especially with friends.

Quake Wars punishes newbies with a steep learning curve as much as it rewards veterans with deep and nuanced gameplay.

If you've got a hankering for some good multiplayer fun or a mindless testosterone tirade, Hitz is your hook-up. [Jan 2002, p.87]

The Wii version looks zero percent better to my eye than the original release of this game, but enthusiasts of the franchise may want to take this for a spin to try out the unique controls. [May 2007, p.88]

The Banner Saga 2 carries the banner onward for the series, and while it’s made a few steps forward in creating more interesting tactical decisions and has added some more options for customization, it seems to have taken a step back in terms of making your journey across the world memorable.

If Tourist Trophy uncovers the fourth dimension of racing, then the fifth dimension needs to be turning Polyphony's obvious passion for mechanical engineering into a passion that everyone can relate too. [May 2006, p.100]

Torchlight was originally made on a tiny budget in under a year, with all of around 25 people working at Runic at the height of development. For all that, it's a better dungeon crawler than most everything else that has been released post-Diablo II.

The graphics, while inferior overall compared to the Xbox version, benefit from added effects such as enhanced heat distribution, reflective surfaces, and focus blurring. [Apr 2003, p.82]

Despite these problems (and obscenely long load times, even on GI's high-end gaming PC), Pacific Assault is a great game. [Jan 2005, p.142]

Has a lot to unlock; it's visually appealing; and the music, voiceovers, and FMV all add to the atmosphere. I can dig it. [Oct 2002, p.91]

Graphically, it's a masterpiece. [Jan 2006, p.136]

In a genre where it can be hard to differentiate yourself, Project Cars makes its mark. It's not as strong as it could be in all areas, but Slightly Mad Studios' attention to detail and racing chops make the game a contender.

This is a no-brainer for anyone who still has a yellow Hulkamania shirt tucked away in their closet.