Those who are into strategy/RPGs will find this to be one of the finest, forged in the genre's most perfect (i.e. portable) form. The pacing's right, the world is full of opportunity, and - surprise - the story is actually pretty remarkable!

The Xbox version offers the superior visual experience. Its advanced lighting system casts advanced real-time shadows (much like "Doom 3"), a high-tech feature the PS2 hardware simply can't match.

Despite the shortcomings, ESPN NHL 2K4 is the Cup champ because it really plays and, aside from the rather sluggish-moving players, feels like a hockey simulation should. [Dec 2004, p.144]

The game is just a straight arcade experience, but it also has enough depth to warrant returning to numerous times.

No matter what your age, LEGO Star Wars II will keep your inner child happy. [Oct. 2006, p.84]

If you enjoy the idea of engaging covert-ops missions that require stealth and smarts more than sheer brawn, you'll love IGI.

Quotation forthcoming. [Dec 2005]

Vanguard Games is off to an impressive start. Their debut title is a blast to play, shows a keen attention to detail lacking in many downloadable games, and takes place in a fascinating world. I'm not exactly sure where Vanguard is taking us with its Mistbound universe, but if Gatling Gears is any indication, I'm looking forward to the journey.

This charming physics-based puzzler boasts a delightful style and sense of humor, and is a must-download for iDevice owners looking for an addictive alternative to the Angry Birds craze.

This year's version of Tiger Woods PGA Tour is as sweet as a 350 yard tee shot down the middle of the fairway. It will challenge experienced players while still providing enough teaching and lessons to acclimate even the newest of players.

Easily the best bargain for the PS2 this side of "VF4 Evo."

The Forgotten Sands is more than just a return to form for a long-running franchise: it's also one of the most gratifying platforming epics to come along in ages.

A fun game with tons of character. The difficulty and control tweaks mean that all that good stuff won't be lost in a flurry of frustration.

The action is fast and furious, packed with epic amounts of dog?ghting and brief story interludes that are not exactly the greatest Star Wars story ever told, but get the job done. All in all it's a good time.

At once the best wrestling game in years, an awesome showcase for some damn good hip-hop, and an example of what can happen when a game company takes a chance.

All things considered, though, Yakuza 4 is an excellent title that proves why this series, underappreciated as it is, is one of the crown jewels in Sega's current game lineup.

Classic arcade racing successfully ported to the Xbox 360, reasonably priced, smooth running online multiplayer, high replay value.

Dirt 3 doesn't disappoint anywhere else, and it's easily one of the most interesting "simulation" racing games to come out in the last couple of years. Play this game if you're a racing fan, or just play it if you want a change of pace -- the bumps in the road are worth it.

Although the PS2 game comes some three months after the Xbox release, this version is the better of the two—mostly because of its superior controls.

Even punters of the GameCube version will find a host of new options in this Xbox incarnation—most notably extra players and multiplayer games.

Dead Rising 2 is filled with quirks and lingering flaws, but they're easily shrugged off when delivering the business end of an Electric Rake -- that'd be a car battery and rake joined with duct tape -- to an unsuspecting zombie, as the pure joy of creation and destruction alike come together to create an enthralling action experience that's still unlike anything else out there.

And for some bizarre reason, scoring a "critical hit" on enemies instantly increases your capacity to take damage. Dramatic as hell, but ludicrous. Shogo should bring a smile to any anime fan's face, but even the Japanimationally challenged will find a solid, slick shooter with tons of replayability.

An intriguing blend of real time strategy, life development and role playing action, Little King's Story proves itself as a fun-filled and wholly engaging experience for even the most jaded gamer, all wrapped up in a deceptively cute package.

Combining the addictive life-simulation aspects of The Sims with real-time strategy elements, Firefly Studios has produced Space Colony, a tough, funny, and very charismatic hybrid.

Uncomplicated, nimble, and feature-rich. Xbox Live even enables you to challenge other Gotham racers and promises to deliver tracks and cars for future downloads.

Though Doom 3 is lacking in innovative gameplay, it more than makes up for it with amazing graphics, flawless sound design, and excellent storytelling. [Apr 2005, p.72]

It delivers more of what made Oblivion great: creative quests, a huge land to explore, and tons of things to do there, making this expansion is a solid purchase for anyone who was a fan of the core game.

Simplicity works both and for against BFME: on one hand it's appealing to the less hardcore, on the other it may leave those who enjoyed more complex games like "Kohan II" yearning for a bit more.

The single-player isn't as compelling as Modern Warfare but it's still worth playing nonetheless; the best part though is that there's a deep and satisfying multiplayer component waiting for you when you're done.

A fair loot distribution system rewards everyone in a party equally, and deaths result in a simple respawn at the entrance of a level, so I never got frustrated during my time with the game -- it's just good, simple fun.

The PC version of Tiberium Wars certainly retains an edge, thanks to its mouse support, but chances are you'll be pleasantly surprised how quickly that advantage comes to seem moot when doing battle from your couch instead of an office chair.

It's an interesting addition to the Final Fantasy franchise and proof that Square Enix can deliver a good title that doesn't fall back on RPG conventions. [Dec 2007, p.132]

The combination of electronic music and softly psychedelic colors is spellbinding. It's like holding a mini rave in your hand. Turn it on--it's delicious.

While all this is great, it still comes up a tad short compared to EA’s NCAA football game, especially in the college atmosphere category.

Awesome single player game is held back by a mediocre multiplayer experience.

What's important is that the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2 successfully brings series newcomers up to speed, which I'm sure was BioWare's primary objective. All that's left now if for PS3 owners to decide whether it's really worth finding a way to dig up a copy of the original game on the Xbox 360 or PC ahead of the grand finale.

If you've yet to play either Ico or Shadow of the Colossus, then I can't recommend the Collection enough, and even if you've already spent a substantial amount of time with these two titles in their original incarnations, I'd still say that they're worth revisiting.

A solid simulation of the sport that offers more teams and unique options not available in its main and only competitor on the PS2, "Winning Eleven." Some minor control issues remain and the depth is still not where it needs to be, but it delivers a highly worthwhile experience nonetheless.

Visually, Rally 04 looks much better than previous versions. [May 2004, p.67]

For casual fans who want to have a fun bloodbath, plus the hardcore crowd that carries the franchise with its gaming dollar, this definitely won't disappoint you.

It was definitely a nice change of pace from the standard World War II/sci-fi settings and until someone does it better, Bound in Blood is, in my opinion, the best Western-themed shooter around.

A unique, beautiful title that tells a story without uttering a word - Flower is a quality game that deserves your time and attention.

Wow! Steet Fighter Alpha 3 looks and plays great on the GBA with very few compromises made for the handheld. [Oct 2002, p.76]

I can't think of a better way to spend your online dollars -- Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is the best version of SFII yet, if not the best Street Fighter game in 15 years.

An excitingly action-packed, senses-shattering romp that stays closer to its comic book roots than any other handheld game before it.

When playing in a loud stadium, visiting teams face a rowdily vibrating controller, shaking screen, and players whose lack of composure causes bad plays. If you think you can handle it, you're in for a surpise - the overall effect is huge, really adding to the challenge in key moments like kicking a field goal. [Aug 2004, p.90]

There are still some strange sticking points--buried icons or inexplicable quirks--that leave room for improvement, and a more complete tutorial would also be helpful. But in the end, this is the tightest Civ yet.

This sequel does not reinvent itself but even at double the price point of its predecessor, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 manages to offer enough new modes and graphic enhancements to make it a must buy for fans of the original.

But those are small problems in what is otherwise a wonderful, simple game. The colored loot calls out to the loot hound in me, and the customization option available for both my mech and his pilot make me want to play a few more matches just to earn the money to trick them out differently. Trenched's campaign isn't terribly long, but like Double Fine's other recent downloadable games, it's completely enjoyable throughout.

Not surprisingly, NCAA Football 07 is a no-brainer buy for the college football fans and is well worth a look from even the most casual of sports gamers. [Aug 2006, p.84]

The tendency toward newer tracks, and the neglect of excellent older ones, is a bit disappointing, but as a whole, Green Day: Rock Band plays like a big, wet kiss for its fans.

But when you step back and consider the entire package, you start to appreciate Dark Athena for what it truly is. Instead, look at Dark Athena as a flawed yet enjoyable way to extend the thrill ride that is Escape from Butcher Bay.

The freshman debut of this series has quickly moved to the head of the class, but it has to share the seat of honor with "March Madness."

Truly a strange bird in the world of shooters. It doesn't offer the rich backstory and characters of a game like BioShock, but damned if I didn't laugh countless times during the many outbursts of colorful language from its cast. Like its innovative predecessors, Bulletstorm goes against the grain of the popular norm, often in exciting and hilarious ways, and though it's not perfect, it's still one hell of a ride.

For newcomers to the series, there's never been a better time to get scared.

A high-energy romp with a fun, 90's anime style story (the G Gundam references are much-appreciated), easy to grasp mechanics, and plenty of things to find and collect. But I think its real strength is that lush world and the truly outstanding cel-shading, which makes me want to take back every bad word I ever said about the Nintendo DS and its 3D graphical capabilities.

A unique beast, a first-person "shooter" that emphasizes brains over blazing guns. It's great to see Lorne Lanning and the Oddworld Inhabitants back in fine form & even if it's not quite the form you would have expected.

Simply put, Dragon Ball: Origins is the most interesting Dragon Ball adventure that Atari's put on the table since the first Budokai title.

It doesn't reinvent the wheel with new gameplay mechanics or revamped graphics, but WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 excels once again as the definitive pro wrestling game on the market. Fans of the series and pro wrestling alike should definitely put it in their queues.

It's not a jaw-dropper in any way, but it is just lots of fun to drive.

The game is crafted with so much love, so much humor, and does so many things right, that it's impossible not to have a blast.

For 500 Wii points, Pop 'Em Drop 'Em SameGame is a very good game and definitely worth a look. While it may not be as enthralling as Dr. Mario Rx, it has its own quirks that let it stand out from the crowd.

A solid title that gets kudos for strong action and replay value. Giant-robot fans will want it -- others should, at the very least, rent it

More like an expansion pack than a full-blown sequel…but so what? There’s no way that more monkeys in plastic balls could possibly be a bad thing.

As a gaming experience, LIMBO succeeds by combining cerebral puzzles with physical 'twitch' actions, but what makes it more than just a cool, artsy indie title is the incredible world that PlayDead Studios has created.

It’s really a thinking man’s shooter that plays out like an explosive game of chess—a very, very hard game of chess with limited continues.

A wild, chaotic, and intense strategy game as much as it is an action title, so those of you who've always wanted to be a war hero can strap on some armor and get to it.

Having to worry about more than button mashing is something new for Devil May Cry, and it can make things tricky in the beginning--even on the easiest level, you'll need to fight intelligently from the start or you'll die a quick, painful death.

Car models are incredibly more detailed than they were on the PS2 and Xbox, which results in not only better looking cars as they zip around tracks, but also jaw-dropping particle and debris effects when they crash.

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time has just enough new content to justify its existence as a standalone title, and the fact that it looks, sounds, and plays like a dream only helps its case.

The mixture of play styles may rub some people the wrong way, but most will find the vast scope of this venture too alluring to resist.

Improves upon the original in several fundamental ways. Most importantly, it allows you to build your fortresses and buildings anywhere on the map, rather than pre-set building zones, opening your strategy up and allowing for a lot more variation in gameplay.

There’s a lot to admire about BloodRayne, and, although the initial missions bite, overall the game hardly sucks.

Wrap up the tight gameplay in gorgeous graphics and solid sounds, and Pitfall has never been better. [May 2004, p.69]

Represents a sizable leap forward in EA’s line of 007 games. The star-studded cast would’ve been suitable for an actual movie.

With single, versus, and three endless modes, and 16 available characters, Fever is as addictive as it gets.

There's no denying that GT5 is absolutely incredible, but due to its immense size and complexity, not all its facets are of the same standard, and as a result it's brilliant, but imperfect. For the most part it delivers a 5-star experience. But I do feel compelled to ding it half a star, simply because of the parts of the game that don't. That makes me feel horribly nitpicky and churlish, because despite my criticism I know I love GT5, and I'll be playing it for months, and maybe even years.

The visuals are the sickest they've ever been in a Hawk game, but that should come as no surprise--this is the 360. The player skins and massive environments are polished beyond belief, while the moves look exceptionally lifelike.

This highly anticipated sequel builds on the best parts of its predecessor, while introducing some notable new ways to innovate the familiar puzzle formula.

An incredibly zany yet infectiously fun study of what happens when an irresistible force meets an an army of unmovable flesh-eating objects, Plants vs. Zombies proves that the masterminds at PopCap know how to take an original idea and run with it, producing addictive, and oftentimes hilarious results.

Despite Thunder’s minor imperfections, it still has the most engaging gameplay of any NASCAR game.

Boasting fantastic graphics and awesome transparency effects for water and fog, Wario Land 4 pushes the GBA to its visual limits.

Deception's drop-dead gorgeous graphics are loaded with clever details (Mileena's thinly veiled mouth or razor-sharp teeth, for instance) and vibrant colors. The Xbox version has the edge over its PS2 brother with sharper graphics.

He may be a pink puffball, but he's also an enemy-eating, power-stealing, fire-breathing bad ass.

Blasting alien scum, avoiding mines and meteors as you put up with the self-absorbed (yet hilarious) villains will bring out anybody's inner Alex Rogan.

My only qualm with the demon was that he never really veered us off the beaten path, for the most part we were always trying to get from point A to point B; I would've loved to take in the sights more.

Flaws aside, The Pitt is still an enjoyable experience. This more story driven DLC is an enjoyable diversion from the main Fallout 3 plot. And unlike Operation: Anchorage, when you’ve completed your mission your time in The Pitt isn’t over.

It’s a fast and furious action/adventure that oozes style (among other things) but still delivers all the gameplay goods.

Seemingly does the impossible: It gives serious golf fans a deep sim while offering casual fans an approachable, gorgeous game with tons of play modes.

The simple, but challenging gameplay will suck you in.

Devil May Cry 3 doesn't do a hell of a lot to earn its Special Edition label as a new playable character and boss encounter aren't enough to justify a repurchase. [Feb 2006, p.68]

Hardcore fans may be disappointed by the departure from the traditional survival-horror roots but trust me, the game delivers enough thrills that you probably won't care. [Apr 2009, p.68]

Where the game really shines is in its story, which offers class-based warfare amid jocks, nerds, bullies, greasers, and preppies. As Bully progresses and Jimmy finds himself enmeshed in his struggle to survive, the game blossoms, and players will find themselves desperate to see what happens next.

Even if you don't have a PlayStation Move, you'll get some use out of Extraction with the Dual Shock, as well as a damned good impetus to jump on board with Sony's motion controller.

The gameplay still delivers thrilling combat that’s focused less on stealth and much more on action.

A huge arsenal of moves and a ridiculous number options - some great, some not so great - add tons of replay value and make Smackdown 2, making it a virtual no-brainer for wrestling fans.

Across the board, the slick environments, cut-scenes, and character faces shine, although some of the animations are awkward, particularly when 007 runs. A great title song by Mya, strong voice acting, and booming sound effects complete the package.

A game like El Shaddai is something that comes along only a few times in each console generation. The beautiful visuals, fantastic environments, solid (though slightly flawed) gameplay, and rich mythology combine to make a game quite unlike anything you've ever played.