An excellent all-around game.

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.

A huge, huge improvement over the last few wretched Tomb Raider titles. Prince of Persia fans should definitely take note.

I was pretty sure that I would get bored with Axe in Face after a level or two, but the introduction of special abilities like the lightning bolt and unique enemies that must be attacked in different ways added variety to the game and kept me hooked for several consecutive hours.

Putting is harder, but much more rewarding--an Ideal Putt Camera helps with gauging potential break on difficult putts.

Stellar cell-shaded graphics, excellent voice acting (with Patrick Stewart reprising his cinematic role as Professor X), and multiplayer mayhem that make Legends look and feel like the A-list game that it is.

By combining solid pixel animations with awesome scaling and rotation effects, the developers have achieved an impressive, psuedo-3D effect.

Despite the great visual and sound package, Sega GT's gameplay isn't tuned for a fun ride: Competitions can be won only through buying the best parts - and not through your driving.

It’s a fairly mindless shooter with some cool strategy elements, and aside from some optional tactical coolness, it’s pretty straightforward. It’s a fun and violent game with a really great reward structure.

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.

Sim fans will be disappointed with the under-powered defense, but for twitch players, NBA Live 2003 is a dream come true.

Unfortunately its new innovations and features aren’t worth the sticker price. The game’s hardly a lemon, but it can’t quite make it off the test drive rental lot.

Sonic Rush certainly isn't revolutionary, and it only barely makes use of the touchscreen, but it is a decent distillation of what's kept a sprite-based Sonic alive in the age of textured polygons, as long as you're fine with more of the same.

While this kind of slow, patient "stealth" gameplay has obviously been done before, it's never been done this well or been so throughly entrenched into every nuance and layer of design. [Aug 2004, p.64]

A solid and engrossing basketball game that may lack the high quality presentation and panache of EA's NCAA franchise, but holds its own with an engaging and fairly deep set of options and selectable play modes.

Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is pretty much a picture-perfect port that won't disappoint fans or newcomers to the series.

Some lazily designed levels and trite puzzles keep Fox's first planetside excursion from being the classic it could have been.

Despite not being as creative or purpose driven as previous offerings, Broken Steel is a must buy. Its natural transition from Fallout 3's original conclusion and its open-ended nature are just what fans wanted.

Treyarch and Activision have done an great job with COD3 and created an experience that is at once much the same, but also better, than its predecessor.

Episode 2 is so well written, funny and enjoyable you'll gladly submit to the domineering, steel toed boot of your new red masked overlord.

The refined gameplay, the super slick presentation and the flexible controls all add up to one of the finest racing experiences ever.

I just hope they tweaked and improve the formula to address the issues I raised earlier because even with those small bumps in the road, Split/Second is still a worthy heir to Burnout's throne. If they can smooth out the ride, it will definitely deserve to wear the crown.

Put simply, if you own Fallout: New Vegas, this one's, well, a no-brainer.

Though the Genesis played second fiddle to the Super Nintendo, it had some awesome titles and thankfully, there are enough of them on this disc to merit a look.

Although graphically underwhelming and gifted with an annoyingly repetitive soundtrack, the depth, balance, and customization make Warlord's Battlecry a keeper.

And yet, even with the flaws, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary dramatically succeeds in being a celebratory look back at what was considered a "perfect" first-person shooter experience 10 years ago.

While N+ is a polished game, I am fine leaving N as a nice Internet distraction, even if the controls aren't quite as tight as when you play these handheld versions.

The game was number three in a field of three last year, but this season it looks great and has dramatic gameplay improvements for all skill levels. [Apr 2005, p.97]

Control is crippled by the PSP's inherent lack of a second analog stick, so you won't be pulling off critical moves like circle-strafing.

Packed with a bevy of features, TimeSplitters Future Perfect is a cornucopia of candy-coated goodness for any FPS fan. If you start now, you just might be able to unlock everything by the time "Halo 3" ships to stores.

It's a thoroughly middle-of-the-road entry that drips with potential but fails thanks to some deepseeded faults.

An outstanding sequel in all aspects. It offers a lot of new and fun features, yet the game doesn't move away from the core gameplay that made the first Underground so popular, which is pure adrenaline street racing.

Complex action games haven't proven especially successful on Sony's handheld but Pirates! succeeds by offering up simple yet intuitive controls and an easy to navigate interface. [Apr 2007, p.82]

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.

Blood's flaws are easily swept aside when your guns start blasting and the bodies start falling. If you crave a good, violent corridor shooter, this is a great addition to your PC library. It's bloody fun--right down to the last drop.

Red Alert 3 is by no means a bad addition to the Red Alert series, but compared to its forebears it lacks much of the panache the series held and may hold some disappointments for fans despite the addition of a good new faction and a fairly satisfying single-player experience.

If you didn't like the original game, this expansion probably won't change your mind, but if you loved "The Sims," then "Livin' Large" will have you lovin' it even more.

It’s a well-crafted, brilliantly designed, and lovingly developed space adventure that’s every bit as gripping as "EverQuest" ever was.

The gameplay in March Madness is nearly identical to that of its big brother "NBA Live 2004," which is a big plus. The frantic pace, the tighter defense, and the importance of set plays is actually a much better fit for the college game than it is for Live.

Sim fans will be disappointed with the under-powered defense, but for twitch players, NBA Live 2003 is a dream come true.

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

This massive third-person shooter from newcomer Swingin' Ape Studios features an epic scope, boffo production, great controls, and thoroughly enjoyable gameplay propelled by a somewhat cliché-ridden yet ingratiatingly humorous story.

At first, I found ModNation's uneven racing to be a letdown, but what I've realized is that the game is more interesting as an open-ended content creation game; it's more LittleBigPlanet than it is Mario Kart, and if you put some effort and time into the game, you'll be rewarded with a garage full of interesting creations that will invariably bring you back to the track.

Ninja Theory's take on the "Journey to the West" story is one that I'd gladly revisit, and novelist Alex Garland deserves a ton of credit for helping produce this adaptation.

It offers a strong finish to some great episodic gaming. Not Trogdor strong, but pretty close.

The good news is that Halow Wars masterfully transports the series' best elements to an entirely different genre, and its unparalleled accessibility makes for an excellent introduction to real-time strategy. The bad news is that its self-imposed limitations take a meaty chunk out of its longevity.

Absolutely tears up the modern-day war zone and even one-ups the "Battlefield" stranglehold in many areas.

Fans of the previous MotorStorm title or off-road racing in general will definitely enjoy this follow-up. But the easy learning curve and fast-paced action might be enough to keep gamers who don't normally play racing games entertained.

While ATV and offroad junkies will delight in Fury's deep, challenging action, its appeal isn't mainstream enough to reel in the average racing fan.

Two Towers isn’t perfect, and it’s pretty far from groundbreaking, but it’s undeniably awesome to delve into such an authentic representation of this universe and whup some orc backside.

A virtually arcade perfect port.

It's a decent football sim thanks to its excellent Dynasty Mode; and the new tackling physics, custom playbooks, and other features are sorely needed additions. But we're deep into this generation, and expectations have been raised for sports games (and pretty much everything else). So why does it feel like I'm playing a game that should have come out in 2008?

Deep and engaging puzzle action with a heaping tablespoon of RPG elements on top. Should come with a warning label--it's that addictive.

Though at times it comes across as a goofy amalgamation of NES titles, Ninja Five-O presents a highly playable and entertaining challenge.

College is all about learning to be creative, and College Hoops 2K7 opens up a world possibilities both on and off the court.

Rather than being unfocused, Catherine is probably too focused, with its binary split between light adventure gameplay and challenging puzzles. But it clicks.

The most charming part of the game is how the music you hear while you play is tied directly to your art project. Each "mood" is a base groove, that starts off pretty slow and lacking in energy, but as you add color to the environment things get pretty jammin'.

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.

All things considered, I'd have to say that Dark Souls is a much better (if largely similar) game than Blade of Fate.

Though heinous sitting-duck A.I. keeps the single-player experience a bit wan, waging galactic civil war over the internet with real live people destroys, despite slight technical flaws and cumbersome aerial vehicle controls.

If you’re looking for rowdy, raucous action backed by unusual staying power and that familiar Midway gameplay, you’ll savor the smell of what Hitz is cooking.

Simply put, DDRMAX2 is the DDR that players know and love, but slightly flashier. Fans won’t be disappointed.

There's no sense in mincing words: Tekken 5 doesn't come close to capturing the full graphical potential of the PlayStation 3. In fact, as far as next-gen brawlers go, it's a bit on the homely side.

The crisp 2D art in Zombie Smash gives it a high-grade feel, but the music (composed by Chris Hülsbeck, who did the scores for the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron series) is the real highlight of the show.

Harvest Moon isn't for the impatient gamer, but those who stick with it long enough will discover its rustic charm.

If you're a stickler for time, or actually want to keep your REAL pets alive, then Seaman may find himself flushed down the toilet.

Catering to a portable game console and still keeping Resistance fans happy is a tall order, but at the end of the day Resistance: Retribution pulls off these difficult tasks with flying colors.

It's done a great job of balancing fun animation and serious gameplay.

Raven Software pushed the envelope with the amazing shadow effects in "Doom 3," but unfortunately Quake 4 lacks that same degree of pixel-shader pizzazz outdoors. From the blocky sky box to the drab terrain and buildings, the exterior details pale in comparison to the atmospherically cramped interior spaces.

Our first run through the game clocked in at little over four hours, which was quite disappointing. The game does have a ton of collectibles to find, including some cool Xbox 360 Achievement Awards, but just don't expect an epic 20-hour experience.

Battleheart is beautiful, well-designed, and does a great job of scratching my RPG itch. The repetitive grind offered by the battles is unfortunate, but even with a lack of variety it's a great, fairly-priced game.

Project 8 is ridiculously pretty. The overall graphics received a significant upgrade, but we were especially impressed with the character animations. The virtual skaters look and move just like their real-life counterparts... The best Tony Hawk game since "THPS2."

In the end, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 is a solid golf game that should keep you interested for hours. [Nov. 2006, p.103]

The realistic fluidity of the water and the realistic properties of the fire (they spread if left unattended) are what makes this game different.

To the Moon is a rare treat in this current crop of game releases. It doesn't break new ground with its storytelling, and it won't drop jaws with its unfolding action, but that's exactly what makes it a different kind of game. It calls for a moment of your time, and your undivided attention. It involves a lot of reading and a very little strategy. It explores a human concept -- the dying wish -- and invites you to come along. It's simple, poignant, and full of heart.

Sims fans everywhere, from the casual to the hardcore, will absolutely love all of the new additions that are packed in here. World Adventures is guaranteed to impress -- it may just be the most ambitious expansion in the franchise yet -- and it will add hours upon hours of new areas to explore and new Sims to meet.

One of the most lovingly crafted games in years, Painkiller looks awesome, sounds intimidating, and controls simply and smoothly.

To date, Wario Ware Touched is the only DS game that fully utilizes the DS's unique functions and is a must have for all DS owners.

Thanks to a wealth of sim-style features and topnotch gameplay, it narrowly establishes itself as this year's must-have hockey title.

Having never played Torchlight on the PC before, I was floored by everything the game had to offer. The looting, the character progression, and the addictive combat -- all wrapped up in an attractive bow with a low price point -- make for one fun game that you shouldn't pass up.

Until we see how well EA Sports’ "NASCAR Thunder 2002" turns out, NASCAR Heat is the stock-car game to beat.

Bomberman Ultra is a must own for fans of the series but the lack of new features doesn't make this a must buy for fans of the 2007 XBLA release. However, if you do not own a 360 and are waiting for the classic Bomberman experience on the PS3, download this version immediately.

Though switching weapons with the directional pad and both shoulder buttons takes a little time to get the hang of, the control scheme is tight and simple.

By a fair margin, NCAA March Madness 2004 comes out on top in the showdown against "ESPN College Basketball."

But for a reasonably priced downloadable game where you're driving/flying around in tiny vehicles, Renegade Ops certainly doesn't feel small. In fact, it's genuinely one of the most entertaining and polished action titles I've played on a digital platform.

Saints Row's Xbox Live presentation is a colossal step in the right direction for the genre, with its live-action lobby, imaginative game modes, and an MMO-inspired element that allows you to amass and spend the money you win online.

Ultimately, the game amounts to a very extensive map pack with one new game mode, but because the great gameplay of the original is left intact, Lumines II is still a very enjoyable experience.

The graphics are beautiful, the sound effects forceful, and the between-challenge sports anchor schtick light and amusing, but the way these elements mesh forges a rich consistency greater than the sum of its parts.

May not have the best control scheme or huge production values, but it does have heart - this one pays like a labor love. Crazy, wacky, weird, mad love. [Oct 2004, p.110]

There are over 400 missions, which is insanely impressive and the depth of the weapon and armor customization is ridiculously. But in the end, all that content feels kind of wasted due to the horrible camera and lackluster combat.

Z.H.P. is a great introduction to the roguelike genre for those unfamiliar with it, as well as a solid title overall. It still won't appeal to those with a severe dearth of patience -- or those who hate the idea of any sort of permanent penalty for failure -- but if you're looking for a fun (and funny) trip into one of gaming's more underappreciated genres, Z.H.P. is a great time.

The game's difficulty curve is a bit too sharp, but it's fun to experiment in the environment, even if it takes a while to get a puzzle right.

Saint's Row 2 deserves props for its phenomenal customization and inventive multiplayer modes-including drop in and out cooperative play-but it's derivative design lacks polish and panache. It's entertaining, but it's also outclassed by its competitors.

An awesome new first-person shooter with the chops and options to tangle with the best.

Of the three, only the PS2 version seems prone to annoying split-second jitters and pauses that break up the animation.

Whether you plan to acquire it as a collector’s item or just want to get acquainted with Mega Man’s past, you can be sure it’s going to be one heck of a trip back into time.

Even with its A.I. problems, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance will restore gamers' faith in the pioneering fight series with its amped-up gameplay and delicious visuals.

If you’re looking for rowdy, raucous action backed by unusual staying power and that familiar Midway gameplay, you’ll savor the smell of what Hitz is cooking.