Tropico 3 had a very clear progression of campaign missions, and while Tropico 4 does have a campaign, it seems more focused on intra-mission tasks rather than overall goals.

Cearly, the new team feature needs to be better tuned as do the disappointing visuals. [Oct 2005, p.100]

Maybe the option that tips the scales for you is Madness's all-mascot teams. [Jan 2005, p.106]

Miles Edgeworth is worth picking up if you're an Ace Attorney fan, as the cameos are delightful -- keep your eyes peeled for Lotta Hart! -- and the cases are still interesting enough, even though they're far too easy and much too predictable.

It shows a lot more polish and precision than previous versions, and will give you hours of hard checking NHL and international team competition.

A superb-looking, straightforward platformer that no interested GBA gamer should miss.

It's a sweet package for your permanent library, bu tif you've played any earlier version and aren't a Tony junkie, you can get by with a rental to check out the new stuff.

A solid, enjoyable snowboarder with a fairly high difficulty factor and lots of gameplay.

The wonderful level designs and slick character animations are hampered by draw-in, some slowdown, and poor collision detection.

It’s just weird enough to be worth owning for posterity.

A gorgeous rendition of the old Castlevania tale. Castlevania’s a 3D platform spectacle that definitely warrants a good look from N64 owners everywhere--you won’t find better hauntings than this one.

While Iron lore deserve kudos for the much-needed tweaks, it's a shame they didn't take more ambitious chances and really push the formula to new heights. On the plus side, if you liked "Diablo II" or "Dungeon Siege II," you're sure to love Titan Quest. It is, after all, almost precisely the same game.

The comfortable control scheme adapts well to the myriad of mission types (thanks to a forgiving targeting system), and makes switching between standard first-person shooting and the ultra-cool vehicular combat sequences a cinch.

That said, the suite of options completes what is a very nice package for strategy fans. Honestly, I'm a little shocked by the overall quality of the experience; in lesser hands, I'm sure it would have ended up being a mediocre port of the console shooters. Instead, we've been treated to a scrumptious strategy experience from one of the best designers in the business. It's not a turn that I was expecting for the Ghost Recon franchise, but I will definitely take it.

It tries everything, and is maybe a bit too crazy for its own good, but it's definitely unforgettable. Your mileage will vary in accordance with your sanity.

It pumps up the star power with plenty of show, but Superstar Freestyle doesn't ignore the go. Whether your real-life NBA team is headed for playoff stardom or a ticket to the lottery, NBA Live should make the 2006 just a little more enjoyable.

But as good as the action is it's the replay value of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon that makes it unbelievable. There's so much to do outside the main arcade mode that you'll feel almost overwhelmed with choices. [Dec. 2006, p.115]

However, don't expect too much more content than new tests and more Sudoku grids. [Sep 2007, p.80]

While it may come off as unimaginative and highly repetitive to some, there is an ample amount of entertainment awaiting fans of the Sega Rally series, and those fans of arcade racers in general.

Despite its setbacks, Kinetica is a decent racer that’s worth trying—it offers a phenomenal visual rush into new age racing.

Though most of the songs are poppy club music, there’s a surprising amount of variety and the tunes serve their purpose perfectly. For the truly extreme, dancing across two pads offers the ultimate challenge for your skills.

Comes up like the Calgary Flames - a very close second - because "ESPN NHL 2K5" is the better game due to its overall complete package. [Dec 2004, p.146]

It’s kinda clever, but once you get the basic formula its not very challenging.

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.

Up against such performance powerhouses as "Burnout," "Gran Turismo," and "Midnight Club," it simply can't compete.

If you're looking for an iOS game with triple-A production values and you've already played both Infinity Blade and Rage, Death Rally is a good bet.

Like every other remake of Final Fantasy IV, the Complete Collection has its share of quirks. But ultimately, the quality of the 20-year-old original shines through.

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.

But in the process of making Field Commander appeal to a more hardcore audience, Sony Online Entertainment also made the game far blander than it should be. Unit design is purely uninspired and the story and accompanying dialogue are as trite as the next game.

Mos Speedrun plays a lot like the recently-released League of Evil, and by that I mean that it does platforming right on a device where few have succeeded. Everything from the beat-heavy chiptune soundtrack to the high-resolution "8-bit" graphics reek of polish, and the game itself controls beautifully.

If FIFA isn't quite realistic enough for your taste, WTS should scratch your soccer itch with its tight, sim-style gameplay and solid lineup of features, which includes custom teams, season play, the World Cup, and a variety of other cups.

While there aren't as many modes as in a pure multiplayer FPS like "Unreal Tournament," you'll be treated to an intense and thoroughly entertaining skirmish.

The prerendered scenery would be stunningly beautiful if it wasn’t so darn creepy—it’s some of the best scenery on the PlayStation.

It's a great game that makes you think before you act, a welcome change from all the fast action games of today.

If the cute characters don’t hook you, the gameplay definitely will.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan with Buddha-like patience, you’ll likely love this game.

Variety in mission types and two different worlds in which to fight keeps "Air Combat" from getting stale, and the easy controls make flying toy missions a simple pleasure.

For Pokemon fans, this is a wonderful game; for everyone else, it's likely a waste of time.

In all, 2006 FIFA World Cup is a no-brainer buy for soccer fans and is at least worth a rental for everyone else. [Jun 2006, p.82]

I'd recommend it in an instant to fans of the developer's past works, and just as fast to those looking for a fresh, fun shooter with a penchant for the eccentric.

Whether through it's trademark music or unique take on the film's plot, The Godfather does something that licensed video games have tried and failed to accomplish in the past - give gamers a good time and an experience worthy of the film it's emulating.

If you're a Mr. Bill fan you'll undoubtedly love the senseless violence on show here, but it's worth noting that even haters like myself will get a kick out of it as well.

This game probably won't appeal to new fans but it has more than enough to keep die-hard mud flingers satisffied. [Dec. 2006, p.119]

It exhibits the same sense of polish and depth that made the original Tiberium Wars such a classic.

While undeniably odd, there's just something about it that pulls you in and doesn't let go until you've expended hours of your precious time on the thing.

A fun title that offers a unique and fun single-player experience, Alien Zombie Mega Death is a certainly worth your hard earned money. Don't let those space babies go it alone.

It's a solid platformer with fresh mechanics and fantastic presentation, and it really shouldn't be missed, especially by those with fond memories of the Lemmings series.

However, Liberation is a worthy new chapter in the Killzone series and does more right than it does wrong. [Dec. 2006, p.122]

All these criticisms may make it sound like Apocalypse is a substandard game, but it isn't. It's just that the stuff that's different from previous MotorStorm games is mostly bungled or simply boring, but the stuff that's the same is still enjoyable. Apocalypse is just a vanilla, if basically solid, racing game that tries to throw a few curveballs at you, but ends up hitting the backstop instead of the strike zone.

With fun 15 levels to play through, The Last Guy is certainly worth a look.However, the downside is that the game has a very short life span.

One humongous drawback to this otherwise seemingly outstanding surf game, however, is the ongoing slowdown.

MG2 doesn’t move the series forward far enough from its PlayStation roots, but if you’ve got a melodic itch to scratch, it’s still worth renting to make your own boogie-down productions.

Shaolin Monks certainly has its problems, but the action at its heart is the most enjoyable the series has offered in ages.

My suggestion: skip the single-player campaign and head straight to online play.

Despite a few well-placed jolts, it lacks the unmentionable-damaging impact of more fright-fraught fare like "Silent Hill 2."

This is no sim by any stretch, even with the new Franchise mode. Still, it is a decent game of belligerent baseball with mindless fun and laughs for anybody looking to play two - whether that's a doubleheader or just a deuce of innings. [July 2004, p.96]

As a "comic-to-movie-to-game" of sorts, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a resounding triumph, and well worth its measly $10 price-tag.

Ape Escape 3 runs smoothly and is worth your hard earned dollar. [Mar 2006, p.79]

On one hand it has plenty of great ideas and promise, but it lacks that polish that helps elevate games towards greatness. I'd still recommend that gamers check out Universe At War but it's a shame that it doesn't quite live up to its potential.

The beautifully animated black-and-white game has recently been updated to universally function on both the iPad and the iPhone, with another selectable soundtrack from the always-excellent Danny Baranowsky added to the iPad package, making the game's HD debut that much sweeter.

While it's light on content and features and isn't about to make anyone forget about the triple-A racing titles coming out this holiday, Daytona USA is an enjoyable ride that proves that great gameplay almost always ages well. For those who still long for the simplicity of old school titles and the challenges that typically come with it, this downloadable slice of gaming nostalgia is well worth a look.

The graphics will suck you in and the audio is lovable too.

Everything is in place for an absolutely great game that's unfortunately bogged down in a mess of bad design decisions, bugs, and some odd gameplay changes.

Throw in a slightly Euro-trash sound track (with excellent play-by-play commentary) and a consistent and fluid control scheme and FIFA 06 is a great way for soccer fans to hook up for some foot-to-foot action via the online infrastructure mode or some solo season play.

This game require real patience. There's no way to speed through long-distance trips, so it pays to keep a magazine handy (psst, you're holding one).

SC2 improves upon its predecessor by taking the franchise formula and upgrading it in a very tangible way.

With tons of multiplayer options, cool new technological levels, and two slightly different characters to try, the new "Turok" should offer enough to keep you busy when you're tired of "Perfect Dark."

A ridiculously fun pick-up-and-pummel kind of game. Just don’t buy it expecting a revolution.

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

The visuals are quite stunning. The 3D environment is extremely detailed from the cheering crowd down to the reflections off the ice. Everything flows very smoothly with precise control of your player and accurate skating animations.

It's faster and nastier than most of the kindred of "Resident Evil" at the cost of losing a bit of edge. [May 2004, p.71]

It should come as no surprise that THAW is well endowed with generously sized, multilayered domains for which to carry out all your skating aggression--half-pipes, quarter-pipes, pools, wires, rails, and so much more are in abundant supply.

For fans wanting a return to the franchise's classic roots, I feel like Kirby's Return to Dream Land is apt to be a bit disappointing. The charm is still there, but the creativity seems to have gone amiss.

Simply put, Underground 2 is 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.

Through and through, this remake of Final Fantasy III has been a wonderful return to old school RPGs. Fans of Final Fantasy will definitely enjoy this nostalgic trip to a simpler time, and RPG fans in general would be well served to pick up this fun title.

Essentially, it’s the original Smuggler’s Run, but with video clips included.

MTX's visuals definitely contribute to the fun time. Bikers and their motorized partners look sharp, while the arenas surprisingly offer a lot of detail. [June 2004, p.71]

The controls, however, are a challenge (even with "simulation" turned off) and take some getting used to -- particularly when maneuvering in and out of corners.

Hardly a turn passes in the game where you aren't faced with a potentially crucial decision, making for addictive, "just one more turn" strategy gaming at its best. And the best Heroes game since "HOMM III."

The tone might be almost overwhelmingly saccharine sweet, with even the caricature Nazis of the films stripped of their insignia and leering malice, but all gamers, young or old, are virtually guaranteed a great time. [July 2008, p.78]

The reason for buying Rise of Flight, you'll quickly see, is the graphics. Most notably, it's the planes.

The gorgeous GameCube version delivers the best graphical pop in the slew of Chamber of Secrets games.

It boasts a fun engine, endearingly weird characters, and funny voices and sound effects, but lacks a few key customization options that keep it from becoming the ultimate champ.

For what it attempts, the tower-defense aspects are not well explained enough, or implemented simply enough, to raise Dungeon Defenders above the slew of similar games out there.

What little it lacks in gameplay sits UT a close second to Eidos' excellent "TimeSplitters."

DK: Jungle Climber is arguably more of what we saw in King of Swing, but with updated graphics. For those who felt that game was already a one-trick pony, it may be an undesirable sequel, but tons of hard-to-reach collectibles, unlockable mini-games, and four-player downloadable battles will keep the rest of us honing our skills for hours.

King of Fighters XIII is a title that every fighting game fan should take notice of. It's gorgeous and surprisingly accessible, yet challenging and deep for competitive play. There's no shortage of solo gameplay appeal, either: the characters are great, the story is intriguing, and there's a wealth of varied content to keep you playing.

At times it's frustrating and you'll die more than you'll succeed, but when you actually do accomplish a mission, it's all worth it.

Dead Nation may not be perfect -- the imbalance towards co-op keeps it from becoming a truly great solo experience -- but compared to its competition, this is one corpse that still has some fight in it.

Brings the super stylish world of Marvel comics to life with beautiful and enjoyable results, but ultimately spins a regrettably short Spidey story-mode experience.

If Black was created to produce an adrenaline-induced euphoria of maddening guns going wild, then it is a total success. In the sequel, as the end of the story sets up, let's hope the AI is improved and includes at least some type of multiplayer.

Stranglehold might stumble occasionally under its own ambitious weight, and might not quite deliver on all its promises and potential, but it's still a unique and absorbing 8-hour tour through a legendary action director's potent unfilmable dreams.

Considering everything you get with this title -- a solid single player campaign, a diverse multiplayer suite, and just plain fun shooter gameplay -- Section 8: Prejudice is a steal at $15.

A wholly enjoyable if gruelingly difficult dungeon-crawler, Etrian Odyssey III is a worthwhile improvement on its predecessors, offering a variety of new features, options for customization, and fresh challenges to face.

While the story line is relayed in a disappointing series of 2D images and conversation captions (no animated cut-scenes or voice acting), and even the fights don't push the PS2 to its graphical limit, the interactive gameplay is entertaining enough to make up for it.

Compelling gameplay features elevate True Crime beyond mere GTA-clone status, but a cliché-riddled script and control issues keep it from being monstrously cool.

It’s a fun game that slowly grows on you, but like all MMO games, it takes a special kind of gamer to enjoy.

Looks and plays almost exactly like the original GT Advance—not a problem if you liked powersliding around the first game, but disappointing if you were expecting fifty dozen cars and pages of intricate tuning options.