The shifty A.I. and the blistering enemy fire aren't the only things that make Euro Assault the toughest MOH to date. Health power-ups and revives are at a premium and if you die you have to restart the mission from scratch.

If you don't mind a somewhat simplistic third person shooter and are a Star Wars fan you could do much worse than Renegade Squadron.

If you want an RPG experience that's not heavy-handed on the story and touts some truly unique gameplay, then you definitely need to pick up Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier

I didn't expect Guitar Hero Smash Hits to dramatically change what has become a tried-and-true formula, but I definitely anticipated a better value proposition than this.

Sadly, the execution simply falls well short in this case.

Instead of just slapping together a string of mayhem-filled events, Monster created an absorbing and surprisingly unique Career mode that makes the game worth playing for a good while. [Oct 2004, p.78]

Make no mistake: you can have a lot of fun with The Force Unleashed. [Oct 2008, p.88]

If you know what you're getting yourself into, Fast Racing League is worth your time. A racer more reliant on strategy than brawn is always a good thing. But it suffers from some serious flaws, and unless you're already a big fan of the futuristic racing genre, this $10 title will likely comes at too high a price.

If you don't mind missing out on cooperative play, and if the 3D dogfight addition appeals to you, it's certainly worth the extra ten bucks.

In this case, though, it’s better to travel with a legend in a book than play as one on the PlayStation.

But playing this game live on the console systems lacks the finesse and speed to which you're accustomed. Lag is apparent everywhere, from watching other players float across the ground to empting an entire magazine into a foe at close range with no effect.

The challenge with Groove is to make it feel less like a mechanical button-pressing game and more like you’re actually dancing, and that, my friends, is all up to you.

Soulstorm is certainly not a bad expansion pack, but time has certainly conspired against it. Being released almost four years after the base game much of the game is showing its legs, especially in the graphics department.

By playing Banjo-Tooie, you can get a sense of what platformers used to be like. Besides Nintendo with Mario, no one pulls them off better than Rare and this is no more evident than in this well-made remake of the classic Banjo-Tooie.

It's more suited as a light snack and won't satisfy your hunger for a gourmet feat of beat-em-up goodness. [Nov 2006, p.93]

This game is not for the faint of heart and should be reserved for those that enjoy repetitive battles and watching badly built sprites bumble across their television screen.

The scores of happy families, the gentle and caring characters you've grown up with your entire life, and the chance to virtually wander around a place that is so beloved can't help but make you smile.

Although you’ll encounter heavy slowdown and flat textures, the graphics are pretty slick.

The combination of "Thief"-style sneaking with smart enemy A.I. and the use of realistic weapons-piano wire, silenced pistols, sniper rifles, and even M-60s-creates an intense experience, though many gamers will be frustrated by the lack of in-game saving.

If you throw a lot of parties or have people over often, this is a good game to have on hand, especially if you're just looking to have a night of casual fun with some friends. [Feb 2008, p.82]

But in the meantime, it's the only game in town, and it's certainly not a bad one at all. While it might be lacking some options to give it longer replay value, PES 2011 plays a sophisticated and subtle game of football, and delivers a terrific-looking 3D soccer experience.

Too bad the slow pace of the gameplay hobbles the cool concept.

Racer Revenge looks more like a first-generation PS2 game, complete with draw-in and bland environments. The sounds can be just as dull.

Showcases a pleasant portion of gory violence and splashy red sprays, but the aloof camera can easily loses your character in the sea of suffering humanity, forcing you to rely on blind button mashing.

Though it misses a beat here and there, DAMM ultimately rocks hard in the gameplay department.

Ms. Pac Man sometimes gets a mind of her own when you tell her where to go, but the simple controls keep gameplay chomping along.

The game is also rather short, but when every outrageous environment is so chock full of goodies, and the atmosphere so relentlessly positive, it's still hard to resist playing just one more time.

Nexus is a welcome addition to the Armored Core franchise, but for all the upgrades and tweaks that From Software has instituted for this latest version, it seems too little, too late, and too bad. [Nov 2004, p.106]

An excellent flashback to old-school gaming in its finest hour. [Feb 2006, p.70]

Drawn to Life is a must-have for every DS owner's library. [Oct 2007, p.87]

The controls fall into the same annoying trap as other touch-control FPS games in that you're always resetting your thumb to look around.

The move to the PS2 meant the omission of any type of communication among teammates whatsoever. You can press one button to taunt or another button to cheer, and that’s it.

For those with patience, a good sense of direction, and an interest in the obscure, you owe it to yourself to try the game out. If you have a short temper or enjoy the mundane, it's best you avoid making contact with this one.

The saving grace in this title is the level design. A living breathing world has never looked so good.

Still, there's no denying that the Tony Hawk franchise has some life left in it and Proving Ground is yet another deep and satisfying entry in the dominant skateboarding franchise. [Dec 2007, p.120]

Pac-Land has never looked better, cartoonishly but lushly rendered, and full of bright colors and crisp 3D objects.

Test Drive needed this reboot, and the gritty, underground-racing angle isn’t bad; it just doesn’t feel as thrilling or daring as it should.

The first game’s take on noir was fresh and powerful; the sequel has the same haunted spirit with less surprise value. While Max Payne’s rain-soaked world is a weary one, it’s also undeniably compelling.

It takes more than formulaic adventuring and dusty turn-based combat to craft a role-playing title worthy of the LOTR name.

Even though the graphics aren't the greatest and there's nothing new about the actual gameplay, Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition is still incredibly fun to play. Playing through both very brief story modes made me really jones for a PS3 Twisted Metal, so go out and buy this title, if only to encourage Sony to do up a proper new-gen Twisted Metal title!

Big Time Gangsta is a successful sim with a gritty, urban aesthetic. Likely to offend, this addictive game has a familiar gameplay mechanic but an unfortunately short shelf life.

What works about Excite Truck? Simply put, its use of the Wii Remote provides a more tactile feel to an otherwise straightforward destruction derby racer. Without the Wii's controller, Excite Truck would barely be worth a glance.

Still, Crimson could stand to be a little more robust and varied. Its comparatively paltry three classes beg for DLC, as does its four hour campaign; similarly, there are only a few enemy types per themed map, and the game doesn't seem to rebalance unit numbers for multiple players. Perhaps next time Certain Affinity should concentrate just a hair less on arcade simplicity; until then this is still a worthy note in a crowded genre.

Unfortunately, the PS3 version features a choppier frame rate. F.E.A.R. is still playable, but the frame rate doesn't maintain a preferred rate of 30 frames per second, giving the action a slightly sluggish feel. Luckily, the controls give super-precise targeting abilities, which helps compensate.

When I wasn't thrashing foes along complex battle maps, I was laughing my ass off at the brilliant cutscene sequences.

A mix of average to good games, along with some classic stinkers that should have probably faded away in to obscurity.

It's a serviceable game, but it doesn't excel in any regard.

Unfortunately, in order for a player to lay claim to Frantic Farming mastery, he'll need to perfect one specific technique. [Aug 2009, p.84]

The controls are tight, the action is fierce, and the game is funny. And for only 40 bucks, that's definitely A Good Thing.

Urban Chaos tries to be different than other FPS titles, and it manages to get a few things right. But shoddy visuals and generic action bring the game down to the depths of mediocrity. [July 2006, p.78]

I'm really looking forward to seeing if Activision can fix the bugginess of this initial release and, if possible, keep a steady stream of song packs coming in the near future.

Bujingai ultimately falls short of the mark with a barely there story, doggy camerawork, and a surprisingly short completion time.

The soundtrack is soothing. The gameplay is simple enough for casual jaunts, while offering enough complexity to leave you tearing your hair out in the best sort of frustration. And it's only $10 - go buy this.

Its wanton weirdness is still as charming as it was on the Wii, and its nonsensical narrative is always enjoyable. So if you're anxious to rekindle your bloodlust in the most over-the-top manner available, Heroes' Paradise may be worth a look.

The real fun for many IC players will be the Army Editor, which lets you play with combinations of animals and create your own creatures.

Siren’s ghouls not only search for you with flashlights and come at you with shovels, but they also skitter along telephone wires and snipe you from rooftops. They don’t die.

A slightly better value than 2002 with tweaked gameplay and a few new features. The problem is that the competition has jumped ahead substantially within the same time frame.

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

If you're looking for a long-term relationship with your handheld action RPG, and can suffer through a couple of rough patches, you will find yourself in the loving embrace of all the addictive content Monster Hunter Freedom 2 has to offer.

In between some breakneck driving and intense gunplay, you get plenty of tough guy angst, wicked doublecrosses, and excruciatingly brutal thuggery.

This isn't the sort of MMO that asks you to park for hours on end several nights in a row. It's more of a co-operative or competitive multiplayer action game, perfect for short intense visits. And because your character doesn't sport rows of tiny icons for a thousand different skills, DC Universe is also perfect for less frequent visits.

With over 40 challenging stages to push through and bot upgrades that reward you with cool retro game blocks to collect on repeat play throughs, Blocks That Matter has a lot of content for its meager price. But despite the immense level of creativity infused throughout the entire experience, there are still moments where the gameplay is not that enjoyable to muscle through. Unless you crave a good brain bending, your mileage may vary with this one.

The gameplay gets old quick. Shoot, scroll, shoot, scroll. Lather, rinse, repeat.

An excellent set of unique-mini-games. [Jan 2006, p.99]

Coming in there shouldn't be any expectation that Commanders: Attack of the Genos is trying to do anything new for the turn-based strategy genre. Instead it offers a fairly substantial amount of gameplay for a fairly small price tag, which should be enough enticement to grab those in need of another turn-based game.

We praise the designers' decision to make Adol a speedy little devil, so darting around towns and inevitably retreading terrain isn't such a tedious chore.

Despite its flaws, MLB Bobblehead Pros does a great job of blending the light heartedness of a sports arcade game with the complexity of a more traditional sports sim.

The between-level load times are also slow, but the greatest concern is the unhelpful and idiotic friendly A.I. that leaves you alone, fending off hordes of attacking wolves while your siblings stand stupidly by.

A technological treat, with virtually zero loading, crisp colors, and a pleasingly quirky little soundtrack. There's no multiplayer, though Tokobot's single-player is engrossing enough to soak up your valuable attention for a good eight hours.

If you spent time jamming quarters into Samurai Shodown 2 in an arcade somewhere back in the day, this game is worth a look. But if you're looking for a classic, fun 2D fighter on XBLA, you could do better.

Despite these shortcomings, Destination Berlin’s blend of battlefield strategy and sneaky infiltration will appeal to experienced strategy fans. Novices should scout out another battle.

The game really creates the feeling of being Spider-Man like no game before it, and for many Marvel fans, that will be more than enough... Yet many gamers will be dismayed by the finicky camera and formulaic gameplay.

There is likely no other game with this combination of strategy, competition, planning, and fast-paced action out there.

There's no denying that the Tony Hawk franchise has some life left in it and Proving Ground is yet another satisfying entry in the dominant skateboarding franchise. But here's hoping they start to innovate again next year, because if they don't, their competition might just leave them in the dust.

The sound becomes annoying because the same track plays on loop. Trash Panic's graphics are impressive for a pretty simple downloadable game. Maybe that's why the game is more than 1GB!

Instead of trying to retell the story of the movie, Cars 2 evokes the experience of the film through gameplay.

The game provides an astonishing amount of playability, unique player interface, and covers nearly all of the 20 odd years of the Dragon Ball Saga. This game is a definite buy for both Wii gamers and DBZ fans alike. [Dec. 2006, p.113]

For a game with such a heavy emphasis on medieval combat, Mount & Blade is just shy of perfection.

The PlayStation 2 certainly isn't left wanting for quality role-playing games, so though Tales of Legendia is competent and enjoyable, in the end it simply isn't memorable enough to carve more than a niche.

When there's dirty work to be done and you're looking for a hired gun, looks and originality don't matter much-all that matters is whether they can get the job done. You can approach Mercenaries 2 in the same way, letting it do its thing instead of obsessing about its shortcomings. Sure, it isn't exactly pretty and it doesn't reinvent the wheel but it does pack a nice satisfying punch.

Wallace & Gromit: The Last Resort is a bit tougher than Telltale's usual adventure offerings, but if you're up for the challenge, this is one of the more quirky and adorable games in the developer's lineup.

The PSP version is as good as its console counterparts except for the criminal lack of multiplayer options. If you can stomach the thought of taking on the forces of evil without a human sidekick, then this is definitely a game you should buy.

Endless Ocean's underwater atmosphere is soothing and relaxing but it lacks a crucial element: fun. [Feb 2008, p.84]

Could have been a bit better, had the control been tighter and the tracks more interesting, but as it is, you're better off playing any of the myriad mascot kart-racers out there.

One of the biggest drawbacks of Mana is the story. Any RPG—especially any RPG made in this day and age—had better have a great story if it’s going to keep your attention. But Mana’s tale is lacking conflict, its characters are dull, and its towns are full of…well, not all that much interesting.

The gameplay is where Super DBZ truly shines. From the first time you load up and play Super DBZ, you'll notice the game religiously pays homage to the Akira Toriyama Dragon Ball universe.

A solid mix of story, action, and adventure, Sudeki does just about everything one would expect. The main quest could have been longer -- it clocks in a bit shy of 20 hours -- but the length is more than made up for by the complete immersion factor of the world.

Simply put, the controls are awful.

A cohesive game with the sum of all of its parts adding up to a frightening whole.

Unfortunately, thanks to the unwieldy controls and poor design choices, Prinny bombs. [Mar 2009, p.81]

Corridor-shooter gamers in general should be pleased with Blood II, but bloodthirsty fans of the original game may be disappointed. Spilling Blood is still a thrill, but it was more fun the first time around.

Mario Party DS is actually a pretty good Mario Party installment, but it's ultimately meant for gamers who regularly get together with their friends for some DS gaming.

Despite the lack of multiplayer capabilities and dearth of social options, the free game is definitely worth a look-- for shock value alone.

MK vs. DC isn't the best Mortal Kombat game, not by a country mile, but for the first time in years this series feels relevant and energized.

The frustrating trial and error aspect is the main issue I find with this cute budget title. As it gets more difficult it just seems like more and more trial and error: Memorize the sequence of actions to take and perform them as flawlessly as possible.

Action mode is fast-paced, as you seek out a fresh pathway for a pursing tank, which becomes immobile if gel blocks stand in its way. Puzzle mode, however, is less stressful.

The fourth installment in the space-faring series, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, not only blows recent next-gen JRPGs out of the water, but proves itself a fantastic swan-song for the cult-favorite space opera.

If you can't fathom the appeal of 2D old-school revival, save your cash; otherwise, grab a lance and skewer some flying eyeballs. [Oct. 2006, p.93]