While business minutia often drags down world-building sims, Operation Genesis offers enough variety and a bit of real action to not only set it apart but also keep players very satisfied.

If either half of Wrath Unleashed had been more fully formed, the game would have been easy to recommend, but as it stands, half a fighting game and half a strategy game does not make a whole game. [Mar 2004, p.64]

Serious Sam delivers all the requirements of an exciting FPS, and the 20-buck asking price is a sweet incentive.

It's just that missing level of polish that's more like an entire coat of paint they left off that holds this game back. 2K Sports knows how to make quality sports games, so I can't figure out why MLB 2K can't get its act together. But at this point it's going to take a concerted effort to put out a complete product before the series even approaches relevancy.

As the most challenging Dynasty Warriors to date, 5 is also the most satisfying - but with so little changes over the years this latest installment may feel like a rehash to most. [May 2005, p.96]

Exigo's multileveled gameplay is a good first step in an interesting direction, but unfortunately, that's not always enough to compete in the brutally competitive RTS genre. With more tweaking, Armies of Exigo could definitely give Blizzard a run for its money. [Dec 2004, p.126]

Knuckles is a blast to play with, because he can climb walls -- bringing a different aspect to the game from simply spinning and rolling like Sonic. Also, if you own Sonic 1, 2 or 3 in your XBLA game library, you can play as Knuckles in them as well, a little added extra courtesy of Seeeeeggaaa!

Sticking to a basic and virtually flawless RPG format isn't necessarily a bad way to introduce X and his frieinds to a turn-based style of gameplay. [Nov 2004, p.156]

Unfortunately, Kya is a very difficult game to play as the controls are not particularly intuitive and the camera seems to delight in going haywire during delicate jumping situations.

Although it is not a title for everyone, fitness enthusiasts will get a kick out of this simple title.

The biggest problem with Sonic Battle is the poor game design in Story mode. Earning Skill Points, and thereby new abilities for Emerl the Robot, is a grueling ordeal.

If you're looking for some racing-combat fun, this pod if for you.

Even though it's not a wholly fresh experience, Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain of Memories is definitely worth a try, especially if you didn't play the original GBA release.

Casual gamers might be able to overlook these faults but longtime Sims fans shouldn't let the brand name fool them into investing in it. [Nov 2007, p.96]

We were also dismayed at how quickly the game lost its appeal; a few levels of the same old, same old and we were ready to call it quits. Beyond a few interesting boss fights, it rarely strays from its simplistic "kill everything and move on" formula.

If you've played a Pokemon Ranger adventure before, just be aware that Guardian Signs isn't much of a departure from the last two titles in the series.

Madballs offers a complete package for $10 but because of a lacking online community you will be playing most of the game in single player mode. Overall, Madballs is worth a purchase if you are looking for a fast paced shooter.

Goblet of Fire adds some interesting enhancements, like bonus-granting Collector's Cards that can be bought and equipped, but it's just too tightly wound to stale gameplay convention to succeed.

I'd suggest you pass this one up unless you're a Wii fanatic, a light-gun aficionado, or a Zelda freak who just has to have every single Link game around. [Feb 2008, p.77]

Shoot'em up purists won't be deterred by these issues as "Joint Strike" does have something to offer, especially when playing with a partner. But for most gamers, who after buying the game have already put their 40 quarters on the arcade cabinet glass, some continues should have been included.

The real standout feature that sets this game apart is how players must manage their forces not only on the planet's surface, but also in the asteroid orbit above, and in the deep tunnels and caverns below.

The dance floor has never looked so dismal.

While not the deepest game around, there’s enough here to keep you engaged for weeks, especially in two-player mode.

Displays great imagination and attention to detail that is at once challenging, innovative, and fun. It accomplishes the task of re-creating the venerable beat-em-up genre with honor. [Mar 2004, p.62]

A perfectly run-of-the-mill platform mascot adventure, Ty doesn’t do anything wrong, necessarily—it just doesn’t bring anything particularly new or exciting to the table.

Filled with enough chaos and wicked humor to forgive the slight reliance on platform clichés, Whiplash really is a hell of a game. With a little more polish before release, this game could have been a true masterpiece.

But if you've got a choice, spring for the darker, freakier Xbox version.

In the end, it's important to note that this game will likely only appeal to hardcore series fans and masochists. But for those gamers looking for an incredible challenge and yearning for a title that feels like it comes from a bygone era of gaming, these flightless birds could be just the thing for you.

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.

The Galaga collection is a special kind of questionable. The question is if you're so into Galaga that you'd be willing to pay for and play up to four variations on the game that all look homogenous. Just don't forget that for $2.99 you can get the earlier Galaga Remix, which gives you two full games for the price of one, and is just as much a celebration of Galaga.

Playing side by side with some friends did yield some fun moments at times -- tag-teaming enemies with combos of physical and magical abilities, working together to solve puzzles, or the flustered excitement of teamwork-under-duress that's only possible in local multiplayer made me really wish the game wasn't quite so gimped. But in the end, the series' rep for punishing gameplay is intact, leaving this competently flawed experience as an oscillation between fleeting enjoyment and agitated boredom.

I do commend Codemasters for catering to the Wii with a brand new Overlord game instead of porting over Overlord II, which could only have ended in tears -- but give us a challenge guys. We're not stupid.

Although the game won't make its competitors sweat, it will definitely make them keep an eye out for future World Tour Soccer games. [June 2004, p.86]

Not to say that Crash Bash can't be played alone, but when there's a room full of people, Crash Bash suddenly becomes ten times more fun.

One of the biggest surprises in Orcs and Elves is the clever game design, which keeps the game engaging and fresh.

It's like an ugly puppy: it's not appealing to look at and it sometimes makes a mess, but it's got a special quality that makes you love it regardless.

Although it may not match the majesty of the books, The Chronicles of Narnia is still a solid choice for a group of younger gamers.

Brink is about two or three updates from being one of my favorite shooters of all time, but I'm not reviewing the game I want it to be. I'm reviewing the game that it is, and what it is is something just short of being the awesome experience that I want.

A mild-mannered blood-spattered adventure that's worth a one-time run through, and doesn't have a warrior's tenacity for a long-term fight to the legendary halls of action gods.

And to have the ability to see all 22 players on the field at one time as well as have the kick meter on the lower screen is more of a novelty than a practicality.

Interacting with the animals and learning their different idiosyncrasies is compelling and fun, but it takes a backseat to the conventional platformer mechanics that the genre is slowly leaving behind.

Sadly, Ducati's not first-rate in this trial run.

There’s a major Nostalgia Factor for those who were playing PC games in 1994, and the single-pak multiplay helps, but if you’ve never heard of Jazz, “old-school” will just mean “kinda generic.”

Fans of the Battle Network series will delight in the further adventures of Lan and Mega Man, but everyone else is warned to stay clear. [Aug 2004, p.78]

True-blue Medal of Honor fans will still enjoy Rising Sun’s cinematic style, respectful and historically accurate atmosphere, and heavily arcade feel. But for many, the game will feel too familiar in a fast-food way, lacking that old Medal of Honor magic.

Naturally lacks the novelty of the original, but it succeeds in correcting nearly all its faults... even if it creates a few in the process. [June 2003, p.112]

Hardcore fans of the original's online modes might find enough to justify a purchase, but the monotonous campaign and overall lackluster design makes it hard to recommend to anyone else. And if you didn't care for the original, don't expect anything in Lost Planet 2 to drastically sway your opinion.

Some youngsters might get impatient with stopping the action to draw every little nick-nack in the game (which requires a lot of sheathing and unsheathing the stylus), but those with an artistic flair will have a great time.

While the Time Sweeper platformer aspect of the game is tight, the Tom Tom pig gameplay is where Blinx 2 really shines.

Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic is one of those games that really feels like it is missing online multiplayer.

What really counts here is the gameplay, and in that sense, Regeneration is a fitting tribute to the films. It's great, gory fun to hack limbs off your Deadite foes, and the targeting and combo system are up to the challenge...even if the camera angles suffer from time to time.

Fun at first, but soon becomes repetitive-both in terms of the Punisher's actions and the criminals' voice responses. Add to that weak graphics and animation, as well as not enough opportunities to "enjoy" Punisher's originality, and you end up with an adventure that turns a bit stale too quickly.

The characters are sloppily animated, and when the camera zooms out, the fight is shown in an odd, blurry style that mars the action.

Light years better than its ugly-as-sin predecessor and is already worthy to compete against Sony's Offroad Fury series.

This is perhaps the only game in the genre to actually make each race feel unique and balanced... However, it isn't enough to compensate for the flawed tactical combat that lies at the game's core; nothing save a complete overhaul can redeem SotS from its current mediocrity.

Ultimately, Freakyforms is a game of two halves. Playing mad scientist in the creature creator is fun and it's a great reward seeing your monsters come to life. The problem comes from what to do next. I know that when I was a boy, I envisioned my legion of monsters doing a lot more than gathering knick knacks.

The action does deliver its fair share of thrills, but its repetitive and simple nature quickly wears thin.

If you're going to pick up Shadows of Almia, just keep in mind that while it can be fun, there's nothing compelling or new enough to impress a hardcore Pokemanic.

While not without value, instead of wrapping up my time in the Capital Wastelands in a nice big irradiated bow, Mothership Zeta just left me wondering how much fun being in space could’ve been.

Every year the NASCAR series seems to emphasize a different aspect of the sport. But this year, the focus is back where it belongs: on the driving and on-track competition. [Nov. 2006, p.102]

If you can keep your expectations in check, accepting that Lost in Shadow is essentially an old school Prince of Persia-inspired game with a clever twist, you will find it worth your time to try it out.

Combine the dull career mode, spin-out crazy physics, and average graphics, and you get a ride evoking the same emotions as when DX Civics buzz down the street with coffee can mufflers late at night. [July 2005, p.78]]

Beyond its online career mode, there's not much that leads Juiced 2 to stand out from the pack. It's an unassuming street racer with few flaws, but at the same time, few outstanding qualities. Even the visuals don't inspire much, leaving Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights cold by morning.

It looks good and plays fast, but lacks the refinement and complexity that space combat fans have come to expect.

Succeeds where "Rollercoaster Tycoon" and even "Sim Theme Park" failed—it gives you the true sensation of riding a rollercoaster, the logical tools to build them, and the ability to show your work quickly and easily.

Regretfully, Army Men RTS’s cleverly conceived combat units and resource system are quickly overrun by deadlier forces: lackluster controls and frustrating gameplay.

For all its frustrations and shortcomings, GR2003 does pay off with the thrill of long-sought victory and a sense of accomplishment for having figured out the bizarre subtleties of this stat-heavy simulation.

A die-hard Tenchu fan, Heather was more than happy to see the series return to form in its latest portable iteration. It may even move a hardened assassin to poetry.

For a paltry ten clams, gamers will certainly get their money's worth with Bejeweled Blitz Live. Its fast-paced style, carefree and easy multiplayer options, and unique gameplay modes make for a lot of fun.

The real shame is that the interface designers didn't take more time tightening up the game flow since the last iteration. [May 2004, p.78]

The problem with Treasure World is once you find items and add them to your garden, that's about all there is to this game.

Heroes is a relatively simple game that, at times, feels like X-Men Legends with DC character models. Still, the chance to take control of some of the most beloved superheroes on the planet is one that you just can't pass up.

The inability of this series to learn from its mistakes is baffling. You'll often find yourself fighting enemies you can't see because some decorative element in the foreground entirely blocks your view, and you've zero control over the camera.

The control scheme is sublimely genius, letting you perform midair attacks and dash around foes with poetic ease. The manual camera is still a bit too loose, though, and leaping and running against walls isn’t as reliable as you’d like it to be.

This unfortunate version of HP2 is just plain slow and its handling just doesn’t feel right. If possible, stick with the stellar PS2 edition or the strong Xbox game.

The Wii advantage is that even with just one remote, you can invite a pile of people over to party and have a really good time together.

Volcano Escape by itself is definitely worth the $1.99 its developers are charging for it, but the optional in-app purchases are definitely overpriced. Still, if you don't mind being locked out some of the game's content, you won't miss out on much.

The levels are still vast, the number of available goals is still overwhelming, and the multiplayer portion adds some replayability.

It won't replace scheduled sessions with Team Fortess 2 -- nor is it as good -- but Lead and Gold is extremely fun and has an exceptional amount of potential if Fatshark is willing to fix some of its more glaring issues.

My initial enthusiasm for the game quickly waned and was snuffed out as I realized that there wasn't much content to the game as the game is limited to just two modes: Tournament and Exhibition.

UFO: Extraterrestrials has largely managed to capture the elements that made X-COM such a classic and iconic game. Almost nothing about the game can labeled as innovative or revolutionary, but it is such a well packaged refinement of a proven formula that it is hard to complain.

Overall, you can't beat the combination of monkeys, maracas, and the undeniable infectious tunes that come along with it, so Samba De Amigo gets a solid four out of five stars.

Ninja Blade is a game full of awesome moments. It's not incredibly deep and it won't redefine the genre but it's a kick-ass title that will please action junkies looking for an adrenaline kick.

BloodRayne: Betrayal is a lot like how I'd imagine being a vampire would be. Initially my newfound powers would be awesome and invigorating. Eventually though, immortality would inevitably lead to weariness. Thankfully, Rayne's six hour jaunt requires less commitment than a vampire's unholy contract, and while it may not be a life-changing event, its seductive pull is worth having a taste of.

Rookie developer Little Boy Games seems like a veteran with the release of Go! Go! Break Steady. Stylized graphics, smooth 2D character animations and a slick presentation make Go! Go! Break Steady an experience not quite like anything else out there.

The most faithful rendition of the Batman animated series yet. The graphics are appropriately dark and angular, successfully evoking the series’ “dark deco” look, and the animation is fast and dynamic. The end result, however is marred my occasional murkiness and poor collision detection.

While the prospect of running around, blowing the hell out of space arachnids starts off as a blast, a lack of variety, the fact that you can't save your games mid-mission, and a camera that actually serves as a One Ring-sized gameplay burden ensure that the fun won't last for long.

It's not very realistic - the A.I. is <I>really</I> dumb...Even though Pandora Tomorrow looks and feels a lot like Pandora Yesterday, that doesn't mean it's not a good game. A little slow, a little frustrating, sure, but still fun. [May 2004, p.78]

"NBA Street" has a better all-around arcade-style game, but if all you care about are big dunks and big points, NBA Jam will deliver you to highlight heaven.

The intended audience will love Quidditch World Cup, if only because it expands on the Potter novels' rich mythology. It&#146;s fun, and as a fantasy-sports game, it flies - but not as high as it could.

Heroes is a relatively simple game that, at times, feels like "X-Men Legends" with DC character models. Still, the chance to take control of some of the most beloved superheroes on the planet is one that you just can't pass up.

Series fans'll eat it up , but others may want to contemplate whether learning the Digiropes is something they're really willing to invest in.

Lost Magic strives to accomplish something innovative and enjoyable, it falls short in its implementation, resulting in a game that frustrates and disappoints.

Sure it has a ton of great options and modes, but it simply doesn't have the action packed excitement of the Virtua Tennis series.

Magnetica, while simple in premise, is a great puzzle game for those looking something more than a Tetris clone. The action is fast and hectic, and the touch-screen controls are responsive, giving the whole game a very polished feel.

Ultimately it all comes down to this: There's an achievement for killing 100 ants, and you'll get that before completing the first level. Does that get your blood pumping "EDF! EDF!"?

The journey across America is beautifully rendered, capturing the varied landscapes spectacularly as you travel over the Sierra, across the Great Plains, and head towards the East Coast. The quality of the movies is very good too, and the characters' faces are nicely rendered to convey emotion. But the story and the gameplay just don't hold up their side of the bargain, and the game ends up falling short of its considerable potential.

Then there's the slowdown: yes, in this age of high-powered processors and graphics hardware, Infinite Undiscovery suffers from slowdown. The game itself is gorgeous, with detailed character models to neat-o combat animations, but the action tends to slow to a crawl when too many enemies clutter the screen.