SOCOM isn't the genre-defining multiplayer experience it once was.

Its slick style, amazing graphics, and dark atmosphere really make it stand out.

While the control is tight and responsive, the typically reliable camera can be sluggish in a few places, but this can be easily compensated for manually.

Ghost Recon’s visuals took a deadly hit, too. Characters don’t move in a realistic manner and there’s less detail on both the soldiers and the environments.

The gameplay sometimes feels like it’s in low gear. The tracks are short and predictable, and although stunts are encouraged, the repertoire and controls are limited.

The biggest crime, though, is that there's simply nothing at the core you haven't seen a zillion times before.

Because the PSP buttons (including the shoulder buttons) are in such close proximity to each other, your fingers are constantly tumbling over each other to pull off the right stunt.

Raw Danger possesses a few moments of suspense and action while following a refreshingly non-linear path, but the majority of the game is awash in gameplay and presentation problems.

There’s often little tension, making the game feel less like flying in combat and more like running errands.

Despite all the caveats, fans of the better-known Contras should find the original arcade game an enjoyable curiosity, and it's also pretty cheap at only 400 Microsoft points.

A much bigger, much longer version of a Sega classic that captures the spirit of the original perfectly, but the repetitious nature of the gameplay doesn’t quite withstand the test of time.

In many ways this game is like a zombie. It's not too bright, nor does it require much effort to defeat, but it's still fun to toy with every now and then. If you're a zombie aficionado, Dead Block isn't a bad way to kill time while prepping for the next zombie gaming apocalypse. For everyone else, just hunker down and wait.

You'll laugh out loud in your time spent with Work Time Fun. You'll even become thoroughly immersed in what you're playing, despite its ridiculousness, and for thirty bucks, this is a game you should definitely consider adding to your PSP collection.

If you're looking for the sense of depth and complexity that made the previous SimCity titles so memorable, you might find yourself feeling disappointed.

Miami Vice is a slapped together product that fails to deliver the gritty gut-punch promised by the recently released movie.

These complaints aside, Final Fantasy II is yet another great addition to the PSP's slowly improving library and really shows off the care and attention that Square Enix puts into its remakes. [Aug 2007, p.88]

The game veers just slightly away from being sim to drive more directly towards being fun.

As a multiplayer game, though, the fun doesn't last as long as it should. [July 2002, p.76]

Despite a contrived love story, limited camera control, and levels that tend to drag, Konami has provided a refreshing change of pace in this punishing man-versus-nature offering that it requires you to stem the tide of destruction and actually save lives for once. [Apr 2004, p.74]

Started as a cool idea, but its flashes of quality are too short to sustain long term interest.

Despite the shortcoming of its snail-like pacing, it's hard not to like Atelier Iris 3, what with its anime-style art and solid battle system.

The learning curve is gradual but the action starts from your first race and never lets up. Fans of racing games will like this title especially ones who want a little something more.

I got tired of the one-button combat almost immediately, but I could appreciate the 8-bit versions of the Linkin Park "classics.

Even with its slicker production, PA2 still manages to feel a bit more muddled than its predecessor.

To be honest, you either like this type of game or you don't, but for what it is Zombie Crisis is a well-crafted ride at a reasonable price, so I'd recommend it.

To be frank the game is just very lacking and very bland. With all the great summer titles hitting high numbers it's a safe bet that this one will make the scratch list in the next few months.

It would have been nice if Mad Moxxie lifted the level cap, but it still offers enough mayhem to make it worth the download for any Borderlands player looking for a little mindless killing.

I felt like I could have developed some sort of emotional connection with Kane and Lynch if only they had been presented in the right light, but ultimately, the only thing I felt at the end of my time with the game was a vague sense of relief that I didn't have to spend any more time in their company.

P.N.03's strong aesthetics add flavor to the repetitive gameplay...Sure, this may not be the deepest GameCube offering available, but for those who crave a shoot-em-up with old-school inflections, P.N.03 is A-OK.

Overall, "ConQuest Online" is a satisfying online CCG that is likely to improve over time as future expansion packs introduce awesome new pieces.

A light touch on the analog stick will be rewarded with precise control...There’s no multiplayer mode, so the fun doesn’t last terribly long. Worth a weekend rental.

If a Playstation is all you have and three Syphon Filters just isn't enought, then C-12 is worthy of your attention. [August 2002, p.86]

Across the 2nd Dimension has a lot going for it in terms of production values, a witty script, and varied level design, but it's so fleeting and dumbed down that even children will find its power fantasies pandering.

Ultimately, while you can see the developer's good intentions, the lack of emphasis placed on some fundamental aspects mar what would otherwise be a solid sequel. Yet, the online battles are still intact and run and play well, so if one tires of the campaign, he can take out his camera/control frustrations on other Star Wars devotees who are also looking for some catharsis.

True to the game's title, MX vs. ATV Alive is a game competing against itself. On one hand, you've got an amazing experience that any racing fan should check out -- it's truly the realization of a series that has been refined to near-perfection over the last half-dozen years. On the other hand, the game's pricing strategy has created a bit of an uneven value in which the available content is too lean for beginners to keep racing, especially if they're unable to go online. Fortunately, the game's positives are currently outpacing the negatives, and THQ's ability to create constant, quality DLC at a fair price can only widen the gap even further.

All in all, Shaun White's Snowboarding didn't leave me blown away. I liked the terrain they provided, the impressive visuals and the push towards new ways to perform tricks. I hope this title continues on and that all of the little glitches and feedback from fans help create an epic snowboarding game worthy of Shaun White's name.

Despite its storied history and retro charms, Ys I and II is easily the weakest of XSEED's three PSP Ys releases.

If the controls weren't so frustrating, the game play experience would have been a lot more enjoyable.

And with all this fixing, adding, and rearranging, you get the sense that Dark Energy Digital desperately wants you to like their game, going as far as including an in-game "Dev Feedback" menu, letting players vote various aspects of the game up or down, as well as citing the reasons for those votes. But it reveals Dark Energy's focus on fixing the individual components of a fundamentally broken game, and while Prophecy's improvements make for a better experience, they only serve to make a bad experience into just another disappointment.



NBA replay online content does have some interesting prospects, with the top five real-life NBA games from the past week set to be recreated in NBA 07 as part of an online multiplayer competition. Good hustle.

Normally we don't mind short and sweet, but you could seriously finish the game in one long afternoon. Still, despite some frustrations, the game is mostly an intense, exciting, and worthy entry in the long-running series.

The outcome: a lesson in how not to use the touch screen in games. You'll immediately feel like you're in a round of bumper cars as you automatically swerve from side to side. You literally have no control in this manner.

Most gamers may not want to pay full retail price for only a handful of light features, despite how pretty the game is, but if you love your fighters old-school and 2D, The King of Fighters XII is probably worth checking out.

If you like Transformers, buy this game. Even if you don't (or you just hate Michael Bay), you should still give Optimus Prime a try.

But despite its faults, the terrain deformation and unique online twist is distinctive enough that it's worth playing, even if won't exactly alter the foundations of gaming forever. [Nov 2008, p.90]

One of the better dance/rhythm games out there, and with so many unlockable goodies, it’ll make Britney fans want to consistently play it, baby, one more time.

The game’s worth a visit for anyone whose ideal night of TV involves The Simpsons episode where they go to Japan followed by two Iron Chef episodes back-to-back. It is, however, potentially baffling to anyone else.

The games biggest offender is the questions themselves, there's no rhyme or reason to any of them.

This game is strictly for action junkies and can be completed in a quick weekend rental. However, the quality of the graphics and gameplay hints at the potential for deeper, more compelling Batman games to come.

The music, sound effects, and voice acting make up for some of the problems, but they ultimately can't overcome Drakengard's problems with graphics and slow controls. [Mar 2004, p.65]

Lengthy and well crafted.

To paraphrase its own introduction, Wakfu is an enigma wrapped in a blanket wrapped in a tortilla. But it very well could be the best-looking tortilla on XBLA. A fun game with lots to offer those with an open mind, Islands of Wakfu is worth a look for those with a sense of adventure.

Heroes Over Europe--sequel to Heroes Over the Pacific--offers armchair aces yet another reason to climb back into the cockpit, provided you already have a love for the genre. [Sept 2009, p.84]

Dedicated fans of the series will find a challenge, but the cumbersome controls and questionable AI remain most effective kill-joys.

If you want a golf game you can pick up and play at any moment on your 3DS, then the $6.99 price tag is no barrier, especially since Let's Golf 3D has a wealth of content totaling around 10 hours if you get into it. However, it is cheaper on other platforms ($4.99) that also include the online play that this game lacks.

Zombie Apocalypse 2: Never Die Alone is far from terrible.

A unique action game that’s repetitive in its style and level structure, Alter Echo is kept from being boring by its over-exaggerated morphing combo system and a wide variety of enemies that adapt to your attacks.

Though this year’s GameDay is extremely fun and playable, Madden gets the nod for better graphics and more authenticity.

Despite its failings, Dead Man's Hand has enough character, style, and atmosphere to make it an enjoyable time killer. [June 2004, p.70]

The control scheme is hellish, as the goofy camera angles and slippery controls make it tough to track the frantic action.

But alas... Trauma was a game I wanted to love, but found more curious than transcendent. Still, any game that requires this much psychological analysis is a welcome departure from the norm.

I didn't find myself particularly enthralled with Laevatein -- the dull as dirt presentation did little to augment a game system I often found flawed.

Harkening back to when simple games and concepts entertained us all, Battle B-Damam reinvents the classic marble games of yore with mixed results.

All in all, Wanted: Weapons of Fate isn't so much a game for fans of the shooter genre, but it's a game for fans of Wanted.

If there's one feature that's unique to SRS, it's the "official" ladies of street racing as seen in the many import tuner magazines. If that's your main interest in the game, then you'll find plenty of incentives to keep playing. [Oct 2004, p.83]

Whether you're in the EA or Konami camp when it comes to soccer, you're probably better off waiting for "Winning Eleven" when it comes - less rushed - to the 360 later in 2006. [Jan 2006, p.48]

Worth looking at for its high production values, but its gameplay lacks depth. If your favorite part of "Final Fantasy X" was seeking out rare items to upgrade your weapons, you will love this game. [Sept 2004, p.82]

The fighting world has a brand new and addictive style of gameplay. Kengo pays homage to an art form that's rarely seen, and plays as a well-crafted and fun experience that no fighting-game fan should miss.

Lovers of Le Matrix should play just to see all the official Wachowski peripheral story stuff—it’s really quite cool, and actually adds to the story—but the PS2 game was jacked out of its own development Matrix too early.

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t maintain any long-term interest: defusing problems and room-swapping tenants are more work than fun and the process becomes tiresome after the third stage or so.

If you played "SOCOM" for the chat, however, then you'll probably abandon this game early on.

It's a no-brainer for Koei to bring its cash cow franchise Dynasty Warriors to PSP--what is surprising, however, is the handheld version's flawed controls and fractured gameplay that makes it a harder-than-usual sell for longtime Lu Bu aficionados.

Flight Control is a great game, and a perfect example of what makes casual gaming great. The version for WiiWare, however, is somewhat lacking. Everything the WiiWare version does, other versions do the same backwards and in heels. That doesn't make Flight Control on WiiWare bad at all; it's just not the definitive version of this addictive and awesome game.

Feel[s] more like a legitimate game rather than a rushed tie-in.

By delightfully melding combat and puzzle solving with solid pinball physics, Mario Pinball is not only the first pinball action/adventure game, but it's also a damn good one at that. [Nov 2004, p.130]

Odama is imaginative and is proof that you don't need to be more annoying than Jessica Simpson, like Katamari, to be a successful whacky videogame.

A game that tries exceedingly hard to avoid any attempt at innovation, or for that matter, any pretense of being fun.

If you own any wrestling game from the last five years, I can almost guarantee it'll have more match types, story lines, and custom moves than this one.

One of those "universally fun" titles that gaming fans of all genres can take to instantly.

If monotonous gaming and skimpy Pokemon action aren't your thing, then this is one mystery that's best left unsolved.

A solid RPG experience that is muddled by some unfortunate pathfinding and UI issues.

Played alone, against the computer, the game is barely worth popping out of its case. But, having even one other human opponent ups the fun exponentially--you just can't get the same satisfaction out of trash talking against a faceless computerized enemy.

Even without the camera and control problems, Chantelise struggles to stand out amidst other similar games. It's disappointing, because you can tell there's a lot of heart and personality poured into the game, but it's just not that enjoyable to play.

Unfortunately, once you level up enough, you can get through the game simply by mashing the "attack" button, which doesn't say much about the game's complexity. [Nov 2008, p.103]

A solid, fun mix of mini-games directly descended from Track & Field’s royal lineage. If you think vigorous button-mashing is the lowest form of gameplay, however, stay far, far away.

Straddles the line between arcade and simulation nicely. Players move, look, and behave in a realistic fashion, but fatigue, substitutions, and playcalling don’t interrupt the fun.

Only mildly amusing and the violence and gore gets tired after a while. If you're into movies like Eli Roth's Hostel then this game's right up your alley. But, if you're looking for a thriller with a little more substance, you might want to look elsewhere.

24 isn't the ambitious action opus it should've been, but its engaging quirks and variety of gaming experiences still raise it above the cash-in gutter.

This isn't the deepest videogaming experience you can buy for sixty bucks. It's not going to change the genre. It's not going to be the game of the year. It's just something fun to do after killing a few beers.

Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 isn't the best series installment, but it's far from a disaster.

While a fairly competent game, it just doesn't manage to add enough new content to make it worth a serious look.

A better effort than past installments, but it still needs a lot of serious work before it can truly compete.

Although I was disappointed by Poker with Bob, it is priced at $0.99, so you can see for yourself if the game is worth it at very little cost.

The problem, however, is that there's simply too much going on. It's usually a mystery who's winning in any given level, or even where you are. The seemingly arbitrary point system means you can win all the levels, yet still ultimately lose.

All in all, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law is a pretty short game and it's not terribly challenging, but for those who appreciate the humor of the series it's likely to be an enjoyable romp. [Apr 2008, p.84]

I will admit, though, that Blitz II is entertaining in short bursts and that some of its features are interesting, even if the A.I. and shallow gameplay experience leaves something to be desired.

The major drawback of WG2 is that the game could have been accomplished on a PlayStation. Being a PS2 game, the detail on ships and overall graphics are not up to scratch. I would have liked to have seen more varied missions, maybe even some little men running around decks.

Aside from a few minor frustrations, this game is definitely one you should put some time into.