RFII isn’t a landmark game or an astoundingly innovative one, but it sure is a lot of fun to play.

With cinematic camera angles, a grime-infested aesthetic, and gruesomely glistening monsters, Silent Hill 2 improves on the original in every way.

Despite its now trademark addictive gameplay, THPS2 just doesn’t cut it anymore—on an aged system Tony just looks and sounds awful, and there aren’t any new features to redeem it.

There's plenty of bang for your buck, and attempting missions over again in harder difficulty modes can really prove themselves as addicting challenges. Throw in the extraordinary Crysis Wars multiplayer, and you've got yourself an absolute steal.

Even with its minor faults, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-feeling, better-looking, jack-of-all-trades action game on the market today. [Mar 2008, p.82]

The campaign mode, however, does sport enemies with better A.I. that make the missions much tougher this time around. [Sept 2004, p.83]

Best weapons to date, crystal clear sound, easier control than previous Worms games.

Skate 2 does have a lot to offer but it falls short in a lot of ways. Its realistic feel is great when it comes to technical aspects like tricks and controls but it's taken one step too far. [Mar 2009, p.79]

The new features, refined interface, and (above all) near-perfect sense of balance make this old dog feel vital and new.

As long as you don’t mind a slightly more technical feel and a hefty challenge, you’ll find the best thing to happen with jetskis since the N64’s Wave Race.

And even in its diminutive form, the game feels exactly the same as it always has—pros, cons, and all.

Each web action has its own distinct sound, and swinging through Manhattan on a web line is feels and sounds just right.

SMB's insane worlds, which beg exploration and conceptual absurdities, are anchored by intuitive controls and an innovative use of jump and slide physics, and midleap bending, culminating in a pinnacle of game design that redefined how video games were played. [July 2004, p.88]

A non-stop adrenaline rush, and as a multiplayer game, it is dangerously addictive.

When it comes to sports games, the GameCube’s controller always seems to suffer in points due to its unconventional button arrangement, but surprisingly it's not an issue this year. The default setting has been specialized for the GameCube, and it works wonders.

Wipeout 64 has everything a futuristic racer needs: A healthy variety of tracks, slickly designed craft, weapons, numerous game modes, hidden goodies, and speed, speed, SPEED! This is a must-have for every N64 gamer's library!

Excellent track design, sweet graphics, and big replay value make Rush 2049 the best arcade racer for the Dreamcast.

A nicely executed adventure worth fighting for, just be prepared to suffer inglorious defeats until you get used to the game cam.

The music really does most of the heavy lifting here and I'd gladly purchase the soundtrack if one was made available but the game's lack of polish left me a little flat.

Given its challenging gameplay, emphasis on techniques, and required replayability, Rocket Bunnies has the potential to offer hours of fun while turning away the casual audience.

Truly a strange bird in the world of shooters. It doesn't offer the rich backstory and characters of a game like BioShock, but damned if I didn't laugh countless times during the many outbursts of colorful language from its cast. Like its innovative predecessors, Bulletstorm goes against the grain of the popular norm, often in exciting and hilarious ways, and though it's not perfect, it's still one hell of a ride.

It shows depth, talent, and imagination. Everything any winning team needs.

This laundry list of complaints might seem like a game breaker, but that I could suffer through them repeatedly during my marathon New Vegas weekend and still walk away feeling not only satisfied but hungry for more says something about the power of the formula that Bethesda has crafted.

Painful level grinding aside, Dragon Quest V is a fantastic, innovative experience.

For veterans, it'll feel like the same gameplay found in all previous Ace Combat games--and that's not necessarily a bad thing considering this is a shooter that's still worthy of sitting in first class.

A solid, riveting story combined with refined gameplay set this game firmly in the outstanding (or should that be "uncanny"?) category.

Global thermonuclear war has been a popular topic for decades, but few things have managed to capture the spirit of the subject and present in both a digestible and utterly unforgettable form as Defcon.

Compared to D2D, "Thunder's" cars don't handle as smoothly and its Career mode is heavy on complexity and short on fun. [Dec 2002, p.194]

The most remarkable new feature, though, is the cavernous Career mode.

This port of the PlayStation classic is easily the most beautiful looking game in the GBA launch lineup, with huge, colorful, and astonishingly well-animated characters and backgrounds.

Represents a sizable leap forward in EA’s line of 007 games. The star-studded cast would’ve been suitable for an actual movie.

The game does a great job of continuing to reward you for your performance and because of that, SHIFT is an engaging and addictive sim racer. It sets a great foundation for future iterations but hopefully, the sequel won't suddenly throw the e-brake on the action and force you to the side of the road every now and again.

It's juvenile, it occasionally objectionable (I'm sorry, I just don't like blasting away at bikini models, even if they are trying to kill me too) and sometimes after playing I feel like I should go take a shower. But I can't remember a game I've played recently that was so dedicated to letting the gamer have as much fun as possible any way they want to. And when it comes to having fun, Saints Row: The Third is like a big party that you don't want to see stop.

There's no denying that GT5 is absolutely incredible, but due to its immense size and complexity, not all its facets are of the same standard, and as a result it's brilliant, but imperfect. For the most part it delivers a 5-star experience. But I do feel compelled to ding it half a star, simply because of the parts of the game that don't. That makes me feel horribly nitpicky and churlish, because despite my criticism I know I love GT5, and I'll be playing it for months, and maybe even years.

The game looks incredible on a P4 2.7 GHz with a Radeon 9800 Pro, but still looks extremely impressive (and played wonderfully) on an Athlon 1.7GHz running a lowly GeForce 3.

As fun as these excursions into petty theft and extortion might be, the essence of The Warriors is combat, and it's the first game in ages to truly nail it.

The first Skate was a refreshing take on virtual skateboarding, so expectations were high for this one. Maybe they were a little too high: Skate 2 doesn't quite deliver the revolutionary skating experience that we were all hoping it would be. It's still a lot of fun and has a lot to offer, especially with its awesome multiplayer modes, but the franchise is still a ways away from living up to its full potential.

This highly anticipated sequel builds on the best parts of its predecessor, while introducing some notable new ways to innovate the familiar puzzle formula.

This unconventional handheld port of Capcom's flagship fighting franchise works surprisingly well with the iPhone and iPod Touch's control schemes, but suffers largely due to a lack of online wi-fi.

The fun I had with the rock-solid gunplay and extensive role-playing elements was considerably amplified by each additional player. Borderlands is an absolute blast that I'll go back to again and again, even if my friends aren't around to help out.

While Indigo Prophecy is an intense gaming experience, it's easier to compare the title to a film affair. If you can get past the minimalist game interface Prophecy can be an awesome entertaining play.

Half-Minute Hero is an absolute blast, and a decidedly original (and hilarious) take on the fantasy RPG genre.

As I said in my first field report, hardcore Madden players may not appreciate all the changes, but those of us who are more casual fans have a lot to like.

Improves upon the original in several fundamental ways. Most importantly, it allows you to build your fortresses and buildings anywhere on the map, rather than pre-set building zones, opening your strategy up and allowing for a lot more variation in gameplay.

The superior force in online warfare and a real candidate for PC Game of the Year. If you’re fed up with Flak Cannons and Rail Guns, enlist with this platoon. Posthaste, soldier!

Jump at the second chance and get this one while you can. There’s no other game like it.

If there is one Classic NES cart to throw your nickel to, it's this one. Trust us on this. [Sept 2004, p.93]

Unmatched in its field thanks to major improvements in every category combined with a deeply rewarding simulation experience.

All anyone really needs to know however is that 3rd Strike looks great, plays great, sounds great and is the definitive version of the SFIII series.

Still, the rock-solid strategy and engaging character developement system make Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories a strong contender for tactical RPG crown regardless of its audio/visual shortcomings. [Oct. 2006, p.99]

A butter smooth online FPS experience with finely balanced gameplay.

Not everyone's going to love the transplanted platform puzzler elements, and RPG purists might be turned off by the wafer-thin town exploration, but just discovering the way your different options fit together is so endlessly absorbing that even wildly divergent tastes will agree that Valkyrie Profile 2 is yummy indeed.

The controls for the plane are everything they should be, and echo most every other aspect of the game: a tightly polished product that is simply intuitive. Though the action became intense and sometimes frustrating, I was always ready to jump right back into the mix.

Thankfully, Isaac's shmup-like approach makes the game a little easier than the nightmare of a melee-only roguelike, though it's still no cakewalk. Like the Souls series, you'd best keep on your guard, since death is permanent and there are no saves. A playthrough can be as short as an hour, but with randomized loot and boss encounters on top of several unlockables, you'll want to put Isaac through hell multiple times.

A nicely executed adventure worth fighting for, just be prepared to suffer inglorious defeats until you get used to the game cam.

UFC 2009 Undisputed does have a couple of issues that keep it from being a MMA-fan's dream come true but it is still a tremendous title that will make any fan of the sport proud.

What's really been most surprising to me is that the gaming experience as a whole is so fully developed for a startup MMO.

Eustrath feels like a polished console release in a handheld package, but it's not without its issues -- namely, the story translation could've used a bit of work, and there are some noticeable balancing problems early on.

But honestly, it's the puzzling that makes Clash of Heroes tick. Even without the online multiplayer and superior graphics, I would still recommend this game to RPG and puzzle fans, as not nearly enough people played the original. Here on high-definition consoles, it's cheap and accessible, meaning that it demands a look. If you missed out on the original, consider this a second chance. Go and take it.

But I have to reiterate: Child of Eden is awesome. It's impossible to not be taken aback by the brilliant orchestration of the stages, their intricate details, and their climactic boss fights, including the borderline inspirational ending sequence.

From the moment you begin playing both the open-ended campaign and individual scenarios, it's clear that Firaxis used this expansion to fine-tune and upgrade the game's Artificial Intelligence. A.I. opponents are noticeably more aggressive now, particularly towards the end of a game.

Everything that made EFMI so great on the PC arrives on the PS2 perfectly intact. The game’s many puzzles are perfectly balanced.

Surprisingly, the graphics look much better than the game's PC counterpart - the faces are much more detailed and the environments look crisp and sharp. [Dec 2002, p.170]

Its hearty NASCAR personality will hugely appeal to fans, while its innovative and deep approach will reel in plenty of racing gamers.

An entry worthy of its big brother, complete with its own set of smooth controls, elaborate play modes, and sharp A.I.

Without a doubt, this game shows that originality in gaming is very much alive and kicking, even if it is wrapped inside a sensitive subject. If you want a true military experience without going through boot camp, Full Spectrum Warrior is it.

The game's dynamic difficulty adjustment keeps frustration to a minimum, and Battle for Naboo is so much fun that it's possible that the Midi-chlorians were involved.

Resident Evil 4 is still an outstanding shooter, but as I keep re-iterating with these recent high-def rereleases, your mileage is bound to vary.

It does offer some interesting variations on a tried and true shooter formula, but I can't recommend this to anyone looking for a deep and compelling experience. If all you want is an adrenaline rush or to feel like a total badass for short, explosive bursts, however, then it's something worth considering.

As a more casual shooter, the game is an enormous improvement over its predecessor, fixing all the problems with lag, graphics, and shallow gameplay that kept that game from being the masterpiece it deserved to be.

Hardcore wrestling fans will find the deepest reservoir of variety ever available, and may even forgive the feeble fighting system long enough to enjoy some theatrics.

Across the board, the slick environments, cut-scenes, and character faces shine, although some of the animations are awkward, particularly when 007 runs. A great title song by Mya, strong voice acting, and booming sound effects complete the package.

Far from the best entry in the "Resident Evil" series but is an entertaining fright-night nonetheless.

Great pick-up-and-play, arcade-style fun.

Like a new year’s line of automobiles, Onimusha 2 has a sleeker look, more bells and whistles, and improved standard features over its predecessor model, "Warlords."

It's all about presentation, and Jak 3 presents the action in an engaging, meaningful way that keeps you glued to the very end. [Dec 2004, p.100]

Space Invaders Extreme is an addictive trance-like experience, and no PSP or DS owner should be without it. Even if you've never heard of Space Invaders, missing this game would be a tragedy.

The GBA handles the humble graphics and Disney-sweet music without breaking a sweat, and the control—while less elegant than the Dreamcast’s—will feel comfortable to "Tetris" vets.

The Xbox version of The Sims trades the PC version’s precise control for much improved presentation and more directed gameplay.

Besides strong production values, the game showcases some of the most amazing physics seen on a console-nearly every object and person can be levitated, pushed, pulled, thrown, mind-controlled, and set on fire, while fantastic controls make you almost feel like you're really doing it.

It is rare that a game this difficult can be this entertaining, but Ecco delivers the goods with a huge splash.

Picross 3D won't exactly set the world on fire with its explosive graphics or its thrilling action but it's a competent and fun puzzle game.

The character is easy to control, but learning the large quantity of combos makes for a highly rewarding game.

For puzzle action, Puzzle Fighter has the goods - especially in the two-player mode.

With satisfaction always within reach, Battlefield 1943 makes for an addictive online experience. [Aug 2009, p.79]

"MDK2"'s style of gameplay doesn't lend itself well to multiplay, so the replay value is slim, but the single-player experience is guaranteed to suck hours away from your life.

It’s puzzling that this game could look better on the Dreamcast than on the PS2, but it does.

Kairosoft's follow-up to the ultra-addictive Game Dev Story retains its predecessor's innovative gameplay and sees the introduction of some nifty new flourishes.

The four-player action makes this tennis game an absolute blast.

Some of the new play elements miss the mark, but overall Zero is a long, rewarding night of fright.

The slam dunk matchup is a slick game within the game, but let's not forget what got you to the gym in the first place. NBA Live 2005 is an all-pro caliber b-ball game that continues to show improvements. [Dec 2004, p.140]

The thoughtful and varied designs of each mission are clearly linear, yet somehow avoid a stuck-on-rails feel, whether you're sneaking around in the dark, gathering photographic evidence, or tearing through the occasional action set-piece.

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

Real talent produced this technology and artwork. So much of LocoRoco is so clever and original that it's almost perplexing when it stops being any fun. The fun does run out, though, long before the game is over -- in that sense, the experiment has to be called a failure.

Crippling frame rate problems tarnish an otherwise engaging single-player experience. Ultimately, the addictive online multiplayer is the main attraction; without it, there’s not much to see here.

No one's going to beat 2K5 on price, and the game's as tough as nails on the court. [Dec 2004, p.142]

The game uses an on-screen d-pad to control movement, but it seems like a slight reworking of the game could've allowed tilt control, which would've really help clean up the screen, which can get pretty cluttered once you start picking up weapons.

While N+ is frequently challenging, it never devolves to the level of senseless head gripping difficulty that has been seen in similar games, as it strikes a nice balance in difficulty.