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

The idea behind the franchise has enough merit that it deserves a better effort and it's lamentable that they didn't realize that from the very beginning.

When it comes right down to it, Atelier Rorona just feels good to play. If you're craving a charming, character-driven game that doesn't involve a looming world-ending crisis and you can deal with a lot of repetition, you'll certainly want to give this game a go.

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.

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]

I can't imagine playing it top to bottom, but as a discounted novelty to pop in every now and then, We Ski is a good time.

The 8-bit soundtrack is a great fit, and I love the fact that more background music can be unlocked by accumulating a high overall score.

I'm stunned by the fact that this game is enjoyable.

A good game with a few bugs. If you're a fan of the anime series then you'll probably fall instantly in love with Sidetracked.

If you're looking for a good General Manager mode or freewheeling gridiron action, you might want to give "GameDay 2001" a try-out.

Even though some things need to be tightened up, WWE '12 shows that the video game side of the franchise is still improving.

Overall, it is a challenging and entertaining escape that you'll keep coming back to. And if you manage to join the 35 other elite players who finished on hard, remember to tell me how it's done.

Cheap deaths, a bland story, and questionable boss balance hold Forever Kingdom back from being a completely satisfying experience.

A simple, arcadey grappler that’s likely to appeal more to enthusiasts of things that are insane than hardcore wrestling fanatics.

A step forward for fighting games? Not exactly. But it's certainly a tasty bit of comfort food for the fans.

Even though some things need to be tightened up, WWE '12 shows that the video game side of the franchise is still improving.

The targeting system is well executed, but the camerawork is not. In enclosed areas it can go ballistic, often pointing in a direction that obscures your enemies.

With crisp and simple graphics and ominous background music mixed with the groans of the undead, Stupid Zombies is a nice puzzle game to have on hand. My only problem was that tapping and dragging on the touch-screen often obscured the exact aim of my crosshair. Also, I found it to be a little tedious after a while, but the surprise of a particularly complex level was usually enough to keep my interest.

Despite a host of flaws, "Soulbringer" is an addictive game that patient gamers are sure to enjoy.

Gyromancer also takes a while to get the hang of thanks to a poorly explained tutorial, and the lack of multiplayer seriously hurts the game's replay value; still, gamers get quite a bit of bang for their buck (it's priced at 1200 MS Points, which is $15), and while it won't win any awards for originality, it's a slick and addictive puzzle experience that's sure to keep Bejeweled and Puzzle Quest fans playing late into the night.

It's almost like they came up with the jokes first, then hastily built a game framework around it. [Dec 2004, p.118]

Tactics probably would've been a better game if it had left out the half-baked RPG elements, and focused on more varied units and capabilities.

And you know what? It's still fun despite the terrible story and stupid enemy A.I. I respect a game that gives me so much to do, so many areas to explore, so many customization options, and so many quests. I had a lot of fun with Two Worlds II, and while the story annoys me in its second act, I do see myself giving it another go at a later date.

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

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 continuous button mashing that infuses the famous yet most curious aerial acrobatics that those crazy DBZ fighters perform gives you pretty much everything you need to simulate the Saiyan art of combat.

The custom built 4A-engine does a terrific job of bringing this desolate and sad world to life, and the developers made an admirable attempt to build the gameplay around the narrative. But Metro 2033's strength lies in the ideas which underpin its action -- without them, it's just another gritty first-person shooter with some interesting tweaks built in -- and it's unfortunate that the rich source material didn't mesh with the actual gameplay to form a cohesive whole.

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.