It's certainly true that there are no official "endings" to these types of games, but once you've masterd all the songs and unlocked all the hidden features, there isn't much to do. [Nov 2004, p.106]

$2.99 for a portable version of a free web game doesn't sound too bad, but that better games exist on the iOS leaderboard shooter market (Geometry Wars or Alive 4 Ever if you're looking for a zombie fix) makes Zombie Wars a tough sell.

Hard to digest. The visuals are strictly low-budget with splotchy, blocky graphics.

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.

Ghosthunter's main flaw is that it fails to develop a cohesive and believable internal logic; abilities like astral projection are accessible only at specific locations and only useful in highly contrived situations. [Sept 2004, p.85]

Unfortunately, Dead to Rights II maintains its predecessor's graphics and camera glitchiness.

The core gameplay is great--the counters are brilliant and the energy stays high--yet it isn't enough to be chosen as more than a casual distraction.

This vivid presentation also brings immense charm to Hail to the Chimp. Clever political ad parodies and LOL-worthy faux TV spots are more entertaining than actually playing the game itself. Dropping $40 for a bunch of cartoons doesn't sound like a good deal though.

Though maddening at times, it's easy to see Another World's rigidly scripted cinematic nature as a precursor to modern linear blockbusters like Uncharted, making it a fascinating, albeit antiquated curio.

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.

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.

Drawing favorable comparisons to puzzle legendary franchise Lemmings, Arctic Escape is a challenging game that tasks the player with saving adorable penguins from environmental hazards.

If shootem'ups are your thing, than you can't go wrong with Raiden III. If not, save your money for the arcade.

The main problem is that you will roam freely to the point that you’ll wander around, trying to figure out what to do for much of the game because your goals are not laid out in a clear and linear direction.

They’ve succeeded on the crude humor front—but with a high frustration factor and graphical glitches, BMX XXX fails to completely satisfy.

It's too bad that Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers had to sacrifice some of its progenitors strongest features to enact new and engaging gameplay changes because the new enhancements for Dust Strikers really do add something new to the franchise, however; judging the entire game as a whole leaves it wanting.

RR64 has all the bouncing, sliding, and action of the original classic, which is all just old hat. The new cars, new tracks, and somewhat improved graphics can't get this game beyond its quirky and outdated controls.

The drawback in executing these moves comes in the form of slow button response. It’s tough to pull off a counter if the buttons don’t register at the exact moment, and it’s hard to attack with a flurry of side-step combos when, in combination with a button press, the directional pad and analog stick just don’t react efficiently.

In its current state, Backbreaker neither matches Madden's polish nor overcomes its monopoly on the NFL license; in fact, its shortcomings highlight several reasons why Madden remains so appealing.

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.

The game hasn’t strayed far from the original at all, except that you don’t die after one hit like the original, unless you fall in fire.

If the only system you have is a Wii and you need an RPG, this certainly isn't a bad title to settle for. For gamers with more console options, however, the enjoyment you'll derive from Arc Rise Fantasia will likely be tied to how much you like combat, since the story certainly isn't anything worthwhile.

A nice distraction with lengthy play value for dedicated fans of the series as long as they can deal with the slow pace and limited interactivity. However, anyone looking for a good virtual pet simulator should look elsewhere.

It's a fair package -- more expansive than Dead Money but not quite as rich as Point Lookout, which is the current gold standard for Fallout DLC. And, of course, it's a long way from the expansion packs of yore, where $30 could occasionally yield what amounted to an entirely new game. Ten dollars is a fair price for what Honest Hearts brings to the table, but its ultimate appeal is down to whether or not you're still in the middle of a campaign. As it is, this four hour romp through Zion National Park isn't quite worth dusting off your seven-month old copy of New Vegas.

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

You have to wonder if games like this are best left to the Wii. As consoles become more sophisticated so should the games.

A decent fight that has one arm tied behind its back. [Sept 2005, p.81]

Even an endless list of cars can't compensate for Gran Turismo's shortcomings.