The between-level load times are also slow, but the greatest concern is the unhelpful and idiotic friendly A.I. that leaves you alone, fending off hordes of attacking wolves while your siblings stand stupidly by.

An enjoyable if unremarkable cooperative action-adventure title.

Like any generic Tycoon sim, The Movies gets a bit over-focused on the trivial aspects of simulation, specifically with studio upkeep and playing constant babysitter to bigheaded actors, though while somewhat satirical, is a continuous bother. But the main attraction here is making short movies, which, if you're willing to spend the time, can be oodles of fun.

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.

Control is crippled by the PSP's inherent lack of a second analog stick, so you won't be pulling off critical moves like circle-strafing.

Gun does have its moments, but it never fully comes together and ends way too soon. [Jan 2006, p.82]

While it's an interesting idea, the abrupt changes in pace really kills the excitement level.

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.

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.

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.

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.

At first, combat seems too twitchy and simplistic, while the training sequences last too long, but as you grow in power, and unlock your substantial latent wealth of special moves and combination plays, the rich combat possibilities reveal themselves.

Just like a supermodel, Kameo is all about outward appearances. The visuals are stunning, but the weak and repetitive game-play, the vapid cutscenes, and the groan-inducing attempts at humor make this game perhaps one of the most disappointing of the Xbox 360 launch.

Besides the enormous song library, you get an incredibly fun controller that helps make you feel like you're really rocking the Casbah to a sold-out audience.

DKC 3 is a passable casual adventure platforming title, but it just doesn't compare to the masterpiece of the original--how can you have a Donkey Kong game without the main ape anyways?

At first, combat seems too twitchy and simplistic, while the training sequences last too long, but as you grow in power, and unlock your substantial latent wealth of special moves and combination plays, the rich combat possibilities reveal themselves.

For those of you who party religously, you won't be disappointed. [Jan 2006, p.80]

Yet as innovative and inviting as the Forgemaster system and customization facets are, Curse is slightly hexed by a repetitive play scheme: enter room, kill enemies, exit room, repeat.

There are predictable missteps--the driving sequences are awkward and twitchy, and the camera doesn't always behave itself--but on the whole, From Russia With Love is a convincing and enjoyable ride on the sixties Bond rollercoaster.

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.

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

The comfortable control scheme adapts well to the myriad of mission types (thanks to a forgiving targeting system), and makes switching between standard first-person shooting and the ultra-cool vehicular combat sequences a cinch.

The graphics are obviously improved over the PlayStation predecessors, but even fans of that trilogy will be disappointed by the comparative dearth of traps to choose from. Ultimately, mediocrity ensnares Trapt with it's own lack of gameplay meat.

There are predictable missteps--the driving sequences are awkward and twitchy, and the camera doesn't always behave itself--but on the whole, From Russia With Love is a convincing and enjoyable ride on the sixties Bond rollercoaster.

A supremely enjoyable online shooter. Against all odds, Battlefront II may make you forget all about that little game called "Halo 2."

Yet as innovative and inviting as the Forgemaster system and customization facets are, Curse is slightly hexed by a repetitive play scheme: enter room, kill enemies, exit room, repeat.

As a conversion, Villains doesn't feel finished. As a sequel, it's simply not enough. But judged alone on its gameplay and design merits, it's a rip-roaring blast.

While the controls can get a tad touchy and the visuals aren't quite as crisp as they once were, any gamer in the know deserves to check this game out. It's just that good.