The game's controls are comfortable, but newbies shouldn't be deterred: Reckoning features an extensive tutorial mode that runs through the moves, from the most basic to complex holds and attacks. [Nov 2004, p.110]

The main problem with Amazing Island is that in Story mode, there's too much downtime in between courses. Still, it's good to see a game that celebrates creation rather than destruction and puts playful competition above vomitous gore. [Sept 2004, p.85]

Luckily, novice joystick jockeys can rest easy knowing that Capcom has graciously inserted a new "Easy" difficulty setting while also adding Devil May Cry's Dante as a selectable character in this Playstation 2 version. [Oct 2004, p.80]

One of the best in the series with exciting gameplay and clever mission objectives.

The uneven controls are a handful, especially during combat sequences. [Oct 2004, p.83]

With over 16 levels, three levels of difficulty, and an engaging plot-oriented story rivaling most in-depth RPG games, Astroy Boy: Omega Factor is highly recommended to all. [Sept 2004, p.92]

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]

Has just enough new features and improvements to make it the best Hot Shots game yet. [Nov 2004, p.140]

The game gives you too many handicaps and leaves an unsavory taste of an unbalanced fighter. Even with these minor faults, Battle Assault is an excellent handheld fighter and still recommended.

Madden remains the best in the business at presenting football plays. The playbook and playcalling interface in this year's game are clean, easy to read, and snap to use. [Sept 2004, p.96]

Madden remains the best in the business at presenting football plays. The playbook and playcalling interface in this year's game are clean, easy to read, and snap to use. [Sept 2004, p.96]

Madden remains the best in the business at presenting football plays. The playbook and playcalling interface in this year's game are clean, easy to read, and snap to use. [Sept 2004, p.96]

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

While the visual depiction of the demons is easily Doom 3's strong point, the A.I. driving them is perhaps its weakest -- and the one thing that keeps the game from becoming a true masterpiece. In short, these guys are dumb.

If the cute characters don’t hook you, the gameplay definitely will.

Bujingai ultimately falls short of the mark with a barely there story, doggy camerawork, and a surprisingly short completion time.

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]

This year, the design guys as Visual Concepts have turned ESPN NFL 2K5 into the most entertaining show in video-game football. [Sept 2004, p.98]

A solid mix of story, action, and adventure, Sudeki does just about everything one would expect. The main quest could have been longer -- it clocks in a bit shy of 20 hours -- but the length is more than made up for by the complete immersion factor of the world.

Catwoman commits every action-adventure platform-jumper crime imaginable: lousy camera angles, incomprehensible level designs, and a lame combat engine.

This year, the design guys as Visual Concepts have turned ESPN NFL 2K5 into the most entertaining show in video-game football. [Sept 2004, p.98]

An outstanding single-player game coupled with an innovative and addictive multiplayer mode makes Pandora Tomorrow one of the premier titles available today on any console. [Sept 2004, p.82]

With single, versus, and three endless modes, and 16 available characters, Fever is as addictive as it gets.

When playing in a loud stadium, visiting teams face a rowdily vibrating controller, shaking screen, and players whose lack of composure causes bad plays. If you think you can handle it, you're in for a surpise - the overall effect is huge, really adding to the challenge in key moments like kicking a field goal. [Aug 2004, p.90]

When playing in a loud stadium, visiting teams face a rowdily vibrating controller, shaking screen, and players whose lack of composure causes bad plays. If you think you can handle it, you're in for a surpise - the overall effect is huge, really adding to the challenge in key moments like kicking a field goal. [Aug 2004, p.90]

When playing in a loud stadium, visiting teams face a rowdily vibrating controller, shaking screen, and players whose lack of composure causes bad plays. If you think you can handle it, you're in for a surpise - the overall effect is huge, really adding to the challenge in key moments like kicking a field goal. [Aug 2004, p.90]

The actual variety among the different events is rather low, a problem that stems in large part from the repetitive, button-bashing nature of most events.

If there are any complaints, it’s that the range is a bit too wide this time and some crooners will not find as many songs they know. Konami definitely needs to release more song discs to satisfy the fans.