An incredibly deep military flight simulator, Lock On is overwhelming, except to the most die-hard flight-stick jockeys. [Mar 2004, p.83]

A bit of an acquired taste. If you dig its goofy sense of humor, or if you're a fan of previous Worms games, you might find something to like once you get past the 3D-induced flaws.

The game feels oddly piecemeal: From its bland anime hero on a quest to collect "data chips" to its "downloadable" special abilities, Virtua Quest seems more like a Mega Man Battle Network game than a VF title.

The nice thing about Fullmetal Alchemist that you don't always get in a licensed game... is that the gameplay actually seems inspired by and drawn from the source material, rather than simply being generic with some recognizable characters plugged in. [Feb 2005, p.106]

But it's been streamlined much too much—redefined as absolutely average.

Hiding an otherwise mediocre game behind story and setting doesn't work twice.

The best Mega Man X in recent memory and will provide an enjoyable challenge to gamers willing to give 2D another go. [Feb 2005, p.97]

Kuon has considerably limited replay value, and the game is neither ambitious nor unique enough to warrant an especially enthusiastic recommendation. [Dec 2004, p.122]

Competent on all levels, offering solid if unexceptional value. [Feb 2005, p.110]

The levels are repetitive, boxy mazes with nothing interesting in them aside from battles, and the story's for fans only. Still, it's a technically excellent and fun game that begins to wear only through repetition and ease. [Jan 2005, p.84]

It's hard to ask for more from a portable puzzler, which makes Drill Spirits a tasty (if not completely filling) morsel of gaming goodness. [Feb 2005, p.111]

Unless you've got serious Atari nostalgia, most of these won't keep you occupied for more than five minutes. [Feb 2005, p.103]

Wearing a no-holds-barred sense of literalism on its sleeve, this mostly mediocre affair fails to bring anything new to the genre or even match its many peers. [Feb 2005, p.104]

A surprisingly deep and satisfying ride, made all the more appealing by its $19.99 price tag. [Nov 2004, p.136]

It's that A.I. thing that's a killer. The price is definitely right, but basing it on gameplay alone, this one lags behind this season's No. 1: "March Madness." [Jan 2005, p.118]

While it does a lot right, it lacks the polish the series is known for. [Feb 2005, p.113]

Does nothing extraordinarily special, nor is the DS hardware exploited beyond a map. [Feb 2005, p.110]

While the action might not be outstanding, the game world itself is. [Feb 2005, p.98]

Takes advantage of the new lease on life by endangering the lives of its onscreen combatants in much better fashion than before. [Feb 2005, p.84]

It's the closest any DBZ game has ever come to replicating the insane airborne fights from the show. [Jan 2005, p.114]

A complete aesthetic and mechanical package. [Feb 2005, p.112]

The game's presentation is incredible... Unfortunately, the A.I. should have spent more time in basic training. [Feb 2005, p.87]

Luckily, the insipid offline game serves as a training ground for its exciting online counterpart. [Feb 2005, p.86]

While it's a fun enough brawler, it's not exactly "Virtua Fighter 4." [Jan 2005, p.114]

It's a shame Artoon didn't have enough faith in the gamer to really let this kitty off the leash. [Feb 2005, p.97]

Unfortunately, unique visuals and a well-made battle system can't always rescue this easy linear game from the swell of mediocrity that often threatens to overrun it. [Jan 2005, p.82]

Lacks elastic A.I. to keep the cars close together. [Jan 2005, p.87]

Good for boredom, bad for creativity. [Jan 2005, p.102]