Snide voice acting turns cutesy bit players Globox and Murfy into electronic annoyances, and Hoodlum Havoc revels in its lame humor. [Apr 2003, p.68]

Despite all it's going for it, Evil Genius just isn't fun. The gameplay is dull, and there is nothing left after you get beyond the initial novelty. [Nov 2004, p.140]

If you can forgive it for some plain visuals and don't mind wading through menus - it may be fast-paced, but it's still an RPG - it's worth your time. [Mar 2003, p.58]

Definitely delivers cool effects and dishes up some really amazing moments, but technical issues, a cornball story, and weak voice acting add up to a slight disappointment overall. [Apr 2003, p.66]

The trouble comes when Defiance pads its levels with repetitive encounters and identical areas.

These battles, they feel real. More important, they seem dangerous.

Topping off the game is the ability to go through all of RS's excellent missions in a splitscreen co-op mode with a friend. [Dec 2003, p.68]

A fast, frantic action game starring a gun- and sword-wielding fellow fighting legions upon legions of baddies.

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

Has the most ambitious plan for post-treadmill play of any MMORPG released to date. [July 2003, p.71]

Ultimately, we would have been better served by an all-new River City Ransom. [Sept 2004, p.81]

FM4 isn't likely to win new converts, but it's guaranteed to lease the choir. [July 2004, p.90]

For a game that's more than a decade old, The Lost Vikings looks and plays great. [June 2003, p.77]

Defensive controls are just a tad too sluggish. [May 2004, p.84]

The short of it is -- you've played it before. N-d of story. [Mar 2003, p.72]

The controls are where the game falls apart: Movement is imprecise, with every jump a disaster waiting to happen; targeting an enemy with any degree of accuracy is simply impossible. [June 2004, p.81]

There really isn't another game like Shadow of Rome, let alone one of similar quality and polish. [Feb 2005, p.102]

It somehow feels like we've fought the good fight at the Battle of Hu Lao Gate dozens of times before. [Oct 2003, p.73]

Though nostalgia hounds will likely be amused, others will probably want more depth from the best beat-em-up 1985 had to offer. [Dec 2003, p.104]

Your opponents are unbelievably excellent shots who almost never miss...A clear case of style over substance, XIII is pretty to look at but a bitch to play. [Dec 2003, p.100]

A more technical take on tennis - or at least it tries to be. [Aug 2004, p.89]

Get a keyboard for your PS2 or don't bother playing. However, with a keyboard, this is EverQuest, the PC phenom, in all its addictive glory. [Feb 2003, p.80]

If only the battle system were as imaginative as the character creation, Magic Pengel would be one of those quirky and lovable games everyone looks back upon fondly. As it stands, it's just quirky. [June 2003, p.69]

Though the nostalgia of playing wears off quickly, for only 20 bucks, you really can't go wrong. [Dec 2004, p.104]

Get your soiree (not to mention your freak) on with this great addition to the Sims amazing stable of add-on packs. [Feb 2003, p.94]

What I liked best was how most of the tracks were set up in a way to guarantee fast or exciting finishes. [Mar 2003, p.64]

Say it with us: Poorly implemented gimmicks do not make for entertaining games. [July 2004, p.89]

If it weren't for an enhanced combat system, it would be a definite step down from "Kingdoms VIII" - ultimately, it's more of the same. [Apr 2004, p.92]

Vastly improved graphics and animations make this practically a new game. [Jan 2003, p.93]

The emulation is solid, delivering sound and gameplay that's up to par. [Jan 2004, p.86]

The trouble comes when Defiance pads its levels with repetitive encounters and identical areas.

Should have been the next glorious chapter in that game's story. Instead, it's a mildly disappointing epilogue.

Spearhead's default movement is also faster, which makes the game livelier: But if you're only interested in single player, there may not be enough here to sway you. [Mar 2003, p.70]

A technical knockout, really, considering there's not much competition. [Feb 2003, p.95]

Acclaim made a lot of improvements and did a great job at capturing some of the spirit of baseball, but the actual on-field experience seems a little off. [Apr 2003, p.64]

Different and innovative doesn't always mean good. [Oct 2003, p.69]

With a lavish, tropical setting (not a hurricane in sight) against which beautiful characters cavort, a vibrant reggae-themed soundtrack (you can rip your own tracks, too), and a piña colada atmosphere, DOAX is a flawed but guilty pleasure. [Feb 2003, p.58]

Problem is, the missions are largely cookie-cutter (do tasks like "destroy four generators without being spotted" sound familiar?) and lack the thrill found in similarly themed games, like "GoldenEye 007" (N64). Worse yet, your opponents are unbelievably excellent shots who almost never miss.

Even though the game is reatively short - about a day's worth of play - the levels are paced well. But for all the years spent in the studio, Red Dead still could have used some more time for polish. [July 2004, p.93]

This poor man's "Spy Hunter" is the part of Everything or Nothing in which nothing is, in all honesty, preferable. [Jan 2003, p.93]

While the action runs smoothly, textures and level design are a bit on the simple side, making some of the more ambitious "natural" levels feel a little too grid based. [Apr 2003, p.67]

Some puzzles require a more elaborate death, but the concept could have been taken a step further. [Dec 2003, p.82]

What Avalanche does right is give the gamer the sickest sense of speed in any snowboarding game to date.

If you're new to Sonic, for 20 bucks you really can't go wrong. [Feb 2005, p.103]

Exaggeraged violence is all Pride has; matches often conclude in less time than the game takes to load the match. [Mar 2003, p.66]

These battles, they feel real. More important, they seem dangerous.

Another slight issues is that while the world seems fully realized, and the interface is standard Pokemon issue, the game isn't nearly as massive or deep as something like "Ruby." [Apr 2004, p.83]

Perhaps not groundbreaking, Isuka is value-packed to the gills. [Nov 2004, p.132]

Problem is, the missions are largely cookie-cutter (do tasks like "destroy four generators without being spotted" sound familiar?) and lack the thrill found in similarly themed games, like "GoldenEye 007" (N64). Worse yet, your opponents are unbelievably excellent shots who almost never miss.

Promathia should offer worthier excursions than this. [Jan 2005, p.108]

The schizophrenia works, but just barely, because the game does nothing particularly brilliantly. [Jan 2004, p.72]

An Oliver-Stone-directed theme-park ride. [Dec 2004, p.102]

This RPG is full of lush graphics and beautiful effects but completely devoid of a decent story, character development, and anything resembling depth.

Giant robots are great, but basing them on the Gundam license with Capcom developing makes them greater, if that's even. [Feb 2003, p.92]

Midway has successfully overhauled their classic series, but it has kept the ultraviolence that made it so popular. [Oct 2003, p.68]

The game is good, to be sure, but only good enough to be mundane. [Nov 2003, p.81]

The disappointment, however, lies in wait for those who expected a greater leap forward and not yet another recycled cash-in. [June 2004, p.88]

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

Groove could be the perfect addition to your parties if it wasn't for the fact that EyeToy requires lots of light. If you like your parties glaringly bright, though, it's a hit. [May 2004, p.93]

What it lacks in substance, it makes up for in brilliance, and while we're averse to rewarding style over substance, in this case, we can't really deny the game's addictive appeal. [Feb 2003, p.73]

At worst, it's a standard adventure game that wastes good graphics, competent voice acting, and an engaging plot. [May 2003, p.71]

Godzilla & Co. wrecking cityscapes and each other, with support up to four players. What's not to like? [Feb 2003, p.96]

The addition of first-person-shooter-style controls is what takes Nexus to the next step. The series instantly goes from being niche to nice, now that turning your Core is simpler for the uninitiated. [Nov 2004, p.112]

Frustrating but not impossible, The Third Age brings genuine LOTR authenticity and a believable RPG together - a fellowship that works. [Jan 2005, p.112]

Acclaim made a lot of improvements and did a great job at capturing some of the spirit of baseball, but the actual on-field experience seems a little off. [Apr 2003, p.64]

Scapland's gorgeous set pieces and unique take on "Grand Theft Auto's" open-ended gameplay makes it one of PC gaming's best-kept secrets. [Jan 2005, p.104]

The combat is fantastic, but...everything outside of combat is pretty bland. [Aug 2004, p.100]

The emulation is solid, delivering sound and gameplay that's up to par. [Jan 2004, p.86]

Packed with gameplay depth, replay value, mordant humor, and vampire killing - the four basic food groups of the videogame diet. [Oct 2003, p.70]

It's the well-directed story and its stunning conclusion that provides the much-needed payoff and motivation to finish the game. With a slew of secrets designed to encourage repeat visits, SH3 may not be "fun," but it certainly is compelling.

What on the surface looks like your run-of-the-mill RTS game is actually a sophisticated action-packed balancing act. [Mar 2003, p.71]

From top to bottom, every aspect of the game oozes atmosphere. [June 2004, p.78]

Fever feels like some shareware game you could download for free on a PC. [Sept 2004, p.92]

So dark, gritty, and uncompromising, it makes "Vice City" seem much more like a cartoon than you would have previously considered it. [Mar 2003, p.62]

It's almost as if Koei planned this expansion pack long ago just to milk Warriors fans for all they're worth. [Jan 2005, p.102]

But this game is too difficult. Hell, we got frustrated by the tutorial. Not a good sign. By far the biggest problem is that you'll be fighting the camera controls as much as the Nazis.

What could've been crap on a DVD turns out to be a game that's easy to pick up and damn fun to play.

Once you begin playing, though, you realize that Sword of Mana's interface is among the most ill-advised in recent memory.

The game ends just when the story starts to get interesting, and hardcore RPG fans should be able to beat it over a single weekend of dedicated play. [Oct 2004, p.114]

Holland has done a brilliant job of focusing on gameplay over realism.

The glorious 3D speed rush is still broken by moments where you will csream with rage inspired by whatever sadism or idiocy has kept Sonic Team from fixing its camera and control schemes after five years of 3D Sonic games.

GT Online's price merely makes it attractive in a low-budget, disposable way. [Jan 2004, p.90]

With Dynasty 4's release scheduled for March, it's hard to recommend Xtreme Legends for purchase, fine game though it may be. [Feb 2003, p.72]

Cel-shaded graphics effectively capture the look and feel of the classic 1980's cartoon. Especially enjoyable for fans of the series. [Feb 2003, p.93]

It's surprisingly addictive and really does make math fun. No, really! [Oct 2003, p.77]

A fun ride that ends far too early. [May 2004, p.94]

Why waste money on Superstars when you can buy any number of hallucination-inducing substances to get your friends swatting at the air for a fraction of the price? [Feb 2005, p.94]

Overly generic... This game has been made before, and its has been made better. [July 2003, p.71]

A clear case of style over substance, XIII is pretty to look at but a bitch to play. Even all of its snazzy extra features can't make up for the hole that the evilly accurate A.I. puts in its head.

The slower pacing and repetitive gameplay wear thin after a few hours if you're all by your lonesome. [Nov 2003, p.78]

Xbox Live support is limited to downloadable content, not the needed multiplayer action, but it's great fun while it lasts. [Nov 2003, p.74]

But even without the fielder cam, defensive controls are just a tad too sluggish—it's not uncommon to see a player circling around a ball on the ground or to have an outfielder take his sweet time throwing the ball into the infield because of the imprecision.

You actually control things like the bit and the horse's lead leg in turns. [July 2003, p.78]

The only problem with SNK's KoF double-pack is the two KOF's SNK chose to pack together. [Jan 2004, p.72]

Better graphics and more modes equals better value. [May 2003, p.71]

Every bit as good as the movie upon which it is based, and no better. [July 2003, p.78]

While PSO began as a genuine phenomenon, it ends with something more like a fizzled experiment.

Just as polished as the rest of the series, striking just the right balance between familiar and fresh material. [Feb 2005, p.99]