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.