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

It isn't exactly groundbreaking, but Whiteout plays well and offers a good-looking experience. [Feb 2003, p.73]

A gritty, stylish noir sequel built to please the first game's many trigger-happy fans. [Feb 2004, p.86]

Takes its inspiration from "The Legend of Zelda" - and that ain't bad. [Feb 2003, p.96]

The hand-to-hand combat is, despite a handful of unlockable combos, pure button-mashing chaos.

One of the fastest-paced, most exciting wrestling games we've ever played... [But] effectively dealing with multiple opponents is highly problematic. [Apr 2003, p.70]

Lacking in the production department, with awful slowdown at times and a camera that makes life difficult. [Feb 2003, p.70]

Two words: bottomless pits. That foul design element, which should have been eradicated from gaming's lexicon decades ago, shows up in Nightshade - and with maddening regularity. [Apr 2004, p.88]

Feels a bit like Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor in that an attempt to make an epic WWII Pacific Theater experience results in a product with brilliant touches mixed with mediocrity.

The fighting is absolutely mad-dog-howling good. [Mar 2004, p.93]

This green-eyed feline can control the flow of time, but puzzles designed around that concept are lacking. Great idea, flawed execution. [Feb 2003, p.95]

What really wins this skins match is multiplayer: "Tiger" doesn't do it on Xbox, while Links not only offers multiplayer tourneys, but also the promise of new downloadable courses. [Dec 2003, p.82]

Factor in the need to half-push the left stick and left and right triggers in order to get style bonuses, and you can see why intuitiveness completely disappears.

The game alone is worth the price of admission, but this version features an all-new Mission mode that, while fluff, is nonetheless fun, plus 12 entirely cool Sonic games taken wars and all from the Sega Game Gear. [June 2003, p.72]

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

All traffic and pedestrians are removed from the game. Fortunately, the capture the flag and tag style modes are plenty entertaining, especially with a larger group. [Aug 2003, p.78]

Because may stages aren't too difficult to pass, the game might seem easy at first, but it's really a system that favors rewarding good players rather than punishing poor ones. [July 2004, p.89]

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

Like most strategy-RPGs, it's a lot to bite off at once, but it's a fine game for players who know what they're getting into. [Dec 2003, p.86]

Graphical shortcomings aside, hardcore fans shouldn't fret. AE is easily one of the most full-fledged flight sims available on any console. [Apr 2003, p.71]

It's not baseball. Slugfest is "NFL Blitz" with bats... If you know what you're getting going in, you'll have a blast. [Apr 2003, p.65]

In Premiership terms: FIFA is Manchester United - polished and predictable. "Winning Eleven" plays like Chelsea - maverick with panache and flair. Which would you rather play? [Dec 2004, p.119]

One fine tactical strategy series...It's just too bad that so little has been changed. This isn't Dynasty Tactics 2, it's "DT: Special Edition." [Nov 2003, p.77]

The real selling point is Ghosthunter's presentation, and the graphics, script, music, and acting are all first-rate. [Sept 2004, p.96]

On its own, it's a good, solid action game with a compelling story, nonstop action, and a deep, dark jungle atmosphere that's easy to get lost in. [Nov 2004, p.121]

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

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]

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