Brings style aplenty, but it rarely stoops to substance and is easily surpassed by its videogame brethren. [Jan 2005, p.85]

Jak 3 doesn't break much new ground, but it is head and shoulders above most of its ilk and is a fitting - and make no mistake, good-looking - send-off for this beloved trilogy. [Dec 2004, p.124]

The bottom line is that if you're going to have an easy-to-play game that doesn't even attempt to push the genre in any meaningful manner, at least feature characters that 8-year-olds won't be too embarrassed to be caught playing as. [Dec 2004, p.126]

A sublime experience that incorporates the feel of flying, acrobatics, and racing all in one. Unfortunately, the finicky EyeToy provides less than optimal control, resulting in intermittent bursts of frustration. [Jan 2005, p.122]

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]

The third volume includes features that rocket its entertainment value to an entirely unparalleled level. [Dec 2004, p.115]

The digital surround sound is phenomenal (and the voice-acting peerless), and players with a good A/V system will enjoy hearing enemies approach from all sides due to the sharp positional sound.

Doesn't reinvent the gameplay of its predecessors, but it does refine it. Unfortunately, it's not all for the better. [Jan 2005, p.128]

As anime-based games go, there have been far worse. Unfortunately, there have also been better. [Dec 2004, p.125]

MPT may not reinvent the game, but it definitely whacks it up enough to warrant a revisit. [Jan 2005, p.120]

There are a few places where the game falls short (drivable vehicles would have been nice), but excellent A.I., solid gameplay, and fairly deep multiplayer battles make Pacific Assault worthy of the Medal of Honor name.

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]

It's just a little too late for a reboot from last year. [Feb 2005, p.87]

The controls are flawless, the weapons are diverse, and the production values are some of the highest in the industry. [Dec 2004, p.106]

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]

The hardware simply isn't powerful enough to consistently process what Killzone wants to do, in both single-player and online multiplayer modes. Similar to how Rare's "Perfect Dark" stressed the N64 near the end of that system's life, a game with otherwise excellent attributes finds itself arriving much too late for one party and a little too early for the next.

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

Fast and frenetic, ATVOF3 is a great title, so much so that we can forgive the occasional restart from behind an unmovable obstacle. [Jan 2005, p.87]

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

In the ring, inconsistencies abound-weird collision detection, random selling, neutered submission moves, and A.I. that revolves between timid and simply schizoid.

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

One of gaming's most horrific experiences. [Feb 2005, p.102]

A competent and, at times, genuinely fun platformer, but it will have to rely heavily on its license for a successful run. [Feb 2005, p.99]

It's shamelessly hilarious, leaving no topic or genre stereotype sacred. [Dec 2004, p.110]

There is also a distinct lack of overall polish, mostly noticeable in the smallest ways: ugly character models, cluttered maps (the custom waypoint is a welcomed and downright necessary addition), unnecessarily complex wardrobe management, odd misspellings ("Cobra Marital Arts"), and even repeated references to Los Angeles instead of Los Santos.

Taiko: Drum Master's surreal happy-happy smiling drums and their friends are much more charming and should easily win over the hearts of music-loving PS2 gamers across the globe. [Dec 2004, p.132]

A game designed solely and specifically to appeal to nostalgia-addled fans, released in a country where that nostalgia doesn't exist. [Dec 2004, p.102]

If you're looking for a faithful and compelling GTA adventure, you'll likely be disappointed. [Feb 2005, p.84]