There's also a full set of uninteresting urban ethnic stereotypes rendered in starkly dated graphics and loudmouth fake gangsta sound bites. [Mar 2004, p.85]

A solid game that shines in multiplayer, Blade Warriors is a great take on the "Smash Bros." formula that would truly excel if it were applied to the entire Capcom roster. Imagine the potential. [Apr 2004, p.84]

An admirable port. If you already have the Xbox version, you really don't need another one, but PS2 owners should pick it up in a flash...bang.

As far as action-platformers go, Samurai Jack isn't about to replace the likes of Jak, Ratchet & Clank, or Prince of Persia. It lacks depth, and it's way too easy (a weekend ought to do it).

PT is not worth your time or money. Almost every aspect of the game feels rushed. [June 2004, p.91]

The game hits the mark in terms of Samurai Jack authenticity. As he battles his archnemesis Aku, Jack acts and sounds like you'd expect Jack to act and sound. Only cel shading, rather than 3D RenderWare-ing, would have taken this over the top.

It can be frustrating at times, but it's not until around levels 18 and 20 that the true appeal of the game even makes itself known. [May 2004, p.83]

People with high blood pressure might want to stay away, but if you can tolerate unreasonably difficult A.I., Far Cry will punish you. And you will like it. [June 2004, p.82]

Playing through Cy Girls is straight-up torturous at times. It's as if the level designers threw dice to figure out the flow of certain stages. [Apr 2004, p.84]

This is Pandora's downfall: For a game that requires stealth and discreet action, the mechanics aren't very forgiving-or for that matter, consistent.

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

Surma's camera is a hateful creation, demanding more attention than a sugar-buzzed toddler and never showing you what you need to see, including anyone who might be shooting holes in your stomach. [Feb 2004, p.86]

You'll be hard-pressed to find a white-knuckle, multiplayer-focused FPS more intense than UT2004 any time this year. [June 2004, p.87]

Ghost Recon was fine tactical infantry sim - back in 2001. This new PS2 version is solid, but it pales when compared to modern juggernauts like "SOCOM II." [Mar 2004, p.83]

Overall, everything feels responsive, scores and stats come out realistically, and the atmosphere just feels right. [May 2004, p.84]

We're not sure sure we've ever seen a more convincing first-person action-adventure quite like Breakdown. [May 2004, p.91]

While the repetition of farm life is soothing, the repetition in the human interactions is just annoying...Still, with all the chores, you'll probably spend little time carousing about town, anyhow. [Apr 2004, p.81]

All the hardware that makes modern warfare hell is here, and from the moment you see the enemy hightail it at th efirst sound of your F-4 Phantom's engines, you'll know why every FPS - be it set in the future or that fabled galaxy far, far away - is out to imitate the Battlefield formula. [May 2004, p.89]

This game is so bad that it's insulting to both the talent behind it and the poor bastards who'll end up playing it. [May 2004, p.87]

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. [Apr 2004, p.93]

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.

Mildly compelling. [May 2004, p.90]

At times, the game's saccharine sensibilities make the challenges, though very real, hard to swallow.

The game's frequent puzzles also range from simplistic to mildly frustrating. Fortunately, you'll be finished with the game in a weekend.

You might even turn a blind eye to some of the dull, repetitive levels because they don't last too long. But can you forgive the control set that has you shooting your nozzle with R1 while aiming with the right stick?

You won't find a better baseball game this year...It's not quite the "Madden" of baseball games yet...but it's very close. [May 2004, p.85]

While the action portion of Commander is a leaky dinghy, the strategy elements are the Titanic, pre-iceberg. [May 2004, p.82]

The game's frequent puzzles also range from simplistic to mildly frustrating. Fortunately, you'll be finished with the game in a weekend.