With balanced gameplay, lots of depth, 20-plus-hour play time, and online play, this is what sequels should be: better than the original. [Dec 2005, p.122]

Spectacularly good value, despite some of the same old problems. [Aug 2006, p.74]

Given the overall level of quality and activity in TOAU, it looks like Square Enix's first MMO has plenty of life left in it after all. [July 2006, p. 74]

Lead Blocker - the new Madden feature that, unlike last year's passing cone, actually revolutionizes gameplay. [Sept 2006, p.82]

The most obvious change from "F1 2001" is that the graphics have been given a major overhaul yet again. It's faster, more detailed and packed with fancy effects. [Sept 2002, p.112]

EA has tweaked the right analog stick moves, so now more than 10 skill moves exist, including stepovers and drag backs. [July 2004, p.97]

The hardcore may gravitate toward more advanced games like "In the Groove," but this is an excellent dance title for the rest of us. [Nov 2005, p.94]

It engrosses you in the way that only a great video game can. [Nov 2001, p.163]

The best hockey game I've ever played, hands down... ESPN's goalies look so good between the pipes, it's almost scary. [Oct 2003, p.120]

Perhaps the best licensed game on PS2, and one of the best brawlers in years. [Jan 2006, p.74]

A fantastic package, and to my mind it's easily the best racer on the system. [Nov 2005, p.120]

Doesn't do anything particularly original, but that's not really the point. The point is the content, the script, and the wit, and in these areas it excels. [Nov 2004, p.118]

There's a whole damn lot of game here, no matter what your tastes. [Dec 2004, p.116]

Kong radiates the ultimate gaming feeling: being a total badass.

The GameSpeak feature alone is reason enough to play this one. [Nov 2001, p.50]

A tense, exciting and genuinely thrilling experience. [Jan 2002, p.125]

The obvious choice for baseball enthusiasts for this new season. [May 2004, p.99]

The landscape could be considered a character in itself - it rivals the state of San Andreas in size and detail. It's one of the few landscapes where you can look in any direction and realize that the mountain in the distance isn't scenery. [Dec 2005, p.116]

The other big addition offers a nice contrast to the traditional franchise mode, which returns as fully featured and deep as ever. In NFL superstar mode, instead of focusing on the fortunes of one team, you follow the career of a character you create (or import from "NFL Street 2" or "NCAA Football 06"). [Sept 2005]

Surpasses "NFL Blitz" in just about every conceivable manner, thanks largely to gameplay that places greater emphasis on individual player capabilities as opposed to overall team performance. [Mar 2004, p.100]

It really does feel like an interactive Bond flick. [Jan 2003, p.130]

Whether embracing one's inner interior designer or one's inner "Porky's," players of all types have something to enjoy in Bustin' Out. [Jan 2004, p.126]

A supremely worthy successor to the most-frightening throne.

It may well be the best-looking PS2 game yet. [May 2003, p.89]

It's filled with cool ideas and a control system to die for. You're not really sneaking around, but you are hiding a lot - and it's the mechanics behind the hiding that makes the game so damn satisfying. [Dec 2003, p.164]

Basically more of the same, but with better graphics and some nifty new gadgets and vehicles. That's a good thing, by the way. [July 2003, p.92]

The Dual Shock 2 is kicking out vibes that will make you drop it if you don’t hold on tight. [Feb 2002, p.113]

Ranks among the finest titles of its genre on the system. [Mar 2002, p.106]