This year's PES is a step backward, and letting players fake injury to draw fouls is the least of the offenses. [June 2008, p.81]

If this is what like as a drug kinpin is like, we'll stick to our day jobs. [Nov. 2006, p.74]

Don't avoid buying Manhunt because it's sick; avoid Manhunt because it has virtually no redeemable gameplay quality, period. [July 2004, p.87]

Admirably, it doesn't just resort to predictable, cliched platformer gameplay - it resorts to that and a respectably varied selection of other gameplay interludes. [Sept 2005, p.80]

It takes more than a pretty cape to impress us these days. [Feb 2002, p.70]

Close Combat also includes co-op and deathmatch, but you'll only lose friends by exposing them to this trash. [May 2005, p.88]

It's largely the same game with the bonus elements of online play, voice-commandable teammates, and a map editor. Nothing more, nothing less. [Mar 2006, p.78]

Sadly, this flashback is best left in the tar pits of old-school. [Jun 2006, p.61]

Gearheads might keep coming back for the toys and outfits, but everyone else will run like hell. [Aug 2011, p.77]

With incredibly poor visibility(apparently by design)and a thumping electronica soundtrack peppered with sophomoric sound effects, Space Giraffe offers a generous 100 levels of damn-near-unplayable technoslop. [Oct 2007, p.74]

Regrettably, Puddle's enticing possibilities are mired in a swamp of irritating issues. Increasingly lethal obstacles take the place of actual puzzles, and overcoming them requires painful trial and error. Meanwhile, the camera frequently focuses on runaway specks even as most of your goop starts to dissolve once it's off-screen.

Shoot Many Robots seemed like a sure thing, and its extensive and amusingly described weapon and gear options - which directly affect stats - are a standout feature; really, they're the only one that feels fully developed here. Nearly everything else around it is as unremarkable as a pile of bolts.

Kudos to Tecmo for the neat ability to swap between the classic 16-bit look and 3D makeover on the fly (offline only), a la Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. But sadly, the rest of Throwback feels as flat as those ancient visuals. [Jun 2010, p.82]

As a cheap, on-the-go timewaster, this game might work. But at $1[5], forget it. [Aug 2011, p.83]

Throw in groan-inducing power-ups and uninspired graphics, and you'll be bored before the weekend's up. [Feb 2006, p.79]

Dedicated fans of punishing classics like Mega Man might’ve relished the sense of accomplishment, but even they’ll grow tired of the drudgery, despite some tense boss battles against huge machines.

Stick with "Smash Tv" for similiar action with more thrills and better co-op play. [Jun 2006, p.64]

Three deal-breakers emerge in this weak pool game. [Jun 2006, p.62]

Obliterating futuristic forces and corporate landmarks with upgradable lightning, earthquake, and tornado attacks could've made for some stunning natural fury. But you'd never know it from Elements' main campaign, which spans 90 tepid minutes.

Dynasty Warriors 8 should be the pristine, refined culmination of a long-running franchise, but instead it’s a reminder of how much a series can deteriorate when it coasts on its success.

Mind-numbingly repetitive. [Jan 2006, p.75]

As you grit your teeth through 30 missions, you'll run into frustration aplenty. [Feb 2012, p.76]

FN's only rewarding attributes are the high quality character models and the perfect license. Everything else needs work. [Nov 2003, p.130]

Relies on its demanding difficulty to disguise its creative bankruptcy. [Mar 2010, p.83]

This limping Track & Field deserves no medals, let alone any of your Microsoft Points. [July 2007, p.81]

Perhaps the developers should have put a bit less effort into securing voice actors(Mark Hamill, Wayne Brady, and Elijah Wood have roles)and a bit more into fine-tuning the mechanics. [Holiday 2008, p.67]

SNK superfans will covet its three-on-three smackfests, but unless Neowave completes your KOF collection, save your $20. [Jun 2006, p.85]

I'm sure the folks behind this game would've been both pleased and amused to get a "6.9" score in this review. Sadly, this flaccid lump of code is barely worth a third of that. [Dec 2004, p.78]