"Quotation Forthcoming"

Red Faction is not a glorious revolution, yet neither is it a wafer-thin façade of the sandbox genre. Its foundation is strong, it’s fun in a mindless way, and its design intrigued us, but ultimately it’s not something that has been built to last.

So yes, we recognize and appreciate that this is an exact remake of a classic game, but the bottom line is, many of you will decide that its unforgiving nature saps too much fun out of what is otherwise a lovingly reassembled classic.

The trouble starts as soon as you hit the ice - skating is downright abysmal. Players feel floaty, like they're just gliding effortlessly on the frozen surface. [Oct 2005, p.109]

What makes N+ really new and fresh though is its customizability. [Jan 2008, p.66]

The game's gravest offense is its lack of things to do...None of it is deep or varied enough to make the game much more than a "Halo 3" consolation prize. [Mar 2007, p.72]

It may still be the best gridiron option by default, but Madden 07 is a disappointing step backward on the Xbox. [Oct. 2006, p.77]

If you still have Pac-Man Fever, this game is a must-own. Otherwise, just sample the remix with the free demo. [Sept 2007, p.76]

As a catchall franchise compilation, Tekken Tag 2 works for fans who aren't seeking anything too radically different, delivering plenty of fighters and solid fun, even if it's traversing well-worn territory.

It absolutely nails the atmosphere. [July 2010, p.81]

For all the game's possibilities, however, it also feels remarkably sparse at times, with a seemingly limited set of materials, animals, and enemies in the world. Minecraft is naturally a very slow and deliberate experience, but the Xbox 360 Edition is curiously based on a year-old PC beta version, and thus lacks many of the elements seen in the official release and later updates, including new animals, resources, food, enemy actions, and combat mechanics.

Ballers aspires to be about street culture and cred, but it has all the authentic urban flavor of Jamie Kennedy. [May 2004, p.81]

Even if there were room to experiment, a few dozen animals aren’t sufficient to lure back veteran gardeners for long, and newcomers are bound to wonder why life on the island is so needlessly difficult. In the end, Trouble in Paradise proves to be aptly named.

A PS2 port that went un-enhanced but otherwise plays fairly well, but it's not without some flaws. [Jan 2002]

If you've never played Virtua Fighter, this is the best entry yet, and if you're a fan, well, spend the $15. Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown is still everything it was in 2007 - fluid, complex, and fun. It's just not much more.

While the exterior looks great, within is a flawed baseball game that needs a good bit of work. [Apr 2005, p.85]

The fast pace, aged artifacts, and new online multiplayer functionality might make Sensible worth a peek for the curious, but only the truly devoted will even consider purchasing it. [Feb 2008, p.80]

What sets Terraria apart from its obvious inspiration is more than just 2D design; it’s the action-centric tone that emerges the more you dig around and buddy up with pals, especially online ones who have cultivated their own worlds and arsenals (though local split-screen multiplayer is included).

Proves enjoyable and instantly accessible. [Apr 2005, p.87]

It's a lifeless action game crossed with a shallow strategy game; a game that seems to take the safe route in all things... but one that I still can't stop playing. Arrrrgggh! [Aug 2005, p.80]

Blood Dragon becomes too easy too soon, thanks in part to the steady stream of health-bar upgrades and damage-reduction bonuses you’ll unlock as you tear through 30 experience-based levels of personal progression. By the end you’re practically unstoppable, so you’ll almost certainly overcome all seven story missions, and complete every optional hunting excursion and hostage rescue, in under five hours.

Despite the off-tone retelling, though, Lego Lord of the Rings succeeds in being the most authentic and complete LOTR videogame to date.

It's a decent surf sim, but by no means definitive. [Nov 2002, p.120]

Lack of variety and depth. [Apr 2010, p.83]

Despite a few fresh ideas, Lego Batman 2 is, creatively, the weakest game in the Lego franchise.

Despite its solid on-course action, this franchise is starting to show its age. [May 2011, p.79]

If all you want is Knuckles' debut, this is a fine $5 deal. [Oct 2009, p.77]

Assault Heroes is a no-nonsense blaster with plenty of co-op chaos and a lust for making hordes of things go boom. [Feb. 2007, p.77]