A campaign of surprisingly smart A.I. opponents. [Sept 2009, p.87]

An overarching story broken up into five hilarious adventures, Beyond Time and Space is an incredible value. Sharp, witty dialogue and creative puzzles make this laugh-out-loud package a true delight.

There's one thing that we can't dispute: Axel & Pixel is a gorgeous point-and-click adventure. However, the story leaves a bit to be desired. [Holiday 2009, p.76]

The developers' ambition and enthusiasm are undeniable. [Holiday 2009, p.84]

Okay, so Magna Carta 2’s not a meticulously crafted masterpiece. But as long as you go in knowing what annoyances await, you should have a pretty good time kicking monster butt.

There's just enough payoff to keep fans trekking through, but it's a shame that this marvelous license wasn't treated better. [Holiday 2009, p.79]

Hope for a fresh star when Cars 2 hit theaters in 2011. [Holiday 2009, p.82]

The simple rules and appealing storybook presentation are wonderfully captivating for the two hours it takes to play through all 27 main levels. [Holiday 2009, p.81]

It's easy to put down the wrong tower as you hurriedly try to set up your defenses, but otherwise, the controls are solid. [Holiday 2009, p.75]

Still, for anyone with a youngling who loves the Lego Star Wars games, the bang-on look and feel of Clone Wars will be a solid co-op romp. [Holiday 2009, p.80]

Whether you’re swinging a pipe or a scalpel, the controls never feel responsive, and rotten collision detection will drive you mad before Jigsaw’s twisted games even have the chance.

Though players no longer look like stunningly detailed mannequins, they do sometimes warp toward the basket or other players because an animation key tells them to. More important, Live still plays just too fast for our liking. But Live 10 shows the series is at least heading in the right direction.

This series has always been known for its presentation — particularly its animation — and 2K10 is no exception. Big and small, the movements are all so perfect now that the occasional gaffe jumps out only because it’s a reminder that you’re not watching a real NBA game.

The Strike is simply too shallow to hold even the most ardent fisher's attention for long. [Dec 2009, p.69]

Its enduring strength...is its simplicity. [Nov 2009, p.84]

Newcomers will find its plodding pace and lifeless visuals tedious, but old-school tacticians will happily breathe vintage moon dust for days. [Holiday 2009, p.81]

But unless you're an absolute aficionado of international soccer, you'll be lost. [Holiday 2009, p.85]

It pains us to have to say that it's just not too fun to play. [Aug 2009, p.75]

Uninteresting story and visuals. [Dec 2009, p.69]

Without any new features, this year's installation is just as good as the rest, and that doesn't say much. [Holiday 2009, p.85]

You're better off slamming something in a car door....and that's free. [Holiday 2009, p.80]

Ion Assault occasionally feels insubstantial and rarely replicates the big, tense moments of other thrill-a-second shooters, but it works well as a slightly more strategic alternative. [Nov 2009, p.72]

Four-player co-op is crazy amounts of fun. [Dec 2009, p.83]

This Halo manages to earn its own keep while learning from its predecessors’ mistakes and balancing fan expectations. It’s no small feat, particularly with that Master Chief guy nowhere in sight.

Simple tournaments and multiplayer combine for classic pinball action. [Nov 2009, p.78]

A pleasant, solidly entertaining, and kid-friendly option. [Dec 2009, p.77]

Because the co-op mode adapts the same structure for its 100 new levels, rather than implementing new ideas, this redux feels pretty out of touch. [Oct 2009, p.73]

But for $10, the price is alright for this fresh slice of strategic goodness. [Holiday 2009, p.81]

A super-accessible, stylish, over-the-top slaughterfest. [Dec 2009, p.80]

Shift is hugely entertaining, but remember that it’s not about the sillier fun of its Need for Speed predecessors. It’s about the nail-biting intensity and challenge of hanging on to your car at high speed, and as long as that’s how you like your racing, you’ll disappear into this game.

For the hardcore hockey lovers who expect the significant improvements each year, NHL 10 is pure bliss. Everything you loved before is either back in full force or improved enough to warrant playing again. The core experience was already electric, but the enhanced realism, new player abilities, and gratifying sense of progression have us skating on smooth ice.

Shallow and dull, but it's also inoffensive and marginally enjoyable. [Oct 2009, p.73]

This arcade hockey is a reasonably fun alternative to aggressive realism, but it lacks the substance that’ll keep us playing its competition long after both games launch and hockey season has come and gone.

Lots of wise gameplay enhancements. [Dec 2009, p.65]

Gun-crazed gamers just looking for another run-and-shoot romp will find the plodding pace and home-spun presentation distasteful, but Darkest of Days offers everyone else enough fresh and rewarding gameplay to offset its worst problems.

A decent hunting adventure. [Dec 2009, p.77]

A strong example of challenging, polished 16-bit platform gameplay. [Oct 2009, p.80]

While IL-2 doesn't quite manage to be the awesomest air combat game of all time, it comes temptingly close. [Oct 2009, p.68]

Probably the core of what makes this game such a blast is the handling. It’s not as scientific and demanding as Forza’s, nor is it as slap-happy loose as Need for Speeds of old, but it hits a nice sweet spot between real and fun.

Raiden IV could’ve been a genre godsend for a devoted fanbase; instead, it proves merely adequate.

One of the finest examples of the burgeoning tower-defense genre on Xbox 360. [Nov 2009, p.70]

Even without a huge diversity of modes, there are worse ways to spend $10. [Dec 2009, p.81]

Section 8 also offers a lot of customization options, with players able to tweak their weapon loadouts, tools (like healing abilities and various flavors of explosive), and even a whole slew of buffs and perks called “passive modules.” Best of all, racking up kills nets you points that you can use to buy deployable gun turrets, hard-to-drive tanks, or hulking mech suits.

If you’re into party gaming with tons of tunes and opulent options, this is the Guitar Hero to own — easily the best since Guitar Hero II, and the most flexible and friendly interactive jukebox the genre has ever seen. All the elements really came together in GH5; this is musical fun done right.

Maddening difficulty spikes. [Nov 2009, p.84]

Over in just two to three hours. [Nov 2009, p.78]

Your $5 will be better spent elsewhere. [Dec 2009, p.78]

Impeccable presentation from top to bottom. [Nov 2009, p.82]

We were spoiled by Shadow Complex’s sophisticated environments, and while we could settle for the truckload of timed challenges in the nifty Proving Grounds collection of mini-games, we wanted to fall back into the darkened corridors of the sinister Restoration’s high-tech mazes for more, more, more.

A decidedly old-school FPS that modernizes itself just enough to make it fun today. [Nov 2009, p.68]

Complementing the on-field awesomeness is Year Two of online franchise mode. It’s better than before — you can even manage it from EA’s website or from your iPhone — and we encountered no issues during our testing.

In addition to a series of unlockable tournaments, Trials packs a bike and avatar editor, a compelling compilation of minigames (see sidebar), and that track editor. It’s an incredibly robust feature — perhaps even similar to the actual development tools — but it’s also highly intimidating.

The lack of jump-in play — particularly on the couch — is very disappointing considering the game’s coin-op origins. Bummer, dude.

It looks like a last-gen Disney reject, but Brave does a great job of showing children the basics of different genres. [Oct 2009, p.74]

Definitely inspired by old co-op coin-ups like Ikari Warriors, minus any ambition. [Oct 2009, p.75]

MvC2 rewards hardcore fighters; we just wish Capcom had better rewarded hardcore fans. [Sept 2009, p.84]

Problem is, the aesthetics are disconcerting. [Aug 2009, p.76]

There's a vast supply of goodies for determined 'sploders, making this a sparkling, silly treat. [Oct 2009, p.80]

The game is abnormally long for a kids’ game, and the enemies are a varied bunch, so be prepared to have the young’uns glued to it for a while.

Secret is the foremost example of the genre on Xbox — and arguably anywhere else.

It basically boils down to Marble Madness with guns. [Oct 2009, p.80]

As a gigantic fan of cycling, I'm absolutely crushed to report that this game is atrocious. [Oct 2009, p.80]

Between some innovative new online features and a mess of shrewd tuning, it’s the kind of compulsively playable game that sports fans will have a hard time tearing themselves away from.

What you get, really, is Battlefield at its most pure. [Aug 2009, p.71]

Doesn't make any earth-shattering changes to its predecessor, but it also doesn't break anything, either. [Aug 2009, p.76]

$10 of joy. [Oct 2009, p.82]

Remarkably solid. [Oct 2009, p.80]

It slowly dawned on us that that's all there is to the game. [Oct 2009, p.82]

But none of those gripes can compare to the biggest crime committed here: no co-op! In a game that focuses more than a little on the exploits of two seemingly inseparable brothers, why would we not be able to bring a friend down the dusty trail? That absence is completely inexcusable, and the addition of pointless, paint-by-numbers competitive multiplayer only adds insult to injury.

Most adults will want to look for more sophisticated fare. [Oct 2009, p.82]

Every anime-riffic charcter - from Ragna, the slightly effeminate swordsman, to Taokaka, the obligatory catgirl - is beautifully drawn and totally bizarre. [Aug 2009, p.71]

Overly linear levels, repetitive fights, and a distinct lack of polish. [Oct 2009, p.75]

If only the title had been given a full HD makeover instead of sticking with its decade-old graphics, more players would've been turned on to this lost gem. [Oct 2009, p.82]

Droplitz put us to sleep. We mean that in the best way possible. [Sept 2009, p.87]

Despite the uphill difficulty curve, repetitive commentary, and long loading times, Round 4 is a force that topples its mind-blowing predecessor in every category. You will get punched in the face, and you will love it. [Aug 2009, p.64]

Six original Transformers episodes and other unlockables are a sweet treat; if only the rest of the game felt like such treasure. [Oct 2009, p.75]

Overlord II preserves what worked last time, improves what didn't, and tries several new ideas on for size. [Aug 2009, p.62]

This time around, Dynasty Warriors’ horde-slaughtering action is complemented by a greater emphasis on strategy as you attempt to conquer China in Empire mode, the game’s meatiest offering.

Terrific character-unlock system. [Oct 2009, p.82]

For 15 to 20 hours of laughs and gameplay, it's a steal. [Sept 2009, p.85]

Ghostbusters combines a tried-and-true structure with a familiar but fresh license, filling that game with personality and panache - and that's what really raised our spirits. [July 2009, p.72]

That full price is steep for what feels like an add-on disc. Gather your bandmates for a money-saving weekend rental, and you’ll have more fun with the oldies than you might expect.

It's fun for the first level, and that's about it. [Oct 2009, p.77]

Well worth $5. [Oct 2009, p.77]

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

At $5, there's no excuse not to relive the joy. [Oct 2009, p.77]

Sometimes it ends up feeling like a chore. [Oct 2009, p.77]

Unless you're an avid Shinobi fan, let this one pass you by. [Oct 2009, p.77]

Prototype offers an engaging tale, and it lets us stomp baddies in endlessly engaging ways. For action and superhero fans, that’s an irresistible mix.

Serious golf fans will want to spring for this game, even though it’s a lightweight but quality upgrade on Tiger 09. But if you’re more casual and you only fire up Tiger every now and again, you’ll be fine waiting for next year’s game and what will hopefully be a beefier step toward golfing nirvana.

While CellFactor is more fun with real humans, it never feels like it'll lure you away from other shooters. [Apr 2009, p.75]

Way too slow and boring by today's standards. [Aug 2009, p.75]

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.

This one's strictly for import-puzzle otaku who enjoy relentlessly super-happy fun times yes! [Sept 2009, p.85]

Feels a bit too easy, too slight. [June 2009, p.78]

Obviously, Up wasn't meant for adults, but the kid in all of us can find something to enjoy in it. [Aug 2009, p.74]

Super-fun robo-badminton for just $5. [Aug 2009, p.77]

For us, Gel never quite...gelled. [Aug 2009, p.77]