Cold, Cold Heart is absolutely fine: The story is predictable but satisfying. The combat is occasionally frustrating but still fun. And the unique touches don't add much, but are welcome nonetheless. [July 2014, p.71]

It's single-player may be mediocre, but the online play will put a big exclamation point on the end of your summer. [Oct 2007, p.72]

It's hard to fault the small roster (14 games) when so many of them are true "classics." [Nov 2005, p.124]

Overall, YSFE 2012 mixes together components from EA Sports Active 2, UFC Personal Trainer, and the first Your Shape mostly well, but its polish and depth can't hide its irksome design flaw.

The behind-the-scenes retrospective angle is good for a few laughs, and it’s fun to see the new characters, battles, and goofy ending that could have been.

Even if NeverDead isn't quite the quirky prize it might have been, it's certainly an idiosyncratic (and often one-legged) dance through entertainingly outlandish territory.

It’s a giant, busy sandbox full of all kinds of fiery and destructive toys, but you have to get a firm handle on the game’s uneven tempo and immersion-breaking little quirks to fully enjoy the amount of freedom it offers.

It's enjoyable enough for a few go-rounds, especially in co-op mode, and that makes it one of the more endearing retro ports to hit Live Arcade. [Oct 2007, p.78]

But as long as you can withstand a bit of busywork here and there for the sake of an endearing comrade and a satisfying conclusion to his 15-hour adventure, you'll easily forgive Majin its foibles.

You'll ace every event in a handful of hours without much difficulty, and only the truly obsessive will pocket every collectible. But just ten bucks buys at least a few afternoons of enjoyable airborne antics.

Despite not including anything from the third Hobbit movie that could provide a satisfactory ending, Lego The Hobbit has enough content and charm to keep you entertained until the inevitable next Lego game. [July 2014, p.76]

Mild targeting problems aside, Phoenix is the most engaging Potter game to date, with the 3D richness that adults expect but straightforward hidey-seeky gameplay that won't overtax a tween audience. [Aug 2007, p.74]

You can still technically play through the entire adventure with just one Skylander, but to scratch that completist itch you’ll need both a fat wallet and the willingness to hunt down specific physical character figures.

But with a core game that stands strong, and Live matchups that are fairly smooth, Samurai Shodown II remains an enjoyable beatdown for fighting fans. [Dec 2008, p.93]

The overall package could stand to be more robust, but thanks to Mayday, Devastation still packs a punch. [July 2014, p.77]

Eets is fun in small doses, and while it's worth the $10 asking price, few will crown it a new classic. [May 2007, p.79]

Active 2 delivers a solid workout to anyone content with basic exercises. [Holiday 2010, p.59]

Though this re-release lacks any of the nifty extras you might be hoping for, you're paying a mere five bucks for a perfect port of an undeniably classic. [Oct 2007, p.78]

When $30 nets you this much online-multiplayer insanity, it's easy to forgive many of Anarchy Reigns' missteps. Heck, at that price, you can ignore the grueling solo campaign entirely and the game's still a decent value.

When Lego Star Wars III sticks to the basics, it's still a crowd-pleaser. [May 2011, p.76]

But for those of us who love a bit of fruity melodrama to go with our genocidal tendencies, N3's simple, responsive controls--along with the singular, satisfying thrill of netting 2,000 kills in one stage--is exhilarating. [Oct. 2006, p.80]

Puzzlingly, Rage even lacks a competitive FPS multiplayer mode - the very thing id Software is best known for. Instead, you get nine two-player co-op side stories (they're decent 20-minute missions worth rolling through once) and a suite of lackluster six-player buggy-racing modes in which you shoot at someone for a while before someone else swoops in and steals the kill at the last second.

Throw in a few surprise touches--like a flooded compartment and a spacewalk on the ship's hull--and Descent manages to provide the suspense that its predecessors didn't. [Feb 2011, p.79]

With its non-branching storyline and no multiplayer, Force Unleashed is certainly less ambitious than the classic "Jedi Knight" games - and ultimately, its design makes it feel more videogame-y and less of an all-engrossing Star Wars experience than Xbox entries like "Jedi Knight II" or "Jedi Academy." But when the game is on, it's on. [Oct 2008, p.70]

Cars 2 isn't quite gripping or original enough to top the more notable racers that inspired it, and regrettably, its aimless career mode and lack of online play are slight downers. But kids' games and movie games are rarely this polished and entertaining, so we commend Disney for doing this one right.

World at War is like watching a fireworks show that you’ve seen a few times before. You’re simply not wowed by the buildup, the grand finale, or any of it anymore. When - not if - the next sequel arrives, it’s going to have an upstream swim against an apathetic tide of familiarity.

It's good, solid fun, but it offers very little that we haven't experienced before. [May 2011, p.68]

For apocalypse buffs, much of I Am Alive is riveting stuff; we'd love to see a follow-up that improves on its framework.

Nitpicks are plenty, but so are the surprisingly fun aspects — whichever side of planetary strip-mining you fall on.

It feels a lot like that last "007" movie: plenty of fun, but nowhere near as awesome as we hoped it'd be. [Mar 2009, p.76]

There's no end to the action in Alter Echo, and the game succeeds in its deep fighting system... Unfortunately, the game stumbles with PS2-style graphics as well as repetitive and linear play. [Nov 2003, p.102]

There's a definite downshift in graphical swagger (no more heat-haze and speed-blur visual effects), but MotoGP 08 delivers pretty much everything else a two-wheeled racing fan could ask for. [Dec 2008, p.87]

Smart Bomb doesn't try to bite off more than it can chew. [July 2010, p.77]

We'd have appreciated a thicker campaign, more visually diverse missions, and especially the option to play co-op over Xbox Live, but as-is, this hors d'oeuvre is still an entertaining treat.

War in the North is hardly the most memorable adventure through Middle-earth, but you won't regret any of the time you spend fighting across its grim battlegrounds.

Combining the cutesiness of a Pixar flick with the depth of a theme-park tycoon game, LucasArts' Thrillville series smoothly transitions onto the Xbox 360 with Off the Rails, a souped-up and entertaining follow-up to last year's Xbox release. [Dec 2007, p.76]

CastleStorm's unusual mix of elements never quite congeals into anything too brain-taxing. But hurling bombs at buildings and flinging pointy sticks at barbarians is bound to get your blood pumping for a little while. [July 2013, p.76]

If you enjoy excellent, funny voice acting and the simplicity of just exploring areas and collecting items, you'll find a lot to like. [May 2014, p.76]

A very lengthy, beautifully wrought, and next-gen 1998, but 1998 nonetheless. [Oct 2007, p.82]

Hell Yeah!'s cheery approach to slaughter and its goofy riffs on nerd culture make this gorgeously amusing version of Hell worth a visit.

What redeems Wreckateer, ultimately, is its variety. Each gleefully cartoony castle is sprinkled with point targets, explosive satchel charges, cowering goblins, and special icons that make your shot speed up, bounce, and so on.

Though its missteps won’t have you eagerly trading Lego Marvel Super Heroes around with your friends when you’re done, leafing through its open-world NYC still succeeds as a goofy, absorbing time sink.

Afro Samurai persisted in mesmerizing us. And really, with Sam Jackson spouting lines like “That girl puts the two ‘asses’ in ‘assassin’” in feudal Japan, how can we resist?

Factor in the up-and-down, run-and-gun dunk-a-thons that are fun but arcade-y--a trait tougher to stomach after "2K7's" more impressive showing--and Live 07 is like a windmill jam in the Dunk Contest: nice, but we've seen it before. [Dec. 2006, p.86]

As a gleeful tribute to gaming and pop-culture past, though, Retro City Rampage is definitely recommended. It may not rival the series it most closely follows, but it still offers a unique and gorgeously presented experience.

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

But unless you are a FIFA completist who desperately wants to play as goalie, the minor on-field tweaks in FIFA 11 don't significantly impact what was already a complete, broad, and compelling game. [Nov 2010, p.76]

It's still not perfect, but it's a great step in the right direction. [Holiday 2010, p.87]

Nail'd may lack the polish of our favorite off-road racer, Pure, but thankfully, its thrills still trump its flaws. Well, most of the time.

All told, Small Arms is straight-up, button-whacking action. [Jan. 2007, p.77]

Packs just enough new content to keep its legacy alive for another year or two.

Controlling Harry is easy enough - however, the in-game camera can be a bit rough. [Feb 2003, p.75]

Jack might be the star, but you'll have more fun with the supporting cast once his spotlight dims.

While we miss the tactile feeling of physical pieces, the incredible customization options make Puzzle Arcade a great option for both dabblers and jigsaw enthusiasts. [Feb 2009, p.85]

Fret Nice contains one thoroughly enjoyable musical world. Rock on. [Mar 2010, p.84]

Surprisingly challenging in an enjoyable, old-school way. [Holiday 2005]

At times, the game's many puzzles and open-world areas did leave us aimlessly wondering and wandering. But varied gameplay, solid combat, and an effective mix of psychological scares and freaky encounters make Downpour a worthwhile trip to Silent Hill's haunted 'hood.

Serves up a piping hot platter of punishment, free of the FPS cliche's that mire other titles. [Dec 2005, p.115]

There’s still a lot of entertainment value here: the cutscenes, the puzzles, the whip, the unlockable areas, the light-hearted humor. But, moreso than with Lego Star Wars, you don’t need a microscope to see the flaws in this shiny new jewel.

It's over too soon, the quickie mini-games aren't worth more than five or 10 minutes, and the inexplicable lack of online co-op play stinks of missed possibilities, but Alien Hominid is still great fun and a joy to watch. [Feb. 2007, p.74]

UEFA Euro 2008 narrows the FIFA ranks to just 52 teams in competition for the confederation's crown, but it still delivers realistic control, convincing independent ball physics, and smooth online play-making. [June 2008, p.81]

A good, solid, and fun title that is great for blowing off steam and packs some multiplayer fun. [Dec 2002, p.103]

The push and pull between the great and sketchy in Fable Anniversary can wear over the course of the game, but its infallible, messy charm still manage to make it every bit the enjoyable time sink it was back in 2004.

Between the playoffs and the inevitable cribbing of Madden 13's bigger features (like Connected Careers), next year's NCAA Football will surely implement some bold changes. But NCAA Football 13 feels more like another effective iteration than a genuinely new, thrilling experience.

Commit to your fiefdom, and Tropico 3 becomes a gift that keeps on giving. [Apr 2010, p.81]

Whether its quirks annoy you more than its strengths entertain you, though, all boils down to how much of a Quake fan you are.

Chronicles of Mystara isn’t going to set the world on fire, but it nonetheless offers quality multiplayer fun with plenty of razzle-dazzle behind its vintage veneer, making it a worthy addition to any retro fan’s game library.

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

Multiplayer makes up for a lot. [Sept 2010, p.84]

If only Swarm played to its quirky strengths instead of working against them, its maddening obstacles would be much more enjoyable. [April 2011, p.80]

At the very least, the 360's first "Worms" game recalls the series' hearty roots--and for that, we're thankful. [Mar 2007, p.79]

DB2's 2D-platforming segments evoke memories of Shadow Complex and Limbo at times, but unlike those(much cheaper)classics, this game can be too frustrating for its own good. [April 2011, p.83]

Still, you've got to be a real fanboy to want to mash your way through all two dozen or so of its missions. [July 2006, p.84]

Even if you just want an occasional hectic diversion, Galaga Legions DX is an absorbing enough reinvention of the coin-op classic.

While the formula feels a bit dated now, the result is a shooter that is still incredibly fun. [Dec 2008, p.90]

Definitely worth trying, and legitimately funny in places. [Dec 2003, p.154]

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.

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

Finding an opponent online is easy, although newbies will find little mercy and even less help. Otherwise, this Kollection is an appealing, if never mind-blowing, package.

Bourne Conspiracy screams weekend rental. It isn’t a one-trick pony, but it has three or four moves at best - enough to truly impress you for a while, but not enough to compel most of you to punch, kick, and shoot all the way to the end of the game.

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

The feature that's sadly missing is the PS2 version's EyeToy-enabled face-mapping mode where your superstar can look like you. [Holiday 2005, p.89]

While it’s got some irritating rough patches, Dead Island: Riptide’s 15-hour campaign still manages to be a lot more fun than it has any right to be.

Ultimately, the promise of Far Cry's early enjoyably beachy facade doesn't entirely pay for the derivative sins of its latter half. [Jun 2006, p.83]

In fact, developer Gameloft has managed to give the game a beautiful 3D overhaul and a few minor gameplay updates while mostly maintaining its timeless brilliance. [Aug 2007, p.79]

Feels a bit like an expansion pack. But it's a big expansion pack that you can completely vanish into and emerge a couple of weekends later feeling like you got your money's worth. [Dec 2009, p.74]

But the compelling big-play action, an addicting career mode, and an amusing Home Run Pinball mini-game make The Bigs worth plenty more than the Cracker Jack-toy letdown you might have expected. [Aug 2007, p.78]

Unfortunately, it all feels very hollow. Minimal Jim Nantz commentary and crowd noise, limited facial emotions or post-shot reactions, and an overriding... silence makes Tiger 13 feel lifeless. We know golf is supposed to be serene, but it all feels unfinished here, as if the developers meant to take another pass on the audio, animation, and overall presentation.

All told, MLB 2K6 get two out of three major systems right....not bad in baseball numbers. More important, it's a recommendable offering and finally moves the series in the right direction. [May 2006, p.78]

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

Simply another chapter in a thoroughly charming game (OXM rating: 8.0). In other words, fun but not a must-buy.

There's actually a story, but you'll ignore it to get to the wall-bashing action. [Jun 2006, p.61]

To its credit, Real Big Shootin' takes a great game and focuses on one element, offering an experience that's legitimately different. In this case, though, "different" isn't nearly as fun.

So while the elder console looks like it's stuck with the 360's scraps, the series' next-gen evolution isn't complete either. Project 8 is a strong start and one worth playing, but it definitely feels immature--it's merely a beginning. [Jan. 2007, p.78]

If the sheer act of dungeon-crawling is your bag and you don’t mind a subpar story and an unending flood of other random errands to run, Sacred 2 is a great romp that lasts 25 to 30 hours.

The game plays well, handles easily, and provides plenty of slapstick humor. It's just too bad that its flaws restrict it to a merely enjoyable distraction. [Jan 2004, p.84]

Fortunately, nostalgic fans can indulge in four-player split-screen, which - while offering a third as many match types - still manages to recapture some of the fun Bond games have been grasping at for the past 14 years.

Party's certainly not as deep as its predecessor, but it features some of the most engaging mini-games on 360 to date. [Holiday 2007, p.80]