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]

Bejeweled Blitz Live might not be everything you could have hoped for, but it's still more than enough to take a huge bite out of your free time. [April 2011, p.81]

Even local co-op doesn't add much fun, and Rearmed 2 costs 50% more than its predecessor to boot. [April 2011, p.81]

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]

Reinventing an old coin-op is fine with us, but unfortunately, this redux fails to meet modern standards. [April 2011, p.79]

Overall, Dance Paradise is exactly what the game's name advertises: a respite from the sweet-inducing, mind-boggling physicality of titles like Dance Central and Dance Masters. [April 2011, p.79]

You'll find some bloody good times scattered throughout the journey, but not nearly as many as we'd hoped. [April 2011, p.78]

Fortunately, what this exceptional new version of a PC favorite lacks in story, it more than makes up for with deep character customization, ever-more-powerful loot, and a dungeon-generation system that'll devour whole days of your life. [April 2011, p.76]

The idea of mind hackers who can wear other people's flesh as disposable armor in stop-and-pop firefights has potential, but Mindjack feels lobotomized. [April 2011, p.75]

Next to its predecessor, Dragon Age II may be a slightly altered beast, but the minute Isabela slyly chirps "I like big boats, I cannot lie" to a Desire Demon in the murky Fade, you'll realize this game offers some of the deepest, nerdiest, most worthwhile 40 to 60 hours you'll ever love losing sleep over. [April 2011, p.70]

Much more evolutionary than revolutionary, but the series remains one of the 360's finest sports sims. [Apr 2011, p.74]

The campaign simply drags on far too long. Well before the end, you've already nailed all of the skillshots you're likely to achieve and have had enough of the game's bromantic dialogue.

It's a lot of value in such a small package, but the sometimes overly precious presentation can be befuddling at times, making Stacking an experience best savored by gamers predisposed to cutesy cleverness.

We just wish the actual racing shared the depth and excitement of these considerable community features. [Mar 2011, p.82]

We've seen a few middling attempts at Vietnam War experiences, but this one rocks because it doesn't try to bring politics or sense to the table--just lots and lots of death. [March 2011, p.77]

You won't confuse this $15 arcade game with a full-priced marquee shooter, but its distinct flavor and fresh gameplay make it worth cracking out whenever you want a break from the genre's big boys. [March 2011, p.78]

Unless you're a Yu-Gi-Oh! master, stay far, far away. [March 2011, p.81]

The Path of Go features story-mode matches against shrewd A.I., but it lacks the decency to introduce important strategic basics before mopping the floor with your face. [March 2011, p.81]

Want a way to reap the benefits of multitasking physical and mental activity? Read a book on a treadmill instead. [March 2011, p.80]

Unless you have loot and robot fetishes, there's little reason to go here. [March 2011, p.81]

We enjoy QAA, but next to golden oldies(Doom, Duke)and modern epics(Halo, Call of Duty), it's less of a legend. [March 2011, p.81]

However, Battlefest's plan to play it safe also limits it. No hint of a single-player campaign is included: you're either playing multiplayer matches with humans or simulating them. [March 2011, p.85]

Glitches can sully the fun--an if you've finished the main game, you're forced to load an earlier save(pre-endgame)--but Dead Money is still a grim, well-wrought challenge. [March 2011, p.85]

At that rock-bottom price, we can't help but recommend this so-so expansion...if just barely. [March 2010, p.85]

The game's dull, repetitive missions drive home the harsh truth: it's an aggressively average action-RPG that's here far too late for anyone to care. [Mar 2011, p.76]

The magic of the game is in its approachability... For both hardcore fighting fans and genre newbies, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 offers a whole lotta bang for your buck. [Mar 2011, p.70]

The game starts to lose its novel sheen after just a few hours, even as it offers a tantalizing glimpse of the genre's future.

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We've reached the point in the 360's lifecycle where even movie tie-ins have decent graphics. Too bad that the only part of Megamind: Ultimate Showdown that doesn't totally suck. [Feb 2011, p.83]

Forty bucks for a dozen-plus hours of brainy hijinks? We'll take it. [Feb 2011, p.82]

Understone is cheap, but that's hardly enough to make it a worthy purchase. [Feb 2011, p.83]

As a result, tackling the solo tournaments seems pointless unless you've mastered these rigged shots, and ranked matches often become lopsided contests that favor folks who've memorized the most. [Feb 2011, p.83]

You might be itching to try a new crab-fishing sim, but don't fall into Sea of Chaos' minigame-laden trap. [Feb 2011, p.81]

For nostalgic fans who can hang in there--or first-time players--earning "crazzzzy money" still has its mome4nts. [Feb 2011, p.81]

We had an absolute blast with most of the tracks on offer here and at $5, this late add-on is still very welcome. [Feb 2011, p.81]

Forty bucks for mostly junk is way too much. [Feb 2011, p.80]

It's far from the best brawler on XBLA, but Saga is fun enough to warrant a look. [Feb 2011, p.78]

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]

But while Raskulls' thrills are short-lived, it's a genuinely fresh and fun concept we hope will do well enough for an even bolder(and heftier)sequel. [Feb 2011, p.78]

Between lag, lockups, and a general lack of players, Bloody Good Time guarantees that you'll have anything but. [Feb 2011, p.79]

In fact, it's the opposite: a cranked-up and damn near hypnotic high-energy sprint across a flashy, ever-shifting psychedelic racetrack. [Feb 2011, p.79]

The super-high learning curve may turn off those not indoctrinated into developer Crave's brand of wicked-hard intensity, but genre fans will find more than enough to love(and die endlessly for)here. [Feb 2011, p.76]

Hardcore completists may appreciate squeezing the last bits out of Empire Bay, but all others should let this aggravating add-on sleep with the fishies. [Feb 2011, p.76]

Still, the writing and voice-overs match the quality of the cartoon. Is that praise? If you answer "yes," then you'll enjoy this game. [Feb 2011, p.76]

Kids will undoubtedly get more out of it than adults, but most players will simply wonder where the eight hours went. [Feb 2011, p.75]

With Kinect Sports hosting way better bowling, you should avoid this at all costs. [Feb 2011, p.75]

It's not perfect, but it hits most of its well-intentioned targets. [Feb 2011, p.74]

Dead Rising fans will enjoy it most, but even carnage-craving newbies will easily get their money's worth. [Feb 2011, p.73]

Even if Game Party was the only party-oriented Kinect game, we still wouldn't recommend it. [Feb 2011, p.73]

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An outstanding meal for one. [Feb 2011, p.72]

The nuanced tweaks and countless subtle refinements really ratchet up the atmosphere and make Dead Space 2 a richer, more streamlined experience...There's a sure-footed confidence this time around that gives the ghastly proceedings a level of character investment and polish that Dead Space never quite achieved. [Feb 2011, p.29]

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Numbers aside, though, the game's old-style simplicity is both charming and, well, kinda boring. Some barely smoothed visuals are the only real upgrade here, so what you get is pretty much the original arcade game.

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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.

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How cruelly ironic that a game filled with gleaming, glossy surfaces would be in such dire need of polish.

Spend your $50 on something--anything--else. [Jan 2011, p.81]

If you don't mind solo workouts, Zumba Fitness delivers in spades. [Jan 2011, p.79]

These folks add a considerable amount of content to a game in desperate need of variety, but their fighting styles and special moves aren't enough to make this rigid, repetitive actioner worth enduring. [Jan 2011, p.78]

If you can grab a buddy, you can pass some time in it, but don't expect too much. [Jan 2011, p.78]

There's enough cool stuff here--undead animals, fanciful new mounts, and fantastic new weapons--that it's among the best game add-ons on 360 to date. [Jan 2011, p.76]

Leave your superhero cape at home; Dream Chronicles instead begs for a mouse and keyboard--but this is a 360 game, and there's no such pairing in sight. [Jan 2011, p.76]

Even Jigsaw's most ardent apostles should spare themselves this torture. [Jan 2011, p.76]

It's not for everyone, but with patience, Uprising can become an incredible experience, with plenty of giant bosses and insane, over-the-top action set-pieces. [Jan 2011, p.74]

With a decent number of areas to clear, that's pretty much it. [Jan 2011, p.74]

True, Monster Jam isn't much more than big trucks messing stuff up, but sometimes that's all you need. [Jan 2011, p.75]

Unless you're dying for a lightgun game at any costs, you're best advised to set your sights elsewhere. [Jan 2011, p.75]

The actioner certainly has polished visuals, but too often suffers from repetition: see enemy, cast spell, repeat. [Jan 2011, p.75]

All in all, Raging Blast 2 aims low and hits the mark for lovers of Goku, Vegeta, and the rest, but those looking for a great fighter won't have their wish granted this time. [Jan 2011, p.73]

But Create is clearly aimed at a younger audience, so it may be right up the alley of anyone with equal parts patience and creativity. [Jan 2011, p.73]

Flick the fanboy switch off, though, and you're left playing a game in bad need of a little more technical polish and a whole lot of more variety. [Jan 2011, p.73]

As a pre-order freebie, Ignition isn't bad, but it isn't worth paying for or playing through otherwise. [Jan 2011, p.69]

Next time, the King of Fighters crew should really stick to what they're good at: beating each other up with fists, not bullets. [Jan 2011, p.69]

What could have given other wrestling games a run for their money ends up winded before the ring bell even sounds. [Jan 2011, p.66]

But between its quaint characters and charming attitude, it's still an entertaining enough way to while away a few afternoons in service to imaginary nobility. [Jan 2011, p.66]

One glaring issue with PES is its lack of licensing. [Jan 2011, p.65]

Yapping lies into a mic is a unique and creative idea, but Truth or Lies never works like it should, and there's no reason to play it beyond nabbing easy Achievements. [Jan 2011, p.65]

Shred is a hodgepodge of good-on-paper ideas intended for younger and casual gamers, but the poor execution ends up alienating all. [Jan 2011, p.65]

As a $15 bare-bones Arcade title Jam would've been a treat, but what you get for the extra $35 is hardly fair value. [Jan 2011, p.63]

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Quotation forthcoming.

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.

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

It's still a fun series that can come right back like a determined wrestler, but this year's iteration lacks the polish and wow factor of previous versions. [Holiday 2010, p.78]

Stay far, far away. [Holiday 2010, p.58]

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

Light, fluffy popcorn fare, with just a dab of buttery thrills.

Your Shape won't replace a real-life personal trainer, but it does delivers as close an experience as you can get, in the comfort of your (hopefully Kinect-sized) game room - and that's no easy feat.