The online options are still a little wonky in that they work, but with the Champions League license, we'd like more depth and options in how fans can compete with each other. Nevertheless, the style and impressive ball-movement physics help PES maintain its impressive fidelity.

Naturally, this mortality will drive some players nuts, while others will relish the undeniably heightened sense of danger.

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]

Even with the occasional framerate drops(particularly in co-op games), the sheer number of levels plus a deep level editor will keep hardcore shmup fans puzzling their way through for ages. [July 2011, p.79]

Not only is the couch-friendly design a big shift for Rock Band, but so is the newfound emphasis on score rather than accuracy.

At only 10 bucks, Charlie Murder is both a killer game and a solid value for solo artists; for anyone with a few friends willing to join the slaughter, it’s damn near mandatory.

Much like Sony's old "FaceOff" series, the gameplay itself is super-fast and floaty(by default; sliders let you tweak this), and the skates never really feel attached to the ice the way they should. [Nov. 2006, p.84]

Jump on Live for a two-player co-op romp and let the old-school arcade love flow freely like so many unspent quarters. [Mar 2008, p.91]

Grid 2 might not be quite up to the lofty standards of an all-inclusive open-world competitor like Forza Horizon, but it does more than enough to carve out a comfortable niche worth exploring.

The do-what-you-like pacing, charming presentation, and endlessly addictive nature of tackling increasingly complex structures in an effort to ultimately erect an impressive castle, mirrors an addiction we haven't experienced since the last time we preened in our pretty pinata gardens. [Dec 2008, p.88]

A handful of heinous difficulty spikes will try your patience - especially when you're protecting something other than your own backside - but even in the game's roughest moments, its unexpected diversity keeps you engaged.

Delivers lots of slick new ways to prance with the pigskin, but over time, the experience lacks the feeling of next-level evolution that defines a great sequel. [Feb 2005, p.72]

Dead Rising 3 is undoubtedly fun, and cleans up a lot of the messiness found in previous Dead Risings, but it’s still not the complete antidote to the series’ slowly decaying zombie antics. It also doesn’t take much advantage of the new hardware. Don’t blame the Xbox One, though — this launch-day release is limited primarily by the constraints set by the original’s creaky mechanics and gameplay clichés way back in 2006.

This is the kind of game Xbox Live Arcade was made for. [Holiday 2007, p.73]

A surprisingly entertaining, blissfully uncomplicated shooter... But it's not the kind of game that you'll absolutely fixate on finishing. [Apr 2005, p.80]

Even in its best moments, Dead Space 3 never quite reaches the highs of Dead Space 2: there's nothing as unforgettable as the gym battle, as beautiful as fixing the solar array, or as jaw-dropping as watching a mother and her necromorph baby explode. But this sequel's pulse-pounding action, epic scope, clever co-op play, and (mostly) absorbing story still deliver hours of fun.

Playing against other people online, you'll have a decent time, but solo players will miss out entirely on the sense of satisfaction that comes from outwitting another person. [Nov 2010, p.81]

But by releasing the same core game three years running and refusing to incorporate other games' innovations, ESPN is content to take its single, rather than go for extra bases. [Apr 2004, p.75]

E4's only major flaw is that it can get WAY repetitive. [Holiday 2007, p.70]

All of this boils down to gameplay that is slower-paced, more realistic, and lightyears more satisfying than "Top Spin 2's" or anything with "Virtua" in its name. [June 2008, p.74]

Packs in enough extras to really shine. [Dec 2001]

It's not SSX/ Snowboarders don't like racing/ They crave snow ballet. [Review Haiku - Feb 2002, p.80]

Old-schoolers will appreciate the effort put into Origins, even if it reinforces the progress fighters have made since that late-'90s Silver Age.

Mutant Storm is a lot like "Geometry Wars", but less frantic but more full of power-ups. [Jun 2006, p.62]

By adding muscle and dropping fat, Mortal Kombat feels tight and toned, just in time for the end of the Xbox world. [Dec. 2006, p.74]

Though Devil May Cry 2's faults required more than just an HD makeover, we won't let one bad apple spoil the bunch. For $40, we're finally getting two of the most extensive and excellent action games of all time, with a decent HD makeover. And that's a deal worth smiling about.

It's certainly no "Dirt"--Codemaster's off-road racer is still in a league of its own--but Sega Rally Revo's uniquely interactive terrain and unrefined bounce-me-off-the-walls driving dynamic help compensate for its thin venue count and constrained physics. [Dec 2007, p.73]

A better, more realistic game than last year's, but its still-vicious checking system might turn off hardcore hockey enthusiasts. [Oct 2004, p.80]

Some exceptional next-gen visuals--including complex and intricate terrain graphics, detailed cockpit renderings, and hair-singing pyrotechnics--also help propel Birds of Steel to an unprecedented new altitude for Xbox 360 dogfighters. [June 2012, p.69]

Suffers from linear gameplay, ridiculously difficult challenges, bad graphics, and a lead voice actor who sounds like an utter twit. [Jan 2006, p.75]

So if you pick up Coast 2 Coast, don't expect any sort of significant evolution of the arcade experience. [Jun 2006, p.87]

Like the New Orleans Hornets of the videogame world. It performs surprisingly well this season, and with a little more experience next year, it could be a title contender. [Nov 2008, p.70]

Shank 2 isn't quite as robust or refreshing as its predecessor, but it's another damn fine (and fun!) downloadable adventure.

While the game feels rough around the edges, the core is so entertaining that such flaws don’t dominate the experience. Whether you play solo or with pals, solving Sanctum 2’s many challenges proves deeply absorbing.

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]

We'd have welcomed a simplified Arcade version of Risk with open arms, but Factions surpasses expectations. [Oct 2010, p.85]

Same great gameplay, now with more immersion and no delays. [Holiday 2005, p.92]

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.

SoulCalibur V feels new without feeling reinvented. It's not genre-defining and it's not the complete overhaul probably needed to make SoulCalibur important in tournament-fighting circles, but it's still flashy enough to keep fans interested and technical enough to convert some series holdouts.

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.

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

Varied controls, unique challenges, and kooky characters make this old-timer a worthwhile blast from the past. [Holiday 2008, p.73]

It's all beautifully violent yet terminally one-dimensional once the story wraps. [May 2006, p.73]

An abbreviated runtime (three to four hours per playthrough) and the absence of any new gameplay modes don't diminish the joy of facing RAAM in a boss fight, or of leveling a building to crush a string of Seeders, or of defending against a horde of Reavers. It's these Gears-specific thrills that make RAAM's Shadow a short but worthy co-op–able history lesson told with guns and roadie runs.

As far as gameplay goes, World Cup performs a notch better than "FIFA 06" did(although taking free kicks from midfield is an odd moment with limited options for control and strategy). [Jun 2006, p.77]

Though these simple action relics aren't for everyone, we applaud the respectful approach taken for this reasonably priced release. [Jun 2010, p.83]

All the glitches make single-play stumble, but the game looks good, sounds great, and runs smooth like butta. [Jun 2006, p.86]

The heart of Crime's problems: the driving is OK, but the shooting interface manages to be worse than "GTA's"... You'll spend more time in L.A. frustrated than having fun. [Jan 2004, p.64]

This is not a game for casual, pick-up-and-play gamers. You'll need to spend a good chunk of time learning the nuances of surviving. [Jan 2003, p.86]

In the end, the arcade-y goodness of SlugFest is fun with your friends, but if Midway wants to earn respect as a single-player sim, it has a long way to go. [July 2004, p.82]

Unfortunately, only a third of the game is dedicated to re-creating Genesis-era stages, and classics like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic 3D aren't represented at all. Even worse, the game's beatable in five or six hours, with little incentive to reach 100% completion. Hopefully, Generations can spawn a sequel that fixes these flaws.

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]

As the cricket-like Wik, you use your tongue to collect grubs to feed your slow-moving monster and snatch acorns to spit at your insect foes. [Jun 2006, p.64]

Online multiplayer rekindles fond memories of linked arcade machines, and 30 brief challenges break up the solo routine. But clunky handling and crayon visuals are a harsh reminder of why we rarely visit with the ghosts of videogame racing's past. Daytona USA was once a pace-setting leader; now it's a museum-ready relic.

It's just a prettier version of a really enjoyable multiplayer game. [June 2002, p.76]

Straighforward, visceral fun that may not be Oscar-worthy in the plot department, but provides plenty of popcorn-munching matinee-style entertainment for the over-17 crowd. [May 2004, p.72]

With three "episodes"--two story episodes and Croft Manor--the price tag is easily justifiable: Anniversary offers a respectable four to eight hours per slice. [Holiday 2007, p.76]

You might want to resist, and you might mind coughing up the extra change, but you're bound to be hopelessly and happily addicted to what is truly a great puzzler. [Oct. 2006, p.78]

It's hard not to be pleased with these improvements and additions, but when it comes to BGDA2's plot and level design, it doesn't quite match up to our expectations. [Feb 2004, p.72]

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.

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.

The design has managed to capture the essence of the genre while making everything contextual to your controller, an impressive feat. [Jan 2004, p.84]

As long as you're not dead-set on playing by yourself, don't miss one of the most exciting and habit-forming co-op experiences on Live Arcade. [June 2011, p.81]

A letdown, but there is a bright side - it may just be the Ultimate weekend rental. [Dec 2005, p.100]

It may be initially enjoyable and easy to pick up, but the thrill doesn't last and it never quite distinguishes itself enough from the rest of the FPS pack on Xbox. [Apr 2006, p.75]

So yeah, Stranglehold does a great job of aspiring to the qualities of Woo's movies, but unfortunately, it just doesn't aspire to be a truly great game. [Nov 2007, p.86]

The prevailing problem with Rocksmith: defining exactly what it wants to be. It doesn't go all the way in teaching you guitar, in that you're not learning how to read notes or construct a composition. Conversely, as a videogame, its straight-faced tone, added playing mechanics, and high price make it less accessible than, say, Rock Band.

Anyone who loves "Bust-A-Move" will enjoy this aztec-themed variation in which your stationary frog idol fires different-colored stones into a revolving chain. [Jun 2006, p.64]

A space-station--building sim? It's not for everyone, but it's a hoot. [Jun 2006, p.64]

Red Alert keeps getting better as you play. [Holiday 2008, p.82]

Be prepared for a bit of disappointment, though. While Years 1–4 had something new hiding behind every doorway, much of this sequel feels too familiar.

Whether you're flanking foes together or dodging gracefully in a solo session, Empire is a fast, well-designed blast-a-thon. [Nov 2007, p.94]

Only a bit of lag in the otherwise fun-as-ever multiplayer modes on Xbox Live mellows the buzz. [Aug 2010, p.78]

This NFS definitely isn't in the same league as last year's superb Most Wanted. But despite its misfires, Carbon has a lot of great action and intriguing ideas that, with properly calibrated expectations, will be a blast for fans of the series' trademark arcade racing. [Holiday 2006, p.72]

The trick that Crooked Mile pulls off particularly well is in ditching “right” and “wrong” — this is ever more the land of shades of gray, and we found our choices dictated increasingly by the impact they’d have on the characters Bigby clearly cares for.

Besides sending your foe’s infantry sky-high, EndWar includes little beauties that’ll have you giggling with glee: fluid battle animations, multiple terrain (from hillside villages to urban Paris), destructible buildings, and more. With such attention to detail and exciting co-op battles, EndWar will draw you in until you start issuing commands in your sleep.

But it’s that feeling of stumbling into gunfights — ones that aren’t meticulously designed with shoulder-high slabs of concrete to hide behind — that makes Metro so organic…and unlike anything else on Xbox 360.

All told, you'll have a hell of a good time blowing up and blowing past your friends. [Dec 2011, p.78]

EA Sports has removed some modes and features this year (like Heisman Challenge) while others return or debut, but ultimately, the end experience feels about the same. As expected, NCAA Football 14 is an entertaining game of college ball, but rarely much more than that.

Though its mix of strategy and simulation is something of a console rarity, this franchise endures, thrusting you into a new dictatorial power trip over the burgeoning populace of a Caribbean island. [Nov 2011, p.83]

Still, the overall experience is quite fun and usually immersive as you re-experience the classic flick with a twist. [Nov. 2006, p.76]

As you progress through the game's 15 missions (and 20 challenges), the action often deteriorates into essentially chasing giant icons as opposed to enemy aircraft. The monotony isn't alleviated by anything innovative or daring the gameplay. [Jan 2004, p.83]

At four hours, Gunstringer's a short ride, but it's a thrilling one you shouldn't miss.

It's just not that scary anymore. [Holiday 2005, p.78]

If you like twitch games, Heavy Weapon is an explosively explosively good time. [Feb. 2007, p.75]

But it's certainly easier to grit your teeth through some frustration when almost every level has an intriguing new wrinkle.

You're constantly on the brink of both success and failure. [June 2009, p.76]

A solid game with tons of depth and the best volleyball game ever made. [Sept 2003, p.80]

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 doesn’t deliver the presentational kick in the pants that the series still needs, but the Legends of the Majors mode serves as a superb centerpiece to perhaps the most expansive entry to date.

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]

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]

The graphics are solid, the gameplay has some great moments, and the co-op play is a blast. However... it never manages to be the great game we were desperately hoping it would be. [Aug 2003, p.74]

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]

It's been a long time since we've been reminded of how fun it is to just cut loose without caring how you look--and Just Dance 4 gives every opportunity to recall that carefree joy. [Feb 2013, p.85]

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]

If you're looking to change up your workout, Zumba Fitness Core will noticeably kick things into high gear: with a broader selection of dance types and music genres, and an extremely focused approach in its routines, it'll help you tone your body without having to do a single drill or lifting any kind of weight.

Even if Peggle 2 works best as a solitary pursuit, you can fully expect 12 bucks to buy you innumerable hours of absorbing amusement.

But for now, you're buying what feels like an early beta test. [June 2011, p.77]