It really is like the developers played every PC shooter from "Doom" through "Quake" and "Half-Life," even "Sin" and "Soldier of Fortune," and applied cool elements from them all into this package. [Nov 2005, p.112]

Selecting Online mode almost literally transports you to another game - a new interface and a surprisingly robust and navigable online selection screen. [Dec 2003, p.93]

The most polished, complete, and best-looking basketball game ever made. [Dec 2002, p.108]

Despite a few missing links and annoyances, Stranger still emerges as a beautifully fun beast. [Feb 2005, p.71]

Solid, entertaining, and graphically attractive, without ever leaping into risky territory. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's keeping the series from being truly great. [Dec 2003, p.150]

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]

The game is charming in its simplicity. [Holiday 2004, p.80]

In no way has the gameplay quality suffered in order to get this game on shelves for a mere $20. In fact, it's become better overall, amidst a couple of steps back and a few more forward. [Oct 2004, p.78]

Rocks the rink. [Jan 2002]

Slinging, jumping, and crawling your way up to the very tip of the Empire State Building and surveying the traffic below is almost worth the price of admission alone. [Sept 2004, p.78]

The tense atmosphere conjured in the Thief universe is fantastic. [July 2004, p.74]

If you can stomach the story problems, the spotty humor, and the lack of originality and simply focus on the gameplay, then you'll enjoy Roadkill for what it is... and addictive combination of two more inventive titles. [Nov 2003, p.104]

Dynasty Mode is NHL 2004's best feature. It's literally an RPG. [Oct 2003, p.80]

Outlaw Tennis' blend of comedy mishap and gameplay genius makes for an odd cocktail. But for a mere $20, it's a shockingly good one. [Oct 2005, p.110]

The main complaint is that the appeal of the game wears off quickly. [Nov 2002, p.129]

Some of the prettiest graphics to ever grace a racing game – console or PC-based. [Apr 2002, p.82]

A clean, enjoyable, and ultimately playable game. [May 2002, p.82]

The game suffers from a baffingly stupid and fundamental flaw that puts a crimp in all that style: Season Mode and Rivals Mode have no difficulty levels. [Nov 2005, p.120]

Although it can get repetitive, the overall feeling of zooming around on perfectly realized waves, complete with foam and spume, is mindlessly addictive. [Sept 2002, p.96]

That customization model is simply the most robust we've ever seen... The game's only real failing is in its comparative lack of [track] variety. [Dec 2003, p.108]

It's the gameplay in Rayman 3, though, that really keeps you hooked. [Apr 2003, p.84]

There are moments of gut-wrenching terror and suspense, but the most remarkable part of Ties That Bind is that it never, ever flinches at depicting gore, evil, and depravity. [Dec 2005, p.114]

Devotees of the old TV series will be thrilled. [Nov 2002, p.116]

Brimming with subdued pastel colors, hand-drawn characters, and a trippy, jazzy soundtrack, Pid's aesthetic is peculiar but challenging enough to be fun. [Nov 2012, p.85]

Intense without being brash, and focused on a tight situation as opposed to a global theater of operation, the relaunched Medal of Honor definitely finds its own voice as a military shooter. It's polished and visually appealing, while providing a little gaming perspective on a controversial military action. And you don't get that every day.

Most crucially, the journey is worth every minute of effort: The Witcher 2's malleable final moments are remarkably satisfying no matter which choices you make. [May 2012, p.36]

Loads of fun, a delightful trip back to an era where simply jumping in the right spot could reveal copious hidden goodies. Whether you’ve played the original or not, this remake is worth every Number-One Dime.

It's great that Tiger 09 doesn't add 17 new mini-games, but instead reformulates its approach to your golfer's skills and gear with dramatically improved results. [Oct 2008, p.81]