The allure of this package is irresistible. [May 2009, p.70]

Some innovations (like the group combo system) work well, while others don't (the out-of-place cel-shaded characters). As an addictive substance, Legends is pure X-tasy. [Dec 2004, p.94]

A visual feast with each car modeled with incredible care. Everything from the texture work right down to the tiny car logos on the hoods is impeccable. [Oct 2002, p.110]

Controls are idiot-proof, and deliberately simplified to make sure that controlling your squad is never an impediment to the action... This is an approachable and enjoyable shooter. [Oct 2003, p.76]

Graphically, FIFA charms, but the gameplay is sublime. [Dec 2003, p.146]

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

Rounded out by strong play-by-play announcing, good A.I. on both sides of the ball, and solid visuals, 2K6 is your best bet for college hoops this year. [Jan 2006, p.74]

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

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]

It's still a great ride; just don't expect to be as bowled over by it as you were when you strapped in for it last year. [Jan. 2007, p.72]

Lets you race through four action movies that have been melted down and poured out on the pavement - who are we to criticize that? [July 2010, p.74]

This feature-rich ode to the classic that started it all is an impressive upgrade - one that deserves a place in any fan's library.

While Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance can’t match the majesty of Metal Gear Solid’s epic campaigns or the fluid combat of top action titles like DmC, there’s still plenty to like in Raiden’s true action debut. If you can forgive some combat issues, you’ll dig the outlandish story and crazy carving mechanics.

Does Sonic's latest racing romp transform the genre? Not really. But it is an enjoyable mishmash of many elements, and a delightful treat that does much more with the Mario Kart template than even Mario Kart itself has managed to do in a long time.

It may not be the most elegant or thoughtful of strategy games, but C&C 3 can't be beat when it comes to super-slick, visceral mayhem. Pledge you allegiance to Kane if you've been craving sizzling RTS action - he won't disappoint you. [June 2007, p.68]

While the game's first 10 hours still give me pause, the 60 magnificent hours after those initial steps onto Cocoon make up for the tunnel-vision tutorial. [Apr 2010, p.68]

Quite simply the best two-player basketball game ever made. [Dec 2002, p.108]

A PS2 port that went un-enhanced but otherwise plays fairly well, but it's not without some flaws. [Jan 2002]

If Episode 1’s satisfying twists and gut-punch of a cliffhanger are any indication, a pitch-black journey into fairytale land lies ahead. Count us in for the long haul.

For longtime gamers and those who can stomach the blocky graphics and touchy controls, it's great retro fun. [Dec 2007, p.78]

All of this action and adventure is brought to life by a combination of tight technology and superb control. The graphics are colorful and do a great job tapping into the Xbox GPU while maintaining a great frame-rate throughout. [Nov 2003, p.100]

Another year, another FIFA--and consider us happy. [Dec 2007, p.78]

You'll probably crave a bit more challenge than you'll find, but by the time you arrive at your destination and its revelations, you'll clamor for the story to continue. [Nov 2010, p.78]

Though it's not a first-person shooter, Halo Wars packs all the Halo fixings you've come to expect: an engaging campaign, co-op play, engrossing multiplayer, efficient party-friendly matchmaking, hidden skulls, Legendary difficulty, and impeccable controls. We can confidently say that it's the foremost example of a real-time strategy game done right on a console. [Mar 2009, p.72]

As with top TV shows like Breaking Bad or Mad Men, a merely good chapter of Telltale's Walking Dead game feels like a great chapter of anything else.

Mind-bogglingly inconsistent difficulty. [Apr 2012, p.74]

Like any human, Sam Fisher stumbles occasionally when the pressure’s on. But as long as you’ve got the patience to accept a handful of limitations, you can expect to have a damn good time saving the world once more.

But at $20 for what is basically last year's quality game on original Xbox or $60 for the irresistible package on the 360 title offers, there's a lot to love on either platform. [Jan. 2007, p.76]