An excellent game that earns bonus points for doing something new, but it ultimately falls just a splinter short of greatness. [Dec 2003, p.102]

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

Though sometimes repetitive, combat is tense, frantic, and structured in such a way that a big new boss or new challenge is always around the corner.

Yes, it’s frustrating at times, but it sure as hell got our blood pumping. Plus, the animations look unbelievably organic — especially contextual finishers that incorporate the surrounding environment —and the sound effects give every hit a satisfying sense of bone-crunching devastation.

If you've run the first-person gauntlet before, Magrunner's slight tweaks on the formula make it worth checking out. [Jan 2014, p.71]

On the other hand, anyone who enjoys shaving seconds off speed runs and obsessing over scoreboards will appreciate Mercury Hg's focused simplicity, not to mention its $5 price tag. [Nov 2011, p.75]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

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

If you're an armchair general, it's hard to imagine a more appealing game on your Xbox than this. [Feb 2005, p.76]

It's easy and incredibly fun to use, but also powerful, and content can be shared with friends. Even as additional play sets and figures are released in the coming months, it'll be the Toy Box that keeps us hooked, and it's how Disney Infinity remains so endearing even as it commands ample cash.

If you don't mind a little aggravation, Capsized has its charms. [Feb 2012, p.72]

Despite a few flaws and one ill-conceived megamix, these games are treated with the respect they deserve at a price we’re willing to pay. We’re happy to see them on Arcade where they belong.

Otherwise, though, this breezy shoot-'em-up is five-plus hours of mindless fun. [Aug 2011, p.85]

It does feel more than a little cheesy when you're probably expecting it to be one of the early stars on Microsoft's wunderkind console. [Jan 2006, p.74]

If you're going to play poker with fake money, Activision Value's latest is the best way to do it on Xbox 360. [Holiday 2007, p.78]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Even the tire treads have depth to them. [Feb 2003, p.71]

"Ridge Racer" on steroids... The best-looking racing game we've ever seen. [Mar 2003, p.77]

Don't avoid buying Manhunt because it's sick; avoid Manhunt because it has virtually no redeemable gameplay quality, period. [July 2004, p.87]

The kooky cutesy Japanese art is perhaps a bit too goofy, and the gameplay is solid, if slightly too easy at first, but prepare to waste a lot of time playing - this title is EXTREMELY hard to put down. [Oct 2004, p.66]

Still, with its collectible treasure pieces, butterflies, and toys, a plot that puts a fantasy spin on pirates, the ability to hop-in as a challenger during mini-games, and exquisite artistic elements (just look at the map and watch the credits roll), Lemuria is a world you'll be glad to visit for a little quality time with your younger self.

But what's really a labor of love is all the bonus material - historical info, original poster and advertising art, and behind-the-scenes videos with the games' creators. [Nov 2004, p.85]

The more I played, the more I settled into a fun, if not too deep, experience. [June 2002, p.74]

What's here isn't radical, ending-altering content, so much as a slightly uneven but deeply worthwhile journey that adds intriguing lore to the series' canon - and instills a wide-eyed sense that we're nowhere near done with this universe.

While executing attacks is refreshingly easy, Generations lacks depth: bouts often devolve into who can escape and button-mash to counter first. Likewise, fighting the CPU - especially in Story Mode's later stages - can feel frustrating and unfair. Meanwhile, the online-versus options are bare-bones, with the only frill being a replay-recording feature.

Overall, Crypto's latest is itchily compelling and easy to recommend. As original-Xbox game go, DAH!2 is one of the best of the season. [Dec. 2006, p.82]

The super-basic matchmaking and sometimes-laggy online play are also disappointing, especially coming from the developer that brought us BlazBlue's superb netcode. Ultimately, this game's a good value; just be prepared to do a lot of your own research if you want to grow beyond a rudimentary level - and get local buddies to do the same if you want competition.

The game's story is so confusing, we didn't understand why things were happening. [July 2010, p.84]