Though the inclusion of sometimes mind-numbing "climb the tower" segments in Story Mode, as well as occasional enemy AI that ranges from stupid to cheap, keep it from mass-scale beat-'em-up greatness, Samurai Warriors satisfies an appetite for destruction in a way that few other games can. [Aug 2004, p.80]

Call of Juarez could've been a uniquely hard-boiled journey through the late 1800s, but it kicks up too much distracting dust to be worth the trip. [July 2007, p.78]

Well worth $5. [Oct 2009, p.77]

A fun and absorbing game. Shallow, noisy, and still slightly cool. [May 2002, p.72]

The Snowboarder mode...is simply the deepest and best career mode we've seen in any snowboarding game – or any sports game, for that matter. [May 2002, p.74]

It's like Disney's fantastic ride - sure, you can sometimes see the seams and bolts showing, but what a ride it is anyways. [Dec 2003, p.128]

There are definitely better b-ball games on Xbox. [Dec 2003, p.94]

If you're hoping to truly break into the higher tiers of fitness, as exemplified by the pro athletes who make video cameos during the game, you should seek real-life options instead. This one's best suited for NikeFuel addicts and people who just need motivation to work out.

As a gleeful tribute to gaming and pop-culture past, though, Retro City Rampage is definitely recommended. It may not rival the series it most closely follows, but it still offers a unique and gorgeously presented experience.

It's also got the most riveting plot of any Xbox FPS to date, topping "Halo." [Apr 2004, p.78]

A poor framerate, bland textures, awful character models, clipping bugs, and a messy interface all suck the fun out of what should be a solid RPG. [Jan 2004, p.76]

With just one map for each lane approach (split between two play styles), Guardians' limited scope left us itching for just a bit more variety. But the game rewards obsessive, repeated play with extensive tactical depth, making such a streamlined approach remarkably effective.

You’ll also have no one to remind you to leave your brain at the door and enjoy this game as it was meant to be taken - as a fairly well-built, over-the-top testosterone fantasy without all the fancy polish or (dare we say it?) smarts of, say, Gears of War, but still an incredibly satisfying shot in the arm for co-op addicts like us.

Xbox owners get the mediocre 2K6 with new rosters, but nothing else new. [Apr 2007, p.86]

With all that content to complement its addictiveness, Meteos Wars shouldn't be missed by those who crave block puzzles. [Holiday 2008, p.69]

Throw in more responsive skating and a brilliant new face-off system, and we definitely dig how NHL 2K8 shakes and bakes. [Nov 2007, p.92]

It packs a ton of bedwetting frights into those [few] hours, and there's nothing like a game that leaves you craving even more. [May 2005, p.83]

Even with the gigs and events to participate in, Lego Rock Band is, with its lack of any new features, essentially a lego-skinned track pack. [Jan 2010, p.72]

Bourne Conspiracy screams weekend rental. It isn’t a one-trick pony, but it has three or four moves at best - enough to truly impress you for a while, but not enough to compel most of you to punch, kick, and shoot all the way to the end of the game.

Your $5 will be better spent elsewhere. [Dec 2009, p.78]

Aimed at pre-teens--some overly cutesy characters and patronizing narration make it a little too cloying for grown-up gamers--Thrillville hits its marks well on most fronts. [Jan. 2007, p.75]

With a 20-hour runtime, both it and the gameplay are prone to meandering and missteps, but Lords of Shadow 2 nonetheless manages to bring the series crashing to a satisfying conclusion. [April 2014, p.70]

Fun? Not for long, and not for the asking price of 10 bucks. [July 2009, p.77]

The videogame equivalent of all-you-can-eat shrimp week at Sizzler. [June 2005, p.86]

Battle Fantasia may be a niche game for a specific audience, but otaku will live happily ever after.

Still, controlling every moment of every fight is just ridiculously fun, and you'll be quite content while you wait for what should hopefully be the ultimate WWE game next year. [Dec 2007, p.74]

Pretty but contrived. [Feb 2002, p.80]

Unfortunately, the game and story wrapped around this wondrous engine aren’t worthy of the visual splendor. [Mar 2002, p.72]