Eye-popping graphics, especially the in-car view. [Jan 2006, p.66]

Ultimately, how much you enjoy Alan Wake’s rollercoaster ride depends on how invested you become in its sophisticated yarn. And it’s one hell of a story, capped off by a quiet, breathtaking denouement that makes good on the opening lines of Alan’s initial descent.

Dispel any doubts you might have had: thanks to some smart tweaks and changes, Diablo III is a deep, spirited game that fits right into its new home.

This is exciting, well-designed racing - exactly what earned NFS its name in the first place. [Jan 2006, p.76]

A veritable clinic on how to enhance your game for a follow-up. Most of Splosion Man's niggling issues have been replaced with a dizzying grab bag of interesting and compelling design choices. Well done, guys.

The huge number of levels and their often epic scale is backed up by a worthy storyline. [Mar 2003, p.40]

It's a welcome alternative for veterans, but even folks relatively unfamiliar with soccer will find a lot to love here.

For the hardcore hockey lovers who expect the significant improvements each year, NHL 10 is pure bliss. Everything you loved before is either back in full force or improved enough to warrant playing again. The core experience was already electric, but the enhanced realism, new player abilities, and gratifying sense of progression have us skating on smooth ice.

The inclusion of new tools only complements this rawness, and even adds a distinctly unique flavor to combat.

A marvelous action game that outshines everything in its class. [Aug 2011, p.73]

Betrayal and constant infighting - problems that've been building since the beginning - finally boil over, proving deadlier than anything else in this crazy zombie apocalypse.

Other than improved controls, stylish presentation, and a better MyCareer mode, NBA 2K13 doesn't provide a significant leap forward. But then again, this series wasn't really lacking much in the first place.

FFXIII-2 repairs almost every problem with Final Fantasy XIII, delivering an experience that feels like what that original game should have been. If your faith in Final Fantasy has been damaged by past disappointment, playing FFXIII-2 will restore your excitement for the franchise's future. [Feb 2012, p.68]

It's the surprisingly effective tweaks to the melee and grenade damage, however, that remove any shred of doubt as to the value of this expansion. [June 2005, p.34]

The closest digital equivalent to real baseball. [Apr 2005, p.84]

Better graphics, better environments, more options, and most importantly of all, a massively overhauled gameplay structure, exactly what the old dear needed. [Dec 2002, p.138]

Probably the core of what makes this game such a blast is the handling. It’s not as scientific and demanding as Forza’s, nor is it as slap-happy loose as Need for Speeds of old, but it hits a nice sweet spot between real and fun.

If there's one notable flaw in Midnight Club 3, it's that the graphics can't quite hang with "NFS Underground 2." [June 2005, p.72]

Ironically, these rough edges seem almost at home in the messy, funny, in-your-face world of Saints Row 2. Stilwater isn’t pretty; it’s a dark, dangerous place. But as it turns out, there’re lots of big thrills here, and it’s well worth the $60 to live here for a while — whether you’re a lawful citizen or a would-be gangster.

Modes aplenty and a fun, refreshing points system. [Dec 2001]

The biggest sport in the world. And EA has done it justice with FIFA 12, improving virtually every aspect of last year's game.

The tasks themselves are familiar — secure blueprints and ammo dumps, defend towns from takeover, detonate collateral — but your freedom of movement creates an exciting illusion of tactical authority, even if you can’t order around your disposable steroid-brigade buddies.

As long as you're willing to explore the city's nooks and crannies, drive offensively, and take a hell of a lot of risks, you'll find it supremely rewarding. [Feb 2008, p.70]

It’s pure arcade fun, and easily the best game to hit XBLA so far this year.

With incredible track designs, a spot-on control system and a soundtrack by Junkie XL, Quantum Redshift leaves little to be desired. It may not be perfection, but it's pretty darn close. [Dec 2002, p.125]

Buffy is exceptionally well balanced and designed. The control is nicely responsive, it looks absolutely fabulous, and there's a tremendous amount of gameplay variety. [Sept 2002, p.84]

What makes the crashing so addictive is the visual, visceral spectacle of the fully deformable vehicles piling into each other, catching air, rolling, and spinning across the highway. [July 2003, p.82]

A series of very difficult parry and combo trials are what you're given to learn the game. Completing them is a slow process, but it's a fantastic and compelling way to figure out this notoriously complex sequel.