While Pariah tastes fine and won't leave you gagging, it's doubtful you'll be hankering for seconds, either. [June 2005, p.84]

The online quickplay is pretty slick and there's even(gulp)online leagues, which will give this baller more legs than the normal yearly update that NCAA hoops games often are. [Jan 2008, p.67]

As a Museum piece, Galaga's beeen almost perfectly preserved, but the missing multiplayer makes us think twice about spending 400 Microsoft Points. [Oct. 2006, p.72]

Droplitz put us to sleep. We mean that in the best way possible. [Sept 2009, p.87]

Rally diehards are better off dropping the extra cash for the excellent Dirt3, or even 2007's Sega Rally Revo. [Aug 2011, p.79]

We just had to dig a little deeper than we'd like to get to the good stuff. [Aug 2010, p.74]

The joy of exploration occasionally tips over into frustration, as when untouchable background scenery seems to offer a safe place to land, or during an infuriating and unnecessarily time-consuming final boss fight. But for the most part, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams is a charming adventure and a reasonable value.

Remarkably solid. [Oct 2009, p.80]

Its Pixar charm makes it well worth trying, but it never reaches the level of brilliance that you hope it will. [Aug 2010, p.80]

Fans seeking deep, involving combat shouldn't put down their copies of Kingdoms of Amalur or Mass Effect for Asura's Wrath: it's a game chock full of style but little substance. Nevertheless, we can't deny that Asura's made us jump, scream, and pump our fist in the air just as often as the game's crazy warrior hero, even if it was a byproduct of not having to press any buttons for dozens of minutes at a time.

Mutant Storm is a lot like "Geometry Wars", but less frantic but more full of power-ups. [Jun 2006, p.62]

Early on, you’re given mindless, nearly scripted busywork like chasing after Bluecoats intent on lighting powder kegs, and overall, the first half of Infamy’s 2.5-hour journey is a jarring mix of rushed action and s-l-o-w activities, without the freedom of ACIII’s open world to balance it out.

TMNT 1989 has its share of problems...Nevertheless, the game remains a solid thrill. [June 2007, p.76]

A few more maps, a few more multiplayer modes, a few more unique areas in the campaign, and a few more fear-inducing moments would’ve gone a long way toward making Aliens vs. Predator set off gamers’ motion trackers. Instead, it registers as simply a medium blip on the radar — a second-shelf shooter that falls just short of fulfilling the incredible potential of its license.

A fun, if slightly flawed, space shooter that expands on the mythos with a decent story. It's not going to win any awards, but should satisfy fans of the show. [Jan 2004, p.82]

Whether you prefer the eight-player Live free-for-all or the strictly linear single player campaign, Novadrome delivers a spartan but reasonably attractive vehicular-combat experience with just enough bells and whistles to justify its $10 download. [Jan. 2007, p.74]

Parallel Lines is an impressive overhaul and creative recovery for a series that had hit its nadir. [May 2006, p.77]

Playing with a buddy in same-screen co-op is your best bet to enjoyably sate your shooter lust. [Holiday 2007, p.70]

Though the game mostly works as advertised, occasional missed moves and finicky menus disappoint. So do the bare-bones campaign and limited array of fighting venues. But with bonus challenge stages, split-screen and online multiplayer, and local co-op beatdowns, this lively Kinect romp packs unexpected (but appreciated) staying power.

It disappoints only in Live multiplayer, where an updating score(gee, thanks...)is all players see of each other, and one person's demise ends both games. [Apr 2007, p.90]

Street-brawling combat is fun, gleefully violent.

Despite its literary ancestry, The Raven is uneven in its narrative delivery. Whether stuck on the Orient Express or relaxing on a Venetian cruise ship, The Raven’s cast of well-heeled socialites is deftly drawn, with sharp dialogue and expressive voice acting to match.

Best serves dedicated otaku-style collectors and quick-play arcade gamers. [Oct 2005, p.106]

A hardcore, old-school shooter. In many ways, it feels like the "Ninja Gaiden" of shooters, so if that sounds appealing to you, you'll probably love it more than we did. But if you're looking for a more modern experience, something from the current crop of shooter stars like "BioShock" and "Call of Duty 4," the frustrating bosses and save system will seem positively prehistoric. [Feb 2008, p.46]

If you've never played Virtua Fighter, this is the best entry yet, and if you're a fan, well, spend the $15. Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown is still everything it was in 2007 - fluid, complex, and fun. It's just not much more.

E4's only major flaw is that it can get WAY repetitive. [Holiday 2007, p.70]

Trust us: you won't be worried about the game's shortcomings when you're racking your brain trying to remember the specifics of a scene starring Forrest Gump's momma.

Yes, Universe offers more and more and even more of the same formula--but for the DDR faithful, it's a winning one. [Apr 2007, p.88]