Its best moments make it well worth sampling. Just don't be surprised if it somehow feels like less than a meal despite its 10-hour playtime. [Aug 2010, p.83]

Fight for NY was a critical success, so EA has taken a curious risk by remixing the game's features and flow. [Apr 2007, p.84]

It's no "Mario 64," and an occasionally irksome camera frustrates, but Scaler is an enjoyable $20 game. [Jan 2005, p.74]

If you crave a Rayman game that mixes a retro vibe with contemporary gameplay and gorgeous graphics, do yourself a favor and opt for last year's stellar Rayman Origins. Rayman 3 HD's dated platformer appeal is a playground strictly for old-school nostalgics seeking a tangible example of how far the genre has evolved.

However you look at it, the so-so cardplay (you can choose Texas Hold ’Em or Omaha this time) does offer some nifty real-world prizes for winning challenges and tournaments: several unlockable heads and skins for use in Borderlands 2, plus five 360 Avatar items. It’ll take a number of hours to get them all, although while you’re working on that, you can also spend your in-game cash on custom chips, decks, and felts for use within Poker Night 2 itself.

Thanks to its engaging combat and spectacle, Lightning Returns manages to distract somewhat from its overarching design issues. As a game, it's notably flawed but has its moments. [March 2014, p.76]

With the single-player game so clearly in focus, it's disappointing that it plods along so unevenly, and at times, progress feels like you're wading through molasses rather than zipping through the ether. [Jan 2005, p.78]

Not a notable upgrade over Number One Hits. [May 2010, p.83]

The AI isn't so good. The perps never move or run away - they just stand and fight to the death or give up. [Dec 2003, p.124]

There is still plenty of variety in gameplay and the AI makes for a more than decent opponent. [Dec 2003, p.92]

The game still has looks to kill for and offers up the identical Xbox Live modes and challenge of the 360 version. [May 2006, p.71]

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]

But overall, the affair is a tad bit low-rent on the production values. [Dec 2007, p.75]

For apocalypse buffs, much of I Am Alive is riveting stuff; we'd love to see a follow-up that improves on its framework.

Whether its quirks annoy you more than its strengths entertain you, though, all boils down to how much of a Quake fan you are.

If you have the personal motivation, joining the ranks of coaching legends could be incredibly satisfying. [Aug 2006, p.76]

We enjoy QAA, but next to golden oldies(Doom, Duke)and modern epics(Halo, Call of Duty), it's less of a legend. [March 2011, p.81]

Silent Hill HD Collection is hardly well-rounded, but its tense manipulation of mood still rattles all the right nerves. [Apr 2012, p.62]

If you enjoy excellent, funny voice acting and the simplicity of just exploring areas and collecting items, you'll find a lot to like. [May 2014, p.76]

Every arcade needs a good pinball game, and Pinball FX fills and obvious hole in Live Arcade. We just wish our 10 bucks got us more variety. [May 2007, p.79]

Close Combat also includes co-op and deathmatch, but you'll only lose friends by exposing them to this trash. [May 2005, p.88]

It could bring a whle new edge to the game if it had an online mode. [Holiday 2005, p.68]

Sure, it's nice to play around with dinosaurs, but the control and framerate issues keep any interest in the game strictly short term. [May 2003, p.75]

What's in the game is pretty compelling for the right type of gamer who knows exactly what they're in for and has buddies well versed in the same type of gameplay. Too bad, because with a little Live play this could've been a contenda. [Feb 2004, p.74]

It's a decent port to 360 with some key changes to the controls to make it work better on a console, but this recipe of Diner Dash lacks some spice. [July 2009, p.77]

We're just sad to see that after all this time, as Xbox 360's only MLB game, it's not the superstar we wish it was. [May 2011, p.81]

Age can't turn lead into gold, but these games are still enjoyable - and at $10, this bundle's a real bargain.

It's intriguing to see the evolution of Agent 47's murderous tactics across these seminal entries, but much as Silent Assassin was lauded upon release for its many kill options, it's a startlingly clunky experience nowadays.