It's good, solid fun, but it offers very little that we haven't experienced before. [May 2011, p.68]

A prettier, better-playing sequel that fails to make any new gameplay strides but is an incredible thrill ride for the all-too-short time it lasts. [Jan 2004, p.68]

Viva Pinata is a sandbox game in the vein of "The Sims" and "Zoo Tycoon". There's no real way to"win". Your reward for playing is increasing your level, unlocking new content, and, of course, earning achievements. [Jan. 2007, p.80]

Tantalizing. [Holiday 2004, p.86]

There's a vast supply of goodies for determined 'sploders, making this a sparkling, silly treat. [Oct 2009, p.80]

But 10 bucks will net you a fulfilling and thoughtful odyssey, just in time to leave you salivating for the long-awaited sequel. [May 2011, p.78]

Excessive loading times and way too many menus to button through are also annoying, but the on-court and online tennis are so terrific and pure that these faults are easily overlooked. [May 2011, p.84]

We're not saying that multiplayer's rippling muscle excuses the solo campaign's disappointing flab. But as long as you're not dead-set against venturing online, Battlefield 3 is a tremendously satisfying way to go to war.

The game successfully achieves the goal of making its predecessor obsolete. [Aug 2010, p.76]

There's so much goodness packed into Tides of War that it's impossible not to find something to like. Return to Castlewolfenstein is truly an incredible, value-laced package. [May 2003, p.20]

This strategizing is made easier by excellent level design tht allows players multiple, open-ended ways to accomplish objectives. [Dec 2002, p.122]

Technical quibbles aside, Deus Ex is a brilliant RPG that manages to pull off freeform gameplay without a hitch. It's as smart as you want it to be, and cuts no gameplay corners. [Holiday 2003, p.72]

Bottom line: does the game live up to AC II? Well, no. Ezio's grand introduction is pretty damn hard to top, at least in terms of story content and franchise innovation. But that doesn't invalidate Connor's journey by any means. Assassin's Creed III's newly refined gameplay and incredibly rich setting are captivating stuff, and we're excited to see what adventures lie ahead for our new hero.

Whether you work together or dive in solo, this unique journey is worth taking. [July 2011, p.79]

It’s these sneaky moments of sweetness across Citadel’s five-hour journey that make it a pricey but wholly affecting excuse to linger just a little longer under Mass Effect’s spell.

On 360, you'll get a basketball simulation that, while a bit short on extras(sorry, but 24/7 Mode just can't compare to "NBA Live's" slick All-Star Weekend package), tickles the twine where it counts: on the court. [Dec. 2006, p.87]

The prospect of racing everything including the kitchen sink should be a recipe for disaster, but for Toca 3, it's not. [Mar 2006, p.80]

It'll have to settle for merely squeaking into the playoffs. [Dec 2005, p.117]

There's a tragic amount of recycling here. You spend too much time in levels with not much to do; too much time slicing thorugh obvious padding to teach a climax that we can promise won't satisfy you. [Mar 2008, p.86]

My only real complaint is that too many levels are spent fighting tanks and Hulkbuster mechs with too few appearances by familiar Hulk villains. But no matter: This is the first game to make me feel like I am a mindless behemoth. Hear me roar. [Sept 2005, p.87]

It’s Metallica’s underlying design that is the hero of the day, however. For starters, Neversoft has finally mastered the difficulty curve. A far cry from the torturous days of Guitar Hero III’s Hard setting, the songs here are a treat on any skill level. Better, though, is how the career mode is structured. It’s star-based, meaning you’ll unlock new venues and blocks of songs at certain star milestones.

Civilization Revolution's sunny presentation and bountiful depth might not be sufficient to draw legions of newcomers to turn-based strategy, but it easily the single greatest example of the genre ever to grace a console. [Aug 2008, p.70]

The controls scream "simulation," but the action skews heeavily toward the side of the arcade camp. [July 2002, p.83]

Racing fans interested in a quick fix of adrenaline probably won't find what they're looking for in McRae 04, but autophiles will adore the game for its physics, handling, and depth of play. [Apr 2004, p.81]

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]

Episode 2 does an excellent job of keeping the adventure going while setting the scene for plenty of struggles ahead. If Telltale stays on target, their full, five-part Walking Dead saga may prove to be one of the best, most ambitious zombie games ever.

It's a lot of value in such a small package, but the sometimes overly precious presentation can be befuddling at times, making Stacking an experience best savored by gamers predisposed to cutesy cleverness.

Realistic animations anchor that gameplay. When LeBron drives the lane and fades away for a jumper in the paint, or when Tony Parker stumbles around a pick, every elbow, jersey, and sweatband organically articulates their momentum.