Only small tweaks to an increasingly aging formula. [Apr 2010, p.79]

Diverse online multiplayer battles are exciting and accessible. [Apr 2010, p.80]

BioShock 2 isn't a groundbreaking follow-up that rewrites all the rules laid down by its predecessor. No, think of it as a sequel that fills in the gaps, adding exciting new dimensions to what's come before... You will be utterly absorbed. [Mar 2010, p.68]

Packs each and every turn with extreme imagery and wickedly macabre imagination. [Apr 2010, p.82]

This game is anything but polished, but it's also solid enough that you get more than what you paid for. [May 2010, p.77]

Lack of variety and depth. [Apr 2010, p.83]

Blood Bowl's disjointed real-time mode is hard to control and keep track of, making it a complete waste of time. [Apr 2010, p.81]

Mass Effect 2 overcomes its few gameplay weaknesses with a fantastic weave of dynamic combat, lavish presentation, and engaging character and weapon customization. But for all the myriad improvements that make Mass Effect 2's visuals so appealing and its combat so exhilarating, it's ultimately the way it moves us that makes it so memorable. [Feb 2010, p.56]

We're sure some of the more masochistic shooter fans will bask in Death By Cube's tough-as-nails difficulty level, but all others should move along. [Apr 2010, p.83]

You're in for a snooze if you demand a hurried pace and copious eye candy, but dice-rolling dungeon nuts will happily while away a dozen hours over the course of Vandal Hearts' satisfying ride. [Jan 2010, p.69]

Tedious ground combat makes up the majority of the game, and the cool cover concept and sci-fi story are strong, but blown opportunities. [Feb 2010, p.86]

The enemies are crass, the design is mean, the challenge is unforgiving, and the reward limited. You've been warned. [Mar 2010, p.82]

While we can't ding EA for extra content, we wish that content had come in the form of more co-op! [Feb 2010, p.80]

Just can't match the splendor and great variety of the real-world games. [Mar 2010, p.81]

Diluted by hours of confusing side quests and repetitive battles, these original moments don't shine as brightly as they should. [Mar 2010, p.78]

Relies on its demanding difficulty to disguise its creative bankruptcy. [Mar 2010, p.83]

Satisfying, fast-paced combat. [Feb 2010, p.82]

Astonishingly, every one of these dazzling battles is thrilling without overstaying its welcome - and also challenges you without being cheap. [Jan 2009, p.66]

Online play undercut by crummy design choices. [Mar 2010, p.83]

Watching friends take a club in the teeth while you rack up a nine-kill-combo is immensely satisfying. [Feb 2010, p.85]

If you were lucky enough to snag a free copy from the Guitar Hero 5 mail-in promotion, you'll likely be pleased with this adequate iteration. But we can't imagine any non-hardcore Halen fans feeling good about dropping $60 on this half-hearted effort. [Jan 2010, p.76]

Old-fashioned gameplay with a pretty new face. [Mar 2010, p.81]

It's a solid approach in both concept and execution, but the game just doesn't offer enough to keep you interested for long. [Mar 2010, p.81]

While the lifelessness of a black-and-white tone sucks the life out of Paris, it doesn’t strip The Saboteur of its personality. It’s a beautiful and unique world that’s well-constructed and believable, whether you’re snapping soldiers’ necks at the Eiffel Tower, rescuing POWs, or cruising the countryside in a stolen sports car. Très bien.

Fustercluck. [Feb 2010, p.88]

Nitpicks are plenty, but so are the surprisingly fun aspects — whichever side of planetary strip-mining you fall on.

Whether we were playing one of the entertaining mini-games or tooling around in Free Ride with 11 other riders, we really enjoyed the experience and didn’t experience a hint of lag. It may be the only part of MX vs. ATV Reflex that seems more timeless than retread, but it’s just enough to salvage this otherwise unremarkable racer.

And between the bland menus and creepily animated singers, Karaoke Revolution even looks the part of a last-gen holdover. [Holiday 2009, p.83]