New fighting styles, more weapons, added match types, rowdy crowds and some wicked, brutal environmental interactions help make up for the watered-down brawling. [Oct 2004, p.87]

The lax AI from last year's game has been stepped up...An improved Dynasty Mode and the inclusion of the World Cup of Hockey round out this great hockey title. [Sept 2004, p.84]

Together with a deep career mode, eight new courses (14 total) and, of course, online gameplay, this latest Tiger Woods is as good as it gets. [Oct 2004, p.88]

Together with a deep career mode, eight new courses (14 total) and, of course, online gameplay, this latest Tiger Woods is as good as it gets. [Oct 2004, p.88]

They took out the throttle warble (bah!) but the Zero's still a hero. [Nov 2004, p.89]

Some may balk at the limited modes of play; the game as a whole is a bit underdeveloped, and the single-player skirmished do run light, but things truly heat up when you go online, warring in teams of eight on eight. [Oct 2004, p.73]

New fighting styles, more weapons, added match types, rowdy crowds and some wicked, brutal environmental interactions help make up for the watered-down brawling. [Oct 2004, p.87]

The lax AI from last year's game has been stepped up...An improved Dynasty Mode and the inclusion of the World Cup of Hockey round out this great hockey title. [Sept 2004, p.84]

Together with a deep career mode, eight new courses (14 total) and, of course, online gameplay, this latest Tiger Woods is as good as it gets. [Oct 2004, p.88]

Together with a deep career mode, eight new courses (14 total) and, of course, online gameplay, this latest Tiger Woods is as good as it gets. [Oct 2004, p.88]

The lax AI from last year's game has been stepped up...An improved Dynasty Mode and the inclusion of the World Cup of Hockey round out this great hockey title. [Sept 2004, p.84]

Overdose looks and plays great, the anime-style cinematics reek with personality, and there's a big, meaty bonus in the form of two unlockable characters: Rocketbilly Cadillac and Kabane Juji. [Oct 2004, p.66]

Though the doggie animation is realistic, the graphics are sub-first-gen quality, the first-person "Smellovision" view is misguided and the platforming always stays pretty basic. [Oct 2004, p.76]

The graphics are stunning and the enemy and boss patterns will have you laughing with delight at their ingenuity and hand/eye stimulation...This one's not to be missed. [Sept 2004, p.72]

The art direction, cinemas, sound design and control schemes are masterful, and the levels never stop giving. [Oct 2004, p.76]

I've been following Demon Stone for months now, watching it transform from a gorgeous looker with decent sword-and-magic hack-and-slash gameplay to a superbly complete D&D-based package. [Oct 2004, p.74]

Gray Matter has provided tons of huge maps and fun vehicles like tanks and jeeps, and their twist on various established modes like domination and base assault work very well in these environs. [Nov 2004, p.87]

Trust me when I say the pummeling action is simply not to be missed; there's really nothing quite like it. [Sept 2004, p.62]

The story is just as confounding as in the original, which makes me wonder if the translation is funky or Treasure simply wants to play with our heads... It's a great game. [Oct 2004, p.90]

Once you leave the guild to embark on your personal journey, Fable becomes dependant on you...and let me tell you, this is the wave of the future. [Nov 2004, p.66]

If you're unfamiliar with Guilty Gear, then be prepared to get blown away - and possibly overwhelmed - by the incredible depth of this underrated fighting franchise. [Aug 2004, p.50]

What I'm opposed to is a crude, unattractive, senseless war game like Shellshock: Nam '67. [Oct 2004, p.76]

If only the targetting system weren't so imprecise and the enemies weren't so overly hidden and prone to outmoded respawn, the fine level design and entertaining scenarios could have commanded much stronger impact. [Nov 2004, p.76]

If only the targetting system weren't so imprecise and the enemies weren't so overly hidden and prone to outmoded respawn, the fine level design and entertaining scenarios could have commanded much stronger impact. [Nov 2004, p.76]

Not since the original "Silent Hill" have I been this chilled by a game. [Sept 2004, p.69]

A dose of high-quality gaming fast food that tastes fine but leaves you wanting something that sticks. [Oct 2004, p.77]

A dose of high-quality gaming fast food that tastes fine but leaves you wanting something that sticks. [Oct 2004, p.77]

It feels like you're constantly going through the same motions - although there are some really cool sequences. [Oct 2004, p.75]

It feels like you're constantly going through the same motions - although there are some really cool sequences. [Oct 2004, p.75]

Far too many key elements are poorly executed. [Nov 2004, p.87]

It feels like you're constantly going through the same motions - although there are some really cool sequences. [Oct 2004, p.75]

It's big, deep and dripping with rhymes. A few framerate hits aside, it looks good, too, if not a bit excessively neon. [Oct 2004, p.75]

Spy Fiction is meant to be fun rather than realistic, but there's a line between playful and head-scratchingly ridiculous. Oh well, at least the flashback aspect of the story works. [Sept 2004, p.64]

With a sparse Saturday-morning-cartoon look, the game can become a drag for the adult eye, but just like the best of those cartoons, a certain charm bubbles below the surface. [Jan 2004, p.65]

The presentation and bonus features are top notch - Capcom even included the entire SFII anime movie. [Aug 2004, p.57]

Personally, I found the game laborious by design but so engaging of character that I couldn't put it down, although, admittedly, I'm not absorbing the half of it. [Sept 2004, p.66]

Thankfully, they took it upon themselves to overhaul the game and create a NASCAR racing experience unlike any other before it. [Oct 2004, p.88]

It's big, deep and dripping with rhymes. A few framerate hits aside, it looks good, too, if not a bit excessively neon. [Oct 2004, p.75]

With a sparse Saturday-morning-cartoon look, the game can become a drag for the adult eye, but just like the best of those cartoons, a certain charm bubbles below the surface. [Jan 2004, p.65]

Thankfully, they took it upon themselves to overhaul the game and create a NASCAR racing experience unlike any other before it. [Oct 2004, p.88]

It's big, deep and dripping with rhymes. A few framerate hits aside, it looks good, too, if not a bit excessively neon. [Oct 2004, p.75]

With a sparse Saturday-morning-cartoon look, the game can become a drag for the adult eye, but just like the best of those cartoons, a certain charm bubbles below the surface. [Jan 2004, p.65]

Let me get it out in the open right away - ESPN NHL 2K5 may be the best hockey game you'll ever play. [Dec 2004, p.103]

Let me get it out in the open right away - ESPN NHL 2K5 may be the best hockey game you'll ever play. [Dec 2004, p.103]

There's something about the relative simplicity of the first one that mighit appeal to me more, but I certainly like everthing they've added here in this great sequel. [Oct 2004, p.70]

So close, yet still so far from the ideal wrestling experience I was hoping for. [Oct 2004, p.87]

I kept waiting for a real adventure to unfold, but it never materialized. [Sept 2004, p.73]

This is the definitive version of Viewtiful Joe. [Sept 2004, p.73]

The game is still traeemark Army Men clunky, but you can look past the sloppier qualities - it still smacks of low-key production value - and enjoy the ceaseless combat for its base appeal. [June 2003, p.56]

Four hours of straight arcade-style action would be one thing, but here you essentially visit five areas, fight five battles to realize Astro's abilities, and then it's off to the final encounter. [Sept 2004, p.68]

The shooter stages offer some nice variety, while a surprisingly sophisticated story and a nice character growth feature add further depth. [Aug 2004, p.59]

An atmospheric funhouse of fascinating spooks who come alive with movement and artistry. [Sept 2004, p.70]

Most interesting was the way Fore hides deeper play mechanics that more ambitious gamers can exploit, making this game more than the cartoonish take on golf it's advertised as. [Oct 2004, p.89]

In its 15th year, this well-oiled machine enters the 2005 season with one of the finest football games ever crafted. Raising the bar to an unheard of level, Madden 2005 is football at its very best. [Aug 2004, p.73]

In its 15th year, this well-oiled machine enters the 2005 season with one of the finest football games ever crafted. Raising the bar to an unheard of level, Madden 2005 is football at its very best. [Aug 2004, p.73]

In its 15th year, this well-oiled machine enters the 2005 season with one of the finest football games ever crafted. Raising the bar to an unheard of level, Madden 2005 is football at its very best. [Aug 2004, p.73]

Like the last game, your team really isn't all that widely effective and functional, inevitably creating a feeling of going through the motions on autopilot; but more complex AI routines and better scripted scenarios do definitely help. [Aug 2004, p.57]

The most enthralling and disturbing atmosphere seen or heard on the PC so far this year. [Oct 2004, p.84]

The enjoyment is in the details; it's just that here, the details rely on skilled understatement. [Oct 2004, p.77]

Setting a game on the moon is a great idea, but even this setting is wasted. [Oct 2004, p.77]

What it lacks in architecture and evolving gameplay, it makes up for in mood, ambience and polish. [June 2004, p.58]

Given the complexity of a lot of what's out there, it's always nice to just sit back and beat on things, and when it looks this nice, well, if you're so inclined, this is one of the better pick-up-and-play games around. [Aug 2004, p.54]

Perhaps more than any previous movie game, Catwoman is actually challenging on a platforming level - sort of like "Prince of Persia" without the rewind. If you like a challenging platformer give Patience a chance. [Sept 2004, p.73]

Perhaps more than any previous movie game, Catwoman is actually challenging on a platforming level - sort of like "Prince of Persia" without the rewind. If you like a challenging platformer give Patience a chance. [Sept 2004, p.73]

For a mere $20, Sega's game is every bit as deep, feature-rich and addictive as EA's powerhouse. I'm not saying that 2K5 is better than "Madden"...but it's just as good - no joke. [Sept 2004, p.84]

One of the prettiest games I've ever played...With any luck, the role-playing elements in "Sudeki 2" will match the integrity of the battle system and visuals. [Sept 2004, p.67]

Perhaps more than any previous movie game, Catwoman is actually challenging on a platforming level - sort of like "Prince of Persia" without the rewind. If you like a challenging platformer give Patience a chance. [Sept 2004, p.73]

For a mere $20, Sega's game is every bit as deep, feature-rich and addictive as EA's powerhouse. I'm not saying that 2K5 is better than "Madden"...but it's just as good - no joke. [Sept 2004, p.84]

Added to the PS2 extras, like the added indonesian jungle level, alternate pathways and mission reports, this is the quintessential version of the game. [Sept 2004, p.73]

Activating the new easy-combo Fever Mode is an interesting concept, but it's a bit on the cheap side, while the variations on Endless mode provide the most fun in the single-player experience. [Aug 2004, p.58]

Perhaps more than any previous movie game, Catwoman is actually challenging on a platforming level - sort of like "Prince of Persia" without the rewind. If you like a challenging platformer give Patience a chance. [Sept 2004, p.73]

By far the best college football game to date. [Aug 2004, p.74]

By far the best college football game to date. [Aug 2004, p.74]

By far the best college football game to date. [Aug 2004, p.74]

Expressionless faces, pale skin and similar body types - all of the athletes in the game have a very generic look about them. A little more detail would've made the game that much better. [Sept 2004, p.83]

The arcade mode has been removed from the single-player game, replaced by the medley mode, which, though fun, has little long-term value. [Aug 2004, p.57]

Central gameplay is little more than repetitive button-mashing that grows old quickly. [Aug 2004, p.58]

A twisting, turning quest fraught with religious controversy, ethical questions and issues of prejudice and sacrifice. [Aug 2004, p.51]

A solid sci-fi themed RTS with a few really great ideas, but it lacks the extra layer of refinement that would allow it to join the upper tier. [July 2004, p.75]

This iteration still hasn't fixed the one problem that's been plaguing the series since its inception: snooze-inducing level design. Another decent entry in the series, but nothing more. [June 2004, p.73]

This iteration still hasn't fixed the one problem that's been plaguing the series since its inception: snooze-inducing level design. Another decent entry in the series, but nothing more. [June 2004, p.73]

If the name of the game is immersion, fun and a connection with the environment, Spidey wins the prize in my book. [Aug 2004, p.52]

If the name of the game is immersion, fun and a connection with the environment, Spidey wins the prize in my book. [Aug 2004, p.52]

If the name of the game is immersion, fun and a connection with the environment, Spidey wins the prize in my book. [Aug 2004, p.52]

Visually, the SlugFest series has always looked damn good...And SlugFest just wouldn't be SlugFest without the antics of Tim Kitzrow and Jim Shorts. Together they have some of the funniest play-by-play I've ever heard. [June 2004, p.71]

Visually, the SlugFest series has always looked damn good...And SlugFest just wouldn't be SlugFest without the antics of Tim Kitzrow and Jim Shorts. Together they have some of the funniest play-by-play I've ever heard. [June 2004, p.71]

The fantastic level design, precise control and underlying weapon-swiping game theory are second to none. [Aug 2004, p.53]

With its wonderfully satisfying mini-RPG elements that bring welcome depth and structure to its lovingly detailed Nintendo world, this is a game that just loves to be played. [Aug 2004, p.59]

The fantastic level design, precise control and underlying weapon-swiping game theory are second to none. [Aug 2004, p.53]

Utterly deflated. [Aug 2004, p.58]

Fastidiously laid down, inventirely presented, established with a keen eye for detail. [Aug 2004, p.57]

A satisfying and often engaging sequel especially crafted for that seasoned fan who is able to put up with the leaden nature of turn-based strategy. [June 2004, p.60]

It's hard to believe this is a Konami game, as it looks and feels more like the type of crap that put 3DO six feed under. The character design, models, and animation are painfully bad, and teh gameplay is so arduous it's almost insulting. [Aug 2004, p.57]

A linear approach to design and the tired reliance on ubiquitously placed exploding barrels will raise red flags for some, but I'm always down for an intense march through a shooting gallery. [July 2004, p.73]

Wonderfully devised levels. [Aug 2004, p.57]

Highly pleasing graphically, and the British humor entertains, but once again, Rare's penchant for annoying sound effects rears its ugly head. [Nov 2003, p.101]

This is just a great all-around tennis game. [July 2004, p.78]

It tells the chilling tale of a deeply haunted man a cursed island steeped in aberrant history, executed with competence through a raw, adults-only script, good voice acting, and well-integrated peripheral characters. [July 2004, p.75]