From the superb modeling of the interior and exterior of the vehicles, the realism of its courses, and the precision of its control, McRae looks and feels just like the real thing. [Jan 2003, p.75]

I'm certain there's a niche that will appreciate KD's low-key visuals, warped sense of humor and slightly Monkey Ball-ish gameplay. [Oct 2004, p.76]

This port's still brilliant, still mind-bending and (certainly) still Psychonauts. [Aug 2005, p.51]

Despite being a bit burned out on the whole music-game craze, Guitar Hero 5's new features and ear-pleasing track list had me strumming and drumming on the plastic instrument peripherals all over again...and having a great time doing it.

Among the myriad of reasons why I loved this game more every second I played it...is the way the puzzles and especially the visual presentation evolve. [Dec 2004, p.70]

Why risk changing an already perfect passing sytem? I guess when you're the only game in town, you can do what you want. [Oct 2005]

Gameplay was virtually lag-free and response time was so smooth, it rivaled any other sports game played online. [Jan 2005, p.80]

Twenty years and still pretty much the way it was the first time you laid the smack down on flying medusa heads and shambling mummies. [Jan. 2007, p.77]

Dishes out some truly inventive (if not a tad insane) leve design, tight gameplay, and great visuals, to the extent that anyone even remotely interested in the sport will likely embrace this game's spin on the whole extreme sports trend. [Oct 2002, p.85]

The game neither holds players' hands or pushes them away with a series of jumps only an automaton with computerized coordination could make. [Jan 2006, p.39]

A deep, refreshingly stylistic adventure that lets you play at the pitch you desire. [Dec 2002, p.83]

Not to be outdone, EA Sports has upped the ante with NHL 2004 and it truly has left me speechless. What am I so excited about? One word - Dynasty Mode... For hockey fans, this is a no brainer. [Sept 2003, p.88]

EA has done it again, implementing expanded Freestyle control, improved defensive AI, superior graphics and a brand-new announce team...Looking for the best basketball game? NBA Live 2004 is nothing but net. [Nov 2003, p.105]

GH III is drop-dead knock-down dragout gorgeous to behold. I’m still doing double takes to make sure the venues are polygonal, and the player models have reached a high that will make you smash your old GH II axe Pete Townsend-style. [Nov 2007, p.72]

Daxter makes a much better lead than he ever did a sidekick. As a lead critter, he's everything I look for and then some. [Apr 2006, p.71]

One-on-one combat truly doesn't work here, but Unreal Championship 2 seems to delight in replaying this unpalatable scenario time and again - with each new stage requiring more kills, more wandering, more exposure to the incessant narrator's bleating until Unreal's reality bites becomes the great truth of the day. [Apr 2005, p.56]

Even if you only play CoH for the duration of the first free month, it's well worth the purchase. Chances are you'll be sticking around, though. [July 2004, p.75]

This is accessible crime-fighting pulp with a dark, contemporary edge. [May 2005, p.64]

It's exaggerated in its look and feel, but the balance between physical realism and fantasy-tuned fun is so engaging that you begin to forget that a racing game could be fashioned any other way. [May 2003, p.68]

Dishes out some truly inventive (if not a tad insane) leve design, tight gameplay, and great visuals, to the extent that anyone even remotely interested in the sport will likely embrace this game's spin on the whole extreme sports trend. [Oct 2002, p.85]

If this is the last of its kind on Xbox, Far Cry: Instincts is a great way to go out. [Nov p.86]

A classically charged action game. [July 2004, p.73]

Red Faction’s destruction tech is leaps and bounds beyond anything you’ve ever seen or played. But the fact this aspect encompasses nearly the entirety of the gameplay is really what makes it stand out; destroying stuff isn’t just a means of extracting some cool eye and ear candy within the game—it is the game.

Square has taken a risk with Final Fantasy X-2, and even if they don't always hit the mark, when they do, it's a glorious cupid shot right through our FF-Loving hearts. [Dec 2003, p.67]

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]

Not to be outdone, EA Sports has upped the ante with NHL 2004 and it truly has left me speechless. What am I so excited about? One word - Dynasty Mode... For hockey fans, this is a no brainer. [Sept 2003, p.88]

They don't make 3D fighters more beautiful and fluid than Dead or Alive 4. [Mar 2006, p.43]

To say that Kingdom Hearts is magical is an understatement. As cinematic experiences go, it's exquisite. It's not the finest in terms of action, but overall, it's wonderful. [Oct 2002, p.74]

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]

An eclectic, distinctly Japanese RPG mix that takes us to a place just beyond the fringes of our reality. [Oct 2004, p.72]

Not to be outdone, EA Sports has upped the ante with NHL 2004 and it truly has left me speechless. What am I so excited about? One word - Dynasty Mode... For hockey fans, this is a no brainer. [Sept 2003, p.88]

For this year's game, EA has taken freestyle control to a whole new level. A level so out of control, it's going to change the way you play basketball games...forever. [Oct 2004, p.89]

You won't find anything grounbreaking here, but you will find a highly enjoyable strategy game. [July 2005, p.82]

The coolest thing about Hot Shots, though, has to be the crazy caddies. Each time you drive, they jet after the ball like Benny Hill on a caffeine bender, kicking up dust and generally freaking out. [Mar 2002, p.52]

If they fix the play balance and are able to add that last bit of audio polish (and adjust that Steph model...she was <I>hot</> in the preview build), the next iteration could be perfection. [Dec 2003, p.101]

Among the myriad of reasons why I loved this game more every second I played it...is the way the puzzles and especially the visual presentation evolve. [Dec 2004, p.70]

The game is so fun and addicting, and the environments so brimming with goodness, you'll care not. Too bad the art is lacking. [Jan 2004, p.64]

Some games need to be on your hard drive, for yourself, your family, your friends. Machinarium is one of them. It’s a supremely accessible, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully scored point and click adventure, with charmingly conceived (at times madly detailed) puzzles, genuine humor, and tin men with big hearts.

It's a sweeping, exquisitely crafted, hopelessly addictive adventure that ignites a wondrous spirit of gaming past...A magnificent action-RPG and a terrifically fun video game. [Feb 2004, p.44]

Despite being a bit burned out on the whole music-game craze, Guitar Hero 5's new features and ear-pleasing track list had me strumming and drumming on the plastic instrument peripherals all over again...and having a great time doing it.

It feels and looks polished, considerate, and expensive. [Apr 2007, p.40]

As good as the puzzles are, the presentation is almost better. [JPN Import; May 2007, p.77]

In a perfect world, wouldn't it have been great to get an original Mario game? Isn't that the way it used to be? [Jan 2005, p.84]

In many ways, Rising is a spiritual successor to Capcom's "Resident Evil." This zombie epic, however, has brains and a heart to go with its blood and gore. [Sept 2006, p.55]

Metroid Prime: Hunters is born from incredible pedigree, and it certainly shows. [May 2006, p.56]

The game neither holds players' hands or pushes them away with a series of jumps only an automaton with computerized coordination could make. [Jan 2006, p.39]

I've logged 70 hours on the game so far, and I'm nowhere near quitting. Sure, I've finished the game many times already, but the game's structure of almost endless goals keeps me coming back for more every single day. [Jan 2003, p.82]

I can honestly say that I have logged more hours playing Final Fantasy XI than any other game in my life. [May 2004, p.46]

I think Virtua Fighter 5 was the game that the AM2 development team was dreaming of when they created Virtua Fighter. [Mar 2007, p.48]

Treasure has crafted another masterpiece of hyper-tuned overhead shooter action, the likes of which the world may never see again. [Apr 2003, p.57]

This is a case where the synergy between compelling gameplay and environment design, enabled by great technology, is too important to compromise. [July 2004, p.74]

Few games are as excitingly presented, as gorgeously constructed, as intensely visceral as the extraordinary The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. [Dec 2003, p.52]

Packed with nuances that, for aspiring fans and drivers must really float their Skoal. Drafting, line selection, pitting...this is a great simulation covering 20 seasons. Not for me. [Oct 2002, p.84]

It's too bad that The Twin Snakes isn't the perfect update of MGS it could have been, but this game is still packed with quality, providing a great experience to MGS rookes and Fox Hound veterans alike. [Mar 2004, p.54]

But what's truly astounding about Fight Night is the damage inflicted on the Boxers...Using state-of-the-art facial mo-caps, players will see a boxer's face bruise, swell and get cut during fights. [Apr 2004, p.72]

And, were it not said, someone would be drummed out of the union: The Force is strong with this one. [Oct. 2006, p.52]

Warriors succeeds because it wholly engrosses players. [Nov p.82]

Red Faction’s destruction tech is leaps and bounds beyond anything you’ve ever seen or played. But the fact this aspect encompasses nearly the entirety of the gameplay is really what makes it stand out; destroying stuff isn’t just a means of extracting some cool eye and ear candy within the game - it is the game.

But the engaging paranormal angle to the story and the violent imagery rising from it breathe a creepy chill into F.E.A.R.'s soul that never lets the game lost its powerful grip. [Dec. 2006, p.64]

Online RPGs are not supposed to have characters that look this good, nor are they supposed to have the sort of atmospheric brilliance exhibited here. [Dec 2003, p.90]

Pulling it all together is razor-sharp presentation, incredible city construction and track design, and a use of sound and mixed tunes that is unrivaled in the genre; praise to EA for bypassing the numbing of ill-placed techno. [Dec 2003, p.62]

It just shies away from greatness given how good last year's game was. [Dec 2004, p.103]

The story is thin and forced, far too self-aware of needing to be supernaturally spooky, and the voice acting is crap as usual. No matter: Silent Hill 3 leaves an awfully intense mark. [Aug 2003, p.73]

This is simply a superb genre defining experience with two unforgettable endings.

But what's truly astounding about Fight Night is the damage inflicted on the Boxers...Using state-of-the-art facial mo-caps, players will see a boxer's face bruise, swell and get cut during fights. [Apr 2004, p.72]

What Ready at Dawn did for the "Jak & Daxter" series, extracting Jak and fashioning a killer game around his uber rodent, High Impact Games has somehow done for Ratchet and Clank (sans extraction), reinvigorating the series after three turns on the PS2. [Mar 2007, p.67]

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]

Amidst these new gameplay twists and smart quirkiness, though, Disgaea's greatest strength lies in its foundation of traditional strategy gameplay; little to be called revolutionary, just good, solid fun. [Sept 2003, p.68]

Sega's VT World Tour takes not only intuitive control but reactive animation to the next level... [Nov p.98]

Not to be outdone by "Winning Eleven 6," EA Sports has pulled out all the stops and created a soccer game that is second to none... I dare you to find a soccer game where the ball moves so dynamically and realistically. [Nov 2003, p.108]

Not only a blast to play, it is the best looking real-time strategy game to date. [May 2003, p.60]

Amazing visuals. [March 2005, p.59]

For the most part, MP2 is a gorgeous game that does its M rating proud. [Jan 2004, p.66]

Never have I seen a concept so perfectly implemented that a relatively tiny patch of land has me utterly captivated. [Jan. 2007, p.60]

The feeling of being cornered, your only weapon an ancient camera that disembodies the spirit of the ghost, is unmatched. [Nov 2004, p.76]

What this game contains that is totally removed from everything else out there is a quirky, infectious, humorous character, one that seems to deeply reflect the personality of its makers. When you play it, you really sense a stamp of originality and zany flavor in its presentation and structure. [March 2005, p.48]

A wider variety of backgrounds would be nice, but the gear-works within them change and evolve at a rate that the makes the sameness fade away. Gameplay this pure, this tuned, and this fun is rare indeed, and the ‘S-Man himself is a total blast.

You've got blinding speed, and more than enough distinct cars to tinker with to push that insane speed even harder. [June 2005, p.57]

A true masterpiece...it holds you in its grasp from start to finish, and then you'll probably want to play it all over again. [Mar 2002, p.59]

This is why you risked your life and went into debt: For a game console. [JPN Import; Feb 2007, p.80]

While they could easily have made a straightforward Tetris port for the system, Nintendo instead chose to really go all out for this one, especially in building the one-player portion of the game. [Apr 2006, p.96]

A stylish and sinister strategy RPG that is indeed worthy of the Shin Megami Tensei monicker.

The game neither holds players' hands or pushes them away with a series of jumps only an automaton with computerized coordination could make. [Jan 2006, p.39]

The setting is a big part of the game's appeal, dropping you in atmospheric castle tombs and creepy labs run by technicians of the black arts. [July 2003, p.74]

A deep, refreshingly stylistic adventure that lets you play at the pitch you desire. [Dec 2002, p.83]

If only more games attempted to create such a smart, bold place of fantasy. [Jan 2004, p.46]

Every year Codemasters puts out a new version, and it's as sure a bet as anything in this industry that it will be even better than last year's--and that once again it will be mostly ignored by U.S. gamers. [Mar 2006, p.44]

Despite the constant frustration of the stop-start gameplay, and the sheer humorless stupidity of the game's script in its first half, Devil May Cry 4 triumphs when you get to fight. [mar 2008, p.52]

Radical has wisely left Banner behind this time out and opted for a Spidey/GTA-type free-roamer - Hulk-style - and is it ever a thumping good time. [Sept 2005, p.56]

And, were it not said, someone would be drummed out of the union: The Force is strong with this one. [Oct. 2006, p.52]

For this year's game, EA has taken freestyle control to a whole new level. A level so out of control, it's going to change the way you play basketball games...forever. [Oct 2004, p.89]

A formidable, beautiful-looking GP game. [July 2002, p.82]

The best game ever launched at $19.99? Most assuredly. [Apr 2004, p.63]

The mark of any truly legendary RPG lies in its characters and story, and in both of these areas Skies' shines as brightly as its most blue-blue skies. [Mar 2003, p.42]

You've got blinding speed, and more than enough distinct cars to tinker with to push that insane speed even harder. [June 2005, p.57]

Learn and hone your attacks, consider the deceivingly complex structure of the game, and the reward is tremendously satisfying. [Apr 2005, p.54]

Improving upon the original in almost every way - story needs some work - Red Faction 2 is awesome. [Dec 2002, p.54]

A level of detail never before seen...This is the gold standard for adventure horror. [Apr 2002, p.62]