I've played a lot of remakes, and rarely do they strike a balance between the old and new as well as Mega Man: Powered Up. [May 2006, p.57]

Yes, Quake 4 delivers some incredible action to tie everything together, but the campaign gameplay is guilty of being slightly formulaic at times. [Nov 2005, p.104]

The sounds that move all around you are also wonderfully implemented. [Jan 2006, p.42]

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas is one of the few games I’ve played in which the squad-based gameplay works the way you’d imagine—more engrossing enhancement to the experience than a mechanical dead weight I’ve come to expect.

An excellent classics compilation, due mostly to "Sonic CD," finally revived after so much begging. [Sept 2005, p.57]

I'm not one for flight sims, but Heroes of the Pacific has given me a reason to enjoy the genre. [Sept 2005, p.57]

Never mind that Dark Athena doesn’t quite stand up to Butcher Bay. Why should it? As a package, this is an easy sell for someone looking for a moody experience of stealth, action and adventure. Nice to see a game that understands dialogue too.

A kick-ass game of hockey that stands to be the best EA has ever produced. [Oct 2005, p.70]

SHIFT will disappoint those looking for Maggie Q and cop chases, but racing sim fans, looking for a solid alternative to Forza and the like, should buckle-up for Need for Speed’s new ride.

Amazing visuals. [March 2005, p.59]

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]

I'm not one for flight sims, but Heroes of the Pacific has given me a reason to enjoy the genre. [Sept 2005, p.57]

There's more than enough here to luv for Sega fans big and small. [Apr 2008, p.64]

I can’t sing Cing’s praises loud enough. Little King’s Story is the freshest Wii game since de’ Blob and a return to the kind of Japanese development that made me fall in love with games in the first place.

Its soldiers may be dumber than buttered toast, but Combat's missions cannot be impugned. [Dec 2005, p.60]

A very addictive and good-playing game of golf with sweet wireless matchups and plenty of fun costumes and characters to unlock in between. [July 2005, p.82]

There's enough strategy to dig into for the added satisfaction, but underneath it all is a foundation of pure fun. [Oct 2007, p.90]

You never get the impression that there's something lacking, but experienced RTS fans may hunger for something more challenging. [Nov 2007, p.76]

This really is a special game for the truest fans. [Dec 2007, p.84]

The gang’s all here—well, except for Louis. Terminal Reality might have created the only true Ghostbusters game, ever, but it’s about as good as we could have asked for (could have used more Murray, though). Who you gonna call? Atari for some DLC.

As real as it gets in the modern military shooter genre, Operation Flashpoint demands your mind be as sharp as your aim. Those seeking an FPS experience that's evolved passed Hollywood's version of war should definitely enlist, but anyone annoyed by one-shot deaths should probably stick to Call of Duty's frontlines.

Delightful, skillfully made, and full of wonder, is far and away the best puzzle action game in years. What it lacks in technical prowess it more than makes up for with fluid animation, ingenious gameplay, and outstanding level design.

There's something indescribably wonderful about making an epic leap from the top of a huge building, soaring breathlessly across the sky with the hero's arms flailing wildly before crashing down on a rooftop that seems hundreds of feet away. [Mar 2007, p.51]

Endless Ocean is a perfect non-game, whatever that means. [Jan 2008, p.60]

This is damn near as good a version of Dodgeball as I could ask for...if only overall character speed could be tweaked. [May 2008, p.66]

A kick-ass game of hockey that stands to be the best EA has ever produced. [Oct 2005, p.70]

The town and dungeon environments are among the most beautiful ever to grace the PS2. [Sept 2006, p.58]

The most important quality in any relationship is personality, and The King of Fighters XI has personality in abundance. [JPN Import, Oct 2006, p.78]

The unmistakable refinement of Rogue galaxy makes it a worthy addition to any RPG library. [Feb 2007, p.34]

Somewhat reminiscent of Sega's tragically overlooked "Spartan: Total Warrior", 300 is similarly diverse but much faster paced and brutal. [Apr 2007, 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]

The best thing to happen to shooters in a long time. [Aug 2005, p.54]

This really is a special game for the truest fans. [Dec 2007, p.84]

An excellent first effort from CD Projekt Red. [Dec 2007, p.97]

A kick-ass game of hockey that stands to be the best EA has ever produced. [Oct 2005, p.70]

I'm not one for flight sims, but Heroes of the Pacific has given me a reason to enjoy the genre. [Sept 2005, p.57]

There's a lot to be said about plowing through town with a zombie horde, biting brains. [Dec 2005, p.59]

The fighting - and there's tons of it - never grows laborious or monotonous... [Nov p.76]

There's more than enough here to luv for Sega fans big and small. [Apr 2008, p.64]

Can a game be worth purchasing without being brilliant? It depends on your wallet. The first few hours of multiplayer are going to be worth the sticker price, but the rest of the game is nearly inaccessible for four simultaneous gamers.

Never mind that Dark Athena doesn’t quite stand up to Butcher Bay. Why should it? As a package, this is an easy sell for someone looking for a moody experience of stealth, action and adventure. Nice to see a game that understands dialogue too.

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]

Tropico 3 is a well-designed sim with just the right balance of complexity and micromanagement. It looks good, it sounds good and playing it just might teach you something. How many games can you say that about?

Unfortunately, there isn't a Franchise mode in MVP, but there is a great season mode, as well as an addictive Homerun Showdown. [May 2005, p.71]

The close quarters combat feels exactly as you'd hope for in a high-quality samurai action game. [Sept 2005, p.85]

The fighting - and there's tons of it - never grows laborious or monotonous... [Nov p.76]

The angles are fabulous -- never staying in one place too long while framing the action with cinematic flair. [Nov 2003, p.91]

Nearly everything in your way can be smashed or bowled over, which becomes almost illegal fun when your bug is replaced by a city bus. [July 2003, p.79]

All is not perfect in Enter the Matrix, but for its few flaws, the game delivers what it is meant to: a very convincing experience inside The Matrix that looks, smells, and feels like... The Matrix. [July 2003, p.76]

Creating a gamer's game through and through, Traveller's Tales has delivered a 60 fps cartoon epic without sacrificing expanse, dwarfing boss encounters or vivid effects by skillfully balancing model and environment integrity with performance. [Oct 2004, p.69]

This is one fine-looking brawler, from the animations to the active, gorgeously detailed tiered arenas to the scintillating effects. [Dec 2004, p.56]

A fresh take on an old premise that's impossible to put down, filled with old friends (Shy Guys, Boos, Ram-Rams, Monchees...), crisp, vivid graphics and sound, and osme yummy cinemas. [July 2004, p.71]

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]

If only Goblin Commander's visuals matched the majesty of its design... I absolutely love it, though. [Dec 2003, p.83]

The seamless integration of online with the offline is a big selling point for GameDay. [Sept 2003, p.87]

What does shine is the cards themselves, which feature work by a ton of distinct Japanese artists. [Feb 2004, p.47]

I love the way it advances the story and expands on the world of PSO, and I love the card battling itself. It's basically a strategy game with the tension and excitement of a good poker hand. [Mar 2004, p.58]

As good as the match-ups are, balanced through a generous, likeable collection of 24 old and new warriors, that comedic gore factor - as pervasive as ever - certainly strengthens the flavor. [Nov 2004, p.64]

The game contains bits of combat, Tomb Raider-ish puzzle solving, and environmental hazzards. [JPN Import; Mar 2003, p.63]

What Terminal Reality has managed to create in the two years succeeding the Bloodrayne debut borders on miraculous. [Nov 2004, p.72]

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

Each turtle has his own attacks and skills, plus his own unique set of stages, and it's all tied together with great looks and sounds that make TMNT feel like a really polished SNES game - not a bad thing at all from where I sit. [Nov 2003, p.100]

Engaged me more heavily than any FPS I've played this year. [Dec 2003, p.54]

The angles are fabulous -- never staying in one place too long while framing the action with cinematic flair. [Nov 2003, p.91]

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]

The fighting manages to feel nimble while still providing a sense of awesome scale, which had to be an extremely hard balance to strike. [Nov 2004, p.60]

The striking image quality of this absolutely gorgeous pastiche of tainted purgatory is a big factor in Painkiller's appeal. [June 2004, p.66]

The multiplayer is a blast and the challenge level is very, very high when the CPU is cranked up. [Nov 2003, p.90]

One of the more elegant, gorgeously conceived action games of the year... it never feels like we're just going through the motions, one kill after another. [Sept 2003, p.67]

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]

I'm still bummed that the single player arcade mode from the original hasn't returned, but what's here is good fun - particularly when sobriety is lacking. [Nov 2004, p.76]

Next time gimmie some music other than hip-hop, and a driver's-eye-view, and I'll be one happy speed freak. [Aug 2003, p.75]

On top of being genuinely funny, taking stabs at the game's hysterically exaggerated stereotypes, it's a great game of golf too. [Oct 2004, p.89]

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]

The intimacy, the almost Zen-like relationship with the track is not here. Even so, I would be a fool to call this game anything other than great. [Jan 2004, p.60]

What hasn't changed, however, is the series' incredibly addictive and impressive-looking wall-to-wall action. [Nov 2003, p.92]

Keeping an eye on your ectoplasm levels, terrified humans, and enthusiastic ghost troops isn't easy, but watching a sorority house empty out faster than a theater showing "Gigli" is more than just a little fun and satisfying. [Nov 2003, p.96]

Not a lot of surprises, not a lot to be called revolutionary...just a double-dose of some of the finest gameplay ever. [Dec 2003, p.72]

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]

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]

You'll be capping scumbags left and right in a fireworks display of flesh and blood, going after the town prostitute's heisted jewelry or collecting giant scorpion tails for some much-needed extra cash, and things of this nature. [Feb 2004, p.42]

It's all carefully honed and balanced...and, furthermore, harnessed by elegant controls that are adaptable for any combat situation. [Apr 2004, p.58]

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

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]

A vast sci-fi universe to explore, bounties to collect, and an intriguing story that bears telling. [Jan 2004, p.72]

Seldom have I been so invested in an overal premise; and what beter than a down-and-dirty Western? [June 2004, p.54]

Graphics and sound are, as expected, top-notch (I love the remix of old Green Hill music), and the bosses are outstanding. [July 2004, p.71]

Not only does the game look better than its predecessor but it outperforms it in nearly every way: the puzzles are even more intelligent..., the fighting is on par and benefits from multiple characters, the difficulty scale has been skillfully balanced. [Sept 2003, p.70]

The way the AI reacts to your specific presence is eerily keen. [Aug 2004, p.56]

The most powerful twist in the real-time narrative involves the travel from past to present and person to person. [Nov 2004, p.82]

Manages to deliver an addictive experience that is at times incredibly exhilarating and fun. [Aug 2003, p.74]

Some powerful new weapons have been added in TC3, along with some additional side quests and detail tweaks to the gameplay, but this is still the same Time Crisis you know and love. [Dec 2003, p.84]

When you get the groove, it's really quite exhilarating. [Aug 2003, p.79]

Becomes completely absorbing through its world, characters and thoughtful gameplay. [June 2004, p.72]

Thankfully, LucasArts have traded in realism for arcade action and the end result is a joyous ride through history. [Dec 2003, p.84]

A bold success as an incendiary action game, brilliantly nuanced in its mechanics and full of atmospheric appeal. And it's also a fantastic version of Castlevania... My criticism comes, mostly, from imagining the triumphant possibilities a Castlevania adventure holds. [Nov 2003, p.66]

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