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]

Instead of making a sequel that justifies the switch to turn-based strategy(by putting you in charge of a squad of characters, for example), the developers have repeated the same strange experiment with the same mixed results. [Apr 2006, p.70]

THe matches are totally chaotic and a little bit out of control, but the game is an absolute blast to play, far more like an arcade game than most modern sports titles. [Sept 2002, p.73]

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]

The control is superb, the scope heretofore unimaginable, and the presentation royal in pedigree. [Jan 2006, p.40]

The background periodically moves out of synch with the action (like a movie playing behind the left-to-right flow) and the music could be a bit more charged, but otherwise I cherished every moment returning to a genre embedded in my DNA. [Feb 2004, p.46]

My appreciation for some of the best undead character design and animation I have ever seen, and an overall air of doom I can really sink my teeth into, far outweigh a few hiccups. [July 2002, p.76]

Scribblenauts is a game that will be remembered for a long time. It’s a genesis event. In the history of games, there are few moments where a new genre appears; few dates where something truly novel is given to gamers. Scribblenauts is a birth. It’s Wolfenstein 3D. It’s Mario 64. Scribblenauts is Street Fighter.

A little restraint may have resulted in a stronger game, but Lost Planet: Extreme Condition has its grand moments when you escape a wild shootout in supreme satisfaction of your dirty work. [Feb 2007, p.40]

Serious depth, a lush soundtrack and pretty visuals conspire to create a fine new addition to the genre. [Dec. 2006, p.101]

A mesmerizing tone dominates the heavily Japanese landscape, built off of a rich spirit of what feels like ancient folklore and mysticism. This translates - brilliantly, tangibly - into the connection with the combat and the control of the characters. [Oct 2004, p.71]

Eternal Sonata is the JRPG that the 360 needs, and the story saves it from being cliche, but gamers shouldn't be expecting a reinvention of the genre. [Sept 2007, p.72]

As always, the graphics in NHL 2003 are exceptional... There were times when I thought I was watching an actual hockey game. [Nov 2002, p.88]

Inspired by AD&D, this marvelously detailed, richly atmospheric action-RPG is a ceaselessly entertaining example of how valuable highly focused, simplistic adventuring can really be. [Jan 2003, p.78]

The big surprise comes from the strength of the narrative, which crackles with snappy dialogue and characters that show real emotion. [Jan 2006, p.47]

There's no denying that the level of interaction in here is humbling. [Nov 2004, p.54]

Final Fantasy II... holds up extremely well, with an excellent story and fleshed-out characters. [Jan 2005, p.87]

Essentially, with MX vs. ATV Unleashed, Rainbow has perfected everything they introduced as the pioneers of next generation off-road racing. [Apr 2005, p.74]

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?

Grim Grimoire doesn't have quite the depth or complexity of a western RTS like "Command & Conquer 3, but it does have an elegance that such games lack. [June 2007, p.72]

The story centers on wall-to-wall teenage girls of the squeaky kind, but La Pucelle certainly delivers as advertised. [June 2004, p.61]

Unlike any other 3D fighters on the market. Midway has done an exceptional job of creating a brand new MK experience while still maintaining the old-school flavor that so many of us are familiar with. [Jan 2003, p.70]

I truly love this game. It has everything a hockey fan could want. From the improved animations to the great Franchise mode to the great Pick Up and Play mode, NHL Hitz Pro is a necessary purchase. [Oct 2003, p.84]

The grinding is good, the tricks are easy enough for a shlub to pull off, and Electronic Arts does a fine job of fleshing everything out with a series of animated pencil line drawings that jackhammer home the game's exceedingly cool style. [Nov p.93]

So finally, after all these years, we have a gameplay-perfect home version of Alpha 3....and you even get every previous game in the series for free. [May 2006, p.44]

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]

The control scheme, though a bit Byzantine, works well. [Aug 2006, p.58]

Although it lacks much of the polish we've come to expect from sandbox style titles such as GTA IV and inFAMOUS, navigating Prototype's world—while leaving a chunky bloodbath in your wake—as the remorseless Mercer packs more than its fair share of guilty-pleasure thrills.