There's a zoom/lock-on for ranged attacks; combos are strictly a one-button affair and you've never had this much fun tinkering with weapons, spells, and items--I guarantee it. [Jan 2008, p.52]

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.

The graphics couldn't be better. Everything is modeled to match the look of the show, then bathed in the same color palette and given life through hardware. [June 2002, p.60]

BBA can only keep you entertained for so long before you tire of its routine. [Aug 2006, p.64]

The dicey AI and super cool pit-stop mini-games actually make driving in a circle fun, and on the 360 the venues look absolutely stunning. [Dec. 2006, p.72]

This EQ 2 all-in-one pack also includes a 30 day subscription, so if you've always wanted to see what the game is made of, Echoes of Faydwer is the perfect opportunity. [Jan. 2007, p.94]

If you love fighting games, you should consider Clash of Ninja 3, regardless whether you love or hate Naruto. Until Tatsunoko vs Capcom hits next year, it might be as the box declares, the Best Fighting Game on the Wii.

Quotation forthcoming. [Nov 2005]

What sets Stella Deus apart from its predecessors, aside from its unique look... is the immensity and complexity of the overall quest. [May 2005, p.36]

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

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a thematic triumph that makes you look past the gameplay lumps. Come for the western fantasy, revel in the visual presentation and get a decent shot of first-person action in between.

What absolutely makes the game are the addictive side-scrolling real-time battles. [Aug 2006, p.65]

An absolutely stunning effort, a combination of hubris and execution that left me giddy with delight. [Dec 2002, p.66]

Improved in every way. [Oct 2002, p.83]

Samurai Champloo is by no means perfect--the repetition bug nibbles away now and again and the characters lack subtle animation nuances such as walking--but for what it is, and more over what its fans expect, it smells pretty damn sweet. [Apr 2006, p.47]

Slick sci-fi palettes, strong sound design and stable performance pull you into Section 8. Sub-orbital drops, zippy character movement and effortless mission tracking make navigation dynamic and fun. A scarcely adequate campaign means life for S8 proceeds online, where teamplay is rewarding, the loadout system is fairly nuanced, and both 360 and PC enjoy detailed multiplayer portals.

The bizarre and unique world of Zenozoik separates Zeno Clash from so many other games that some minor faults still make it worth checking out. It doesn’t hurt that the mechanics of combat are excellent and stand out on their own.

One of the improvements over Rivals is tighter feel in control, and the visual style takes a turn for the better. [Dec 2005, p.74]

Generally speaking, if you like exploration, platforming, physics-based action and a good puzzle, this is as fresh an action-adventure as you're going to find, and the character designs are nothing short of perfection. [June 2007, p.79]

I welled up every time she said "f--ker" or went into her slow-motion death dance after killing a particularly high-ranking official. [Nov 2002, p.77]

You may have been expecting yet another "Crash" afterthought scheming to fleece you of another fiddy, but this is a rebirth well worth the investment. [Nov 2007, p.68]

But the surprise is that they'll enjoy every minute of it; with a wide variety of mission objectives, enemies, purchasable weapons and unlockable characters, Snoopy vs. The Red Baron never stops trying to please. [Dec. 2006, p.66]

Still: warts and all, this is among the best fighters for the system. [Dec 2007, p.82]

I welled up every time she said "f--ker" or went into her slow-motion death dance after killing a particularly high-ranking official. [Nov 2002, p.77]

Control is natural and fast, and a simple command interface makes Smash Court pure fun to pay. [Mar 2002, p.52]

A hand-drawn RPG incorporating exquisite detail and a blazing new look to battle sequences, it's the best thing to happen to portable role playing perhaps ever. [Feb 2002, p.65]

Seemingly everything in the world of FlatOut is destructible, and you wouldn't believe how many crates and barrels there are lying around old country roads. [Oct 2007, p.88]

I would've enjoyed more variety in the enemy fodder, but what's available is certainly creepy and intense. Clive Barker should develop more games. [Nov 2007, p.65]