Welcome to the big leagues. Clank. [Aug 2008, p.80]

Developer Blue Castle has done a solid job taking over from Capcom Japan, maker of the original Rising. [Dec 2010, p.74]

If you carry dice in your back pocket, Sacred 2 is worth a shot. [Aug 2009, p.79]

Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love is not a bad game, either, but it does require a certain tolerance for the absurd. [Jun 2010, p.80]

You can use your controller to issue every command, but the real draw is using your headset for vocal order-shouting. [Holiday 2008, p.68]

Despite a few frustrations, I found Overlord: Raising Hell an enjoyable romp through a fantasy realm so comically twisted it could make Tolkien grimace. [Aug 2008, p.78]

Once we'd been playing for a while and knew what we were doing (and, more importantly, had leveled Thorton up considerably), the action got a lot more fun. We just wish the gameplay itself were more enjoyable. [Aug 2010, p.71]

Reflex's control scheme provides a fantastic simulation of what we believe off-road driving is actually like. [Jan 2010, p.86]

It's a stark contrast to the uninspired single-player campaign, but SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs' online exemplifies everything we love about the series. [June 2011, p.69]

Overall, SVR on PSP remains a fun time, and it's unfair to expect a handheld offering to measure up to its console counterpart. So, in the context of a portable game, it's a good ol' slobber-knocker. [Holiday 2009, p.72]

The Move controls work well, but the drab presentation and an enthusiast-centric seriousness lands the play experience in the bunker. [Dec 2010, p.85]

A plethora of other modes (multiplayer, exhibition, card collecting) rounds out this ambitious title, making it well worth the time of those who usually shy away from sports games. [Holiday 2007, p.80]

A decent game, but it feels like the developers invested too heavily in the physic-based destruction and neglected to create a well-rounded experience that could contend with the likes of its own "Saints Row." [Aug 2009, p.70]

It doesn't exactly harness the power of the PS3, but Denied Ops is one of this spring's pleasant surprises. [Apr 2008, p.80]

Badman's core mechanic is frustrating in that you can't directly control your troops, so it feels like luck plays as much a role as skill. [Nov 2009, p.84]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Even so, First Departure has transitioned so smoothly to the PSP that it's definitely worth playing if you're curious about Star Ocean's origins or if you're itching for a charming and portable classic RPG. [Nov 2008, p.80]

Nier can be surprisingly rewarding, but learning to appreciate its bizarre charms does require patience. [July 2010, p.78]

For our money, though, we'd go with playability and looks and sacrifice a bit of the depth; hence March Madness 08 comes a close second to "College Hoops 2K8". [Feb 2008, p.79]

An enjoyable romp, worth playing but as forgettable, perhaps, as a one-night stand. [July 2010, p.76]

The third-person gunplay feels clunky when not behind the crosshairs and the deliberate pacing is an acquired taste, but the sharpshooting-focus, campaign co-op, and fresh take on WWII make V2 a welcome alternative to all those Call of Duty clones. [July 2012, p.77]

The nice surprise is that it's entertaining and polished enough that you're not gonna need to swill that rat poison you were initially planning on feeding to the guinea pigs. [Sept 2009, p.80]

The gameplay flow on the enclosed fields is great, though. [Mar 2008, p.84]

It's not the longest or hardest RPG, but it's heartfelt worldview makes it worth our time. [July 2012, p.79]

Though a create-and-share track builder does add to the fun, this is essentially just an enjoyable change of direction for the series. [July 2012, p.79]

Sonic games have always worked best at top speed. Unfortunately, for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II, commitment to that joyous speed is severely lacking. [July, p.79]

At the end of the day, this remains a Star Wars game - and an essential one thanks to its compelling story and, to be fair, engaging gameplay. [Oct 2008, p.74]

It's a good start in the right direction, but anyone with a copy of Dirt 3 already on their shelves will probably be content with a rental. [July 2012, p.82]

It's best attribute is its price - half that of the PSP game. [Sept 2009, p.81]

Not quite a new game but certainly more consequential than regular DLC, Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition exists in a strange middle ground. [Aug 2011, p.84]

This shooter's mindless, gun-centric amusement is delicious junk food for our itchy trigger fingers. [July 2012, p.85]

It just doesn't feel as fresh - or as fun - as Dark Resurrection. [Feb 2010, p.76]

There aren't many games like this for consoles, so it shakily fills a niche that most certainly needed filling. [Aug 2011, p.82]

Based on the new Pixar film, it's an accessible racer with a distinct Crash Team Racing aftertaste. [Aug 2011, p.83]

American Idol Encore does not disappoint with 40 new songs, an eight-player Idol mode, and EyeToy connectivity. [May 2008, p.87]

If you wall is smothered with Aerosmith posters, you're going to want this game anyway. [Sept 2008, p.79]

Certainly the impact of this year's improvements is less significant than those showcased in Madden, NBA Live and even NHL. [Nov 2008, p.82]

Agarest 2 is a competent strategy RPG with satisfying gameplay, but there are better ones out there that we'd be less ashamed to share with our friends. [Sept 2012, p.,86]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

In spite of its last-gen origins, these scares are 100-percent next-gen. [Nov 2008, p.89]

Mana Khemia is hardly innovative, but if you're a fan of classic Japanese-style RPGs, you don't want to miss it. [May 2008, p.87]

Still, each game mode provides different trials--some nostalgic, some new--and local multiplayer brings the added bonus of screwing over our friends. That alone could be worth the meager fee. [Aug 2012, p.87]

The single-player story is cheesy fantasy schlock, and while the online mode has an array of decently designed multiplayer quests, it could stand some more structured goals and a stronger emphasis on cooperation. [Dec 2011, p.81]

If you wish more fights became all-out slugfests, Bellator is your game, but look elsewhere for something smarter. [Aug 2012, p.87]

Ultimately, though, Bloodlines is held back by the limitations of the PSP format. [Jan 2010, p.82]

Escape Plan could've been a classic. [May 2012, p.85]

Record is very familiar, but undeniably fun. [Dec 2011, p.77]

Unquestionably a niche title, 4am's a cool experiment that those who crave something different can easily get lost in. [Aug 2012, p.83]

On so many levels, Inversion is like a cheesy action movie. Yet just as there's some joy in losing ourselves to the Under Siege movies, Inversion has undeniable charm once we switch our brain to "simple." [Aug 2012, p.82]

Still, Rock of Ages is a true original and remains quite amusing despite some awkward moments. [Aug 2012, p.80]

Gameplay-wise, shooting has been simplified with a Circle button hold-and-release, which feels gimped compared to the now almost-standard analog-flipstick of most ballers. [Jan 2009, p.85]

Ultimately misses more than it hits because it has so little game. [May 2009, p.76]

Some gamers will find little appeal in its often frustrating block-sliding, while others will revel in an unusual experience that stands apart from shooters and action games. While we're not ready for a long-term relationship, we're infatuated with Catherine - she's certainly worthy of a fling. [Sept 2011, p.84]

Those who can overlook the aging process, though, will discover the best versions of two of the genre's greatest games. [May 2012, p.80]

The fighting doesn't feel significantly changed or enhanced. [Nov 2012, p.78]

Everything is bigger and better in Zombie Apocalypse 2: Never Die Alone. [Dec 2011, p.69]

It's not innovative or wildly creative, but the gameplay is fun and the multiplayer is excellent. [Nov 2012, p.80]

Gotham City Impostors is a solid multiplayer shooter trussed up in a big, rubbery premise: one team dresses as Batman, the other as the Joker. [May 2012, p.81]

It's a feeling that encapsulates Rage: a deeply layered, exhilarating game in parts, but one that never coalesces to deliver a cohesive new experience. [Dec 2011, p.66]

Apart from the tunes, Pop Hits manages to one-up SingStar with a sing-along mechanic that's visually easier to follow and acoustically more accurate - aiding on-the-fly vocal adjustments. [Dec 2009, p.82]

In a vacuum, Madden NFL 13 is great. That's good enough for some of us, but others will lament what it could have been. [Nov 2012, p.83]

It's a shame the idiotic A.I. and hit-and-miss recognition spoil it, turning this into a merely "solid" shooter. [May 2012, p.79]

Dyad remains a worthwhile trek, but it mesmerizes in spurts rather than with a consistent tenor. [Oct 2012, p.83]

It's not entirely free from the monotonous grind that's so common to the genre, but the more repetitious moments are balanced by bursts of fun personality and outrageous antics that keep up the zippy pace. [Nov 2012, p.85]

In spite of these concerns, we don't want to come off as overly harsh: Tekken 6 is still a solid fighter and an improvement on its predecessor. [Holiday 2009, p.76]

Like a new season of American Idol, the first thing you notice when you pop in SingStar Vol. 2 is that it's curiously similar to the last one. [Holiday 2008, p.82]

A solid take on action-focused WWII air combat. [Nov 2012, p.87]

But those of us spoiled by the tastier PS3 entry may find this version more of a morsel than a true fistful. [Jun 2010, p.77]

The story is so meandering. [Jan 2012, p.76]

It's a motif that permeates Crysis 2: everything functions agreeably but nothing engages exceptionally. [May 2011, p.76]

Its overall experience never lives up to the implied grandeur of its cross-country speedfest premise. [Jan 2012, p.78]

Players in it for the Trophies may find the price worth it, but most will be satisfied with the version they probably already own. [May 2012, p.77]

It's no substitute for a dedicated title starring any one of its three duos, but it still packs plenty of fan-pleasing fun. [May 2011, p.86]

Such is the case with year's PS3 basketball combatants, with SCEA's version building on the personalization elements (putting yourself in the game), alongside accessible, easily-grasped controls. [Dec 2008, p.96]

Open Tee 2 sticks to the formula introduced in Open Tee. [Aug 2008, p. 83]

The biggest issue with Reloaded isn't in the game itself, but in the release date. [Jan 2012, p.80]

It's flawed, yes, but at its best it's entertaining and offers us some intriguing new ways to spin and swing our web. [Nov 2010, p.76]

Years 5 - 7 follows form, but less so than in the past. [Jan 2012, p.81]

The series has a long way to go before anyone starts calling it the Gran Turismo of motorcycle racing, but it's definitely on the right track. [May 2011, p.87]

It's nothing revolutionary but still worth exploring for puzzle game fans. [May 2011, p.87]

Repetitiveness aside, the plot and the action both heat up enough to make it worth pushing through another round of bug stomping--at least one last time. [May 2011, p.87]

More than enough for hardcore fans to justify the purchase. [Jan 2012, p.83]

This is for the punishment-addicted only. [May 2011, p.84]

It's disappointing at first, but after the initial shock, Karateka turns out to be fun and surprisingly addictive. [Holiday 2012, p.73]

The system exhibits the surging tendency of a car accelerator rather than the smooth steady power flow of an aircraft's thrust lever, making for an irritating dance of micro-inputs during the delicate maneuvers. [Nov 2010, p.80]

The simplistic mechanics don't offer that remarkable of a hook, and the game spans just a couple of hours. As a light snack between big holiday releases, however, it's a pleasantly tasty distraction. [Holiday 2012, p.73[

It still looks a lot like it did on PSOne 10 years ago. [Jan 2009, p.84]

The bottom line is that its disparate parts don't combine to make a better whole. [June 2009, p.76]

If you want a challenge, World Tour will still rock your world. But a joyous homage to the music you love? Not so much. [Jan 2009, p.80]

Building on that solid foundation, its more polished sequel gives armchair athletes another great reason to get off the couch. [Holiday 2012, p.76]

We found the added button-press a bit cumbersome. [Jan 2012, p.87]

While NBA 09 doesn't transform the franchise into a dynasty, it's still playoff worthy. [Dec 2008, p.96]

Motorcycle-specific racing fantatics will lose themselves in MotoGP's depth of details, but most gamers will find the practice-requisite experience an oddly passionless grind. [Dec 2008, p.89]

Online action offers up to four-player wars or free-for-all skirmishes, while the Battles and Operations modes allow armchair generals to take a breather from the WWII campaign and rattle off rounds at a more leisurely pace. [Nov 2010, p.82]

Bloated, Armageddon loses its luster...For our money, Armageddon needn't linger but rather leap at us with tooth and claw, tear, and then depart. [July 2011, p.78]

As dungeon crawls go, it's unique. Just don't expect a Silent Hill 2 level of scary. [Holiday 2012, p.77]

Story aside, however, Manhunt 2 is an important game--not because of the controversy surrounding it, but because it is one of the final few original PS2 games. [Holiday 2007, p.81]

While the brainteasers and competition are addicting, there's not enough substance to make Smart As worth the price; it'd be better off as a $15 download. [Holiday 2012, p.76]