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

Despite her considerable charms, this Lara is best experienced alone. [Nov 2010, p.84]

This may be a well-made rat maze, but a rat maze it is and that's all. [Holiday 2012, p.73]

What a bummer--we had high hopes for this one. [Jan 2011, p.83]

Eight years after the fact, the game remains a curious muddle, but this time it's a curious muddle in high definition. [June 2011, p.83]

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

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]

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

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

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

The core racing experience makes the misstep of celebrating failure rather than making the actual winning of races definable fun. [Dec 2008, p.90]

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]

The campaign feels awkward and unfamiliar and the multiplayer doesn't allow for direct head-to-head competition (oh well), but the game still manages to fuel our competitive juices. [Apr 2012, p.82]

Jak and Daxter Collection feels more like a lightly upgraded historical document than a lovingly tweaked attempt to make these aging classics shine for a modern audience. [Mar 2012, p.81]

Straightforward, aerial combat. [Holiday 2009, p.85]

FIFA 08 delivers a pretty complete soccer package that we still hope will improve as the specter of pressure from Konami's "Pro Evolution Soccer" looms on the horizon. [Holiday 2007, p.84]

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]

Sadly this year, it's hard to find a compelling reason to upgrade if you played 09. [Aug 2009, p.76]

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

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

A game this pretty should be a no-brainer, but as soon as the characters open their mouths, your beleaguered brain will ache for a return to the action. [Holiday 2008, p.78]

When cheesy '80s action flicks dream of being chaotic top-down, twin-stick shooters with motion-comic cutscenes, they dream about being Renegade Ops. [Nov 2011, p.87]

Despite the new animations, new moves, and features, this year's model plays a lot like last year's game, with very subtle, often ineffective changes. [Sept 2009, p.79]

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]

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

Fortunately, the design is still fun, even if it doesn't quite hold up against modern FPS fare. [Dec 2012, p.86]

An impressive port that will satisfy seasoned fighters. [Apr 2012, p.61]

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]

The technology driving Rocksmith is awesome. Unfortunately, the software just doesn't compare. [Dec 2011, p.81]

The game, though, stumbles throughout. The combat is at best serviceable, as are the puzzles. [Dec 2010, p.84]

Yakuza also suffers from an almost debilitating yappiness. [May 2010, p.76]

Vague disappointments aside, Rock Band Unplugged offers a clever portable twist on the music game formula that is mostly engrossing and fun...even if it can be damned frustrating. [July 2009, p.84]

Given the smaller screen and weaker controls, there's almost no reason to play this if you've already experienced SFXT. [Holiday 2012, p.79]

Gamers who want an RPG they can dig into and play, however, probably won't have a problem. [June 2011, p.82]

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]

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]

Still, minor annoyances keep Driver from being stellar: some areas of the city must be unlocked via story progression, fishtailing is occasionally over-the-top and loathsome during races and chases, and Shift is inexplicably limited during certain missions. [Nov 2011, p.81]

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

While it's not quite a perfect package, there's a lot to love about the way the open-world craziness unfolds despite the game's oddly self-aware inclusion of some of gaming's more annoying, antiquated mechanics. [Holiday 2012, p.80]

An acquired taste. [Feb 2011, p.86]

Hack-and-slash antics fuel the fire, but the game's health system makes extended fights an exercise in frustration. [Sept 2010, p.81]

Despite its addictive simplicity, N+ does eventually reach a breaking point. [Oct 2008, p.82]

While less engrossing--and therefore less essential--than its predecessor, echochrome ii remains a smartly conceived puzzler that offers fresh and innovative ideas, especially when it comes to using the PlayStation Move. [March 2011, p.76]

But for hardcore Yakuza fans, the schizophrenic game design is secondary; it's the engrossing characters and storyline that matter most. [April 2011, p.80]

Role-playing elements and a bizarre karma system lubricate the works, and its easy to get sucked into completing one more challenge, getting one more promotion before quitting a session. [Holiday 2010, p.74]

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

All this offers is twin-stick controls and slightly crisper visuals. [June 2012, p.83]

Thankfully, developer Avalanche gets it at least half right in Toy Story 3, an adventure that's of two minds on how to do a movie licensed game. [Aug 2010, p.86]

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

A bit of refinement and this could have been something special. [July 2012, p.80]

Don't expect much in the way of graphics and sound innovation; there isn't any. [Jan 2008, p.86]

The simple but fun RPG-lite adventure gameplay is still great for parent/child co-play, but we had no problem blowing through the campaign in a single weekend. [Holiday 2012, p.81]

Completists may want this one to fill out their Final Fantasy libraries, but most fans can stick with the original versions. [June 2011, p.82]

While not exactly a title for the permanent collection, Singularity does deliver its fair share of fast-paced action and time-altering thrills. [Oct 2010, p.81]

Accessibility is the game's strongest sell, however, and everyone from drunk uncles to tween cousins will find a song they enjoy. [Holiday 2012, p.85]

While it's still a solid sequel, Shank 2 may have benefited from a less-is-more approach. [Apr 2012, p.81]

An improvement over its predecessor in almost every way, but it still feels undernourished. [Jan 2012, p.81]

An enjoyable, if guilty, pleasure. [June 2008, p.75]

In expected fashion the puzzles become increasingly difficult, demanding careful timing and sound logical thinking--navigating the fish through most of the stages is thoroughly enjoyable. [Apr 2008, p.73]

Unless you and your friends adore movie quizzes, you might play once, then never take Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz off the shelf again. [May 2008, p.81]

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]

Pangya should provide golf fans (and RPG fans mildly interested in golf) dozens of hours of entertainment with its several modes, gentle learning curve, and unlockable content. [Aug 2009, p.73]

The cast is another pack of pastel-colored munchkins from anime central casting. [Apr 2012, p.77]

Still, the single-player is entertaining enough, with a lot off the fun of John Woo's original movie. [Jan 2008, p.83]

This is a game that definitely rewards exploration. [July 2008, p.76]

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

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

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]

Green Day: Rock Band is essentially a less ambitious and less extensive version of the game Harmonix built for The Beatles. [Aug 2010, p.82]

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

Both the story and gameplay arcs seemed pedestrian with the story focusing on character development and a revelation that wasn't particular compelling, and the gameplay never cresendoing to a big payoff ending. [Dec 2008, p.74]

Relies a bit too much on the players to make the game fun. [Apr 2010, p.70]

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]

Where's the rear touchscreen functionality to control shot power? Where's the touchscreen aiming? [Apr 2012, p.56]

The game's only major flaw is it's length--the single-player can be completed in a paltry four to six hours--but still, it's definitely worth purchasing for the kids. [Sept 2008, p.78]

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

But there's no denying that the highlight is the Attitude Era mode, and though it has its flaws, it's a dream come true for children of the '90s. ]Holiday 2012, p.83]

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]

That said, Clone Wars remains a finely crafted and worthy romp through LEGO land, even for veterans of the series. [May 2011, p.77]

Even for the niche-y, nerdo ranks of no-frills strategy titles, Iron Triangle is not for the weak. [Apr 2009, p.85]

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

Fo us, the downsides weigh more heavily than the ups on this one. [Feb 2008, p.80]

Though there is some environmental repetition, Awesomenauts is fun, addictive chaos at a decent price. [June 2012, p.82]

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

I Am Alive is a near-perfect, gritty struggle to survive. [June 2012, p.78]

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]

Delivered exactly the fun, casual experience we expected. [Feb 2012, p.87]

Thanks to the flawed fundamentals, all the great mechanics in the world can't save Syndicate. [Apr 2012, p.84]

Hardcore tennis fans may enjoy the practice and repetition necessary to master the game, but most gamers will be frustrated by the tedious process of acquiring that expertise. [Sept 2008, 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]

The six missions, while short, are gorgeous to look at, and our heavily armored protagonists rank right up there with the baddest-looking dudes of all time. [May 2008, p.78]

Beauty is only skin-deep - gameplay goes a lot deeper...It should have opted for a bit more corrective surgery to go with its cosmetic enhancements. [Mar 2010, p.70]

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

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]

It just lacks a certain freshness. [Dec 2009, p.78]

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