Yoshinori Ono and the team at Capcom have done the impossible, crushing 3D fighters onto a 2D plane and making it feel coherent and surprisingly gratifying. [May 2012, p.74]

If ever a game was more about the journey than the destination, it's Mass Effect 3. And what a journey it is. [May 2012, p.71]

Graphics age and controls grow outdated, but genius never fades. [Jan 2012, p.85]

EA Montreal delivers a rich, over-the-top buddy experience that provides intelligent choices and a tough but fun Die Hard-like vibe that helps lighten the game's dark, gritty atmosphere. [Feb 2010, p.80]

Absolutely enchanting from start-to-finish, Swan is a real treat and a prime example of why bigger isn't always better. [Holiday 2012, p.77]

Maybe Rally racing is truly at a crossroads in terms of its identity, but if it offers Dirt 3's abundance of varied driving experiences, there'll be great racing down whichever path is chosen. [July 2011, p.80]

With meticulous polish, top-quality gameplay, and more than enough scream-like-a-little-girl moments, Space 2 surpasses the original in every capacity. Factor in its gruesome dismemberments and spectacular zero-G and there's truly nothing else like it. [Feb 2011, p.72]

The most noticeable improvement is the brand-new tackling system, which allows for simultaneous hits and more realistic contact. [Sept 2011, p.87]

The sum effect of all of Metal's play options, depth and unrelenting challenge is a game brimming with replay value - a seemingly endangered species these days. [Apr 2012, p.72]

Though many of Half-Minute Hero's whopping 120-plus quests fly by in the blink of an eye, you'll get a ton of mileage and many hours of enjoyment out of this gem. [Dec 2009, p.84]

The most substantial upgrade the NFS series has ever received, along with some of the best visuals in the genre's field. [Nov 2009, p.83]

There's a reason PopCap has ported this game to almost every platform under the sun, and its embrace of zombiemania only hints at it. As with brains this is delicious. [April 2011, p.78]

Despite these flaws, however, Okami is still one of our favorite games and more than worth a meager 20 bucks. [Holiday 2012, p.82]

A charming 2D visual style tops off the p[package, making this one can't-miss hodgepodge. [July 2011, p.86]

A very impressive achievement. [Apr 2012, p.54]

This is retro homage done right. [Feb 2011, p.87]

The smaller screen makes precision work tricky, but touch controls make it quicker. [Dec 2012, p.84]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

It's not the best-looking game, it's clunky in its controls, but it delivers where it counts with a fun experience that will keep you entertained through to its conclusion. [Aug 2008, p.70]

Plan frequent breaks. Your emotional well being will thank you for it. [Dec 2008, p.64]

Creating new players with your buddies and forming online crews to play five-on-five matches against other crews is cool. [Dec 2009, p.74]

It's by-the-book Lumines, and it's amazing. [Apr 2012, p.59]

Looks stunning, losing none of the visual splendor infused in its PS3 counterpart. [Apr 2012, p.59]

These powerful new attacks – along with some much needed tweaks to a few regular and super moves – add a massive amount of strategic nuance and mix up a lot of the match-ups. You also get a streamlined multiplayer lobby (where you can spectate or play solo while waiting), saveable replays and the return of bonus stages (i.e. belting barrels and cars). For its price, Super Street Fighter IV features a lion’s share of new content. Grease up and grab it today. [May 2010, p.72]

Even if you've worn out the pitch in your copy of FIFA 10, there's no doubt this is the best virtual way to experience the action of the World Cup--before it even happens. [Jun 2010, p.75]

Sure, they are not quite up to the same level as God of War III, but make no mistake: Origins still kicked our ass all over ancient Greece, and we were smiling the entire time. [Oct 2011, p.83]

Kojima's team did the best they could and it's more than good enough to call Peace Walker a genuine Metal Gear Solid 5. [Aug 2010, p.76]

Thanks to its modern day setting and the well-written[and occasionally humorous]interactions between its characters, Innocent Sin is far more interesting than the standard RPG fare. [Nov 2011, p.87]

Just like any good trip to Vegas, the sights and sounds will absolutely assault your senses. [May 2008, p.74]

Veterans will be pleased to know that Online is indeed an arcade-perfect port of the original Third Stike[itself the third iteration of SFIII], backed up by all new netcode that virtually eliminates lag. [Nov 2011, p.85]

So often we see PSP ports that are missing features or don't control well, but Afternoon of Darkness is a shining example of what ports should be. [Holiday 2007, p.80]

You don't have to be a Metalhead to love Brutal Legend, but if you are, you'll love it even more. [Holiday 2009, p.68]

Factor in the additional Be a GM, Be a Pro, and unlockable Be a Legend modes and the depth of NHL 12's experience is near unmatched. [Nov 2011, p.84]

Several new features also make franchise play more rewarding: Madden vets will greatly appreciate the faster free-agent bidding process, which creates more tension between teams and preseason roster cuts also add a more human element. [Nov 2011, p.84]

Both games are certifiable classics, and the HD visuals amplify all of the emotion Team Ico tenderly weaved into them. [Nov 2011, p.80]

The thinking-man's RPG is remarkable for many reasons, but its overbearing scale and variety are the parts that stand out from the get-go. [Jan 2010, p.76]

Fueled by its brains, a likeable cast, and a sprawling storyline, Age II delivers. It's the sort of game with jaws, the kind that consumes lives. [Apr 2011, p.72]

As a complete package, Modern Warfare 3 takes the cake. [Jan 2012, p.67]

It's a near-perfect sequel in almost every way. [Mar 2009, p.68]

But still, even flawed, World at War is fun. [Jan 2009, p.70]

A relentlessly addictive, almost endlessly replayable experience. [Dec 2012, p.78]

The original "Pursuit Force" remains one of our top PSP games. The missions have more variety this time around. [Feb 2008, p.75]

So for soccer purists, if you're able to remove the barrier to acceptance built by the licensing(though PES includes full Champions League support, including the images and music), this is a wonderfully deep, playable, and entertaining sim. [Feb 2009, p.76]

It's clear that the user-creation tools, mixed with the improved base game, will make this the SVR that lasts you into next year. [Dec 2009, p.70]

But multiplayer is where Blur really shines. The eye-melting barrage of speed and pyrotechnics produced by up to 20-player online races is dizzying at times--as is the frequency of race position changes. [Aug 2010, p.81]

Questionable controls aside, Chinatown Wars is a beautiful blend of the modern 3D games with the pick-up-and-play appeal of the '90s original. [Holiday 2009, p.70]

For baseballs fans of any persuasion, MLB 08: The Show is a phenomenally feature rich package that you'll be playing all the way until 09 comes around. [May 2008, p.68]

Unleashed has significantly improved on the original and found an almost perfet blend of arcade racing thrills and technical simulation challenge. [May 2011, p.84]

Origins returns Rayman to his 2D roots and is filled to the brim with gorgeous hand-drawn environments, blazing-fast platforming, and a huge variety of gameplay mechanics. [Holiday 2011, p.82]

Those who aren't alread obsessed with Final Fantasy VII may disagree, but I for one am grateful for the depth Crisis Core has added to the FFVII universe and wholeheartedly recommend it to fans and newcomers alike. [May 2008, p.64]

Consider a Skullgirls purchase as an investment to preserve the 2D fighting game genre. [June 2012, p.79]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Fundamentally, soccer fans can rejoice, but more impressively, even casual sports fans will appreciate a perfectly conceived, wonderfully executed sports sim. [Dec 2009, p.79]

Arguably the purest, most hardcore hack-and-slash fighting game on PS3. [Nov 2009, p.68]

In a rare instance of low price and high quality colliding, this one's a steal worthy of Sly's thieving skills. [Jan 2011, p.82]

Detail-drenched visuals, impressive physic effects, and online and couch co-op make Dead Nation a meatbag-slaughtering blast. [Jan 2011, p.81]

MvC2 fans may be bitter about some of the changes, but in the end, the joy of watching our favorite characters beat the crap out of each other will always win out. [March 2011, p.70]

Party games don't garner much respect from hardcore gamers, but You Don't Know Jack deserves an exception. [March 2011, p.77]

Still, amid an overdose of pomp and ceremonial broadcast presentation, this simulation provides great football action and enough dream material to give high school kids goose bumps. [Oct 2010, p.84]

The modern military FPS genre is as crowded as a mess hall at chow at chow time, but BC2 has managed to inject plenty of freshness into its firefights with an engaging single-player yarn and a host of defining online features. [Apr 2010, p.74]

The driving sim of choice for the true racing aficionado on the go. [Dec 2009, p.72]

BlazBlue has the moves and goods to back it up. [Aug 2009, p.71]

It's a complex, challenging game with a powerful story that pulls us through it, and the portable version adds more than enough new elements to make it worth playing through again and again. [March 2011, p.80]

While awaiting a lightsaber-wielding title to justify our Move purchase, Top Darts recreates the favorite pub pastime with an authenticity that had us craving pints of Guinness. [March 2011, p.82]

Playing Episode 1 felt like hanging out with an old friend who still has all his best moves and looks better than ever. [Dec 2010, p.73]

So long as you have the skills (or beefy enough cars) to avoid crashing constantly, you can find an almost endless supply of fun on the streets of LA. [Dec 2008, p.76]

It's all over a bit too quickly, but the open-ended story virtually ensures a sequel--leaving us eager to don the ARS once again. [Dec 2010, p.76]

This bundle of PS2 games proves that no matter the resolution, it's one of the best game trilogies this side of Olympus. [June 2011, p.83]

But perhaps it doesn't need to, because Dot brings enough new to the table, and delivers its homage with enough charm and character to make it worthy on it's own merits. [Jun 2010, p.70]

In short, if you're a hockey nut and you're trying to decide which game to throw your hockey dollars at, look no further than NHL 09. [Nov 2008, p.86]

But credit given where credit is due, SCEA's packaging of one group's library(although hardcore ABBA fans might complain about a few song ommisions)on a single Blu-ray is actually more satisfying than SingStar's usual mishmash collections of songs. [Jan 2009, p.81]

As simple as Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law may seem, the game is brought to life by excellent dialogue, true-to-the-show characters, spastic humor, and of course, penis jokes. [Jan 2008, p.81]

There are problems in Valkyria Chronicles II, but most of them have to do with the parts we don't actually play. [Dec 2010, p.78]

A fun, wildly varied romp through the Wild West. [Oct 2009, p.76]

Our one big complaint: the load times. [Dec 2010, p.79]

The fan service is simply through the roof! [June 2008, p.81]

In all, NCAA 09's sharp visuals, immediate sense of control, and its robust, fleshed-out modes make this year's version a winner. [Sept 2008, p.77]

Actually, it ccould be said that it's actually more fun to watch the game than it is to play it. [Holiday 2007, p.76]

For the on-field experience, PES is an astounding recreation of the beautiful game, and we just hope that the license restrictions are alleviated by 09. [May 2008, p.76]

Its solid execution, along with its sheer audacity in mixing all these gameplay styles and features together, makes for an entertaining experience. [Feb 2010, p.72]

F1 2010 is gorgeous, frighteningly fast, and offers aggressive racing in a packed field. [Dec 2010, p.85]

While Turok's adventure doesn't write the next great chapter in first-person action gameplay, it's a thoroughly solid, entertaining, thoughtfully-designed, and well-paced shooter. [Mar 2008, p.80]

But the polish of Ultimate Ninja Storm's conbat system and the tightness of its controls(with the exception of that blasted evade!)are enough to warrant a purchase, provided you have a friend willing to sit close enough to brawl with you. [Holiday 2008, p.74]

Even with the PSP's imperfect analog nub, the controls are tight and responsive, making the fight combat levels (nearly half the game) a white-knuckle joy. [Holiday 2009, p.80]

It still doesn't feel quite like the real thing, but it's very close. [Dec 2010, p.85]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

It's hard not to be taken in by the eerie lullaby of this world's secrets. [July 2009, p.82]

Die-hard fans hoping for something new will inevitably be disappointed, but even they can't fail to be impressed at just how complete and convincing a handheld title this is. [Nov 2009, p.78]

Does everything we expect, and it does it all very, very well. It's sky-high production values and focused design create a to-the-point experience that's predictable, but also massive, exciting, and predictably, a whole lot of fun. [Nov 2011, p.78]

Equity is also earned via a cool custom-mission creator. [Apr 2010, p.78]

The sheer number of unlockables and challenges adds tons of replayability to a game that already demands multiple playthroughs. [Holiday 2012, p.74]

Delivers plenty of stunning-looking, innovative gameplay to outshine its weaknesses, especially considering the very attractive $39.95 price. [Mar 2008, p.86]

While the shooting and platforming elements don't individually ignite the gameplay experience, when Dark Void combines them with the superb aerial combat, the action soars and the game's potential is fully realized. [Feb 2010, p.78]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

We keep returning to Starhawk's RTS-flavored feature because it's truly what elevates the game above familiar third-person shooter fare. [July 2012, p.74]

All in all, UN3 seems fairly ultimate by most ninja standards, at least until number four comes out. [May 2008, p.80]

Ultimately, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is a fairly standard adventure game at its core that goes from "great" to "good" by the time all's said and done. [Jan 2008, p.79]

While Prototype 2's story has its faults, the game is nevertheless jam-packed with fun things to do. [July 2012, p.76]