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]

Overall, however, the game does an admirable job of balancing the natural limitations of attempting to recreate parkour in an interactive medium. [Holiday 2008, p.76]

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]

While a departure for the franchise, Soldier delivers some of the most fun we've had in cloaked camouflage. [July 2012, p.84]

Fans of the series won't be disappointed though, and unlike Tiger's recent media scandal, we think players should find Tiger Woods 11 a pleasant diversion from the rigors of daily life. [Aug 2010, p.83]

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

In spite of its flaws, it's entertaining and addictive as, well, hell. [Oct 2008, p.80]

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]

A fright-filled ride worth sinking our fangs into. [Jan 2012, p.79]

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

PES may not be evolving at the same rate as its competition, but that makes it comfortable and familiar. [Holiday 2009, p.84]

Joe Danger 2 might test our patience, but it's still a great little game well worth the download. [Holiday 2012, p.72]

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

Optional challenge rooms aren't as engaging as the critical path, but their inclusion doesn't sully the sinister fun. [Apr 2012, p.81]

While it shows its age at times, Persona more than deserves the respectable treatment it's finally been given. [Nov 2009, p.74]

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]

WWE '09 provides enough content and depth to last the armchair wrestler for years and is one of the most accessible yet deepest sports games I've ever played. [Holiday 2008, p.64]

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

The combat, however, does add a hint of freshness. [Aug 2009, p.79]

Fresh, funky, and super fun. [Nov 2012, p.82]

Disgaea's people know who they are, and they can rest assured that Absence of Detention is what they want. [June 2012, p.76]

Regardless of whether we're fully controlling our hero or using simplified, RPG-style battle commands mapped to the PSP's face buttons, duodecim earns its keep by challenging us to use our brains as well as our flying fingers of fury. [April 2011, p.81]

It's consistently fascinating story and ever-evolving world - along with its minimalist and elegant gameplay - make saving the world a magnificent endeavor. [Sept 2011, p.80]

The game, despite being a solid effort, ultimately falls shy of total satisfaction due to the brevity of the play experience (you'll complete it under 10 hours and earn earn just a few videos and a lot of concept art for your troubles). [Aug 2009, p.68]

The gameplay doesn't change much, but the story is more fleshed out on PS3, the levels are longer, and the controls work well. [Dec 2012, p.83]

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

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]

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]

Enjoy it, PS2 owners. This is one to savor. [Nov 2008, p.84]

Kids'll love it, but it's lifetime adult gamers who'll truly relish this nod to a legacy a quarter century in the making. [May 2010, p.83]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

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]

In the hearts of these developers, Damned finds it salvation. [Aug 2011, p.77]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

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]

Fans of traditional arcade racers will find more value in Apocalypse's replay-rewarding multiplayer, but it's the campaign that'll have them instinctively gripping their Hyundai's steering wheel a little tighter every time they cross a rickety bridge. [May 2011, p.74]

This is a licensed game done right. [Nov 2010, p.85]

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

While it's marred by frequent visual pop-in and frustrating checkpoint placement, Spec Ops is nevertheless a pretty significant achievement. [Sept 2012, p.79]

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

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

"Quotation Forthcoming"

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]

With a pretty lean summer of releases, Cybertron is among the best we're going to see for a while. [Sept 2010, p.78]

It's hard to fault VT4's easy-entry arcade feel and rewarding career mode. [Apr 2012, p.60]

It may not be a "real" sequel, but it is hard to imagine portable fighters getting much better than this. [Aug 2011, p.84]

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]

Enjoyable enough that adult gamers won't mind playing along. [Jan 2012, p.87]

Flight sim fans looking for more realism won't find it here, but if there was ever an argument for fun over reality, Assault Horizon is it. [Dec 2011, p.68]

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]

Operation Flashpoint isn't as instantly gratifying as Call of Duty or Battlefield: Bad Company, but give it time and you'll appreciate its unique flavor of war. [Holiday 2009, p.74]

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]

The challenges can get dauntingly tough, but Dokuro's clever design, wry humor, and effusive charm make it irresistible. [Dec 2012, p.84]

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]

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]

3D Sonic has improved upon past controls with the use of a homing attack that lets him target enemies, as well as the launch pads that allow for more fluid gameplay. [Dec 2011, p.81]

This portable rookie has some flaws, but there's all-star potential come next season. [June 2012, p.78]

Accentuated by some splendid-looking, challenging boss fights, it's a steal for fans of the genre. [Holiday 2011, 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]

Although last year's NASCAR The Game 2011 was a credible effort, Inside Line is the first NASCAR racing game in years that feels like someone cared. [Holiday 2012, p.72]

We could debate endlessly whether there was any need for Activision to come up with the Band Hero moniker, but the end result is another solid Guitar Hero game. [Jan 2010, p.80]

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]

Manipulating the analog sticks will take some serious practice, but once mastered, skinning the last defender, faking out the keeper, then heading the ball into the goal is wonderfully satisfying. [Apr 2012, p.85]

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]

There's plenty to like here, not the least of which is the developer's thoughtfulness in selecting the game's challenges. [Nov 2010, p.68]

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe offers plenty of MK fun, tons of combos to learn, and yes, a bundle of not-so-graphic finishing moves if you're up to mastering the dozen long combo chains. [Jan 2009, p.76]

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

For a trippy rush of never-give-up candor and liberating loop-de-loops, take a trip back to the Sega Saturn and switch off your brain for a while. [Holiday 2012, p.81]

It's an adventure best left in our (forgettable) past. [April 2011, p.85]

The infectious beats of DJ Professor K washed all our frustrations away in no time. [Nov 2012, p.85]

This mega quiz is a mega bore. [Holiday 2007, p.78]

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

But small gripes aside, NBA Live 09 delivers some great basketball and will please most PS3-owning basketball fans. [Nov 2008, p.88]

Without the distraction (and egoism) of star power, and an emphasis on teamwork, pace, and movement that strains but doesn't break the AI, NCAA Basketball 2010 is pick-ip-and-play friendly for college game newcomers and hoop aficionados alike. [Jan 2010, p.84]

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

If you've ever played a Tomb Raider game, you know what you're in for and whether it's for you. [Jan 2009, p.78]

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