For a game in which high-speed dashing and keeping the enemy in sight at all times is critical, this crippled control and decreased speed detracts from gameplay. [Jan 2004, p.48]

It's not going to win any awards, but what's there is good, though unclean, fun. [Dec 2003, p.72]

A few problems keep it from videogame zen: there is no tutorial level, the camera spins faster than Jackie Chan, and there's a ridiculously steep learning curve. [Dec 2003, p.72]

About as fun as being hit in the face with a chair. [Holiday 2003, p.44]

Lacks the depth and online play of SOCOM II, but armchair generals could do much worse. Fans of the soldier's lifestyle should find much to love here. [Holiday 2003, p.48]

A derivative, but amazingly amusing, platform romp. And if you already love the license, then this 'ere's a blinkin' masterpiece. [Nov 2003, p.40]

Even with all its faults, Freedom Fighters' slick presentation and heated action create a mood and atmosphere that few other games can match. [Nov 2003, p.42]

An enjoyable experience. I just wish Cinemaware had given us more options and a Robin who isn't a wuss... Suffers from some control problems. [Nov 2003, p.40]

It's great for non-hockey fans, and a good break from your "ESPN" or "NHL 2004" season. [Nov 2003, p.43]

Fans may find sentimental value here, but Jam just doesn't have the depth, features, or ambition level of its decendents. [Dec 2003, p.46]

A strangely captivating experience and a very strong entry in a sadly underserved genre. It's a huge improvement over the first game in numerous categories. [Nov 2003, p.41]

It needs 5.1 support, but this is still the best DDR yet. [Nov 2003, p.42]

Difficult on anything but the easiest setting. You can't go five seconds without getting crushed by the opposition...It has the right mix that will win over hardcore hockey fans. [Oct 2003, p.38]

Game Face is the most comprehensive and powerful character creation tool found in a game, period...Our sole gripe is that we wish the game were a little more difficult. [Nov 2003, p.42]

An awesome trip around the racetrack. [Nov 2003, p.48]

Controls are fairly snappy, the AI is competent, and the playbooks offer some variety. However, if you're not already a fan, the choppy commentary, average graphics, and lack of a useful tutorial will keep you away. [Nov 2003, p.48]

In the best surprise we've had in months, The Simpsons: Hit & Run is a massive action adventure that truly rocks, proving that you can never judge a game by its licensed cover. [Nov 2003, p.43]

For a high-speed racer to work, the analog control needs to be spot on -- which, sadly, is not the case in XGRA. Instead of moving smoothly across the track, the craft careen wildly back and forth. [Dec 2003, p.72]

The slower pace, low tech-specs and oddly non-intuitive angling make this title tough to love. [Sept 2003, p.38]

Owns the three most important categories this year: graphics, gameplay, and online multiplayer. This, it's this season's Stanley Cup Winner. [Nov 2003, p.44]

High Voltage retooled everything in response to fan requests, and it shows. This game rocks. [Sept 2003, p.40]

Don't let the crappy nature of the game's graphics fool you - this is an action-driving romp combining all the best bits of "Stuntman" with none of the teeth-grinding elements. [Nov 2003, p.48]

Though the basic premise and gameplay are still solid, the cut and paste approach for each installment is spreading a bit thin three games in. [Oct 2003, p.30]

Not as pretty as "Ace Combat 4", but the gameplay has serious teeth. [Nov 2003, p.40]

If you aren't a fan of "Madden's" massive arsenal of extra modes, bells, and whistles, this game stands right beside the long-time champ in terms of quality and fun. And for hardcore fans simply looking for the most realistic representation of football, ESPN is the better choice. [Sept 2003, p.28]

It's corny, but the solid "Hawk"-inspired gameplay cannot be denied. [Nov 2003, p.48]

It's Disgaea's wacky persona and challenge that will win over hardcore genre fans in the end. [Oct 2003, p.40]

Hunting games are still niche titles, but this is a really good one. [Nov 2003, p.48]

If twisting your mind into knots sounds like fun, you'll love Bombastic. [Oct 2003, p.40]

This year's GameDay show some huge improvements over the past two games, but it still has enough rough edges to keep it from earning "pro" status. [Oct 2003, p.34]

The backgrounds are so stunning you'll want to drop your weapons, pack a lunch, and go exploring. [Oct 2003, p.26]

With improved defensive aspects and a heap of new creation and game modes, it isn't bad, but it's not great either. [Oct 2003, p.40]

A solid mix of action and puzzle solving, Chaos Bleeds features a fairly robust fighting engine. Sure, it's not "Soul Calibur II," but there are plenty of counters, combos, and blocks to keep players busy. [Oct 2003, p.32]

There's an abundance of camera problems and the enemy AI is dumb as a doornail. [Oct 2003, p.38]

A strictly average game that's license becomes its saving grace. [Oct 2003, p.40]

If games like "R/C Pro Am" or "Re-Volt" sound like your idea of the perfect racing game, however, Metro 3D's little speedster could be made for you. [Aug 2003, p.32]

With so many improvements, Evolution easily surpasses the former "Virtua Fighter 4." Fighting game fans will be impressed. [Sept 2003, p.37]

Three Kingdoms fans will go nuts over all of the improvements. [Oct 2003, p.40]

Simply the deepest sports game ever made. It's got almost everything a football fan could ever want in a game - and then some. [Sept 2003, p.24]

It has some great strategy elements and intense action, but is marred by repetitive level design and slow pacing. [July 2003, p.34]

Compounding the problem is the game's low framerate. Freaky Flyers will often drop below 30 frames per second, resulting in a chop-tastic display. [Sept 2003, p.40]

Four hours the first time through? The second time took only two and a half hours! [Sept 2003, p.34]

A decent game for players new to the genre, but there is little to be found behind its shiny façade. [Oct 2003, p.38]

It's a bit on the ugly side, but its single player missions are solid and the races are vastly different. [Sept 2003, p.38]

This game looks fantastic, sounds awesome, has tight controls and even tighter gameplay, and accurately blends racing, stunts, and "Road Rash." Play it. [Aug 2003, p.22]

Mechanized simulation fans are going to go nuts with the freedom and myriad options that Silent Line offers its players. [Aug 2003, p.27]

From its solid gameplay to its attention to detail, NCAA Football 2004 is easily the best college sports game yet on PS2. There's no need to go anywhere else. [Sept 2003, p.32]

With a solid control scheme, good presentation, and a well-balanced roster of fighters, Konami's K-1 is an excellent way to launch the franchise. [Aug 2003, p.26]

Plagued with underdeveloped AI and repetitive, clunky gameplay, SHBV is one of the least appealing games of 2003. [Sept 2003, p.38]

A wonderfully controlling game, with vibrant (if a bit simplistic) graphics and great presentation. [Aug 2003, p.28]

Level design is a blast, with plenty of ramps and rails everywhere and crazy challenges galore. It may not be perfect, but it is fun. [Sept 2003, p.38]

Magic Pengel has a fantastic premise, but overall, there's just not enough here. [June 2003, p.32]

Solid gameplay, spot-on voice acting, and a classic Indy story make this a must have title. [Sept 2003, p.40]

The graphics and music are very strong, and often approach "Final Fantasy X" quality, but the visual design is much less inspired. [July 2003, p.32]

It's an arcade game at its heart, and it's a whole lot of fun. [Aug 2003, p.32]

Uninspired. [Sept 2003, p.38]

Painfully average... With the trial-and-error gameplay, lack of very much innovation, and the occasional annoying bugs, it might just require more patience than you have. [Sept 2003, p.36]

There was definitely potential here; it's just hampered by its short game length (you can beat it in one sitting) and lack of compelling characters and storylines. [July 2003, p.33]

An over-reliance on gadgetry and a cumbersome interface make playing the game more of a chore than anything else. [Sept 2003, p.38]

Inconsistent AI, average weapons, and a few graphical glitches are the only real negatives to an otherwise solid gaming experience. [Aug 2003, p.28]

Just a hair shy of greatness. It's got some rough edges, but the idea of having to rely on a boat for propulsion is truly innovative. [July 2003, p.24]

Without multiplayer, Wolfenstein feels like half a game. [Aug 2003, p.29]

The biggest problem with the racing engine is that it feels more like a living pinball game than a motorcycle race. [Aug 2003, p.26]

Technically competent, G1 Jockey 3 lacks the spark that made "Gallop Racer 2003" so much fun. [July 2003, p.33]

Truly immersing players into the role of their gamma-powered Hercules, Hulk successfully combines tough boss battles, unique visuals, and beat-'em-up gameplay into one satisfying package. [Aug 2003, p.30]

Likely to bore gamers who grew up on a diet of extreme games, but those of you who can look past the lack of a turbo boost wil discover a game with more depth than your average racer. [June 2003, p.32]

Successfully capturing the spirit of the movie and its hero, Ash, it's one of the better budget titles we've played in quite a long time. [July 2003, p.28]

Hand-to-hand combat within the game requires zero skill. [Aug 2003, p.31]

The way the game's presentation is executed is so well done that players will be immersed in no time - which more than makes up for some of Mutations shortcomings in the repetitive dungeon design and difficulty balance department. [June 2003, p.30]

If all game sequels were of this caliber and depth, the gaming world would be a far better place. [May 2003, p.32]

One exceptionally notable aspect of the game is the sound. Even on a simple stereo setup, the sounds of the engine and the environment were crystal clear. [June 2003, p.32]

There was a lot of wasted potential here, especially given a character of Wolverine's caliber. [July 2003, p.27]

From its flawless control and presentation, to its huge amount of variety and online modes, MCII is one of the most fun and complete racing games we've ever played. [June 2003, p.24]

Hyper realistic, intense, and packed with awesome gadgets. Not as polished as "MGS2," but the core gameplay is more involving. [May 2003, p.30]

An astonishingly fun game that even non-wresting fans will have a blast with. There's nothing remotely like it in the fighting or wrestling genres. [Apr 2003, p.24]

A variety of game modes and high replay value make GR 2003 a game not to be missed. [May 2003, p.36]

The original "Ridge Racer" on PSOne had better control than Auto Modellista. The biggest problem with the game is the utter lack of traction that these cars have. [June 2003, p.28]

Other than a lack of truly finger-busting battles for die-hard action fans, long-winded cut scenes are Primal's only real concern. The rest of the experience, in all its brain-teasing, high-resolution glory, is a terrific combination of gothic underworld exploration and movie-quality scripting. [Mar 2003, p.46]

The game still rocks, but as this is the fourth game in the series, we really hoped for some more refinement and evolution. [May 2003, p.34]

Stumbles a bit with long loading times and jittery control. [May 2003, p.60]

On its highest difficulty level, Amplitude requires almost superhuman reflexes. [May 2003, p.36]

Though it might not be as classic as its predecessors, Rayman 3 remains a thoroughly enjoyable experience. [Apr 2003, p.36]

A good attempt to innovate the survival horror genre that doesn't deliver nearly enough depth to wholly satisfy. [May 2003, p.33]

Whoever oversaw the conversion over at Sega must have had the reflexes of thh Flash, because you pretty much need them in order to win the game at the default difficulty setting. [Apr 2003, p.42]

A surprisingly fun little way to pass the time for less than twenty bucks. [May 2003, p.36]

Simply the best overall baseball simulation on the PS2 this year. [May 2003, p.36]

MotoGP 3's main fault, if you can call it that, is that the game is all too similar to "MotoGP 2." [Apr 2003, p.27]

If you're looking for the most enjoyable baseball game of the year, you'll be hard pressed to beat this one. [Apr 2003, p.38]

For any soccer fan, Winning Eleven 6 is a game you'll get lost in for months. [Apr 2003, p.27]

Visually stunning and incredibly complex, Aero Elite is a work of art that takes time to appreciate. [Apr 2003, p.34]

While this is a considerable improvement for Sony's PS2 sports games, it still isn't in the same league as the best in baseball. [Apr 2003, p.42]

After adding the best franchise mode ever to NCAA Football 2003, EA may have topped itself here. [Apr 2003, p.39]

Murata and his team haven't just given us a great sequel, they've also created one of the PS2's best action games; one that comes within mere inches of achieving classic status. [May 2003, p.24]

Looks good. Unfortunately, the high learning curve will keep this a niche title. [May 2003, p.36]

I still love this game. However, it's become more obvious that the storyline is way too clunky, confusing and - sometimes - downright silly. [Apr 2003, p.34]

An uninspired co-operative mode, frustrating camera, and incompetent AI prevent it from achieving videogame Zen. [Apr 2003, p.26]

Even with Xenosaga's wonderfully intense and challenging battle system, the game falls short in terms of actually playing time. [Mar 2003, p.39]

It's still the best game for hardcore simulation fans who don't care about visuals. [Apr 2003, p.38]