The main problems with Fireblade are its boring weapon loadout and repetitive "kill everything" challenges. [Aug 2003, p.87]

Easily eclipsed by its competition. [Mar 2004, p.101]

The game reheats the same scenario again and again, with Rayne forced to toss shmoe after shmoe into a killing device until any hint of fun is sucked bone dry. [Dec 2004, p.96]

It seems strange that Koei would incorporate these RPG-like features into the game in such a halfhearted fashion and the overall effect is sort of like giving the samurai warrior a sort of cool angular armor but no pants. [Aug 2004, p.94]

An oppressive auto-aim system, weak enemy AI, and simplistic puzzles keep gameplay straightforward and repetitive. [Summer 2002, p.93]

It's a curse-at-the-controller-how-can-this-be-so-effin'-hard? Game. [Spring 2002, p.92]

The new formula succeeds partially, but football maniacs are advised to look elsewhere for a more satisfying gridiron experience. [Mar 2004, p.80]

It's downright spooky how well this one turned out. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.87]

Put simply, Drive is Xbox Live-enabled Tab when there's already Coke and Pepsi. [Mar 2004, p.80]

In spite of any inconsistencies, disparities, or shortcomings, Breakdown is an enormously compelling, satisfying game - one imparting a joy of discovery sorely lacking in far too many of today's biggest titles. [Apr 2004, p.88]

The inventory control is needlessly fiddly, casting spells is more trouble than it's worth, and it's very easy to miss a hint and completely lose track of the plotline. Just like Morrowind, though, Arx's core quality stands above all the glaring issues, and it's hard to stop playing once you take up the quest.

With a bumpy learning curve, Dark Summit is a pain to get into, but once you figure out the (not SSX) controls, you can have fun with it. [Jan 2002, p.90]

Blood Wake versus donuts. Point goes to donuts. Duh. [Spring 2002, p.93]

If you value treat gameplay and major challenge over eye candy, Series may be the racer you're looking for. [Aug 2003, p.89]

Everything about the game, right down to its very arcade-style gameplay, is solidly executed and reasonably enjoyable without ever actually being all that exciting. [Winter 2002, p.104]

Incredibly dark - a problem made worse when damaged vehicles ahead of you spew plumes of smoke in your direction. [Summer 2002, p.91]

Even seasoned gamers will have to replay Blinx's tougher levels dozens of times before succeeding... but replaying Blinx's levels more than a few times is just plain boring. [Winter 2002, p.90]

It's an RTS that's about 25 percent less filling, and if it doesn't taste entirely great, it's still pretty darn yummy.

Redshift's well-honed action and lofty technical ambition are let down by a repetitive and dated no-progress-for-second-place structure, overly familiar mechanics, and conspicuous lack of style. [Winter 2002, p.95]

DW3 provides 110 percent of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin K (for killitude) and, moreover, manages to provide every single bit of its brutality in a most beautiful fashion. [Fall 2002, p.115]

Buggy and unfinished - a shameful, full-priced add-on pack tarnishing the original Battalion's golden legacy. [May 2004, p.87]

Heavy Iron may not have been especially creative here, but at least it's stealing from the right places. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.100]

There's a hell of a lot of content, with the three available characters having distinct missions with several enemy layouts. [May 2004, p.89]

The creators have simplified everything to the point of inanity. [Jan 2005, p.87]

This nuts multiplayer "party game" is, happily, something of a treat. That said, shun solo mode like the plague. [Jan 2002, p.96]

Visions could have been more imaginative with the weapons, which though numerous in appearance, offer almost zero variation among missiles, mines, and force fields.

The difficulty is amped up in the latter stages by a maddening focus on precision moves and platform jumps. [Spring 2002, p.92]

For all the back story given, the story should be a bit more compelling but isn't. [Apr 2003, p.91]