To anyone who thinks that MGS 3 is all about flash and no substance, I say this: You are an idiot. [Jan 2005, p.120]

From major bullet points like the story to smaller details like the UI and inventory system, Borderlands 2 surpassed my expectations and stands as a prime example of how to knock a sequel out of the park. [Oct 2012, p.90]

As improved as the Resident Evil 4 controls were compared to the tank-like schemes of its predecessors, they still aren’t ideal. The final version of the game would have been the perfect time for Capcom to polish the controls with new features that nearly every game now takes for granted – like strafing and being able to shoot your gun while moving. Unfortunately, Leon still isn’t capable of performing these basic moves.

A truly unique experience that inspires emotions in a way few games can. It has its share of problems, but I love it just the same. [Oct 2005, p.130]

The sandbox gameplay is among the best in the genre, and its lengthy single-player campaign largely makes up for some questionable multiplayer.

From start to finish, this game captivated me to no end and wowed me like few others have. [Apr 2004, p.102]

Chains of Olympus has vicious combat, mythological figures, and awesome moments that will be burned into your mind for years...This is one of the few must-play titles for the PSP. [Mar 2008, p.104]

The new zones are huge in comparison to the original game and graphically lush. But it’s the content inside them, the quests and the instances, that make the whole game tick.

No baseball game has come close to delivering a complete package like this game does.

While this isn't the new Mario adventure I am still waiting for on the GBA, it is one heck of a platformer. [Nov 2002, p.150]

Madden still has the best pasing game and deepest franchise options; yet ESPN's running game is unmatched, and TV-style sequences which range from weekly wrap-ups with Chris Berman to payers leaping into the stands after a touchdown are far and away superior to anything in EA's camp. [Sept 2003, p.117]

Any disappointment series fans felt after ODST should be completely washed away thanks to Reach. Make no mistake about it - this is the true follow-up to Halo 3. It's also a perfect way for Bungie to part with the series it turned into a phenomenon. [Oct 2010, p.92]

It's an adventure that is so captivating that you'll be counting the days for the sequel. It takes interactive storytelling to new heights, and brings the player closer to content than ever before. It's easily one of the year's best titles and one of the most impressive games to date. [Nov 2007, p.151]

The changes in Forza 4 I find most exciting don't alter this setup dramatically, and yet with just a few tweaks Forza 4 feels like a fresh experience. It's re-invigorated, and every turn is infectious and alluring.

A masterpiece. [Aug 2005, p.104]

Ultimately, this collection isn’t much more than the sum of its parts, but that is hardly a bad thing considering the quality of the parts. If you still haven’t played the God of War series, you aren’t just missing out on great games. You’re missing pieces of gaming history.

Madden has a knack of making quantum leaps with each successive title. This new edition, however, breaks the streak. [Sept 2004, p.101]

Every bit the masterpiece on GameCube that it was on Playstation 2. [Jan 2002, p.85]

Doesn't do anything radical, not that anyone expected it to. Only the staunchest Gears haters will find much fault here, though. This is the best execution yet of an idea that spawned one of the biggest modern franchises in all of gaming. What's not to love?

With the exception of its stunning graphics, Killzone 2 doesn’t do a whole lot that you haven’t seen before in other titles. But what it does do, it does with aplomb.

Offers a decent single-player experience, but it doesn't begin to hold a candle to the Baldur's series...Now for the Toolset. This thing is absolutely amazing, people. [August 2002, p.88]

Batman: Arkham Asylum is this year's "BioShock," not just from the connection established with the world, but from its ability to innovate where new ideas are needed, and moreover, deliver an adventure unlike any other. [Sept 2009, p.82]

The game's story, humor, and action are well implemented, but I would have liked to see a little less emphasis on stealth. [Dec 2002, p.148]

Aria of Sorrow totally enraptures me in its world, more so than most environments made up of seemingly obscene numbers and polygons. [June 2003, p.119]

In addition to capturing the joy of battle, Dragon Age also provides an engrossing backdrop for the action. Even more than Mass Effect, the nation of Ferelden feels like a fully realized setting with its own history, conflicts, and power groups. This is one of the main reasons the game is so addicting; completing quests isn’t just about grinding experience and amassing loot – it actually feels like you have an impact on the world.

It's not a quantum leap, but it's the kind of adjustments that will only endear the faithful to this already beloved series even more. [March 2005, p.115]

After two remarkable but uneven offerings, Far Cry finally pulls everything together in the third installment. The diverse open-world action, compelling story, and an alluring environment that begs exploration are all high water marks for the series. This is an island adventure all shooter fans should experience.

A fantastic title...I would have liked more depth to the single-player experience and a little bit more story, but that's nitpicking really. [Dec 2003, p.176]