Grim Grimoire is an aesthetic masterpiece, and a good reminder of the storytelling potential inherent in video games. [July 2007, p.58]

People who want a portable experience are going to absolute require the Circle Pad Pro, in addition to a suitable explanation for your friends and family as to where you were for the month you disappeared and couldn’t be found.

Super House of Dead Ninjas is one of those rare games that is meant to serve as an homage to various gaming classics and yet manages to develop its own unique identity.

With its unique gameplay, addictive multiplayer, lively characters, and stylishly minimalistic visuals, You, Me & The Cubes is exactly the kind of game what the Wiiware scene needs more of.

In essence, Rotolla is the Tetris of this generation. It’s accessible, easy to understand and heinously challenging — all the ingredients a game needs to thrive in the mobile space.

Even with its imperfections, Hitman: Absolution is a magnificent achievement that goes well beyond expectations and will lead future stealth action titles into a better tomorrow.

Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 is a fantastic game, offering many great hours of game play.

Where NBA 09: The Inside shines is in its library of mini-games, more than making up for the lackluster core gameplay.

It's a splendid casual game for commuters or for people who simply wish to pass the day faster than a flip of a Mario coin.

Even so, Hominid's crazed charm shines through and makes it all worthwhile, and if it doesn't there are always several minigames to play with. [May 2007, p.68]

Sure, there’s fun to be had shooting baddies in the face for 10-12 hours over the course of the 14 missions, but sadly F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin isn’t nearly as remarkable as the original.

Speedy, stylish combat mixes with incredibly detailed cinemas and movie-style storytelling to create a game that feels like an action movie and plays like a dream. [Oct 2007, p.50]

The graphics are stunning, the characters are interesting and the game is simply really fun to play.

Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 is a fantastic game, offering many great hours of game play.

Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 is a fantastic game, offering many great hours of game play.

Sure, there’s fun to be had shooting baddies in the face for 10-12 hours over the course of the 14 missions, but sadly F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin isn’t nearly as remarkable as the original.

N+ is almost completely free of distracting bells and whistles, and I’m going to give it the best compliment I can for this type of game: it would have made an excellent ’80s arcade game.

In an era where games are getting even-shorter, Blue Dragon is a staggeringly 16-bit, grind-happy title. [Oct 2007, p.53]

Despite some minor rough edges, the spot-on emulation of both games makes this an easy recommendation for fans of either game.

The gameplay, as I said above, is fast-paced. It actually feels a lot like old school NBA Jam in execution. [Sept 2007, p.68]

Disgaea 3 is as brilliant as the other games, but the over-saturated gameplay and less than expected graphic quality are regrettable drawbacks.

Here Anomaly 2 is trying to reinvent its own wheel with little tiny incremental upgrades instead of taking the same drastic approach that gained it such praise in the first place. The result isn’t something groundbreaking; the result is a confused and missed opportunity that has more in common with RTS games in every wrong way possible.

Not only is Silent Hill Origins a strong handheld effort, but also a worthy entry into the beloved series. [Dec 2007, p.60]

In the end, though, it's a testament to the game's quality that even in the face of the imperfect camera and combat, the wonderful adventuring aspects manage to make up for whatever other shortcomings this game may possess. [July 2007, p.54]

Rock Band Blitz is a conflicting experience for hardcore fans. The game has its moments, but the most entertaining part of Rock Band has been effectively stripped from the game.

This makes Bejeweled Twist easily the best in the series, and brain-consumingly addictive to boot. [Dec 2008, p.56]

A very good game on a technical level, but falls short of satisfying because it feels far too similar to other games in the series.

It really hits the sweet spot that few games do: it’s forgiving enough for people who like simple, easygoing games to finish, but challenging enough for completionists to work at for days, even weeks on end.

Sure, it has a larger scope and a more intriguing storyline, but there are some questionable design choices mixed in with the thought of déjà vu. Regardless, Dead Space 3 retains its horror brilliance in offering a moody, atmospheric adventure full of exciting events.

The formula may be a little over 22 years old, but Mega Man 10 shows that it’s still more than capable of delivering just as much fun as it did all those years ago.

If you liked the previous Top Spin games, or if you wish to study the grand, majestic sport of professional tennis, then you should definitely buy Top Spin 3. But if you want to play tennis, the game, then you should probably go snag a copy of Virtua Tennis 3 (or even Sega Superstars Tennis) on the cheap right now.

Wii owners waiting for the next big game will not find it in Excitebots: Trick Racing. It suffers from some over-responsive controls and lacks the depth of contemporaries like Mario Kart Wii.

Despite some minor rough edges, the spot-on emulation of both games makes this an easy recommendation for fans of either game.

As a downloadable title Scott Pilgrim is almost what everyone could want. It does nothing but pay homage to the ghosts of gaming past while it improves a long forgotten genre of gaming.

Universe at War is a good title, but it isn't without it's flaws. As-is, though, Universe at War is a comfortable ride. [Dec 2007, p.64]

There are those who would call a game such as this "shallow", and with good reason: most games like this are. However, most games that subscribe to this concept don't allow you the freedom of movement or tactics that Stranglehold does. [Nov 2007, p.56]

This is 2D fighting bliss, the likes of which we haven't seen since the heady heydays of Capcom, SNK, and Midway dominance. [Oct 2007, p.54]

If just a few nagging flaws would have been corrected, ZombiU could have been a revelation for the floundering genre. Still, with top-notch graphics, a huge world and great exploration elements in play, it remains a must-buy for the console for those with the patience to see it through.

There is one problem with how simple this game is, though: it gets old quick. Usually these are the kind of games that players say “just one more” for several hours, but I didn’t catch myself saying that with Tomena Sanner. After a handful of stages it started to wear thin and I ended up doing multiple ten-minute sessions instead of a one-sitting playthrough.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’14 offers up a satisfying golf experience that will certainly please fans of the sport. Serious fans will get a lot of use out of the online modes, and the ability to relive key moments in the careers of legendary players should keep die-hards happy for a long time. The game is very accessible for newcomers as well, although they may want to either pick up an older game in the series or try out the demo before paying full price for the latest incarnation.

Sure, there’s fun to be had shooting baddies in the face for 10-12 hours over the course of the 14 missions, but sadly F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin isn’t nearly as remarkable as the original.

There are those who would call a game such as this "shallow", and with good reason: most games like this are. However, most games that subscribe to this concept don't allow you the freedom of movement or tactics that Stranglehold does. [Nov 2007, p.56]

Just Dance 4 is a hard game not to like. It's completely unpretentious and simply exists to make you have fun, hopefully starting a party in the process.

If you’re a newcomer to Dragon’s Dogma, then this is the edition to get; otherwise, you’ll have to be an incredibly dedicated fan as there isn’t enough here to justify an upgrade.

While this latest "Mercury" may not be essential to the Wii's library as it was to the PSP's, it is essential to anyone who misses the glory days of endless puzzle platformers, or is serious about getting more game for their buck. [May 2007, p.54]

Thankfully, 3D Dot Game Heroes is a memorable game that winds up being more than just an homage to the past. It takes the top-down Zelda formula and expands upon it.

There is not much to be said about Green Day Rock Band that isn't covered by the simple fact that if you enjoy Green Day as a band, you will likely enjoy what the game has to offer.

There is not much to be said about Green Day Rock Band that isn't covered by the simple fact that if you enjoy Green Day as a band, you will likely enjoy what the game has to offer.

While there are some nice tweaks to the affair, DOA fundamentally remains the same. Considering the loss of its Lead Designer, though, that must be considered a victory. Combat is as enjoyable as ever and the game looks better than previous incarnations. It's a natural step forward for the franchise that should soon lead to a next generation leap.

Unless there’s a major update in the near future, you’d be better off waiting until it inevitably becomes part of an indie bundle so that you can briefly jump in and enjoy its first few hours. Until then, your money and time should be spent elsewhere.

If you love Contra games, chances are you already know that Contra ReBirth is worth the 1000 points. But if you’ve never played a Contra title, and want to see what the fuss is all about, Contra ReBirth is an outstanding example of why so many gamers consider Konami the masters of runnin’ and gunnin’.

It doesn't matter how good the rest of a game is, though, if the controls betray you just when you need them most. [May 2007, p.55]

Bubble Bobble Plus is a decent update, but the 23-year-old is still the better game. [Summer 2009]

If it weren’t for the visuals, this would only be an average shooter with a kick-ass bow.

Clocking in at the better part of four hours, with a cost of 1000 Wii Points, each episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People will give hope monthly to those looking to support WiiWare.

The low challenge means the title has a relatively low lifespan, but you can get a solid week or so out of chasing down all the treasures and playing the minigames.

It may not be perfect on all fronts, but MAG certainly lives up to its name as a massive action game that caters towards those who want to experience tactical battles larger than those found almost anywhere else.

It's the perfect PSP purchase for RPG fans, and a great way for genre newcomers to get their feet wet. [Sept 2007, p.61]

Crimson Shroud is an easy game to recommend for those into Dungeons and Dragons or with an affinity towar

Dokuro is an off-beat and unique puzzle-platformer with a beautiful aesthetic and haunting soundtrack. Its logic-based puzzles may not be for everyone, but the anti-frustration measures built into the game make it an easy recommendation for folks who don't usually like puzzle-platformers due to their difficulty.

Undertow is an obnoxious, aggravating mess that, while trying something clever by combining a 2D twin-stick arena shooter with team-based gameplay, fails to be any fun whatsoever. [Spring 2008, p.61]

Fans of the old school adventure games should definitely enjoy the combination of exploration and puzzles the game offers and Anodyne is a nice throwback to a type of game that you simply can’t find any more.

In 2013, this sixteen-year-old game feels fresh, revitalizing and just downright good. That’s an accomplishment all of its own.

It doesn't matter how good the rest of a game is, though, if the controls betray you just when you need them most. [May 2007, p.55]

When it works, Demigod is a game with plenty of fun to be had and at times even rivals its source material.

It’s good to see that new life, by means of bizarre franchise combination, can be breathed into a nearly dead game series.

It's awesome. Joker features the same style of RPG-lite storyline and team-based combat from the earlier "Monsters" games, only everything here has been prettied up. [Dec 2007, p.62]

Madden NFL 13 is the first Wii U port we've played that uses the console to make a notable impact on gameplay. Instead of simply throwing in disposable features, time was taken to ensure the GamePad was utilized to its full potential.

Traditionally, games that needed to carve out a niche for themselves within the crowded shooter genre have done so by introducing a new gimmick. Nanostray 2 relies instead on pure polish.

The "Worms" series has been around for years, but it's finally found the perfect home on Live Arcade. [May 2007, p.68]

Much like how Saints Row is a damn good GTA clone, Dante’s Inferno is the best God of War clone yet that should be enjoyed be all.

Noby Noby Boy is weird, but that's ok. Less game than activity, there's no point other than what you decide there ought to be. [Summer 2009]

In reality though, Etrian Odyssey is a challenging, ballsy, rewarding game that gives the otherwise stagnant RPG genre a swift, much-needed kick in the ass. [June 2007, p.62]

Guardians of Middle-Earth is a very pleasant surprise. A well-crafted title that fans of either RTSes or tower defense games will enjoy, the season pass setup ($14.99 by itself, or $29.99 with the full game via retail) ensures that new content will be coming for quite a while to this already jam-packed downloadable title. Those in the mood for a relatively easy to learn RTS-style game or with Hobbit-fever will find a lot to like here.

Tidalis is a puzzle game for everyone. It has the charm and personality for casual players while keeping the most elite players coming back for more with the challenging trial and puzzle modes

After three commendable HD ports, Sanzaru Games has done a perfect job capturing the essence of Sucker Punch’s original trilogy. Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time features not only the addictive gameplay the series is known for, but the humorous and charming tone it’s loved for.

It doesn’t seem fair to say Culdcept SAGA is bad, because it’s not. Still, it’s missing too many obvious features to really pass muster as well-designed software.

If you liked the previous Top Spin games, or if you wish to study the grand, majestic sport of professional tennis, then you should definitely buy Top Spin 3. But if you want to play tennis, the game, then you should probably go snag a copy of Virtua Tennis 3 (or even Sega Superstars Tennis) on the cheap right now.

The game engine is silky smooth and, for the PSP, quite detailed and amazing. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better-looking game on the PSP. Combat is neither easy nor shallow, and you’ll soon find that with multiple heads in your inventory, Fred can pull off a wide variety of moves.

You just have to be willing to put up with a really boring card game to get to all the good stuff, and there's something depressing about that. [June 2007, p.59]

There is not much to be said about Green Day Rock Band that isn't covered by the simple fact that if you enjoy Green Day as a band, you will likely enjoy what the game has to offer.

Those who experienced Guilty Gear XX Accent Core first on the PlayStation 2 back in 2009 will feel right at home with Plus, as it looks and feels the same - which is both a positive and a negative. Overall, though, the transition to this console generation has been kind to Accent Core Plus, with astoundingly deep mechanics that still play impeccably in the year 2013.

It's a unique and fun shooter boasting a far more vibrant color palette and better default soundtrack than Beat Hazard. Vertical shooter fans will adore it, as will those with extensive music collections.

For the $29.99 price tag, The Dark Eye: Drakensang, offers you a full 40 hours of well-written story filled with missions and side quests to complete.

Looking back over my experience, I can safely say that Yuji Naka delivered once again at creating a simple, fun, and challenging platforming game.

Unfortunately, Chili Con Carnage is much better at sparking a racially-charged debate than it is at being and entertaining product. [Apr 2007, p.50]

Calling All Cars is to the PS3 what "Hexic HD" was to the Xbox 360. [July 2007, p.68]

Army of Two is definitely one of those "love it or hate it" games. If you manage to "get" the game mechanics, there’s definitely quite a bit to enjoy.

Played with one of the other supported controllers, though, Sky Crawlers will deliver all of the above, but nothing else new to the genre.

Once you are willing to pony up your five bucks a month, though, Dungeon Runners becomes a surprisingly addictive time-waster. [Sept 2007, p.68]

The only real problem with the length is the pacing, with no indication given that you're on the last area and solving the final puzzle until, surprise!, end credits. It's analagous to reading a review that, while technically it's said everything it needs to, simply comes to a stop.

When you take all of the flaws and advancements with the game, The 40th Day really just balances out to be equal to if not slightly behind where the first one started.

Surgeon Simulator 2013 isn’t all bad and I’m surprised I liked it as much as I did. There is a bizarre sense of exploration you get from just goofing around and seeing what exactly you can do, and at times it feels like an odd sort of point and click adventure game, where every puzzle is to use a sharp object on a man’s face

When you look at it, Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition is a pretty good package. You have a slightly flawed, yet still enjoyable seven hour campaign, and a couple of bonus modes that can be tackled with a friend on Xbox Live.

Tokyo Jungle is easily one of the best games this fall season, and is going to be cropping up in gaming conversations for years to come.

PIQ2 is themed around measuring intelligence, but all it ends up doing is testing rote memorization and dexterity. [July 2007, p.63]

It's an incredible shooter that feels like bullet hell with enemies replacing the bullets, but a little variation would have made it perfect. [Fall 2008, p.55]

If you're up for the challenge, They Bleed Pixels is a fast and fun action-platformer that will put all your reflexes to the test. It's utterly unapologetic about killing you, and because the controls are so smooth and precise every single failure feels exactly like it should- as something that could have been avoided if only you'd played better. It's not a game to play when you're looking to wind down at day's end, but bring all your skill and a load of patience, and They Bleed Pixels will make you feel like a magician with a gamepad.

What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? 2 is a good buy for those who loved the first game, but newcomers to the series should probably pick up the newly-discounted original game, as the complex and unpredictable gameplay certainly won't be for everyone

There really isn’t anything bad about the game, although the audio may not be to everyone’s liking, and the very nature of this being full of logic puzzles means it’s not going to be for everyone. If you’re prone to rage-quitting, this may not be the game for you, although perhaps its relaxed feel will put your mind at ease a bit and help you enjoy the experience.

Even though Extreme Justice keeps throwing out issues such as bland foot missions and the uninteresting Challenges mode, it’s still got 30 levels of decent gaming wrapped in an entertainingly cheesy story.

As a result of all the hard work, this is a rewarding game to play and one that everyone should experience.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved is a title that will require a lot of determination, but if you put in that time and effort, you will see the results.

When you take all of the flaws and advancements with the game, The 40th Day really just balances out to be equal to if not slightly behind where the first one started.

Overall, the tongue-in-cheek humor, combined with the rather engaging puzzle system and multiplayer capabilities, make this a rather infectious title.

As a downloadable title Scott Pilgrim is almost what everyone could want. It does nothing but pay homage to the ghosts of gaming past while it improves a long forgotten genre of gaming.

It’s hard to think of another Big N game that has its heroine munching on monster flesh, so here’s hoping that Nintendo recognizes what a fantastic action-roleplaying experience they missed localizing and gives stateside players more of this kind of mature title in the future.

There's a ton of excellent shooting arcade action in Under Defeat HD, and it's absolutely worth seeing what Dreamcast importers got to play 6 years ago.

The controls are smooth and accurrate and there are a good number of levels, but the overly-careful strategies needed make it more work than play. [Dec 2008, p.57]

After a string of rehashes, Team17 has done a fantastic job updating the series while keeping the core gameplay the same. With a polished presentation, attractive visuals and improved level design, we finally have a Worms game that doesn't feel like it emerged from a '90s time-capsule. The series remains as polarizing as ever, but those who enjoy the zany antics of the series will dig Worms Revolution.

With a solid fighting engine, plenty of room for customization, a copious offering of modes, delightfully oldschool graphics and sound and some solid controls, Battle Grounds is a game that should be played by anyone who loves nostalgic beat’em ups, especially ones that are very stylized and very Japanese.

Soul Nomad is a surprisingly radical departure from type for NIS, and it's largely successful. It's just more frustrating than it needs to be. [Oct 2007, p.57]

Despite its minor disappointments, I enjoyed White Wolf a lot, and it's clear that the developers at Her Interactive really know how to integrate story and gameplay and create a smooth production. [Sept 2007, p.63]

Much like how Saints Row is a damn good GTA clone, Dante’s Inferno is the best God of War clone yet that should be enjoyed be all.

With its budget price and most of its bizarre humor intact, you could most certainly do worse than pickking up a copy of Beautiful Katamari. [Dec 2007, p.65]

Yeah, both games are a bit too talky, and somewhat short as well, but they deliver high octane giant robot action with grace and skill. Both games hit the ground running, give the player a ton of power, and don't let up on the energy until done.

As a result of all the hard work, this is a rewarding game to play and one that everyone should experience.

The PC version won a number of awards and the PS3 version holds up quite well. [June 2007, p.60]

Papo & Yo is about growing into a person who can escape an abusive family situation, and that’s a theme powerful enough to overwhelm any number of small problems, if pulled off properly. The best parts of the game are when this theme is integrated directly into the action, whether that’s running from an enraged Monster or engaging in escapist fantasy with the platforming and landscape manipulation.

Much like its title, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow — Mirror of Fate plays with multiple concepts attempting to garner widespread appeal, but would be better suited focusing on just one.

As it is, though, it's merely a very fun game for those willing to overlook its problems. [Oct 2007, p.55]

RACE Pro has compelling racing mechanics when it is just you versus the track, but it has more than a few rough patches elsewhere.

Despite being only one level long, Cocoreccho! is packed to the brim with excellence and fun, and that one level is worth ten from any other game. [Nov 2007, p.66]

It's a back and forth battle, as it's an enjoyable experience, but one that falls short of the adventure game and technological standards many have come to expect. If there was only a little bit more polish, A New Beginning – Final Cut could have been a unforgettable adventure.

It’s good to see that new life, by means of bizarre franchise combination, can be breathed into a nearly dead game series.

It's nice to play a game that manages to be fun for the hardcore and casual alike. [Summer 2008, p.48]

The Red Star is an amazing game; it's fast, fun, and loaded with variety. [July 2007, p.52]

Papo & Yo's story is powerful and riveting. The puzzles aren't numerous, but are highly imaginative, proving a puzzle game should never have to recycle material.

Deadly Premonition: Director’s Cut won’t win any awards for its visuals or mechanics, but the player will be completely immersed within a world just brimming with life thanks to the intriguing storyline and highly likeable cast of characters.

The inability to roast anything on two legs from an overpowering distance away aside, Divinity 2 is a solid RPG if you are looking for a nice real-time romp though a fleshed out fantasy world.

Army of Two is definitely one of those "love it or hate it" games. If you manage to "get" the game mechanics, there’s definitely quite a bit to enjoy.

Ironically enough, this might be one to keep your eye on as the modding community gets a hold of it. Despite the flaws, this game has enough potential to end up standing out.

Tiger Woods 07 is the best golf game yet on the Wii, but hopefully next year's edition will have the rough edges hammered out. [May 2007, p.58]

What all this adds up to is a standout dungeon crawler, loaded with options and accessible despite its difficulty.

Unfortunately, there's just too much about the game that doesn't work to counter-balance all of the good stuff. It's impossible to recommend when an RPG fan could be playing better things instead. [Oct 2007, p.58]

It may not be Platinum Games' most technically sophisticated piece of work, but it's damn good all the same. For $30, it's a total steal, and a great way to kick off 2013.

It's nice to play a game that manages to be fun for the hardcore and casual alike. [Summer 2008, p.48]

Moreover, if you love testing your skills against others online, this game isn’t for you, either. If you like playing fighters by yourself, huddled up in a corner in some depressingly dark room, then sure, Guilty Gear Accent Core Plus R is the thing for you. It’s just a shame that such a terrible, terrible decision can hold back such a wonderful game.

Nike+ Kinect Training is not a fun game, but then again, it was never meant to be about entertainment. It's a game that will push you to your limit and make you break down if you don't know what you're getting yourself into. It feels more realistic in routines and schedules than something like Your Shape, but lacks in presentation with an unresponsive user interface and poor objective and calorie counters.

Paradox Interactive have managed to release a grand strategy game that actually feels not so overwhelmingly complex as to scare off newcomers.

It’s decent survival horror, but Silent Hill fans will be disappointed.

Final Fantasy The Four Heroes of Light is a nice addition to the ever growing collection of the franchise. While not deliberate enough in it's efforts to be a numbered entry, it still represents the series as a whole.

Most games based on movies are cheap shovelware that are released to capitalize on the popularity of the franchise they're based on. The Bourne Conspiracy, however, is clearly a labor of love.

Taito didn’t add anything new to the formula, but Arkanoid Plus! will provide straightforward arcade entertainment in short bursts, as long as you don’t go in expecting a revolutionary experience.

All that being said, Driift Mania is an ambitious product that suffers only from lackluster solo play and some unfortunate graphical decisions.

As-is, it's a very, very pretty demo of what the SIXAXIS can do. [May 2007, p.69]

If you grew up in the '90s, you'll easily get $15 out of it just for the trip down memory lane. Younger players who like open-world games and have an appreciation for that time, even if it's just for ironic purpose, will like it as well.

In the end, Crackdown 2 is a fun game, especially when played with friends but, unfortunately, it just doesn't deliver quite a deep experience.

Maybe there's a great game beyond level 8. Maybe it turns into peaches and honey. Maybe a magical unicorn bursts from the screen. Who knows? After playing a single level beyond any possibility of ever getting any enjoyment from it again, I turned the game off and walked away. Gameplay masochism only stays enjoyable so long before a feeling best described as "screw this!" sets in, and Fractured Soul blew past that point and never looked back.

It’s decent survival horror, but Silent Hill fans will be disappointed.

With some fine-tuning and a more effective blending of old mechanics and newfangled, newcomer-friendly ones, Gust may have a top-notch JRPG hit on their hands next time — but only next time, because this time they’ve missed the mark ever so slightly, despite their intentions being in the right place.

With an original story, sprawling environments, excellent use of the Vita's touch capabilities and tons of bonuses to find, it's sure to be a premiere game of the console for long to come. If the graphics were more refined and the story less disjointed, it would certainly rival the best the series has to offer.

With better controls, it would be an incredibly solid WiiWare title, but as it stands it’s simply a good puzzle game that will keep you entertained for a little while.

Until the bugs are ironed out, it’s just not worth the headache.

I'm addicted. [Vol 3, Issue 2, p.60]

If you like tennis games and you have a Playstation 2, it belongs in your gaming library. [July 2007, p.62]

Outside of the HD remastering being a mixed bag and the camera controls not being completely fixed, JSR is still a blast to play and well worth your time and money. A mere $10 gets you the best version available – not possible, but available - of an outstanding game with a sense of style all its own.

Excitebike: World Rally, like its predecessor, seamlessly merges simplicity with fun.

Most games based on movies are cheap shovelware that are released to capitalize on the popularity of the franchise they're based on. The Bourne Conspiracy, however, is clearly a labor of love.

Diehard fans of the series won’t be swayed one way or another by this review, because those folks already know if this game is for them. For fans of the genre looking for an interesting take on the tried and true strategy roleplaying formula with that very distinct Japanese flare, though, Pandora’s Reflection is worth checking out.

Number One Hits has a few things going for it and is worth picking up if you own the original Lips, but ultimately falls short at being the must have karaoke game.

Once you get past the vertigo, Retrovirus becomes a great little shooter that also resurrects an FPS sub-genre that absolutely deserves its new lease on life.

It detracts from the enjoyment value when a "puzzle" game is almost more of a game of chance.

Since Aero Porter only resembles a traditional airport sim, it's hard to recommend for Aerobiz fans, but those with an affinity for fast-paced puzzlers will probably like it. It's certainly not a graphical showcase, but there's a lot of enjoyment to be had once you get past the crippling difficulty spikes. It's a lot more fun than a baggage-sorting game sounds, so If you've got the patience, give it a shot.

It’s very hard to get a rhythm game right on a handheld, but Activision has really accomplished that.

Kororinpa, feels like a solid beginning to what could become a beloved franchise. [May 2007, p.59]

Anyway, Mana Khemia has a solid story, hilarious character dialogue, and an engaging combat system, and it lets you make giant swords using only dirt, vegetables, woodchips, and household cleaning products.

Earth Defense Force 2017 is the action game equivalent of potato chips: no nutritional value, but tasty nonetheless. [May 2007, p.61]

I did have a good time with SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1; despite some emulation issues and some poorly chosen extras, it's still an excellent value and will bring back memories of the good old days.

So how does Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason stack up? With mediocre horror themes, poor level design, and a poor story all muddled with poor stability, this is one game you wont miss playing.

FIFA Soccer 13 for Wii U isn't the worst version of this year's popular soccer game, but it's certainly below standards for most modern console owners.

This is a good sports game for people who don't like sports games, i.e. me. [Vol 3, Issue 2, p.62]

The anime and magna iterations of Black Rock Shooter are so enjoyable because they’re crazy, over-the-top Japanese awesomeness. Unfortunately, not much about the video game take on the series is all that awesome, or even very good.

Icon is a fun ride, but it's got some pretty deep shoes to fill. It is fun and the music features are pretty cool, so give it a look. [Apr 2007, p.46]

Overall, Jack Keane is a rather fun adventure game, even if it does suffer a little in minor details. If you’re a fan of the genre at all, it's well worth the effort.

The web swinging is better, and the combat system is much more effective (not to mention some awesome Signature Moves).

Difficulties aside, it’s a simple and fun game that translates well to the 360’s controls.

Liberation Maiden is an outstanding on-rails shooter worth its $8 price tag.

The music isn't bad and the gameplay is fun enough, but the track list is fairly short with only ten pieces. [June 2007, p.69]

XI is fantastic when playing against another player rather than the CPU, which is unfortunate because there's no online play. Ultimately, RTK XI is a game you should rent before you buy it. [Mar 2007, p.62]

DmC fans will get passable enjoyment from the ability to play as Vergil, but besides that, it’s a trivial addition to a compelling game.

Despite some issues with the jumping, Prinny 2 winds up being a fantastic game overall. If you're a fan of platformers, or of NISA's off the wall humor, pick this up ASAP.

While the ability to injure the other team by ripping a guy’s helmet off and beating him with it is attractive, it comes at the expense of the core gameplay.

Icon is a fun ride, but it's got some pretty deep shoes to fill. It is fun and the music features are pretty cool, so give it a look. [Apr 2007, p.46]

At $15, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams is well worth its cost to platforming fans.

Simple as it may be, Alien Breed isn’t unenjoyable. It’s a bit easy and straightforward, sure, but it’s also a very good update of an Amiga classic. You run through corridors, shoot everything that moves, pick up all the goodies, then make a run for the exit to do it all over again. There’s no denying that Alien Breed is pretty mindless, but sometimes a bit of brain-dead xenomorph extermination is a nice way to kill an hour.

Most importantly, Space Giraffe is pure addictive fun, constantly demanding one more round as the pulsing light melts your eyes out of their sockets. [Oct 2007, p.66]

Juiced 2 is a nice change from the hardcore, but ascetic, sims you might be used to. This one manages to find a nice mix between the two extremes while remaining fun. [Nov 2007, p.54]

Germinator doesn’t do a lot new, but everything it does is done really well. It uses the basic framework of a Bust-A-Move game and tweaks it to craft the most addictive puzzle game I’ve played this generation.

Labyrinth Legends desperately needs a patch to sort out it's control issues, but otherwise is one of the better arcade-style dungeon romps in a good long while.

Simple as it may be, Alien Breed isn’t unenjoyable. It’s a bit easy and straightforward, sure, but it’s also a very good update of an Amiga classic. You run through corridors, shoot everything that moves, pick up all the goodies, then make a run for the exit to do it all over again. There’s no denying that Alien Breed is pretty mindless, but sometimes a bit of brain-dead xenomorph extermination is a nice way to kill an hour.

n the end, you’d think a game with a see-through plot, derivative gameplay, a mess of bad cut scenes and stinky voice-acting would be a total turn-off, but that’s just not the case. There are times when Ninja Blade is just fun.

It's a bit strange that the best part is found in the mini-games, but SCT3 manages a decent all-around game that, while it won't set anyone's world on fire, won't disappoint the tennis fans either. [Oct 2007, p.62]

Deadlight is a mix between storytelling, side-scrolling, puzzle solving, and good old fashion survival horror. It reinvents nothing, but it successfully integrates components from each genre.

It’s a simple, basic, kid-friendly RPG that has a few good tricks up its sleeves, and makes a nice round of gaming even for experienced players when they just don’t want to think too hard.

There's a lot to explore and a huge amount of potential stat tweaking, but it would have been nice to get a proper explanation on how Legasista's systems fit together.

The Wii Fit Balance Board is of little help, and only serves to complicate things further.

It's too hard for its own good in places, making it far too easy to just exasperatedly credit-feed to see the end, but with a ridiculous amount of practice and ninja skills almost everything is (probably) survivable. Even with all that, though, Metal Slug XX is merely decent enough in its way and little more.

Teenage Zombies is pretty much the perfect platformer. [Spring 2008, p.52]

A great title for kids. Many of the plain jokes and goblin humor is not lost on the younger crowd.

As a whole package, Rhapsody delivers a charming and entertaining tale about love and finding one’s happy ending.

There are nice customization options and the game has some personality, but even still, these concepts don’t feel fully realized. That’s the main and final problem with The Showdown Effect: it tries hard to be something folks want, but it comes up short, and needed to try a little harder.

Virtual Toys has managed to develop a puzzle game with the ideal combination of ever-increasing difficulty, intriguing gameplay, and pickup-and-playability.

Kane & Lynch is more "Freedom Fighters" than "Hitman", so it should appeal to action junkies looking for their next fix. [Dec 2007, p.67]

For $20, it's about the price of a graphic novel, which is exactly what it is. So if you can stomach the gore and overall obscurity, then this super niche PSP title may be worth a checking out.

In the end, Dungeonland is light on content and features, but that’s okay because it’s an absolute steal for $9.99. Players will get a hell of a little dungeon crawler that can provide hours and hours of entertainment, so long as they have friends to partake in the silliness.

Fragile Dreams’ premise of a young boy having to fight his way through a dead and lonesome world has some weight behind it, and walking down a desolate hallway with nothing but your flashlight to guide you does have its particular merits. However, with the clunky combat, overly punishing weapon system, and hollow writing the game never really builds up any steam to keep you going.

Awesome Games Studios wanted to create a fun, casual, goofy game and that's what Oozi: Earth Adventure is. Despite issues with the controls and musical selection, there isn't much wrong with it.