Staff reviews, page 206

Magic Knight Rayearth review

Rayearth's story is certainly one of growth and discovery, but it's hardly carefree. Despite the cutesy girls' fantasy trappings, this is an unmistakably mature adventure...

Zigfried · February 17, 2005

Staff Xbox

Thankfully though the action is a standard mix of slam, bam, thank you ma'am with just the right blend of high yield ka-pow. Viewed from a suitably panoramic third person perspective, players are taken on a veritable cross country tour of…

Michael Scott · February 15, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Gradius V review

Do we really need a Gradius that dares to be different? Sometimes the best in life can get no better, and if you decide to play God for a day then bad things have been known to happen. It's as such that Gradius V is best served as being a…

Michael Scott · February 13, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Gradius V review

Despite its positive elements, though, it's tough to recommend Gradius V when the mechanics and boss encounters of even decade-old Genesis shooters are substantially better.

John L · February 12, 2005

Staff Xbox

Prince of Persia: Warrior Within review

It's this apparently apathetic lack of true care that Prince of Persia: Warrior Within will be remembered for the most. Whereby the original stood out from the crowd with its polished gameplay and abundant good charm, its sequel comes off…

Michael Scott · February 8, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

Swords & Serpents review

Like I said, there’s not an in-depth plot. The game is more about exploration and the occasional adrenaline rushes that come from knowing you’re only surviving by the skin of your teeth. It is the very definition of ‘dungeon crawler,’ and…

Jason Venter · February 7, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

Kiwi Kraze review

No matter what your surroundings, though, the game doesn’t provide a lot of variety in terms of mechanics. You’re still just running through one level after another (mostly swimming between underwater pockets of air in the case of the…

Jason Venter · February 6, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

City Connection review

The problem is that all the timing in the world may not always be enough to save you. This is because some of the enemy sprites move so quickly and come so unexpectedly from off screen that only lightning-fast reflexes will save you…

Jason Venter · February 3, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man review

You’ll have to ride portable gun turrets throughout most of the stage, often down shafts where a slightly short jump (a move all too easy to execute, unfortunately) spell certain doom. But suppose you survive these just fine. There are…

Jason Venter · February 3, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

Deja Vu: A Nightmare Comes True review

Wine cellars, back room casinos and more serve to set the plot somewhere just after Prohibition ended. Throw in a few alleys that connect everything—you can’t just walk boldly down the street when you’re wanted, after all—and you still…

Jason Venter · February 1, 2005

Staff PSP

Ape Escape Academy review

The problem is though, try as they might, monkeys are not very good at imitating other people. Sure, dressing one up in a suit and giving it a cigarette may make us all smile, but its constant ass slapping and habitual masturbation is…

Michael Scott · February 1, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

The Legend of Zelda review

Link moves with the elfish grace you might expect from his size. A quick thrust of the sword is enough to vanquish most foes, and when it’s not a secondary slash will do (at least, throughout most of the game). All he has to fear is the…

Jason Venter · January 31, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

Snake Rattle 'N Roll review

To reach the archway you see at the very top, you must zig-zag your way along a series of jumps. You leap forward, grinning because you know you can’t possibly miss the landing. And then you do. And again, and again. Many of these jumps…

Jason Venter · January 31, 2005

Staff PC HG exclusive

Kimi ga Nozomu Eien review

Kimi ga Nozomu Eien really comes alive in the second half. While the prologue always stuck Takayuki with Haruka, you can match him up with any of seven girls here, although some — like Haruka's really cute little sister Akane — are a lot…

Zigfried · January 28, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

T&C 2: Thrilla's Surfari review

If the first few stages are frantic, the ones that follow are downright overwhelming. Soon you’ll find yourself weaving down a raging river as hippo heads and rocks threaten to knock you into the soup. Soon you’ll find yourself careening…

Jason Venter · January 26, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

Tiny Toon Adventures 2: Trouble in Wackyland review

In the sequel, it seems a secret admirer has invited you to visit him at the fun house in an amusement park. Before you can get in, though, you must collect tickets from rides. You gain these only by successfully completing the rides…

Jason Venter · January 26, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Castlevania: Lament of Innocence review

There are hidden bosses galore, including The Forgotten One, a boss that has to be seen to be believed. The abominable creature has been locked far, far beneath the castle, hidden down and around swirling castle steps streaked fearfully…

Marc Golding · January 26, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

The Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino & Hoppy review

Fortunately, there are plenty of reasons to keep trying, even when you find yourself dying more than you might like. For one, the levels themselves are quite pretty. Sure, they don’t boast a lot of polygons or even colors, but the artists…

Jason Venter · January 26, 2005

Staff NES HG exclusive

Paperboy review

Of course, there are threats to your little newspaper empire. That cute little dog you see cowering in his home on the front lawn may very well bite you in the butt if you don’t toss a paper at just the right moment. And there are rumors…

Jason Venter · January 24, 2005

Staff Game Boy Advance

Doom II review

The pillars in front of you open to display a veritable cornucopia of hellspawn, and you are quickly made aware that the ones behind you are doing the same. You are standing in the very centre of a rapidly closing circle of death: imps…

Gary Hartley · January 24, 2005