The framework is there for a solid game with a compelling, if not entirely original, story. [Jan 2003, p.74]

It's about as straightforward as an expansion pack gets. There's just more of everything, and one or two minor interface tweaks.

The lush ground terrain and scenery make this one of the richest looking settings for some quick action. Just don't bank on realism.

Normally, mining the license library to populate new hardware is a move that smacks of laziness and creative bankruptcy. In this case, Capcom seems to be on to something. [May 2006, p.91]

Only those hungry enough for the challenge to overlook the stodgy game engine need apply.

Which brings us to the game's greatest flaw, a smorgasbord of bugs, glitches, and blatantly missing features. [Dec 2003, p.82]

A better-than-average expansion pack, worth the asking price of thirty greenbacks, but diminished by its lack of real inspiration. [Sept 2003, p.72]

The number of levsls has shrunk with the rest of the package, a bummer revelation that casts a minor cloud on this tropical beach party. [July 2006, p.89]

While it's incredibly playable and entertaining for 10 hours or so, it's also limiting and linear. [Nov 2003, p.99]

But for every warm fuzzy old-school feeling it invokes, there's an annoying old-school counterbalance, including a litany of bugs (some of whihch have been patched) and a tired, predictable plot. [Jan 2003, p.70]

While some features are better, the most important part—the AI—has received little attention. While it's still a fun game, it's not much of an improvement over last year's edition.

This game takes about as much time as reading a few twenty-page comics...There aren't many superhero games that have even come close to the sheer reverence this game holds for its lead character.

While it's rough around the edges, playing more like a prototype than a finished product, there's finally a reason to get excited about the future of the series. [Jan 2004, p.70]

While the AI is good on the field, it's terrible in the front office. [June 2005, p.57]

A reminder that sometimes a solid jaunt through a colorful little world is better than plodding through yet another post-apocalyptic wasteland. [Feb 2003, p.73]

For all its clumsy new baggage and rushed feel, Homeworld 2 takes itself seriously, designed from the ground up as a reward to the faithful rather than an olive branch to the casual newcomer. [Dec 2003, p.84]

It's impossible to dislike, despite its flaws. [Jan 2005, p.63]

Mobile forces is vanilla near-future sci-fi, and this non-descript, and non-story sensibility hurts the game a bit. [Nov 2002, p.83]

What it was designed to do, it does very well. It barely makes a pretense of doing anything else, however—extra bells and whistles are definitely not part of the package.

It's goofy, satisfying, and unapologetically drenched in hilarious M-rated cussing, blood and ragdollery. [Sept. 2006, p.81]

It does the hard stuff that most game neglect so well, but it either phones in or omits entirely the easy stuff. [Sept 2004, p.72]

With this new online mode, it's much easier to admit that you like Metal Gear Solid 3. [July 2006, p.93]

There is very little luck involved, lots of direct conflict, lots of room for both tactical brilliance and strategic planning, and a much more complex rule-set relative to popular American games. [Apr 2006, p.61]

The missions, while varied, are wildly uneven in difficulty, and many are totally unsuited for the sort of unit that you're ostensibly commanding...It is, however, extremely good-looking, great sounding, and very entertaining.

Easily the most accessible and beautiful Trek combat simulator yet. Ultimately, though, it's only a small upgrade from the previous mission. [Feb 2003, p.72]

It ups the ante on art and style while taking its attempts at being "cinematic" too seriously. This makes it nearly impossible to ignore the general level of mediocrity to the characterizations, writing, and storytelling despite its mostly solid action. [Jan 2004, p.62]

If you found the original game lacking, this add-on isn't going to change your mind.

May be too complicated for many real-time strategy players and a little too silly for hardcore wargamers. If you don't mind making some compromises in either direction, however, there is ample fun to be had.