For anyone with an interest in complex, combat-heavy, lovingly produced RPGs, though, Fallout is a must buy. In an age where many are predicting the death of traditional RPGs at the hands of multiplayer extravaganzas, Fallout is a glowing example of the genre, one which positively radiates quality. Fallout – it's da bomb.

But stripped of its hype, what's most shocking about the game is its mediocrity.

Putting aside concerns about the campaign structure, Gettysburg! may be the best recreation of Civil War combat (or even just combat) of any game yet released. Sure, some of the hardcore data is missing, and Firaxis chose to eliminate supply issues, but it's amazing how realistic this game feels much of the time.

Gamers with an interest in history, and no aversion to a rather abstract rendition of same, should love the atmosphere and feel of the game. And anyone who appreciates a solid, lovingly-crafted work of design should appreciate the overall quality of this product.

This is one game that might become a classic, but it isn't one now, despite a New York Times story on the front page of the business section. A game that requires a credit card and Internet access before the player can get even a glimpse of what's going on had better be incredibly engrossing or at least immediately accessible. Ultima Online is neither. The "undoubted future of interactive entertainment"? God forbid. At best, it might eventually grow into a solid, mature game that delivers the goods, but for now, caveat emptor.

As a game of resource management and tactical combat, Total Annihilation is not fundamentally different from anything that has come before, but it is nonetheless an evolutionary leap for the genre of real-time strategy.

Undoubtedly, Alone in the Dark remains one of the most ground-breaking games of all time... Although the second and third games lack the magic of the first one, the collection remains a treat for any adventure fan.

A new and better way of telling an interactive story and as such provides a role model for the gaming industry. It is highly original and richly deserves all the awards it will surely get.

The whole thing is so over the top that it ends up being like a B-movie gore-fest – more silly than scary. Still, plenty of folk are going to be offended. Once past the blood-hook, though, the game is a mixed bag.

The story and cut scenes are brilliant, in a kitschy Starsky & Hutch kind of way... Not since LucasArts' "Full Throttle" has a game maintained such a singularly unique style.

Anyone who appreciates this particular corner of the genre, Myst fanatics especially, will find here a perilous, riveting, sometimes humorous journey through an awe-inspiring, breathtaking environment. Even with its limited exploration possibilities and a "puzzle grimace" here and there, it’s a trip you’ll want to take.

Despite the rather pale storyline (at least within the game itself), watered-down quests and a fair amount of necessary repetition, Diablo is a must for anyone interested in "just plain fun." Action gamers and RPG-ers alike will be enthralled.

There is so much to do in this game that if you like space opera strategy, you’ll have to have it... One of the better strategy games of 1996, but one with significant flaws. Good, yes; a classic, no.

A solid game, but it isn't terribly original.

The designers may have thought they were making some sort of social statement, but the intended point is lost in all the sound and fury of oozing eyeballs and babies being hacked apart. It'll play well with the teens, because they'll think it's edgy and funny (missing the parody and irony, assuming they're actually there), but adults will no doubt find it stupid.

From start to finish, Circle of Blood is a professional, polished work of art. All elements of game play are refined to the extreme, and as with any great novel (or after you've thumbed past the picture section of certain adult magazines,) you'll feel a sense of loss when the story concludes.

One of the best games of the year. It migh t even be the best adventure game of the year. The plot is deep, the characters are brought to life effectively, I haven't found almost any bugs, and they didn't leave anything out.

Overall, my two main complaints with Rifles are that it feels too generic and that, despite the delayed development, there's a feeling it was rushed out the door before it was completely polished.

It has amazing rendered visuals, well-animated polygonal characters, and it mixes a story-based adventure game with a fighting game... The design is not entirely without merit; it just doesn't excel and, like most hybrid games, risks failing to appeal enough to fans of either genre.

Even if you do solve The Elk Moon Murder the first time around, you're bound to be amazed at the richness of the setting, the fine acting, and the sharp design.

Satan, your game has arrived. It spits up blood and pisses vinegar. It sprouts horns from its head like the proud minion of evil that it is. It shoots lightning bolts, for cripes' sake. It's a game of pure evil. And even purer entertainment. It's also the best action game on the planet.

At its best it can be a blast; how many times do you get to send the Fighting Nuns against the Press Corps in no-holds-barred combat in the streets? But the entire thing seems rather empty.

Gameplay is ultimately what we're interested in, and in this area, Duke is the king. But so what? If 3D Realms really wants to impress us, they can move beyond this type of gameplay.

An adrenaline rush in a box...Everything about this game shouts quality.

If you don't have DOOM II and you've got a Win95 P90Mhz or above, this is the best version to buy! For beginners, it makes loading those .WAD files as simple as pointing and clicking, and setting up a multiplayer game is just as easy.

It doesn't just crush your soul; it zaps your will to live. [Jan 2003, p.79]

Poorly designed, ugly, and rife with bugs.

The ultimate nostalgia trip—a classic game that plays just as you remember it, untouched by the hand of time.