No one should play "DAOC" without Shrouded Isles. [Apr 2003, p.106]

Shadowlands injects into the game a quadruple dose of what it most desperately needed: namely, compelling gameplay content. [Feb 2004, p.91]

One of the most addictive and enjoyable games you'll play this year. [Jan 2005, p.84]

The presentation is second to none, the gameplay is addictive without being overbearing, and Sid Meier's signature "I-can't wait-to-see-what-happens-next" magic is here in full force. [Apr 2002, p.97]

Despite a spectacular-looking engine, intriguing units, and some original gameplay, Generals doesn't capitalize on opportunties to be a shining light in the genre, and instead ends up as just decent. [Apr 2003, p.74]

Has that woefully underbaked, released-just-in-time-for-the-holidays taint to it, and that's just a colossal shame, because underneath that nastiness is a great, great expansion. [Mar 2004, p.78]

The new combat system is an almost unmitigated disaster. [July 2002, p.73]

This is a realistic simulation, unashamedly difficult to master, but offering the kind of satisfaction that only comes from conquering a difficult challenge. [Mar 2002, p.78]

The most remarkable aspect of Disciples II is how carefully all of the units have been balanced. [May 2002, p.82]

The shift in emphasis to tending the whims of your Sims has left the economic model a bit shaky. [Mar 2003, p.84]

Unlike many expansions, Titans gives a lot of bang for the buck—it's just not a very loud bang, falling short of energizing an aging game.

An outstanding game... The best movie-licensed game of the year is one of the best games of the year, period. [Oct 2003, p.114]

In many ways, Blood feels like the polished game Gearbox couldn't completely nail last time around. Most of the evolution takes place under the hood.

The brand-new Dark Age campaign, lots of new units, and plenty of new gameplay make Viking Invasion a must for Total War fans. [Aug 2003, p.80]

The only real bummer in the new stuff? The M-60 machine gun, which is so powerful and easy to use that it lets even blundering newbies rack up ridiculously high frag counts. It needs tuning down.

The engineer's bayonet kill might be the most satisfying frag since "Half-Life"'s crowbar kills. [May 2003, p.92]

If anything, it reminds us that ridiculous production values and high-powered rigs aren't always necessary to make a game that's just plain fun.

High production values, a compelling narrative, charming characters, and sharp aesthetics make for a sophisticated little adventure that's well beyond most of its ilk. [Mar 2004, p.80]

The multiplayer and mechanics of combat are finely tuned, but aren't enough to lift Halo past its dated single-player, lack of graphical upgrades, and only competent performance. [Dec 2003, p.124]

Luclin's quest structure is EQ's best yet. [Apr 2002, p.90]

A sort of misguided reworking of "Homeworld," halfway between a rehash and a remodeling job, but with the intersting bits sanded off. The vividly distinct sides added in the "Cataclysm" expansion are gone, the clean interface is now a mess, and much of the strategy has been methodically cut out. [Dec 2003, p.126]

The A.I. in this game is capable of some remarkably human-like behavior. [June 2003, p.99]

Even the friendly A.I. does a much better job of fighting and surviving. There are still some interface problems, but Command & Conquer is better than it's ever been.

The sort of game that has you thirsting for the expansion moments after you complete it. [Apr 2004, p.81]

This is a completely different, intense experience, and if you're a fan of either flight sims or racing, you owe it to yourself to give this game a try. [Apr 2002, p.98]

Fun and ambitious, but not nearly as substantial as it wants you to think it is. [Nov 2005, p.96]

The biggest problem is that the province-based movement system doesn't lend itself well to re-creating the kinds of huge land campaigns that give a good strategic war game its sense of scope. [Apr 2005, p.91]

It does so much right that the poor defensive A.I. is much more of a disappointment than it would be in a lesser game. [Feb 2003, p.76]

Every shadowy corner in Icewind Dale II harbors one intense, challenging, and difficult battle after another. [Dec 2002, p.116]

It might be too friendly for old-school, hardcore EQ players to make the jump, but for gamers looking for a classic fantasy MMO, EverQuest II should fit the bill very nicely. [Feb 2005, p.72]

A host of revisions and improvements propel Raven Shield way past the original R6 games in design and playability, making Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield the new benchmark in tac sims. [June 2003, p.82]

While the Career mode is a little too steep for beginners, it's still a good day at the races. [June 2003, p.91]

Like playing on a beautiful course in the middle of the summer in the deep South – it's a lot of fun, but the bugs can really get to you. [June 2002, p.92]

The multiplayer learning curve is a short, sharp slide into the deep end with the sharks. [Holiday 2004, p.80]

The attention to detail is extremely high, the Direct 3D graphics are fantastic, and the story is worth pursuing. [Jan 2002, p.106]

Gorgeous and exhilarating, though needlessly gory and combatcentric. [March 2005, p.72]

One of the most satisfying games of 2002. [Feb 2003, p.86]

It distinguishes itself from the pack by its visual effects, excellent physics, and a longing backward glance at vintage cars. [Apr 2002, p.106]

If you have any inclination to explore the inner workings of business, Capitalism II has a lot to offer. [May 2002, p.86]

Fun... but you'll forget which side you're on until the police drones zap you. [Feb 2006, p.69]

The A.I. is quite good, particularly at the tactical level, where you don't have to baby-sit an army.

Dangerous Waters is a superb modern naval combat simulator but Silent Hunter III is destined to be a Sim Hall of Fam all-time classic. [June 2005, p.94]

Despite all the cool tweaks and additions, the repetitive gameplay still nags at me. [Mar 2003, p.92]

Exactly what you expect from a Total War expansion.

Deeper than the Marianas Trench. [June 2002, p.84]

Even without the numerous enhancements, tweaks, and goodies, Desert Siege is worth its price for the mission editor alone. [June 2002, p.83]

The largest maps, which have three different levels of land, can provide dozens of hours of gameplay. [Nov 2003, p.128]

Dynamic plot twists and cut-scenes flow through every exotic locale, and the later-game mechanical conundrums are worthy of the Broken Sword series. [Feb 2004, p.86]

Racing doesn't get much better...unless you're in a real car. [Mar 2004, p.75]

Casual gamers may find a hefty learning curve, but the tracks are so inventive; it's ultimately worth the work required to unlock them.

Smarter A.I. makes for some of the best firefights in any Red Storm game to date. [Jan 2003, p.104]

The game's genius is that it forces you to focus on the command structure as a basis for strategy in a way no wargame has done so far. [Nov 2002, p.128]

Ranks among the most entertaining games I've played in a while. [Apr 2005, p.85]

Offers amazing depth of play for even the most discriminating hockey fans. [Jan 2005, p.88]

It balances an equal number of frustrating and appealing elements to create a love-it or hate-it experience. [Mar 2002, p.72]

There are at least three or four games lurking in Europa 1400: The Guild, each of them enjoyable and addictive. [May 2003, p.93]

MVP makes up for its lack of polish with good looks and plenty of polish. [June 2004, p.85]

Easily the best new adventure game in years, though it loses some steam after its outstanding first act. [Oct 2002, p.112]

The most significant improvement over past Myst games is a stronger integration of the story with the puzzles. [Holiday 2004, p.90]

The Real-Time Swing adds a completely new (and welcome) dimension to Links 2003. [Jan 2003, p.114]

The visual treat that is the hyperdrive effect becomes painfully boring by the time you've crossed your hundredth navigation marker. [Feb 2003, p.72]

When it all comes together, Joint Ops is a great game that offers a solid combat experience on a scale far beyond anything in the "Battlefield" series. [Sept 2004, p.74]

A fine blend of strategy, combat, and role playing. [Nov 2002, p.122]

A decent RTS that makes great use of a movie license. [Feb 2005, p.90]

Does Most Wanted feed my adrenaline addiction from start to finish? No - repetition, while unavoidable in a game ilke this, ultimately does in the game's ability to raise your blood pressure. But while it lasts...damn, it's good. [Feb 2006, p.80]

The holy grail of "Star Trek" simulations. [June 2002, p.89]

Weapon sounds are so real, you can almsot feel the slight recoil of the M-16A2 rifle or the impact from the M-203 grenade launcher. [Jan 2003, p.106]

Relentlessly funny, constantly entertaining, and a total joy to play. For Simpsons fans (and is there anyone who isn't one?), it's nothing less than a must-have game. [Feb 2004, p.64]

Breaks no ground, but good old-school stuff with amazing graphics. [Jan 2005, p.100]

The truest and most gratifying shooter since "Doom." [July 2004, p.69]

Takes the original game, upgrades it slightly, expands its cope, and adds and editor. Put together, it's a pretty good package. [Feb 2004, p.91]

Rockstar Games has taken what it learned from the "Grand Theft Auto" series and used it to deliver a solid driving experience. [Oct 2003, p.122]

Delightful, disappointing, and frustrating.

If you can get past the absurd control hurdle and the fact that the beginning is the best part of the game..., Gothic is a satisfying RPG to fiddle with. [Apr 2002, p.92]

I consider myself at least a competent player, but even on the lower difficulty levels I felt overmatched. [Dec 2002, p.130]

A solid entry that makes some great, if initially unapparent, changes to the standard formula. [Feb 2004, p.66]

Stronghold’s deft mix of economic, building, and combat challenges makes it one of the best strategy games of the year. [Feb 2002, p.79]

Tiger 06 is a hardcore character-building RPG wrapped up in a sports game, letting you craft your own story of spectacular success or crushing failure. If a nongolfer like me can love it, pretty much anyone can.

Even with the completely new engine, the core RCT formula remains intact and as strong as ever. [Feb 2005, p.88]

There's nothing transcendently brilliant here, but there's enough new stuff to keep you happy. Everyone else, you can keep scratching your heads.

One of the best-designed games to come along in years. [Jan 2002, p.115]

Offers the most accessible, best-looking EverQuest yet, but it's still getting awfully dated, both in looks and gameplay mechanics. [Feb 2003, p.77]

The graphics are upgraded but still feel dated, and in the absence of any gameplay improvements, Combat Mission: Afrika Korps feels suspiciously like a scenario pack. [Apr 2004, p.83]

Because of the fantasy setting and the powerful new graphics engine, cranked-down zoomed-in battles can be spectacular in a way that Creative Assembly's "Shogun" and "Medieval" battles can only dream of. [Dec 2004, p.90]

Empire Earth’s kitchen sink design is too massive (if at time unwieldy) to be darkened by the shadow cast by a dozen games. [Feb 2002, p.94]

The least inspired "Jedi Knight" game yet still has some thrills. [Nov 2003, p.100]

The pathfinding problems suck a lot of the joy out of this WWII tankfest. [Nov 2004, p.86]

Clever, stylish, and fun to watch, but it's a little too hard to control. [Nov 2003, p.144]

Unfortunately, Ghost Recon’s AI is little improved over the ugly R6 original, and the RPG element is given lip service at most. Add a handful of familiar R6 bugs, and you have a potential blockbuster game marginalized. [Mar 2002, p.70]

A seriously intended and well-made game and its heart is in the right place, but I got tired of it sooner than I expected. [May 2004, p.90]

Dungeon Siege II errs by giving you way too much, all teh time... ultimately diminishing the impact of everything you do. [Nov 2005, p.92]

Invisible War's mechanics are often repetitive and frustrating, but the choices you make are not, which helps keep things interesting even when you're unlocking yet another door with another multitool for the upteenth time. [Mar 2004, p.72]

Brings more than 175 new enchanted items, which alone justifies the purchase. These special objects can take care of the less-pleasant chores in your life, leaving you free to pursue personal happiness.

This game is truly all about the cinematic, dramatic single-player campaign, and it is there that it shines, often brilliantly, but a little too briefly. [Jan 2005, p.92]

Somewhat repetitive, but never so bat that it's offensive. [Nov 2005, p.99]

It'll eventually dawn on you that you're playing the world's most elaborate version of tic-tac-toe. [Holiday 2004, p.94]

Great teamplay tactics, but the PC version drew the short straw.

It's somewhat strange that Tribunal, the first official expansion, is so confining. [Mar 2003, p.96]