It’s unfortunate, but the experience – at least for now – is awkward, plodding, and, worst of all, inconsistent. [Mar 2002, p.76]

Conjures up an engaging mix of tactical combat and RPG gameplay with good replay value thanks to skirmish and multiplayer options. [Feb 2002, p.82]

While the game does suffer from the homogenization that the game system imposes, for traditional wargame-style play it works quite well. [May 2002, p.81]

The game was pretty fun—for about two levels. After that, MHPBMX began to feel way too repetitive. [Jan 2002, p.118]

It isn't a great game, but it's a decent challenge. [June 2002, p.87]

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]

The most impressive civilian sim ever. [Feb 2002, p.97]

There are only two view levels, and they’re both fairly distant. This makes it not only hard to find animals or workers in a crowded zoo, but also, frankly, less fun to watch. [Feb 2002, p.98]

Absurdly archaic in how it rewards tank-rush techniques. The only path to victory often involves churning out a mass of units and then rushing. [Feb 2002, p.88]

In every way an improvement over its predecessor. [Jan 2002, p.108]

The buggiest game I’ve ever played: I stopped counting types and incidents of crashes after 45 train wrecks spanning multiple, top-of-the-line computers at our lab. [Jan 2002, p.110]

The gameplay’s the thing, though, and in Dark Age it’s the best I’ve yet experienced in an online RPG. [Feb 2002, p.77]

This game is so full of bad ideas that make a mockery of good reading material. [Feb 2002, p.101]

It has a depth few games of this genre can match. Fewer still can equal the level of micromanagement. [Feb 2002, p.92]

Exhausting, repetitious gameplay. [Feb 2002, p.100]

While other games try to improve upon the genre, RuneSword II just wants to be a fun role-playing game. [Jan 2002, p.117]

Superb physics, killer graphics, and an agreeable price point. [Feb 2002, p.96]

If it’s trivia you’re after, read questions from Trivial Pursuit cards. Or pick up an Encyclopedia Britannica. Don’t, however, buy this game. [Feb 2002, p.99]

Does offer a nice trip down memory lane, but you won’t exactly be compelled to go searching for lost quarters between the couch cushions. [Jan 2002, p.96]

If the mind-numbing battles and drab scenery haven’t already turned you off, don’t worry—there’s still the annoying interface to send you over the edge. [Jan 2002, p.113]

It has flaws, most notably unimpressive graphics and an agonizingly slow start, but it has everything that made "Privateer" great, and then some. [Mar 2002, p.84]

Real War simply overpromises and underdelivers. [Feb 2002, p.103]

It might just be one of the best strategy games of 2001…one of the most refreshing, engaging games released in a long time. [Jan 2002, p.98]

Incredibly addictive. [Jan 2002, p.110]

Although it’s shot through with bugs and screw-ups that would remand a lesser title to the bargain bin, the game itself is so damn good you’ll forgive almost anything to keep playing. [Jan 2002, p.94]

As a game, Planet of the Apes fails utterly. As a skeet target, it succeeds in spades. Someone shout, "Pull!" [May 2002, p.84]

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

The biggest problem with Trade Empires is that the absence of everything except the trade engine makes the game seem unusually flat. [Jan 2002, p.100]