Gearbox should be applauded for taking the first-person genre in a bold new direction, but during the bulk of the game, players must be willing to sit back and let the developer tell the story. [Apr 2005, p.104]

It may sound like a bad idea, but the surprising truth is that this mixture of genres works very well indeed, and there are plenty of inventive and unique features in Chaos League to silence those who bemoan the lack of innovation in modern gaming. [Sept 2004, p.120]

If you go with the flow of how you’re supposed to play Republic Commando this can be good fun. It is, after all, a Star Wars game and, for this reason alone, a small proportion of gamers will enjoy it. But pleasing a small number of gamers hardly sounds like the policy of the kind of republic we’d like to live in. [March 2005, p.96]

While we’ve all seen two dozen enemies cluttering up the screen while you hack into them for ten minutes by repeatedly hammering a single button, Dante’s Awakening does it properly. As with all the previous titles, the combat is superb. [Apr 2005, p.120]

Gearbox should be applauded for taking the first-person genre in a bold new direction, but during the bulk of the game, players must be willing to sit back and let the developer tell the story. [Apr 2005, p.104]

While Worms 3D essentially delivers what it says on the tin, in surrendering its intuitive interface the concept has evolved into a far less attractive proposition. A shame. [Dec 2003, p.126]

The best realistic boxing title we’ve played, and few fight fans will be disappointed. [Apr 2005, p.114]

If you go with the flow of how you're supposed to play Republic Commando this can be good fun. It is, after all, a Star Wars game and, for this reason alone, a small proportion of gamers will enjoy it. But pleasing a small number of gamers hardly sounds like the policy of the kind of republic we'd like to live in. [March 2005, p.96]

The best realistic boxing title we've played, and few fight fans will be disappointed. [Apr 2005, p.114]

A good-looking game that offers inoffensive, simple gameplay that's likely to suit the tastes of most gamers. Due to knowing exactly what you're meant to be doing at all times, it loses the complete immersion that games like "Beyond Good & Evil" and a few others in the genre have managed to accomplish, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. [Feb 2005, p.110]

The best realistic boxing title we've played, and few fight fans will be disappointed. [Apr 2005, p.114]

The game's return to the fundamentals of blocking, countering and simple evasion as opposed to the unnecessary abuse of 3D movement and stilted enclosed environments of the last two games helps reintroduce the skill element for those willing to learn. [Apr 2005, p.86]

If it weren’t for the fact that simply picking up the controller makes you by far the smartest racer on the course, GT4 would be perilously close to being the finest, most serious racing game ever made. [Feb 2005, p.8]

This is clichéd, tedious, frustrating nonsense, as archaic in its gameplay as it is banal in its story. [Sept 2005, p.120]

Unfortunately, the difference between what Crystal Dynamics wanted to do with Snowblind and the finished product is a crevasse that good intentions fall well short of bridging, leaving the game lying in a Wile E. Coyote-style could of dust at the bottom. [March 2005, p.110]

Kessen III manages to prove that strategy and fun aren’t mutually exclusive in the war sim genre. The series still needs to find the right balance between depth and instant fun, but this is proof that Koei is getting closer to the elusive formula with each sequel. [May 2005, p.106]

Unfortunately, the difference between what Crystal Dynamics wanted to do with Snowblind and the finished product is a crevasse that good intentions fall well short of bridging, leaving the game lying in a Wile E. Coyote-style could of dust at the bottom. [March 2005, p.110]

It’s good stuff, but not good enough to keep you playing for long without having to stifle a few yawns. What you’re looking at here is your standard hack-and-slash adventure that’s been brightened up with some impressive visuals. [March 2005, p.116]

With the unique interface proving both innovative and obstructive, a bit of the original’s spark has been lost in translation. [Feb 2005, p.88]

The more you play, the more it becomes obvious that this is more than a case of shattered hopes. There are some serious issues concerning gameplay and enjoyment that leave this Star Fox game a fair way short of its predecessors. [Apr 2005, p.92]

The brutality of the battles is Shadow Of Rome’s saviour, ensuring the joys of arena battles outshine the gloom of the needless padding and provide guilty thrills that little else can offer. [Feb 2005, p.95]

It’s an unparalleled mess of a game that manages top bore and anger in equal measure, exhibiting the occasional glimmer of a good idea only to snatch it away and laugh in your face. [Apr 2005, p.116]

It still feels so right.. Sketchy music and coconut-sized pixels are a small price to pay for the chance to dabble with one of the finest two-dimensional beat-‘em-ups ever made. [Aug 2005, p.107]

The almost endless number of weapon, item and location combinations created by its randomly generated environments means you’ll never quite know what lies ahead, while the quest-led action and multiplayer functionality - particularly online - are compelling enough to keep you hooked for hours. [Apr 2005, p.108]

We'd struggle to think of a developer that does better-quality FMV than Oddworld Inhabitants; we've seen tangible, real-life things that don't look as convincing as some of the clips in this game. [Feb 2005, p.98]

As simple and addictive a puzzle game as we’ve seen in recent years, Zoo Keeper’s transition onto a handheld platform like the DS couldn’t have been more of a success. Tetris for the next generation? It’s certainly a close call. [Apr 2005, p.94]

The Punisher does exactly what it sets out to do. Picking up the controller gives immediate access to a theatre of death and destruction, and while originality is gunned down at some point during the first few levels, there’s plenty of fun to be had, especially for fans of the comic. [March 2005, p.106]

The Punisher does exactly what it sets out to do. Picking up the controller gives immediate access to a theatre of death and destruction, and while originality is gunned down at some point during the first few levels, there's plenty of fun to be had, especially for fans of the comic. [March 2005, p.106]

For fans of the franchise it’s got everything you’d expect on a basic level – outlandish characters, a well-told story and a selection of mini-games and extras – but with little effort to break new ground or extend its appeal outside a crowd familiar with names like Pahn, Gremmio and Viktor, Suikoden IV simply doesn’t seem like a 2005 release. [March 2005, p.100]

It’s an immense letdown – so much so that the first few hours of play are filled with disbelief, as players are forced to lower their expectations with each new disappointment...The Getaway: Black Monday should be avoided by all but the most fervent lovers of mediocrity. [Christmas 2004, p.112]

From start to finish, Resident Evil 4 exudes class and polish. Capcom has seemingly stopped at nothing in the crafting of every aspect of the presentation, from overall feel to a staggering attention to detail, and the result is not only one of the most beautiful GameCube games to date but one of the best-looking titles of this generation. [March 2005, p.92]

Explosions certain are fun, to a point, but when that point is all a game has to offer we just can’t help wanting something else. [March 2005, p.108]

In creating the Minish Cap, Capcom has managed to bring back feelings we haven't experienced since the first time we went adventuring with Link; considering those are the feelings that made us love Zelda in the first place, that can only be a good thing.

Explosions certain are fun, to a point, but when that point is all a game has to offer we just can't help wanting something else. [March 2005, p.108]

It doesn't matter how many explosions or missiles you cram into a mech game, it will still remain a product for a niche audience. Mechassault 2: Lone Wolf may have more to appeal to the mainstream gaming community than the average title in the genre but it's still a mech game. [Feb 2005, p.90]

Every detail - from locations and dates right down to individual tanks' weak points and reload times - has been made as realistic as possible... For those looking to recreate the progress of an Allied soldier at this harrowing, historic event, this is probably as close as you're going to get. [Oct 2004, p.106]

Games like these succeed because they suck the player into a virtual world of their own creation and never let them go. Football manager does so in spectacular style. [Christmas 2004, p.104]

By trying so hard to justify exciting new uses for the DS's touch screen, NST has forgotten such crucial elements as a rear view mirror or the ability to track your opponents on each map.

Chain Of Memories' biggest problem is the repetitive nature of most of the rooms. In order to build up anything that even resembles a decent set of cards you'll need to repeat fights countless times to earn Moogle Points and experience, and the relatively limited number of different Heartless in each area can make this something of a chore.

The sheer scale of some of the battles is awe-inspiring, and with the same resource collection and unit creation system as the popular C&C games at the core of it all, there’s little fuss and you’ll be confidently laying siege to Helms Deep after just a few hours. [Jan 2005, p.109]

It's fair to say that the fans have once again been spoilt by such a magnificent offering. There's not even a hint of disappointment here. [Feb 2005, p.112]

Feeling somewhat bland against some of its predecessors, Mario Party 6's games come off as lacking in skill, not to mention creativity; the coating may look different, but the core concepts are incredibly repetitive. [Feb 2005, p.106]

The GBA does a great job of keeping up with the arcade version. Graphically it impresses, with tons of sprites and gunfire lighting up the screen (a bonus for non-SP owners) although the sound can be a little squelchy. [Jan 2005, p.100]

No matter how hard you search, there's little here that wasn't done by StarCraft, Age of Empires or any other recent RTS... There's no worthy inovation here to raise this above any other title. [Jan 2005, p.114]

You get the impression that "The Sands of Time" was just a warm-up for the main event, a game that's familiar at first but soon reveals a level of imagination beyond that of the original, and displays as little room for error as one of the Prince's most daring acrobatic leaps. [Christmas 2004, p.100]

You get the impression that "The Sands of Time" was just a warm-up for the main event, a game that’s familiar at first but soon reveals a level of imagination beyond that of the original, and displays as little room for error as one of the Prince’s most daring acrobatic leaps. [Christmas 2004, p.100]

A brave sequel that tries a little too hard... Its lack of accessibility will annoy "Rainbow Six 3" die-hards, while the new direction will leave fans of the original feeling rather cold. [Christmas 2004, p.102]

You get the impression that "The Sands of Time" was just a warm-up for the main event, a game that's familiar at first but soon reveals a level of imagination beyond that of the original, and displays as little room for error as one of the Prince's most daring acrobatic leaps. [Christmas 2004, p.100]

You get the impression that "The Sands of Time" was just a warm-up for the main event, a game that's familiar at first but soon reveals a level of imagination beyond that of the original, and displays as little room for error as one of the Prince's most daring acrobatic leaps. [Christmas 2004, p.100]

Outlaw Golf 2 is actually a great game, but wading through the cut-scenes and commentary is hard work unless your sense of humour stopped developing when you were 15. [Jan 2005, p.115]

Forts Under Siege might have enough reward on offer but the series is still relying on gamers to meet it halfway by investing ample time and patience in learning its demanding intricacies. [Dec 2004, p.112]

If this is only the beginning of what this newly imagined Azeroth has to offer, we can see ourselves living there for a very long time. [Apr 2005, p.98]

Alien Hominid is a joyful experience, an unashamedly simple game that makes you want to play until you can't feel your hands anymore... The perfect budget game. [Jan 2005, p.104]

We're cataclysmically disappointed that Rogue Agent even exists. Just when it seemed like EA had pulled its socks up and become a real unstoppable force with games to match its resources, we get this ' perhaps the most cynical and cobbled-together excuse for a key release we've ever seen. [Christmas 2004, p.111]

Pirates! Is a challenging and rewarding open-ended adventure... what better than a game that let’s you write your own pirate-filled legacy. [Jan 2005, p.118]

We're cataclysmically disappointed that Rogue Agent even exists. Just when it seemed like EA had pulled its socks up and become a real unstoppable force with games to match its resources, we get this ' perhaps the most cynical and cobbled-together excuse for a key release we've ever seen. [Christmas 2004, p.111]

We're cataclysmically disappointed that Rogue Agent even exists. Just when it seemed like EA had pulled its socks up and become a real unstoppable force with games to match its resources, we get this ' perhaps the most cynical and cobbled-together excuse for a key release we've ever seen. [Christmas 2004, p.111]

Alien Hominid is a joyful experience, an unashamedly simple game that makes you want to play until you can’t feel your hands anymore... The perfect budget game. [Jan 2005, p.104]

By far the most pleasing aspect of Super Mario 64 DS is the consistent quality of the new mini-games, with the bombs and the catapult game adding something to dip into alongside the lure of the main adventure itself. [Jan 2005, p.121]

Capcom has provided a sequel that surpasses its predecessor in every way. There are few games that are as stylish and playable, and this is tough enough to challenge even the most dextrous gamer. In short – Viewtiful. [Jan 2005, p.96]

While certain recent games handle storytelling better than this, there remains a certain charm and magic about Snake Eater that just can't be found in titles without Kojima's Midas touch. It's a game that nobody else would dare make and that works for and against it.

Basically a GameBoy Advance Urbz re-release in all but name. That version had its flaws so releasing the same game with a few minor additions isn’t going to fool anyone. [Jan 2005, p.121]

Deep and rewarding, if physically a little uncomfortable to play on the DS, this game will set the tone for future EA titles. [Jan 2005, p.121]

It bears all the hallmarks of a game rushed to meet a deadline and its refusal to use the touch screen is the biggest faux pas a launch game can commit on the DS. [Jan 2005, p.121]

The atmosphere is electric, the sense of making tiny in-roads to solve a great problem as satisfying as it is frustrating... Spark never allows you to forget that outside the restrictive confines of the first-person viewpoint there’s a much, much bigger fight going on involving thousands of men. [Jan 2005, p.110]

It’s almost as though Jam can’t decide what kind of fighting game it wants to be, thanks to a dramatic clash of styles in terms of both combat and visuals. [March 2005, p.118]

This represents an unusual and attention-grabbing way for Sonic Team and Sega to make their entrances on a new platform and will succeed among the initial batch of launch games. [Jan 2005, p.121]

Full credit to Vicarious Visions for creating a whole new game instead of porting the GameBoy Advance version to the DS but, unfortunately, it’s hard to tell what it achieved by doing so. [Jan 2005, p.121]

The atmosphere is electric, the sense of making tiny in-roads to solve a great problem as satisfying as it is frustrating... Spark never allows you to forget that outside the restrictive confines of the first-person viewpoint there's a much, much bigger fight going on involving thousands of men. [Jan 2005, p.110]

A brave sequel that tries a little too hard... Its lack of accessibility will annoy "Rainbow Six 3" die-hards, while the new direction will leave fans of the original feeling rather cold. [Christmas 2004, p.102]

Cross-breeds cats and pigs with great success... The whole experience is one that at no point takes itself seriously and the gorgeous cartoon world of the first game returns shinier than ever, complete with similarly insane bouncy tunes. [Jan 2005, p.102]

Having heard the energetic and emotional Japanese voice-over, the US equivalent is a huge letdown, being cheesy and devoid of any real emotion. This criticism aside, though, Baten Kaitos is a refreshing and sumptuous RPG. [Jan 2005, p.106]

The atmosphere is electric, the sense of making tiny in-roads to solve a great problem as satisfying as it is frustrating... Spark never allows you to forget that outside the restrictive confines of the first-person viewpoint there's a much, much bigger fight going on involving thousands of men. [Jan 2005, p.110]

Unfortunately, the extras and vehicle customisation can’t change the fact that the actual racing feels very average. The tracks seem to be more winding than the last game, which detracts from the feeling of speed, and the handling feels very sloppy when compared to other recent games in the genre. [Christmas 2004, p.117]

Unfortunately, the extras and vehicle customisation can't change the fact that the actual racing feels very average. The tracks seem to be more winding than the last game, which detracts from the feeling of speed, and the handling feels very sloppy when compared to other recent games in the genre. [Christmas 2004, p.117]

All the style and playability of the first Prime title is here, while the new weapons, suits and combat system provide enough of a new experience to enjoy it all over again. Fair enough, it doesn't evoke the same reaction this time around... but that doesn't prevent it from being a damn fine game that should be played by all. [Christmas 2004, p.92]

Sure, it's all beautifully put together, and you'll be hard pushed to find an adventure-lite world as well realised as here... However, despite all the creative effort Jak 3 is exactly the sum of its parts, and feels all the more underwhelming because of it. [Christmas 2004, p.118]

The Urbz feels like a step back for the franchise; despite EA's efforts to bring gamers a "console exclusive' there's not a lot on offer here. Fans won't find anything new, but newcomers may well discover the pleasure of the series and seek out EA's back catalogue of simulated lifestyles. [Christmas 2004, p.114]

Unfortunately, the extras and vehicle customisation can’t change the fact that the actual racing feels very average. The tracks seem to be more winding than the last game, which detracts from the feeling of speed, and the handling feels very sloppy when compared to other recent games in the genre. [Christmas 2004, p.117]

While this is unlikely to attract a new EyeToy audience, the post-pub contingent that plays games for the enjoyment rather than a desire to excel will lap it up - provided, that is, their fitness levels are up to the challenge. [May 2005, p.110]

Bungie has managed to whittle away many of the elements we felt uncomfortable with in the original game (specifically some dull level design and unappealing multiplayer), as well as adding enough polish to make Halo 2's gameplay shine... As a sequel that's good enough to convert even those who didn't enjoy the original title, we doubt anyone could have asked for anything more. [Christmas 2004, p.122]

The Urbz feels like a step back for the franchise; despite EA's efforts to bring gamers a 'console exclusive' there's not a lot on offer here. Fans won't find anything new, but newcomers may well discover the pleasure of the series and seek out EA's back catalogue of simulated lifestyles. [Christmas 2004, p.114]

The Urbz feels like a step back for the franchise; despite EA's efforts to bring gamers a 'console exclusive' there's not a lot on offer here. Fans won't find anything new, but newcomers may well discover the pleasure of the series and seek out EA's back catalogue of simulated lifestyles. [Christmas 2004, p.114]

By design, you’d expect any MMORPG to offer you a wealth of layers to delve through during the days, weeks and months that you exist within it; even by these standards, though, Everquest II’s scope is almost beyond compare. [Jan 2005, p.98]

The city-building genre has been crying out for a boost, which is what Children Of The Nile delivers. Unlike many games of this ilk, it caters for both micro- and macro-management, allowing for as series of small challenges to take place within a much bigger story arc. [March 2005, p.120]

With so much going on, getting any enjoyment out of the multiplayer modes is far too much work and the simple, fun aspect found in titles like Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour and Mario Kart: Double Dash!! has been replaced by, well, clutter. [Jan 2005, p.112]

It might be derivative in many ways, but there's a certain charm to the low-rent Futurama antics of the Ratchet & Clank universe: it knows its audience and panders to it without shame, scooping up a disparate medley of platforming/shooting tasks and weaving them all into a quietly epic narrative framework. [Christmas 2004, p.106]

While Killzone is fairly satisfying, with suitably gung-ho action, there's never any variation, meaning what seems fun becomes wearisome after an hour or so. [Christmas 2004, p.96]

Sadly, the adventure itself is far too linear; there’s little in the way of side-quests, and you have no freedom over where you go or what you do. If you can overlook this, though, The Third Age does mix a neat battle system with a great franchise to provide a surprisingly enjoyable adventure. [Dec 2004, p.107]

To anyone who knows their Kitty Ns from their Knittys, Technic Beat is a simplistic delight that constantly surprises with quality and entertainment far beyond what its budget price would suggest. [Sept 2005, p.116]

Unfortunately, the measures included to make the four-way fighting work - the inclusion of a ‘turn around’ button, for example - mean that with anything less than three players, Isuka is all but redundant. [Aug 2005, p.104]

Sadly, the adventure itself is far too linear; there's little in the way of side-quests, and you have no freedom over where you go or what you do. If you can overlook this, though, The Third Age does mix a neat battle system with a great franchise to provide a surprisingly enjoyable adventure. [Dec 2004, p.107]

Sadly, the adventure itself is far too linear; there's little in the way of side-quests, and you have no freedom over where you go or what you do. If you can overlook this, though, The Third Age does mix a neat battle system with a great franchise to provide a surprisingly enjoyable adventure. [Dec 2004, p.107]

Your legacy will be as twisted, as exciting or as brutal as your imagination will allow... San Andreas is an experience as unique as you are. Sometimes, it’s okay to believe the hype. [Christmas 2004, p.98]

The problems that are here don't detract from the fascinatingly hardcore option to leave the Career mode behind and create your own park in the Sandbox mode without constraints of time and money... And whilst it's immensely hard to get this right, it's massively satisfying when you do. [Christmas 2004, p.120]

It's doubtful that anyone is hard-hearted enough to not instantly fall in love with the cylindrical, part-watermelon drum dog that acts as your host, and his equally bizarre pals all do a superb job of dancing around in a distracting manner as you attempt to pump out an amazingly complex drum solo. [Oct 2004, p.111]

The problem really lies with the game being far too stilted and linear, shunting players from one mission to the next without giving them much choice in the matter. In drawing the game back to its rawest roots, Rockstar has done the series an injustice by taking one step back too many. [Christmas 2004, p.116]

As good as your broadband connection... When everything in Dead or Alive Ultimate works, it's worth an eight, possibly even a nine. However, when it doesn't, you're looking at a five. [March 2005, p.98]