The average gamer will find that they’re left with a game that fails to meet the standards set by Diamond and Pearl, and sticks far too rigidly to the ideas found in the original Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. [Sept 2008, p.123]

Solid beginner game, but perhaps too casual. [Issue#105, p.85]

While the charming characters, stellar voice acting and cutscenes are all great, it's just not enough. [Issue#189, p.78]

Second Sight's fair share of nice touches (such as weapons handling and level design) demonstrate terrific attention to detail. It's a shame, then, that these minor good points seem to be offset by the game's failings in several more important areas. [Oct 2004, p.110]

Anyone willing to overlook the boring cut-scenes, dated graphics, and god-awful main character will find dozens of hours of fairly generic JRPG value in Tales Of Symphonia: Dawn Of The New World. [Jan 2009, p.112]

Its puzzles are unlikely to engage your intelligence or imagination at a particularly deep level, but that might not matter, as Escape Plan's personality might just win you over anyway. [Issue#120, p.114]

With a little more substance it could have achieved something greater, but as it stands we’ll be looking to Far Cry 2’s release later in the year to satiate out non-linear jungle needs. [Nov 2008, p.108]

Despite its good ideas, Nuclear Dawn's rough edges, particularly on the FPS side, mean curious players will check it out, but they might not stay for long. [Nov 2011, p.104]

It's to Croteam's credit that Serious Sam II manages to stay interesting for as long as it does, thanks to the weird enemy design and tight levels keeping the pace from slacking. [Dec 2005, p.112]

Battlefront II is fan service and little else; much respect to the craft, the attention to detail and the wealth of content, but sadly it just isn't enough. It's starting to feel as if Star Wars simply isn't a franchise suitable for this type of sprawling, large-scale multiplayer experience. It doesn't have it in its bones, and if DICE can't find a way to make it work, we're fearful nobody can. [Issue#195, p.72]

It’s easy to see a new franchise in Ryse; one that could potentially rival God Of War if it maintains the momentum of the latter half of the campaign. However, the gameplay is so rote and uninspired that it merely hints at a more robust and rewarding experience that it fails to deliver. Ultimately, it makes for a few hours of passing entertainment, but it’s certainly not one for the history books.

While it may only just escape mediocrity, Deadly Creatures is entertaining enough to keep you playing until the end. [Mar 2009, p.122]

Even with its overly ambitious new 'Off The Ball' interface the FIFA series is still a long way from capturing the true essence of the beautiful game. [Dec 2003, p.127]

Fun, heroic stuff, especially for younger players. [Issue#195, p.74]

While the game mechanics are solid enough, the Street methods and ideals simply don't work when transferred basketball to American football. Gamebreakers are now far too effective, basically giving guaranteed points rather than the more balanced advantage of "NBA Street." [Feb 2004, p.117]

There's something wrong with a genre where self-parody is interchangeable with inspiration. [Issue#96, p.120]

While the sequel doesn’t exactly surpass the original, it’s at least a fair crack at the boxing genre…Shame it’s still not as good as EA’s "Fight Night." [Nov 2004, p.119]

A fun game marred by bizarre design choices. [Issue#168, p.93]

This isn’t the best Mega Man game ever made, but those with the patience to tolerate the game’s flawed attempt to add depth to the series will find an enjoyable shooter underneath. [Aug 2007, p.122]

It’s a game that will fit in at any party or family home, but it’s a shame that because of the simple fact it isn’t packed in with the console it won’t necessarily find its audience. For those that pick it up, that first time through, with new people – it’s genuinely magic. After that, there’s little left.

Above all, Remix suffers from many of the same issues that ail all but the PS2 versions of the Tony Hawk’s games - there just aren’t enough buttons. [July 2005, p.110]

The main problem with Karaoke Revolution is one of range, and the list of over 30 songs throws in only a few old favourites among a lot of curveballs. Nevertheless, the technology that drives this is absolutely spot-on and, save for a few niggles, this is a unique gaming experience that shows promise for the future. [Jan 2004, p.121]

It’s a shame that the driving, flying and underwater sections quickly become so dull. There’s a fun game hidden in here – if you don’t mind trudging through a vehicular challenge every now and then.

Beneath lies a pretty average shooter - one that with a little more thought and ambition could have easily been something more memorable. [Nov 2011, p.111]

Four-player superhero co-op is as fun as it sounds, but ultimately Alliance is a fanboy’s game and little else. [Apr 2007, p.131]

There's a lot to like in BioWare's latest, but the sad truth is that even before the halfway point you'll have seen pretty much everything the game has to offer, several times over in many cases. [Issue#107, p.86]

Despite a veritable host of respectable changes and additions, this still can't live up to the standards of the original game. An improvement over the last console effort, but with so much more potential than is actually realised, Bustin' Out still disappoints a little. [Christmas 2003, p.126]

Too much show and tell, not enough to do. [Issue#168, p.100]