Captures the 16-big feel, but falls short. [July 2018, p.83]

Horror muted by brevity and flat atmosphere... Imitating teen-horror movies is a novel idea, but duplicating their running time and feeble horror leaves the game wanting. [Nov 2004, p.106]

TFUII feels like a series of unfulfilled and broken promises that could kill the franchise, even for Star Wars fans. [Christmas 2010, p.92]

The 'new' simplicity makes for a fun and fast game that, courtesy of the excellent passing system and decent AI, finds a firm balance between real football and the arcade fun of a five-minute kick about. [June 2004, p.120]

It’s one thing to put out a punishing game, but quite another to punish players for no good reason.

We'll be waiting for Phantasy Star Zero to see if that instead can re-awaken the RPG magic the series once held above all others. [June 2009, p.116]

Ultimately, Happy Home Designer feels more like a mini-game from a main Animal Crossing title, albeit one that controls like a dream. As a cheaper eShop release designed to spark interest in collecting the cards it would have been fine, but as a full price game its one-trick-pony style is far too repetitive for some.

A package with some technical issues and a generally very shallow feel. [Christmas 2011, p.108]

More than any other tweak, Costume Quest is in dire need of an alternate progression mechanic. Sure, ticking off all front doors is authentic, but lends the title a stale air. [Christmas 2010, p.120]

Re:coded is content to meander, offering only patronising tweaks to what we once enjoyed about the youngster-friendly mash-up franchise. [Issue#105, p.112]

It’s difficult to label Go! Go! Break Steady’s use of two genres as a hybrid, because the rhythm–action and puzzle elements sit side by side, rather than one informing the other in any inventive way. [Oct 2008, p.121]

Not implementing any kind of reward system at all is surely a huge oversight. [Dec 2007, p.133]

Tries and fails to replicate Inside's brilliance. [Issue#190, p.78]

One of the most frustrating aspects is the unbalanced difficulty curve. You’re thrust into some tough and often unfair opening levels, only to find the challenge dropping dramatically as you progress deeper into the admittedly enjoyable storyline. [Sept 2004, p.116]

If Sony Cambridge had placed as much emphasis on the gameplay mechanics as it had recreating the show’s style, then 24: The Game would have been an excellent action title. [Apr 2006, p.102]

Sometimes, such fondly remembered franchises can be revived to stand alongside contemporary greats, simultaneously satisfying our younger selves and our more demanding modern expectations. Sadly, despite Stainless Games’ best efforts to recapture the wacky allure of the 1997 original, Carmageddon: Reincarnation is not one of those games.

A fun game ruined by poor implementation. [Issue#190, p.79]

Played with the face buttons though, this becomes a competent Virtua Tennis clone with a decent selection of shots, and great animation, but a clone that reveals its weaknesses over time. [Jan 2007, p.116]

By trying to compete in the 'ultimate first-person shooter' squabble, many a title finds its grasp underplayed by its reach. The beauty of Serious Sam is its totally nonchalent attitude towards the genre and the way it plays what could be seen as its weakest card as its strength. [June 2004, p.109]

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]

It’s a perfectly playable game, but a frankly boring one that quickly becomes a chore to play. [Christmas 2008, p.102]

There are worse wrestling games out there. At least Rumble Roses is solid, if you can put up with its general silliness. [June 2006, p.114]

If you were piecing together the ultimate stereotypical PC game, our guess is that the end result would look a lot like Spellforce. [Christmas 2003, p.127]

We won't be playing Unit 13 repeatedly. [Issue#120, p.98]

By not creating one big stage where all the tables are connected, plus bonus screens and integrated challenges, these high-score tables become quite tiresome. [Jan 2009, p.109]

There's just not enough to do besides the main tasks to justify stealing the GTA concept ... the distinct lack of content reduces the amount of enjoyment you'll get out of it. Better than you'd think, but still very basic. [Nov 2003, p.118]

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]

Heavy on parlour tricks but lacking any real substance. [Issue#136, p.112]