The whole thing smacks of laziness - of the 12 missions, we count a total of four completely new ones...the annoying thing is that Contracts is an enjoyable game; that IQ had the cheek to crib from its previous work almost doesn't matter when the result is still worth playing. [June 2004, p.98]

Toca 2 lacks the ambition and verve found elsewhere in the genre... Uneventful jaunts down the middle of the road just don't excite us anymore. [May 2004, p.102]

As a celebration of the FPS genre's base instincts, Painkiller crosses the finishing line in first place; anything more than that and it doesn't even make it out of the blocks. [June 2004, p.100]

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]

It might not sound like much of a change, but the shift of focus into multiplayer territory is quite enough to make Wario Ware appealing all over again. [May 2004, p.108]

Each confrontation is generally exactly the same and victory is sometimes dependent on whether the irritating catch-up AI decides to beat you or not. [Oct 2004, p.120]

The confines of boxing itself impose some limitation in areas such as variation but, in taking this genre from a dead end to the cutting edge of gameplay authenticity, Fight Night is an absolute triumph. [May 2004, p.104]

Each confrontation is generally exactly the same and victory is sometimes dependent on whether the irritating catch-up AI decides to beat you or not. [Oct 2004, p.120]

Despite ticking all the correct boxes Arenas lacks any synergy between components, making it the "Turok Evolution" of racing sequels. [Feb 2004, p.123]

Admittedly, the classes and jobs have been wonderfully balanced to make large parties fit together perfectly but this is no excuse for making solo play so difficult for anything but the toughest classes and so distinctly unrewarding. [Oct 2004, p.114]

Treading a fine line between jaw-dropping realism and high-res synthetic sheen, you can't help but be impressed by the composition of the environments, and if your PC is speedy enough you're in for a real treat. [Apr 2004, p.92]

Patience is still a virtue, and fans of mindless action titles should still give Splinter Cell a wide berth. Unless you're partial to a little online gaming, that is. Put simply, Pandora Tommorrow's multiplayer takes your breath away. [Apr 2004, p.108]

Patience is still a virtue, and fans of mindless action titles should still give Splinter Cell a wide berth. Unless you're partial to a little online gaming, that is. Put simply, Pandora Tommorrow's multiplayer takes your breath away. [Apr 2004, p.108]

If you've ever so much as seen an Unreal Tournament game, you'll know what to expect here and, thanks to the addition of vehicles, modes and maps galore, this clearly represents the culmination of genre evolution thus far. [May 2004, p.108]

If only Namco had put a bit more variation into the actual content of the game instead of placing all the emphasis on the innovative interface, this might have been more than just a good starting point for the future. [July 2004, p.117]

The game has made an incredibly successful transition into glorious 3D. This lavish graphical overhaul brings the quaint village of Forget-Me-Not and its quirky residents to life superbly and exudes a hypnotically tranquil ambience that epitomises the ideology of the series. [May 2004, p.120]

Despite blinding us with pretty visuals and spot-on gameplay, there was always a nagging feeling that Inferno couldn't keep it up for long. And we were right … there's nothing to stop you tearing through this in a couple of hours. [May 2004, p.114]

The fact that 1942 was such an enjoyable title means the gameplay's already a proven factor, but combine this with all the other new goodness you get for your money... and you get a game that really entertains, albeit in a fashion that some of us might well have seen before. [Apr 2004, p.102]

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]

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]

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]

It's not that this is a bad game, but to ignore the more important elements of gameplay in order to add more gratuitous elements to the cauldron is unforgivable, and in that sense The Suffering is most similar to Soldier of Fortune II and the like. [June 2004, p.123]

It's not that this is a bad game, but to ignore the more important elements of gameplay in order to add more gratuitous elements to the cauldron is unforgivable, and in that sense The Suffering is most similar to Soldier of Fortune II and the like. [June 2004, p.123]

Worthy, but better if you're new to the series. If it's just nostalgia you're after … you could probably pick up the original …- it won't be pretty, but it will be a similar experience. [Apr 2004, p.98]

Handling and pop-up have been pretty much fixed, but in exchange we're greeted with a problematic multiplayer mode, some annoying graphical glitches and several other elements that perhaps wouldn't grate so much if Colin McRae 3 hadn't already tested the next-generation water. [Oct 2003, p.110]

It's with some remorse that we bestow upon it a fairly low score, but don't let it fool you... anyone with the means to play Lifeline shouldn't let a chance to sample this unique title pass them by. [July 2004, p.114]

A breathtaking romp that juxtaposes superbly implemented combat with intrusive CGI cut-scenes and the sort of archaic puzzles that would make the "Resident Evil" franchise proud. [May 2004, p.96]

The whole tone of the game has shifted; it's no longer a community, just a vast gladiatorial arena. [Aug 2004, p.118]