Not very welcoming but presented well. [Sept 2011, p.101]

Not enough going on up there. [Sept 2011, p.102]

A fine idea, paradoxically lacking in execution. [Aug 2015, p.97]

Uncompromising and dedicated to the art of driving. This one's only for genre fans. [Nov 2016, p.81]

Compellingly creepy and narratively stimulating, but poorly served by its puzzles. [April 2017, p.84]

Fun in furious bursts, Ubisoft's scrapper is simply too one-note to honour its potential. [April 2017, p.86]

Classic IQ test with an animated overhaul. [March 2013, p.89]

Ultimately, the game lacks any real impact, feeling a bit like a gutted "Rogue Leader," but from moment to moment you'll find yourself having a great time. [Oct 2007, p.92]

Fine combat, badly balanced. [Dec 2012, p.103]

It's certainly a riot of a shooter that encourages you to get out there and blast away rather than cry behind cover, but it's lasting appeal is diminished by a lack of depth and some flimsy level design.

With a bit of fine-tuning, Powerslide could be a championship contender. As it stands, it's still a few tweaks away from being truly race-ready.

Another failed idea is the ability to pick up items littering the different districts and use them as weapons. [June 2007, p.93]

A unique but flawed puzzle game set in a world that is never less than engaging.

For match-three nutters only. [Jan 2010, p.115]

Bright and fun, but feels a bit 'budget'.

A lighter experience than perhaps the developer intended - which is a bit of a shame.

From then on you’re bashing various robots, giant lizards and zooming through the streets of Metropolis – the flying is easily the most fun element – trying to keep the city’s health up by rescuing injured civilians (which is hugely boring), while cutscenes tell you what Lex Luthor’s doing somewhere else in the city.

A distinctly Japanese take on an irrevocably inscrutable cultural milestone, grab it from your nearest bargain bin for those sniggersome one-liners alone. [Issue#67, p.101]

Temporarily interesting.

Syndicate feels like a deeply average game in a cunning, expensive disguise. Stare at the screenshots and you'll wonder how something that looks so slick can be as disappointing as it is.

Better than Episode 1, but still not great. [Christmas 2008, p.98]

Quirky, funny and colorful, Root Beer Tapper is both cheeky and challenging and a cheap distraction on a Wednesday night. [Feb 2007, p.101]

A conspiracy barely worth uncovering.

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith isn't terrible; it's just by no means an essential addition to the series. Hardcore fans will be left feeling short-changed when it comes to the complete band experience, while others will wish they could buy the support tracks as DLC.

Average racer with smart tech. [Apr 2010, p.101]

If you want to spend that much time perfecting your balance and looking silly, you can buy a real skateboard for much less.

More tedious the longer you play. [June 2016, p.82]

Crimson Dragon entertains most when it's the power fantasy it wants to be - when you're mopping up streams of curious beasts from an early level, with credits and items flying into your backpack as you 100% a level. When you're beset, besieged, and bullied by streams of incoming missiles, you feel cheated rather than challenged, and the beckoning gem shop makes the process feel dirty.