Acceptable, but like a photo of the Mona Lisa rather than the real thing. [Nov 2004]

It's not all bad - a few neat touches will bring a tear to old-skoolers' eyes, such as the random random generator for invasion battle odds. It's not enough to wow those spoilt by "Civ IV," though. [Apr 2006, p.95]

The most perverse thing though is that the most enjoyable moments have little to do with Tokien or his wonderfully overactive imagination; it's much more to do with Turbine's ability to knock out a compelling MMO experience. [June 2007, p.56]

For the second time in as many series, the fourth episode is by far the best. [May 2008, p.114]

Like "Pirates!" in space, but not as good as that suggests. [Oct 2005, p.92]

Tron 2.0 is shockingly flawed. Given that there are so many good ideas – the skill system, the gorgeous and unique textureless neon design, the mistakes are that much more upsetting.

Tailor-made to please its boy-racer target audience, but if you want more sophistication in your racing go back to GRID. [Dec 2009, p.93]

There’s little new that stands out in Icewind Dale II to recommend it. There's a lacks the style and emphasis on story that characterises the genre’s best.

Played the original? Then you'll probably enjoy this. [June 2005, p.92]

Plenty of depth and enough diplomacy to hold the attention, but it'll be too ponderous for some and too ugly for others. [Mar 2007, p.76]

To all intents and purposes, this game is identical to "Football Manager." The difference is while Brits understand the beautiful game, we haven't a clue about ice hockey. [Aug 2005, p.95]

Essentially more Sam and Max. [Jan 2008, p.73]

If, however, you've played Myst before and hated it for its slow pace, its limited movement and the distinct lack of (perceived) gameplay, then this new version will do nothing to change your mind. [Dec 2004, p.88]

Unfortunately, what with this being a simulator, the faster you go, the more difficult the flying becomes. [Christmas 2007, p.67]

Shiny graphics and slick production can’t hide the tedium.

An amiable enough RPG, once you escape the first two hours, but it's let down by an appalling translation and glitchy combat. [Christmas 2007, p.58]

Assuming that the humour clicks with you. This is a first episode as awesome as the Bad of Much Strong himself. [Nov 2008, p.109]

Evolution doesn't happen, according to this particular history book. [Dec 2005, p.98]

Inevitably anticlimactic. But there are a few smiles within. [Dec 2006, p.115]

Defense Grid is fun while it lasts, but won't last you very long. [Feb 2009, p.101]

The puzzle elements are more like extremely simple exercises that you have to complete, rather than challenging problems that need solving, and the same is sadly true for the strategy.

There are no real uprisings to be found in THe Warchiefs' colonies. [Christmas 2006, p.102]

The main problem though is that this one features too much aimless wandering, and nothing like enough danger or excitement. [Mar 2008, p.109]

This game is most definitely not one for the faint-hearted; the sheer scale of the beast is truly something to behold. [May 2006, p.97]

Ample proof that thinking men are welcome in the modern army.

It's simply a tale of new areas and new monsters to left-click on with whatever over-powered kill-stick you have in your inventory. [Apr 2007, p.66]

The adamantium claws sure are sharp, but are they really all you have? [Christmas 2005, p.96]

Tries to include facets of two genres, and feels confused and compromised. [May 2006, p.94]

Daft idea, but the basic game does all you'd wish for. [Apr 2005, p.113]

This prison lies in a qualitative limbo. The monsters are gorgeous bundles of slime and metal; the atmosphere is dense and layered; it can, on occasion, give you real heebie jeebies. [Aug 2004, p.85]

A neat platformer that misses the final leap to triumph. [Oct 2005, p.98]

While certainly more approachable than its US Election themed follow-up "Political Machine," TCM is a much older game and really doesn't have the same smoothness or fun value. [March 2005, p.113]

The visuals have lost their lustre in the transition from 2D. Instead of being the studious girl who had her own style who you always fancied, it’s turned into the bubble gum-chewing underachiever who, when she opens her mouth, spouts the worst kind of gutter drawl.

it is more a final sad swansong then a 21-gun salute. [Dec 2005 p.88]

A bona fide labour of love that evidently had the blinkers on.

Come on EA, give us something new to write about with your next release. [Jan 2005, p.90]

When blowing up a car by dropping a boat on it becomes boring, you know there's something fundamentally wrong. [July 2010, p.94]

We admit that the dynamic has changed. Weaponry feels less accurate, the maps are smaller, though we don’t see the inherent problem in that. It’s true you can no longer hear the enemy’s footsteps, but this isn’t a fatal oversight.

It's a better game than last month's "Moai Better Blues," if only because the ever insufferable Bosco is missing in action. [Apr 2008, p.113]

Still a rather innovative concept, but the sequel doesn't add anything new enough to the mix to make it a must buy. [Aug 2009, p.94]

The format of these games gets more and more tired with each new franchise, too. [Sept 2010, p.104]

It’s a strangely deflating experience. There’s the bare bones of a good title here, and as a FPS, Elite Force II does dish up some satisfying action. It’s certainly an improvement on the first instalment. But it should have been far more than a game fighting to get out of the paper bag, rather than one that was ultimately suffocated by its own franchise.

It's as repetitive and automatic as running in with the shotgun was in Doom 3. This joke isn't funny any more. [June 2005, p.90]

Familiar and frivolous, let down by respawning enemies spoiling the fun. And did we mention atrocious vehicles? [Aug 2008, p.96]

The zombie chopping is great fun, but Capcom hasn't put enough effort into making it look and feel like a proper PC game. [Issue#245, p.104]

Fun with friends, but folds like a nervous poker player in single play. Genuine chances need to be taken for the threequel to succeed. [May 2008, p.102]

An interesting campaign and siege capability give it an edge, and the abilities of the troops and handsome locations pull it up over the average RTS, but it’s more Gibbon than Plutarch. If you’re a strat addict with a penchant for heavy armour, or a classical scholar, then you’ll love it. Others might as well wait for "Rome: Total War."

Great sound and visuals, but unremittingly repetitive gameplay. [July 2006, p.101]

Minor tweaks to a solid but dull money-spinner. [Nov 2005, p.92]

Creativity and gags galore, but we’re too close to falling asleep.

Playing shop is fun and there's enough here for Sim-ophiles. [Apr 2006, p.91]

A mildly diverting shooter that's more concerned with telling its story than retaining the interesting aspects of the original. [Aug 2009, p.92]

Some nice cosmetic effects, new jobs and, er clothes await you the, Sims fans. If you really have to. And we know that some of you do. You sickos. [Apr 2007, p.73]

It's the presentation and numerous glitches that let it down. [June 2010, p.101]

Terrific style... Not that funny. [Jan 2011, p.107]

Tragically, we lost a man. Attempting to play World at War, very sadly, he died of the most painful kind of boredom. [Nov 2005, p.100]

An expansion pack for the C&C fans who still hunger for new units, which adds a forgettable campaign and a minor ocnquest map. [June 2008, p.98]

After a great start, this chapter seriously falls off. [Nov 2009, p.100]

A frustrating experience. [June 2008, p.106]

Claustrophobically restricted by some uninspired level design, and all too often your soldiers are boxed in by clumsy dead ends, making more complex troop manoeuvres virtually impossible. [March 2005, p.109]

A budget game that delivers a budget experience. [Aug 2011, p.102]

Comprehensive, time-consuming and, so long as you've got a passion for all things puck-related, essential. [Aug 2004, p.84]

Harry Potter may posses a certain charm that transcends the generation gap, but don’t expect this game to weave the same magic.

A good addition to Galaxies which will only get better with time. [Christmas 2004, p.114]

The necessity to move between labs to drop off every single new clue and pick up results is more than a little tiresome. [Feb 2005, p.92]

Everything in Northern Strike is fine. None of it, however, is vital. [Apr 2007, p.65]

A schizophrenic game that would have been better-served had it focused on just half of what it sets out to do. [Dec 2009, p.86]

If it’s championship kicks that you’re after, get yourself a copy of "PES 3," because what it lacks in glitz it makes up for tenfold in terms of gameplay. We certainly wouldn’t be seen kicking about with anything else.

Hard to get your head around, and not rewarding even if you stick with it. [Aug 2006, p.96]

A well-executed sim, on the whole, but it lacks genuinely unique features. [June 2006, p.86]

A lazy port of a great game. Do not attempt to play it without a joypad, or you may end up moaning like one of the Spanish zombies. [Apr 2007, p.69]

The production values are far higher than many rivals, and anyone looking back fondly on the RPGs of yesteryear will soon be sucked in. [Feb 2008, p.115]

It just doesn't feel like footie. [Feb 2011, p.107]

A less than appealing rehash of an uninspiring game. [Christmas 2006, p.104]

High seas trading, not hijacks. Passes the time, but gets old fast.

Not strictly a failure, but it is potentially 2008's most disappointing PC game, and will certainly need a hefty post-release patch. [Oct 2008, p.100]

Slightly grotty in parts, but entertaining. [Feb 2005, p.93]

Forward-looking tech, backwards-looking gaming.

A competent example of a PC port and of an RPG, but its obsessions with consumerism dampens the adventure. [Aug 2011, p.100]

The relentlessly brain-dead action gets a bit dull after a while. [Feb 2005, p.85]

Unquestionably the most impressive thoroughly mediocre game you'll play this year - but hardly a religious experience. [Nov 2005, p.98]

Gory and pointless – just one more tedious stealth game.

A bad trip down memory lane - this is the FPS circa 1996 incarnate. [July 2006, p.95]

It is engaging, interesting, and definitely a little bit of a break from the norm. [July 2007, p.71]

A competent shooter that makes the best of its license. Those early 80s cartoons have been suitably honoured. [Sept 2010, p.100]

The challenge of maintaining your reputation in the face of a weak Nile, defending the city from attack and completing the scenarios is gratifying, but there's not really enough here to justify long-term play. [March 2005, p.99]

This is a flawed game, but it's getting better. [Feb 2010, p.95]

Despite its fantastic visualisation of Wonderland, repetitive gameplay means it fails to muster a chortle. [Sept 2011, p.100]

So, there are short bursts of charm, interspersed with long sections of tedium. [Dec 2005 p.89]

Unfortunately, sheer numbers alone are just not enough to set this apart from the competition. [Nov 2005, p.90]

Offers great weapons, a great destruction model...and not enough ways to have fun with them. [July 2011, p.94]

The idea is excellent, but overall a weaker expansion than the first and not as exciting. [July 2010, p.98]

Ultimately, the lack of a convincing "feel," combined with a predictable and rather uninspired selection of weapons mean War World is never going to grasp you by the imagination and shake you with a hydraulic arm until you lie limp and broken. [Oct 2005, p.98]

Neither disastrous nor memorable, which is certainly a disservice to a once-proud Nazi-bashing legacy. [Nov 2009, p.92]

Not as complex, but more focused than "CivCity." For resource geeks only. [Dec 2006, p.112]

It's a fresh idea, more than worth a few of your Earth lunchtimes. [Feb 2009, p.101]

It's a good golf game, admittedly, but it's also unnecessarily ugly. [Dec 2006, p.108]

Tired-looking. [Christmas 2009, p.88]