As close as you can get without pen and paper, but for diehards only.

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]

Robotron is a good game to riff off, but there's only so many waves of bullets that you can avoid before you give in and go and do something more interesting instead. [June 2010, p.101]

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]

It's great fun while it lasts, but once you've got over the initial thrill of the dogfight, there's not much here to maintain interest. [Sept 2007, p.58]

Fast, fun, and tasteless, but too many misfires to make it a winner. [Christmas 2004, p.108]

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]

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

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

Ignore the lumpen campaign and you have an RTS with some big ideas. [July 2006, p.91]

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

Clever and surprisingly rational, Aura is only let down by plot and game length. [Oct 2004, p.96]

It might be damn pretty but, running on a 1.4GHz system with a GeForce FX, we still couldn’t get a smooth third-person experience.

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]

Item fiends and "Diablo II" fans will love the complex loot system but most of us will be bored senseless after just a few hours. [Christmas 2007, p.54]

It's a half-decent game at a bargain price. Which doesn't, unfortunately, make it a wholly good game to actually play. [Mar 2009, p.96]

Fun while it lasts, but inevitably, nowhere near as funky as the life your character is supposed to be leading. [Oct 2007, p.65]

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

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

It’s astoundingly beautiful, too – by contrast, "Freelancer’s" visuals are like watching a brick float around a bucket of custard. But, needless to say, X² isn’t for everyone – but if it’s immersive liberty rather than fast thrills you’re after, it offers an almost incomparably satisfying experience, just so long as the really bad stuff doesn’t stop you from putting the hours in.

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

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

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

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]

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]

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

In equal parts frustrating and rewarding. [Aug 2009, p.97]

Not "Crimson Skies 2," but quite acceptable tipple while it lasts. [Nov 2004]