Engrossing - if you enjoy building things, this is a must. [Sept 2006, p.104]

It's a great footie game, and the best we've seen on the PC. [Issue#246, p.104]

Not a huge leap on from CoD4, but still a fantastic single-player action romp and quality multiplayer if you can get it to work. [Jan 2010, p.86]

Battle beyond the tactical problems and enjoy the blood splattered glory of it all. [Christmas 2009, p.86]

Far from flawless, but you have to admire the sheer ambition and scale of the game. I'll be playing this at home for years. [Mar 2007, p.58]

When it comes to looks, Strike Fighters is a stunner.

It’s doubtful whether fair-weather flight sim fans will get much more out of this than they would from FS2002, but for the enthusiast, A Century of Flight is worthy of the pride and bluster that the title implies.

Our favourite is the A-10 Warthog – cruising at 50 feet, on the prowl for enemy tanks, it’s one of the most exhilarating missions available in any recent simulator.

Low-end environmental destruction meets high-end global game world with sizzling results. [Nov 2009, p.94]

If you're a fan of the sport, there's little bad to say about NBA 2K9. [Christmas 2008, p.99]

Had Deus Ex 1 not existed this would’ve been a godsend. But…

This is one of the most original indie games we've seen in ages. A one-trick pony it may be, but what a trick it is. [June 2010, p.94]

Finally, The Witcher fulfills its potential, and, best of all, it's available as a free update, just in case you bought it anyway. [Nov 2008, p.110]

A gloriously pretty and tacticle world to hurl a wide variety of cars around in. It's just a shame I can't share that with friends. [Aug 2007, p.46]

All the joy of "Heroes", with sinister eyebrows and crooked hats. [Christmas 2005, p.100]

Despite advances in the game’s graphics, and a few extra tracks, we feel a little underwhelmed – it’s just too similar to its predecessor. Don’t get us wrong, MotoGP 2 is a fine racer, but it could have been so much more of a dream machine.

The same, and happily just as oops-where-did-the-weekend-go addictive. Buy it, and resign yourself to some five-hours gaps in your memory you may have difficulty explaining to the police at a later date.

This is the point where the populist WW2 first-person shooter gets the long awaited reinforcements: New Ideas. [Apr 2005, p.98]

It’s managed to make ostensibly the same game as it always has, but with just a little bit of lateral thinking has revolutionised its own formula. Bring on Age of Bomber Jackets, already.

More an evolution than a revolution, but it certainly has enough new features to drag you back in. [Christmas 2007, p.62]

The PES series has always been about realistic football simulation rather then hi-octane arcade action. [Dec 2005 p.85]

It's a far tighter package than Empire was. [Apr 2010, p.98]

Top-drawer felon-neutralising action that will have you hooked for ages. [June 2005, p.99]

Fascinating, infinite possibilities, but it's rough around the edges. [Feb 2005, p.84]

Immense fun, very addictive. [Apr 2011, p.104]

Everywhere you look there's another cute animation and another cool gadget. Combine this with an addictive research tree and a challenging campaign, and you have yourself a great combination of "Dungeon Keeper" and "Austin Powers" - just not a very long one. [Oct 2004, p.94]

From the ridiculous to the sublime: one for fans of undersea combat. [June 2005, p.98]

It's as accessible and charming as any Pixar creation, and it's completely won over this reviewer's heart. [Christmas 2009, p.95]

A little bit lightweight for hardcore tactical shooter fans but still an action-packed, top-class game in multiplayer mode. [Feb 2007, p.54]

An outstanding experience. It manages to create a constant sense of threat, includes some stunning set-pieces, and introduces a cast of breathtaking beasts, all within a combat system that is one of the most versatile and violent we have ever seen. [Dec 2006, p.98]

A visual and aural feast. [Dec 2009, p.98]

An example of British resilience, striving on against daft AI.

Running sideways in slow motion, blasting the head off a commando provides absurd visceral splendour, especially when you've just shatter his legs wtih a sliding kick. Some people worry about violence in games. We do too: we worry that it usually isn't this good. [Nov 2005, p.84]

Unbelievably intense and absolutely beautiful on a high-end PC. [Christmas 2005, p.93]

Barbarian Invasion doesn't devalue the achievements of its precursor. This isn't a great triumph or a fall, just a gentle decline. [Nov 2005, p.95]

Hard as nails, and cute as kittens. [Oct 2006, p.102]

Games this good are extremely rare things, and as such they should be applauded. [Dec 2005 p.80]

Gloriously fun and deeply silly, it's the happiest platform game of all. [Oct 2006, p.98]

The king is back on top, on the modding-friendly PC at least. [Christmas 2009, p.93]

Stuff the storyline and just play the game.

Not a massive leap forward from Advanced Warfighter, but it's definitely a worthy addition to any tactical shoooter fan's collection. [Aug 2007, p.58]

easily the best instalment yet – it looks great, plays great, and has oodles of expansion potential. The only downer is that even on higher-end machines, things can really chug in crowded areas. Still, that’s the price you pay for freedom.

Crisp, sharp, bike-racing fun. Could use more real-world marques though. [Oct 2005, p.96]

An absolute bargain. [Nov 2009, p.101]

There are game that cost five times as much that don't come close to its levels of satisfaction and perfectly-formed miniquests. [Issue#246, p.100]

An excellent FPS, and easily one of the year’s best. It’s varied, funny, imaginative, challenging (on anything other than Easy mode, which you could complete blindfolded) and has a lot to offer. However, despite all this, it lacks its predecessor’s spark of genius and genuine originality. If we sound a little on the negative side, it’s only through mild disappointment that it’s merely a very good game rather than a repeat performance of a genuine classic.

I'm thoroughly impressed with Blood Bowl. [Oct 2009, p.99]

It graphically depicts some very horrid things, and on a fundamental level, trivialises the kinds of international, cultural and religious issues which affect us all. Apart from that, it’s ace.

A splendid marriage of speed, style, and sophistication. [Nov 2005, p.94]

It's a beautiful, compulsive and rewarding world. [Sept 2009, p.99]

This game is Hardcore, with a capital H-Bomb. Hardcore to the extent that even hardcore gronards will need a few quiet nights with the manual before heading out to invade Poland. [March 2005, p.104]

Vietcong is everything Platoon should’ve been: realistic, immersive, tense, reasonably flexible, and thoroughly addictive. How ironic that two Czech developers should be the first to create a truly brilliant Vietnam game.

Fallout 3's downloadable content just keeps getting better. At this rate, Mothership Zeta-Jones will melt our eyes. [Sept 2009, p.96]

A fun adventure for a rainy weekend, and great demo of the indie scene. [July 2007, p.72]

It's riddled with sci-fi tropes, from blowing evil robots out of the airlock or burning them up with a parked shuttle's boosters, to the evil HEL-9000, and his banks of WOPR computers. It's just a joy. Go and buy it, and give it a little hug. [Mar 2007, p.74]

Still the most realistic version to date, but minor niggles cloud the improvements. [Christmas 2009, p.92]

Even the impossibly hard missions are horribly addictive. [Aug 2004, p.83]

A ton of fun. [Christmas 2007, p.66]

Luckily, thanks to inch-perfect arcade handling, you'll have few complaints. [Aug 2006, p.100]

It's a very slow game. But The Void has really got under my skin in a way no game has for a long time, and it's totally recommended. [Christmas 2009, p.95]

The 3D engine is hardly a revolution, but once the community get working the visuals will match the incredible simulation. [Jan 2009, p.96]

Futuristic first-person shooter with not-so futuristic game design. [June 2005, p.86]

If you want slick, beautifully presented footie, controlling your local first division side, stick with "FIFA," but if you're after a visceral, accurately modelled game then look no further than PES6. [Dec 2006, p.107]

The best attempt yet at merging action gaming and MMOs, and a dream come true for comic fans of all ages. [Mar 2011, p.102]

The freedom that the game allows you to complete a level in your own way is both its beauty and its Achilles heel. [Apr 2009, p.98]

Not quite the inspired sequel we had all hoped for, but there's still enough in DiRT 3 to bring the fans back. [Aug 2011, p.96]

Strategically sound, with great replay value, but weak multiplayer. [Dec 2004, p.93]

This is one of the slowest games I've ever played...Rash or even casual actions will be your undoing in Silent Hunter. Every move requires careful planning. [May 2007, p.58]

Best of all, Col08 brings multiplayer to the table for the first time, making it even more fun to smash the other European powers in your race to dominate the New World. [Dec 2008, p.99]

As used in CS: Source, that ground breaking physics engine is just gimmickry. Likewise, no attempt has been made to make the robotic hostages lifelike. So much for "HL2's" ground-breaking AI. But we have a confession: we just can't stop playing it. [Dec 2004, p.85]

Blasting action with more depth than your average FPS.

Appealing to both the single and multiplayer real-time strategist, although R.U.S.E. will be a hard mistress online. [Issue#245, p.102]

It's the best Tomb Raider game in absolutely years, but it's very telling that this is still a remake of the 11-year-old version. [July 2007, p.60]

A High Fantasy MMO for the discerning player, which now has an expansion that, if not quite ruling them all, will keep many in its thrall. [Mar 2009, p.96]

It's just a huge shame that it's not as terrifying as it should be. [Apr 2011, p.98]

Enthralling, humorous, and a real must for all "Civilization" fans.

A pleasant surprise. [Aug 2007, p.62]

Challenging, cerebral, and maddening.

Despite clumsy menus, the game itself looks utterly beautiful, and as the community grows, the game will expand and become more involved. [May 2005, p.98]

Perimeter is capital-‘huh?’ weird from start to finish, in a brilliant way. The trouble is it’s also hard, with the single-player campaign often being incredibly frustrating.

Gleeful and entertaining, but sloppy finishing holds it back. [July 2006, p.84]

A bridge too far for managers, but a wonderland of opportunity for film makers. [Aug 2006, p.96]

Enormously inventive and irreverant silliness, and made of LEGO! [May 2005, p.94]

Expect no surprises, but do expect a polished multiplayer shooter and the perfect basis for some memorable matches. [Jan 2008, p.62]

Like GTA used to be before it got all serious. This isn't just a sandbox, it's a brilliant, personalised playground of fun. [Mar 2009, p.92]

ProStreet dips its tow into semi-professional racing, but remains an accessible and thrilling slice of on-track action. [Jan 2008, p.68]

Achingly beautiful, eccentric combat in the clouds.

Definitely the most realistic of the two big arcade footie franchises on the PC, but the steep learning curve may put off some gamers. [Feb 2009, p.92]

Rarely have I seen such a jam-packed expansion, or one with such variety. [Nov 2007, p.54]

The franchise is improving, but gameplay niggles keep it from taking the title. [Nov 2005, p.92]

A fantastic WWI flight-sim for the hard-core that might encourage a few others to join the ranks. [Oct 2009, p.93]

Stick with it through those slow, opening Hobbiton chapters and you’ll be immortalised in the terrible poetry of Elvensong. No doubt.

More of the same, but it's a good same, and it's an essential purchase if you're a fan of the first game at all. [June 2010, p.96]

A welcome return to the Prince we all know and love, but we feel that now we know him just a little too well. [Aug 2010, p.92]

One of the best physics puzzle games out there. A clever game and one devoid of pretension. [Oct 2011, p.104]

Even bolder and louder than ever. [Christmas 2008, p.92]

It's ceaseless fun, but it still falls just short of greatness. [Dec 2004, p.98]

Lead by a strong storyline, cinematically presented and punctuated with countless chunky explosions, it's only held back by the fact that it's over quite quickly. [Nov 2005, p.89]