So nearly entertaining, but the controls are just too crummy. [March 2005, p.96]

Not awful, but there's not enough crack in the world to choose it over "GTA." [Christmas 2006, p.101]

Lack of sparkling originality aside, Warfront is an enjoyable game. [May 2007, p.62]

As before, there's nothing here that's massively wrong, but nothing exactly right either, and in particular, nothing that "Diablo" didn't do just as well. [July 2005, p.99]

Mark of Chaos is a colourful and reassuringly manly semi-strategy effort. Full of brawn as it undoubtedly is, it's also lacking in brains. [Jan 2007, p.62]

It's just not as 'hilarious' as perhaps it seems in its native land and, although it's sometimes a pleasing adventure, at 30 quid, I'd struggle to recommend it. [June 2009, p.101]

Functional WWII strategy! Again! Gah! [Feb 2005, p.93]

Fun for video nasty fans, but move along gamers, there's nothing to see here. [Christmas 2005, p.92]

Overpriced, under-content and thoroughly disappointing all around. [Dec 2004, p.102]

Needs some polish, but otherwise, this is a true return to form. [Dec 2006, p.104]

It's not beautiful, it's not that long, but it's spooky and well worth a look. [Apr 2007, p.71]

It offers niether anything to be passionate about or that's worthy of a vicious shoeing. [May 2008, p.98]

It's not stunning, but is a worthwhile bonus for any little fans of the film. [Oct 2006, p.97]

Watch a Bourne movie instead. [Aug 2010, p.95]

A robust addition to a titan of real-time strategy that plays well on PCs. But it's past time for Dawn of War 2 now. [May 2008, p.108]

There are still bugs and little really new on offer here. [Feb 2011, p.108]

It's the sci-fi game for RTS fans who found "Dawn of War" a little too streamlined. A game by fans for fans, but few others. [Sept 2005, p.90]

Ostensibly worthy, but fundamentally uninspiring – the only value is the size.

A huge number of options, but the graphics are dated and the sound effects are monotonous.

Here, kids get varied and frequently updated missions goals and plenty of welcome help. [Sept 2005, p.98]

There's no heart in the design. It's a beautiful world with enjoyable characters and it's engaging for a while, but it runs out of ideas way too soon to be any lasting fun. [Jan 2005, p.89]

A welcome mutation, but not as evolved as you’d think.

Mildly engaging. [May 2009, p.97]

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]

There's fun to be had, but it's harder work than it should be - a case of feature overload. [Aug 2004, p.82]

Great premise, but as fun to spend spend time with as a freshly exhumed corpse. [Mar 2006, p.102]

Even with this variety, Rainbow Six is starting to feel decidedly over-familiar and all its flaws, from the flat combat to the flat graphics and utterly unconvincing AI, are very much in evidence.

One of the most rewarding games around for the devout strategist, but those less experienced will find it hard to get started, and may get disheartened by the obstacles.

A good game, but a little slight. [Jan 2010, p.93]

Rough enough around the edges to replace sandpaper. [Jan 2009, p.100]

It’s loaded with replay value, given the enormous number of permutations involved, and for those who can deal with it, it will turn out to be massively rewarding.

Lengthy, clever, and gripping. It's nice to have a decent point and click adventure around. It's been too long. [Oct 2011, p.105]

Crazy-arse shooting with its brain in its arse, and a mean streak.

It looks spectacularly awful. [Apr 2007, p.71]

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

The goals are satisfying, but there's nothing new. [Dec 2006, p.108]

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]

Most Puzzle Quest aficionados will quickly end up returning to the original.

As an accompaniment to school projects, Wild Earth is a worthwhile title, but as a game for your little 'uns it's unlikely to be long before they're begging for a quick round of "Quake." [May 2007, p.67]

The best Western game by far, with some outstanding visuals. [Oct 2006, p.100]

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

Ultra-generic. [Dec 2009, p.99]

Frontloads truly excellent stuff, then has a snooze shortly afterwards, becoming formulaic and lacking quests. [Dec 2009, p.88]

The Complete Edition is a great way to introduce newbies to this RTS masterpiece. [May 2009, p.93]

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]

Unimpressive sim that misses a chance to impress with groovy visuals. [Jan 2005, p.94]

A game destined to be forgotten. [Sept 2011, p.98]

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

Momentarily entertaining clicky clunky puzzling, but lacking enough real imaginative freedom to make it truly essential. [Sept 2008, p.110]

Christ on a bike, though, it's ugly. I mean like school bus traffic accident ugly. [June 2007, p.52]

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

Surprisingly more depth than there at first appears.

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]

Diverting mob brutality, but nothing like the films, and downright ugly. [May 2006, p.95]

It's completely let down by the actual developers. [Feb 2010, p.94]

It's picking the wrong fight - taking on MMOs on their own turf, instead of truly daring to be something different. It tries. Often it succeeds. Just not enough to stop the sound of its stalling engine ringing as loud as the gunfire. [June 2006, p.92]

It’s stable, easy to learn, cheap and has plenty of scope for development, which is perhaps more than the competition offers.

An engaging, if sometimes brain fizzing, option. [Sept 2008, p.114]

It definitely simulates railways, for better, but mainly for worse. [Christmas 2007, p.68]

Overall, the simplicity is really the only thing that holds Operation Genesis back: it comes across as more of a children’s game than a fully-fledged management title and doesn’t have the enduring challenges to really snare the proper calculator junkies.

An enjoyable kill-a-thon then, though sits unsteadily alongside the now-classic Valve title. [Oct 2009, p.98]

All the licenses you could want, but sluggish controls hold it back. [Christmas 2009, p.93]

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.

Utterly standard adventure devoid of novelty. [Christmas 2005, p.102]

Hour after hour of repetitive gameplay. In space, no-one can hear you snore. [Aug 2006, p.99]

Leader of the field of one, until some credible opposition appears. [Dec 2005, p.92]

A simple but entertaining take on the game of golf, if you don't pay for it. A shallow meaningless farce if you do. [June 2010, p.98]

If the repetitive invasion missions could be handled by the AI, "Total War"-style, it would've been a definite winner in my book. [Mar 2007, p.75]

Stormtroopers shouldn’t be easier to kill than llamas, and Rodians shouldn’t wear hotpants and start dancing in campsites.

Does little to enliven the usual trail of hacking, slashing and opening boxes. We're pretty sure it shows the world's worst character creation screen: you can change your hairstyle and, er, your clothing. [Christmas 2004, p.122]

Plodding, bland fair. [July 2009, p.95]

Brian plays a mean, attractive and thoroughly satisfying game of cricket, perfect for those sunny Sunday afternoons. [May 2007, p.68]

BF2 is an awesome game, the score is for the cheap and nasty add-on. [May 2006, p.90]

The puzzles aren't that bad either, gently ramping up from fairly easy to mentally taxing. [Oct 2008, p.114]

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

You're better off tracking down a copy of "Red Alert 2" on its own. [Sept 2006, p.101]

A fun, involving strategy game with unsophisticated visuals featuring online play and modding to ensure plenty of longevity. [Oct 2008, p.111]

A bit like listening to Radio 3. [Aug 2008, p.107]

A big, dumb shooter that will no doubt become a guilty pleasure for plenty of FPS fans who don't hve the rig to play "Crysis." [Christmas 2007, p.64]

All the freedom in the universe and nothing much to do with it. Prepare for a slog. [Christmas 2005, p.88]

Mindless hack-n-slash nonsense, in a very pretty world. [Jan 2009, p.98]

Like a clapped out Huey returning from its final mission - ugly, rusted, outdated and just so shot shot full of holes. [Feb 2005, p.82]

Paraworld may not be earth-shattering, but it has depth in spades. [Nov 2006, p.98]

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]

Frightening and utterly absorbing in equal measure.

The best comparison is a C-list Hammer Horror film. Yes, clearly utter trash – but trash that attempts to overcome its limitations through determination and imagination.

A great little shooter, and one that could well give Valve a run for its money. [June 2010, p.90]

ToV's singleplayer campaigns will do nothing for CoH vets, but the MP extras might just keep its head above water. [June 2009, p.90]

Largely solid, but it's just not exciting. [Jan 2009, p.99]

We’re left with a terribly flawed gem that catches the light one moment and cuts with a jagged edge the next. We hope the dozens of glitches, bugs and random crashes can be wiped away with a patch.

While Thrillville is decent, disposable fun for kids, anyone in their teens will want more depth. [Christmas 2007, p.68]

Flawed brawling in a beautiful world you never quite get to explore. [July 2011, p.90]

An adventure game worth perusing, but it's not a perfect example of the genre by a long shot. [July 2008, p.110]

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

The unique graphics engine much vaunted by CDV sadly enables little innovation in the rendering of 3D effects, and only the magical powers offer something a little different, which is telling – overall the emphasis is on over-the-top adventure, rather than realistic recreation of history.

The gaming equivalent of Flight 1549: starts well then mercilessly plops into the Hudson River of bad flight sims.

A decent low-cost dabble if you've grown out of painting little lead figures. [Christmas 2004, p.122]

More expansion pack than full game, without the same level of challenge. [June 2006, p.89]