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

There's simply nothing here to hold the attention. [May 2008, p.112]

Minor bugs aside, the game works, but lacks an inspired storyline and more content. It will frustrate the casual gamers and won't keep a dedicated MMO player hooked for very long. [May 2005, p.90]

A shameless rip-off, but still a wonderful, wonderful end to a busy day - if only for that chripy title music. [Apr 2008, p.114]

It puts up a brave fight, but can't quite defeat the champion of war games ("Rome: Total War"). After all, Rome wasn't beat in a day. [July 2005, p.96]

With so much effort put into Being Whatevercraft, it's a real shame that a bit more time wasn't spent on really trying to surpass it, rather than just being a solid game that's as ultimately memorable as a disembowel movement. [Dec 2004, p.89]

If you can stand the aesthetics, fun lurks within. [Sept 2006, p.97]

Relies on trial and error over good intelligence. [June 2008, p.108]

A competent, if soulless, city builder with delusions of grandeur. [Christmas 2009, p.90]

Explosive fun with a conscience; refreshing and interesting stuff. [Nov 2006, p.92]

The "Serious Sam" of the "D&D" genre: fast, brutal, and ultimately a teeny bit dull. [Apr 2005, p.100]

A splendid idea hampered by an average execution and a hideously uninteresting setting.

How the hell does such a simple system manage to be this fiddly? [Feb 2009, p.100]

Miserable nonsense that would have Holmes reaching for the syringe. Real detective work is tedious, lengthy, frustrating and often pointless. In that sense at least, Silver earring is spot on. This is fun how? [Nov 2004]

Sigil says "The only limits are your own." I'd suggest that most players will reach the outer limits of their patience very quickly. [Apr 2007, p.68]

Smart design... Lacks visual innovation. [Jan 2011, p.110]

Solid, but hampered mostly by a terrible lack of depth. [Oct 2006, p.95]

Looks rather simple, but is in fact very deep. [Apr 2010, p.101]

An opportunity wasted. [Oct 2009, p.98]

A pleasant little game, but far, far too little of it released at this price. [Christmas 2005, p.62]

The dullest and most befuddling AAA Hollywood-endorsed title I've ever played. [Apr 2010, p.94]

Offers much of the pleasures of the original...and yet nothing has really been improved. [Sept 2007, p.62]

Not wholly innovative, but a rewarding tactical shooter.

There aint no one-more-go mentality lurking in this one. [Oct 2009, p.99]

Is there a form I can fill in to get these hours of my life back? [Feb 2010, p.95]

There's a vast array of technologies to research and build, but the true joy lies in lovingly crafting your empire, species and ships. [Apr 2007, p.73]

Big, brash and varied, if a little on the crude side, TC is assuredly a top cat. [Aug 2004, p.88]

If you’ve ever been excited by Sculder and Mully, or terrified by hydrocephalic children, there’s a game for you. It’s not pretty and it’s not perfect, but we’re so glad it’s there.