A visceral, well-written and worthy sequel to an excellent game, with huge potential to become a modern classic.

A paragon of single-player, story-driven gaming that outdoes "Deus Ex," "STALKER," and even "HL2." Taste the air, and smell the fear. [Oct 2007, p.52]

Everything here is bigger, better, brighter, faster, longer, sicker, cooler than the series has ever been before (and almost any other game you care to mention).

United they stand, divided they fall doesn't apply. Each game stands alone as an example of inspired design. Together they are essential. [Dec 2007, p.94]

Gory, thrilling and this year's essential play. [Christmas 2009, p.84]

With stunning visuals and a racing model so finely-judged Codies has done it again. An oil-stained masterpiece. [Jan 2010, p.82]

While other games may offer more to immediately get excited about, its charms will last long after their 3D glories wane, and for fast-paced but thoughtful strategy action, you simply cannot do any better.

Strategy game of the year, perhaps of the millennium.

Perfectly balanced multiplayer with old school elements intact, and rich and dynamic single player campaigns. [Issue#244, p.102]

Crosses the rubicon of greatness with a Latin flourish; it's the equal of a hundred lesser games. [Nov 2004]

Indie gaming's finest hour and the best puzzle game since "Lemmings." Easy on the eyes, your system and your wallet - it's a triumph. [Christmas 2008, p.94]

Broken. Absolutely and utterly broken. Not the game, oh no, it's my fragile nerves that have been shattered. Adrenalin is still coursing through my veins as I type, and what's more, I absolutely love it. STALKER is a thoroughly affecting game, and it's got me by the short hairs. [Apr 2007, p.56]

The 21st Century's finest, most involving roleplaying game so far. [May 2006, p.85]

Broadly speaking, in MMOs you hit things, then fashion things to make your hitting more effective. World of Warcraft does that better than anything else on the market at the moment. [Jan 2005, p.96]

Sumptuously realised, stuffed with action and pushed along by an engaging plot. Far Cry 2 is how shooters should be made. [Dec 2008, p.86]

Hardcore RPG players will probably hate AC2, deeming it too simple to be worth their while. It is simple, certainly far simpler than AC1 or EverQuest, but it’s not simplistic. Turbine has merely removed much of the annoying faff and limitations from the genre and concentrated on the game itself.

A jack of all trades and a master of some - San Andreas tries astonishingly hard to let you do anything. And so long as you don't crave any meaningful character interaction outside of mow down with a monster truck first, ask questions later, it very nearly manages to pull it off, too. [Aug 2005, p.88]

Now here’s the clever thing – there are three sides fighting for the planet Auraxis but the battle is worldwide. It’s not the simple small arenas of Counter-Strike and Team Fortress, nor is it the enormous maps but frustratingly futile team versus team of Tribes 2.

Despite a clunky couple of stages and too much micromanagement, it's the vast galactic toybox that we've prayed for. [Nov 2008, p.98]

At once familiar and surprising. A monster slice of historical strategy fun. [Nov 2006, p.100]

There’s no reason to fear its Xbox origins – while you may occasionally long for extra depth on a mission or perhaps some more involved combat, the rapid pace and dedication to narrative and character will soon have you back hacking away in the thick of the action.

Challenging, refined and exciting, this is the new RTS benchmark. Just don't expect to tank rush your way through it. [Apr 2010, p.90]

A colossus of a game. The challenges presented by the Grand Campaign firmly establish Empire as the stuff of legend: it’s far-reaching, truly massive and utterly engrossing. Once more, CA has refused to rest upon its laurels, creating one hell of a time-filching game; expect some late nights and canceled social engagements once Empire hits your hard drive.

A hilarious slice of gaming glory. [July 2011, p.92]

Possibly too relentless for the less devout mouse-jockey, but it's astounding proof that being a brain-dead shooter is a very good thing. [Jan 2009, p.86]

A bright, bold and lovably off-the-wall FPS. [Apr 2011, p.96]

The whole process feels just perfectly balanced; this is literally the most expert game you can play, it feels great and fans of the original will love it. [Oct 2004, p.84]

UT2003 may not be a revolution, but after a raft of unexciting "Counter-Strike" clones over the last couple of years, it’s the finest game you’ll find gracing any server right now.