A limp story and weak jokes are worth putting up with for Victor Vran’s great combat system.

A fresh infusion of high-quality role-playing quests and new gear to Fallout 3, but The Pitt isn't an entirely glitch-free experience. [June 2009, p.80]

Forget the high-def TV and wireless Xbox 360 controller; Battlestations Midway plays better with a mouse and a joystick. [Apr 2007, p.58]

For well-crafted turn-based strategy with stunning artwork and powerful AI, Disciples II is the way to go. [Apr 2002, p.70]

Occasionally punishing, but still a fun, time-bending, mind-rending platformer.

A far simpler game than many veteran fans were hoping for. [Feb 2003, p.62]

An original and deep game of strategic online warfare that brings your sci-fi capital ship fantasies to life.

An exceptional collection of puzzles bound by narrative which gets a little ahead of itself.

Better than the original in almost every respect; good, mindless fun. [Apr 2002, p.74]

A breakneck platformer that uses classic Sonic as a foundation for something fresh and exciting.

Bigger than it first appears, Avowed is an engrossing and gorgeous action-RPG set in one of the most engaging fantasy worlds going, though it lacks the complex systems of its most beloved contemporaries.

An extremely flexible sim that really puts you in the middle of the flak at 20,000 feet. [Mar 2001, p.80]

A faithful representation of modern F1 diehard fans will praise for its depth while railing about real or perceived missteps. [Holiday 2013. p.70]

Even after the free-for-all matches start to feel redundant, the punchy, full-body action in Hover Junkers remains hilarious fun.

It's highly addictive (I've played at least 50 hours and still want more), and the variety of factions gives it a LOT of replayability. [Dec 2002, p.96]

Simple, polished systems allow Stray's rich fiction and charismatic star to shine.

Each of the game's three sides is incredibly well-balanced. [June 2005, p.60]

A tense and spooky stroll through a gorgeous world, some fun supernatural detective work, and an efficient script with sparse dialogue.

Clever, but sometimes a little cold, this is an accomplished headscratcher of unusually philosophical ambition.

Iron Harvest's mech-based strategy can burn a little slow, but the payoff is undoubtedly worth it.

A fresh, fearsome realisation of a classic Warhammer race that revitalises the core game.

Well-formed and horribly addictive. [Nov 2011, p.75]

Storm Legion isn't the most innovative of expansions, but the vast amount of content added makes it practically essential for Rift fans.

A stylish and creative adventure with a clever time-rewinding hook.

A few technical and dialogue hiccups annoy, but overall TWD continues to be one of the best stories in gaming.

The Thaumaturge might be a bit light for RPG lovers, but it’s a gorgeous, incisive look at a world long past.

A sumptuous fusion of sound, colour and love that everyone should try.

The storyline is meaty but short by "Baldur's Gate" standards at around 30 hours, and although this iteration of Jade Empire gets the Special Edition moniker, it contains no new story content. [Apr 2007, p.48]

We're especially tickled by the game's delightfully campy '50s-era moster-movie trailers used to introduce our origins, and how you can play the game in black-and-white. [May 2003, p.84]

Fails to explore its themes but still delivers the series' most potent monster hunting yet.

A creative blend of sneaking and shooting that will have squads coming back for more.

Grid 2 is an accomplished and visually strong racer let down only by a bafflingly lame Career mode narrative.

Scratches won't appeal to everyone, but for fans of quaint English ghost stories/mysteries, it's to die for. [May 2006, p.102]

Not as consistently intricate or surprising as Dishonored 2, but still a worthy epilogue that adds depth and atmosphere to the series' world.

People don't typically play action-RPGs for their riveting narratives. They want fast-paced combat, lots of environments and beasties, and tons of cool magic weapons, armor, and loot. Sacred's got all that in spades. [June 2004, p.69]

A beautiful adventure platformer with a cheerful pixel art veneer, but with very modern themes.

Carefully balanced and well-rounded, Children of the Nile will be great fun for armchair history fans or anyone who digs smart RTS simulations. [Jan 2005, p.78]

Even a terrible UI and choppy performance didn't spoil several dozen hours of numbers-go-up bliss.

Ultros is easy enough that you rarely have to fully engage with its most interesting mechanics, and its writing struggles to effectively convey its lofty ideals. But the lines still connect together at the end, turning this metroidvania into a beautiful, circular experience of presence and balance. It’s a game that wants you to see the world differently when you finish it, and the way everything is connected. If nothing else, what other game lets you take a stroll through an umbilical cord?

Light performance problems and a poor loot box system can't quite distract from Forza Motorsport 7's accommodating difficulty, stunning beauty, and lavish racing options.

A fine remake of a game that deserves to be played as much as it gets fondly remembered.

If your PC is powerful, however, and you stick to its infectious single-player game, DiRT delivers in spades. [Oct 2007, p.60]

Successfully mixes numerous gameplay styles in one compelling package. [May 2001, p.84]

Vigorous and addictive. [May 2002, p.72]

An approachable and thought-provoking meditation on life's only certainty.

A great, merciless speedrunning platformer and twitch shooter with a mediocre presentation.

It may not be original, but Rush to Berlin is fun, which makes it worth considering for a second, third, or fourth tour of duty. [Oct. 2006, p.73]

It’s got nothing on Final Fantasy at its best, but it’s still an excellent example of the genre with some fun twists on RPG traditions.

A stylish, understated, and subtly chilling psychological thriller with a compelling mystery at its core.

Casual and silly yet still tense and exciting. It's a shame there's no online multiplayer.

For serious flight simmers – especially those with middling systems – Flanker 2.5 could well be the best $10 you've ever spent. [June 2002, p.61]

A furiously entertaining action RPG whose horrible monsters are a delight to slay, whether you're playing solo or co-op.

A fantastic return to Superhot’s slick shootouts, at the expense of the original’s deft pacing.

ProSIM's wargames aren't for everybody - Falklands War has a 126-page manual, and it needs reading - but grognards will be in heaven. [Nov 2005, p.77]

Great graphics and addictive gameplay turn this worm into a butterfly. [Dec. 2006, p.122]

A short but sweet amateur detective game with a wonderful attention to detail.

A smart but simple adventure that's exactly the right kind of spooky. It's short, but superb. More please. [Nov 2017, p.81]

A space strategy game that streamlines empire-building better than any other. Combat and AI could be better. [Nov 2012, p.70]

A different kind of adventure, in a very different kind of world that wastes no time before growing on you.

Addictive, solid, and smarter than all of its competition combined. [June 2003, p.82]

BFE is a worthwhile sim for those jonesing for military conflicts in the age before the bullet. [Oct. 2006, p.75]

Pure is exciting fun that long-time racing fans and those looking to get their feet wet in the genre can enjoy. [Feb 2009, p.69]

An affordable, bottomless action-RPG that loves freedom. [Aug 2011, p.68]

More of the same solid adventure fare found in "Circle of Blood." [Feb 1998, p.142]

Satisfying arcade skate-'em-up that's fun from the off, and promises many hours on the hard path to mastery.

Sucked me deep into its colorful, action-packed gestalt. I plan to keep this game on my hard drive for a long, long time to come. [Mar 2004, p.72]

It borrows from the proven models of other successful games, and puts them in a new venue. It’s fun, deep, and bug-free. [Jan 2002, p.70]

A beautiful, heartfelt coming of age story that says something about life, and cracks a few jokes in the process.

A rare example of an RTS game that's a much more satisfying single-player experience than a multiplayer one. I doubt we'll see anything like the huge groundswell of online fandom and support that its predecessor earned, but solo strategists will still have a whale of a time.

Unlike anything else, and able to meld its two disparate halves into something cohesive and satisfying. You won’t feel fleeced if you buy this.

There are deeper strategy games, but few where you'll feel quite so invested in the outcome. Recommended.

Two very similar factions dull its edge, but Grey Goo’s old-school take on strategy still makes it one of the most interesting new RTS games in years.

A packed, rewarding, and frequently thrilling looter shooter that should have a bright future.

The biggest problem with online play is that it's far too easy to dominate with a single player. [Feb 2005, p.52]

A total assault on your ears, eyes and reflexes. Thumper will beat you up, but you’ll enjoy it.

Hardcore, platoon-oriented players will definitely enjoy what Core Combat has to offer. [Feb 2004, p.75]

Late Night turns The Sims 3 into a hoppin' urban party, but if you're in it for the build mode you'll find apartment life limiting. [Jan 2011, p.71]

At last: royalty I feel emotionally invested in! Reigns: Her Majesty is a smart and surprising extension of the original swipe-'em narrative game.

Battlefield 6 is more about refinements than surprises, but a well-made Battlefield is automatically one of the best shooters of the year.

A promising, assured start, and a welcome return to form for Telltale.

Much thought has obviously gone into the mechanics of translating the film into an interactive experience. [Jan. 2007, p.64]

Ties That Bind makes a surprisingly convincing argument for it to keep shuffling onward.

Earth Defense Force 6 is big, dumb co-op fun and a masterclass in asset recycling.

The high-point of a consistently strong series, and a great showcase of adventure game design that fits the story's theme.

Hand of Fate 2 is a satisfying sequel and a meatier dungeon crawler, but still somewhat hampered by limited combat.

Once it finds its footing, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is an engaging romp through a charming and dynamic world.

A free-to-play MMO of a higher caliber, Vindictus' combo-driven combat and addictiveness make it hard to resist. [Feb 2011, p.70]

There's not another game quite like EU III out there. If it hooks you, it may be the only game you need this year. [Mar 2007, p.62]

NightSky delivers a short but sweet physics puzzle experience. [April 2011, p.76]

A satisfying, self-contained adventure that plays to the series' strengths, but doesn't add anything novel outside of its storytelling.

Call of Duty: Warzone reaches new heights in battle royale by ditching backpacks and throwing me in a Gulag.

Wantonly enjoyable and inventive zombie slaughter, held back by some unnecessary saving and leveling hassles. [Nov 2010, p.68]

MechWarrior 5: Clans delivers a strong story of struggling young warriors alongside the best-ever version its iconic, lumbering mech combat.

Previous World of Warcraft releases have been genuine events. This one is simply an expansion pack. A good expansion pack, for sure, with lots of content to keep you playing one of the best and most beloved MMOs ever created. Just don't expect it to be anything more.

Don't hesitate to try it as a flavorful and humorous new way to experience a beloved strategy template, with the AI or distant friends. [July 2011, p.69]

You're limited by a strict materials budget on each puzzle, but the solution is limited only by your imagination, your passion for tinkering, testing, and rejiggering, as well as your tolerance for roughhousing an innocent armadillo. [Nov. 2006, p.120]

Definitely not for the squeamish. [Dec 1996, p.82]

Guaranteed fun for strategy fans of all ages, but especially retro gamers. [July 2005, p.68]