Adding to the frustration is that too often you’ll crash when landing, even though you’re lined up perfectly with the ramp. [Holiday 2001, p.62]

If you're an RPG junkie, Beyond Divinity is definitely worth your time and money. Just don't expect to extract any extra gameplay hours out of the random dungeon generator - it's just not going to happen. [July 2004, p.64]

An energy infused concoction of style, action, and music that will give you one heck of a musical hangover.

A drab campaign doesn't do the history justice, but Call of Duty: WWII’s multiplayer recalls the glory days of Modern Warfare.

The pixel-art is faultless and the gameplay is pleasingly reminiscent of the classics, but Timespinner doesn't offer much that feels new.

The graphics get a little prettier, the story gets a little darker, and another Call of Duty counts time as we march together toward death.

Blending classic stealth mechanics with puzzle-y sniping, Contracts 2 gets the job done.

A slight but fun third-person medieval melee game. It's definitely different, but needs more bulking out.

Not nearly as good as its predecessor, and in need of patching. [July 2004, p.54]

Does a better job than most adaptations of reviving the energy and excitement of its source material. Just don't expect it to do so for very long. [Sept 2005, p.63]

May not offer much more than BM2002 did, but the new online support is vital for those who want to match their managerial skills against other humans. [Sept 2002, p.84]

Though it's no classic tale, Emperor's Tomb has both actioning and adventuring in spades, whisking you off on a gorgeous cross-continental tour of exotic locales. [June 2003, p.68]

In spite of its disappointing graphics, it's the best strategy game I've played all year. [Holiday 2003, p.110]

Despite wrapping up in a clumsy excess of ambition, Lemma is a thrilling experimental expression of the free-running genre.

Wonderful and distasteful all at once, it entertains and fails in turns, like Frank Worthington. But I loved watching Frankie.

Great monsters, stunning locations and a quality mystery makes this one of Supermassive's best.

Tries to be two games in one, and ends up doing neither terribly well. [Jan 2005, p.80]

A witty spin on turn-based strategy with some novel mechanics that briefly makes Windows 8 gaming slightly less depressing.

As it exists now, however, Solar 2 is a simple space physics simulation with just a hint of a game, and building disposable arrangements of revolving circles quickly loses its novelty. [Oct 2011, p.79]

If you found Slay the Spire's oppressiveness off-putting, Mahokenshi's easier and dressed up in a pretty kimono.

Men of War 2 is a flawed but rewarding gem for masochistic RTS fans.

Shockingly un-shocking, it's too much mood and little "boo." [Mar 2004, p.73]

Impossible creatures really shines in its multiplayer mode. [Mar 2003, p.86]

What we do get are new levels in North Africa and Italy, in which we slog through the same old objectives and firefights we've been executing since January '02. [Dec 2003, p.108]

The Surge isn't the same as Dark Souls but comparison's inevitable. Like that cyborg whose torso I severed, it struggles to stand on its own.

Layers of Fear is an intriguing experimental haunted house, but without a proper sense of pacing, it fails to scare.

A hugely fun, mega frenetic co-op shooter that embodies the soul, and depth, of 90's twitch shooters. [Mar 2012, p.78]

An exciting new direction for MMOs that's plenty of fun already and should only get better with a few patches under its utility belt.

An ideal gateway into the city management sim, but with too little room for forward-planning.

Confounds your expectations to create a racing game as much about finesse as destroying buildings.

Loadout’s gun customization and well executed twists on shooter staples make it a free-to-play game that doesn't feel like a compromise.

A habit-forming FPS for its strategic possibilities and tactical depth, but the lack of matchmaking is especially worrisome.

If your idea of a rousing good time is cracking open skulls like chestnuts to feast on the goo inside, you'll have plenty of fun with this one. [Feb 2006, p.86]

While not the most ambitious add-on we've ever played, Athena Sword packs enough solid, challenging content to appease "Raven Shield" vets. [June 2004, p.72]

Those 12 missions might not sound like a lot, but their sprawling scope and elaborate challenges will keep you busy for dozens of hours. [Holiday 2003, p.118]

So I just finished playing through “Project Tedium”…wait, make that Project Eden. [Feb 2002, p.69]

It's got well-observed characters and some genuinely weird moments, but the actual bug hunting isn't much fun.

Atomfall can be a fun diversion, but it really needs to take a gap year so it can find itself.

Not particularly difficult, and its mobile roots are showing, but Hitman GO: Definitive Edition is an entertaining puzzle spin-off.

Never has the vast expanse of outer space felt quite so limited. [Jan 2010, p.76]

Marred by inconsistency and in need of a polish pass, this vast new sci-fi frontier nonetheless rewards dedicated exploration.

Gamedec is half of a good RPG and falls far short of its tantalising premise.

An admirable adaptation of a classic sci-fi story, despite a few stumbles.

Steep’s freedom is exhilarating and it looks stunning, but clunky, imprecise controls tarnish the experience.

Blade Symphony's duels are electrifying and intimate, more than making up for a lack of content.

A compelling WWII grand-scale sim. When I say "grand," I'm talking about a King Kong Burrito Supreme with extra sauce and tripple toppings. [Feb 2003, p.74]

This game isn't one you invest in for its looks: it's a smart and absorbing title that stands out from the "fantasy strategy" pack. [Sept 2003, p.75]

A decent murder mystery game that suffers heavily from poor controls and menus.

Brilliantly captures the look and feel of classic Star Wars, but beneath its cinematic flair lies a pretty generic multiplayer shooter.

An awkward story doesn't hold Capes back from being one of the best turn-based strategy games of recent years.

Sunday Gold didn't set my mind on fire like those artsy fartsy RPG/adventure game hybrids, but it makes up for it with honest, lunch pail, hardcore resource management.

A robust puzzler whose colourful visuals can't mask a lack of personality.

Beautiful pixel art and tight controls make Chasm a fine, if reserved, modern take on the Metroidvania.

Quality point-and-click puzzle adventuring among impeccable artwork.

A better Warhammer game than the last few.

The Last Faith is a beautiful but inconsistent rehash of older, better games.

Creepy, mostly excellent gameplay marred by a few glaring technical and design problems. [Feb 1999, p.216]

Cloudbuilt’s platforming-as-time-trial-racing premise puts Sonic to shame, but its visual design detracts rather than supports it.

Wildgate is a fresh combination of a ship battler and an FPS that is a better concept than it is a game.

Frontiers of Pandora's stunning presentation and fantastic world design are failed by atrocious technical issues.

A curious amalgam of campy storytelling and abysmally simplified flight dynamics. [Feb 2004, p.68]

Life Stories was designed to be laptop-friendly, and it shows: I had no problem controlling the game entirely by keyboard, sans mouse, thanks to numerous shortcut keys. [Apr 2006, p.49]

That sloppiness nags at me because it blows what could have been a great immersive experience, but given that The Awakened managed to engage my brain without demolishing it, lets just say I wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers. [Nov 2007, p.74]

An unapologetic arcade smash-'em-up that gets the important stuff right. [Aug 2005, p.70]

I can't recommend NHL 07 to anyone who owns NHL 2001 or later. [Dec. 2006, p.126]

A calm and realistic marine-diving simulator that unfortunately never goes deeper than the surface.

Another "GTA" clone bites the dust. [Jan 2005, p.56]

Story-wise, the device would work better if the player characters were more likeable. [Oct 2007, p.56]

Charming and accessible, but this is a game to play with the sound off while you're watching TV. [Nov 2015, p.62]

Dirt Showdown provides thrills while it lasts, but afterwards you're left wanting the deeper experience of its parents. [Sept 2012, p.60]

Van Helsing is long and unwieldy, but its schlocky tone prevents it becoming too frustrating of a grind. [Oct 2013, p.65]

You only get one chance to make a first impression, and Ubisoft Romania's Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII executes an awkward face-plant immediately upon take-off. [Holiday 2007, p.84]

Despite an attractive veneer, Planet Alpha offers rote and shallow platforming. Try Playdead’s Inside instead.

The new Medal of Honor is an unoriginal duck hunt laden with compromise. You've played this before---and better. [Jan 2011, p.64]

Primordia starts abruptly and ends just as suddenly, and the good story that we’re teased with doesn’t quite ever get told.

A mean-spirited character leads a big-hearted game; you’re unlikely to dwell on its lore but its features combine well to create a satisfying stealth experience.

Free-to-play limits player choice and hurts the game's longevity, but Champions remains a pretty, if passable MMO.

A slide-show adventure, so it's required to have at least one confounding maze in it. Skip it unless you were a fan of the original. [July 2003, p.93]

Soviet Assault doesn't expand on World in Conflict enough to make it an automatic purchase. New players will get the best experience here. [Apr 2009, p.84]

An open-world samurai adventure with an interesting structure and a lot of personality that is, unfortunately, not very good.

An average action game saved by a charming sense of humour and an intoxicating sense of fun.

Cute little city-builder with big ambitions and even bigger cosmic cetaceans.

An enticing premise held back by uneven pacing and glaring technical issues.

A cerebral and spooky sequel that expands on the franchise’s story and themes, while slightly dialing down the terror.

Not a feast for the eyes, but there's more than a meal here if you're a glutton for clever, cruel puzzle-based punishment.

A cute chess set for 40K fans and an unusual twist on the classic game, but skip the campaign.

But it's the game's many bugs and glitches, not mere repetition, which sap Dark Messiah's might and magic. [Feb. 2007, p.77]

Undulates between periods of manic maintenance and mundane management, with long stretches of ho-hum in between. [Feb 2005, p.58]

It may not be the Dungeon Siege you remember, but this stunning, story-driven co-op dungeon crawler is entertaining just the same.

Atari's latest open-world racer serves up hotter cars, warmer climates and more torrid racing action than its predecessor. [April 2011, p.70]

Take it for what it is - an inexpensive and silly throwback. [Nov 2002, p.134]

For Disney fanatics, its biggest flaw will be stingy access to real Disney props and settings. [Dec 2002, p.110]

While it succeeds in being a happy, positive game, Dream Daddy's simulation doesn’t go far enough.

Halo 2 for the PC is too little, too late. [July 2007, p.66]

While I am all for a rousing 2D game, Dofus gets old way too fast. [Apr 2006, p.78]

Another beef: no tutorial levels, which would have been a good idea, given the cryptic story. [Holiday 2006, p.78]

It may not be the most authentic simulation of American politics, but Political Machine does have some educational value in helping you understand the nitty-gritty of how 270 Electoral Collage votes are cobbled together. [Dec 2004, p.96]

Though not particularly memorable, Saints Row 2's huge volume of quests and goofy side missions make it one of the better open-world crime games available, but the PC port's technical scars drag it down. [Mar 2009, p.70]