If you like to set your own goals and don't need a high-score table to know you're having fun, then Pineapple Smash Crew is well worth the $10. [May 2012, p.81]

Etherium is never aggressively terrible, but there’s nothing to recommend it over other, more interesting RTS games.

It not only brings nothing new to the RTS table - it takes stuff away, too. [Mar 2004, p.70]

TalonSoft deserves a good keelhauling for dumping such a buggy game on shelves. [May 2001, p.82]

The whole thing feels a bit bland. [March 2013, p.73]

For all its awkwardness and self-regard, we need more games like this, that try to broaden the medium and aspire to better it. Eventually, we'll get one that succeeds. [Apr 2013, p.109]

A good squad-wargame for those patient enough to forgive the awful interface for making the strategic component a chore. [May 2012, p.74]

Still, even with the most charming narrative, the clumsy and ultimately banal action leaves Contrast whistling in the dark. [Feb 2014, p.74]

Early missions can be a bit of a grind, and you can't buy anything fancy right away, even if you have the cash. [March 2005, p.66]

It starts promising and gets better in the final act, but the bulk of Betrayer's journey is let down by inconsistent quality, repeat enemies, and investigative drudgery.

After the frenzy of battle wears off, so does the appeal of SpaceForce. It's not a bad game; it just goes through the motions. [Sept 2007, p.62]

A polished but disappointingly by-the-numbers FMV adventure that won't linger in your mind for long.

It continually sidetracks you with diversions that aren't in the book, when all you really want to do is get to the good stuff that Tolkien crafted. [Feb 2004, p.76]

Even worse are the ridiculously tough environmental puzzles. Unless you're a member of MENSA, chances are you'll need a walkthrough to finish the game. [Mar 2004, p.62]

A somewhat shallow but brilliantly faithful re-creation of an age-old classic. [Feb 2003, p.72]

This lack of innovation is disheartening. [Feb 2008, p.72]

This game is terminal. Let it find the peace it deserves. [Mar 2006, p.50]

Tharsis is well made, but not well designed—an attractive, interesting board game idea, but only the first draft.

At $40/£30 it definitely isn't a steal, but for chatty entertainers who enjoy multiplayer storytelling over technical perfection, Friday the 13th can be thrilling, stupid, and hilarious.

WRC3's excellent track design counts for little when burdened with unnatural car handling and uninspired design.

While the critical control element isn't as slick as it could've been, it packs one hell of a visual bang, and it can cough up some pretty addictive gameplay. [Dec 2002, p.104]

Starship Troopers: Extermination's cooperative battles are mechanically innovative and can be enormous fun, but a general lack of polish and a slapdash single-player hold it back from greatness.

It's too shallow for gamers, and the stars' lackluster effort may disappoint the show's fans. [July 2003, p.78]

Effectively dodges dull micromanagement in pushing faster tactical action, but it still throws some sticks in the spokes of smooth gameplay. [Feb 2003, p.81]

Lifestyle simming is engaging for a little while, but its sluggish pacing and repetitive tasks do irreparable damage to the game's fun quotient. [Jan. 2007, p.78]

The best on the track but the weakest everywhere else, F1 2015 is an inconsistent lapper.

While no single aspect of Nexagon is truly unique, the total package is a winner - surprisingly fun and addictive. [Nov 2003, p.110]

Just a few years back, golf ruled the PC scene. Now we've got one game left, and it's a crappy third-rate console port. [Dec 2007, p.76]