Ubisoft's true crime is in trotting out lame production values... again, for the third time. [March 2005, p.74]

The ride is quite fleeting, however, and most experienced PC prop-jocks will whip through Battle of Europe in a single afternoon. [Aug 2006, p.90]

The contrived plot gets spiced up with convincing voice acting and smooth cinematic animations, but slick style doesn't hold up against bland levels and repetitive missions, making this just another GTA clone, but with even more f-bombs and bloodshed. [July 2006, p.55]

Unintuitive, uninvolving and overpriced. Not even its satisfying trading system can put the wind in Port Royale 3's sails. [Sept 2012, p.66]

Ultimately, TPM might give you the odd chuckle, but you're not really looking forward to it running for a second term in your office. [Dec 2012, p.67]

A significant upgrade, supported by a clever eye for tactical diversity. An eye that is sadly poked by uneven execution. [Oct 2013, p.74]

There always came a rather abrupt moment when city management turned from a challenge into a chore, and the sameness of the battles made it hard to sustain the illusion of waging a genuine "campaign." [Oct 2003, p.106]

With improved AI, reworked story and dialogue, and less restrictive level design, this game could've been stellar. [Jan. 2007, p.71]

There's merit in Ravenbound's kinetic combat, but the game's ambition is undermined by technical issues and an empty world.

Unfortunately, despite offering an eclectic mix of turn-based strategy and RPG elements, the Night Watch game is a clunky mess. [Oct. 2006, p.88]

A slow-paced and overly simplistic take on city building and war waging, but blessed with wholesome looks and a relaxing atmosphere.

The same shabby AI and pathfinding that plagued the original have survived the trip. It's truly despicable that none of the problems were fixed. [Jan 2003, p.110]

A bland alternative to a genre-defining game millions of people are very familiar with.

Has flickers of brilliance, but the painfully slow and gruelling survival simulation routinely snuffs them out.

The physics are a joke, even for an arcade racer - driving these machines is about as exciting as pushing heavy wooden blocks around a cement floor. [Feb 2005, p.71]

Don't expect a miracle. Duke is still the hero we love, but struggles to keep up with modern times. Crude humor and classic weaponry keep him in the game.

While the graphics are very appealing, your progress is utterly railed, which sort of defeats the purpose of all the impressive architectural design. [August 2002, p.69]

The control scheme is horrifically oversensitive to any analog input: it's often a huge struggle just to keep the car tracking in a straight line. [June 2003, p.86]

We suggest you play the original, free, Flash version instead – the full explanation isn’t worth the outlay.

Dear interactive movies: Go away, go away, go away. And get eaten by dinosaurs. Thank you very much.

The story wouldn't be half-bad if it weren't for cliched dialogue (delivered by overly dramatic voice actors) and forgettable characters. [Jan 2005, p.81]

When played against three other human rivals, this game rocks! [Dec 2002, p.110]

Suitable only for the most forgiving, or perhaps younger, Star Wars fans. [May 2001, p.62]

When it comes to RTS design fundamentals, Achron is frustratingly primitive, which depreciates its brilliant twist. [Nov 2011, p.81]

Play never feels fluid, a problem compounded by the horrible, poorly ported PC controls. [Sept 2012, p.61]

Repetitive and middling, Crackdown 3 is a totally average open-world game that doesn't give itself a way to stand out.

It's such a disappointment that I'm worried this will kill any chance of us getting a meatier Legacy of Kain game—but at the same time, given how Ascendance sets up Elaleth's further adventures, it might be better if Kain and his pals go back into their coffins.

If you want to learn Hold 'Em strategies, I recommend one of the many free poker websites over Stacked. [Oct. 2006, p.104]