So, an expertly crafted space adventure? Yes. One of the best examples of this genre we've ever seen? Also yes, with the caveat that it's a style of game that's been sadly under-represented in recent years. The lack of heavy simulation elements and emphasis on combat makes this a game that's perfect for a quick blast as well as longer play sessions, but it's also a satisfying and, thanks to all the side missions, really quite long adventure that'll keep you looting and shooting through space for up to 90 hours.

A chaotic(yet surprisingly deep)tower defense game, Revenge of the Titans is as charming as it is challenging. [July 2011, p.76]

Aftermath retains most of the polish present in DICE's previous expansions. [March 2013, p.79]

Not as satisfying a city builder as the original, but the society simulation is still on point.

A must-own for "SimCity 4" fans, and for those who found the game too tough out of the box. [Holiday 2003, p.104]

An excellent implementation of the BUILD engine that makes for a tuly wicked shoot-'em -up. [July 1997, p.208]

Packaged with the rest of the Master Chief Collection, it’s an easy way to hop in and see what all the fuss was about 20 years ago. If you’ve spent the last 20 years moulding Halo PC into a custom content chimaera, it’s a harder sell. What Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is offering a clean slate.

The short campaign isn't as replayable as it should be, but Retribution's three bloody modes each offer great combat options. [April 2011, p.68]

A captivating journey into a beautiful, atmospheric wilderness, with a touching story that doesn’t always hit the right notes.

Stealth and pursuit haven’t changed much in Outlast 2, but it excels as a beautiful, brutal journey through extreme spiritual anxieties.

By making excellent use of its procedurally generated world and wacky gadgets, Heat Signature is a mission worth taking.

Westwood must have felt that the RA engine didn't need improving - add 7% if you agree. [Jan 2001, p.118]

Hard science, harder simulation, and narrative innovation make Per Aspera a real gem.

Hardly revolutionary, but still a hell of a lot of fun. RTS fans should pick it up. [Sept 2004, p.64]

A powerfully evocative and beautiful subversion of point-and-click rote, but occasionally opaque and disorienting.

Life is Strange elegantly meshes time-travelling with nostalgia-riddled teen drama, producing a sympathetic debut.

If any game deserves George Lucas-style tampering, it's this one. [Feb 2005, p.53]

This is still the most fun I've had with a singleplayer shooter since Bulletstorm, and the most substantially well-realised setting for a shooter campaign since Metro 2033. Its writing, music and environmental art all achieve far more than you might expect from the game about a preternaturally durable testicle with a revenge fetish and a gun in each hand. In a genre that is often overtaken by derivative or exploitative games, it's a pleasant surprise—a reminder of a time when a shooter's singleplayer campaign was the main event. A time when these games were made with attention to detail, care, and a bit of love.

Funny, fresh, and full of surprises, Typhoon’s debut blends genres expertly. Co-op doesn’t add much, though.

These four fantastic maps are pricey, but they're more than just a nostalgic throwback. They present Battlefield 3 at its best. [Mar 2012, p.74]

Unlike most Eastern Front wargames, Unity fends off overdone unit counts and dull AI. Wargame of the year material. [Mar 2012, p.80]

Lovely Planet Arcade is a fast, challenging deconstruction of old school FPS design that can be frustrating, but makes up for it with heaps of charm.

Visually, Painkiller is sumptuous. I won't disclose the awe-inspiring setting of the last level except to say that it's one of the most dazzling displays I've ever seen in a game. [July 2004, p.76]

Some of Blizzard's best work in years wrestles with bugs and design issues, but still comes out on top.

The game's still far from perfect, but NBA Live 2004 is much more enjoyable than last year's version. [Mar 2004, p.77]

Despite an annoying story mode, Anno 1800 is the biggest and best entry in the series to date.

The quest for outrageous items makes Risk of Rain 2 a strong action roguelike, but its unlockable secrets give it that little something extra.

A very satisfying wargame, if not the end-all-beat-all game we'd hoped for. [Aug 2000, p.88]