Sublime combat can only do so much to carry a flawed building system, too few monsters and terrible performance.

Obsessed with teaching a lesson in morality, Fable III loses focus on its charm, and is far less interesting for it. [Aug 2011, p.64]

The game's RTS and FPS elements aren't anything exciting on their own, but the combined whole makes Savage a fun, fresh game that will likely get better over time as its technical kinks are worked out, better maps are created, and organized clans begin to pop up. [Dec 2003, p.97]

For Sims owners, Vacation is one of the better add-ons (along with "Hot Date"). [June 2002, p.76]

An enjoyable interstellar romp, wrapping rich resource management and hypersonic combat around a gourmet 3D engine. [Mar 2003, p.93]

Despite variable success with the choice element, this is a kingdom you’ll want to save.

A superbly stylish and surprisingly challenging management game, Evil Genius 2 is let down only by its tendency to bloviate.

With its well executed timeloop concept, Lemnis Gate could be the sleeper shooter of 2021.

A powerful generator of gnawing tension and tough tactical decisions, Aliens: Dark Descent is a script pass away from being an all-timer.

More a novelty than your next roguelike obsession, but it has enough creativity and left-field ideas to be well worth experiencing—especially if you're still pining for the lost potential of Spore.

Disaster. Despite a beefy visual upgrade, this insultingly short add-on plays like a skanky collection of deleted scenes from the original game. [Feb 2005, p.68]

An excellent response to the criticisms of its predecessor. [Holiday 2005, p.74]

Messy, overcomplicated and slow to start, but fun once it picks up speed.

Project Wingman delivers exciting aerial combat and an interesting campaign, though it won't impress those looking for a hardcore flight sim.

A third-person horror game that's elevated by some of the sharpest writing and acting in the genre.

Basically a Star Wars mod for "Age of Empires II." That’s pretty cool, though. [Holiday 2001, p.100]

Owners of "Earth 2150" may want to wait for "Earth III." BUt his is still a very deep RTS. [May 2001, p.83]

Even while telling myself that I should be revolted - especially since Cash is a thoroughly unsympathetic protagonist - I finished the 15-hour game in three sittings. [July 2004, p.72]

It stays close to its inspirations and risks growing repetitive, but Anodyne’s darkly surreal atmosphere is gripping.

Fract OSC’s puzzles are often too few and far between the open-world wandering, and the music integration does little to stir the soul.

Some of the best boss fights in the genre's recent history, riddled with difficulty spikes in all the wrong places.

If you can get past the steep learning curve, Savage 2 can be a lot of fun, whether you want to hack and slash or work with teammates on coordinating tactics. [May 2008, p.68]

Personality, creativity, and co-op multiplayer elevate this Hades-like beyond its rough edges.

South of Midnight's action may not have the strongest hook, but its poignant tale of hope and sorrow tailored to Deep South mythos keeps its head raised high.

SiN Episodes: Emergence is a fun, if somewhat derivative, blast from the near past. [Aug 2006, p.33]

Its innovation definitely injects a shot of adrenaline into a genre that desperately needed it. [June 2003, p.78]

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]

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