Technical issues and lack of a substantial upgrade aside, Until Dawn remains the perfect interactive horror movie.

Ruined King’s innovative battle system is the highlight of an attractive but unexciting RPG.

Two groups of players should consider buying Notum Wars: High-level diehard clan members, and those who have never played Anarchy Online before but would like to try it. [Mar 2003, p.109]

Repetitive combat and an abrupt ending spoil what is otherwise a remarkable feat of worldbuilding.

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.

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

Another strong (yet stressful) management sim from Frontier Developments.

A fun, imaginative platformer that’s full of ideas, but prepare to die, a lot.

A tense, sweaty-palmed experience that will appeal to your inner sniper. [Feb 2006, p.39]

Visually stunning and meticulously staged, but hindered by limited depth and stifling linearity.

Smart, savvy, and satirical, but it evokes the drudgery of social media so well it can drag like a long-winded comment thread. [Feb 2014, p.70]

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

Another incremental upgrade, Magic 2014 is still just the bastard child of Magic Online and the physical card game.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend Soulstorm for players new to the series, as mastering the interactions between nine different races is a serious endeavor, but you're getting a lot of game for $40. [May 2008, p.62]

A challenging and atmospheric platformer with a remarkable sense of tension, occasionally.

Enough new features to keep Sims 2 fans sated 'till the next expansion. [Dec 2005, p.84]

Uncomplicated but gratifying flying, in scenarios of increasing silliness and therefore likeability.

It was originally conceived for the keyboard only, and though you can reconfigure its commands, the game isn't very mouse friendly. [Mar 2002, p.61]

It may be a little short for some - you'll probably finish it in under 10 hours - but god kows there are worse licensed games. [Feb 2003, p.77]

Brace yourself for sometimes klutzy controls, but all in all, it's a smart RTS with a plucky respect for squad-based classics. [Jan 2003, p.114]

This is a game about smashing up artwork with a big rock, and there's nothing wrong with that. [Holiday 2011, p.79]

A technically excellent educational game, but dry for all but maths enthusiasts.

The game's wonky art assets and cursory narrative trimming feel like placeholders, but take it as a no-frills Portal mod pack and there are ideas here worth winding your brain around--building blocks of a development talent almost as impressive as the game it apes. [Apr 2012, p.81]

A must-own for Worms virgins, less important for all but the most devoted Worms fans. [June 2001, p.74]

Despite being a smart progression of Blood Money's ideas, Hitman feels unrefined and unfinished in lots of small but important ways.

An elaborate horror setting with plenty of effective scares – but not quite enough to last the entire game.

Definitely a kids' arcade game with the extreme simplicity of a console title, Shrek 2 offers enough comic mischief to make children love the big green guy all over again. [July 2004, p.58]

A hardcore team game that's fun when you work together, despite some unfriendly systems.