Squanch's FPS sequel has more creativity in its left shoe than most entire games, but High on Life 2 falls short of excellence.

A fun game that gets fatally sidetracked. I coulda been a contender. [Mar 2001, p.96]

A rich content upgrade that'll please masochistic vets looking for the equivalent of Hercules' 12 labors. [Feb 2005, p.62]

A frenetic, eye-pleasing simulation of theme-park building. [Apr 2001, p.80]

For The King 2 is surprisingly one of the most tactically challenging games of 2023, but suffers from being a bit too much of the same next to the previous monarch.

​Double Fine’s Massive Chalice takes XCOM’s DNA in a fresh direction, but doesn’t exceed it.

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

Gravity Ghost hits the notes of big-budget platformers on a smaller scale; its story fumbles along the way, but it's short and sweet.

There still isn't any game on the market quite like Farming Simulator, but the series is overdue for a gameplay makeover.

Anno 2070 is a polished management sim with some innovative ideas, but it doesn't push them far enough.

Colorado isn't the most visually appealing or intricate level in Hitman. But it provides some much needed variety—a change of scenery and challenge that rounds out the Hitman experience. It feels as if IO has spent most of this season demonstrating that it can still get Hitman right. It's nice to see they're now confident enough to move away from the template they've created.

Darkest Dungeon 2 is a challenging yet fun roguelite experience, even if it does sacrifice some of what made the original great.

Simulation purists will have issues with the game's "faked" vehicle physics, overly forgiving damage model, and rigidly structured Career mode, but ToCA Race Driver 2 offers more than enough high-speed thrills to rope in even the most demanding PC racing fans. [July 2004, p.71]

What it lacks in charm, Temtem makes up for with mechanical depth and involved multiplayer.

Ashes of the Singularity delivers thoughtful real-time strategy with tons of units in play, but drab maps and a poor story.

Aside from some frustrating quirks and unrefined space missions, Breed is a good shooter that offers "Halo" fans a veritable add-on pack. [May 2004, p.72]

The scope is ultimately limited, but what a roaring spectacle of broken car bits Wreckfest manages.

The level of freedom afforded is quite unparalleled for a game of this type. [Apr 2004, p.72]

Although Madden NFL 08 isn't all that it could be, especially in light of the console omissions, it plays an intelligent game of football. [Dec 2007, p.62]

A slap of pain tand an extra dimension can't hide the threadbare plot and archaic gameplay mechanics lurking beneath the surface. [July 2002, p.68]

Insomniac's Spider-Man is as loveable as ever, even if the surrounding game can't quite live up to him.

It's a Tiller design that hits all the notes you expect from his workshop. [Dec 2004, p.102]

A sometimes tricky RPG with gorgeous art that's perfect for co-op.

A suspenseful yet forgiving turn-based tactics game that lets you play a part in shaping history.

Chinatown Detective Agency is a solid hardboiled detective adventure with a unique DIY approach to clue-solving—but it’s most impressive as a cultural artefact.

A surprisingly engaging shooter that manages to turn what could have been another routine FPS into a rousing costume saga with a genuine feeling of epic sweep. [July 2004, p.64]

Lots of flash, low substance. Try "Freespace" or "Tachyon" for a more fulfilling experience. [July 2000, p.84]

DeathSpank is Diablo meets Monkey Island, but it fails to achieve the fun of the former or the humor of the latter. [Jan 2011, p.76]