However invested you become, however much enjoyment you take from competency and victory, however many times you watch that replay back of the Volta goal you scored by flicking it backwards over a defender, losing another with an elastico and backheeling it into the net (at least double figures now), FIFA 20’s biggest failing is in producing an enjoyable football match.

Good but not great, it's sweetly bland adventure porridge. [Feb 2004, p.79]

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

A fine superhero SWAT team tactics game smothered by a little too much admin.

A promising mystery concept that doesn't quite give players a truly mind-melting temporal puzzle.

With its fast-paced combat, Tabbula Rasa offers a fantastic change from the usual elvish offerings in the MMO landscape. However, its lack of community-building tools and single-path progression may hinder its long-term appeal. [Feb 2008, p.78]

A punishing take on the Rogue-inspired genre, Bedlam is weird and colorful and stressful.

Gory, beautiful chaos, if a little frustratingly rough behind the scenes. A good afternoon's chaos, and that's what matters.

A fun blend of puzzle and roguelike that inspires forward-thinking, but cuts your strategy short.

It's at its best when it simply flows, painting items into existence or hurling fireflies into the darkness. [Jan 2011, p.77]

In the interest of accommodating it all, the awful maximum resolution and the tiny sprites are just about excused. [March 2014, p.73]

Beautiful style, polished interactions, but ultimately it just runs out of things to do.

An accomplished Lovecraftian adventure with a bunch of potential that gives up its deeper secrets too easily.

An enchanting adventure that boasts some magical hand-drawn animation, but will inevitably leave some players perplexed.

Witty interactive storytelling that’s best with a group and weakens significantly after a few brief playthroughs.

Perhaps the beat-'em-up genre's best ever roster of playable characters, let down by an inconsistent campaign that wears out too fast.

An interesting setting let down by frustrating checkpoints and rough UI.

The constant threat of chaos adds tension and fun to an otherwise basic management sim.

It's refreshing to be able to just jump into a strategy game and play. [Feb 2006, p.49]

Fun combat and a sophisticated city burdened with the unfulfilled potential of a far scarier experience.

This is a fun, vibrant open world game with a great sense of humour. I just wish it felt nicer to play.

Fun, not-too-hard stealth puzzles that look great, wrapped up in a humdrum story with a boring protagonist.

It offers roughly 20 hours of compelling play, with a mystery that's genuinely worth solving. [Feb 2004, p.81]

The Ship is the shooter Agatha Christie didn't live long enough to make. [Sept 2007, p.65]

Challenging fun. [May 2010, p.82]

A superb water park for four friends to splash around in, but progression is sluggish and there are too few surprises beneath the waves.

While no single aspect of Nexagon is truly unique, the total package is a winner - surprisingly fun and addictive. [Nov 2003, p.110]

Still, Top Spin 2 is a decent, enjoyable tennis game for a modest $19.99 price tag. [May 2007, p.70]