Soviet Assault doesn't expand on World in Conflict enough to make it an automatic purchase. New players will get the best experience here. [Apr 2009, p.84]

An open-world samurai adventure with an interesting structure and a lot of personality that is, unfortunately, not very good.

An average action game saved by a charming sense of humour and an intoxicating sense of fun.

Cute little city-builder with big ambitions and even bigger cosmic cetaceans.

An enticing premise held back by uneven pacing and glaring technical issues.

A cerebral and spooky sequel that expands on the franchise’s story and themes, while slightly dialing down the terror.

Not a feast for the eyes, but there's more than a meal here if you're a glutton for clever, cruel puzzle-based punishment.

A cute chess set for 40K fans and an unusual twist on the classic game, but skip the campaign.

But it's the game's many bugs and glitches, not mere repetition, which sap Dark Messiah's might and magic. [Feb. 2007, p.77]

Undulates between periods of manic maintenance and mundane management, with long stretches of ho-hum in between. [Feb 2005, p.58]

It may not be the Dungeon Siege you remember, but this stunning, story-driven co-op dungeon crawler is entertaining just the same.

Atari's latest open-world racer serves up hotter cars, warmer climates and more torrid racing action than its predecessor. [April 2011, p.70]

Take it for what it is - an inexpensive and silly throwback. [Nov 2002, p.134]

For Disney fanatics, its biggest flaw will be stingy access to real Disney props and settings. [Dec 2002, p.110]

While it succeeds in being a happy, positive game, Dream Daddy's simulation doesn’t go far enough.

Halo 2 for the PC is too little, too late. [July 2007, p.66]

While I am all for a rousing 2D game, Dofus gets old way too fast. [Apr 2006, p.78]

Another beef: no tutorial levels, which would have been a good idea, given the cryptic story. [Holiday 2006, p.78]

It may not be the most authentic simulation of American politics, but Political Machine does have some educational value in helping you understand the nitty-gritty of how 270 Electoral Collage votes are cobbled together. [Dec 2004, p.96]

Though not particularly memorable, Saints Row 2's huge volume of quests and goofy side missions make it one of the better open-world crime games available, but the PC port's technical scars drag it down. [Mar 2009, p.70]

It's unfortunate that this game occasionally decides to shoot you in the face rather than hand you a cannoli. [May 2006, p.52]

Fiddly at times, and cursed with a lousy tutorial, the intricacy and scale of Cities in Motion 2 eventually shines through. [July 2013, p.74]

All these practical problems obscure Sum's flat-out brilliant mission design. [August 2002, p.70]

Despite a few AWOL features, however, it can still deliver a healthy 230-mph kick in the pants when pushed. [Dec 2003, p.102]

The Gladiators trades in bumpkin-building for fast-paced and hilarious arena combat... An eminently chewable bit of bubble-gum entertainment. [Mar 2003, p.94]

The immersiveness that made "Black & White" so appealing is distinctly absent. [Mar 2002, p.56]

A lean roguelite that never feels like it's wasting your time, even if it's got some rough edges.

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.