Although it has an attractive concept, it doesn't really contain enough variety or challenge to keep gamers coming back for more. [Aug 1998, p.140]

A cleanly executed idea falls short because of flat characterisation and a dissatisfying lack of consequence. If only real papers were this toothless.

A decent if generic strategy game that lacks the big personality and siegecraft of earlier entries.

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

A fine RTS in the classic tradition, but it takes players far too long to get to the good parts--even if you pay. [Dec 2011, p.76]

Gat Out of Hell offers all the open-world distractions of a Saints Row game, but precious little of what made the last two so remarkable.

It's a diverting racer that will keep you occupied longer than you might expect, but remains eminently disposable. [Sept 2012, p.77]

With only a couple of minor decisions to be made and just a short shootout section there's no significant replay value to KSM, but you do get a marginally improved SMG, a stealthy, lethal companion and a snazzy new casual outfit to strut around the Normandy in. [July 2010, p.79]

An entertaining roguelike deckbuilder held back by irritating design decisions. Frustrating, but far from a bust.

With inexplicable control schemes, and unhelpful camera, irritating bugs, and mangy-looking textures, there's nothing remarkable about the sloppy job Capcom did porting the budget-priced action-adventure from the Playstation 2. [May 2007, p.70]

Offers a lot of game time for your money, but not much stimulation. [Jan 2001, p.142]

Exploring Cargo's bizarre world is charming and even thought-provoking at times, but ultimately turns out to be a superficial experience. [Sept 2011, p.69]

An undeniably appealing treatment of cross-country "raid" rallying. [August 2002, p.73]

Even novice gamers are likely to be dismayed at the hold-your-hand gameplay. [Jan 2003, p.103]

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

I don’t doubt that every gun, perk, and killstreak reward in Ghosts was implemented and tweaked with a fine brush, but painting in every individual eyelash of the Mona Lisa wouldn’t make it a better painting. That’s what’s been happening to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare since 2007—little bits have been scraped off and painted over again and again. With a broader brush, Activision and its studios might stop noodling around in the corners of Modern Warfare’s greatness and paint something actually modern.

An intriguing take on the genre that should have paid more attention to the RTS basics. [Oct 2000, p.130]

It'd be a heck of a lot of fun, too, if the gameplay wasn't plagued with rampant technical issues. Between pauses, hiccups, and slow-downs in heavily populated areas of StudioTown, it's a complete lag-drag. [Aug 2003, p.62]

It continually sidetracks you with diversions that aren't in the book, when all you really want to do is get to the good stuff that Tolkien crafted. [Feb 2004, p.76]

An occasionally brilliant immersive sim blighted by bugs and a restrictive save system.

With the set pieces all working this well, it's a shame Immortals features such a forgettable plot with so few appealing characters. [Nov 2008, p.73]

It's a good place for casual shooter fans who don't feel like dropping $20 to get the crap kicked out of them in CS. [Nov 2008, p.66]

Not Tonight 2 does a decent job of adapting Papers, Please to a terminally hateful America, but the premise wears thin with every pit stop.

Starsky isn't the grooviest racer around, but the cars handle well and the graphics ain't shabby. [Apr 2004, p.68]

Despite a beautiful world and some clever mechanical flourishes, Zero Parades doesn't commit to its espionage concept enough to be convincing.

A fun diversion if you want mindless space action. But I guarantee you'll have a better time with a bargain-bin copy of "FreeSpace 2" or "Freelancer." [Feb 2005, p.64]

Dependence on other players means the game widely varies between completely hilarious and utterly boring.

A messy, unfocused mishmash of genres with a few smart ideas.