For all its merits and imagination, all its potential and breathtaking battles, Universe at War is lacking an essential ingredient of real-time strategy games: strategy. [Mar 2008, p.72]

Aquaria just oozes quality. [Mar 2008, p.86]

SunAge is a terrible RTS, lacking definition, originality, or fun, wrapped in a half-arsed story. Don't even think about it. [Mar 2008, p.82]

Effective time Hoover. [July 2008, p.84]

An interesting, glitchy reprise. Our most solemn, sincere advice would be to wait for February's boxed version, when everything could - hopefully - be more stable and friendly. [Feb 2008, p.76]

Though somewhat let down by its combat, Kane & Lynch is still well worth a play, even if it's just for the cinematic feel of the levels, the refreshingly different characters and the excellent multiplayer. [Christmas 2007, p.66]

Its single-player campaign may be weak and forgettable, but its true genius lies in the untouchable quality of its firefights, its splendiferous visuals, diverse level design, massive attention to detail and downright awesome vehicles and weapons. [Jan 2008, p.60]

Muddy great fun. [Dec 2007, p.82]

The only major shortfall here is a clunky natigation system, but this aside, Eschalon: Book I is a very accomplished RPG. [Apr 2006, p.86]

An insecure game unsure of who wants to play it, but that's not to say it isn't fun. [Mar 2008, p.78]

Truly a visceral, retro experience that takes us to a warmer, happier time. [Feb 2008, p.90]

I honestly feel like I should donate some money to charity after having paid for such a nasty little swindle of a game. [Mar 2008, p.76]

Crysis thrives on putting the onus on you to create your own brand of action and adventure in its stunningly beautiful locations. You and the game can haphazardly create moments of such gaming brilliance that often you pretty much have to stand up and applaud. [Christmas 2007, p.44]

In terms of the Need for Speed series, this is a dud note. [Feb 2008, p.79]

There's an illusion of depth at play. [Jan 2008, p.74]

It's so lazily developed, so utterly devoid of creativity and verve, that it's not even worth giving half a chance. [Jan 2008, p.84]

Consoles, you win this round. [Feb 2008, p.82]

Highly recommended - it's essential for older players. [Feb 2008, p.91]

It's a shame this isn't a hopelessly bad game, otherwise I could've called it "BlackShite" and been done with it, but instead it teeters on the edge of being a worthwhile purchase before deciding it's comfortable being ordinary and forgettable. [Feb 2008, p.72]

The turn-based action is a mixture of crippling boredom, mild frustration and a mild sensation of imminent doom - based on a huge, hexagonal board-game style map with gigantic pawns that you control scattered across it. [Apr 2008, p.77]

There are bigger, better and cheaper RPGs out there. [Jan 2008, p.87]

It holds it all together with coherency, and more of a sense of storytelling than was ever apparent in Season One. [Jan 2008, p.75]

Mad Doc needs to do the full makeover in the expansion. [Jan 2008, p.72]

If you're not a master multitasker, you may want to ditch the Red Bull and play something less intense, but until then we'll keep our bastard-massive UFO hovering right over your base.

The PC version of Gears of War is a welcome reminder of how much better PC gaming can be, and that it can do big, stupid action way better than the consoles that took stupid to the masses.

Despite its flaws, CM08 is easily BGS's best game to date and is a commendable step forward for the series. Fun and accessible, it provides a decent alternative to the complexities of Football Manager. However, a weak tactical spine and the hit and miss match engine negate the need for any serious tactical tinkering, meaning that while its personality may be split, its mainstream characteristics still dominate its make-up.

This game is badly made and overwhelmingly bleak, and while the original F.E.A.R. still exists, there's absolutely no way I could ever recommend anybody buy this, even if you're on fire and this game is a bucket of water. [Jan 2008, p.80]

A tight, gorgeous-looking game. [Feb 2008, p.86]