As far as Sims expansions go though, it's mediocre. I mean, come on, it's bloody weather...And gardening. What's next? "The Sims 2: Picking Your Arse?" [June 2007, p.86]

With a great story, tons of missions, beautifully rich settings, satisfying fighting and brilliant characterisation, all swaddled in over 20 hours of play, Jade Empire has transcended its Xbox roots to reincarnate itself as a high-kicking, epic RPG for PC. The chi is strong with this one.

Make no mistake, this game is two oversized coal sacks of crap - but The Mark has a redeeming hilarity. [Apr 2007, p.68]

Apart from throwing in a fair few wacky units converted from steampunk, like ice-spitting Rooski tanks and jetpack-wearing Nazis, and wrapping the game in the counter-factual, War Front is about as unique as a new series calling itself "How Clean is Your Wife?" [June 2007, p.75]

A series that increasingly looks stuck in the past. [Jan 2007, p.77]

It feels like someone at Telltale noticed the baloon was deflating, and brought out a comically oversized pump. [May 2007, p.71]

Maelstrom is certainly interesting, but it just lacks that magic spark needed to transform a collection of ingenious ideas into a thrilling RTS experience. Innovative? Certainly. Thrilling and essential? Not quite.

While Supreme Commander may be slightly flawed in places, it's still a wondrous rendition of futuristic combat, and one of the finest specimens of 21st century RTS gaming you can currently buy. [Apr 2007, p.62]

There's simply no reason to play Dreamlords. The RTS is a shallow, boring experience, and the Web interface is a jerky, abysmal joke of an attempt at an MMO. Don't touch this even with your longest of sticks. [May 2007, p.83]

It's hard, its opening acts don't match the quality of those which follow and some characters grate - but as a modern rendition of a traditional formula, The Angel of Death has both pointed and clicked wisely. It's another nail out of the adventure gaming coffin. [Oct 2006, p.58]

Sure, the emphasis on tactics and cover etc make it slower than today's bells-and-whistles RTSs, but the time you get to think makes it one of the cleverest. Some games just don't seem to get tired with age. Chess and Close Combat are among them. [June 2007, p.79]

For most, wrestling with Battlefront's sprawling intricacies will be an approximation of hell, but for some it will be a strategy-bong heaven. [June 2007, p.74]

Paying money for something like this shameless and undercooked feels like shaking the hand of the guy who's shagging your wife. [May 2007, p.76]

Had Life Stories...been a little more mature in its scripting, I might have even recommended this. As it is, your mum would find it patronising. [June 2007, p.86]

Send him (and the game) to the dogmeat factory. It's the most humane thing you could do. [Oct 2007, p.87]

A hollow, mind-numbingly dull MMORPG grind that stretches the boundaries of good taste and sensible design decisions.

It's not terrible by any means, but it's just not very exciting either. [Apr 2007, p.76]

It's the shortest and easiest yet, with the episodic formula's skeleton (office/street intro, on-location puzzle, three-pronged task, conclusion) showing more obviously through the tighter, more linear flesh.

The beauty of it is that the game doesn't place any restrictions upon your ambitions (or lack thereof). [Mar 2007, p.77]

It's too hard to be any fun. Not hard in a challenging way - more in a stupid, dull way that has EASY opponents refusing to shoot, and HARD opponents taking perfect cover and sniping you from the moon. [July 2007, p.84]

"Must-buy" doesn't seem strong enough. There should probaby be some kind of law forcing every player to have it. For their own good, of course. [Apr 2007, p.73]

One of the most impressive pieces of indie programming we've seen in recent months. [June 2007, p.88]

The interface is so abysmal you'll want to tap out within minutes. [June 2007, p.89]

Any sense of believability is quickly shattered the moment you shoot an enemy. The gargling that emerges from your TV sounds as though it was obtained by someone with gastroenteritis taping a mic to the inside of their toilet.

Considering there's nine years' worth of work here, there's relatively little in terms of content, and you'll tear through the career mode in a couple of sessions.

This is an adventure game for anyone who loves adventure games, anyone who loves to laugh, and anyone who loves seeing animals represented as gun-toting sociopaths. And who can't admit to at least two of those? [Mar 2007, p.78]

If you're into the surreal, love your puzzles or you're simply sick of formulaic puzzle/adventure games, this could just be the perfect tonic for you. [Nov 2007, p.89]

The real problem is that it simply isn't as good as it could have been. Erratic AI, overly impervious sidekicks, some suspect voice-acting, patchily impressive and hugely power-hungry visuals. It's a list that adds up to a missed opportunity if ever I've seen one, but while Vegas may not quite have hit the jackpot, it does still manage to walk away a winner.