The Sydney Morning Herald's Scores

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For 862 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 31% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 65% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 3.9 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 71
Highest review score: 100 Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
Lowest review score: 20 Army Men: Sarge's War
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 403 out of 862
  2. Mixed: 401 out of 862
  3. Negative: 58 out of 862
862 game reviews
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    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Colin McRae Rally 2005
    That rock is the rocking arcade rally game "Rallisport Challenge 2," which offers better visuals, a more tangible driving sensation and arguably the best online support ever seen in a racing game. That hard place is "Richard Burns Rally," which has established itself as easily the most realistic (not to mention difficult) rally game. In the wake of these two triple-A titles, Colin McRae 2005 comes off feeling a little too tired to remain the pinnacle of rally gaming.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
    The quality of the 13 varied games is uneven, and most have little depth, but some of Spongebob's amusing EyeToy challenges are as fun as Sony's excellent "Play 2."
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Bard's Tale
    The story and dialogue never cease to entertain. Objectives include rescuing prisoners, killing fearsome scarecrows and playing Cupid. But, although the developers want to ridicule, the action remains conventional.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Oleg Maddox presents: Pacific Fighters
    While it does have its fair share of bugs, we're confident that with a little patching (something the developers haven't been afraid of in the past) Pacific Fighters will surpass "IL2" to become the top World War II flight sim.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Grand Theft Auto
    There is less humour and mission variety than in recent GTA titles, plus twitchy car handling and a stuttering pace. But few handheld games offer as much depth.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dead or Alive Ultimate
    Varied play modes such as tag and survival, plus countless unlockable items, add further appeal. But the lack of new moves or characters is disappointing.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Bard's Tale
    The story and dialogue never cease to entertain. Objectives include rescuing prisoners, killing fearsome scarecrows and playing Cupid. But, although the developers want to ridicule, the action remains conventional.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
    The graphics are spectacular, rivalling the intense scenes in Top Gun, especially in the after-action replay mode. It's easily the slickest of the Ace Combat series.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    OutRun2
    Much of the game's undeniable thrill stems from the giddy car handling, which enables players to slide gracefully around corners at ridiculous speed.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Outlaw Golf 2
    The outrageous characters, puerile sight gags and sarcastic commentary provide some chuckles but the jokes are repeated too often. Fortunately, the controls and ball physics are hard to fault.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors
    Unfortunately, the game is plagued by a cumbersome camera system that takes an age to rotate around your character. But the gorgeous look of the game and the intriguing storyline should be enough for most gamers to overlook these problems.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Time Crisis: Crisis Zone
    Replay value is the weakest link, but the bonus missions attempt to offer some variety. It is best enjoyed in small doses.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Men of Valor
    Available on both PC and Xbox, the PC version is markedly superior. The main problem with the Xbox version is that it's very difficult to make out enemies amongst the tall grass, due to the low resolution of the platform.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tribes: Vengeance
    A shining example of why the Tribes universe is so popular, although fans aren't happy with many of the refinements.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue
    Mission objectives are not always clear and some youngsters might get lost or frustrated at the lengthy travelling between missions, but there is always something fun to see or do.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Under the Skin
    Unfortunately, the erratic camera is annoying and the game too quickly becomes repetitive.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue
    Mission objectives are not always clear and some youngsters might get lost or frustrated at the lengthy travelling between missions, but there is always something fun to see or do.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue
    Mission objectives are not always clear and some youngsters might get lost or frustrated at the lengthy travelling between missions, but there is always something fun to see or do.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams
    But beyond the odd wild ride on the back of a beast, negotiating the levels is a tame affair. This could prove frustrating for some, as the level of difficulty is often unbalanced.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams
    But beyond the odd wild ride on the back of a beast, negotiating the levels is a tame affair. This could prove frustrating for some, as the level of difficulty is often unbalanced.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
    Battles can become repetitive and backtracking is frequently required, but it is a lengthy journey filled with entertaining scenes and a clever, self-referential script.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams
    But beyond the odd wild ride on the back of a beast, negotiating the levels is a tame affair. This could prove frustrating for some, as the level of difficulty is often unbalanced.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Law & Order: Justice Is Served
    An intriguing mystery, but more mental challenge and lasting appeal would be welcome.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Get On Da Mic
    Where "SingStar" can distinguish a merely bad singer from a woeful one, Get on Da Mic has a hard time differentiating between a skilled rapper and a baby dribbling into the microphone.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Conflict: Vietnam
    Squeezing the Desert Storm games into the currently fashionable Vietnam setting was a mistake. Open landscapes are replaced by claustrophobic jungle, eliminating tactical freedom. Players edge along narrow paths, progressing from one firefight to the next.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    TOCA Race Driver 2: The Ultimate Racing Simulator
    Far from just a V8 simulation, this is a celebration of all motor sport, featuring an amazing 15 racing styles, 32 championships and 49 tracks from around the globe. It has something for everyone.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mortal Kombat: Deception
    Considering the extremely fast response times needed for a fighting game, it's amazing how smoothly the online mode plays. It's just as responsive as it would be if you were playing with a pal sitting next to you, which is an astounding achievement.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tony Hawk's Underground 2
    The sprawling levels are brilliantly designed and players have wonderful freedom to create their own skating parks and skaters, graffiti tags, challenging goals and even tricks. Some, may, however, feel like they have seen it all before.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mortal Kombat: Deception
    Considering the extremely fast response times needed for a fighting game, it's amazing how smoothly the online mode plays. It's just as responsive as it would be if you were playing with a pal sitting next to you, which is an astounding achievement.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Myst IV: Revelation
    Revelation repeats the formula of breathtaking visuals and oblique puzzles. But despite its success, the game remains an acquired taste - slow-paced and full of obtuse brain teasers.
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