A bit pricey for a game so close to "Bejeweled," but the RPG element genuinely adds to the package. [Christmas 2007, p.98]

A superb technical showcase, but the engine will be put to bolder use in time. [June 2011, p.85]

Some amazing moments, some truly abysmal. Saints Row is wildly imaginative but the lack of technical polish and the weak combat mar the creativity. [Feb 2012, p.100]

A great game and one of only a few platformers on Xbox; keep a spare pad handy though. [Apr 2008, p.96]

Individually this game should be superb and if you’ve never played a previous version this should be your first point of call. However, taken as part of a continuous series, this is a fairly pointless offering as it offers very little in terms of innovation.

Fun enough, but not the facelift we were hoping for. Plus, online totally carries it. [Sept 2008, p.70]

It's the definitive version of SPF, but still one for the experts or those with lots of time to spare. [Nov 2007, p.96]

Too hard to be fun, too mean not to frustrate, but challenging enough to be rewarding. [Christmas 2008, p.92]

Not quite the number of the beast - but from Schafer it's a minor disappointment. [Christmas 2009, p.94]

The grind-heavy mechanics may be for online obsessives, but solo players shouldn't bother. [Dec 2008, p.103]

It's good, but not good enough - proving the loudest car on the grid is rarely the healthiest. [July 2010, p.88]

It's certainly a good game, but we want to wage war against Sawyer from Lost, not our 360 controller.

Too much streamlining has blunted FFXIII's hooks. This isn't epic, it's arduous. [May 2010, p.67]

A timeless classic, but one we've played to death before. Still, 400 points isn't bad value. [Dec 2007, p.96]

The infrastructure is definitely in place for a corker of a kickabout but the important thing - that intangible soul - is still frustratingly missing.

Promises much but proves to be a limited, lacklustre take on the RTS. [Apr 2009, p.77]

It's a game of two halves, but the good half carries the bad. [Dec 2011, p.103]

Okay if you're looking for feature-filled b-ball - but EA do it better. [Jan 2008, p.78]

Vision of the future, relic of the past - after such a long wait, Rage turns out to be both a triumph and a tragedy. In 2011, this just doesn't cut it. [Christmas 2011, p.104]

Lacks the appeal of a "Hexic" or a "Lumines," but a surprisingly solid puzzler nonetheless. [Apr 2008, p.96]

Newcomers are likely to get more out of this new trilogy's opening than veterans, who know much better. [Feb 2009, p.74]

A so-so game on an engine so old it's literally powered by steam. [Christmas 2009, p.92]

It's a bridge between loon-o-shooters and interactive modern FPS'. That's it, though. [Christmas 2008, p.60]

Starts off crap, gets a bit better, ends up disappointing. It's a rollercoaser, for sure - but no Diddy Kong Racing. [Aug 2010, p.121]

Another tortuously brutal NES-styled slice of gaming masochism for the hardest of the hardcore. [July 2010, p.121]

A prototype for others to follow, but the concept doesn't support an entire game. [Jan 2009, p.72]

A fan-pleasing extension of canon, but not the game it should have been. [Sept 2009, p.90]

The series' next gen debut plays it safe, but will doubtless charm the pants off fans. [Aug 2009, p.80]