The biggest problem is that there really isn't anything you haven't seen before. [Issue#83, p.105]

At 400 points, we'd call it a steal, and online co-op is a very nice bonus. At 800, though, we're just not that fussed. [Issue#83, p.105]

Essentially Dynasty Warriors 7 with more stuff. [Issue#84, p.89]

Fighting with an awkward camera system certainly feels a lot more noticeable today than it did back in 2003. [Issue#84, p.105]

Has plenty of good ideas: it just fails to make any of them work properly. [Issue#85, p.86]

The AI is horrible enough to make the stealth segments infuriating and the action areas unfair. [Issue#85, p.90]

Surprisingly charming overall, if a bit bland. [Issue#85, p.93]

At two hours, it's pretty short. [Issue#85, p.104]

There's no denying the rodent's getting a little arthritic in his old age. [Issue#86, p.103]

A masterclass in how to make the absolute least of your own unique selling point. [Issue#87, p.82]

It's not quite as good as we thought. [Issue#87, p.87]

A short-lived blast that doesn't quite get to grips with Microsoft's Kinect sensor. [Issue#87, p.89]

If you were looking for something a little more evolved, you'll come away disappointed. [Issue#88, p.76]

Without the Ferrari license, Test Drive's latest does the bare minimum that a racing game should do, but it still gives you access to some stunning cars and fun races. [Issue#88, p.79]

Kinect actually works. [Issue#89,p.88]

A novel idea and clever piece of kit, but indecision on whether it's a videogame or learning tool is a downfall, along with its confusing bespoke notation method. [Issue#91, p.82]

We wish the gameplay had been polished up as much as the graphics. [Issue#91, p.85]

Not anywhere near as good as Streets of Rage 2, which came out 20 years ago. That said, it's fun, and more importantly knows that it's outdated. [Issue#91, p.87]

The control system completely alters the game. This might disappoint fans, but we prefer it. [Issue#92, p.86]

It's straightforward, meaty gameplay, but the lack of multiplayer feels a little brain-dead. [Issue#92, p.87]

Sonic & All-Stars Racing is easily the better game. [Issue#93, p.80]

PID's all-consuming repetitiveness wears thin extremely quickly. [Issue#93, p.84]

Can only be recommended for fighting game addicts or Achievement hunters. [Issue#94, p.84]

It's not a complete car crash by any means but Black Knight Sword's refreshing setting can't conceal the loose combat, disjointed difficulty and overall lack of ambition. [Issue#94, p.86]

An average overall experience. [Issue#95, p.86]

The story is as epic as it ever was, but the gameplay is uninspired. [May 2013, p.86]

It’s double-hard to make such harsh criticisms of a game into which such a tremendous amount of care has been poured – obvious by its looks, and obvious by that token that a great many of those who worked on it cared.

Those hoping for improvements will be left disappointed. [Issue#98, p.76]

Much slower and less action-packed than we'd hoped - plus, it doesn't even look that much like a next-gen game. The online mode needs to be awesome if there's any hope for this one. [Issue 9, p.80]

An undercooked mess of different genres that doesn't satisfy. [Issue#5, p.98]

There's no sitting on the fence with Final Fantasy XI. It's a game you'll love or hate. Got infinite time? Got infinite patience? Then go for it. Otherwise? Steer clear. [Issue 7, p.94]

Smut aside, Rumble Roses XX is a lacklustre wrestling game that loses its appeal after just a few hours. Having said that, teenage boys are sure to love it. [Issue 7, p.98]

It's repetitive. [Issue#5, p.120]

Resoundingly okay. [Issue#23, p.97]

Sooner or later you're going to be angered by options you can see but can't actually play. [Issue#23, p.97]

Feels like an uphill climb against the odds. [Issue#6, p.120]

It may draw in a few non-RPG fans, but for the most part this is for those who can put up with mash, bash, mash, and the, err, bash! Disappointing would be a good word to sum it up. [Issue#29, p.92]

While it can be commended for a bold mix of strategy and action, Midway doesn't really pull of either with much conviction, leaving a somewhat unsatisfying experienice. [Issue 17, p.90]

Moments of fun punctuate an otherwise dull, generic blast. [Apr 2008, p.84]

Fantastic production values and a great concept let down by a lack of checkpoints, dull art direction and horribly repetitive, shallow gameplay. What a shamefully wasted opportunity. [Issue # 11, p.88]

Hackneyed missions and claustrophobic environments are just two of Open Season's problems. Is the box recyclable? [Issue 13, p.89]

This is exactly the same as last year's version. Ignore the Rivalry and Cinemotion fluff and you'll be hard pushed to spot genuine advances. At least EA pretends to try. [Issue 12, p.99]

Better than expected, but we weren't expecting much. With some tightening, Pro Evo vs. Fifa could be close next year. [Issue 13, p.91]

You'll find more action at a sports day for coma patients. Still, it has a bizarre appeal, just don't blame us for feeling guilty afterwards. [Issue 15, p.93]

Flawed, dull and not much to look at, Bullet Witch is an exercise in tedium that own't enrich your life at all. [Issue 18, p.96]

It's just boring. [Issue 12, p.116]

No game, regardless of what it may be, can try and get away with developing one level and then replicating it over the course of 12 hours. A massive shame, because there are some truly breathtaking elements. [Issue 27, p.82]

A depressingly mundane FPS, never once striving for greatness and seemingly happy to settle for faceless mediocrity. Another letdown when we hoped for so much more. [Apr 2008, p.86]

It's free, but you get what you pay for. [Issue 13, p.116]

It's just about throwing people at stuff. And it's dull. [Issue 18, p.78]

Our advice is to simply move onto the next review before the retro buffs come back with their pixelated pitchforks and limp fist-waving to show their anger, the crazy bastards. [Issue 15, p.116]

We're so incensed with yet another Xbox Live Arcade game using "Robotron"-style controls. [Issue 17, p.116]

Lacking the intensity and lavish budget of a "Need for Speed." [Issue#25, p.101]

There are far better ways to spend 800 Points. [Issue#20, p.116]

A laggy mess online. [Issue#23, p.96]

Appalling AI. [Issue #22, p.86]

It's average. [Issue 21, p.91]

You like boring, generic, sub par shooters? No? Well don't buy BlackSite. [Issue 27, p.84]

Two quid too expensive, seven years late and lacking the 'aw' factor if its predecessor. [Issue #22, p.114]

There's something very addictive about taking a mech and doing the Dynasty Warriors thing. [Issue 26, p.98]

It's basically four buttons, used in the same way each time. Fun. [Issue#36, p.115]

A piece of crap. [Issue#23, p.98]

Simply doesn't have what it takes to survive in today's cut-and-thrust market. [Issue #22, p.115]

It's just a shame that the left analogue stick is no substitution for the original arcade trackball. [Issue#24, p.101]

The second-best ice hockey game on the 360. You know what the best one is, so go buy it. [Issue 26, p.99]

Its use will result in two separate emotions - boredom and a desire to play something else. [Issue#25, p.118]

Just don't play that bloody enhanced version, you'll never forgive yourself. [Issue#29, p.118]

You'd have to love F.E.A.R. in a way that blinds you to the cynical but no doubt cost-effective repetition on offer here. Not worthy of a full release. [Issue 27, p.94]

You'd have to be really fanboyish to get some enjoyment out of this. [Issue#31, p.88]

At 800 points, there are at least three or four puzzlers on Live that should definitely precede this. [Issue#30, p.120]

FaceBreaker is one of those typical EA test games which will no doubt be improved upon next time around but for now needs major improvements. It would help if it was like boxing, for a start.

Horrible tutorials. [Issue#55, p.92]

Supreme Commander could have been great, but the wait for the console translation leaves an overriding sense of disappointment. Plus the technical flaws leave it almost unplayable.

Some genre indecisiveness and more general poor direction combine to make Damnation far worse than it looks.

The moose and the squirrel join a handful of friends to push buttons in the right order. [Issue#33, p.117]

It’s not that Burst Limit is a bad game, it’s just painfully average. [Issue#34, p.96]

As kids’ games go this is a step in the right direction but too many of the old problems raise their ugly head, not that the kids will notice mind you.

Platforming doesn't get more generic than this. [Issue#40, p.102]

A minuscule improvement, Potter is coasting now. [Issue#48, p.85]

The vertical scrolling and relentless shooting become tired and boring very quickly. [Issue#35, p.114]

Warriors Orochi is exactly what its mentally ill fans anticipated – more of the same. This is appropriate fare for them, but technically incompetent and repetitive for everyone else.

It's a novel concept but lack of control variation, plus the obvious graphical deficiencies, make it a dulled thrill. [Issue#36, p.114]

Rarely accelerates past apathy. [Issue#50, p.93]

With so many better RTSs to play there’s no need to even look at Stormrise.

Just about adequate, but RACE Pro feels about five years old in places. It will certainly get buried beneath the existing pile of cracking 360 racing titles of all stripes and colours, and deservedly so.

Epic seizure-inducing madness that is the graphics. [Issue#37, p.117]

A tired city crime epic that might have looked good five years ago, but even that would have been a bit of a stretch. Now it’s barely passable and a bit of a shame in pretty much every respect.

Definitely greater than the some of its parts, which is annoying as it’s technically so flawed and without effort. You’ve still got to be a fan, though.

You can almost hear gamers exhale as they play. [Issue#42, p.112]

Trouble is, it all controls a little too crisply for our liking. [Issue#37, p.117]

Absolutely savaged by constant loading screens, it’s hard to appreciate the seven or so gems in Namco Museum.

A worthy idea but one that just isn’t deep enough to sustain the experience. After one playthrough you’ll feel as if you’ve seen all there is to see and you’d be right.

Steep learning curve. [Issue#51, p.93]

Put simply, it works exactly how you'd expect a tech demo for touch screen to work when the touch screen's taken away. [Issue#39]

Relatively amusing. [Issue#42, p.112]

It delivers your exact RDA of dancing neon lights and evasive excitement. [Issue#41, p.112]

Matters are soured by fundamental errors, this time fairways harder than concrete and green speeds that are punishing to say the least. [Issue#41, p.112]

The tracks are fantastic, but the bare bones package is upsetting. If this had been DLC we’d be all over it, but as it stands, it falls quite short of expectations.

This shooter is out of date. [Issue#59, p.97]

You always feel at odds with the control system on offer. [Issue#45, p.101]

If you don't play Section 8 online, it's value for money is more than halved. [Issue#50, p.90]

A solid enough conversion. [Issue#46, p.101]

With cliche after cliche dropped all over a poorly told story, there's not much to like if you want something new. [Issue#52, p.93]

Shooting things is far too difficult. [Issue#47, p.101]

Within its own limited scope, a multiplayer giggle. [Issue#40]

Forced and unnecessary. [Issue#53, p.92]

Entertaining enough, but not the best Sega arcade title on XBLA. [Issue#48, p.99]

Predictably devoid of ambition. [Issue#50, p.95]

The best elements of Heroes Over Europe can only ever be described as 'meh', while the worst will make you want to rip out your own hair. [Issue#51, p.92]

The game's combos are limited, but they occasionally look great. [Nov 2009, p.104]

Undeniably a good concept spoiled. [Issue#53, p.95]

It never raises its excitement levels above 'pleasant' or 'slightly dull," but Where The Wild Things Are remains a solid enough movie game. [Issue#55, p.93]

A triumph of form over function. [Issue#53, p.104]

Not bad. [Issue#53, p.105]

You're better off looking elsewhere. [Issue#53, p.105]

A dreadful port. [Issue#54, p.92]

A dull, listless experience that only offers a challenge due to artificially imposed constraints. Irritating stuff on dual fronts, then. [Issue#56, p.105]

A poor start, cheating middle and so-so end lead only to disappointment, and confusion over what should have been the primary gimmick. [Issue#56, p.84]

Everything's just so interminably dull. [Issue#60, p.106]

Pretty dull. [Issue#60, p.107]

Not an entirely awful virtual re-creation of the beautiful game. [Issue#61, p.95]

Oh, our eyes! [Issue#61, p.105]

Brings nothing new to an utterly bloated genre. [Issue#62,p.102]

Somehow better with a second overpowered character by your side. [Issue#63, p.88]

The insane difficulty feels like a horrible joke. [Issue#63, p.102]

A bland adventure game in which a nameless hero asks a dumb ancient creature to do his bidding. [Issue#66, p.88]

A title revered for its looks in the years gone by both ages badly and succumbs to design logic issues... [Issue#65, p.105]

Certainly not high art, but Saw II has its moments, and could be worth a look for someone after a couple of nights worth of fairly brainless entertainment. [Issue#65, p.89]

The Arcania series makes its debut on consoles, and we're unimpressed to say the least - clichéd story, poor graphics and bordering on broken. [Issue#65, p.88

Anyway, if you're into videogames that could lull a person into semi-consciousness after just a few minutes' play, this is certainly the way to go. [Issue#65, p.105]

There are tons of guns, lots of explosions and decent visuals. [Issue#66, p.90]

Extremely low on budget and structured as if its developer had spent the last 15 years asleep. [Issue#65, p.90]

It's still got a long way to go, but Shred is a step in the right direction. [Issue#66, p.91]

An uneven mix of satisfying fan service and borderline broken gameplay. [Issue#67, p.88]

Rather dull and lifeless. [Issue#67, p.101]

It's actually quite enjoyable at points. It just feels short and, ultimately, a bit pointless. [Issue#67, p.105]

Ultimately fairly soulless. [Issue#68, p.101]

Frustration and grind are the most prominent attributes. [Issue#69, p.84]

A short and throwaway campaign, held together with repetitive combat, Mindjack is, just another by-the-numbers shooter to add on top of the pile. [Issue#69, p.89]

Trust us - you'll know when you've been Rango'd. [Issue#70, p.91]

At the current price, this is a horrendous deal. [Issue#70, p.92]

The boredom of playing as this droid isn't helped by the drab nature of the game's design. [Issue#70, p.100]

Too few varieties of enemy are included, sporting little variance of attack approach, to entertain anything other than your base reflexes. [Issue#71, p.102]

Borderline broken as a fighter, but, taken on its own meagre merits, a giggle to mess around with. Still, though, it falls a long way short of what could have been. [Issue#72, p.80]

We sincerely hope that real-life military operations aren't as embarrassingly shambolic as this. [Issue#72, p.82]

A far from fitting tribute to one of the most talented entertainers ever to walk the earth, or indeed the moon. But you won't get these awesome tunes anywhere else. [Issue#72, p.87]

Very obviously inferior to the competition in every way. [Issue#72, p.88]

The main problem is the fact that there's just not much to it. A complete lack of depth means after just an hour or two of play, you'll be done with it. [Issue#72, p.101]

One for the patient and curious. [Issue#73, p.100]

It's mildly entertaining in the short term, though expect to see pretty much everything it has to offer in the first 15 minutes. [Issue#74, p.102]

It's all just very basic and uninspiring. [Issue#75, p.78]

As a handheld game, Fruit Ninja worked fine, but as a 360 title it's a briefly fun but very shallow affair that will leave most hungry for something more. [Issue#76, p.103]

This is clearly for fans of the television creation. [Issue#77, p.103]

It's very much let down by repetitive play. [Issue#78, p.85]

Aficionados will want to stay well clear. [Issue#78, p.86]

If you're under ten, go ahead and buy this. You'll probably only feel slightly disappointed at worst. [Issue#79, p.82]

Boring and repetitive. [Issue#79, p.86]

Blackwater is a better use of Kinect controls than most, but ultimately there are too many rough edges, and not enough of a game here. [Issue#79, p.88]

The flaws are just too much to look past. [Issue#80, p.82]

It's Pictionary - you either care or you don't. From a technological standpoint, it works well but might prove a bit too pricey for the casual market it's aimed at. [Issue#80, p.86]

All missions are set around a basic template, and the whole idea never evolves to the point of having any meat on its bones. [Issue#80, p.103]

There's a crude leveling system. [Issue #81, p.103]

A great concept with potential, torn to pieces by bland shooting, horrid dialogue and frustrating design. Swordplay can be fun but there's little else to enjoy. [Issue#82, p.88]

At the most basic level, this just isn't much fun to play. [Issue#83, p.82]

As an old-school shooter, Earth Defense Force has much more fun to offer. [Issue#84, p.84]

None of it feels much like Resident Evil. [Issue#84, p.85]

It just isn't particularly good. [Issue#84, p.86]

A cynical package that doesn't do the Star Wars franchise any justice whatsoever. [Issue#85, p.92]

A shooter that's about as "meh" as you can get. [Issue#86, p.87]

Vaguely enjoyable. [Issue#86, p.101]

Competent, if a little aged, but also an excellent sedative. [Issue#87, p.85]

Techland has overlooked the fundamentals. A shoddy, albeit lightning-fast, racer. [Issue#87, p.88]

Gets very repetitive. [Issue#88, p.83]

Too easy, too short and too luck-based. [Issue#88, p.87]

Frustrating. [Issue#89,p.82]

It might be better than Risen, but Dark Waters is constrained by its PC roots and hampered by inconsistent design and a truly awful engine. [Issue#89,p.84]

You can ignore the smoke and mirrors for a while, but there's just no substance. [Issue#91, p.64]

Voice acting's okay. [Issue#91, p.79]

This isn't a good game, but it's one that will grow on you after a few hours. [Issue#91, p.89]

Okay in short bursts, but there's no reason to play single-player. A huge missed opportunity on EA's part and another year it won't be taking COD's crown. [Issue#92, p.78]

While it attempts to provide an accessible strategic space challenge, Planets Under Attack is sucked into a black hole instead. [Issue#93, p.86]

Only worth it for a nostalgia trip and for the flawless netcode. [Issue#94, p.85]

It’s not all bad. Through the slow-boil of falling standards, sometimes we found ourselves not hating it as much we probably should have and, occasionally, there were glimpses of what Aliens: Colonial Marines could have been, should have been. It’s best at being an intense shooter, but sadly that intensity is all too rare.

Has far too many rough edges and faults to come close to Firaxis' brilliance. [Issue#95, p.82]

Will struggle to hold the attention of anyone that didn't hammer these games back in the day. [May 2013, p.88]

You'll wonder why you didn't just stick with multiplayer greats like Bomberman. [May 2013, p.89]

There are good ideas here, but too much bogging them down. [Issue#97, p.66]

This year's effort comprises a lot of recycled, poorly implemented and buggy content, some of which is locked behind a pay-to-bypass grind wall. You can't charge 50 quid for that. [Issue#97, p.68]

A fundamentally flawed and boring RPG, Enchanted Arms might be steeped in Japanese charm but without any sense of fun or involvement, there's no reason to buy this. [Issue # 11, p.84]

No attempt at making its single-player outing more interesting than exhibition matches also stinks. [Issue#23, p.97]

Madness. [Issue#23, p.97]

Tat. [Issue#5, p.120]

It doesn't work nearly as well on the 360 as it has in the past. Shame. [Issue 8, p.94]

While you may enjoy the combat and beasts, the whole game is just far too tedious and it’s missing everything that made the original great.

We're hoping the online component's as good as we think it'll be, because between the ugly new look and the lack of any offline multiplayer, there's nothing here for offline gamers. [Issue 12, p.96]

It’s no surprise that a movie-licensed game has turned out rubbish, again. There is no excuse for gameplay this dated. Avoid, unless you’re feeling very nostalgic.

Tired, completely lacking in variety and without any substatial replay value to speak of, Rayman Raving Rabbid breaks all three golden rules of the successful party game. [Issue#20, p.88]

Disappointing isn't the word. What is the word...Lazy? Rubbish? It's probably a word we can't print. [Issue 13, p.90]

An utter waste of time and you money, please ensure this unambitious racer never enters your 360. [Issue 13, p.88]

Very pretty to look at and a lot of attention has been paid to female anatomy, but it has no substance whatsoever. [Issue 15, p.82]

Basically, Bionicle Heroes completely fails to engage us on any level. [Issue 14, p.84]

Monotonous. [Issue#23, p.97]

It's also insanely easy and offers no lasting challenge. [Issue 27, p.117]

A few good missions ultimately wrecked by lame and/or pointless missions. [Issue#20, p.90]

Inescapably dull and tedious. [Issue#32, p.118]

As a game though, it's far too uninspiring. [Issue #22, p.88]

Do you love wrestling with duff, clunky controls and replaying the same four levels over and over and over again? [Issue#30, p.119]

The levels that you fly through have all been seen a hundred times before. [Issue 28, p.118]