Andy Lynn Reviews Archive

News from Andy Lynn

Results 1 to 25 of 27.

Microsoft Money 2005
16 November 2004 9:45 GMT

The Good
Continuing concentration on debt management

The Bad
In backwards compatibility terms, it’s last year’s Autoroute disaster all over again.

Verdict
Not worth the effort if you’ve already got last version

Price
£21
Ulead VideoStudio 8
14 June 2004 13:37 GMT

The Good
Excellent literature and manuals, better audio treatment, newest popular video formats added, demo available

The Bad
(Some might say inevitable) underestimated system requirements depending on project

Verdict
Try the downloadable demo of this program, we doubt you’ll be disappointed- be prepared to have twice the stated system specs to handle it though.

Price
£45
Hitman Contracts - PC
26 May 2004 19:33 GMT

The Good
Great soundtrack as ever

The Bad
Max Payne freedom and mission recycling detract from the series

Verdict
Some may like Hitman as Max Payne but Hitman 3 needs longer than a year’s work to make a worthwhile game.

Price
£30
Breed - PC
22 April 2004 8:43 GMT

The Good
Reasonable graphics, improved voices

The Bad
Almost everything else is a letdown

Verdict
Barely scrapes acceptability as a budget game. Halo’s already won this battle, so try a demo of this before you even think about buying.

Price
£20
Painkiller - PC
22 April 2004 8:27 GMT

The Good
Serious Sam-style mayhem...

The Bad
...That could get dull

Verdict
Now that Doom III is upon us, that's the best linear action game of the moment: check this when the mission pack arrives

Price
£25
StudioLine Photo 2
25 March 2004 23:01 GMT

The Good
Almost completely safe photo editing; 30 day trial

The Bad
If you have lots of photos, the double backup can waste space; XP and PSP's browse functions are both more established

Verdict
Once an absolute beginner's learned more, this package may not matter, but you can try the demo to see if you'll need it.

Price
£35
Uru Ages Beyond Myst - PC
17 March 2004 18:00 GMT

The Good
Graphics kept to expected standard

The Bad
No multiplayer or MMO; customary platform/camera issues

Verdict
Only fans should really put themselves out to play this game

Price
£30
UNREAL II XMP Multiplayer - PC
30 December 2003 2:15 GMT

The Good
Great action and continuing map support

The Bad
Master server up and down like a yoyo

Verdict
As stated, download All-Seeing Eye for constant play - if you have Unreal II download this and try it.

Price
£0
Adaptec XHUB2 2-Port USB Hub
19 December 2003 9:02 GMT

The Good
Ability to split USB ports into a pair, light and small

The Bad
Only two ports

Verdict
Laptop users should snap this up, desktop users should opt for an internal PCI equivalent

Price
£20
Warcraft III - The Frozen Throne - PC
16 December 2003 12:16 GMT

The Good
Story and presentation (and addiction) of equal quality

The Bad
If you’re into the game none apart from becoming a necessary add-on

Verdict
Just buy it. That’s if it’s not in a retail bundle by now as they’ve both gone over the seven figure mark.

Price
£15
Unreal Tournament 2003 v2225 - PC
16 December 2003 12:07 GMT

The Good
Cheap; now in compilation with Unreal II

The Bad
Last year’s edition

Verdict
It was always going to get superseded and everyone’s moved on. If you’ve got an old machine it will still cope with this, but most stick with UT ’99

Price
£20
Unreal II - PC
16 December 2003 12:04 GMT

The Good
Great graphics

The Bad
Short, now need Gamespy to see XMP servers

Verdict
Too short to be a classic and the MP mode is getting converted to UT2K4 so move on to that now. If you really want it buy it with UT2K3 in the box set.

Price
£30
Tron 2.0 - PC
16 December 2003 12:00 GMT

The Good
Off the wall graphics and original combat

The Bad
The usual platform absolute death irritation

Verdict
Now it’s essentially on budget and not swamped by Matrix hype, Tron 2.0 is worthy of re-examination, so try the demo and snap it up.

Price
£30
Toca Race Driver - PC
16 December 2003 11:55 GMT

The Good
As good as the two oldies with better graphics, larger scope

The Bad
Charging for hints = borderline larceny; superseded

Verdict
Codemasters go annual a la FIFA style so new buyers may as well buy the follow-up - or try demos of this for budget fun instead.

Price
£35
Postal 2 - PC
16 December 2003 11:40 GMT

The Good
You can uninstall it

The Bad
It got released

Verdict
A very big thumbs down

Price
£20
Day of Defeat - PC
15 December 2003 16:59 GMT

The Good
Demands practice, then progressively rewarding

The Bad
Like old Counter-Strike, ugly; superseded by Steam Download

Verdict
DoD requires work (and now Steam) – so it’s one for the hardcore. Everyone else? Call of Duty or Enemy Territory.

Price
£15
Colin McRae Rally 3 - PC
15 December 2003 16:56 GMT

The Good
As good as the others and graphics still competent

The Bad
Now on the annual update treadmill; multiplayer turn-based

Verdict
If you don’t want to buy the 2004/5/6 etc version, this is still a competent budget racer.

Price
£35
Asheron’s Call 2: Fallen Kings - PC
15 December 2003 15:43 GMT

The Good
Heavy on combat and updates

The Bad
Only the usual MMO downtime and patches; Deep RPGers may miss NPCs

Verdict
Planetside set in a fantasy environment, combat and trading 24/7 and sometimes a strategy guide too. Liked Dungeon Siege? Shortlist.

Price
£30
Age of Mythology - PC
15 December 2003 14:59 GMT

The Good
Highly engrossing mythical strategy

The Bad
Unoriginal; Championship Manager addiction levels

Verdict
That said, it’s reminiscent of the right games, the “Age” titles which keep you captivated for hours and hours

Price
£35
Age Of Wonders Shadow Magic - PC
15 December 2003 14:43 GMT

The Good
Strategy guide with this year’s edition; random mission generator

The Bad
High resolutions aren’t an extra; do you want it if you’ve got it?

Verdict
This time around there are enough enhancements to make it worth a look but as usual, it’s newcomers who get the best value.

Price
£35
Pinnacle MovieBox Studio USB
9 December 2003 12:43 GMT

The Good
Good manual and tutorials

The Bad
Hit and miss VCR/Camcorder compatibility; rubbish functionality; woefully underequipped cable-wise

Verdict
Good documentation is spoiled by uncharacteristically poor execution of the hardware. Stick to ATi’s All In Wonder range.

Price
£200
Netopia Cayman 3341 ADSL Modem
14 November 2003 16:49 GMT

The Good
All necessary connections are supplied in the box

The Bad
Basic machine that won't offer wi-fi connectivity

Verdict
Basic and works, but likihood is you'll need something more demanding

Price
£100
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
14 November 2003 11:59 GMT

The Good
The Price; “Pros” always last longer

The Bad
ATi’s own 9600 XT and now 9800 Pro are true competition

Verdict
Graphics card technology is a quarterly business so shortlist a 9600 Pro if you can stretch to £120-130

Price
£100
Dell Axim X3 Wireless PDA
12 November 2003 17:27 GMT

The Good
Great looks and functionality

The Bad
One sole supplier; wireless standard may be wrong for your needs

Verdict
It challenged the then-entry-level HP equivalent, so as time goes on Dell needs to be on the shortlist- for checking specifications at least.

Price
£279
Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory - PC
11 November 2003 21:22 GMT

The Good
Free, 56K and legacy-PC Friendly

The Bad
Championship Manager Levels of Addiction

Verdict
It’s free, so QIII engine looks don’t matter so download and play today.Even with the next Wolfenstein single player game on the way, this won’t die.

Price
£5