In many ways, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is the biggest and most confident game Kojima has ever made, but you can’t escape the fact that while it’s certainly an immaculate world that has been created, it’s just a small fragment of something much larger we’ve yet to explore.

An interesting but limited spin-off. [Issue#201, p.84]

We can't help but have a soft spot for Defiance, if only because it not only looks impressive, but it kept us captivated right up to yet another tense climax; a rare combination for most recent games. [Christmas 2003, p.121]

If Birth By Sleep's twee story fails to impress, fans will be delighted to learn that it features the best combat in the series to date. Fast, fluid and featuring a variety of interesting mechanics, it's a huge improvement over past instalments. [Issue#101, p.122]

Dead good, but no "Ghost Squad." [May 2008, p.110]

This is all about the actual experience and arcade thrill and there’s nothing more exhilarating than flying through a screen of explosions while desperately dodging enemy missiles. [May 2007, p.113]

A solid and welcome return. [Issue#179, p.82]

FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage has been aimed squarely at those who are sick and tired of fluffy and generous racing games. Indeed, this is harsh, uncompromising, over the top and at times incredibly frustrating. This feels like the point-blank shot in the face that racing games so sorely need. [Aug 2007, p.123]

A clever, but not seamless, mix of genres. [Issue#201, p.90]

It's a wholly entertaining romp filled with non-stop nonsense and inspired moments that set it apart from almost every other Wii game. [Christmas 2009, p.120]

Nier is so burdened with poor design choices and outdated mechanics that some won't be able to see the ingenuity through the fit of technical hiccups. [Issue#96, p.124]

In many ways The Sims 4 is a beginning, its core foundation of functions playing their parts beautifully. But in others it feels like a step back, like a set of systems designed around future expansion in mind and not providing the necessary wealth of options from the start.

That Onimusha 3 is the final chapter is a shame, given its stellar mix of action and puzzles. Combine this with a new control system and it's clear that the series is only just hitting its stride. [July 2004, p.102]

Stubbs deserves to succeed, just to prove to publishers and retailers that new IPs and obscure ideas aren't something to fear. [Mar 2006, p.118]

Overall, you're getting two full games here, both involving and complex - if not a little dated - and well worth your money. [May 2009, p.104]

Those searching for an exact simulation of the sport should go for FIFA. Those looking to score spectacular goals, have end-to-end matches and play at a ridiculous pace should plump for Pro Evo. [Dec 2007, p.134]

A knowing tribute to the games of yesteryear and a worthy counterpart to both the film and comic. [Issue#101, p.112]

It's such a tough sell, as it's so short and so little of its running time can actually be defined as 'gameplay'. It's such a maverick, though, and such a bananas way to spend eight hours, that it's almost certainly something everyone should experience. Just don't go expecting the Earth. Asura's already smashed it to pieces.

Its numerous annoyances prevent it from enjoying ‘must-have’ status but if Nintendo’s promised patch eliminates its most irritating one, it could be great rather than merely good like it is now.

In a game so clearly reliant on tension, ambience and atmosphere, it's almost unthinkable that somebody at one of the largest entertainment companies in the world would not choose dubbing rather than subtitling in such an Eastern title but, worse still, green-light the appalling finished dub which may well have permanently damaged our ears. [Mar 2004, p.94]

It’s cute, and a bit silly, and extremely easy to play and enjoy. It’s a relatively new sort of videogame, and one whose premise doesn’t have much to do with hours of play or complexity. [Nov 2005, p.122]

Digital Extremes should be reasonably proud of Pariah, even though it falls short of being the be all and end all of the genre that the developer claimed it would be. [May 2005, p.90]

Electronic Arts’ decision to free the series from simply being one man on a very direct mission by creating a virtual battlefield is a wise one but one that hasn’t quite reached as far as it could. [July 2005, p.106]

Action-packed, but with thought behind it. [Christmas 2005, p.106]

Once you crest its steep learning curve, it becomes subtly addictive. [Issue#145, p.114]

Despite the backtracking issues, Secret Rings remains an altogether more satisfying platform game than many of its peers. [Apr 2007, p.116]

Beautiful, but hampered by lackluster storytelling. [Issue#203, p.76]

For what it is and on its own merits, it's the ultimate version of the world's best online game, period. However, we can't escape the fact that this is little more than Counter-Strike 1.6 with decent bots - a game we've been playing for years and for free. [May 2004, p.118]

For something light and enjoyable, we would certainly recommend it, but don't expect this one to reach down and really grab a hold of your soul. [Issue#203, p.78]

The attention to detail in both art direction and audio design is admirable, and it's decent value for money. [Issue#152, p.122]

The dichotomy of play styles breathes new life into favourite stages as they're re-envisioned and redesigned for Sonics they were never originally intended for, while some genuinely imaginative and exciting level design recaptures that core thrill – of rolling a hedgehog around a colourful fantasy world – that endeared so many to Sonic two decades ago.

The title does offer features and functionality (for Xbox owners, at least) that can only otherwise be obtained through pricey PC software, and the fact that a console title can even approach this kind of professional software has left us particularly impressed. [Aug 2004, p.114]

It’s anticlimactic, but perhaps intentionally so. After all, it’s the journey that counts, and both Vella and Shay have come a long way from where they started. Double Fine has proven its honed and tested skills in this genre again, but we can’t help but feel that there was more it could do.

A tough-to-watch vignette of familial love and loss. [Issue#203, p.80]

While it's not likely to satisfy anyone looking for deep fighting action, existing fans will be pleased with what's on offer. [Issue#152, p.123]

If you’re after a light and engaging time sink, look no further.

So a superb solo experience that can be shared with ease is what’s really on offer. Whereas the addition of better multiplayer options would have seen the title become essential, what’s featured is more than enough. [Jan 2007, p.112]

A delightful and demanding trip down memory lane. [Issue#203, p.82]

A rich, vibrant world despite its lacklustre campaign. [Issue#205, p.78]

It's hardly a stunning RPG or an essential purchase but Radiata Stories is a charming, entertaining and compelling adventure, nonetheless. [Dec 2005, p.104]

Even without the new weapon parts, characters and maps that will be joining the roster, it's a worthy side-dish to whatever passes for your multiplayer main course. [Issue#145, p.121]

The action-RTS tomfoolery is remarkably compelling once you get a feeling for the basics... Darwinia is proof that you don’t need huge budgets and flashy visuals to make a decent title. [Apr 2005, p.112]

If you’ve not got half a lifetime to invest - or even if you have and you’re just up for trying something a little different - Stella Deus is an interesting and competent strategy title just waiting to rob you of over 40 hours. Good stuff. [Aug 2005, p.108]

A few rough edges don't detract from an adventure that is as emotional as it is brain teasing, and is worth experiencing whether or not you can relate to the subject matter.

Smart, brutal and to the point. [Issue#205, p.83]

It's rather good...You don't need to be a football fan to enjoy this. [Issue#180, p.47]

It might not sound like much of a change, but the shift of focus into multiplayer territory is quite enough to make Wario Ware appealing all over again. [May 2004, p.108]

Arslan: The Warriors of Legend doesn’t stray too far from the tried and tested Warriors formula. But, once again, Omega Force has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of a brilliant source material while combining it with a solid, combo-filled slasher – and arguably the best-looking Warriors-style game to date.

Great game when it works like it should – but is that a disclaimer we should really tolerate?

A flawed but enjoyable rework of Papers, Please. [Issue#205, p.84]

Dustforce does itself no favours for having such a grim outlook, but when a game offers this much challenge it's easy to brush such criticisms under the carpet. [Issue#145, p.123]

Eminently timeless, suitably gorgeous, but unutterably difficult. Everything you want in a retro revamp. [Oct 2006, p.120]

Cross-breeds cats and pigs with great success... The whole experience is one that at no point takes itself seriously and the gorgeous cartoon world of the first game returns shinier than ever, complete with similarly insane bouncy tunes. [Jan 2005, p.102]

It’s important that The Witcher doesn’t take itself too seriously, because that’s what helps it stand apart from the rest of the pack. [Chrismas 2007, p.134]

If you recognised the clever retro nods in the visuals without having them pointed out then this will appeal. If not, scroll on. [Issue#117, p.119]

A brave game that deserves recognition. Gladius rises above its initial shortcomings and delivers a lengthy and enjoyable experience. [Dec 2003, p.112]

Every time you’re about to put the controller down, there’s always something to keep you playing – even if it’s just to see another astoundingly gorgeous area or one more gargantuan enemy boss. [July 2007, p.106]

A generously long-lasting slice of festive entertainment for the peripheral. [Issue#117, p.120]

Here's hoping the rest of the trilogy also heads west. [Issue#117, p.122]

Enigmatic in parts, frustrating in others, Dontnod demonstrates it can fuse the domestic with the supernatural with a deft hand, and succeeds in creating a pastel world brimming with intrigue in about three hours.

A short, simple showcase of artistic talent. [Issue#200, p.79]

It’s a decent change of pace and allows you to wreak vengeance on maps whose obstacles left you seething with rage. Blackguards 2 has a lot to keep turn-based strategy enthusiasts occupied, though it fails to outshine the more complex games in the genre.

Trenched lacks the usual amounts of Double Fine secret sauce. [Issue#112, p.116]

I never falls too far from chaotic fun. [Issue#155, p.122]

Our worries about monotonous dungeon-crawling have proved unfounded as Obsidian has given this integral part of the game a good shake up, ploughing surprises and intrigue into every dark cave and ancient ruin. [Jan 2007, p.98]

Legacy doesn't convey the greatest of first impressions, but the more you explore of the game's venerable interior the more you find yourself falling under its spell. [Issue#145, p.129]

A weak story saved by innovative puzzle design. [Issue#200, p.81]

If anything, it showcases exactly how successful more traditional games can be on Apple's products, and we should fully expect the floodgates to open. [Issue#105, p.114]

While it may be exactly the same as Mercury at heart, there’s enough extra content to make it interesting. [Nov 2006, p.124]

Rough visuals dampen its impact. [Issue#180, p.41]

Genuinely offers something new to a genre whose form is now long established. [Sept 2006, p.110]

A nicely put-together game with a slightly mixed message. [Issue#183, p.75]

Community Remix is the only really new feature that Just Dance 2005 adds. [Issue#155, p.126]

With the unique interface proving both innovative and obstructive, a bit of the original’s spark has been lost in translation. [Feb 2005, p.88]

In the absence of a compelling plot to compensate for the muted thrills, ODST's claim to 'must-buy' status looks very shaky. [Nov 2009, p.102]

Spectacular but struggles to maintain momentum. [Issue#180, p.43]

For every awful moment in The Warriors, there are two great ones. The mix of story, nostalgia and out-and-out combat is a heady concoction and when it all clicks, it's thoroughly enjoyable. [Dec 2005, p.120]

While #IDARB has an undeniable spark of ingenuity and humour to it, it doesn’t quite have the depth and variety of games of its kind like Super Smash Bros. It’s #IDARB’s simplicity that holds it back, but it is also this quality that makes it so refreshing to pick up and play.

To continually repackage the same hackneyed take on real pain, real suffering, and real people in the mane of entertainment is a sure road to exploitation. [Nov 2008, p.112]

It's in desperate need of a rethink in terms of its movement systems. [Issue#180, p.48]

It's a nice, clean package that delivers enough hi-octane chases and enjoyment to warrant a purchase. [Christmas 2005, p.121]

A strange beast. [Issue#100, p.132]

It takes several hours of frustrating play to get to the more enjoyable sections of the game. [Mar 2009, p.116]

A disappointing new step in a declining series. [Issue#180, p.80]

Though an overall shallow affair, Marvel Avengers: Battle For Earth displays lot more polish, flair and finesse than your average movie tie-in title, but like those Skrull impostors, it can't escape its true, uglier nature for too long.

Too many fruits spoil the broth. [Issue#180, p.85]

Don't rush out and purchase the camera if you don't already have one in your cupboard. [Issue#155, p.127]

Silent Hill 4 is by far the most atmospheric of the titles to date, and if played under the right conditions will creep out even the most hardened survival horror fan. But being made to traipse over the same levels a second time seems a little lazy and really saps a lot of enjoyment out of the experience. [Sept 2004, p.113]

It might seem like the most complete Mario Kart experience yet, but in reaching for a wider audience, Nintendo may have lost sight of what made the series great in the first place. [May 2008, p.112]

For its price and satisfying-yet-asinine fun, it’s difficult not to recommend unless you’re the kind of person who takes everything seriously. [Feb 2008, p.135]

Super Bomberman R doesn’t ruin the classic B-Man recipe, but with a price tag as big as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you can’t help feeling this is a digital-only arcade title with the wrong price stuck to its box.

The best way to enjoy Heroes Of Ruin is most definitely with three friends, but to highlight this as a selling point would be to assume there are going to be people out there with three friends who also own the game, and that will get together and plough hours at a time into it. Realistically, this will rarely happen, and as a single-player looter, Heroes Of Ruin, fairly enjoyable though it is, fails to show the invention necessary to justify its own existence.

If you own any of the three previous Bomberman DS titles – or indeed any Bomberman game since the first SNES Super Bomberman – then the only new experiences on offer here are found in the mini-games and story. [May 2008, p.122]

For those who haven't played a Tales game before, we'd suggest there are better options out there. [Issue#147, p.118]

Parallel Lines is a stylish game; everything from the cut-scenes and dialogue to the excellent soundtrack has been constructed meticulously to produce an almost Tarantino simulacrum of 1970s Americana. [Apr 2006, p.108]

The opportunity to play it all over again, along with the unconventional Metal Slug 6 (in its home debut), makes this collection a joy to play through and exceptional value for money. If only its controls were perfect. [Feb 2007, p.120]

The laboured cut-scenes could be replaced by a title card that simply says 'Whatever'. [July 2010, p.116]

Despite a veritable host of respectable changes and additions, this still can't live up to the standards of the original game. An improvement over the last console effort, but with so much more potential than is actually realised, Bustin' Out still disappoints a little. [Christmas 2003, p.126]