There are better RPGs out there, there are better RPGs on DS, but better Sonic Adventures? You’d be hard pushed to find one. [Dec 2008, p.114]

Never gets bogged down in the endless conversations of, say, Phoenix Wright. [Christmas 2008, p.107]

The constant wave of new ideas and alterations on the concept will keep you coming back for more. [Nov 2008, p.119]

Disaster: Day Of Crisis is good for a single playthrough with expectations adjusted accordingly, and can be enjoyed on the same level as a mindless blockbuster. [Dec 2008, p.130]

It’s classic WipEout adorned with the kind of hypnotic visuals that only PS3 can slupply. [Dec 2008, p.100]

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 a fun, frothy take on a scene that could have easily led it to drown in detestable ghetto references and urban nods, but even though B-Boy manages to avoid travelling that dangerous path, it remains no more than a guilty pleasure. [Oct 2006, p.121]

Black Rock’s fast, inventive and polished racing indicates Pure may have enough grunt to keep itself ahead of the pack. [Nov 2008, p.125]

Far too often your hands will be in the right physical space, but the Wii thinks they’re elsewhere – inexcusable in this kind of videogame. [Dec 2008, p.126]

Exactly the same as every other instalment of the series but with a glossy next-gen finish. [Aug 2008, p.115]

The previous games were marred by simplistic, repetitive gameplay. Lego Batman isn’t entirely free from these flaws, but puzzles are more numerous, complicated and diverse. [Nov 2008, p.115]

There is very little challenge. And even when you do start ‘digging’ into the past with the Hollow Pen, this involves simply drawing a circle with the stylus and carrying out an obvious action. [Christmas 2008, p.116]

It may be a straightforward game, but it’s also a fun one, and the imaginative presentation is very well accomplished. [Nov 2008, p.117]

Throw some wonderfully realised boss battles into the mix of gentle exploration and high-speed escape and you have one of the most varied yet consistently polished platform games of the generation. [Nov 2008, p.110]

Repelling an invasion from an opposing faction or collectively scoring enough objectives to seize control of a territory offers a sense of achievement that only endgame raids of rival MMOs can match. [Nov 2008, p.120]

By even allowing the choice between simple hack-and-slash gameplay and the more complex mix-up combos, LucusArrts has ensured that many will never view the title’s full potential. [Oct 2008, p.104]

It’s polished to the nth degree, the set pieces come together nicely, and the mix of freeform and linear play works well, but there’s nothing here to distinguish it from the original. [Nov 2008, p.100]

It ingeniously updates all the problems with the original without destroying the core concept. [Dec 2008, p.109]

A very tight fighter, with tried-and-tested 2D mechanics cloaked in a 2.5D visual presentation. [Sept 2008, p.111]

Clear Sky chiefly succeeds because it transforms grim fantasy into a startlingly real-world experience. [Oct 2008, p.108]

The whole drop-in drop-out nature of the world tour, both online and off, is outstanding. It’s also worryingly addictive. There never feels like a good enough reason to stop. [Jan 2009, p.98]

Fetch quests interrupted by relentless, contrived fight sequences may have worked once, but in the altered landscape of 2008 Yakuza 2 really feels like it should be offering more. [Nov 2008, p.123]

If you’re a massive fan of the original then you should be aware that this game is incredibly similar to the 360 instalment, but newcomers should consider this essential. [Nov 2008, p.114]

This is one of the most ambitious, fun, and stimulating pieces of software for the last decade and, frankly, what does it matter whether its 100 percent videogame or not. [Nov 2008, p.94]

The cosmetics and style that FaceBreaker offers in spades fail to raise the mechanics and gameplay above average. [Oct 2008, p.125]

A solid expansion to better the original. [Apr 2008, p.119]

Hopefully tri-Ace will revive these characters for a second game, which can fix the niggling flaws of this imperfect but enjoyable adventure. [Nov 2008, p.106]

Although the formula is very similar to the first title, the sheer number of extra elements makes it fun to collect all those piñatas again. [Nov 2008, p.98]

With a little more substance it could have achieved something greater, but as it stands we’ll be looking to Far Cry 2’s release later in the year to satiate out non-linear jungle needs. [Nov 2008, p.108]

The evasive gameplay may not be sophisticated, but the original concept will keep you entertained for a few hours, and the sound effects and music provide a real sense of charm. [Nov 2008, p.111]

With friends is by far the best way to enjoy the game. [Nov 2008, p.111]

The bones are here for a stunning adventure, but the imagination simply isn't. Our disappointment is palpable. [Sept 2009, p.116]

Every quality the game has ever displayed since its 2004 debut is matched or surpassed in this, the culmination of Nippon Ichi’s creative vision and talent and doubtless the best Disgaea yet. [Mar 2009, p.108]

You can’t fault it in terms of artistic design, and although it’s no better than its predecessor, it’s certainly no worse. [Oct 2008, p.120]

The resource management and skill chasing on offer is sound, but everything else is repetitive, undemanding, and forgettable. [Oct 2008, p.110]

Rearmed boasts a level of polish rarely seen in downloadable titles. [Issue#73, p.116]

It’s perfectly functional, neatly presented, and consistently enjoyable to play, but there’s nothing here to make it particularly memorable or great. [Oct 2008, p.106]

You can tackle the 160, inappropriately named ‘standard levels’ in any order, so Treasure’s glorious design work is immediately on show. [May 2008, p.108]

Unless you’re a big fan of the Homestar Runner series of web cartoons, you’re likely to spend much of your time with the game scratching your head. [Oct 2008, p.114]

The visual flair and meticulous puzzles will delight any gamer willing to lose themselves in Braid’s considerable challenge, but its true worth is grounded in something far more abstract. [Oct 2008, p.127]

It’s a fun, frothy take on a scene that could have easily led it to drown in detestable ghetto references and urban nods, but even though B-Boy manages to avoid travelling that dangerous path, it remains no more than a guilty pleasure. [Oct 2006, p.121]

Small, affordable, and utterly absorbing. [Oct 2008, p.121]

Does exactly what a good sequel should, retaining the core appeal of the first game but with enough twists added to make it feel as altogether new and exciting as a completely original title. [Oct 2008, p.118]

This is easily the best Soul Calibur package to date, though there is a niggling feeling that things may not have moved on enough. [Sept 2008, p.114]

The game’s faults intermittently make themselves known but are easy to ignore in such an engrossing and skilfully directed game. [Oct 2008, p.117]

A game that's just as enjoyable as any other in the series but with a wow factor that far exceeds the vast majority of them. [July 2008, p.123]

It’s difficult to label Go! Go! Break Steady’s use of two genres as a hybrid, because the rhythm–action and puzzle elements sit side by side, rather than one informing the other in any inventive way. [Oct 2008, p.121]

It is possible to learn the delicate demands of each event of course, but that can often take close to an hour of practice for each one – hardly the mark of a casual-interest game. [July 2008, p.125]

We can’t remember the last time a standard RPG boss needed such an unforgivingly focused strategy. [Dec 2008, p.109]

Demands a very different strategy from practically any other kind of shoot-'em-up. [Aug 2008, p.119]

The best-made golf game on the system. [Aug 2008, p.106]

One of the most enjoyable strategy games to hit consoles in a very long time. [Aug 2008, p.110]

Those who’ve played the first three might feel short-changed, especially with the omission of the two-player mode and online leaderboards from New Blood, but players pulling on those surgical gloves for the first time will be doing so with the best game in the series to date. [Oct 2008, p.112]

It works well enough, but doesn’t really offer an advantage over the joystick controls of the arcade game and is significantly slower in practice than the flicks of the DS stylus. [Sept 2008, p.124]

It’s worth pointing out, largely due to Aerosmith’s distinctive style of music, that this game is noticeably easier than its forerunners. [Aug 2008, p.107]

Final Fantasy Tactics A2 takes all of the divisive elements of its predecessor and runs with them. [Sept 2008, p.119]

We will reserve praise for the game’s chapter-skip function, however, because Alone In The Dark seems custom-built to tear your patience to shreds. [Aug 2008, p.98]

DICE offers a brief taste of a Battlefield game driven by story and characters, where the completion of objectives signifies more than reaching a dot on the radar without dying, but delivers a product that leaves you feeling much the same as any of its ancestors. [Aug 2008, p.94]

Upsets the balance between fun and realism maintained by its immediate predecessor. [Aug 2008, p.108]

Great gameplay marred by poor ergonomics. [Oct 2008, p.116]

Futuristic racing never felt so outdated. [Sept 2008, p.117]

Space Invaders Extreme’s nearest contemporary is Ikaruga. But even Treasure’s superb blaster is unable to match the sheer intricacy that Taito has managed to pack into this diminutive shooter. [May 2008, p.125]

There are so many cheaper, better versions in existence that it’s very hard to recommend. [Sept 2008, p.125]

It’s impossible to ignore the problems that detract from what could have been a fantastic seven hours of gameplay. [Sept 2008, p.118]

Level design is a cut above most games of this type, using different brick properties as well as imaginative wall layouts to keep the player problem-solving and the ball in the air. [Sept 2008, p.124]

For out money, however, the battles are all too often a test of patience rather than an examination of your ability to strategise efficiently. [Sept 2008, p.121]

Such intellectual depth is unusual for this medium, but to both its creator and its fans this is a deeply personal game. [July 2008, p.100]

Great toy, great community, but not a great game. [Sept 2008, p.122]

One or two puzzles aside, there’s no ‘wrong’ response to anything asked of you, and no advantages to being right first time, completely negating any kind of satisfaction you might have gleaned from figuring out each case. [Sept 2008, p.112]

The competition is just too strong for Soul Bubbles to ever really elevate itself beyond cute, cult status. A good puzzler then, but not a great one. [July 2008, p.122]

A licensed game that lives up to its heritage, and a music game that holds its own against the seasoned pros. [Aug 2008, p.109]

Like many of the revivalist action films we've seen in recent years, it is little more than a slick homage that lacks the bite of the real thing. [July 2008, p.123]

Too short-lived to justify even the standard Live Arcade entry fee. [Aug 2008, p.113]

A significant break from the torrent of recent Xbox Live Arcade shovelware. [Aug 2008, p.113]

Every other development studio that dabbles in movie licences should look at what High Moon has accomplished and take note. [Aug 2008, p.100]

Things haven't progressed enough and, it has to be said, "DMC4" is the better game. [July 2008, p.114]

The best available entry point for newcomers to next-gen racing, and a worthy investment for anyone else. [July 2008, p.104]

As great as it is to watch, it's simply nowhere near as much fun to play, and no amount of whips, snakes and Holy Grails can ever change that. [July 2008, p.116]

Its greatest asset is the expert level design, which provides a fair yet challenging difficulty curve and that rare one-more-go addictiveness. [Aug 2008, p.119]

With the right people involved, this can turn a dull bus ride or airport lounge into an extremely good fun, and crucially, a very personal gaming session. [Aug 2008, p.112]

A solid puzzle game with some cleverly designed extras. [Aug 2008, p.117]

Unless Hothead Games can push the fighting mechanic while also ensuring that the comedy and adventuring take pride of place, this series could die out long before it’s ready to. [Aug 2008, p.114]

Bloody, brutal, sexy, and immersive - eventually. [July 2008, p.106]

We can't fault the solid feel of firing a weapon; there is a degree of variety spread across the chapters; and the game’s engine is reliably stable, but none of this stops the game from qualifying as a major letdown. [July 2008, p.110]

You need to know before paying out for (and therefore committing to) Wii Fit that it has to become part of your daily life for it to mean anything. And if you are willing to commit to it then Wii Fit is a loyal and multitalented trainer. [Feb 2008, p.136]

Electronic Arts has managed to fire yet another positive shot in the football sim battle. [May 2008, p.117]

A fun but stingy download. [Aug 2008, p.117]

Curling and figure skating, as engaging as they are, are not sufficient to rescue this sub-par package from non-league status. [June 2008, p.116]

Family Ski comes highly recommended – even if only to soothe the pain of yet another blue-shell-related defeat. [May 2008, p.118]

It may be the most expensive WiiWare release, but it effortlessly ranks as the most notable. [Aug 2008, p.118]

One of the finest, most confident Metroidvania games we’ve seen in years. [Aug 2008, p.116]

With three difficulty levels. There are several weeks worth of challenge here, making TV Show King much better value than its disc-based competitors. [Aug 2008, p.119]

R-Type Tactics eventually finds its feet and develops into a satisfying and addictive PSP game. [Nov 2008, p.102]

There's one big problem that can’t be concealed by Boom Blox's triumphs: it's almost entirely devoid of challenge. [July 2008, p.124]

Every moment spent with Echochrome is a refined and edifying one. [May 2008, p.109]

We would never have thought that that by retreading the same patch of ground a studio could leave us feeling like we have just played one of the best videogames of all time. [June 2008, p.102]

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]

The greatest strength of The World Ends With You is that, in spite of its genre-bending innovations, not a single new element has been introduced just for the sake of it. [June 2008, p.110]