It's one of those puzzle games that defines the term 'in the zone'; once you've found that special place where the rest of the world stops and all you can see are flowing lines of falling blocks and massive combos, you can't fail to appreciate what the game is doing. [Feb 2005, p.116]

And though the final hours are somewhat trite and contrived in the way they weave seemingly unrelated threads together, L.A. Noire won't be remembered for its slightly disappointing finale – it'll be remembered for its pioneering technology, its adept fusion of genres and the respect and talent with which it opens a window on the past.

While games like "Twilight Princess" entice players with familiar settings and gameplay elements, Tools Of Destruction force feeds them. [Dec 2007, p.104]

It's the instant gratification of fireworks and classical music that comes with victories so addictive that you see entire evenings wasted on a game in which you seemingly do nothing at all. [May 2009, p.124]

It is a fantastic package, no doubt. Despite the single-player’s unfortunate lack of length, and the ease with which many will speed through it, New Super Mario Bros. is everything one could want from a return to 2D Mario. [July 2006, p.118]

The fact that we're willing to consider this a genuine canon entry into the series (as was Konami - the game was originally called Metal Gear Solid 5: Peace Walker, after all) is as sincere a compliment as can be afforded a handheld game. [July 2010, p.108]

It might not be Witcher III level of excellence, but for a first attempt from Guerrilla, it’s impressively close.

A fine example of how great forethought and a less than tepid attitude towards taking risks pay dividends in the hands of real gamers. It is nothing short of extraordinary, though perhaps a couple of years on from Demon's Souls, it is also less surprising.

From Spring to Summer, to Fall and Winter, season changes will render certain crops dead. You have to plan ahead – farming doesn’t even occur in winter – and your jobs remain engrossing day-in, day-out. That’s Stardew Valley’s greatest strength – it gives you a load of interesting things to do in your new life, rewards you whichever you choose to do, and it always feels like more than just a farming game.

Sands of Time is very much a 21st century product - sumptuous visuals, intuitive control and many unique ideas. Buy it, play it, love it. [Dec 2003, p.92]

The great tennis game lineage now has a new addition. It's subtle and complex without losing the pick-up-and-play appeal that all tennis games need. It is, in short, the best tennis game ever made. [Dec 2003, p.100]

Imitating a swing with the analogue stick is still as satisfying as ever, and the balance between control and room for error is nigh-on perfect. However, it would have been nice to see a few more changes to keep the experience fresh. [Oct 2003, p.122]

Visually, stylistically and technically, Pure is nothing short of breathtaking. If the guy sat behind you on the bus doesn't peer over your shoulder in a slightly creepy manner while youâ??re tearing through the skies of Sol 2, you can pretty much assume heâ??s blind - that kind of breathtaking. [May 2005, p.92]

Fallout 4 feels more like a Fallout 3.5: an improvement on Bethesda’s last game but a compromised one that loses some of the core appeal of the series.

It’s debatable whether or not this is worth buying if you own last year’s game…it comes down to how rich you are and how much you like golf. [Nov 2004, p.118]

While it may lack the precision design of a classic Metroid or recent Castlevania, Shadow Complex's all-out action, gigantic bosses and ingenious challenges allow it to stand up alongside those genre superstars on its own merits. [Oct 2009, p.133]

It's a Call Of Duty that feels incredibly focused despite a period in its development of massive uncertainty. Its campaign still toes the line between being smart and being stupid, but for Saturday night, popcorn entertainment, Modern Warfare 3 has the competition beat.

A tender exploration of memory, death, and mystery. [Issue#188, p.85]

Gearbox should be applauded for taking the first-person genre in a bold new direction, but during the bulk of the game, players must be willing to sit back and let the developer tell the story. [Apr 2005, p.104]

For its soaring highs and captivating hits alone though, Dishonored comes as an easy recommendation. With the Thief franchise stuck in a lab somewhere having numbers spliced into its title and Deus Ex still on the naughty step after those boss battles, Arkane has come good with arguably this generation's finest stealth title and a game so lovingly crafted that it begs to be played.

The definitive kart racer you'll play this year, and in a market as crowded as this one's becoming, that's saying something. [Issue#148, p.97]

Super Mario Maker takes one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history and gives it one of the most intuitive level editors ever seen, one flexible enough to allow for countless possibilities. It’s bursting with charm, contains some real laugh-out loud moments and is essential for any Mario fan.

The game's return to the fundamentals of blocking, countering and simple evasion as opposed to the unnecessary abuse of 3D movement and stilted enclosed environments of the last two games helps reintroduce the skill element for those willing to learn. [Apr 2005, p.86]

For a game to strike a good balance between eeriness, traditional FPS action and straight-out frights is astonishing, and F.E.A.R. has managed it in style. [Nov 2005, p.92]

It's not revolutionary by any means, nor is it particularly long, but thanks to some clever creative control the game delivers a funny, engrossing and downright weird experience unlike most other platform adventures. [July 2005, p.104]

Executed with the utmost intelligence. [Issue#93, p.114]

Melancholic, wistful and creative at every turn. [Issue#186, p.80]

Unlockable extras such as field items (both beneficial and hindering) and alien lifeform icons that alter the way the game plays when chosen are nice additions, but the gameplay is more than compulsive enough to keep you hooked anyway. [May 2005, p.102]

Both the combat and exploration are hugely satisfying, but that warm sense of nostalgia eventually gives way to the feeling that there really should be something more. [Jan 2008, p.110]

Rainbow Six Vegas is a breathtaking return to form after questions over Ubisoft's commitment to the series were raised after Lockdown's release last year. [Christmas 2006, p.124]

Imitating a swing with the analogue stick is still as satisfying as ever, and the balance between control and room for error is nigh-on perfect. However, it would have been nice to see a few more changes to keep the experience fresh. [Oct 2003, p.122]

We’re also happy to inform fans that HD Remix is one of the tightest, lag-free online fighters we’ve ever had the pleasure of playing. [Jan 2009, p.104]

It’s debatable whether or not this is worth buying if you own last year’s game…it comes down to how rich you are and how much you like golf. [Nov 2004, p.118]

While the set pieces set within the present day offer an intense gameplay experience and an interesting twist on The Last Of Us’ combat, there’s a sense of obligation rather than the cohesiveness we’ve come to expect from the developer.

Far Cry 3's plot is a bit silly and inconsistent, its AI a bit dumb and predictable, and the world works in a suspiciously similar way to Assassins Creed, but it's great fun. And perhaps even more importantly, these days, when as gamers we're so often left feeling short-changed, it's also overwhelmingly fantastic value for money.

We can't see it getting any better than this for quite some time. [Sept 2009, p.127]

The best realistic boxing title we've played, and few fight fans will be disappointed. [Apr 2005, p.114]

An empowering, engrossing and downright gorgeous racer, Project Gotham Racer 3 is definitely among the best games to ever launch alongside a console. [Christmas 2005, p.124]

Although Bad Company 2 sees a confident shift in scope to take in a wider-ranging conflict, DICE's big-budget spectacle isn't so impressive when placed alongside Infinity Ward's effort. [Apr 2010, p.106]

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]

Every level of the game’s design has not only been refined, but seamlessly interwoven to interact without you being any the wiser. It ensures that XCOM 2 always feels like it’s pushing you to try, to succeed in the face of what looks to be certain failure.

As a story, it may well be lacking, but as a collection of expertly crafted play spaces where design and mechanics reinforce and respond to your agency in myriad delightful and engaging ways, Dishonored 2 is pure magic.

While Ninja Gaiden Sigma’s combat feels as fresh and vital as it did in 2004, its level design is starting to show its age. Certainly, trudging through the meandering streets of Tairon City is a considerable grind, leaving you begging for the next pack of ninjas to somersault into view. [Aug 2007, p.116]

As for consolidation and logical expansion, Final Fantasy Tactics: War Of The Lions achieves more for SRPGs than recent efforts from other studios. [Aug 2007, p.108]

Where "Touched" lost some of the series' momentum by pigeon-holing its games into various styles, Twisted! literally swings it back in a positive direction... This isn't just a videogame; it's a tactile test of skill and balance that genuinely challenges more than just your reflexes. [May 2005, p.98]

The core formula has had slow refinements enacted upon it for generations, but X/Y feel like a triumphant return to the central philosophy that made Red/Blue great – these are games about exploration, and getting in touch with that childish joy of the undiscovered. A game that prompts that in both adults and children can be considered nothing other than a success.

This is still something very special, a work of rare craft and beauty, and almost certainly the best exclusive on Xbox One. Essential.

For now, Hearthstone is very much a triumph, and with a mobile client rolling out there’s a sense that we’re at the beginning of a phenomenon rather than in the midst of one. Yet again, Blizzard seems to have played its cards absolutely right.

Within minutes you’ll be up to your old tricks, throwing drivers onto the pavement, beating up shoppers, jumping off buildings on motorbikes... the possibilities are once again limited only by player imagination. [Christmas 2005, p.120]

This latest title in Creative Assembly's Total War franchise revisits the second game if the series and gives it a new lease of life thanks to a host of tweaks and revisions. [Christmas 2006, p.108]

The conversion is spot on, the graphics, sound and control are superb, and short bursts of the single-player are a joy. It's such a shame, then, that the multi-player is a let down. [Sept 2006, p.108]

Compelling and rarely pretentious. [Issue#142, p.118]

For its few flaws, Fire Emblem rivals the "Advance Wars" duo in terms of addictiveness and style, only really falling short due to its straightforward approach and character mortality that will frustrate those used to more forgiving titles. [Feb 2004, p.102]

The most replayable Civ yet, but the AI is a drawback. [Issue#181, p.77]

This generous package will sustain and deepen the competitive side, but Legacy Of The Void also does enough not to scare away the casuals once the closing credits role and multiplayer beckons.

Blizzard deals best in the subtle, and there's never any doubt where the focus of Diablo III lies. Even after the final battle is completed and the credits roll, your warrior is still there, ready for the next difficulty level. As such, the balance between the classes, the skills, and the loot get the bulk of Blizzard's attention, which is for the best.

We'd struggle to think of a developer that does better-quality FMV than Oddworld Inhabitants; we've seen tangible, real-life things that don't look as convincing as some of the clips in this game. [Feb 2005, p.98]

Pirates! Is a challenging and rewarding open-ended adventure... what better than a game that let’s you write your own pirate-filled legacy. [Jan 2005, p.118]

With the addition of artifact weapons – which are intended to last all expansion pack and can barely reach a third of their ultimate power by the end of the expac’s content – it could be that Blizzard has released and set up to produce what may well go down in history as World Of Warcraft‘s best expansion pack yet.

Massive, overwhelming, engaging and brilliant. [Issue#201, p.78]

One of the most inventive uses of VR so far...A unique and entertaining social VR experience. [Issue#180, p.48]

While the accessible arcade action delivers thrill-a-minute multiplayer dogfights, over time the game's inherent lack of substance becomes increasingly evident. [Dec 2003, p.121]

Owlboy’s deceivingly simplistic delivery belies an enviable narrative, tourniquet-tight gameplay, and a cast you’ll fall in love with. Don’t miss it.

Visually stunning, mechanically incredible and impossible to put down, Hot Pursuit is, quite frankly, the game we've always wanted Need For Speed to be. [Christmas 2010, p.103]

Ridge Racers emerges as the consummate package as far as PSP launch titles go – true, it cribs from every other game in the series instead of offering real originality, but that’s a small price to pay for the amount of quality that’s packed into the game. [Feb 2005, p.116]

The best realistic boxing title we’ve played, and few fight fans will be disappointed. [Apr 2005, p.114]

A near-perfect distillation of gaming excellence. [Issue#190, p.80]

Challenging, beautiful and unique. [Issue#105, p.82]

Represents the best version of Animal Crossing to date. [Issue#136, p.102]

It’s debatable whether or not this is worth buying if you own last year’s game…it comes down to how rich you are and how much you like golf. [Nov 2004, p.118]

If we have to make a criticism, it's that The Witcher 2 leaves you wanting more than it offers. [Issue#110, p.110]

We learnt Paint it Black note-for-note in about an hour this morning; that definitely wouldn't have happened without Rocksmith. [Issue#142, p.111]

The question of how much an open city suits Burnout is soon replaced by how well Criterion makes the game work within one. And, thanks to a number of odd decisions on how players progress, the answer is: sloppily. [Feb 2008, p.114]

A confused game, veering from System Shock-style psychological horror to classic Doom mass slaughter via Resident Evil-esque jumpy frights... It’s not until your arsenal is about half full that this begins to feel like the new Doom game you wanted it to be. [Oct 2004, p.100]

The question many will ask, ultimately, is how Halo 4 stacks up against its predecessors, and in truth it's hard to answer at this time. It'll take multiple runs through the campaign, hours and hours more multiplayer, and swaths of Spartan Ops mission to truly understand how good Halo 4 is. There's one answer we can say with certainty, though: this is absolutely a Halo game. And that's all that most fans would ever need to hear.

Year Walk is also presented in a linear visual fashion that, though it is used effectively, creates a repetitive and – if you’re able to rush past its puzzles – rather short experience. But none of this should take away from what is a monumental and truly frightening game that packs more innovation and ideas into the horror genre than we’ve seen from ‘traditional’ games for some time.

Animation still feels stiff and robotic and zoning might well be too strong as it is now but in most other respects, Injustice 2 is a clear success...Another cracking fighter from a studio still on the up. [Issue#188, p.72]

We can't help feel this game deserves better; that Sony should have better prepared its overachieving child for its second run at online domination. Sadly, it's still the average game that SOCOM was, and without any novelties to paper over the mundane gameplay it's hard to see this repeating the success of its predecessor. [Apr 2004, p.96]

If you have the patience, the perseverance and the inquisitiveness, then, The Witness can be hugely rewarding.

While we won't go anywhere near as far to say that this online facing side of the game is an afterthought, it doesn't carry with it the same sense of intense playtesting and meticulous detail as the solo campaign.

BlazBlue is an outstanding fighter that we pray blossoms into the successful series it deserves. [Oct 2009, p.124]

Thankfully, the speed comes at the cost of realistic handling, allowing the player to rip around the tracks with maximum enjoyment and minimum frustration, making Rallisport 2 one of the few games that provides enjoyment even in defeat. [June 2004, p.104]

With many games feeling hampered by a desire to try and blend authenticity with sensationalism, Battlefield 1 is a hell of a lot of fun – a visual powerhouse and a fine return to form for DICE that’s sadly hampered by stretches of extreme frustration caused by the studio’s desire to take one step too many into the past.

While die-hards might still prefer the more expert-friendly features of HeartGold and SoulSilver, the fresh approach and fiercely impressive visuals, draped over a tried and true frame of addictive, highly nuanced battle and customisation, make Pokémon Black/White the defacto catch-all solution to monster collecting on the venerable DS.

Dragon Quest IX, above all else, is a fascinating merger of age-old design and modern sensibilities.

The core formula has had slow refinements enacted upon it for generations, but X/Y feel like a triumphant return to the central philosophy that made Red/Blue great – these are games about exploration, and getting in touch with that childish joy of the undiscovered. A game that prompts that in both adults and children can be considered nothing other than a success.

Patience is still a virtue, and fans of mindless action titles should still give Splinter Cell a wide berth. Unless you're partial to a little online gaming, that is. Put simply, Pandora Tommorrow's multiplayer takes your breath away. [Apr 2004, p.108]

This dripfeeding of improvements is starting to frustrate. [Dec 2008, p.106]

Dirt 3 is different. [Issue#110, p.125]

A complete transformation of a genre. [Issue#162, p.110]

Ultimately, Sun & Moon feels like one of the first legitimately necessary Pokémon adventures in some time.

Solar Empire doesn’t force players to choose between giant locales, depth of gameplay, and explosive real-time space battles, it simultaneously provides them all. [May 2008, p.106]

Heavy Rain isn't the ultimate narrative-driven videogame but the first, a template that should inspire other creators and open up a genre as limitless as imagination itself. And we can't wait to see what stories we get to play next. [Issue#93, p.104]

It's both a sensory delight and a genuinely brilliant score attack game.. not a combo many games can claim to pull off to this high standard. [Issue#113, p.111]

Does what all great remakes should - it improves the game in a way that complements the original design, making you more aware of the gameplay's inner workings and helping you appreciate a classic even more. [Issue#106, p.104]

Despite the inclusion of new gadgets and stunning visuals, the series is starting to decompose; playing the same thing over and over is beginning to wear a little thin. It’s a good job the multiplayer experience continues to blossom. [Apr 2005, p.90]

There’s more new content than you’d usually find in a Special Edition. [May 2006, p.128]

The important thing, of course, is the racing, and the Codies tinkering permeates that with force, adding and subtracting features with gusto. Most alterations in this area, however, are welcome and inherently sensible.