The puzzles are refreshingly taut, the design and scope bewildering and its conclusion a triumphant crescendo of storytelling. It's completely iterative, derivative and formulaic, holding few surprises during its eight-hour campaign, yet Naughty Dog twists these familiar tropes into an invigorating rush of agile gameplay and seamless cinematic spectacle, proving once again that Nathan Drake is without equal.

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

With all those map layouts and bosses to hunt down, you'll still spend hours in the Gungeon pushing yourself with a stupid, maniacal grin on your face. [Issue#174, p.72]

The series is no longer revolutionising the strategy genre, it is raising the bar with every effort – which, if the first game was a masterpiece such as Shogun: Total War, is not a feat to be scoffed at. [Nov 2007, p.112]

It’s not perfect; online multiplayer still harbours some niggling issues, and it still has no answer to Melee’s brilliant Adventure mode. But if you love Super Smash Bros., fighting games or even just Nintendo as a whole, you should snap up this game without a second thought.

If you can't find at least one thing you love about this deceptively deep arcade game then you're probably not a gamer at all. [Aug 2010, p.118]

There’s a depth of content here that matches the game’s undoubted class, and ensures Playground Games is a genuine powerhouse in the world of digital racing. Forza Horizon 2 is a gorgeous, confident and relentlessly gratifying drive, and easily the best first-party exclusive on Xbox One.

It's heavily steeped in RPG tradition, however, its appeal stretches far beyond the hardcore RPG demographic thanks to its ease of play, boundless ambition and focused attention to detail. [May 2006, p.112]

Playful proof that the classic RPG isn't dead. [Issue#174, p.76]

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]

Wrath Of The Lich King has ensured that World Of Warcraft remains the pinnacle of the genre in its current form. [Feb 2009, p.124]

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]

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

Your legacy will be as twisted, as exciting or as brutal as your imagination will allow... San Andreas is an experience as unique as you are. Sometimes, it’s okay to believe the hype. [Christmas 2004, p.98]

Engrossing. [Issue#100, p.128]

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]

One of those games that will engrain itself in the mind - it's a must-play. [Issue#180, p.48]

The only rewards here are visual, and challenge is virtually non-existent. Yet thanks to elegance and lyricism, Flower made us feel slightly richer after putting down the pad. [Apr 2009, p.123]

An energetic new protagonist, a focus on piracy and pillaging, excellent naval combat and a huge, beautiful open world make Black Flag an easy game to recommend, and a decent way to kick off the next generation.

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]

That none of these extra-curricular activities can stack up to the base thrill of simply lobbing Kat into the abyss and seeing where she might end up a few gravity shifts down the line is no slight on the optional stuff on offer, though – it's simply testament to the captivating power of so novel a central mechanic.

For many, the new modes won’t be enough to call for another purchase; as a standalone package however, Soul Calibur III offers more than could ever be asked of a fighting game. [Christmas 2005, p.96]

Alpha Protocol threatens absurdity only on rare occasions - generally its plot is well conceived and told, particularly when you factor in the multiple narrative strands that can be followed. [July 2010, p.112]

It's tight, focused and despite its flaws is easily the best shooter to arrive so far this year. In this sense, we can't help but wonder why EA has not made a bigger deal out of Syndicate.

Left us wanting more. In a game crammed with workaday wise guys, that's probably the wisest move of all. [Issue#100, p.140]

Red Alert 3 is full of elements that you’ll be surprised haven’t been used before and plays like the genre always should have yet never has. [Christmas 2008, p.100]

Right now, Overwatch is a fantastic multiplayer shooter that will likely only hold your attention in the weeks to come if you have friends to roll with.

Extraction is one of the best looking, well polished and expertly choreographed mature titles we've played on Wii, and one of the finest lightgun games full stop. [Dec 2009, p.120]

An interactive experience unlike any other. [Issue#180, p.48]

Lead character Garrett slides effortlessly from the shadows in order to pick a lock (or pocket) before silently dropping out of sight. It's an effect you simply never tire of, and it's why it never feels stupid to be hiding three inches away from a patrolling guard without being seen (as is so often the case in "Splinter Cell"). [July 2004, p.104]

While more could be done to make the world feel believable – thereby making you feel more responsible for the choices you make – Ubisoft is just trying to play it safe with its latest in the series, and at this point more of the same is just enough to make Far Cry 4 a valid purchase.

We struggle to see how this handheld version of Arc's brilliant new fighter could be much better without an arcade stick peripheral. Which would be stupid. [Aug 2010, p.123]

In an age where choice of avatar often means nothing more than trivial personalisation, it's great to see a game like Muramasa come along and use that choice to offer twice as much game. [Dec 2009, p.124]

Broken Destiny is undoubtedly one of the high points for the series so far, and a must-buy for fans. [Oct 2009, p.130]

Navigation on the PS4 port might be slightly wonky, but you get used to it. This is a crazily thorough and thoughtful management sim; slick and surprising enough to recommend regardless of format.

What Super Mario 3D Land does get right is what every Mario game gets right: a high benchmark for quality that virtually no other platform game series seems capable of matching. There's a level of humour, invention and a sheer sense of joy that you only find in a Mario game.

It’s unabashedly repetitive, cartoony and not as pretty as many would like, but it’s still the most beautiful journey yet. [Mar 2006, p.96]

Sniper Elite makes headshots a grizzly reward that becomes addictive and, because the battle is always weighted against you, filled with air-punching satisfaction every time you make a connection. Bravo. [Nov 2005, p.96]

BioWare has managed to create a new franchise that will grow to become the cornerstone of the developer's flourishing portfolio. [June 2005, p.94]

Ultimately, though, its age has only given it a new layer of context that seems to enhance its fun and intrigue. Grim Fandango remains one of the best of its class and a wonderfully witty noir adventure.

A curious and original jaunt about the psyche whose quirkiness and atmosphere far overshadow its few faults and brevity. [Feb 2010, p.126]

The real deal, and anyone after something more cerebral than another heavy dose of gunning down swathes of [insert fashionable victim here] should seriously consider tracking this one down. War is finally good for something. [July 2004, p.124]

Those who play games for their mechanics and nothing more will be disappointed, but if you, like us, are the type of gamer who longs for escapism, for originality, for style and for panache, then you simply must play this game. Every component part has been meticulously and diligently placed for the purposes of immersion. [Aug 2007, p.100]

A new and improved recipe for family fun. [Issue#204, p.70]

The expense of having to use four GBAs, each with their own link cable, can't be avoided if you want to experience the game as it was intended; however, doing so gives you access to a world that proves that connectivity is more than just a gimmick - done properly, it can offer a wealth of new gameplay experiences. [July 2004, p.106]

Rockstar’s gift for salty humour and broad characterisation is ideally suited to the playground. Not only is this its finest game outside GTA, it’s arguably the best open-world game since too. [Dec 2006, p.128]

As much as we enjoy Zero Mission, we can't help feel disappointed with the many boss encounters you'll face throughout Samus' adventure. ... It's all very well filling Zero Mission with an array of huge, well-animated bosses but they're crippled by extremely poor attack patterns and being incredibly easy to dispose of. [Apr 2004, p.104]

FIFA 14 is probably the least revolutionary football game in some years – a near carbon copy of its predecessor that makes tiny adjustments in key areas, the likes of which many players might not even notice.

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]

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]

Like "The Club" earlier in the year, Mirror’s Edge needs to be played again and again if you’re to discover its true worth, and there are many who won’t play ball. [Christmas 2008, p.88]

While we’ve all seen two dozen enemies cluttering up the screen while you hack into them for ten minutes by repeatedly hammering a single button, Dante’s Awakening does it properly. As with all the previous titles, the combat is superb. [Apr 2005, p.120]

Great concept, solid execution. [Issue#204, p.74]

Quadrilateral Cowboy is a puzzle game unlike any other, but it’s not quite substantial enough to establish itself as a bonafide classic.

An enthralling and time-sapping trial of nerve and persistence. [Issue#147, p.125]

The two different modes may play completely differently but they compliment each other far better than we'd anticipated. For that, EA should be commended. [Dec 2005, p.94]

It could be argued that Pandemic’s extra-terrestrial effort is a little on the simple side, but in terms of sheer playability, scale and freedom - albeit within fairly limited areas - Destroy All Humans! is a class act indeed. [July 2005, p.96]

The depth of play and excellent level design make up for any problems that you may have with the visual style. [Apr 2008, p.117]

Take away the costumes and the lasers and you've still got an excellent example of how to produce multiplayer bedlam. [Dec 2005, p.110]

GTR 2 is a serious driver’s utopia and an experience unrivalled by any other PC racing game to date. [Nov 2006, p.118]

It’s the sheer epic nature of the single-player campaign that will leave you craving more. [May 2007, p.104]

Excels where it counts thanks to its imaginative and engrossing battles. [Issue#93, p.120]

It’s not the best 2D adventure to be found on PlayStation systems, but it’s a wonderful example of Sony’s dedication to bringing new and independent experiences to the hands of its gamers.

A compulsive burst of deeply gratifying challenge. [Issue#147, p.125]

Tokobot may be disappointingly straightforward for a game that could have involved so much more player creativity in terms of solving puzzles, but it’s still very enjoyable. [Mar 2006, p.100]

Intoxicating stuff. [Issue#138, p.102]

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

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]

Every Extend Extra is undeniably an ingenious game, but not easy to recommend for everyone simply due to being so different and very tough. [Nov 2006, p.107]

Incredibly punishing, impossible to put down. [Issue#204, p.80]

An emergent party game that's fun for everyone to take part in even if they don't crawl away the victor. [July 2009, p.130]

It feels like the developer has come to an apex of open-world design, and while the game makes some missteps along the way in its story and characterisation, it all makes up for it in the exploration of the world. [Issue#196, p.82]

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]

If you’re after a fair few hours of well-presented violence combined with a surprisingly interesting history lesson, then look no further than Dawn Of Dreams. [Apr 2006, p.118]

If you've ever so much as seen an Unreal Tournament game, you'll know what to expect here and, thanks to the addition of vehicles, modes and maps galore, this clearly represents the culmination of genre evolution thus far. [May 2004, p.108]

This is a game for the fans, paid for by the fans, and limited only by its budget. The music won’t be to everyone’s taste, and of course doesn’t include any pop classics, but the precision and excitement of the moment-to-moment musical action has never been stronger.

A wonderfully-executed musical masterpiece. [Issue#196, p.87]

Absolutely Capcom at its best. [Issue#141, p.115]

A clever genre mix and essential VR experience. [Issue#204, p.84]

It feels as though Techland has always had this game inside of it, like it’s been waiting to bust out this technically proficient outpouring of destructive fun. Dying Light is a class apart from its typical output, and a class apart from most zombie games too. A shining beacon in a sea of grisly rotting death.

Maybe Lunar Knights doesn’t have enough moments you’d really describe as spectacular, but similarly you’ll rarely be playing without a smile on your face. [Apr 2007, p.100]

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]

Massively derivative and dated. [Issue#96, p.102]

Mario & Sonic brings with it the return of the dreaded ‘Nintendonitis’. Play for more than an hour, aiming to break the world record on each event and it’s likely that your arms won’t forgive you for the rest of the day. [Chrismas 2007, p.128]

Fun monarch simulator that's almost too witty. [Issue#196, p.89]

It's happy faces all round when Tekken goes on. It's fast, accessible, varied and incredibly pretty. [Dec 2009, p.127]

Not all videogames should be like Beyond Two Souls. But be thankful that some are. Another flawed but essential tale from a man who genuinely cares and a publisher that believes in the power of videogames.

It's Skyrim, warts and all, in your pocket. [Issue#196, p.90]

It may be an unnecessary sequel but, unlike the umpteen other unnecessary sequels in the series, it's one that at least learns from the mistakes of the past. [Issue#95, p.127]

Sniper Elite makes headshots a grizzly reward that becomes addictive and, because the battle is always weighted against you, filled with air-punching satisfaction every time you make a connection. Bravo. [Nov 2005, p.96]

Bringing the highly stylised environments to life has obviously been a labour of love for the design team. Not only does the game's dazzling aesthetic individuality evoke instant appeal, the immaculate attention to detail plays a crucial role in generating the aura of quality that runs throughout the world of TRON. [Nov 2003, p.120]

At times it feels low budget and it’s hard to look past unlicensed teams in 2016, but then that perfect goal happens and you forget; your senses dulled by the unstoppable one-touch move that peeled a defensive line like a big sweaty banana. That’s what PES has always been about, and this is the most satisfying Pro Evolution Soccer ever.

While Dance Central 2's selection of tracks still lacks the eclectic feel (and silliness) found in Ubisoft's Just Dance, it still offers dozens of fine danceables.

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]

GTR is a truly awesome racing game that will have petrolheads in raptures. However, the extreme nature of the game is intimidating, even for the hardened racer. [Apr 2005, p.106]

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]

IT does offer a great time, as well as a chuckle now and again. [Issue#162, p.109]

We've waited a while to see Tarsier strike out on its own and it's gratifying to see it succeed with a game as good as this. [Issue#187, p.70]