A time-sink that can devour more life than Monster Hunter and Disgaea combined. [Issue#95, p.118]

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]

The best Dragon Ball game to date. [Issue#197, p.70]

This is the best superhero fantasy we’ve ever enacted, and we’re so sad it’s over.

Featuring more complex subject matter and a much grittier feel than virtually every other platformer out there, Naughty Dog has fully capitalised on the popularity of 'mature' games by producing a similar title that younger players will legally be allowed to play. But there's something about the GTA-cum-platform gameplay that just doesn't gel. [Nov 2003, p.112]

FFTA may be more a parallel title to the PSone game than a true sequel but that doesn't mean it can't borrow and build upon the original's well-laid foundations, which it does with aplomb. [Nov 2003, p.109]

Everything you can do here is positioned to celebrate Spider-Man's abilities, and that means everything you can do makes you feel like Spider-Man. [Issue#205, p.69]

A socially driven experience that focuses on random party play at the expense of precision. It's not perfect, but it's still the best of its kind in a sub-genre that has yet to be mastered. [Christmas 2009, p.106]

With the franchise celebrating its twentieth anniversary, Game Freak has delivered an adventure that pays homage to the very first quest through the Kanto region while still delivering something fun and exciting. Be you an adult or child, Pokémon Sun & Moon is still the ultimate RPG; the surface adventure is wonderful and engaging, but beneath the surface is still a wildly complex body of systems that allow the game to expand and support deep strategic play.

A sequel that ticks all the right boxes. All the original’s most important facets remain intact. [Jan 2007, p.115]

Rather than force you from one style of gameplay to another depending on which level you're on, BG&E blends the transitions together almost seamlessly. The additional styles never really encroach on the main crux of the adventure; they're always peripheral and therefore serve to enrich the experience, rather than dilute it. [Dec 2003, p.114]

Yes the story has weak spots – having to actually play through some of the cut-scenes can be annoying when all you want to do is get back to the action – but much of it is as absorbing as you'd expect from an RPG... More than worthy of the Nintendo name. [Christmas 2004, p.108]

As enjoyable as anything you'll play this year. The mechanics and weapons can leave something to be desired at times, but 'one more go' syndrome is seldom this acute and this is by far the game's biggest strength. [Christmas 2003, p.90]

Forza Motorsport 6 is not the conclusive leap that some fans were expecting. It feels like more astute groundwork; more prep for the definitive seventh instalment. It doesn’t feel hollow or lacking in content; it’s a cautious and discreet update that still feels, to its credit, genuinely cutting edge. You probably shouldn’t miss it. Just don’t expect the ground to break.

It's a side of Nintendo we occasionally fear losing forever, which makes Retro's outing a welcome return to the company's hardcore roots, as well as one of this year's finest platformers. [Christmas 2010, p.104]

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]

We can only hope that the team at Infinity Ward has the humility to learn from and implement the features Treyarch has introduced here when it comes to the next Call Of Duty, particularly with regards to multiplayer. [Christmas 2010, p.84]

A tough tactical adventure. [Issue#175, p.78]

The true triumph for Media Molecule is that none of the ‘extra-curricular’ controls or feel forced or unnecessary. On the contrary, each and every one feels natural and works just as you would expect to it should.

It may be light years behind even the original Metal Gear Solid, but as a standalone handheld effort it contains enough character and charisma to see it through...A fun videogame, but certainly not a great Metal gear game. [Feb 2007, p.112]

A joyous Wii game that’s sure to be a jewel in the console’s crown for years to come. [Jan 2008, p.114]

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]

It's a fine submission in a long run of fabulous games, but not one that will swing Zelda in a brand new direction. [Issue#91, p.108]

While some may bemoan what seems like a slight lack of content, no one is going to dispute the fact that what the game does have is, on the whole, exceptional. [Nov 2009, p.114]

A time-sink that can devour more life than Monster Hunter and Disgaea combined. [Issue#95, p.118]

Rather than force you from one style of gameplay to another depending on which level you're on, BG&E blends the transitions together almost seamlessly. The additional styles never really encroach on the main crux of the adventure; they're always peripheral and therefore serve to enrich the experience, rather than dilute it. [Dec 2003, p.114]

This is a superlative effort from Blizzard, but is it enough to change your mind if you’ve already decided against the instalment? Sadly, that’s not a question we can answer for you.

With both its addictive, rewarding gameplay and the wealth of imagination that's been poured into the presentation, it's incredibly difficult to stop playing Little King's Story. [May 2009, p.112]

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

As a sequel, Titanfall 2 is everything it was supposed to be. By extension, that means it isn’t a game changer; it isn’t as inventive or surprising as its predecessor, but then again, it couldn’t be. Titanfall changed the trajectory of the FPS in a powerful and immediate way, and that success isn’t to be simply re-created but iterated upon dutifully. Despite Respawn’s best efforts, the game’s obvious advancements and its spectacular engagement across multiplayer, Titanfall 2 doesn’t offer the same determined focus and balance that defined its predecessor.

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.

A bold shooter that never fails to entertain. [Issue#194, p.80]

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

We're hard-pressed to see how anything is going to come along and top this in the immediate future. [Sept 2014, p.108]

Yet further proof that real-time strategy isn’t a genre with nowhere left to go. [Dec 2007, p.120]

Quite simply, there’s no alternative. [Dec 2006, p.118]

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]

It doesn't bring much at all new to the table and can feel derivative at times, even old. Also, while rarely unfair as such, that doesn't stop it from being frustrating at times – and the shooter sections, while fun, do feel a bit overplayed.

There are so many standout moments in Sin and Punishment 2 that it would be criminal to describe any more, as they're best experienced first-hand. [Issue#91, p.122]

We've sworn at the screen more times while playing Spelunky than practically any other game. So we wouldn't recommend this to anyone with anger management issues or a heart condition. But, by the same token, it's also afflicted us with chronic one-more-go syndrome. So we would recommend it to anyone who loves videogames. Which is surely all of you.

Ultimately, it’s the set pieces that linger in the memory. It never seems more than five minutes before Resistance 2 throws another leviathan at you. (…) There are moments to savour in every one of the game’s ten action-packed hours. [Christmas 2008, p.92]

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]

These additional modes are a lot of fun, providing as they do bite-size portions of Pikmin action that you can enjoy with a friend, and definitely give you a reason to keep coming back to the game. But honestly, the campaign has so many nooks and crannies to explore and hidden fruit and data files to find that once you’ve reached the end of the story you’ll want to jump back in straight away.

It's easily one of the best Total War experiences yet, which in turn makes it one of the best RTS games available. [Issue#194, p.73]

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

Warlords is the ultimate celebration of the Warcraft franchise’s 20-year legacy and World Of Warcraft’s seemingly unending potential. Some of its mechanics are starting to creak under a decade-old design, but it shows no signs of withering against the tides of time.

The true definition of a game that keeps on giving. [Issue#91, p.106]

So good that the old adage of "quality, not quantity" has never felt more appropriate. [Issue#91, p.111]

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

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]

Square Enix has created a great title in its own right, made better by the inclusion of some of the most memorable and popular faces from the world of entertainment. [Mar 2006, p.110]

An unfortunate disappointment. [Issue#168, p.100]

Niggles aside, LostWinds is still relevant, and remains a genuine threat to the Wii's stagnating physical releases. [Christmas 2009, p.129]

Gone Home is the kind of work that will impress people who write off the medium because of the prevalence of guns in commercial titles. Its potential wider significance aside, however, the Greenbriars’ story is unforgettable.

Nintendo has all too often repeated its wish to put smiles on as many faces as possible, and Kirby's Epic Yarn is arguably the most successful exponent of that mantra. [Issue#104, p.114]

It’s most definitely aimed at those who were enamoured with last year’s masterpiece – there’s nothing so radically different it could alter any opinion. [June 2007, p.108]

Supreme Commander sticks pretty close to the template, and while it will eat up your time, it may not satisfy. [Mar 2007, p.70]

It sounds simple and on paper we’re sure it looks to have more than a little in common with Catch! Touch! Yoshi!, but we’re pleased to report that it actually has far more depth. [May 2005, p.112]

Legends is essentially a Burnout’s greatest hits; a best-of compilation of past glories, while the new album Revenge moves the series in a different direction. [Nov 2005, p.102]

A calculated and intelligent game that favours forethought and tactics over button mashing and impatience. [Aug 2009, p.110]

The sense of mortality, tension and sheer scale makes for a truly stunning experience. [Christmas 2005, p.110]

Faster, slicker, with countless new animations and creative possibilities: Winning Eleven 10 has made its predecessor feel robotic, stiff and altogether redundant. [July 2006, p.133]

Microsoft's true standout exclusive for 2017. [Issue#194, p.70]

The new perspective works well, injecting some much-needed action into the genre without sacrificing tactical choice. In fact, the switch actually creates more choices if anything. [Dec 2008, p.102]

The frantic and smooth combat translates to multiplayer far better than the plodding solo campaign, and ultimately save Insomniac’s effort from irrelevance. [Jan 2007, p.96]

A great blending of two franchises. [Issue#175, p.74]

Explosions certain are fun, to a point, but when that point is all a game has to offer we just can't help wanting something else. [March 2005, p.108]

It has more character and better tunes than any other music game. [June 2009, p.112]

Underwater combat, despised by many, has thankfully been removed from this latest entry. [Issue#159, p.96]

Very much feels like a game of two parts; that of profound identity and beauty in its artistic style, profound story and meticulous audio design, but also one of bleakness and emptiness in how it seriously meanders in play. [Issue#109, p.100]

Patapon really feels like a new experience. The seductive façade is a clever mask for an enormously challenging game that requires a substantial amount of grinding and micromanagement to master. [Mar 2008, p.116]

2K wasn’t exaggerating when it called Beyond The Sword the biggest Civilization expansion ever, but it failed to mention that it’s also its most innovative and entertaining expansion too. [Sept 2007, p.112]

This is pure BioWare, crafted with consummate fantasy fans in mind. [Christmas 2009, p.108]

The Sims 3 is without doubt the series' finest hour...By playing around with character traits, you're able to create all kinds of people, and just watching them interact is a joy in itself. [July 2009, p.102]

NBA 2K16 is masterful at providing a re-creation of what we expect to see from a TV broadcast. [Issue#167, p.84]

Thoroughly engaging and original. [Issue#107, p.117]

Titanfall is not the most strategically demanding multiplayer game out there, nor is it the most complex. It’s certainly not revolutionary, as some might have you believe, given that many of its ideas have been cribbed from other games and genres. What it is, though, is a consistently exciting, accessible and expertly crafted shooter that repeatedly generates highlight reel moments that make you want to keep coming back.

There’s an awful lot to like about Tomb Raider. It takes the gameplay Uncharted has used to such great effect (which was, of course, nicked from Tomb Raider in the first place), and replaces wise-cracking gentleman-thief Nathan Drake with this new damaged Lara Croft, one of the most involving characters seen in a computer game to date.

The game has a universal appeal, and its status as a modern classic is uncontested. This is just another block in its pedestal. [Issue#189, p.80]

With The Coaltion at the reins Gears is in safe hands, and we're genuinely intrigued to see what happens next. [Issue#257, p.64]

Revelator makes a rock-solid case for consideration as the best fighter of this generation so far. [Issue#177, p.85]

This is God Of War exactly as you know it. Which means that whether or not you enjoy the nine hours Ghost Of Sparta offers is almost entirely dependent on whether you can stomach another God Of War. [Christmas 2010, p.101]

Infuriating and yet stupidly addictive. [Oct 2009, p.122]

Works around the limitations of motion control, bringing the Punch-Out!! Series up to date without losing any of the charm that made it a fan favourite in the first place. [July 2009, p.106]

The Swapper manages to be both a perfect example of ‘genre fiction’ (it’s a sci-fi experience up there with Moon, Solaris or Alien), it also manages to make itself an exemplar of a ‘genre game’ – a puzzler so fresh in its ideas, yet so widely familiar, that no matter how you like your brain to get picked at, The Swapper will satisfy you.

It's fair to say that the fans have once again been spoilt by such a magnificent offering. There's not even a hint of disappointment here. [Feb 2005, p.112]

Fallblox is an intoxicating blend of the familiar and the new, every bit as essential as Pullblox, and a further reminder that Intelligent Systems remains one of the most aptly named developers in the business.

Rather than force you from one style of gameplay to another depending on which level you're on, BG&E blends the transitions together almost seamlessly. The additional styles never really encroach on the main crux of the adventure; they're always peripheral and therefore serve to enrich the experience, rather than dilute it. [Dec 2003, p.114]

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]

It's cliched, pretentious and even horribly self-indulgent at times, but Max Payne 2 is still an absolute joy to play. [Christmas 2003, p.114]

It looks fantastic and boasts a story worth telling, but perhaps the most satisfying thing about this update is that it offers both long-term fans and new recruits the same thing: a solid, rewarding and relevant space RTS that belies its significant age.

It lacks the sheer personality of Puzzle Quest or the exciting dynamism of Meteos, but it’s every bit as hypnotic. [Aug 2007, p.110]

There's a creeping sense that [the game] cares less about the player, and more the clinking in their coffers. [Issue#138, p.111]

Combat is razor-sharp and stuffed with combo potential, just as you'd expect from a Devil May Cry game.

As a standalone adventure, The Lost Future can't help but disappoint once its bite-sized, unimaginative nature begins to show through. [Issue#102, p.120]

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.

It may well be beautiful to look at, but the fighting engine, although improved, is so similar to that of Fight Night Round 2 that series veterans may feel somewhat aggrieved when faced with essentially the same videogame. [Apr 2006, p.112]

If it weren't presented with such craft and imagination, Bastion would be just another XBLA also-ran. But that's not a criticism, not should it be. [Issue#113, p.98]