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]

It's through the amount of details, distractions and other additions to the more obvious elements that Symphonia builds itself up from what starts as an above-average RPG into one that'll stand as a benchmark in future. [Oct 2004, p.102]

The atmosphere in the game really is fantastic - it plays very much like a stealth shooter but the action is fast and brutal when it does happen. Along with the headset, this consistent tension offers an experience that you simply will not find with any other squad-based shooters, regardless of format. [Christmas 2003, p.96]

It's certainly been a while since a title has had us dumbfounded with pure, unbridled gaming joy and, to be honest, you can't get a much better endoresement than that. [June 2004, p.112]

This overall approach to MMORPGs is far more social and interesting than anything that has preceded it. [July 2007, p.104]

Vice City Stories, for all its frustration and lack of genuine originality is a sterling piece of work. If this is Grand Theft Auto III's swansong, then it could not have received a more fitting send-off. [Christmas 2006, p.102]

Clever, unique, inventive but brief and repetitive. [Issue#172, p.91]

The switch to consoles has weakened the presentation of the game. [Issue#139, p.108]

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

Ultimately, none of the story beats or polish mask the fact that Max Payne 3 is very much a refinement of an old formula, and if you're looking for something brand new or revelatory it just isn't here. However, what is amazing is how Rockstar has fallen back on its trademark production values and sublime attention to detail to update the franchise in a compelling way. Factor in some impressive multiplayer offerings and it's still head-and-shoulders above most of its trigger-happy ilk.

EA has given birth to a franchise that simply demands to be played and replayed, and a game that makes the still-excellent Tony Hawk’s near redundant. The king is dead. Long live the king. [Nov 2007, p.102]

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]

Resident Evil VII is exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure. It’s a brave and bold move for Capcom, feeling quintessentially classic while still feeling fresh and adventurous in its ambitions. Ultimately, Resident Evil VII is a breathtaking return to form for a series we long thought had abandoned any hope of redemption. [Issue#184, p.73]

Changes are few. [Nov 2011, p.117]

It is an enjoyable game, but if only Crystal Dynamics could have resolved its conflicts by focusing its attention on what Tomb Raider does best and cutting out anything that got in the way of that, it could have been something far more special.

The greys and browns might be offputting to those born and bred on Nintendo red, but don't be fooled. Advance Wars hasn't lost its true colours. Superb. [Mar 2008, p.122]

PUBG lives up to its monstrously large reputation. [Issue#197, p.74]

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.

There's nothing significant to complain about really. [Issue#140, p.104]

The new toys fit in seamlessly with what came before, changing the game for the better. [Issue#142, p.110]

Next Level has found a way to return gamers to the world of Luigi’s Mansion in a way that manages to retain its predecessor’s charm, one that doesn’t take the technical and mechanical aspects for granted. More perfectly than they could have hoped, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon fully executes Nintendo’s original vision.

Acing a mix is as satisfying and enjoyable as ever. [Issue#102, p.98]

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]

Disappointingly by the books, but has charm. [Issue#206, p.82]

Despite its shortcomings, remains deep and complex. [Issue#122, p.111]

Ultimately, however essential we say this update is, it’s only relevant if you’re a Destiny sceptic and haven’t already upgraded. If this is you, pick it up – the price is steep but there’s a huge amount of content here, plus you won’t fall too far behind. If you’re a new player, thanks to this update this is now one of the best ‘shared-world’ experiences out there – one that you’ll find hard to put down due to its stellar FPS mechanics, enormous scope and undeniable progression.

A rock-solid success on all fronts. [Issue#189, p.83]

OlliOlli 2 is polished and thrilling in ways that its predecessor was not.

Enjoyable, but almost marred by convoluted menus. [Issue#193, p.77]

Online play, pleasingly, holds up its end of the bargain. [Issue#135, p.118]

Capcom has provided a sequel that surpasses its predecessor in every way. There are few games that are as stylish and playable, and this is tough enough to challenge even the most dextrous gamer. In short – Viewtiful. [Jan 2005, p.96]

This relatively minor annoyance aside, everything else about Xenoblade Chronicles 3D remains as incredible as when it originally came to the Wii.

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

Not since 2004’s Richard Burns Rally has there been a rally game that has approached the sport with the goal of definitively portraying it as it exists in reality: cars that require significant practise to master, terrain as difficult to memorise as it is to slide across, weather that makes ‘white out’ literal and opponents that punish even the slightest hesitation.

The merits of streamlining revealed. [Issue#177, p.80]

Keeping on top of the ever-evolving demands of Radiant Historia's combat makes for one of the most engaging and rewarding battle systems since Final Fantasy XIII and renders any flaws in the narrative design an unfortunate but ultimately innocuous sideshow.

In the cold light of day, however, it's difficult to see what all the fuss is about. [Issue#107, p.117]

With its array of improvements and considered removals, Portrait Of Ruin feels like the best Castlevania in an age. Its slick 2D gameplay has been honed to perfection through the last five handheld instalments, leaving every 3D incarnation hanging its head in shame. [Feb 2007, p.110]

The emperor is wearing tense, compelling and entirely seductive clothes. It's just a shame his outfit is from the 2005 collection. [Issue#95, p.102]

The narrative endgame of The Talos Principle is a total cop-out – it eschews complex philosophical querying in favour of trite observations on the nature of gaming. Still, it’s more sophisticated than most titles on Steam, and the puzzles have been refined by a team of true craftsmen.

Ultimately Cities: Skylines has provided exactly what players wanted from SimCity 2013, and that ought to be all it takes to convince would-be city planners.

It is just an extension of PGR3. The shift in style, the new vehicles and weather, they could never hope to revolutionise the franchise in the way online has. [Nov 2007, p.124]

While the game is still intrinsically limited by the conceits of the original 1986 release, it's ultimately a return to a much-missed component of the gaming landscape. [Issue#192, p.78]

Dragon Quest VIII is a pretty lengthy game, with the total playtime for the main story racking up to around 40 hours. However, despite the somewhat basic battle system, the game keeps itself fresh by letting us explore dungeons, grab loot and givingour characters costumes, it never feels like it’s been padded out like so many other JRPGs...Dragon Quest VIII is just a joy to be in, with the world being the main reason you come, evil wizards and looming destruction be damned.

Electronic Arts has once again proved it is the king of American sport, and its constant drive to innovate is something to be commended and rewarded. Roll on next year, we say. [Nov 2007, p.120]

It's impossible not to want more, though. It's delicious. Coming as it does from two creative teams at the top of their respective fields, we expect nothing less. And it's expectations such as these that harm Ni No Kuni most of all – were it not for the near impeccable track records that cut through gloriously in the game's opening hours, the rest of it would shine far brighter than it does when eclipsed by that initial exciting explosion of potential.

The Sway system changes everything. Risk versus reward, knock out or be knocked out. Superb. [July 2010, p.110]

New traps and techniques make for some spectacular exhibitions of skill, and with game being significantly larger than anything previous, there’s enough here to challenge even the most dedicated Prince Of Persia fan. [Christmas 2005, p.94]

The few features Neversoft has introduced are less than dazzling. They are what they are – nice additions. [Chrismas 2007, p.108]

Yet more evidence that no one makes them better than Capcom. [JPN Import; Feb 2009, p.126]

Handheld gaming is designed for brief sessions and, in bite-sized chunks, Daxter is a very tasty proposition. [May 2006, p.116]

There are too many AI quirks and tic to make offline play a useful or even enjoyable tool for learning the ropes, so despite some promising advances, Unreal Championship 2 is just another game to file under the 'buy it if you have Xbox Live' sub-division of the FPS genre. [May 2005, p.86]

As beautiful as it is barbaric, and as technical as the player wants it to be. [Issue#107, p.90]

Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition could arguably be the best portable version of the core series yet produced, but this is testament to the severely limited nature of what came before rather than any standout success on this game's part.

City of Heroes is the shot in the arm that the genre so desperately needed. Thanks to some extremely accessible gameplay it's a title that appeals to old hands and newcomers alike. [Aug 2004, p.116]

Whether you’re a hardened Pokemaniac, an open-minded person with a love of great games or even an impressionable child, you’ll struggle to get better value for money than you will find in this glimmering pair. [June 2007, p.124]

It's the co-op multiplayer that really allows Guardian of Light to shine. [Issue#100, p.136]

A true 'thinking man’s shooter', then, and one that can be enjoyed by all those capable of engaging their brain before pulling the trigger. [June 2005, p.109]

Instead of progressing videogame stealth action, it’s a game gone into hiding – cowering behind a shroud of misguided pseudo-innovation and unbelievable difficulty. [Dec 2006, p.106]

If this is what Square Enix can do when they outsource the Final Fantasy property (even spiritually) we hope to see the core series go down this route, too; it’s a damn sight better than the numbered entries’ recent efforts.

Kudos to Ubisoft for not only recognising the differences between console PC and console gaming but developing Instincts around them. It's certainly the better game for it. [Nov 2005, p.106]

So it's a flawed package then, but it's also one that contains some of the best graphics ever seen on a console, and is one of the premier multiplayer games in existence. [Christmas 2011, p.94]

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]

While the core game is strong enough to hold its own in the Final Fantasy universe, the dress-up combat and whimsical approach could easily deter less patient or open-minded players. Even for the more easygoing gamer, there are times when the 'you go, girl' attitude can grate a little. [Jan 2004, p.102]

Once the faction-balancing issue has been sorted – something bound to be in place before the Xbox360 launch later in the year – well, this is likely to be the most popular Command & Conquer ever. And it’s all thanks to accessibility. [May 2007, p.100]

A great addition to any GBA collection...While there may be instances where the lack of a vertically scrolling screen can unfairly get you killed, the quality of the game's other elements is ample compensation for this annoyance. [Nov 2004, p.117]

It's only let down by a lack of fresh blood, but in terms of where the hammer falls, it still bangs the nail in cleanly. [Issue#102, p.117]

With its sense of fun, complex tools, and balance of enjoyment and depth, World Tour contains the ability to both teach and entertain. [Dec 2008, p.94]

If you’re looking for a new experience then there are few multiplayer games as well balanced and enthralling as Rocket League. This could well be a contender for one of the best games of the year.

A handheld game that pitches the balance between pick-up-and-play fun and engaging gameplay exactly. The clever level design and artistic merit are an added bonus. [Jan 2009, p.129]

A game that's still unique, impactful and wholly entertaining despite containing every FPS cliche conceived since Halo and Half-Life. [Issue#108, p.98]

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]

When a horror story is told and paced this well you really don't need the bloody edge of graphics technology to keep you pinned to the edge of your seat. [Issue#101, p.110]

Fable is an intensely personal experience and one that's difficult to describe to someone else – you really have to allow yourself to become immersed within the boundaries of this twee little world to fully appreciate its magic and discover what it means to you. And, indeed, what it says about you… [Nov 2004, p.96]

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]

You’ll see and hear a lot of things your senses weren’t prepared for and revisiting a more traditional RPG afterwards is like walking out after an all-night party and going straight to the local library... A wonderfully pleasant and refreshing surprise. [March 2005, p.112]

Don't be discouraged by Sacred Stones' similarity to the previous Fire Emblem game; we wouldn't change it for the world. [Aug 2005, p.116]

It might not be the greatest example of the current generation’s power, nor is it an exercise in reinvention and uniqueness – but when you’ve sunk 50 hours into Inquisition and hardly realised, and you still want to play it for another 50 hours, then you know you’re onto something good. This time the fans get what they want – and apparently what they wanted was very good indeed.

Super Smash Bros. for 3DS does an immaculate job of bringing Nintendo’s beloved fighting game to the handheld system and has packs in the best character roster and feature list to date, but the shortfalls of its hardware prevent it from reaching greater heights. It’s the perfect Smash Bros. game on an imperfect console.

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]

Year on year, the main modes in the THPS games have moved further away from traditional over-the-top skating to encompass more and more 'crazy' goals, something we're not entirely sure we approve of. One thing we are sure of, though, is that the core skating engine makes for by far the best extreme sports game of this generation. [Christmas 2003, p.98]

The remaster looks better than the low-budget releases we've played on the PS3, even at the end of its lifespan. [Issue#147, p.104]

Shovel Knight is all about learning patterns. [Sept 2014, p.106]

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.

New traps and techniques make for some spectacular exhibitions of skill, and with game being significantly larger than anything previous, there’s enough here to challenge even the most dedicated Prince Of Persia fan. [Christmas 2005, p.94]

While not the most technical or complex fighter on the market, it's certainly among the most enjoyable. [Issue#105, p.110]

Remakes and IP revivals may be raking in the big bucks at the moment, but this artistically unique original is the game that really deserves your love and respect. [Nov 2009, p.106]

If your appetite for RPGs is insatiable ... then four-way multiplayer and online capabilities are excuse enough for a purchase. [Apr 2004, p.116]

There's an evident focus on the five-buttoned six-string as you reach the higher end of the difficulty spectrum. [Nov 2009, p.108]

It’s relatively shallow but contains enjoyable combat, and is packed full of secrets and wonderfully realized worlds. [June 2007, p.102]

Taken as a purely forward-looking puzzle game (with a well-told story, to boot), Layton provides DS entertainment in a unique fashion. [JPN Import; May 2007, p.112]

A game that almost anyone with a love of music will enjoy. [Apr 2008, p.122]

One of the most detailed open worlds to date. [Issue#184, p.83]

By far the most pleasing aspect of Super Mario 64 DS is the consistent quality of the new mini-games, with the bombs and the catapult game adding something to dip into alongside the lure of the main adventure itself. [Jan 2005, p.121]

Brimming with character, with the power to shock you, make you laugh and send you into a testosterone-fuelled rage I just five minutes, it’s a genuine showcase for the power of 360 and the ingenuity of Capcom. This is next-gen gaming. [Oct 2006, p.108]

Broken arms aside, Metroid on the DS is a smooth, attractive and compelling FPS that shows what the machine is capable of, cramming in a fulfilling multi-player mode to boot. [May 2006, p.106]

The studio built great things on weaker foundations with the previous game, so it's going to be exciting to see just how tall a Tower it can build when it's working off an even stronger base from day one. [Issue#192, p.64]

It's frustrating, rewarding, addictive and entertaining in almost equal measure, and as much as you'll rant and moan when your lead is snatched away on the last corner, you'll keep going back for more. To call it the best original game on 3DS might be overstretching the meaning of the word 'original' but, all the same, this is something that no 3DS owner should be without.