Admittedly, the classes and jobs have been wonderfully balanced to make large parties fit together perfectly but this is no excuse for making solo play so difficult for anything but the toughest classes and so distinctly unrewarding. [Oct 2004, p.114]

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]

Not only the best NFL game yet on a next-generation platform, but also one that could even rival the best in the series. [Oct 2007, p.122]

PES 2016 is inconsistently superb, but it can no longer be ignored. Football fans have a difficult choice to make this year. You can follow the money and glamour of FIFA or embrace the grassroots love of the game in PES 2016. Neither choice seems wrong to us, but neither is perfect yet either. What we do have finally though, after a decade or so of waiting, is a real contest.

There’s a slight monotony to the enemy design after some time, but each complaint we try to construct feels all but meaningless in the face of how pure and satisfying an experience Rogue Legacy manages to be.

The surprisingly lengthy co-op mode does not experience this fatigue, and coupled with the replayability of the other multiplayer options means there's a lot of fun to be had. [Issue#135, p.117]

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]

Online mode or not, Virtua Fighter 5 is still the pinnacle of 3D videogame fighting. The engine is flawless, demonstrating the difference each combat style can have on a bout, and allowing for a level of mastery absent in its competition. [Mar 2007, p.100]

That Pride mode is a doozy. [Issue#119, p.108]

Brothers is exactly the length you want it to be, showing just enough of its hand when it comes to the tale of these two siblings for it to live long in the memory. [Issue#137, p.118]

Sports Interactive made the hardest job in football better than ever. [Issue#142, p.120]

Worthy, but better if you're new to the series. If it's just nostalgia you're after … you could probably pick up the original …- it won't be pretty, but it will be a similar experience. [Apr 2004, p.98]

For every awful moment in The Warriors, there are two great ones. The mix of story, nostalgia and out-and-out combat is a heady concoction and when it all clicks, it's thoroughly enjoyable. [Dec 2005, p.120]

The stark landscape, self-serious characters and po-faced story are completely at odds with the sense of mischievous fun the destruction naturally evokes...If Volition is interested in crafting an instant classic, putting this destruction in Saints Row 3 would be an excellent place to start. [July 2009, p.110]

In the most flattering sense, Ratchet & Clank plays like a PS2 platformer: brisk, nimble, self-contained, but visually it’s up there with the best on the PS4; Insomniac has united two very different eras in videogame making.

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

Monolith underplays ever card in its hand and leaves us with a game of slow-creeping dread and rare maturity. A year is a long time in videogaming, but age has left F.E.A.R.'s impact undiminished. [Christmas 2006, p.114]

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.

If it weren't for a few titles like "City Of Heroes" taking the genre in interesting new directions, we'd find it far easier to recommend this more traditional life-consuming abyss of a game.

Simply said, Sorcery! is a wonderful release that should light a fire in the heart of any fan of an era long-gone; this is a welcome addition to any iOS library. [Issue#137, p.123]

Boy racers will love Underground's edgy urban chic, otherwise you should stick with the less fashionable but ultimately more enjoyable "Burnout 2." [Christmas 2003, p.125]

Order Of Ecclesia represents a solid but never ridiculous challenge that breathes new life into a franchise that was beginning to flag. [Jan 2009, p.128]

A delightful adventure and excellent VR showcase. [Issue#199, p.84]

You've never played anything quite like this. [Issue#191, p.74]

While Underground tried to seamlessly mix its diversity, humour and gameplay, it was always obvious when you were being dragged away from the combo system at the heart of the series. Thankfully, THUG2 makes a much better fist of keeping classic Tony Hawk's gameplay at the heart of the tasks. Even when skating as Benjamin Franklin or a shrimp vendor, the focus remains on skateboarding. [Dec 2004, p.102]

The tragedy is that inFamous contains flashes of something approaching brilliance, yet when we finished all that remained were memories of the cracks in its surface. [July 2009, p.112]

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]

The variety keeps you in the game and that, in time, enables you to master the feel and potential of the cars on offer. Best of all, improving is enjoyable - you never feel as though you're playing simply to get better. You can't ask for more from a racer than that. [Issue#189, p.76]

There's little doubt that The Old Republic could have been a groundbreaking release, but it instead chooses to hew closely to the MMO formula, relying too much on the grind and outdated mechanics that don't gel with the Star Wars license. [Issue#119, p.110]

A challenging but repetitive tactical RPG. [Issue#192, p.72]

Ambition at the expense of excellence. [Dec 2008, p.116]

The confines of boxing itself impose some limitation in areas such as variation but, in taking this genre from a dead end to the cutting edge of gameplay authenticity, Fight Night is an absolute triumph. [May 2004, p.104]

Size Matters never reaches the highs of the home console versions, but as an example of what can be achieved on the PSP with some time, diligence and money, it’s hard to fault. [June 2007, p.115]

As both a companion to the Cube version – with which the game links up – and a standalone game, Advance Tour has more than enough to keep you satisfied. [Sept 2004, p.121]

We wanted to apologise, to run, to leave the horror of it all far behind, and there can be no more appropriate response to war than that. [Christmas 2008, p.90]

An enchanting RPG...A claimant to the JRPG throne. [Issue#199, p.78]

It ramps up brilliantly and is nicely paced too...It might not have the intense insanity of a "Keep Talking," but it's up there with some of the best implementation of PSVR we've seen to date. [Issue#188, p.82]

Disgaea is without doubt the defining moment in turn-based strategy. Not since Dark Cloud 2 has a game offered so much in terms of optional further play, and we'd seriously question whether any other title will dare brave this lofty plateau of life-emaciating gameplay. [Jan 2004, p.108]

The first-person mode is a nice addition, but will probably work much better on graphically superior, newly-motion-controlled hardware, where the horizon is clearly visible. [Aug 2010, p.114]

Easily the finest and most involving product to carry Molyneux’s name in years. A stunning achievement. [Christmas 2005, p.100]

Even with many of Rare’s most loved classics missing on account of licensing issues – GoldenEye 007, Donkey Kong Country to name a couple – Rare Replay is still an extraordinary exercise in value, and a fantastic celebration of one of gaming’s most accomplished and innovative developers.

Even with its overly ambitious new 'Off The Ball' interface the FIFA series is still a long way from capturing the true essence of the beautiful game. [Dec 2003, p.127]

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]

A hugely entertaining, tongue-in-cheek and fulsome experience, it’s a worthy expedition whether you’re a Rings fan or not.

Microsoft finally has the kind of property it has always sorely lacked – a game with a truly cross-generational appeal and striking originality. Buy it for the kids, and then don’t let them get near it. [Jan 2007, p.92]

Almost exactly what we wanted it to be. Story mode and single-player antics are diverting enough but the game excels in multiplayer, offering fast-paced thrills that only the highlights of the "Unreal" series can really contest. [March 2005, p.122]

An addictive game from a passionate team. [Issue#182, p.84]

While not without its problems and questionable design decisions, Street Fighter X Tekken is miraculous in that it even works at all. It simply shouldn't.

The game has set a bar for visual excellence as far as anime-inspired games go, and is liable to have the same kind of impact Tekken Tag Tournament did on PS2 thanks to its careful place as a launch title.

It's brash and ridiculous, but better for it - the insane climax easily among the most entertaining endings we've seen in years. [Oct 2009, p.132]

TxK is Minter's best game, an experience that understands its form, and takes great pleasure in letting you know that. [Issue#146, p.116]

There’s little here that inspires us to recommend DUB Edition above any of the other pimping opportunities that are either out already or due to make an appearance soon, and it’s certainly only worth bothering with if you’re willing to invest a fair bit of time. [May 2005, p.120]

Sure, PES 2017 may once again rule the play through the midfield, but FIFA 17 has so much to offer off the pitch that it’s difficult to not be satisfied. As long as you can get your head around the possession-focused style of play in FIFA, you’ll have no qualms with its gameplay, but it’s everything else that really sells it this year.

Another iterative improvement. [Issue#182, p.81]

Everything Prey needed to succeed is in there, somewhere, but it doesn't gel. The game is too undefined, too broad in its ambition and application of its powers, spaces and weapons, that it fails to find and carve out its own identity. [Issue#188, p.69]

Sound Shapes will ultimately live or die by its community, which at the time of writing is in dire need of a sonic boom in terms of both users and quality levels. With support, it'll grow into something glorious. But even without, it's yet another novel and wholly entertaining reason to get a Vita. But you probably still won't.

Never has an off-road racer felt so compelling, so necessary and so thrilling... The finest arcade racer since "Burnout Revenge." [JPN Import; Feb 2007, p.100]

The majority of criticisms will be leveled at the new co-op element, but as we’ve already mentioned, neither control nor AI can ultimately mar such an intense and relentless action experience. [Apr 2009, p.98]

For a free title, there's plenty of fun to be had here. [Issue#156, p.126]

Tetris is an excellent puzzle game and, especially if you’re into the Nintendo presentation, it’s a very good value, well-constructed title. [May 2006, p.127]

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]

A rather dry experience. [Issue#108, p.106]

Despite being far lighter on content than its PSP predecessors, Tri always feels like it has plenty more to offer. [Issue#95, p.106]

Early flaws give way to a masterpiece. The game's countless interweaving pathways will stand out as one of the year's most impressive design achievements, offering a mind-boggling array of routes while readjusting the world to the player's action. [Mar 2004, p.108]

It's indicative of Ubisoft's approach, so wary of the player discovering their own enjoyment, or missing key information, that it so fervently handholds through what should be its most spectacular moments. At times this reduces entire chapters to tediously long treks between cut-scenes, a lot of which feel like less than worthwhile narrative additions. It's an odd occurrence of a game giving and taking away in equal measure.

Gears Of War 4 is a success, then, even if it does take The Coalition a little too long to find its feet in its single-player campaign.

Halo 5: Guardians exists only because it had to. It isn’t a bad game, it’s just a catastrophically uninteresting one.

With a control scheme that can hamper the enjoyment, it creates an unfortunate barrier between the world and the player that's hard to overcome. [Issue#144, p.113]

Is it enough to warrant a purchase should you own 2K7’s predecessor? Probably not. However...NBA 2K7 is still the number one name in basketball. [Dec 2006, p.112]

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

While some may argue that Factions is ‘more of the same’ and nothing greater than a hefty expansion, the sheer amount of fresh content easily makes the title a worthy purchase. [Aug 2006, p.124]

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.

Desperate Struggle's improved gameplay, streamlined structure and adolescent fantasy may not make the perfect mix of ingredients, but we love the way it tastes all the same. [Apr 2010, p.120]

Outside of the new animations, it's hard to see where NBA 2K14 has really advanced ahead of last year's outing. [Issue#141, p.112]

Combat is gruelling. Exploration is intense. To that basic extent, Darkest Dungeon is a more emotional dungeon crawler than it aims to be. But its mechanics are familiar and soulless and above anything, it proves that an extreme difficulty curve is no substitute for finessed drama and smart visual design.

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

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]

Handling and pop-up have been pretty much fixed, but in exchange we're greeted with a problematic multiplayer mode, some annoying graphical glitches and several other elements that perhaps wouldn't grate so much if Colin McRae 3 hadn't already tested the next-generation water. [Oct 2003, p.110]

There's little here that inspires us to recommend DUB Edition above any of the other pimping opportunities that are either out already or due to make an appearance soon, and it's certainly only worth bothering with if you're willing to invest a fair bit of time. [May 2005, p.120]

The price is hard to fault, the work put in is outstanding, and the games themselves are damn-near essential. [Issue#152, p.117]

This is a good time for adventure games and there are superior examples out there, but none more loveable than Time Gentlemen, Please! [Oct 2009, p.123]

From a single-player point of view at least, Killzone 3 is the biggest disappointment of the year so far. It does have a few exhilarating moments, and it can probably still just about claim to have the best graphics ever, but it fundamentally plays more like a formulaic Call Of Duty clone than a successor to the current generations most intense, visceral FPS.

Frankly, we could play Stacking for 20 hours, and it's just a shame we can't. [Issue#107, p.110]

A glorious assault on the senses. [Issue#180, p.43]

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]

Some impressive innovation towards the second half of the game lifts Axiom Verge considerably, but if you're after a genuine and whole-hearted twist on the tried-and-tested formula, it will disappoint. [Issue#160, p.102]

Professor Layton certainly has soul, but the puzzles themselves just aren't imaginative enough to save the adventure from feeling frequently out of breath. [Nov 2009, p.123]

At its cold, frostbitten heart, Frostpunk is a game of decisions, and what makes it so satisfying is they all matter. [Issue#200, p.75]

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]

The fact that, in harking back to earlier days, the game feels stuck in the past, the fact the fighting system really isn't deep compared to other modern-day brawlers, the fact the gore is little more than a sideshow and the fact that most of the fan service appeals to fans who have grown up a great deal since the Nineties throws up numerous reasons to criticise, however.

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]

Taking the Devil May Cry formula and enhancing it with accessibility is a masterstroke from Capcom. Hopefully this slight tweak in the formula will lure many new fans to the series and more will sample one of the finest brawling series’ available. [Mar 2008, p.110]

You could argue that the crashes don't match the drama of the chase, the camera angles often failing to relay the complete destruction of your vehicle. The handling might feel a little too forced towards the arcade side of things and perhaps some players will feel that they've played this game already thanks to the many hours they put into Burnout Paradise. But there's no denying that Criterion is the master of its craft, and Most Wanted is its biggest and best effort yet.

Perhaps most excitingly, The Lost Legacy hints at what would be an interesting format for future releases. [Issue#191, p.69]

Don't be fooled – this is more than just an update. [Sept 2004, p.110]

Gorgeous, but more frustrating than fun. [Issue#174, p.77]

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]