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

Blur's driving mechanics are excellent: markedly less realistic than PGR, but responsive and demanding in a way that games like Burnout and Split/Second don't have to be. [July 2010, p.106]

What Telltale has created here is a narratively-driven game that's as much about people as events, as much about inaction as it is putting walkers out of their misery, and as much about what cannot be changed as the countless choices the player is forced to make. If the developer can now make good on the game's initial promise, and deliver a truly branching narrative that adapts to the decisions taken throughout each episode – something, lest we forget, that not even the mighty BioWare could carry through the Mass Effect trilogy with any conviction – then The Walking Dead could be remembered as a genuine classic of the genre.

Mario's Wii U debut will no doubt attract the usual detractors and jaded observers, but there's more to this than rigid routine. It just all depends on what you want from it.

Forza's driving physics are excellent - with the driving aids switched on the game offers something just on the right side of arcade-style racing. [June 2005, p.99]

It may be the most expensive WiiWare release, but it effortlessly ranks as the most notable. [Aug 2008, p.118]

It'd be right to call Castle in the Darkness difficult, perhaps even cruel, but so finely tuned it is that it never borders into anger territory. [Issue#159, p.105]

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]

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]

Anyone already au fait with the Xbox 360 version of Fight Night Round 3 need not invest, but those new to the series or PS3 could do a lot worse than Electronic Arts’ slice of ultra-realistic ultra-violence. [Feb 2007, p.115]

A game that combines the best of both worlds - Pokemon and pinball - while putting aside a lot of the elements that usually put people off. The pinball aspects win out over the extensive wandering, random battling and other RPG bits of the Pokemon series which, if you're not a fan, can only be a good thing. [Nov 2003, p.124]

It's still a little rough around the edges, but it's a real pleasure to return to the Zone. [Issue#93, p.122]

Avalanche’s greatest achievement is that it has created an open, vehicle-based videogame that does not feel like GTA in any way, shape or form, be it thematically or mechanically. [Nov 2006, p.110]

Housemarque has once again delivered on all fronts, creating a compulsive and refined game that showcases the meaty power of the PS4 – and that really isn’t bad for a launch title.

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]

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

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 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]

A thoroughly compelling strategy game. Quirky too, playing to the video game retro-chic and tongue-in-cheek humour that's popular especially among XBLA and digital games today. Despite the slightly overblown frills, there's plenty of depth to Skulls Of The Shogun that will instantly engage any type of strategy gamer.

Even when the game begins to repeat itself, it never ceases to be fun. The initial wonderment may wear off slightly, but the engine is so solid and the gameplay mechanic is so enjoyable that SSX On Tour never drops below stellar status. [Dec 2005, p.102]

Just be sure not to play before bed time. [Issue#159, p.111]

But Hellblade is so well executed in so many ways, so committed to its mission and has integrated concept and design so well that we found it easy to look past these things to enjoy it immensely...Intense, powerful, important and very well done. [Issue#191, p.70]

One of the finest mecha games ever made...The constant micro-management of you AC's mutually opposed abilities coupled with an increased efficiency at neutralising enemies is a cerebral, immersive and vibrantly unique gaming experience, which lifts the game above its past incarnations. [June 2004, p.116]

One of the most refreshingly amusing titles currently available on Sony's online service. [July 2010, p.126]

The positives do make it stand out. [Issue#159, p.112]

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

It's always refreshing to see new franchises succeed, and Renegade Ops does just that. [Issue#115, p.104]

Street Fighter V echoes the competitive mentality behind its enduring classic Super Street Fighter II Turbo – matches are about finding the right distance to be effective, using your normal moves well and knowing match-ups, rather than overwhelming your opponents with one-frame link combos and option selects.

This is by far the finest Hitman yet. The level design is superb, the enemy AI is decent, and the story is suitably entertaining, which all captures the feeling of being a cold-blooded killer wonderfully. [July 2006, p.120]

Culture Shock retains the snappy humour of its predecessor, ensuring that long-suffering fans of the detective duo will no doubt love the game as much as the original. [Dec 2006, p.113]

A hellish task worth undertaking. [Issue#115, p.105]

We’ve seen enough to know that LBP3 will have tons of inventive experiences in the coming months – but as a core game outside of its ‘Share’ functionality, well that’s just not different enough to make it truly stand out as did its brethren.

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

Every bit the trials game you've come to expect and then some. [Issue#148, p.100]

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]

Where it really excels is in its world design. [Issue#102, p.104]

Gunpey Revenge is a game you can love. Even when it's testing your patience to the limit. [Christmas 2006, p.126]

Project 8's career mode charts the ascension of your boarder from nobody-about-town to skateboarding royalty, but does it with minimal cut-scenes, plot or Steve-O. In Tony Hawk's Project 8, all that matters is skill. [Christmas 2006, p.132]

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]

For those who like their shooters feisty rather than thinky, this is the perfect choice. [Issue#115, p.109]

Brilliantly realised for hardened MMA fans. [Issue#198, p.75]

It might not appeal to everyone, but Ether One is an exceptional example of what can be done with simple game design. It has a quality not commonly seen in smaller indie titles, and the courage to do things a little differently.

Tight stealthing and funky style. Not to be missed. [Issue#191, p.80]

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]

It's a unique and interesting way of handling time travel in games too, and while XIII-2 might fall foul of all the usual time-hopping pitfalls (read: it's really rather stupid at times) it's hard to recall a sequel that makes such major changes to a great game and still manages to get things so right. If XIII was making a case for the quickest route from A to B being a straight line, XIII-2 instead argues that a time gate directly to your destination is both more practical and more interesting. We're inclined to agree.

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]

Child of Light is incredibly adept at guiding the player to the place they need to be without them knowing it. [Issue#148, p.104]

There's not much more you could ask from a sequel. Almost everything that you might have thought the first game was lacking has been provided. Our one minor complaint we have is that it's maybe not as much of a challenge as the first game was and it's not going to take long to see everything the game has to offer. [Nov 2004, p.114]

An evocative exploration of the art of storytelling. [Issue#198, p.78]

We're just a little bit disappointed that this Civ evolution isn't as polished as we'd expected. [Issue#102, p.108]

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]

Given the sheer time investment required to really do it justice only the truly committed will ever discover the deeper joys and wonderful complexities if the game. Then again, only the truly committed will give Phantom Brave a second look. [Feb 2005, p.104]

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

By the end of the episode, Telltale brings together its excellent characterisation and gameplay to create a very clever finale that perfectly captures the kinetic chaos of a Wallace & Gromit short without resorting to the reflex-based action so dreaded by genre fans. [May 2009, p.124]

It's simple work. [Issue#139, p.116]

Enslaved's satisfying blend of narrative and gameplay is bang on the money. [Issue#102, p.111]

It's a precarious house of cards. [Issue#121, p.108]

For the hardcore audience it’s aimed at, it is a logical end point to an important series and for new recruits, it’s the definitive version of a landmark game.

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

So much more about Battlefront manages to impress than disappoint – from the solid gameplay to the overall application of the Star Wars universe, which has been done with so much care and attention that even the most hardened fan will be satisfied. If only all Star Wars games could be made this way. [Nov 2004, p.100]

At its finest, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the pinnacle of the war genre, mixing cinematic flair with rock-solid gameplay, but when it reverts to type and simply throws waves of enemies in your direction, its symptomatic of a series that is bordering on stagnation. [Chrismas 2007, p.106]

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

An engaging and refreshingly svelte JRPG, but one that offers mere hints at where the genre may go from here rather than the new blueprint it could have been. [Issue#121, p.110]

That it does all this without feeling at all compromised in the name of accessibility is testament to its design. [Issue#139, p.117]

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]

Dark Messiah has the uncanny ability to tap into the primeval bloodlust of anyone that devotes more than a few minutes to it. A resounding success. [Dec 2006, p.102]

It builds to a highly satisfying and visually stunning conclusion. [Issue#149, p.119]

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]

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]

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]

Home is a must play. Its brevity matches its ambition - it's a game everyone should play, if only to see what's possible with a creative vision and stringent commitment to atmosphere. It's not the scariest, the smartest or the most ambitious game you'll ever experience, but it's also one you're very unlikely to regret. [Issue#125, p.105]

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]

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]

A worthy addition to an already great franchise. [Issue#193, p.78]

By far one of the strongest downloadable titles of the year so far. [June 2009, p.121]

The nuts and bolts of Tiger Woods 13 do more than enough to restore the golfer's digital reputation. [Issue#121, p.116]

The joy of Blazblue is figuring out what each character's gimmick is, and how it can be used to augment their moveset. [Issue#148, p.110]

It has all the scope and style of a triple-A release but combined with the craftsmanship and pride that can only be found in the independent market. [Issue#149, p.126]

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]

Highly recommended. [Issue#139, p.120]

By far the most engrossing and beautiful space game on the PC or any other format. [Christmas 2005, p.104]

So, is Detroit going to convert David Cage skeptics to Quantic Dream's way of thinking? Absolutely not. This is pure thematic pondering, melodramatic, challenging, gamified cinema-aping stuff, and that's why we like it. [Issue#201, p.74]

Its platforming sections won’t be troubling Super Mario 3D Land, but if you’re looking for RPG Mario at his modern best, you won’t go far wrong with this.

With some of the best motion control yet seen on the console, accessible but deep gameplay and beautiful character animation, Table Tennis Wii is the machine’s premier sports title. [Dec 2007, p.114]

Yes, it's bigger and more beautiful, but it's ostensibly more of the same; better executed, but unlikely to win many converts. [Christmas 2006, p.120]

A superb update to an already great game. [Issue#153, p.114]

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

It demands skill without being overly realistic and is challenging without being overly frustrating – an ideal combination that forms the backbone of an incredibly enjoyable game. [JPN Import; Feb 2005, p.116]

Between its wonderful style, superb boss fights and chaotic carnage, Madworld is evidently a magnificent and unique title. [Apr 2009, p.117]

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]

A refined, smarter version. [Issue#153, p.122]

Even when the game begins to repeat itself, it never ceases to be fun. The initial wonderment may wear off slightly, but the engine is so solid and the gameplay mechanic is so enjoyable that SSX On Tour never drops below stellar status. [Dec 2005, p.102]

Ultimately, Yakuza should be praised for overreaching, rather than criticized for what it doesn’t achieve. It’s rare to see a game so ambitious in terms of story and scope. [Oct 2006, p.112]

Although it may lack the sense of immersion that titles like World of Warcraft and City of Heroes provide, it’s a classic example of an ‘easy to pick up, hard to put down’ title. [July 2005, p.120]

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]

In the end, the fact that Battlefield: Hardline could easily have been Medal Of Honor: Hardline or Need For Speed: Hardline is entirely moot. Visceral has played an ace, and it’s a bona fide thriller.

You'll still be thrilled by this original, amusing and brilliantly playable horror game.

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