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]

As the greatest and most enjoyable recreation of the sport since the 16-bit era, NHL 06 deserves to sit alongside the likes of "Pro Evo" as a sporting highlight that any gamer can enjoy. [Nov 2005, p.111]

Ridge Racers emerges as the consummate package as far as PSP launch titles go – true, it cribs from every other game in the series instead of offering real originality, but that’s a small price to pay for the amount of quality that’s packed into the game. [Feb 2005, p.116]

New players will struggle at first but for those willing to invest the time, Total War: Attila’s deep pockets repay that investment with a varied and deep campaign and a plethora of additional content.

Ultimately, Intelligent Systems is giving Fire Emblem fans precisely what they want: more (much more) of the same. [JPN Import; May 2007, p.106]

As with previous games, these songs do mostly turn out to be quite good fun to play even if they’re not so great to listen to. [Sept 2007, p.124]

Just as unique and innovative as the original ever was, and now's the time to get involved. There's something special here, you just need to look underneath all the copies of Call Of Duty to find it.

It may all sound a little base, but Black is a game that reminds you that, at your core, you love things that go bang loudly – it’s a good feeling to suddenly realise that you’re just like everyone else. [Mar 2006, p.104]

While you will unquestionably be embarrassed by the low budget visuals and wish the combat mechanics were tighter, you'll also experience some incredible moments that can't be found in any other videogame. [Issue#101, p.114]

It's refreshing to see Ubisoft applying such creativity and depth to what other developers would typically fashion as a mindless shooter. [Issue#101, p.120]

It's far less intricate than a regular squad-based game, yet it retains all the elements that make them fun - as opposed to a title like Brute Force, which had none of them. A fine display of IO's creative talent. [Oct 2003, p.116]

We can't wait until the next few months of extra content and improved networking herald clear blue skies of gaming joy all the way to the heavens. [June 2009, p.114]

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]

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]

The sheer scale of some of the battles is awe-inspiring, and with the same resource collection and unit creation system as the popular C&C games at the core of it all, there’s little fuss and you’ll be confidently laying siege to Helms Deep after just a few hours. [Jan 2005, p.109]

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]

A smartly designed and beautiful puzzle exploration game. [Issue#185, p.81]

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

Shadow Wars could be criticised for not making any genuinely innovative steps forward in the strategy genre. But what it does do – integrating just about every conceivable feature of turn-based strategy into a single cohesive whole – is enough to make it one of the best handheld titles of its kind in years, and a surprising jewel in the 3DS launch line-up.

It's an outstanding start for a trilogy, and one that we can't wait to see to its end. [Issue#145, p.116]

The single-player may have all the visual trickery and neat little scripted sequences, but in terms of sheer heart-pounding action, the multiplayer wins hands down. [Dec 2005]

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]

If you enjoy looking beyond the familiar and putting a bit of time in, you’ll find that Galak-Z is a well-crafted game that stands apart from its inspirations.

Friends of Mineral Town is an absorbingly deep and enjoyable game, even if it does turn out to be little more than a 2D remake of the PlayStation's "Harvest Moon: Back To Nature." [Mar 2004, p.112]

Stunning on the field, awful everywhere else. [Issue#205, p.76]

Proof that VR needn't be a solitary experience. [Issue#180, p.46]

It’s a frustrating reality, but one Ubisoft is already working diligently on a fix for. Like Siege, For Honor is in the beginning stages of becoming something truly unique and brilliant. If you’ve ever struggled to get into fighting games, are eager for a new multiplayer game to try your hand at, or are simply interested in what happens when Ubisoft diverts its resources out of populating open worlds with content and into an experience that thrives because of its nuanced design, then try For Honor – you won’t regret it.

Wonderfully horrible. [Issue#180, p.47]