One of the best things we've played all year. [Issue#201, p.82]

If this is to be Irrational’s last hurrah then it’s a mixed but compelling swansong for a company that often took bold, divisive design and narrative avenues. It might not hit the highs of some of its best work, but it’s a fitting testament to the studio’s unbridled creativity and theatrical magnificence.

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

Its best feature is still its protagonist. [Issue#153, p.112]

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.

It's no Super Mario World, but compared to its predecessors this game is huge...finally, Kirby has a game he can be proud of. [June 2004, p.122]

While the Walking Dead demonstrated the potency of interactive fiction, there are times here where Telltale struggles to dispel a disquieting notion: that The Wolf Among Us doesn’t necessarily benefit from the player’s involvement.

Willfully weird and captivating. [Issue#188, p.83]

If there ever was a perfect MOBA ambassador for consoles then it was always going to be Smite. [Issue#166, p.88]

While a few technical hiccups do occasionally spoil the party – there’s a touch of latency in the jumping controls and the odd little bug that makes matters a touch confusing – there’s so little to fault in Bithell’s striking debut. This is a game to admire, to enjoy and evangelise; a thoroughly English slice of indie magic that is every bit as accomplished as anything with a budget and a team. If this truly is the year of the indie, then long may it continue.

Newcomers are in for a real treat. [Issue#150, p.124]

FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage has been aimed squarely at those who are sick and tired of fluffy and generous racing games. Indeed, this is harsh, uncompromising, over the top and at times incredibly frustrating. This feels like the point-blank shot in the face that racing games so sorely need. [Aug 2007, p.123]

PopTop has spent a significant amount of time creating its own 3D engine to show off the trains. But once you've zoomed in on your new Norris locamotive a few times and watched it disappear into the tunnel you've just built, the novelty does wear thin. [Nov 2003, p.123]

The highlight is undoubtedly Motoi Sakuraba’s wonderful score, ranging from memorable, up-tempo tunes to serene orchestral numbers with just about everything you could ask for in between... But it’s the fundamentals that keep us coming back to Star Ocean night after increasingly late night. [Nov 2004, p.104]

It’s more the subtle touches that make the game what it is, a combination of something just that little bit different and a typical Kojima game. [June 2006, p.126]

The sound is unusually quiet, consisting mostly of ghostly bell chimes, only coming to life when battle begins. It's wonderfully atmospheric and gives OTOGI a distinct, mystical feel that's almost as important as the gameplay. [Oct 2003, p.127]

The previous title in this series is still to many the most complete racing simulator ever made, but Forza 5 exceeds it in several ways - not enough to displace it, but enough to fully merit its place on the Forza podium. [Issue#142, p.84]

It's a compelling return to form, featuring some of the series' most well crafted, inviting and testing stages, and while much has changed in the six-year interim, you'll be pleased to hear that Agent 47 hasn't.

A whimsical evolution of the beat-'em-up. [Issue#181, p.83]

Ignore the discordance within its narrative and get your way past the incredibly dull opening stretch: Wolfenstein is a brawny, gratifying shooter experience – the likes of which you probably haven’t played in some time. Consider it a history lesson.

If you just mindlessly consume the thing, it's not entirely unpalatable. But when you pick it apart and consider the ingredients, it isn't hard to see it as a bit of a mess. [Apr 2010, p.116]

As enjoyable and refreshing as Kameo is, we can’t help but feel that it would have been better received long ago on the GameCube, as was originally intended. [Christmas 2005, p.126]

Yes, it's simple, and a classic example of style over substance, but NBA Jam is also a huge amount of fun, and a great example of a developer actually realising what made a franchise so popular in the first place and building it into something far greater. [Christmas 2010, p.118]

It has never looked better. [Christmas 2011, p.124]

Rock Band Unplugged excels at demonstrating how the tight connection of input and music can provide strong gameplay without the need for a plastic guitar or snap-on peripheral. [Aug 2009, p.121]

A modern action epic that feels like a classic.

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

Beguilingly charming. [Issue#115, p.112]