There’s an obvious luxury to riffing on a masterpiece that other games simply can’t enjoy, but that doesn’t make the choice to blow the city wide-open any less brave. [Apr 2009, p.110]

There's little to take away from the fact that GT5 is a full, accomplished and insanely deep racing sim of the highest calibre. [Issue#104, p.104]

After a rocky couple of years for rhythm-action, in which Guitar Hero came to an end and Rock Band 3 failed to repeat the retail success of its predecessors, it's fantastic to see Harmonix back on top with a game that reinvigorates the genre in new and interesting ways. But, more than that, it's just great to have an extremely playable reason to return to some old favourite songs.

Everyday Shooter has personality, but it has one more thing besides, something all but lost to the chilly technicalities of modern gaming. Soul. [Feb 2008, p.133]

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.

This game is a victory for the FMV, for mobile/PC games, and for the concept of interactive narrative as a whole.

So good that the old adage of "quality, not quantity" has never felt more appropriate. [Issue#91, p.111]

Spellbinding, dramatic and absolutely epic in both the world it paints and the story it tells, Zelda: Skyward Sword is a hugely important event for the Wii, for Nintendo, and for anyone with even a passing love for the venerable series it celebrates.

Bungie has managed to whittle away many of the elements we felt uncomfortable with in the original game (specifically some dull level design and unappealing multiplayer), as well as adding enough polish to make Halo 2's gameplay shine... As a sequel that's good enough to convert even those who didn't enjoy the original title, we doubt anyone could have asked for anything more. [Christmas 2004, p.122]

A near-perfect action game, then, and a irrefutable reason to own a Wii U.

With Sony so laser-focused on the multiplayer component since Ascension was announced, we were understandably worried that the single-player side of things may end up a rote retread of old ground. But we’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong, and from its gorgeous visual and evolved combat to its lavish presentation and tight pacing, this is arguably the best God Of War yet.

Super Mario 3D World might not be a “game changer” like Super Mario 64, but it’ll always be remembered as the one that let the cats out.

This is an intimidating prospect for the casual PS2 gamer, but a worthwhile purchase for anyone who derived any pleasure from any tactical RPG on any platform. [Oct 2006, p.122]

Both a great racer and a great sandbox. [Issue#206, p.74]

It doesn’t move at the breakneck pace of most games nowadays, nor does it ever seem particularly concerned to address some of the plot points or character gaps it leaves dangling, but those that take the chance on the full Quantum Break experience (episodes and all) will find a quirky and unique experience waiting that you just won’t see replicated anywhere else.

These additional modes are a lot of fun, providing as they do bite-size portions of Pikmin action that you can enjoy with a friend, and definitely give you a reason to keep coming back to the game. But honestly, the campaign has so many nooks and crannies to explore and hidden fruit and data files to find that once you’ve reached the end of the story you’ll want to jump back in straight away.

With the addition of artifact weapons – which are intended to last all expansion pack and can barely reach a third of their ultimate power by the end of the expac’s content – it could be that Blizzard has released and set up to produce what may well go down in history as World Of Warcraft‘s best expansion pack yet.

We can only hope that the team at Infinity Ward has the humility to learn from and implement the features Treyarch has introduced here when it comes to the next Call Of Duty, particularly with regards to multiplayer. [Christmas 2010, p.84]

An esports-ready success needing a sizeable audience. [July 2018, p.81]

Anyone looking for a traditional Rock Band experience has the definitive one before them, packaged here with an optional and extensive set of educational devices that offer further reading for anyone who feels their virtual musicianship is ready to blossom and evolve into the real deal. [Christmas 2010, p.88]

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.

An exceptional game that will remain a pleasure even when the graphics begin to spoil. [Chrismas 2007, p.112]

Intelligent Systems has come good for Advance Wars fans and made its latest title arguably the best reason to own a DS so far. [Sept 2005, p.98]

It's a crazed urgency that you'll embrace until completion, threading your way round Polytron's crazily idiosyncratic open-world masterpiece until every corner has been reached and, more importantly, understood.

A picture-perfect playground designed to engender pure love in those willing to lose themselves within it. [Christmas 2011, p.90]

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]

One of the most refreshing and damn near-essential games of the year, and an inspirational figurehead for independent developers everywhere. [Dec 2006, p.122]

Clear Sky chiefly succeeds because it transforms grim fantasy into a startlingly real-world experience. [Oct 2008, p.108]