A perfectly executed heist offers an incredible sense of achievement. [Issue#166, p.95]

It’s a nice mix of team building, draft tactics and instant gratification that shows off some of the best side of this area of the game.

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

It’s still great, but next year we do hope EA concentrates on what’s in the game less, and more about what’s fun to play.

Gears Of War: Ultimate Edition definitely belongs in that upper tier; its campaign no longer carries the industry-shaping impact it once had but it remains tremendous fun, while its multiplayer is still dramatic, unique and engaging, perhaps even more so now given the final touches The Coalition has added. As was the case back in 2006, come for the campaign and stay for the multiplayer – you’ll be glad you did.

Until Dawn plays with you. It’s an extended metaphor for horror games, one that prides itself on how much it predicts – and counteracts – what you’re doing. If you care about the advancement of meta-narratives and the player/game relationship, this is for you.

Forza Motorsport 6 is not the conclusive leap that some fans were expecting. It feels like more astute groundwork; more prep for the definitive seventh instalment. It doesn’t feel hollow or lacking in content; it’s a cautious and discreet update that still feels, to its credit, genuinely cutting edge. You probably shouldn’t miss it. Just don’t expect the ground to break.

It feels like a game-by-numbers: the straight-to-video spiritual successor to what Shadow Of Mordor did last year.

While boredom can set in as you perform the same handful of actions time and time again, there is just enough variety to keep you entertained. [Issue#165, p.98]

Smart, sketchy but pacy, Q.U.B.E: Director’s Cut is more than worth the price of admission, regardless of format.

Unoriginal. [Issue#165, p.96]

It does little to endear you to Tembo's later stages. [Issue#165, p.95]

At times, it can be too clunky and a little finicky, but while The Swindle is undoubtedly a great idea, games of this ilk can’t suffer missteps like infuriating controls – and sadly that does hold this game back.

Combat is surprisingly basic given that this is from the man behind the Ninja Gaiden games. [Issue#165, p.86]

Metanet once described N++ as being a game they hoped would be so refined and so complete that “there’s no need to make another one.” We’re inclined to agree.

It’s as much a part of the PlayStation legacy as Ico is, as Shadow Of The Colossus is. Its place in PlayStation legend goes beyond its similar presentation and taps into something more sublime, something more exhilarating.

Beyond Eyes isn’t going to take longer than a few hours for anyone to complete and the price doesn’t quite reflect the brevity of the experience.

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.

Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture is a brave experiment, and one that’s paid off for The Chinese Room. If you’re a console-only gamer, it’ll be unlike anything you’ve ever played before – we say that with admiration.

Super Mario Maker takes one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history and gives it one of the most intuitive level editors ever seen, one flexible enough to allow for countless possibilities. It’s bursting with charm, contains some real laugh-out loud moments and is essential for any Mario fan.

It would be ludicrous to assume Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will appeal to everyone, but it is absolutely the best game in the series – and one of the best games we’ve ever had the privilege of playing.

Winter isn't quite here yet. [Issue#164, p.100]

Different for everyone, yet still fantastic. [Issue#164, p.100]

Poor graphics and tedious gameplay. [Issue#164, p.93]

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

Visually stunning, but a slog to play through. [Issue#164, p.90]

Impressive at times, but well-beaten by the competition. [Issue#164, p.89]

Enjoyable, but suffers from a lack of upgrades. [Issue#164, p.87]