A triumph in its own right and, on a wider scale, a huge step forward for sports games. If NaturalMotion decides to work on a sequel, there's a great chance that all the niggles can be ironed out and a true competitor will emerge. [July 2010, p.122]

Alpha Protocol threatens absurdity only on rare occasions - generally its plot is well conceived and told, particularly when you factor in the multiple narrative strands that can be followed. [July 2010, p.112]

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]

The Sway system changes everything. Risk versus reward, knock out or be knocked out. Superb. [July 2010, p.110]

The scale of LittleBigPlanet's achievement is more deserving of admiration, but ModNation Racers is so much easier to love. United Front Games should be delighted with the compromise.

In an age when the surviving champions of the genre seem intent on sticking to the template of manic vertical scrollers with ludicrously baroque game design, Soldner-X 2 offers a fairly satisfying alternative: a horizontal scroller with a classic flavour that doesn't feel out of date. [Aug 2010, p.115]

This isn't what you'd call a 'non-game', however. Art Style: Light Trax has a deep set of mechanics that challenge and reward in equal measure, and make its gameplay as satisfying as the presentation is beautiful.

No matter which side of the gaming coin you come from, this whole new universe of planets is the most inventive, exuberant and, yes, fun set of challenges and diversions yet seen in the platform game genre. It miraculously outclasses a game that many believed could not be bettered, and once again leaves us wondering just how close Nintendo's bar has come to reaching its theoretical peak.

Its simplicity is also its greatest strength. The combat is fluid and utterly engaging from the very first moment, leaving Remedy free to build atmosphere, drama and tension through the stunning game-world and its oddball inhabitants. Granted, by the end we were wishing for another dimension to the gameplay, but only in the interest of elevating the experience from very good to legitimate greatness.

While Rockstar San Diego may find some difficulty in filling its open expanses with interesting and emergent play, it does imbue it with a stark beauty and compelling narrative that makes Redemption more than just an allusion to cinema, but a piece of work that can confidently stand next to it. [Issue#96, p.94]

The fact that as much work's been done under the bonnet as on the gloss of the visuals is an impressive feat, and one that makes Split/Second one of the most highly-recommended alternative takes on the genre in years. [Issue#96, p.108]

The laboured cut-scenes could be replaced by a title card that simply says 'Whatever'. [July 2010, p.116]

The new gameplay types easily dispel the lack of variety that blighted previous games. [Aug 2010, p.116]

When Runner hits its stride, you'll end stages wanting to high-five the dev team and probably yourself as well. [Aug 2010, p.120]

Things On Wheels is too pedestrian to catch on in the demanding Live Marketplace, and too frustrating to be fun. [Feb 2009, p.121]

Updates are tricky; they need to be handled with the utmost love and dedication. We're not suggesting Rocket Knight hasn't been, but whatever made its ancestor appealing isn't as appreciable here. [July 2010, p.118]

If we're being brutally honest, Lost Planet 2 doesn't really have a single-player mode. [Issue#96, p.104]

For now at least, Skate remains very much this generation's go-to extreme sports franchise. [Issue#96, p.112]

Massively derivative and dated. [Issue#96, p.102]

It's only with extended play that Retribution's meaningless sadism, over-the-top machismo, mish-mash of gameplay elements and backdrop of futile storytelling destroy any possible reason not to put down the controller. [Issue#96, p.126]

Nier is so burdened with poor design choices and outdated mechanics that some won't be able to see the ingenuity through the fit of technical hiccups. [Issue#96, p.124]

To put it bluntly, if you own and loved SFIV, then SSFIV is as important to your mental wellbeing as the oxygen in our atmosphere. This is the ultimate love letter from Capcom, and the perfect fuel to keep the Street Fighter passion alight. [Issue#95, p.114]

A smaller game than FIFA 10. [Issue#96, p.111]

There's something wrong with a genre where self-parody is interchangeable with inspiration. [Issue#96, p.120]

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

Despite being far lighter on content than its PSP predecessors, Tri always feels like it has plenty more to offer. [Issue#95, p.106]

Only the coldest of hearts could fail to find joy in whispering sweet nothings to a pretty young girl while an old man is distracted by a giant monkey. [July 2010, p.119]

The emperor is wearing tense, compelling and entirely seductive clothes. It's just a shame his outfit is from the 2005 collection. [Issue#95, p.102]