You’ll likely find that the motions are easily confused and unresponsive, with some situational moves, such as weaving, next to impossible to pull off with the degree of consistency that would make their inclusion worthwhile. [Apr 2009, p.122]

BitTrip Beat certainly makes for an atmospheric, pulse pounding experience, but it's not one that comes easily. [June 2009, p.128]

The majority of criticisms will be leveled at the new co-op element, but as we’ve already mentioned, neither control nor AI can ultimately mar such an intense and relentless action experience. [Apr 2009, p.98]

It's the instant gratification of fireworks and classical music that comes with victories so addictive that you see entire evenings wasted on a game in which you seemingly do nothing at all. [May 2009, p.124]

Between its wonderful style, superb boss fights and chaotic carnage, Madworld is evidently a magnificent and unique title. [Apr 2009, p.117]

Taking on the overcrowded puzzle genre is never easy, but Docomodake succeeds by being both original and charming. [Dec 2008, p.127]

Consider this a neat twist on the formula, which will force you to play this old favourite in some unexpected ways. [Oct 2009, p.132]

It’s fan service, definitely, but not ill-conceived or exploitative in any way. [Mar 2009, p.96]

A refinement of what has gone before, and what has gone before still stands as one of the finest exercises in strategic entertainment available. [Apr 2009, p.108]

The studio has instead crafted an accessible, if not necessarily deep, flight simulator that entertains but never exhilarates. [Apr 2009, p.104]

There are no nasty surprises, no ill-considered gameplay changes and no sense that Sonic Team is ever confused about what the game is supposed to be. It’s a game that is totally comfortable with itself. And it has every right to be. [Apr 2009, p.106]

We'll be waiting for Phantasy Star Zero to see if that instead can re-awaken the RPG magic the series once held above all others. [June 2009, p.116]

Killzone 2 is a gamer’s game. And although it fails to go beyond the confines of the genre, we wouldn’t criticise it for being anything other than a wonderful example of what can be achieved within them. [Mar 2009, p.108]

The problem isn't that Eat Lead is bad, it's just very, very average and at no point justifies its smarter-than-thou stance. [May 2009, p.117]

As you do your first turn and notice your character eerily rotating through space in a box, no apparent bodily movement guiding the trick, the realisation dawns that there's almost no fun to be gleaned from satisfactorily pulling off a stunt in Stoked. [Nov 2009, p.112]

Broken up with vehicle and on-rails sections that aren’t nearly as horrible as tradition dictates they should be, Blood On The Sand is an entertaining action title with absolutely no imagination. [Apr 2009, p.102]

There is simply no getting around the sheer awfulness of the main characters. From their unoriginal looks to their irritating dialogue, they serve to spoil the game from start to finish. [July 2009, p.122]

Still addictive, but lacking the original’s impact. [Apr 2009, p.121]

Sandbox silliness at its best. [Apr 2009, p.123]

All the imagination seems to have been used up in story and setting, leaving little left over for intricate or satisfying problem solutions. [June 2009, p.119]

There's no question that Death Tank has the potential to be a lot of fun. It's just a pity Worms has already done it better and for a third of the cost. [May 2009, p.131]

It’s a straight and stagnant affair: win races, progress to the next stage, repeat. There’s none of SimBin’s trademark drive and determination in this area of the game. [Mar 2009, p.102]

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]

If you're a fan of Nippon Ichi humour and love your games in Metal Slug and Ghouls 'N' Ghosts flavours, then feel free to add a point on to the score because, dood, this game's made for you. [June 2009, p.124]

The pinnacle of the series’ handheld bloodline but also nothing that we haven’t really seen before. [Feb 2009, p.112]

The only rewards here are visual, and challenge is virtually non-existent. Yet thanks to elegance and lyricism, Flower made us feel slightly richer after putting down the pad. [Apr 2009, p.123]

What we’re left with is a wonderfully polished sequel that you will enjoy every minute of and then wonder why all you can think about is how it felt to play its predecessor. [Mar 2009, p.112]

There’s no getting around the fact that it’s often more tempting to run past the majority of enemies and complete the game in a couple of hours, than it is to actually brawl your way through. [Apr 2009, p.113]