Payday 2 plays differently each time you boot it up. Nothing ever goes the way you planned, but that does not mean it does not feel the same each and every time. Despite its repetitive ways, this second payday feels more streamlined and fun than the first one. [October 2013 p.95]

Some games stay etched in your memory because of the emotional journey you experienced, like The Walking Dead, The Last of Us or Ico. Brother: A Tale of Two Sons does not quite belong on that list, but it does come very close. [October 2013 p.94]

Not the most original title for a game, but do not let that fool you. This boxing game already appeared on iOS devices with a cheaper price tag, but the Vita version looks much sharper. Too bad the touch screen controls are a bit of a letdown. [October 2013 p.94]

Spelunky is finally available on PlayStation platforms and there is plenty of reason to be happy about that. This hard as nails platformer will have you clutching your controller in a choke hold due to random levels and a healthy dose of trial and error. [October 2013 p.94]

What is there left to tell about The Walking Dead, our personal best game of 2012. Those who only own a Vita owe it to themselves to play this thrilling interactive zombie adventure. [October 2013 p.94]

All these nice new features make Madden 25 the ideal companion for a night of intelligent pounding (yes, we know. It sounded better in our heads). But we did expect a little bit more from what is supposed to be the ultimate American Football game. [October 2013 p.90]

Live The Life sounds great on paper, with emotional problems hampering your player's abilities and possibly determining what team he punches dudes in the face for. But in reality the system is ... undecipherable. [October 2013 p.88]

On paper it seems like a simple, by the numbers platformer and it is to a certain degree. But Puppeteer is much more than that. It is an interactive stage play that constantly breaks the fourth wall. [October 2013 p. 86]

We are still not that fond of the first Kingdom Hearts. It divided the gaming community back then between those who hated it and those who build a shrine to it in their bedrooms. There was no middle ground. And there still is none today. [October 2013 p.84]

If there is one thing clear about Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, it is that this MMORPG is here to stay. Squenix promises new content every two or three months and the story for the first expansion pack has already been written. It will be necessary to keep players interested. [October 2013 p.78]

The AI of your fellow teammates has been ramped up considerably, making them wide open for a pass much more often. Exciting duels, where the ball changes owner multiple times are not just an exception anymore, they are to be expected. [October 2013 p.74]

Aside from the updated controls, Blizzard has also adapted the inventory to be less like a puzzle and more like a traditional list of items. This might be less “RPG-like”, but it does make everything a whole lot smoother and easier to navigate. [October 2013 p.68]

GTA IV was extraordinarily good, but it took itself a little bit too seriously. GTA V outdoes even San Andreas when it comes to changing up standard shootouts with more wacky, explosive and memorable missions. [October 2013 p.56]

“Just one more time”, is what you will be telling yourself many times once you get into the flow of Cloudberry Kingdom. And it is also a great (if you are into the whole sadism thing) party game. [September p.93]

Seven. Seven times we sat through the entire opening sequence, whistling the Ducktales theme song along like a deranged school boy, before pressing the start button. But that doesn't mean we also want to sit through the boring new cut scenes in this remake. [September p.92]

Get your Inception “bwaaaaas” at the ready, because Attack on Dragon Keep is a game within a game. Bwaaaaa! And it is also the best DLC for Borderlands 2 yet. Save the best for last, seems to be the game's motto. Bwaaaaa! [September p.91]

The ultra-violent indie hit Hotline Miami has found its way unto our PlayStation 3 an Vita and it is a drug infused combination between GTA, Metal Gear, neon lights and animal masks. Yes, you should play this. [September p.91]

You could see 400 Days as a great dessert after an exquisite meal. Or maybe as an appetizer for a second course, because we were left wanting much more, even though this DLC does not quite reach the same heights as the original series. [September p.90]

Daud returns a second and final time to the dark world of Dishonored. This time around he is after a damsel (who is definitely not in distress) called Delilah, which is not an easy task thanks to all the witchcraft. [September p.90]

We won't lie, we often cursed the day A Clone in the Dark was created. It is brutally unfair at times. So unfair, we considered buying a protective case for our poor PlayStation Vita, just to prevent us form smashing it to pieces after 100th or so unfair death scene. [September p.87]

Make no mistake, the difficulty has been ramped up considerably. Something we, as grown up gamers, can truly appreciate. Even the first worlds aren't all that easy, since the levels vary greatly in difficulty. Don't expect a new Demon's Souls, but be prepared to make that same jump a dozen times. [September p.80]

Your ultimate goal is to slay your enemies with your katana in the most stylish way as possible. Just like in No More Heroes. Killer is Dead is actually surprising similar to No More Heroes. It is all about dodging and countering at the right time. [September p.78]

Luckily the game's biggest strengths still hold up well, namely the armory of wicked crazy weapons, the variety of goofy enemies to fight - from Deckers to Matriarchs - and the absolute freedom to do whatever the hell you want to. [September p. 68]

Infinity's Toy Box mode can hardly be called a kids game, which is strange since the Play Sets that come with the game are an absolute walk in park. There is no challenge whatsoever. Missions are limited to fetch quests or small brawls. But there is still some fun to be had, especially for younger players. [September p.64]

We had our doubts about the real time combat which, in the first few hour, is not much more involving than pressing the X-button. Luckily this changes when you can link your attacks to those of others, creating spectacular combos. [September p.62]

Once the game gets going, the recipe seems to have remained unaltered. There is no one who moves through the shadows and hugs the walls like Sam Fisher. But the levels in Blacklist are more varied than the empty office spaces and busy army bases you have come to expect from the franchise. [September p.54]

The Bureau is a though game to get into, not because of the difficulty but because of the unreliable Battle Focus, which you use to issue commands to your two companions. Another problem are the seemingly unending waves of enemies bearing down on you. [September p.50]

After adjusting the sensitivity slightly, the controls were absolutely perfect. Both the sticks and the movements onscreen feel very natural, so we were passing out headshots in a matter of seconds. Not just because we could, but because every shot was rewarded with some sweet XP. [September p.44]

All this digging can be frustrating until you have mastered the right technique. Once you do, you will be hooked for a long time. Exploring a surprisingly large system of caverns underneath the surface of this colourful world, searching for that precious gold nugget. [June 2013, p.94]

What you get in the first hour of Call Juarez: Gunslinger, is exactly the same you will get in the next three or four hours of its story mode. So prepare for absolutely no surprises down the line. Still, Techland did a fine job constructing each level, making Gunslinger a fun ride through the Wild West. [June 2013, p.92]

If you want to pick up Borderlands 2 again, Krieg might just be the right Psycho of choice to relive the adventure with. His craziness knows no bounds with his split personality or the fact that you can upgrade him to shoot fireballs (out of his arse, we presume) each time he gets hit. [June 2013, p.91]

If you are still playing COD: BLOPS II than there is really no reason why you should not consider purchasing this well made expansion pack to what has to undoubtedly be your favourite game of this year. [June 2013, p.90]

This puzzle platformer may sport some the most dull looking characters we have ever seen in a videogame. But you just can not help but care for these small little blocks because of the game's very well designed mechanics and great storytelling. [June 2013, p.90]

The gameplay is smooth and every spell is designed to be both cool and useful. The environments are well crafted, ranging from icy plains mired with huge chains to forests filled with bizarre trees covered in throbbing blood veins. [June 2013, p.88]

Grid 2 comes close to perfection, but since nothing or nobody is perfect, we would like to point out a few tiny, little flaws. We miss the cockpit view dearly and the game could have benefited greatly from a dynamic weather system and longer races. [June 2013, p.80]

Fans of the series will rejoice, but newcomers who never tuned in unto the Midnight Channel may be overwhelmed by the walls of text developer Arc Systems throws at the player. Luckily for them, there is still an arcade mode to enjoy. [June 2013, p.78]

Resident Evil: Revelations' Story is split up into episodes. Alan Wake has already taught us that this is a very effective way of making sure your game has breakneck pace. Maybe we watched too much Lost, but you have to be one cold dude not wanting to now what is going to happen next in this game. [June 2013, p.72]

Even though Metro: Last Light successfully convinces you that you are actually wandering around in a post-apocalyptic Moscow, a number of technical issues do break the carefully constructed illusion from time to time. [June 2013, p.66]

Newcomers need not worry, for MotoGP eases you into the whole experience of having the motorized equivalent of a raging bull between your legs. Real beginner can even opt for automated breaks and a visible guideline that will lead you into a perfect turn. [July 2013, p.92]

Virtual reality succeeds or fails with its controls. And, even though we were extremely skeptical at first, Wonder Book: Diggs Nightcrawler's controls work amazingly well. Except on a rare occasion or two, all of our inputs registered without having to repeat the action. [July 2013, p.90]

Moments like convincing a police officer to commit suicide because you made him think he murdered his girlfriend prove that Remember Me belongs in the top league of video games. Too bad that Dontnod does not fully capitalize on these moments by limiting your options when remixing memories. [July 2013, p.86]

Despite the breakneck pace of the prologue, it takes quite a while for The Last of Us to pick up some speed again. However, once the cold harsh winter arrives, the action (and story) ramps up. So much so, it puts most Hollywood productions to shame. [July 2013, p.76]

Arkane Studios' biggest achievement is that it has created three exciting and fun to play chapters that would have fitted perfectly in the original game's campaign. [May 2013, p.96]

Switching between different dimensions does more than changing up the visuals. You can be attacked by enemies from both worlds, meaning you will have to constantly (and sometimes frantically) switch between dimensions to survive. [May 2013, p.94]

In case you still do not get it, Blood Dragon is a roller-coaster ride through a magical land filled with high-explosives and anything (and we mean literally anything) that even remotely refers to the action packed, but campy eighties. [May 2013, p.93]

It is difficult to write a review on a Dead or Alive game and not comment on the nice bounce to the chest that the majority of the female cast seems to have. Especially if you are playing on a handheld with a giant touch screen. [May 2013, p.90]

Dark Arisen offers far more than the average DLC. There are more than twenty new demonic types of monsters, a ton of new skills and loads of new gear to wear. Dark Arisen feels more like a half finished sequel than a DLC package. [May 2013, p.90]

A promising story mode gets smothered under a heap of weighty confrontations mired with incredibly melodramatic dialogues. DC Comics has always had a thing for brooding heroes, but some light at the end of the tunnel would have been fun. [May 2013, p.70]

The game only really opens up for those who are true fans of the sport: those who rejoice in delving through a mountain of statistics and tactics. Baseball can be spectacular, but not every game is. And MLB captures that feeling perfectly. [April 2013, p.92]

Unfortunately Darkstalkers is not a new game, it is a collection of the second and third game in the franchise, previously released on the PSone during the mid 90s. Officially it is an HD-collection, but it is the multiplayer that adds the real value to this re-release. [April 2013, p.91]

Dawnguard has got it all. Including a storyline that is way more interesting than anything Twilight or The Vampire Diaries have ever done. Especially the young - at least when compared to her fellow kind - Serana enthralled us with her tragic family disputes. [April 2013, p.90]

The latest and greatest DLC for Mass Effect 3. BioWare clearly put a lot of love and care into this small bit of fan service. It takes itself less serious than the main game and that is what makes it so special. BioWare couldn't have said goodbye in a better way. [April 2013, p.89]

“Every song ends but that's no reason not to enjoy the music” is probably the best way to describe this final DLC for one the biggest shooters in history. Just like every extra content before, we enjoyed End Game a lot. [April 2013, p.88]

The beautiful and eerie locations give Crysis 3 a great atmosphere. Cowering in the tall grass, while being hunted by bloodthirsty aliens, reminded us of the terrifying raptor-scene from Jurassic Park. Blowing up a giant dam caused a spectacle big enough to make our inner vandal smile. [April 2013, p.80]

Multiple dimensions and a clever scenario with a surprise around every corner make it difficult for us to explain our enthusiasm without spoiling the story. Only the extended ghost chase (literally) halfway through the game drags on a bit too long. [April 2013, p.74]

Ascension shows a warrior who is miles away from being the ultimate and flawless killing machine we all know and love. He is more like an unguided projectile here, trying to cope with all the injustice delivered unto him. [April 2013, p.62]

You will have to finish the game three times if you want to see all seven themed levels. Which is not a problem on its own, except that you have to play through the same common levels and puzzles each time you start a new game. [March 2013, p.90]

After what seems ages, PS3 gamers can now finally get their hands on some downloadable content for Skyrim. And even if you missed Bethesda's sweet half priced deal, Dragonborn is still worth the purchase. [March 2013, p.88]

Raiden can't block, he can only parry by swinging the left stick in the direction of an enemy and pressing square. That's right, one of the attack buttons. Raiden's motto is very simple: The best offense is a good defense. [March 2013, p.72]

This game features the roller-coaster effect that pr-people in the gaming industry love to show off. In other words: Dead Space doesn't have a single dull moment. The controls however, demand a more deliberate and slower pacing. [March 2013, p.68]

If you never cared about the character Lara Croft, this game will change that. The way Camilla Luddington portrays her is very believable and you'd need to have a hart of stone not to flinch every time Lara gets a beating. [March 2013, p.62]

Joking about how players have to ride from point A to B all time, is not funny, it is bad game design. You can argue for ages about the quality of the jokes and gags, but lets not forget that this high-speed roller-coaster of parodies has some unique and interesting gameplay mechanics to offer. [February 2013, p.94]

It's the biggest project ever coming from indie-guru Nicklas Nygren (Nifflas) and it's a well-designed, riveting platformer with a ton of things to do, but unfortunately also with a not so riveting story. Which is kind of a bummer. [February 2013, p.91]

We are usually a bit skeptical when it comes to this kind of DLC, but we also have to admit we had a good bit of fun playing the Dunwall City Trials. On top that, just like the main game, there's plenty of replay value to be found here. [February 2013, p.91]

Someone who also will make you chuckle pretty often is Professor Nakayama, the antagonist this time around. He sort of sounds like Stewie from Family Guy, not that it matters, but still. Ow, and there's quest that's all about urine. We feel kind of dirty already. [February 2013, p.90]

At its core Persona 4: Golden seems little more than an adult version of Pokémon. The Persona you collect, are all based on myths, legends, religion or superstitious beliefs. No cute Squirtle or Piplup by your side, but cool looking creatures like Ares, Phoenix or Saturnus. [February 2013, p.84]

The game's appearance remains unaltered, which sounds good, but unfortunately it isn't. The game doesn't look bad, but it certainly looks dated. From a cinematic standpoint everything's fine, but the numerous lip-sync errors bothered us immensely. [February 2013, p.80]

Ninja Theory deserves credit for not only delivering smooth combat and telling an entertaining story, but also for crafting detailed character models without lip-synch errors, who show real emotion and wear clothing that moves along with them. This is what a 2013-game should look like. [February 2013, p.72]

There's a ton of dialogue to be heard and choices to made and even though they won't impact the story all that much – it has a fixed ending – The Walking Dead's story shines and delivers one of the best game-endings we've ever seen. And that's all what matters here. [January 2013, p.96]

More than a year and a half after its release, you have an excuse to clear the dust from your Portal 2 copy and put it in your PS3. Even better: you can also dust off your PlayStation Move. Too bad there's barely any narrative accompanying all the new techniques you'll be learning. [January 2013, p.95]

If the big blockbusters like Assassin's Creed and Call of Duty seem a bit lacklustre to you on the Vita (and you would be right), there is still Sine Mora. Sure, this shoot-'em-up might be a bit short, but boasts excellent gameplay and a surprisingly riveting story. [January 2013, p.95]

In this DLC, a certain Mr. Torgue hosts an explosive tournament, trying to find Pandora's biggest bad-ass. Sounds like an excuse for a boring chain of arena battles, but thanks some cool quests and a terrific sense of humour, this is not the case. [January 2013, p.94]

There are only two maps in total: one consisting of one road and one consisting of three. In order to destroy the opposition different classes will have to work together, which gives Guardians of Middle-Earth a surprising amount of depth. [January 2013, p.94]

Aftermath takes place during the aftermath (duh!) of an earthquake and it shows. The four new maps are all fine, but our absolute favorite has to be Epicenter. Even the new Scavenge Mode is pretty good. [January 2013, p.94]

It takes some time getting used to the LEGO-aesthetic, but the use of the original music and voices even succeeded in giving us goosebumps when the LEGO-version of Gandalf cried out to the rest of the Fellowship to "Fly, you fools!". [January 2013, p.80]

Whereas characters in western RPG's tend to nag more than the average math teacher, the inhabitants of the beautiful world that is Ni no Kuni tend to have an intelligent sense of humour, rarely seen in games. [January 2013, p.62]

It still plays like a Japanese fairy tale infused with intelligent Zelda-like gameplay and a riveting plot. It's a history lesson about Japanese culture and mythology. It has a fantastic soundtrack. It's Okami. It's in HD. Buy it. Now. [December 2012, p.94]

After opening thousands of treasure chests in Borderlands 2, you'd think Gearbox would have figured out by now that we are really good at it. But who are we to complain, just look at all that new loot. It's so beautiful. It's so precious. It's ours! [December 2012, p.93]

When Vikings Attack! takes place in England in the groovy seventies (actually anything from the sixties until the nineties could be considered "groovy") where peaceful life is brutally interrupted by wild cartoon vikings. As if there is any other kind. [December 2012, p.92]

The 44 songs long list is blatantly commercial and includes monster hits like "Call Me Maybe", "Rock 'n Roll" and – the party wouldn't be a party without it – Gangnam Style from "everybody's favourite" South-Korean singer PSY. [December 2012, p.90]

Explaining what makes this great is no easy matter. There simply hasn't been a game like this in our region before. Even though these games are immensely popular in Japan. The genre is called visual novel, or an interactive book if you will. [December 2012, p.84]

Should things get a bit stale, there are activities during the World Tours which luckily aren't just about racing. There's Pursuit, where you have to chase a tank while dodging the bombs it's dropping or Traffic Attack, where you have to dodge traffic on an increasingly busier road [December 2012, p.82]

Just like the LEGO games, this is a great game to play with your kids. Especially if you're a gaming parent yourself, because it feels like you're sharing your passion with your offspring. Buying new dolls for the game, however, just feels like you're being ripped off. [December 2012, p.79]

After the DLC debacle of the console versions, Capcom had to make things right. And they did with the Vita version of Street Fighter X Tekken. The twelve DLC character are included for free, just like the first batch of alternative costumes. [December 2012, p.76]

Even though my son is just three years old, as soon as the music started we had his attention. Or to be more exact: Wonderbook had his attention. Curious as he is, he joined the action and judged the game worthy of his attention. To see himself on the telly, how cool is that? [December 2012, p.74]

We're missing a bit of that Nintendo-magic when it comes to the environments. And the cast. While it is certainly representative of nearly twenty years of PlayStation, is missing the likes of Spyro and Crash Bandicoot. Or any character from Square Enix for that matter.[December 2012, p.70]

Our favourite from the first game, table tennis, has been replaced by good old regular tennis and while it plays well (the game accurately represents your wrist turning and twisting), the avatars all move like they've got a stick up their asses. [December 2012, p.66]

There were even times when we felt like drifting made us go slower, despite the boost you build up while doing it, and that's not what drifting should be like. Drifting gets even more infuriating when you get blown up after a beautiful long slide. [December 2012, p.60]

No matter how much you oppose Call of Duty and its publisher (or even the FPS genre), you can't deny the powerhouse that Black Ops II is. Three humongous modes, each complementing the others perfectly. That's right: three whole modes.[December 2012, p.56]

Even simple objectives in Far Cry 3, like clearing out a watch post filled with pirates, still offer a plethora of choices, possibilities and tactics. Sure it's tempting to charge in with your AK-47, but scouting out the place first is crucial to surviving.[December 2012, p.52]

When the AI fails, the world loses its credibility and that's a shame. Because this is a world so beautiful you'll want to believe in it. Thanks to the Glacier 2 engine, you'll be drooling all over your controller when you're standing in the middle of a gorgeous desert plain. [December 2012, p.48]

Two years after his successful debut, Joe Danger returns to expand his film career. Which means that you'll no longer be riding just a bike, but also strap on some skis or hop into a mine cart or ride a unicycle. [November 2012, p.93]

Team17 has finally abandoned 3D technology and returns to the good old 2D landscape. Or at least partially. The gameplay is back in its original 2D form, but the graphics are still in 3D, giving the game a nice visual touch. [November 2012, p.93]

Ever played as a zebra roaming the post-apocalyptic streets of Tokyo? And if you have, did that zebra wear a hat? It did? Now you're just being a smartass. Tokyo Jungle might just be the most the original game of the year. And the most addictive. [November 2012, p.92]

With Marvel vs. Capcom: Origins you get two games for the price of one: Marvel Super Heroes and Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of the Super Heroes. Both great arcade classics with a great cast and now with some great online features. [November 2012, p.92]

The Dreamcast classic returns. In HD! The soundtrack is still brilliant. Depending on who you ask, the gameplay might not have aged as well. But for any true nostalgic fan, Jet Set Radio is still the best rollerblading game around. [November 2012, p.92]

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is everything but a simulation racer, but it still feels a lot less arcadey than Ridge Racer or the classic Burnout games. It makes takedowns a bit more risky, since you risk losing control over your car, but also more satisfying. [November 2012, p.86]

WWE '13 has its moments. No other fighting game manages to set the tone so well, before even a single punch has been delivered. The ridiculously drawn-out intros, the fanatic crowd, the light show, the ear deafening music and of course the bloated egos. [November 2012, p.84]