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]

The return of Sly Cooper not only signals the return of a classic franchise, but also the return of a classic, almost forgotten genre: the 3D-platformer. Fans can rejoice, because it feels like Sly never truly left the building. [April 2013, p.71]

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]

Don't be fooled by the novelties, they are just simple gimmicks in disguise. Something that really defines Revolution. Don't get us wrong, it does its best to maintain a high standard, but sometimes trying is not enough. [March 2013, p.93]

Every episode Connor gains a new power and the first one you'll get your hands on is the power of the wolf. With this power Connor can become invisible or summon a pack of wolves. This means that you will be doing a lot of eavesdropping missions, which are not very entertaining. [March 2013, p.92]

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]

With a whopping 31 missions we expected Zombie Driver HD to contain a little bit more variation. As you probably have guessed already, Zombie Driver HD is all about running over zombies with a slew of different auto mobiles. Which is a lot of fun, but not ten bucks worth of fun. [March 2013, p.89]

Aliens: Colonial Marines may not be what it should have been, but maybe you can still get some fun out of this 1991 Amiga-classic. Not that Alien Breed has anything to do with the Alien films or franchise. [March 2013, p.88]

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]

This remake of the 1984 Karateka game revolves around a simple concept: block an enemy's karate chop and dish out some of your own. Looks fun and is fun, but also way too simple. Bummer. [March 2013, p.88]

For a small price you can get more of the minigames featured in the new Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. A collection of all-new levels with some all-new challenges. Nothing more, but definitely nothing less too. It's well done content for a small price. [March 2013, p.88]

Look past the blurry graphics and what remains is the incredibly solid gameplay that defines the series. Every level, from the first one in Hitman 2: Silent Assassin until the last one in Hitman: Blood Money, is an amusement park filled with possibilities. [March 2013, p.82]

Besides the lack of tension or even jump scares, the abominable quality of the game's graphics and animations is another one of Colonial Marines' biggest flaws. The aliens stumble towards you, looking like the local town drunk who just stole an Alien mask. [March 2013, p.78]

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]

In this very challenging twin-stick shooter levels are randomly generated, meaning you'll never be served the same stuff twice. It looks tight and has controls to match its look, but could have benefited from a bit more variation. [February 2013, p.91]

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]

Orgarhythm mix of strategy and rhythm-based gameplay is very reminiscent of that of Patapon. Using the touch controls you command your troops to the sound of some wicked, hypnotic beats. Too bad the game becomes a bit bland real fast.[February 2013, p.90]

A third person shooter that appeared what seems a lifetime ago on the XBOX 360 and is now available on Sony's hand-held console. The shooting gets boring fast and the graphics are a little bit sickening. [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]

Despite a familiar control scheme, movement is very "floaty" and will get you seasick within seconds. The best tactic to counter these controls is to find a nice hiding spot, step sideways out of cover and shoot and shoot and shoot. And shoot. [January 2013, p.97]

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]

You'll have to think every step through, something we gladly encourage, but it makes the game also boring sometimes. Those who own a copy of Golden Abyss get extra cards if they collected enough treasures, which we think is a bit unfair. [January 2013, p.95]

The focus of this DLC is mainly on combat, which is a shame, since Mass Effect is more than just combat, but it simply doesn't show in Omega. There are a few new enemy types, but that hardly justifies a buy. [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]

It's not just the ball that will be rolling when you're playing Chronovolt, your eyes will be clocking in overtime too. It might be free if you're subscribed to PlayStation Plus, but you won't be doing yourself any favours by downloading it. It's boring. It's got a ton of bugs. It sucks balls. [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]

Part two has miner Dingo Egret (best name ever!) stumbling upon Jehuty, the mobile suit of his predecessor, Leo. Everything is better this time around: better story, better graphics and most of all: better gameplay. [January 2013, p.84]

Unfortunately for Back To The Multiverse, success is not always inherited. Whereas Family Guy consistently delivers quality (except for a few hiccups here and there), the game starts exploring the deepest regions of abysmal pretty fast. [January 2013, p.82]

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]

Because new weapons are found instead of bought, every bolt you collect is used for upgrading your base with turrets, shields and mines. Despite all that carnage, it is still necessary to jump into the fray yourself most of the time. [January 2013, p.78]

Anarchy Reigns is not a complex fighter like Bayonetta or the Devil May Cry-games. Dodging is pretty basic, the number of combos is limited and the ability to cancel an incoming attack and counter it with one of your own is absent. [January 2013, p.76]

Despite being a kids game, F1 Race Stars uses its license to the bone. Cars are properly branded and colored with the right sponsors and every driver of the 2012 season showed up, plus four imaginary drivers, including three women. [January 2013, p.74]

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]

In this puzzle/platformer you step into the shoes of Kurt, a small boy stranded on an alien planet with just one desire: getting home. Easier said than done, because Pid can be a very tough nut to crack at times. [December 2012, p.93]

After Red Dead Redemption and inFamous it's time for Sleeping Dogs to get "scary". And well, it's not really scary. It's more like a cheap horror flick you'll only ever see once on Halloween. But hey, the price is pretty damn right. [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]

We would be surprised if you told us you've never heard of Brain Training on the Nintendo DS. Just like Brain Training, Smart As challenges the mind with clever puzzles and – judging by the title – puns. You could say it makes you more PUNctual. Muhahahahahahaha. [December 2012, p.92]

No, don't worry, you didn't miss the 1941 previous parts. Dogfight 1942 is an arcade flightsim set during the second World War. Unfortunately the missions are lacking variety. So you'd better let this one just fly by. [December 2012, p.92]

Killzone only started turning heads when part two came around, so it's no surprise that the eight year old part one is no more than an interesting history lesson coated with HD smudges of paint, rather than a must have for shooter fans. [December 2012, p.92]

With this price tag attached to it, we didn't expect to be through the entire DLC in under one hour and a half. The Abyssal Forge introduces nothing but new dungeons and even though the story is actually quite good, is still not worth the price of entry. [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]

The brighter ones among you probably know that Angry Birds was already released once as a PlayStation Mini, but that Mini was just a subpar port of the smartphone version. This time around Rovio did its best when it comes to graphics. [December 2012, p.89]

The biggest problem is the god awful graphics. Even the Bond logo on the background of the menu looks like it was imported directly from a PlayStation 1 game. And that's just the menu screen, the actual game doesn't look much better. [December 2012, p.88]

Doesn't matter which persona you choose, enemies are defenseless. Never before in the history of Assassin's Creed were fights this easy. Countering is optional, not a necessity. Still, we had some fun. Aveline's armory is varied and fun to use. [December 2012, p.86]

One thing that won't drive you crazy any more is your flash light. In the original Doom 3 you had to choose. Do you want to shoot your gun? Or do you want to see where you are shooting. Sure, it added to the suspense, but in terms of gameplay it wasn't very practical. [December 2012, p.85]

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]

Of Orcs and Men is all about two greenskins whose mission it is to kill the human emperor to free the Orcs of slavery. An interesting set-up, considering these two greenskins are no sissies. The dynamic between them reminded us of Kane & Lynch. [December 2012, p.81]

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]

About the only thing done right in WRC 3 is the staggering amount of properly licensed content, ranging from the tracks and locales to the cars and their drivers. Unfortunately there is no compelling gameplay to accompany all of this. [December 2012, p.78]

Still, Book of Memories is not a bad game. There are elements of Catherine, Persona and even the classic Gauntlet to be found. Just don't except a riveting horror experience, because that is not what Book of Memories is or tries to be. [December 2012, p.77]

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]

Every once in a while Danger Close breaks the endless mould of duck & cover gameplay by letting you mark a building for an air strike, chase down an informant or provide sniper support. But even these sequences repeat themselves multiple times throughout the game. [December 2012, p.68]

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]

Just like its predecessor Epic Mickey 2 combines platforming and puzzles in a world divided into hubs between which you can travel by jumping into movie screens. With the brush you can repair or destroy structures, which sounds kind of goofy, but offers a ton of choices.[December 2012, p.62]

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]

This PSN sequel to the violently bad 2010 Naught Bear game is just as bad as its predecessor. The only improvement made is that it costs less, meaning you won't get screwed over so badly. But still pretty bad. [November 2012, p.93]

An exceptionally colourful platformer in which you control a groovy dead rabbit. The game often surprises you with its visual style and funny cut scenes, but drops the ball here and there when it comes to precise controls and navigation. [November 2012, p.93]

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]

Whether you believe God(s) or not, you have always wanted to be one. Wouldn't it be great to invent strange creatures all day and decide which ones can live and which ones can't. Too bad it takes about just as long to create something in this game as it does in real life. Unless you pay up. [November 2012, p.92]

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]

Ian Dallas himself emphasized that exploration and discovery are the core themes of The Unfinished Swan. So it's a bit unfortunate that only the first level truly embraces this concept, where you're confronted with nothing except for an endless blank space. [November 2012, p.76]

This year it isn't just about your basketball skills, it's also about how popular you can become. A Twitter feed will let you know what fans are saying about your last game and you can capture some hearts by showing up at charity events. [November 2012, p.74]

The biggest strength of The Testament of Sherlock Holmes is its atypical, riveting story and the adult themes and settings it explores. Dark dungeons and maimed corpses accentuate the mental decay of the once great detective. [November 2012, p.72]

Dead or Alive's biggest fault is its lack of innovation. If you turn off the Danger Zones (because a stupid (un)lucky hit can cause a hell of a lot of damage) you realize not much has changed since Dead or Alive 2. [November 2012, p.62]

With losing the United States, we also lost our biggest source of incoming funds. And no funding equals no means to combat the enemy. XCOM is all about long term planning, which we found out the hard way. [November 2012, p.58]

Naval combat is an exciting cat-and-mouse game in which you constantly have to manage not just the ever changing wind, but your opponents as well. Have a ship in your sights, but the cannons are still being reloaded? Better brace for impact. [November 2012, p.50]

Roll your way through hundreds of levels on your own just like in the good old days, or compete against your friends online. Super Monkey Ball is a pleasant break for anyone who likes bananas or just likes to go apesh.t. [November 2012, p.93]

All of this you control, unfortunately, with the classic Vita controls. The touch screen can be used to navigate the games menus, but is not used during actual gameplay. Neither are any of the other unique capabilities of the Vita. [November 2012, p.90]

Maybe the biggest revolution is the Memorizer, a feature that allows you to store and save data in your home made levels. In short it means that you can potentially create your own RPGs, complete with statistics and items. [November 2012, p.78]

You can combine Corvos weapons and superpowers in an almost infinite of ways, which can result in some pretty satisfying outcomes. Throw a proximity mine, called a spring razor, on a rat. Then take possession of the rat and walk up to the nearest guard. Then watch the limbs fly. [November 2012, p.66]

Fans will never get enough of Mass Effect 3, but the Leviathan DLC leaves us behind with some mixed feelings. Sure it's nice to once again step into the space shoes of commander Shepard, but since we know how it's going end, it all doesn't seem to matter as much. [October 2012, p.79]

Just around the turn of the century Jojo's Bizarre Adventure HD took the stage as an excellent 2D fighter based on the excellent manga by the same name. An HD upgrade may sound spectacular, but there are very few extras to be found here. [October 2012, p.79]

Another videogame based on a popular motion picture, another bad review score. Even though it has no shortage of bullets, The Expendables 2: The Videogame fails to hit the bulls-eye. This 4 player co-op shooter is no action hero.[October 2012, p.79]

Fortunately we can't say we have any experience whatsoever with having an alcoholic as a father, but we can imagine its burden you'll carry on shoulders for the rest of your life. Just ask director Vander Caballero who based this game on his childhood traumas. [October 2012, p.79]

Those who have never heard of Retro/Grade will be surprised when the end credits roll a mere seconds after starting the game. You have to interpret the Retro in Retro/Grade quite literally. Thus the game start with you fighting the final boss. [October 2012, p.79]