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]

Except for a few missing background animations, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 on the Vita is an exact copy of its bigger brother on the PS3. A technical marvel if you ask us, since Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 isn't known for its static gameplay. [March 2012, p.59]

No matter how much physical pain we had to endure, we always had fun. To us, it was like rediscovering a lost love. It goes to show how useful a game (or better said: educational software) like Rocksmith can be. Almost anyone can enjoy it. Even an absolute beginner. [November 2012, p.82]

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]

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]

This SEGA-classic is considered by many to be the best Sonic-game ever made. Sonic goes so fast in this iteration that he can even travel through time, making the pimped out DeLorean from Back to the Future seem like a pushover. [February 2012, p.101]

Aiming at the goal with the rear touchpad works incredibly well. Driving the ball into one of the top corners can be considered a work of art on the PS3, but on the Vita the game almost does it for you. It might be even a little bit too easy. [March 2012, p.63]

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]

After several claustrophobic months of playing Close Quarters, Armored Kill is a relief. In Armored Kill you'll violently explore open fields, including the Bandar Desert, the largest Battlefield map ever. The Tank Superiority mode is an absolute blast too. [October 2012, p.78]

Deploying a series of a deadly mines and hearing that soft, distant bang behind you when your opponents run into them is still as satisfying as ever. The same goes for taking the top spot in the final seconds of a race thanks to a conveniently placed speed pad. [March 2012, p.48]

It easy to compare this first person puzzler to Valve's Portal, especially if you when you find out that Quantum Conundrum was made by the lead designer of the original Portal. Which also explains why , despite the shabby platforming, it's a pretty enjoyable puzzler. [September 2012, p.87]

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]

The story of the unusual hero Rochard is not a legendary one, but Recoil Games does deliver an interesting puzzle game that will easily keep you entertained for a few hours. [Nov 2011, p.96]

Protagonist Vincent faces the same dilemma as loads of men around the age of 30: play it safe, marry and have kids or go down the path of adventure with a new and dangerous woman who loves to play games, both in and out of bed. [January 2012, p.70]

The Bio-Bomb turns your enemy into a ticking time bomb. While your victim explodes into a gory mess of tendrils, tearing his colleagues apart, Heller walks away as if nothing has happened. Because everyone knows: "cool guys don't look at explosions". [May 2012, p.105]

We were relieved to discover that FFXIII-2 had much more to offer than its sterile CGI-driven predecessor. Not only are there some great mini-games in the form of time paradox puzzles, there are also plenty of side quests. It goes to show that Square Enix truly listens to its fans. [February 2012, p.84]

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]

Quad wielding is The Darkness II biggest selling point. Nothing is more fun than shooting two enemies off a balcony with your Uzi's, while one of your tentacles grabs another of their buddies by the leg and the second one tears him apart. [March 2012, p.86]

The game is a little bit more accessible than the franchise is known for, but that's not a bad thing. Future Soldier offers more variety than any of its predecessors and won't bore you a single second, since every time you get tired of sneaking, the game gives you an excuse to bring out the big guns. [June 2012, p.78]

Thanks to the hit series True Blood and the Twilight-movies vampires are hotter than ever and the people from Sucker Punch have just delivered their own festival of blood. This is a nice extension to the main game, even if it only lasts for about four hours. [December 2011, p.100]

This rhythm game isn't played with a plastic guitar, but rather with a regular controller. Since Blitz is all about hi-scores it is more akin to the PS2 game Amplitude or Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP. The number of available songs is a bit on the low side. [October 2012, p.78]

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]

MotorStorm Artic Edge was a decent PSP game, but failed to capture the awe inspiring violence the franchise is known for. So making MotorStorm RC a top-down racer was an incredibly smart move. Especially since everything else still feels like MotorStorm: the music, the menus, ... [April 2012, p.93]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

The director of Devil May Cry is at the helm here (or behind the buttons, if you like), which makes Dragon's Dogma feel like a purebred hack & slash from time to time. Complete with different fighting styles and easy to use skills. [June 2012, p.82]

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]

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]

A colourful puzzle platformer you should not miss out on if you have a co-op buddy to play it with, because it can get pretty frustrating on your own. It will deliver multiple “eureka!” moments that make puzzle games so great. [October 2013 p.95]

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]

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]

We are afraid that a lot of newcomers will give up on Starhawk because of its sometimes overwhelming action. And they would be wrong, because once you fully grasp the Build & Battle concept, there's a very unique multiplayer experience waiting to be discovered. [June 2012, p.94]

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]

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]

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]

Anyone who has watched more than one episode of Naruto, Bleach or any of the Dragon Balls, knows that the pre-fight exposition/tea party can drag on for quite a while. So prepare to sit through some pretty lengthy and non-interactive cutscenes. [April 2013, p.84]

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]

Not only does feel great just to hack away at your enemies with your knives, the finishers look absolutely fantastic. They look so good in fact that you'll want to try them out with every weapon and counter in the game. [March 2012, p.100]

Good or evil doesn't really exist in The Line, most of the time you have to choose between doing something bad or doing something very bad. Just don't expect any branching story paths, because The Line is about as linear as it gets. [July 2012, p.82]

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]

Aside from the flawed touch controls, there are a few forgettable minigames using the motion sensor. Virtua Tennis 4 may be a fun tennis game, but it is definitely not a great showcase for the PlayStation Vita's capabilities. [March 2012, p.61]

You've never player BlazBlue before? Then you are in for a shock. The action is fast and furious and the screen seems to contain more meters and gauges than a physics laboratory. Luckily, the game contains one of the best tutorials we've ever seen in a fighting game. [January 2012, p.83]

Anyone who has already played this tower defense game on the iPad will agree that it's one the most addicting downloadable games ever. The setup is simple: protect your home from vast hordes of zombies using all different kinds of veggies, plants and weeds plucked straight from your garden. [April 2012, p.101]

Tales of Graces F stands out from the crowd with its signature combat mechanic, called the Linear Motion Battle System, which has been around since the first game from 1995, but continues to evolve with each new chapter in the series. [September 2012, p.80]

It's a pity that your enemies can't transform themselves and the game only gets going when it puts you behind the wheel (pun intended) of the sneaky Cliffjumper in a level that feels like a tribute to Uncharted. It even has the same voice actor. [October 2012, p.68]

Activision knows how to promote a product. There are ads running on every kids channel right now trying to convince them that Skylanders is the must-have game. Admittedly, the idea of the figurines is quite neat, but the game itself is nothing to get excited about. [December 2011, p.96]

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]

Split screen multiplayer is an absolute blast with four friends and contains more explosions than a toilet at a Mexican 'All you can eat' restaurant. Once you get used to the frantic gameplay, Twisted Metal offers an incredibly accessible multiplayer. [April 2012, p.82]

A cool twist is that you have to play every level twice, once in 3D and once in 2D. There is a strong feeling of recognition here that will make fans of the Mega Drive-games feel really nostalgic. Dashing through the good old Green Hill Zones for example is a delight. [December 2011, p.78]

PixelJunk has become a synonym for great PSN-games, but this time round it's better to check out the demo first. Visually this is a stunner, but when it comes to gameplay this is a lot simpler than we are used from previous PixelJunk-games. Just fly and shoot. [December 2011, p.101]

Everybody's Golf is the premier example of a pick-up-and-play game perfectly suited for a handheld console. Despite its initial appeal we got bored pretty quickly due to a lack of variation and innovation over the previous installments. [March 2012, p.54]

Timing and tricks are everything in this game. You have to draw your opponent out, then kick the ball right between his legs. FIFA Street is a vicious cat-and-mouse game with a football. [April 2012, p.78]

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]

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]

Puzzle fan or not, you've most certainly heard of Bejeweled before. The gameplay is simplicity itself: shove gemstones of the same color against each other and they will magically disappear. And repeat that throughout the eight different modes, including four new ones. [June 2012, p.98]

In this adventure game you control Rana, a pirate that battles insects on floating platforms in the sky. The game looks a bit like classic Zelda-games, but is more about action than adventure or puzzles. Nevertheless this Mini offers a lot of gameplay for its size. [December 2011, p.100]

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]

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]

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]

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]

It had to happen someday. The very first version of Toki Tori was released on the Game Boy Color in 2001 and now we can finally welcome our yellow chicken friend on a PlayStation-console. The gameplay is as challenging as ever, but never gets frustrating. [December 2011, p.101]

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]

Don't expect complicated controls or a deep, engrossing storyline, but 2D arenas that look like they have been puked on by someone who ate too many Smarties, a boatload of upgradeable weapons and two teams of three mercenaries trying to destroy each other's base. [May 2012, p.88]

Luckily the gentlemen over at VooFoo Studios did their jobs quite well and provided this PS3 port with impeccable touch controls. Aiming, thrusting and adjusting the camera can be done perfectly with just one finger. [April 2012, p.100]

Bluff your way through a confrontation by aiming your empty gun at an attacker, forcing him back towards the ledge of a roof on a ten story building and then kick him into the abyss while screaming "This is Sparta!". [April 2012, p.102]

Tiger Challenge is a remarkably addictive mode. For the first time in years we found ourselves guilty of trying just "one more time". And another one, until we got it right. Just so we could get started on the next challenge and repeat the same process all over again. [April 2012, p.96]

“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]

If you played Dead Space: Extraction, you know what to expect here. Just add some Hilbilly music and women with ridiculously big breasts and you've got the picture. A nice tribute to B movies that ends up being a B game. [Nov 2011, p.76]

The meter onscreen tells us that our car is a tiny bump away from the scrapheap, but it still drives like it just rolled out of the factory. A serious handicap in a game where carnage and damage is almost everything. [June 2012, p.88]

There are small mistakes everywhere. The occasional glitchy corpse is to be expected (and even entertaining). Less funny are the times when you are stuck trying to solve a simple puzzle because it's impossible to see which objects are interactive. [March 2012, p.80]

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]

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]

A bit repetitive, but very challenging, cheap and absolutely worth it. Road to Devastation is a trip you'll like to take if you are fond of zombie shooters. [Nov 2011, p.97]

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]

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]

There is a lot of reading material if you are interested in some of golf's most legendary feats, but you can stow away any hopes of seeing such performances in the game itself. Tiger Woods PGA Tours seems to be desperate for the next generation. [May 2013, p.92]

If Capcom doesn't start treating this franchise with the respect it deserves, we fear the worst. Just like with Resident Evil 4, it's time for some drastic changes to bring the series back to the top of the bill. That is if Capcom still has the necessary talent. [October 2012, p.105]

Lemmings is the big stinker in this collection. This puzzle classic will always be a good game in its own right, but trying to control the suicidal Lemmings with a PlayStation Move actually makes you want to kill yourself out of pure and utter frustration. [December 2011, p.87]

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]

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]

Dante's walk is an awkwardness that constantly reminds you these are old games. Nevertheless: the atmosphere, the great voice acting and the cool battles are reason enough to add this collection to your... collection. Well, part 1 and 3, anyways. Just think of part 2 as a bonus. [May 2012, p.80]

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]

Both Mercury-games were released during the early years of the PSP. The games still play as they did before and look pretty neat in their HD-iterations. [Nov 2011, p.97]

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]

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]

Although you kill loads of evil penguins along the way, the gameplay is mainly centered around rather basic environment puzzles that get boring quite quickly. [Nov 2011, p.98]

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]

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]

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]

Without a doubt the best and most expansive BlazBlue out there, but we still expected a little bit more content. If you already have dowloaded all the DLC for Blazblue's previous outing, there's only one extra character two new modes. [April 2012, p.94]

Conquer, travel from comet to comet and rule the universe while destroying viruses. Quite original, but not enough depth to keep you entertained for days on end. [Nov 2011, p.98]

Anyone remember Marc Ecko's Getting Up or the ridiculous dance game B-Boy? Sideway: New York shares the same urban lifestyle-roots, and combines it with fairly original platforming action. [Nov 2011, p.98]

Underneath all the unforced errors there's some entertaining gameplay to discover. We battled out numerous exciting sets filled with well placed slices and top spins. It doesn't take much effort to dish out some impressive and varied moves. [March 2012, p.96]

Birds of Steel might be a little dull, but developer Gaijin Entertainment does deliver on the technical side of the game. Not that we are experienced pilots, but the rumbling engines sound believable and the cockpit view is incredibly immersive. [April 2012, p.80]

In the second map pack of Battlefield 3, DICE clearly takes a cue from Call of Duty's signature gameplay by dumping the more open, sprawling battlefields the franchise is known for in favour of smaller, more intimate maps. [July 2012, p.93]