Killer Instinct has grown into a real contender. An essential part of any Xbox library. [June 2016, p.80]

Who knew agony could be so much fun? [Dec 2008, p.100]

It's possible someone who doesn't buy into the Saints Row universe with such enthusiasm will find Saints Row IV exhausting and boring. Might we suggest those people attend a local museum, where the paintings of flowers might be more to their taste. If violent psychopathy is the price we have to pay for a world of awesome harmony, sign us up.

It's simple what Bethesda's done here - it's taken Oblivion's engine and design ethos, and applied it to a fresh franchise. The results are truly impressive, and we've no hesitation in slapping on a Must Buy badge, but you can't help but notice that for every problem it's fixed from Oblivion, a new leak's sprung.

As wonderfully addictive as ever. [Oct 2008, p.94]

This is solidly built, quality gaming, made by a team that's put a lot of care into adapting the license. [June 2006, p.62]

The big word this year is 'depth', and with 217 new and classic teams (yes, we counted), tons of new gameplay features and both an in-depth Franchise Mode and an all-new Superstar Mode, there's plenty here to keep fans happy until 08 inevitably rears its helmet-wearing head. [Oct 2006, p.74]

For pure boxing realism, Fight Night Round 3 takes the crown. The way you can bust out little jabs and finish off with a crunching uppercut, or bat away a badly timed hook and follow through with a breath-stealing gut-punch is spot on. [April 2006, p.78]

It's amazingly easy to play, user-friendly, good fun and looks great throughout, but you may still find yourself completing it in a couple of sittings... A classy game that's a joy from start to finish. [Apr 2006, p.54]

A genuine and triumphant return to form for the Driver series, and even shows the mighty Grand Theft Auto franchise a few cool new tricks along the way. [April 2006, p.65]

A no-nonsense shooter that combines brutal violence and utter pandemonium with clever and varied mission objectives. [May 2006, p.74]

Both games are great, but NHL 2K7 wins our vote because of adaptable gameplay that can be set up how you want it. [Nov 2006, p.70]

As clones go, The Godfather is one of the better ones. It's got a unique atmosphere all of its own, due largely to the quality period setting, and manages to stay faithful to the film while carving out some interesting takes on classic scenes. [April 2006, p.80]

A lot of people were disappointed with the last Hitman game. This one's better. Not by much, but it's more user-friendly, has had a slight visual upgrade and the plot and game settings are a big improvement over the lacklustre "Contracts." [June 2006, p.52]

A highly playable golf sim with a fantastic control mechanism and an impressive Career mode. [Oct 2006, p.80]

Crackdown 2 looks sharper, the action is fiercer and the increased number of players pays dividends. Despite all this, we can't shake the feeling that it isn't the monumental sequel that the series deserved. The over-familiarity of Pacific City and the cropping of key features like the gangs and transforming vehicles will leave some Agency veterans feeling a little bit disappointed.

It all works together to make this the funniest and most thoughtful expansion of the Season Pass. Whether you've got the energy to go back and blow the cobwebs off your old gun hoard is up to you. We'd definitely recommend it.

Its also frustrating that a game that can give so much on the pitch has very little to offer beyond it.

As precisely made as it ever was on handheld, with both the perks and drawbacks of being blown up for the big screen, OlliOlli becomes one of the purest - and best - skill challenge games on Xbox One.

Both its strengths and its weaknesses are the result of a vision of how the experience of slaughtering tunnel-loving bogeymen should be, and while the results aren't as spectacular or generous as we're used to, they put up a damn good fight.

A leaner, meaner breed of Resi that, despite flaws, puts the series back on track...Resi VII has carved itself a seedy, resolutely icky place in our cold, blackened hearts. [March 2017, p.73]

With wit and spot-on style, this is nearly one of Teltale's best, but prioritising action over dialogue means it falls just short of the story-led brilliance we're used to. [Jan 2015, p.83]

Finer than a hundred pieces of eight. [Sept 2009, p.90]

Escalation feels less like a map pack as a theme park for Vietnam veterans, not just contested territory but an environment you'll want to explore - rooting under the crust for the inevitable Easter eggs. Black Ops has never felt fresher.

A great, witheringly tough retro platformer that will amuse/abuse fans of Super Meat Boy and the Sonic series.

We couldn't help but be slightly disappointed with the main plot - it feels flimsy compared to the huge journey the previous instalment treated us to, and the only truly impactful storytelling occurs when you leave Ezio behind. In spite of this, the sandbox is more complex and there's easily as much to do here as in the previous titles.

Not the biggest Destiny expansion, but certainly one of the most confident and classy. [Dec 2016, p.72]

In its natural habitat, with two players sitting on a sofa together, this evokes the best of the '90s 2D fighting boom. It may lack the glossy finish of recent Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Tekken releases, but it still feels slick and rapid enough to stand by its polygonal brethren. If you like your fighting games with a dash of nostalgia, this fits the bill beautifully.