The NES trilogy and 16-bit sequels are still hugely challenging and worth a look. [Issue#179, p.90]

Its difficulty will put off those who want an easy ride, but for the hardcore, those who want something different from their games, it's the Holy Grail on wheels. [Apr 2007, p.96]

A beautifully fettled, deeply tactical XCOM-alike that has a shot at cult-classic status.

The combination of a compelling plot, plausible characters and a stunning world to explore means that, while rather brief, this is one of the more memorable experiences on the Xbox 360 this year.

If you don't already have the previous games, then this is essential.

Addictive, frantic and a worthy sequel. [Nov 2008, p.100]

One of the best exploration games ever, thanks to a small but perfectly crafted setting. [Issue#179, p.85]

A special experience for a certain type of gamer. Try it if you're brave.

If you're a fan of the series then that will either be enough for you or it won't. We suspect that it will, because stability is as important as progress in those sports updates that already lead their field, and hey, the addition of some serious next-gen sense-candy doesn't exactly hurt.

The only downside is that at £100, it's asking you to put your wallet on the line for an experience that offers the same thrills as GH, but still represents a big gamble if you didn't get on with that series. It's just a fraction too expensive for our liking.

It looks the same, plays the same, feels the same and, praise the lord, actually is the same. Maybe a bit too 'the same' if you've played it every year for the last five years, but still. It'll do.

This is gaming's equivalent of a B-movie. It might not last long, but with no plot, no fuss and no gimmicks, it's a guilty thrill that will live on in pub conversations, impromptu blasts with mates and the knowledge that if you ever want to sit down and enjoy some carnage, all you have to do is reach for this brilliant twist on survival horror.

Truly climactic entertainment.

It can't match up to its predecessors, but Andromeda is a thrilling adventure nonetheless. [May 2017, p.73]

This isn't just an excellent introduction to the series, but a great expansion of it to keep veterans interested. Without Xbox Live you'll miss out on some of the really cool stuff, but for everyone else 2009 is definitely the year of the Tiger.

Its enhanced framerate, more responsive controls and extra gameplay modes mean it's the most complete gridiron experience on the console. It's just...didn't we play this last year? [Oct 2007, p.94]

It's the fights that really count, and they're crazy fun. [Issue#225, p.71]

While it tries too hard at times, it's difficult to deny D4's zany charm. There's something irresistible about a game where you have literally no idea what's coming next. We're stoked for the next instalment.

Hindsight be damned, these games are still fantastic.

I you can't enjoy its over-the-top charms, there's precious little hope for you.

Inconsistent but entertaining, packed with likeable, iconic characters. [Issue#225, p.72]

Gorgeous and impressively focused for its scale. Ubi's best open-world in years. [May 2017, p.83]

More than anything, it's a game that, even after completion, we want to keep returning to again and again, adding different ingredients to the freeform formula and seeing what kind of explosions we can create. We can guarantee you won't have played an FPS quite like this on Xbox 360, but now that one's arrived, you certainly should. [Nov 2009, p.84]

A wonderfully versatile character creator powers and imaginative, wide-ranging adventure. [Christmas 2016, p.91]

The thinking man's dispute-settler. [Nov 2007, p.107]

Hardly a far cry from what's come before, but still surprisingly enjoyable. [Issue#225, p.74]

Transferable save games, unlimited fast travel access and 100,000 rift crystals to spend might help swing the deal. For those on the fence however, the full game with hours of new content should be all you need to hop off. We wouldn't be surprised if this is the best budget release all year.

Relic's game achieves so much, almost creating a new console genre, combining the shoot-'em-up with the RTS. While it fails slightly in not being tactical enough (at least in Campaign mode) or quite compelling or consistent enough as an action shooter, the range of game modes and levels on offer means you get plenty of bang for your buck.