Smart alterations to the throwing and catching game shake up the Madden formula enough to pass the taste test, without necessarily adding any new ingredients. [Nov 2015, p.84]

The Pre-Sequel! is a brilliant expansion, if not quite a brilliant game in its own right. Come for the Australians, stay for the low-gravity combat sections.

If you've had your fill of Killer Instinct and are looking for another rad fighter on the Xbox One, look no further. Great characters, solid online play and loads of content make this a bit of a kracker.

It's a one-trick pony, true. Yet does that even matter when the trick is this damn good? Of course it doesn't. Just buckle up, enjoy the ride and hang on for your life. [Feb 2008, p.92]

Fantastic co-op mayhem, but complicated recipes sour the taste slightly. [October 2018, p.80]

If you're in any way nostalgic about the original Jam games, at this price it's a slam dunk.

All it's lacking is confidence. The game might not once dare to underwhelm, but moments of true brilliance tend to emerge from the art direction - creeping into the mouth of a supertanker, shooting your way out of a dank church, clambering through a shattered Nigerian school. That the most impressive thing in a game about wholesale murder is the visuals suggests that Ubisoft might be using the drawing board the wrong way - but regardless, it's produced a shooter that's well worth your time.

With improved dialogue and pacing - and a handful of bold design choices - this is the strongest episode so far, with a finale you'll be desperate to discuss with friends. Bring on Episode 4.

At around five-plus hours of fun, Hell Yeah! doesn't outstay its welcome. From that first negative reaction to the title, we never expected to be saying this: Hell Yeah! is a fast, smooth and intelligently designed platformer with boundless enthusiasm, a winning imagination and stellar production values.

Evil Within grafts Resident Evil 4's gold standard survival action to a far less forgiving world. That it even comes close to matching Capcom's masterpiece is cause to celebrate. And sweat. And quiver.

An enjoyable twist on tower defence. [June 2012, p.101]

Perfectly balanced fights in a small package, we just wish there were more stages. [October 2018, p.83]

More of the same goofy, eccentric zombie-killing action Dead Rising fans love, sprinkled with Capcom callouts. [Sept 2014, p.96]

Immediately intense, but no long-term appeal. [May 2011, p.101]

It's this balance between arcade and sim racing - two apparently conflicting styles - that gives Shift its edge. While it doesn't quite hit the heights of Project Gotham Racing 4 or even RACE Pro, it's a huge leap forward for a series that had definitely lost its way. We're feeling the need for speed all over again.

For 400 points the game's a steal - it's an enjoyable blast of a bygone era that we'll never see again. [Sept 2007, p.110]

In spite of minor grumbles, this is an expansive, varied and satisfying physics puzzler and, while it could do with a smidge more personality, it certainly benefits from a budget price.

Madden NFL 20 is light on marquee features but builds a solid foundation for the future. [Issue#182, p.81]

All That Remains is a strong season premiere that plays it safe in design terms, but makes bold decisions elsewhere. Heart-rending and brutal, it's a downbeat debut episode that shows plenty of promise. Here's hoping the next five can live up to it.

There’s always something to do on your plot of land, and it’ll be a long time before you encounter every species of Piñata and see everything this bright colourful world has to offer.

A fantastical, forward-thinking fighter. [June 2012, p.102]

A wonderfully emotional return, but struggles with some poorly written characters. [March 2018, p.76]

Metro: Last Light is one big dose of more-of-the-same. It has the same mid-2000's flavour, and pulls it off once again by offering a varied set of locations and missions. It has no aspirations above being a linear FPS, and if you're OK with that, it's a treat. If you find your arse being handed to you, though - consider sticking to the darkness.

Equal parts fun and frustrating. [June 2012, p.103]

A stylish shooter that subverts and surprises at every turn. A little glitchy, though. [Issue#182, p.79]

A Rare collection without GoldenEye is like the Louvre without the Mona Lisa, true, but it gives us room to appreciate the Raphaels, Michelangelos and, er, just pick this up, okay? [Oct 2015, p.77]

Stylish, explosive, and funny. The destruction is awesome fun, but dull missions ruin the overall experience. [Nov 2006, p.76]

A substantial chunk of adventure with plenty of variety in its gameplay...feels like a properly modern reimagining of the influential '80s series. [Oct 2015, p.80]