Good, but doomed by indifference. [Aug 2013, p.103]

It's fortunate the series can now rest on the safety net of online play and character customization because, without it this would be a slender, anorexic package - a tad ironic, when you consider just how much attention Namco has lavished on its buxom babes.

A great sim, but poor supporting features. [July 2009, p.95]

There's plenty to do, two whole islands to explore and, if you can persuade the game to connect you with a mate or two, hours of pleasingly aimless road tripping to do. But when a game built for release in 2011 on a foundation of socialising has such an obtuse system for connecting with other players it's something a teaspoon of sugar in our petrol tank.

If you like your car-based beat-'em-ups and don't fancy 20 for a second-hand copy of "Full Auto," then this is a worthwhile investment. [Feb 2007, p.102]

An ambitious study of crime and race slightly spoiled by niggling bugs and menial missions. [Christmas 2016, p.74]

Because Remember Me has moments of novel brilliance. The Memory Remix segments aren't particularly challenging, or even puzzles in the real sense. They're more a fun way of tinkering with things, and seeing what happens. They do work perfectly well as a narrative device, and a change in pace. The combat system, which might appear strategically moribund to anyone with long experience of gaming, develops constantly throughout the game, which helps prevent you from becoming bored.

A decent but forgettable kart racer that’s lacking the variety of All-Stars Racing. [Issue#179, p.83]

IF you're really itching to return to Arkham, it might be better to fire up your Xbox 360. [Christmas 2016, p.78]

A decent tribute to From Software's masterpiece, elevated by its co-op mechanics.

A brilliant representation of a classic setting, and irresistible fun with four people. [Christmas 2016, p.84]

A nicely remastered, pretty JRPG let down by a slightly dodgy battle system.

After such a glacial wait, it's not unreasonable to expect more. Still, in spite of its pared-back ambitions, it is such a chorus line of brainless, sugar rush thrills, you'll rarely be anything less than entertained. Let's just hope we don't have to wait until 2024 for Crackdown 4 to arrive. [Issue#225, p.65]

Pleasant as it is to run amock through four new studies in ruined concrete, scuffed glass and gouged bedrock, we doubt the content injection will rouse this stumbling titan.

If you can [ignore the storyline], Bodycount offers a six hour burst of relentless explosions. It's short, but the big levels bear replaying, and a co-op survival mode and deathmatch arenas make good use of those sizey maps. For lovers of spectacle over nuance, Bodycount is a great way to build bad virtual karma.

Mindless fun, best played with mates. [Christmas 2009, p.104]

Blasphemy! It's still amazing, but feelings of over-familiarity are starting to creep in. [Christmas 2016, p.87]

It hits its target audience just as precisely as Band Hero, but with a lesser degree of cynicism. Our misgiving is that it doesn't really feel like a Lego game, as the building experience is limited to making bands and customising their home. A good one for Christmas, so long as you don't expect it to last long into the New Year.

This is what happens when Dragon Ball Xenoverse goes Super Saiyan. [Christmas 2016, p.88]

With a good range of puzzles, an original soul, but weak platforming, play Contrast because it's something fresh, sweet and unexpected. Just don't ask for perfection. [Jan 2014, p.84]

From hiding in crowds to hush-hush neck stabs, the Assassin’s Creed formula fits so snugly that China feels like the series' starting point - but at four hours it might prove too short for some.

Too easy to satisfy but enjoyable all the same. [Christmas 2007, p.107]

An arcade throwback that should please gamers of a certain vintage.

Most of the things fans loved about the original are here, and the new features are cleverly mixed with the existing ones, but in terms of the structure, Visceral is treading water. Dead Space isn't dead by any means, but the spark isn't quite there.

Thoroughly competent and very handsome, Watch Dogs feels like it's too late to the party, and suffers with its confused tone, unlikeable lead, and a city that doesn't do enough to make itself distinguishable.

Despite the fact that Shadow Planet is an exploration game that doesn't have enough to explore, the charm of the visual style, the ambience of the world and the silent communication itself makes the short journey completely pleasurable. Just be aware that you're dropping a tenner on something pretty that won't fill an evening.

Single player's weak, but multiplayer's great. [Apr 2008, p.87]

TT's most polished game in ages. Just give it a few films before the next one, yeah? [Sept 2016, p.74]