A likeable shooter and a solid weekend's entertainment. [Apr 2009, p.78]

Like sipping a mojito while resting your panda-skin boots on a pauper, there's something nasty yet refreshing here, as it pushes you to maintain control in marvelously illiberal ways. [Feb 2015 (US), p.72]

Yet no matter how hockey mad you are, there's no denying that the controls are too muddled and the game not quite deep enough to really tickle.

Less "more of the same" and more "less good." [May 2012, p.95]

A generous expansion in both content and spirit. [Aug 2015, p.96]

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.

But their utter linearity wears the patina thin as the same ground is covered again and again; the really exciting scenes wilt into mindless reaction games, and even the best part - the fistfights - become stale after a few repetitive bouts.

This was never going to be the shock hit that the first game was, because we were forewarned of its excellence. While it does suffer a little from the stellar expectations, this huge finale is its own creature, and easily does MercurySteam's saga justice.

WSC 2007 is a very solid first-outing for the sport on Xbox 360, although it's a bit slow in places. A frame of pool in the pub iwth mates is going to be more fun, but so far, this is the best Xbox 360 snooker sim. [Jan 2007, p.92]

The most accessible fighting game on 360. [Feb 2009, p.86]

And as for those critical issues that dogged the last game and made it almost unplayable? Yep, they're still here too, joined now by an ability to perform the same move over and over to defeat your opponent simply because they can't react to it.

A beautiful but unchallenging exploration game that's a little on the brief side.

More tedious the longer you play. [June 2016, p.82]

A great concept for a game, but probably somewhat lacking in long-term appeal. [July 2018, 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]

An intriguing premise with flawed execution. But what does it all mean? [Issue#181, p.85]

Perfectly competent retro adventure that's missing a certain modern spark. [Sept 2018, p.76]

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]

Gotham City Imposters adds daft gadgets and a massive dose of style and humour to an old template, and it's a hugely entertaining way to pass any number of evenings, once you get through the matchmaking. But its biggest problem is that the unlocking system and stingy coins system constitutes its own form of psychological warfare with the player. And there, it misfires.

We'd happily plough through the whole thing just to hear the jokes and see the characters again. [Christmas 2007, p.102]

It's a brilliant use of Kinect, and it's the game they should use on shopfloors to show how responsive and intuitive the kit can be. But it's also 800MP for what amounts to a single motor function in a single mini-game. Even with leaderboard appeal, it's hard to whole-heartedly recommend.

Despite a few niggles you'd be hard pressed to be disappointed by this. With such a fun premise and carefully thought out design, it's more likely to sneak up and surprise you with how good it is.

Playing alone feels slow and soulless, but the great controls and multiplayer features still make Grand Slam Tennis 2 well worth a bosh.

It's nothing we haven't seen done before with more energy and enthusiasm in countless other mech games. [Aug 2006, p.91]

It still has charm and invention - but in shorter supply than the preceding episode. It's also stymied by a claustrophobic, repetitive environment that leans on to-and-fro busywork. [March 2016, p.84]

Asura's Wrath begs for negative criticism. But no unhelpful intellectualising about the boundaries of TV and videogame can magic away the wide grin that sat on our face for most of the game. If you're a fan of massive-attack anime and characters who are only mortal when the battle ends, Asura's Wrath is Naruto for post-pubescents. It's not great value, but it is spectacular entertainment.

In between Screamride’s occasionally dull take on ’coasters and its indecision over acceptable amounts of hurt, there’s a decent game - but it’s the destruction that wins it.

The problem is that such a brilliant editor just makes you wish it resided in a better racing game.