If you missed the cult the first time round, now is the time to jump on board. If you are already part of the cult, we know you'll be playing this right now.

Relentlessly clever and deviously charming. [May 2012, p.85]

A sensitive portrayal of mental illness and rigorous combat: Hellblade is almost perfect. [June 2018, p.84]

One of the best indie titles since Limbo. [Sept 2015, p.98]

This year’s PES has improved its game in all the right areas of the pitch, resulting in a pulsating, best-in-class football sim – although there’s room for improvement presentation-wise.

It's one of the best shooter-stories we've seen in years - justifying its own ludicrous nature in interesting and unexpected ways. If the ending didn't feel like such a cop-out, The Darkness II could have been on par with BioShock. As it is, the gripping narrative and wonderfully empowering combat mean you'll be talking about it for months after completing it.

Enormous, intelligent, wily - a true dragon. [Sept 2007, p.98]

Red Dead's outstanding DLC in a box. Simple as.

Everything about the world revolves around entertaining you, whether it's the wide scope of murder-options or the amazing dialogue in between. Whatever kind of killer you decide you want to be, Absolution is an unmissable hit. [Dec 2012, p.68]

The brilliant thing is how carefully stage-managed this madness is... A bizarre but brilliant online brawler. [May 2012, p.98]

A confident step up from the already impressive first part and a tantalising taste of what's still to come. [Nov 2014, p.90]

The oddest thing about Oddworld is that nobody's managed to do this kind of game better. An accomplished update of a grotesquely sophisticated platformer that'll turn the stomach of any carnivore.

Original, beautiful, and one of a kind.

Fallout: New Vegas does betray the age of its engine every now and then, but it also shows why it has aged so well, powering the same tasty mix of great gameplay, endless side-quests and a world to get lost in.

A fantastically substantial fighting game. If Marvel vs Capcom 3 was too wacky for your tastes, this sits comfortably between it and Street Fighter IV on the lunacy spectrum. The tag mechanic is brilliantly robust, there are loads of new moves to master and the Tekken characters slot in more comfortably than a bum in a favourite armchair. Welcome to your new favourite fighting game.

A surprise gem, particularly in co-op. Be prepared to put in a bit of learning time, but it's well worth it so you can appreciate the unusual freedom at your fingertips. Also: you can talk to dogs. [Christmas 2015, p.69]

While the [single-player] combat is still brilliant and it looks a lot better, the unskippable cutscenes, unvaried locations, irritating characters and mini-games all really grate. However, adding in the much improved multiplayer with a variety of cool vehicles, Treyarch has really rounded off Infinity Ward's vision. [Dec 2006, p.90]

Rupturing quality and oozing tension, this is stealth gaming of the highest calibre, full of imagination and augmented by an excellent two-way Trust system that leaves you pondering every choice you make and then having to deal with the consequences. [Nov 2006, p.8]

Street Fighter nuts will already have bought this without a second thought; if you remember the good old days of 2D fighters, this is the pinnacle.

As a tech demo of Xbox 360's power and a showcase of how fast, skilful and enjoyable simple online battling can be when it's taken back to basics, there's nothing better around right now.

This ninja is marked for greatness.

Arguably, Geralt's greatest quest yet. An excellent tale, confidently told and at a bargain price. Essential. [Christmas 2015, p.86]

Whether chatterbox, lone wolf, newcomer, or old hand, Destiny 2 is unmissable. [Nov 2017, p.70]

This exceptional tactical stealth game gives new life to what was a tiring genre. [Nov 2017, p.80]

Ori and the Blind Forest is a beautiful picture book... that slams shut on your fingers. Get over the initial shock, and this challenging, thoughtful puzzle platformer is an adventure to cherish.

If you know anything about good games, you'll love it as much as we do. [April 2006, p.70]

The combat is gripping, taking a successful formula and bulking it out in ways that make it more demanding, tactical and entertaining...You're expecting a 'but', and we've got one. The only place where Infinite falls any distance short of brilliance is in its own audacious plot.

If you've a nostalgic bone in your body that needs breaking, this is the game.