As an expansion pack, Mines of Moria is practically perfect. It breathes new life into the Lord of the Rings Online, and if that life is occasionally plagued by deja vu, it's certainly worth the trade off for the new feature set it brings to the table. [February 2009, p.55]

With The Coalition at the reins Gears is in safe hands, and we’re genuinely intrigued to see what happens next.

A deceptively realistic racing game that doesn't care if you want to ignore the details and just smash every car on the track.

Minor niggles aside, Fallout 3 is almost entirely spectacular. Everything from the graphics, to the sound, to the plot is first-rate. The VATS system worlds like a charm, and it’s so easy to get the hang of, you’ll be cracking skulls like there’s no tomorrow. [Dec 2008, p.55]

There are a few technical problems with Wolfenstein II, and occasionally the story gets a little too grim, but it's still a pure joy to play. [Issue#268, p.51]

There is a lot of very satisfying shooting to be found in Destiny 2. [Issue#268, p.54]

One of the finest TV to game transitions ever made, though not to everybody's taste. [Apr 2014, p.56]

Even though it's a linear game, Abzu offers a sense of freedom to rival any sandbox. [Issue#254, p.56]

You'll laugh, you'll die, you'll hurl yourself back into this satanic enterprise again and again. [Issue#268, p.70]

The way the game is a whole response to the shortcomings of the original just goes to demonstrate how GSC believes in this title and IP. [Nov 2008, p.51]

Third time's a charm for this quintessential PC franchise. [Feb 2010, p.58]

No one can touch Total War and Shogun 2 simply furthers the point. [Apr 2011, p.48]

While Civ VI can feel like a greatest hits collection, plus a b-sides, remixes and rarities disc, 25 years on its core gameplay still stands the test of time. [Issue#257, p.51]

More of a spit-polish than a full remaster, but that doesn't matter. Grim Fandango remains a genre high point. [March 2015, p.64]

An all but perfect condensation of what makes rhythm action good. [Issue#257, p.56]

Solid action wrapped in a fascinating simulated Orc society. [Nov 2014, p.52]

Beautiful, bacon-fueled carnage. [Apr 2011, p.62]

Some rough edges, but this is the finest RPG to emerge in many years. [Nov 2014, p.56]

Quite simply one of the most exciting strategy games to come out in years. [Aug 2011, p.58]

A reminder that games can be simple and satisfying all at once. A triumph of focused, self-consistent design. [Jan 2010, p.84]

Strange, brilliant, and exceptionally well-crafted, this action-RPG deserves your love despite the lack of care from its developers. [Oct 2012, p.66]

This game won't be everything to everyone, but it does what it does with supreme confidence, foul-mouthed grace and seemingly effortless attention to detail. [Aug 2011, p.70]

Sometimes frustrating but always compelling, Nier: Automata is a wondrous and strange experience that could only ever be a game. [Issue#261, p.60]

Packed with a wide range of gameplay, some great features, and - amazingly - works the first time. Great stuff from Rockstar. [June 2015, p.53]

Immersive, engaging, versatile, and packed to the brim with character and backstory. [Mar 2010, p.56]

Everything you could want from an archeological adventure, except having to press six keys to mantle. [Apr 2013, p.80]

Destined to join the ranks of the truly great and memorable new age Rogue-likes. [June 2015, p.58]

The exhilarating rush of climbing a hill as a song builds up, and crashing down a slope as the music explodes through the speakers is incredible. At first it may seem like a fancy visualiser, but after mastering the more difficult modes it becomes insanely addictive. [May 2008, p.65]

Rime is gorgeous, gentle and sad journey through a strange land. Let it wash over you. [Issue#263, p.51]

A well designed competitive brawler that separates itself from the crowd. Battlerite is as rewarding as it is addictive. [Issue#269, p.54]

If you found Proteus poignant and Gone Home felt like going home, Shelter will break your heart. [Nov 2013, p.88]

Nioh successfully reinvents Souls with deeper combat and skill trees. [Issue#269, p.58]

Somehow retains the series' trademark braininess and complexity while being clearer, simpler and far more fun. [Nov 2013, p.92]

An unrelenting torrent of gore and terror that plays your nerves like a fiddle...until all the strings break. [Nov 2013, p.94]

A combination of sublime and ridiculous, Saints Row IV is outlandish fun. [Nov 2013, p.97]

A mash of genres that feels like a classic game that never was.

A challenging, rewarding and sublime homage to the early days of the first-person shooter - with a few modern twists. [Dec 2011, p.58]

Sexy, sloppy, silly, sassy, and substantial; everything you could want in a sandbox. [Christmas 2011, p.50]

Both a triumphant leap forward and a return to form for the Battlefield series. This is the best multiplayer shooter on PC. [Christmas 2011, p.58]

The Secret World is a breath of fresh air in a stale genre. It is the adventure reimagined for a new era. I love this game, unequivocally. And I sincerely hope you do too.

One of Mass Effect 2's most thrilling missions. [Dec 2010, p.64]

As beautiful as it is hard. You'll love it and hate it at the same time, but ultimately walk away satisfied. [Feb 2011, p.59]

With an ambitious concept, it's easy to forgive smaller mistakes - fortunately, Beatbuddy barely has any. [Oct 2013, p.86]

A few tweaks and concessions aren't enough to stall this brilliant revival of the fastest multiplayer shooter on PC. [June 2012, p.50]

Classic dungeon-crawling brought back to life. [June 2012, p.52]

It's not the desire for cash or gold that'll keep you coming back, but the desire to pull off the perfect heist. [Oct 2013, p.94]

If you're after a basketball game that's more than just over the top dunks, 2K10 will most definitely satisfy. [Feb 2010, p.62]

More than a mere Minecraft clone, Terraria takes 2D platforming to a whole new level. [Sept 2011, p.54]

An indie classic on par with Braid or Limbo. [March 2012, p.50]

An excellent introduction to the world of MOBAs for anyone put off by the learning curve or community of other games. [Aug 2015, p.63]

Although the story is a definite middle section, the strategy and stakes of Banner Saga 2 are greatly improved. [Issue#251, p.64]

A significantly more accessible setting makes this latest Anno a must play for all city management fans. [March 2012, p.52]

The mechanics aren't always calibrated to work seamlessly with the difficulty, but even so, HLD is a stunning indie masterpiece. [Issue#251, p.65]

Still one of the most polished and purely addictive games around. You know exactly why you're here. [Feb 2011, p.61]

It’s more than just new content, it is a concerted effort to make Galactic Civilisations as polished and complete a product as possible. And you know what? Mission accomplished. [Sept 2008, p.58]

A wonderful, strange, sad trek through the myth of America. [Issue#270, p.52]

Sprawling and beautiful in equal measure. It can be a tough slog, but it's worth it. [May 2015, p.62]

A retro game that delivers more wonderful gameplay than nostalgia. [Issue#270, p.58]

An ambitious game that manages to pack in a beautiful open world, complex survival challenges, and lots of teeth. [Issue#270, p.59]

The new campaign provides the perfect training ground for newcomers, who can then look forward to an incredible multiplayer mode. [July 2013, p.88]

Solid backbone to a bright Warhammer future. [Mar 2009, p.50]

A sensationally addictive massively multiplayer action RPG, and it's free. What are you waiting for?! [Aug 2013, p.78]

A masterful expansion that completely revitalises the Civilization V experience. Coupled with Gods & Kings, this is a must-buy. [Aug 2013, p.80]

The question you’re asking is: “Yes, but is it better than World of Warcraft?” Well, is it? Undoubtedly. Easy to get into, awesome combat, great story, and massively detailed world, gorgeous to look at. [Aug 2008, p.57]

Real-time strategy doesn't get much better than this. [Aug 2013, p.84]

A bold, ambitious step forward for the - hnngh - "walking simulator." [Issue#266, p.54]

It shows how a development team can tackle a new era with the techniques they’ve refined over the years, and rather than lose what made the originals so great, actually improve. [Jan 2008, p.47]

A gorgeous game, featuring expert narration and meaningful mechanics, where story, lore and gameplay are effortlessly weaved together. [Nov 2011, p.56]

A must-have for Age of Conan players. [Aug 2010, p.64]

So good that it's become the only way to play Battlefield 3. Buy this now, and enjoy a bit of nostalgia in a new light. [March 2012, p.56]

Both challenging and elegant, Unity of Command is perfect for both novices and hardcore gamers alike. [March 2012, p.58]

A stupefying number of bugs and an aging engine can do little to hold back this slice of brilliance. [Issue#185, p.60]

A surprisingly detailed add-in for this controversially received sequel. New approaches to encounter design and smarter enemies stand out, although story remains a strong feature.

Beautiful to look at and a thrill to play, Blur combines speed, strategy and style into a thoroughly entertaining package. [Aug 2010, p.62]

An excellent expansion for an already excellent RTS. [Aug 2014, p.56]

There's never been a batter time to replay Human Revolution; especially with the devs in your ear explaining why things are broken. [December 2013, p.94]

A polished, intricate and highly enjoyable old fashioned RPG featuring some very modern mechanics. [Aug 2014, p.60]

A sequel that surpasses the original in every way aside from stable framerate. [Issue#248, p.60]

A fresh and addictive new riff on Rogue-like gaming that will keep you enthralled to the point of madness. [Issue#248, p.62]

The story is trite but the action, Pawn system and inclusion of DLC made Dragon's Dogma: DA a very compelling purchase. [Issue#248, p.64]

A beautiful and creative indie gem. [June 2013, p.84]

Effortlessly enchanting, deviously creative and stacks of inventive puzzle solutions make this a game worth getting into.

Despite the lack of dedicated servers, Modern Warfare 2 is undoubtedly the best thing to happen in 2009. [Jan 2010, p.76]

Cute graphics, big whips and Lego all add up to a rainy day box rammed to the gills with win. [Sept 2008, p.60]

Over the top hacking action combined with open world exploration, but with a social conscience and a very welcome sense of humor. [Issue#258, p.60]

Some great level design and new abilities await those who take this welcome return to Dunwall, but we wish the visit lasted longer. [June 2013, p.90]

If the first episode is a fair indicator for the rest of the season, this could very well be 2013's The Walking Dead. [March 2013, p.88]

A fantastic package, and a genuinely unique take on the puzzle platformer. [March 2013, p.89]

Light on true innovation, but everything in it will soon become an essential part of your tyrannical regime. [Sept 2010, p.64]

It doesn't fix larger flaws, but it's still a solid expansion. [Jan 2014, p.80]

It's exactly what fans of the franchise have grown to expect. No surprises here, folks. [Jan 2014, p.90]

Problematic plotting and excessive amounts of poorly balanced combat apply friction to what is otherwise one hell of a rollercoaster. [May 2013, p.80]

Not as nuanced as The New Order, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood is still a great FPS. [July 2015, p.54]

GTA4 is what it was always going to be: an expertly fashioned port. If you've clocked up 100 hours on the 360, there's not much point picking it up now. But if the idea of the video editor intrigues you, or somehow incredibly you HAVEN'T played the game yet, GTA4 is a must-buy. [January 2009, p.45]

Hardcore aspects combined with uncomplicated play make for an intoxicatingly enjoyable and nostalgic journey. [May 2013, p.92]

An immediate feedback loop of risk and reward that rewards those with endurance. [July 2015, p.62]

A bright and fun side-scroller that you can lose hours in, or just play for a few minutes - either way, it will keep you coming back. [July 2015, p.64]

Reactionary, not revolutionary. [Nov 2012, p.78]