Excellent gameplay, a variety of courses and multiple modes. How does he keep doing it? It's great to see an EA update that delivers in all the key areas. [Issue #151, p.78]

Yes, it isn't the genre-redefining Far Cry 2 follow-up it could (and perhaps in an idealised world, should) have been. It is, however, a beautiful, thrilling and supremely well-made open world shooter; a true epic. There's enough content to challenge open world RPGs, even, and unlike those games, the combat is as good as any FPS on PS3. If not better.

Improving vastly upon Fight Night Round 3's compartmentalised battles while retaining its sequel's silky-smooth animation, Champion is a triumph. [Issue#203, p.80]

It's fast, frantic, fun, furious and flipping well other things that begin with f. Even so, it's a shame that Capcom didn't push the boat out with extra modes, stages or characters. [Issue#202, p.80]

Has the looks, the controls and the missions to keep you coming back. Good alone, better with friends and a real tough nut. [Issue#202, p.88]

Bold and inventive. [Issue#203, p.98]

Special moves are easier to do and the tutorial is pleasingly in-depth. [Issue#218, p.81]

A solid FPS that requires canny planning and teamwork to succeed. [Issue#213, p.96]

A truly enchanting game. [Issue#203, p.99]

It's certainly not a drastic update, but it's good value for money nevertheless. [Issue#198, p.92]

Suitably epic and still fun to play, Kratos's last outing isn't necessarily his finest. Hindered by some tired mechanics it's not as much of a step forward as we wanted. [Issue#190, p.61]

What we like about Swords & Soldiers is how well implemented its control scheme is. [Issue#199, p.103]

The best-looking handheld game ever made. [Issue#236, p.74]

The action in Sigma is the heart and soul of the experience, and it's still strong three years after its original release. [Issue#154, p.70]

Two thumbs up. [Issue#196, p.91]

An ace little racer. [Issue#227, p.76]

Dominator may lack a proper identity, but in terms of visceral action and an absolutely thrilling sense of speed, it's distinctly Burnout - and therefore brilliant. Just be prepared for more of the same. A hell of a lot more. [Issue #152, p.74]

New Vegas is packed with detail and humor, but not as engrossing as we would have liked. [Issue#198, p.80]

The Germany of football games - intelligent, exciting, controlled, technically impressive and a world champion with a bright future. Every game feels fresh and exciting. [Issue#250, p.62]

Physical, fast and brutal. [Issue#224, p.82]

A reduced price point for two of the best games from their respective platforms is a no-brainer. Square has done a fantastic job bringing these games up to modern standards. [Issue#252, p.72]

A very good game indeed, well worth the cash, but it doesn't quite reach the masterwork status of the first game. [Issue#189, p.68]

One of our favourites. [Issue#188, p.87]

The less said about the ignorable single-player, the better. [Issue#212, p.84]

Only the hardcore will get the most out of Arcade Edition. [Issue#207, p.93]

The gameplay is fast and furious. [Issue#200, p.102]

There are stacks of stages, plus loads to unlock too - perfect for those looking for something different to fill their gaming lulls. [Issue#184, p.80]

The Power Stone games have always been about grossly over-the-top, exaggerated, and unashamedly indulgent bar-room style brawling. They are, to be blunt, insane, but the good kind of insane. [Issue 145, p.77]

Entering the ring with a lot to prove, the development team has been both daring and dynamic in its approach. Despite a few glitches, Yuke's has produced a game that can more than hold its own with the quality "SmackDown" games of old. [Issue#159, p.66]

This is the ultimate music title for gamers. [Issue#179, p.81]

The PES game we've been waiting for since 2007. [Issue#223, p.82]

It's no revolution, but astounding twists and creative set pieces prove it's a quality purchase. [Issue#160, p.76]

A deep, strategic and challenging game of tennis. [Issue#195, p.97]

Epic has created a monster of an FPS that's only slightly let down by its single-player mode. [Issue#162, p.78]

It really aims to offer a little something for everyone. [Issue#146, p.88]

One of the finest representations of a sport out there. [Issue#211, p.89]

Odd rough patch or misfire aside, Resident Evil 6 is bursting with innovation, content and confidence that shows Capcom knows exactly what it's doing with it's series. Now fully tooled up for co-op, this feels like Resident Evil worthy of modern times.

If you didn't pick up the last one or are a big UFC fan then it's still absolutely worth your time and money. [Issue#193, p.86]

A great retro update that may even prove to be better than the next-gen re-imagining currently in the works. [Issue#169, p.91]

The HD sheen is just a bonus. [Issue#200, p.97]

Feels like a true sequel to the original Modern Warfare in every way, and banishes the memory of MW 2's sorry campaign. The multiplayer is still shockingly playable but it's not a huge leap over what's come before. That said, COD fans are going to love this.

It has its issues, it has its drawbacks, but Saints Row: The Third is an utterly wanton, totally ridiculous bag of laughs. It's difficult to dislike anyway, and even harder to dislike with such an enjoyable, escalatory campaign. Great stuff. [Issue#211, p.72]

Looks and plays fantastically. [Issue#221, p.81]

The new mini-games are a blast though, and we can't overly punish what is still the best tennis experience out there. [Issue#152, p.82]

An absolute steal at £9.99, and worth far more than that. Sound Shapes has justified the outrageous hype surrounding it. More than just a good game, it's a great showcase for the system. More of this, please.

A fantastic, tense and deeply tactical game, marred only by a few unnecessary niggles that were not present in the 360 version. [Issue#155, p.70]

One of the best updates of a classic franchise we've had the chance to play. [Issue 144, p.90]

Retains all the charm it had ten years ago. [Issue#155, p.84]

A breathtakingly well-made sports game, with almost nothing to fault and everything to enjoy. Accessible, deep, attractive and brutal in equal measure, and highly, highly entertaining.

An excellent RPG. Incredibly well paced with a touching and sometimes amusing story, and a great levelling-up/combat system, though you do get the feeling you'd enjoy it more if it was on the PS2. [Issue#167, p.90]

Dead Space lifts gameplay elements from a variety of sources and ably adapts them to the survival-horror genre. It’s let down by some samey environs, but these don’t detract from the compelling horror experience.

Full of missions and side-splitting moments, the game delivers an enjoyable experience. There's more to it than the first, though the essence of play is very similar. [Issue#146, p.82]

The best Call of Duty release since Black Ops. [Issue#251, p.62]

Its haunting atmosphere sure to leave a mark – just as, say, Flower did before it.

A damn enjoyable game. The characters grow on you after a while and it's not long before you feel as though you're starting to fit in at Bullworth Academy. [Issue # 146, p.72]

On the one hand it brings nothing new to the table and has some irritating faults. On the other, it's a joyful experience and will warm the cockles of anyone who plays. [Issue#192, p.88]

There's an inevitable faltering in the fact that this is 'merely' WipEout again – there's not too much that can be done with the formula, but to be honest there's little we'd want to see done to change things up. Though a crossover with PSone's Rollcage, thus adding wheeled vehicles, would be pretty nifty. All the same, this does mean you're getting a game made up of a very good experience – but a very good experience you've played through seven times before. Eight if you had an N64. WipEout 2048 still comes with an unconditional recommendation.

The best fiver you'll ever spend on PSN. [Issue#183, p.83]

Stylish and superbly designed. [Issue#256, p.73]

One of the best things about Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is that it actually has an ending. [Issue#161, p.80]

It's still a fantastic game and an absolute riot in multiplayer. [Issue#198, p.103]

A superb conversion to a portable gaming format. [Issue#196, p.90]

It's a little too strict in its adherence to previous entries, but Climax has done a stellar job. [Issue#160, p.88]

Finally, football is back to where it should be on PS3 – at the top of our mostplayed lists. But FIFA 09 still has the capacity to annoy beyond all reason, especially when it’s playing in goal.

It's not the prettiest game on PSN but it's certainly one of the best strategy titles currently available. [Issue#192, p.97]

Delivers on the ambitious intentions of the original with added interest, only slightly letting itself down with some control issues that could and should have been fixed. Still the closest you're going to get to a truly playable action movie for now, though. [Issue#190, p.68]

A stunning game with a hell of a battle system. [Issue#245, p.]

Genuinely funny humour meets a great turn-based battle system and ludicrous levels of depth for those fond of levelling up ad nauseam. [Issue#190, p.77]

Really good fun. [Issue#199, p.93]

Patapon 2 is still pretty good fun and definitely not like many other video games out there. If you can match the beats and you don’t get too frustrated when you miss one then you’re in for a great tactical rhythm-based game.

A few control niggles cannot hide its quality. [Issue # 149, p.70]

An addictive, entertaining and intense racer that can happily sit alongside the genre greats. [Issue#184, p.68]

A fantastic package, covering multiple genres and raising more smiles than it has any right to. [Issue#191, p.80]

While not exactly original, Project Origin certainly offers FPS fans a vivid entertainment experience. If you’re a fan of the original and you’ve finished Killzone 2 and Resistance 2 then give this a look.

Eternal Sonata really is amazing to look at and incredible fun to play. The characters endear themselves to you and the story isn’t as clichéd as most JRPGs. The only downside is that it’s a little bit shorter than other roleplaying games.

Great fun. [Issue#190, p.91]

There's no doubt that this is top quality content but playing these modes without the main game is not a full experience. Thankfully the price tag makes up for that in a big way. [Issue#199, p.86]

An incredible package on offer with hours' worth of great gameplay. [Issue#78, p.78]

If the combat was a little bit tighter this would be absolutely excellent. [Issue#219, p.74]

There's a feeling that FIFA might be running out of ideas. [Issue#210, p.83]

An inventive FPS with a sense of humour. [Issue#203, p.76]

Some of the modes on Medal of Honor's online component are fantastically good fun. [Issue#198, p.86]

A wonderfully unique offering from our wonderfully inventive friends in Japan. [Apr 2006, p.94]

It trumps the last version on PS3 by merit of opening up more player options – generally it's the same game, but the method of taking a shot can use any one of five different mechanisms. Other than that it's business as usual – madly compulsive, quick to pick up and difficult to master, questionable representation of young girls.

By focusing on getting a smaller number of key elements right, Second Son delivers an experience that oozes quality of design and execution in most of the right places. Yes, the character and story could have done with some fleshing out, but that’s less of a problem when playing as morally-questionable mutant is this much fun.

Better than First Strike by a mile. [Issue#208, p.98]

With some major tweaks to an old formula, Tiger is back to his best. As ever, we wonder what on Earth EA will do next year, but for the time being we have one of the best golf games in some time.

Nothing new as far as the franchise is concerned. But the formula is so brilliant, why change it? Studio Liverpool tried once with "Fusion" and it took "Pure" to get it back on track. Pulse helps keep it there. [Issue#159, p.94]

With a few more levels, it would've been exceptional, but it's unique, engaging fun as it is. [Issue#162, p.82]

A few kinks in the frame rate and issues with an otherwise-clever and well-executed control system aren't enough to significantly dampen our enthusiasm for Skate. "Tony Hawk's" watch out: this new skater has some sick moves. [Issue#159, p.84]

Savage Moon is a fine companion piece to PixelJunk Monsters. However, the learning curve is softer, visually it’s a lot less obscure and there are a few more options that make it the deeper strategy experience.

It's like a portable anti-depressant. [Issue#167, p.93]

Not quite as enjoyable as "LocoRoco," but containing significantly more depth, Patapon will be immediately accessible to some, but may take a little work with others. Once you're into it though, it's a real blast. [Issue#163, p.76]

While the on-track action is hard to fault, the off-track content just seems to slow things down. [Issue#197, p.92]

Tactics is as immense as it is intense. With a brilliant storyline and a wealth of options for creating and customising characters, there is no finer RPG on the PSP. [Issue#159, p.88]

Even the normal difficulty is so insanely hard it's likely to put many gamers off. [Issue#201, p.98]

Two good games, one great game, 30 quid or less. [Issue#204, p.89]

Still as good today as it was when it was released. [Issue#207, p.98]