SFxT for Vita is a maddeningly brilliant obsession that will burn holes in your mitts. If you're looking for a fighter to permanently fuse to your hip, or want to save yourself having to spend $30 just to unlock the DLC of your PS3 copy, punch a hole in your piggy bank and go pick this up. You won't regret it. [December 2012, p71]

This is easily the sexiest looking, smoothest running and features packed open-world game on a portable. Yes, Liberation may not boast as many side-diversions as ACIII, but more than enough DNA from that GOTY contender has made the leap. PS Vita technical limitations are offset by the fact that we think Aveline's tale is slightly superior to the PS3 adventure. [December 2012, p72]

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a mindless beat ‘em up obsessed with treasure chests (and pleasure ones): it’s so much more than that. Dragon’s Crown is the renaissance of the genre and it’s well worth your gold, soon-to-behardened adventurer. [October 2013, p77]

There are also some breathtakingly elegant scene shifts where you play stints of classic, NYPD detective Max. Punchy script and Max's metaphor-ridden inner monologues are milked for all they're worth via action-text and motion comics. Some may find the constant artefacting effects distracting – but we found it accentuated emotional beats nicely, and suited Max's boozehound view of the world. Whichever way you look at it, Max Payne 3 is slicker than owl crap on an iceberg. [June 2012, p68]

Thank the gods Blizzard not only ported its baby over, but refined it, tweaked it and spiked it specifically for console. We feel all warm and gooey inside. [October 2013, p78]

A flawed masterpice for the ages. [Summer 2009, p.76]

If you don’t have others to play with, that doesn’t mean you should miss out on the fun, though, because have no doubt about it, Rayman Legends is one of the best platformers we’ve played in years. [October 2013, p79]

A runaway three-peat for the undisputed king of the court. [Christmas 2014, p80]

A splendid mix of free-roaming action, RPG leveling, and sexy visuals. [June 2012, p77]

The best arcade racer on the market bar none. [December 2008, p.76]

Controls have been upgraded to include a more intuitive feel, with the right stick now used for ball control as well as shooting. The old button controls are still applicable, it just depends if you want to keep up with the times, as well as how much flare you want to add to your floor game. [December 2012, p80]

Plot-wise, this doesn't match the original. However, the combat has been spliced to near-perfection. [Mar 2010, p.64]

An excellent PlayStation Mobile title for less than a dollar. Do get. [December 2012, p83]

The characterisations by the actors is second to none and even though this tall-tale takes you to fantastical places and events, the script is never once unbelievable. You never feel like an outsider. If anything, you'll feel right at home, ensconced in the constant drama of this loveable cast of returning reprobates and reprehensible villains. [Dec 2011, p60]

An absolutely awesome all-round package. [Christmas 2008, p.78]

A grand, bloody, epic adventure. [Apr 2009, p.66]

So over the top it makes Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay look restrained. This is an absolute laugh riot throughout. [Dec 2011, p66]

Forget “The Real Driving Simulator”, Project CARS is racing simulation at its finest. [July 2015, p71]

As always, the music and the mixes make or break this package. The reuse of tracks is nowhere near as abusive this time around and, honestly, if you can't appreciate the overwhelming majority of tunes here then you're probably squarer than Spongebob. Drop these morbidly obese beats into some new multiplayer modes (that are actually worth playing this time), or let them run forever in the GH5-inspired jukebox mode to create one hell of a party apparatus. [December 2010 p72]

Solo’s a tough sell, but there’s a pool of MP players from other VR systems. Not purchasing this is therefore illogical. Make it so. Engage. [August 2017, p68]

For the most part even here the game has been improved, particularly on new characters like Black Canary. [August 2017, p70]

[Y]ou're looking at everything you could want in a game; a breathtaking world to get lost in, wonderful characters, a fun tactical combat system, hours and hours worth of quests, puzzles and more booty to grab than a live stage show of Magic Mike. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is gaming at its most magical and only the hardest of hearts will not be spirited away by it. [January 2013, p60]

This is how you pay homage to the greats. Rediscover your gaming heritage. [July 2015, p83]

Boasting looks that kill, a fresh-faced roster, and a pleasing amount of post-story content, MKX is the new fighting game champ to beat. [June 2015, p70]

Equal parts style and substance. But a brutal old school nature means low accessibility for newbies. Worth persevering with, however. This is PS royalty. [August 2017, p79]

Visually striking, nerve-shredding and a fascinating streamlining of the Souls formula. Bloodborne is an exclusive jewel in the PS4 crown and you need to own it. [June 2015, p71]

Raven Software's deft handling of the oft-tricky notion of time travel disrupting the workings of the world is very clever. It's clever enough that, as you stand poised to make one of three ending-altering decisions at Singularity's calamitous finale, you're really not sure which choice to make. The question is, will you stick around that long? Most of you probably won't. [September 2010 p.74]

Brilliant in concept, truly great in execution despite a few stumbles. A must own title. [January 2013, p68]

This is one of the cleverest games we’ve ever played. It constantly wows with many multiple solutions to almost every problem. If you have a talent for thinking outside the box, chances are Arkane is three steps ahead and ready to accommodate your lunacy. [July 2017, p66]

Not to be underestimated. Runs like a dream, sucks you in with an addictive cycle of rage-reward like any real nightmare. [June 2015, p73]

Three undeniable classics made even classier. A nut-worthy purchase. [August 2012, p74]

The best soccer game on the market. [December 2008, p.74]

A one-finger salute right up the arse of the free-roaming crime genre. [December 2008, p.68]

While the controls are a bit too sensitive making some levels torturous (especially the bonus stages where touching the environment means instant death), Velocity ends up being one of the most addictive and rewarding games ever made. We honestly can't get enough. [August 2012, p81]

Despite the flaws, Crysis 3 is a triumph that shows a willingness by Crytek to push itself to new heights, achieving a beautiful three-way union of graphical fidelity, compelling storytelling and a honed gameplay experience.[April 2013, p68]

Collection is a title that you ought to play even if you played God of War and II back in 2005 and 2007. You ought to play it so you can marvel at the technical achievement, and to see how the games have shaped so many of those that we play today. [June 2010 p79]

There’s no denying Tomb Raider is a heavily influenced work, both mechanically and aesthetically (its nods to Neil Marshall’s The Descent are so happy to be there at one point Lara even re-enacts the “girlrising-out-of-sea-of-blood” scene). While it offers nothing wholly original, its salvaged parts combine to produce an experience that is consistently better than anything its own heroes have produced. [April 2013, p70]

Restrung and retuned to be the best guitar tutor available. Believe the hype. [December 2013, p82]

Combine some rock-solid fighting with a strategic Persona System (think: the ability to manifest a second, ghost buddy for 2 vs 1 beat downs) and Persona 4 Arena feels like a breath of fresh air. Round all that off with faultless versus and online modes, and you’re looking at a truly unique fighter that deserves to be noticed by mainstream gamers everywhere. [April 2013, p74]

Grid 2 is a gem of a racer. There’s never been any doubt that Codemasters have the skills and resources to make good looking games with world-class handling, and Grid 2 reinforces that. While its storyline provides reason, the thrilling events are the reason you’re here. [July 2013, p74]

Surprisingly exceptional and unique. [Dec 2011, p80]

It's still riotous. If Dead Rising 2 shuffled past you last year, now's the time to grab it with two, bloodied, clamouring hands. [Dec 2011, p80]

More than an update, this is an overhaul. If you have even a passing interest in basketball, or love sports games, get this now. [Dec 2011, p82]

Got a Vita and never played the original? Then get this. [August 2013, p77]

This is a year in which FIFA switches down a gear in terms of pure speed, yet provides marathons' worth of value, if you have the stamina for it. [Christmas 2015, p68]

Uncharted: TNDC is one for the ages. Yes, the gameplay and visual wow-factor have faded in a few spots, but the inimitable charm of Nate and co., plus some of the best story-telling in gaming, make this a must-have. [Christmas 2015, p71]

Although each year's Call of Duty has always been a package deal, Black Ops II represents a watershed moment. It's bulging at the seams, not only because nearly every team that's ever worked on Call of Duty has had a hand in it. The engine has been tweaked, multiplayer and CODcasting are both revolutionary, single-player has a decent lifespan and offers more than the same roller-coaster but on a tougher difficulty setting, while Zombies is mental comic relief. [Christmas 2012, p66]

Truly exceptional presentation, oodles of tactical nuance, and a rich universe. Blizzard’s first ever FPS can keep up with the genre big boys and then some. [August 2016, p70]

Flawless game design and endless replay value mean that Super Meat Boy! more than holds its own on PlayStation in 2015. [Christmas 2015, p73]

2013’s The Show is the complete package: amazing visuals with the capacity to fool unsuspecting relatives that you’ve temporarily forgot what country you woke up in and are watching televised baseball, and incredibly nuanced gameplay that’ll sprout a Louisville Slugger in the trousers of ardent fans of what’s allegedly America’s favourite pastime. [May 2013, p76]

Despite the at-times frantic movement Outland superbly promotes fast flowing gameplay. It's a winner, and the two-player co-op modes are just bonuses on top of a truly satisfying and rewarding title. [July 2011 p84]

Once you strap yourself into the rollcaged bucket seat of Dirt 4 it’ll be extremely tough to extricate yourself from it anytime soon. [September 2017, p69]

A stylish reaction and skills-based puzzler. Perfect for short stints. [March 2013, p80]

In short, this sequel is a worthy heir. If Assassin’s Creed II was a cart full of hay, and the process of buying it represented an epic leap of faith from a tower, we would have no hesitation in telling you to dive right in. Hell, we’d push your arse into it. [Christmas 2009, p.90]

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is the most charming and important downloadable indie game since Journey, and that’s not a claim we make lightly. [August 2013, p75]

inFAMOUS 2 is an electrifying sequel that has risen to the challenge and bettered the series on every conceivable level. On top of this Sucker Punch has resisted the urge to throw in an utterly superfluous multiplayer mode in favour of an extremely versatile User Generated Content system that'll ensure this game is constantly brimming with new content. [August 2011 p63]

Feral Ghoul ugly in many ways, but beneath its iffy exterior beats the heart of one helluva great RPG. Get past the graphics deficiency, and the sheer thrill of Fallout 4’s combat, crafting options, and exploring will hold your attention for months. [January 2015, p64]

A precious package that is both incredibly challenging and rewarding in all the right ways. [December 2014, p70]

Another fine refinement of one the best games of football on the market. [November 2013, p79]

If God gave rock ‘n roll to us then it is settled: Tim Schafer is God. A must play. [Dec 2009, p.62]

Forget all your fears. The 3D platforming games of PlayStation legend have never looked or played better. [September 2017, p83]

Visually astounding and addictive, few videogame worlds are as fleshed out as Puppeteer’s. [November 2013, p82]

A mostly delightful platform experience, and the creation tools mean this is a time sink. [Jan 2010, p.76]

Intelligent mechanics, intense gameplay, well thought-out mission structure and plotlines are all winners in our book. Bring on the endgame antics! [May 2016, p70]

While the fixed-camera isn't always your friend and the platforming relies too much on trial-and-error death, this is still one hell of a tight package. Give Castlevania: Lords of Shadow a chance to sink its fangs into you and you'll be surprised about how exquisite and long lasting its embrace can be. [December 2010 p74]

If you've ever wanted to drive through a chain link fence. If you've ever accelerated towards a speedhump instead of slowing down for it. If you've ever thought going through a corner sideways would look a hell of a lot cooler than bumbling through it like a normal schmuck. If you've ever thought any of those things, play this game without delay. [October 2011 p69]

Buy this game immediately – and a PSP if you must. As well as unfurling the Metal Gear Solid story just that little bit more, and spending more quality time with Snake, it's a truly excellent game in its own right. Engaging and rewarding, this is a solid package no gamer should miss. [August 2010 p68]

This is a sizeable u-turn that deserves the moniker ‘major expansion’. It really does make the original Destiny release look like a beta, thanks to large framework tweaks and a king’s ransom of exciting new content. We’re quite taken by it. You will be too. [December 2015, p60]

MAG won’t wow you with its graphics like MW2, nor does it offer any kind of offline component. Instead MAG delivers online battles that feel epic and the outcomes actually affect your PMC. [Apr. 2010, p.72]

Hardcore lovers of the sport will relish the challenge, enjoy every throttling by the AI, and take their skills online. But there'll only be so many times basketball punters will endure this level of difficulty without reverting to Tourette-like hysterics. So yes, it's complex. And yes, the experience oscillates between sublime and diabolical between each game, but basketball is a complex sport. With such unparalleled presentation and unapologetic gameplay, this is likely the best basketball game ever. [December 2010 p76]

Media Molecule, more than any other dev, makes games that fit snugly into its platforms, and here it’s maximised nearly every feature PS4 has to offer. [December 2015, p66]

It truly is a must-have package. A thoroughly entertaining and pivotal part of the Speed franchise and the racing landscape in general, we want more like this. [Nov 2009, p.68]

So it’s official, last year’s game wasn’t a fluke. PES really is back to where it belongs: at the top of the league. [December 2015, p68]

If you were soured towards the franchise thanks to Just Cause’s variety of glitches, repetition and a half-baked control scheme; you should totally give this franchise a second chance. Not only has Avalanche solved these problems, it has crafted one of the most exciting and entertaining open-world romps we’ve experienced in years. Plus; stripper zeppelin. [May 2010 p.67]

Alongside much lengthier save times at the end of days, the interface issues are irksome enough to mar the special, very real sense of escapism Stardew Valley can so masterfully afford. Still, that escapism is so strong it’s impossible to ignore. [March 2016, p76]

Trust us when we say this is the best VR game since Batman. Our word is our Bond. [March 2016, p80]

A worthy sequel to a true PSP classic. [May 2009, p.68]

Impenetrable for twitch gamers, essential for patience imbued fantasy fans. [Jan 2010, p.72]

LIS has built a series of pivotal plot-forks based on seemingly innocuous actions, but the isolated nature of this heartbreaking scene makes me fear it’ll be forgotten when the series draws to a close. [November 2015, p74]

It feels like Game Of Thrones has finally got going in this, the penultimate instalment. [November 2015, p79]

A best-in-class puzzler that in no way caters to the lowest common denominator. Punishingly difficult. Extremely rewarding. [April 2016, p68]

Undoubtedly the best extreme sports game ever. [Feb 2009, p.72]

Amazing value for newbies and borderline amazing to look at for veterans, this has a little something for everybody. [May 2015, p82]

Inclusive, streamlined, faster than ever, and looks radiant on Unreal Engine 4. Street Fighter V has no challengers. [April 2016, p72]

Killzone 3 stands as a fantastic entry to the series and an engrossing action romp for any fan of the first-person shooter genre. All of the things we loved about Killzone 2 have made a return and have been built upon. However, with some minor issues across the board and a campaign length that's a little too Modern Warfare 2 for our liking, Killzone 3 is held back from the dizzying heights of perfection. [March 2011, p64]

Lush, beautifully rendered graphics with amazing particle physics. You'll not see a demonic custard tart explode more realistically... LBP2 is already a contender for game of the year. [March 2011, p74]

Football fans who go to sleep with their laces on and foam at the mouth at the prospect of creating a virtual team ... should tattoo this title’s release on their hand and sell their copy of FIFA 09 to the blind kid around the block. [Nov 2009, p.74]

While patrolling that retail space, you’d be mad to ignore this as it lurks in the corner. It’s every inch a killer game, and worthy of Lasting Possession. [January 2016, p68]

It looks a treat, plays a treat and you can beat the crap out of Anthony Mundine, and unless Kyle Sandilands or Uwe Boll decide to lace up their gloves, it just doesn’t get much better than that. [Aug 2009, p.66]

Well worth the price of admission to earn yourself a seat. But you'll only really need the edge of it. [Mar 2011, p77]

The Tekken draftees are the new Street Fighter characters you don't want to go home. Apart from integrating them visually into Ryu and co's saturated universe, each has had their exhaustive move set refocused to align with Capcom's different play style. It doesn't just work, it's brilliant. [May 2012, p70]

Don't make the mistake of viewing Crysis 2 as a new shooter on the block that has to desperately prove itself to all the established PS3 heavy-hitters. In many ways it's actually the other way around. [May 2011, p.69]

Far from the footnote it could have been, Titanfall 2 is a huge, headline shock. In a standout year for the shooter, this interstellar adventure dares to go big and beyond the familiar. What it finds out on the frontier is worth seeing. [January 2016, p74]

Another surprisingly good game feature is the story. Objectives and allegiances chop and change, and the radio chatter drips with comic book melodrama. [July 2009, p.68]

For a generation weaned on Rocky movies Fight Night Champion is the ultimate boxing experience. It sounds like a throwaway sentence, really. A platitude you toss at an otherwise good game to get the hard work out of the way. It's completely true though... What's particularly clever about Champion Mode is the way it pulls strings in the background to heighten the tension. During the fights throughout the story you might find yourself nursing a broken hand, or suddenly at the mercy of a bent referee or a desk full of bribed judges. Champion Mode will uppercut you with surprises like these, ones that require you to adjust the way you're fighting, across its duration. Champion Mode is bold, different and we absolutely want more of it. [May 2011 p.70]

Thankfully, the base game itself remains as utterly essential as always. [January 2016, p78]

It's official: Gran Turismo 5 is on notice. Like V8 Supercars 3 [Pro Race Driver 3] wooed us from GT4 back in the halcyon days of PS2, SHIFT 2 Unleashed is currently busy courting us with its incredible sense of speed, well-rounded garage, long list of tracks and impressive attention to detail... Forget what you think you know about where Need for Speed games stand in the racing sim landscape because the crew at Slightly Mad Studios has just taken a bulldozer to it. [May 2011 p.72]

Far Cry 3 was a truly outstanding game. Far Cry 4 is even better. It introduces one of the most enjoyable open worlds on new- gen, looks gorgeous and features a protagonist we don’t want to bitch slap. Kryat may not be a vacationer’s dream, but it does demand your attention. [January 2015, p62]