Redeems Infinity Ward, but is uninspiring. In the face of DICE’s efforts over the fence, this wasn’t the year to stick to the old formula. [Christmas 2016, p69]

Fast, refreshing and full of tactical nuance; these are the ingredients in the Twisted Metal cocktail, but it isn't without an odd aftertaste. Disappointingly, the single-player covers three fiends, rather than a bunch of dedicated mini-campaigns for the full menagerie of maniacs. It's live-action mixed with CGI stuff that gets a bit cheeseball in spots, but is quite engaging. The solo is decent aside from a few checkpointing oddities, but if you're a soloist we'd suggest the budget buy. [April 2012, p67]

While its visual splendours cannot be denied, a few fumbled design decisions hold this back from true greatness. [May 2014, p73]

A technical bell ringer, FC2 is set to be a cult favourite. [Christmas 2008, p.72]

Thankfully, PlayStation VR Worlds is a crowd-pleaser solution. It’s essentially the Wii Sports of Sony’s PS VR. [Christmas 2016, p73]

It's not perfect, but Dying Light is last, brutal and most importantly, fun. [April 2015, p74]

If you’ve never played a golfing game before this would be a great place to start. It’s packed with a great introduction to the sport, dozens of hours of content, and there’s few things more satisfying than rocking up to the 18th one stroke behind, only to sink an astounding 35-metre chip for the tournament win. [June 2013, p79]

One of the most memorable indie games of the past decade. Best played with friends. [June 2013, p76]

Solid but also a HD collection that has no remarkable improvements. [June 2014, p83]

A compelling companion piece for the Arkham franchise, and an impressive PS VR proof of concept. Held back by a high asking price for not a lot of content. [Christmas 2016, p74]

It lacks the bells and whistles, but give Blacklight a chance and you'll be pleasantly surprised. [January 2014, p79]

Monstrous fun, tactical and ludicrously replayable online with the right crew. Single-player provides you with great practice, but wants for narrative and reliable team AI. [April 2015, p76]

Is (currently) free, looks better, and you can now be messed with by stream-watching gamers. What's not to love? [May 2014, p76]

When the dust from the dirty bomb settles, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier looks noticeably grimy and raw in a few spots, but its mission has still been achieved. The visuals can be iffy, but the feeling of being an elite soldier of the future has been faithfully rendered in other ways. The pace is fast, the gadgets are empowering, and your job can shift from shrewd predator puzzles, to battles of attrition fought on a knife's edge. [July 2012 p.72]

All combined, it’s enough to elevate Virginia above PS4’s typical story-led fare, divisive bow-out and all. [December 2016, p74]

Want a robust, strategic, deep VR game? Grab this, but be prepared to digest it in small chunks over time. [Christmas 2016, p77]

Kudos to Santa Monica for the online code as it's top-notch. We were rarely looking for a match, and although there's only a handful of modes (Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Zones and Capture The Flag, with the latter responsible for many late nights) they're all tried and tested. If you're not online there's a pleasing if short-lived single player campaign and a co-op mode where you'll battle waves of enemies. While the purpose of the campaign is to make you familiar with each of the units in the IKEA-in-the-sky, it's still fun if ultimately forgettable. There's a tale of sibling rivalry, friendship and love lost, but we'd have to hit Google to find the name of the main character. [July 2012, p74]

Basically, the same great PS3 title we reviewed a while back, but portable and with exemplary CrossPlay functionality. Being able to whip out your Vita and pick up from where you left off (by downloading a Cloud save) is an absolute godsend and the synching process is flawless. [June 2013, p80]

A slow burn that (eventually) picks up into a decent DLC. Standing between you and the good stuff: a load of deja vu. Make with the Destiny 2 already. [December 2016, p76]

While it won’t change your life it is full of surprises, and clever too. [April 2013, p78]

Short, but reasonably priced. Ground Zeroes is a striking entry in an evolving franchise. [May 2014, p78]

A novel, friend-filled angle from which to freshly experience what must be one of PS4’s finest and most artisanally crafted survival adventures. [December 2016, p77]

Not worth the upgrade if you already own it on PS3. Definitely worth a next-gen late-adoption. [January 2014, p83]

In the end, the most meaningful change to FIFA 17 is The Journey. It, along with the increased big-match atmosphere provided by the Frostbite engine, make very compelling reasons to trade up. [December 2016, p78]

No mulligans here – this is the real deal. [April 2015, p81]

As any standup will tell you, the key to a successful joke is the execution – and Jazzpunk tees up its titters masterfully. [December 2016, p80]

Not much effort has gone into this 'remastering' but Grim's an Adventure genre all-star. Test your noodle in this netherworld now. [April 2015, p82]

It's incredibly fast-paced and responsive. Nailing some of the intense combos may twist your fingers off as there are no touchscreen specials except for the X-ray moves that can be initiated once you have a full meter, but fatalities can be executed with finger swipes that match the d-pad inputs. Most of the extra modes, such as Test Your Slice, are gimmicks that either borrow heavily from smartphone games (let's just say you'll slice fruit whilst playing as a ninja) or rely on 'been there, done that' mechanics that use the Vita's hardware. Balancing a man on a beam is old hat, even if he's perilously dangling above a pit. [July 2012, p82]

Veterans should hold onto their hard-earned pesetas for a future budget buy. If you’re a newbie to the series it’s ok to buy it at a high price, stranger. [December 2016, p81]

The definitive DOA for your PS4. Old content greatly outweighs the new. Still plays like a dream. [April 2015, p80]

A modern masterpiece flanked by an okay sequel and a round-off that still delights. This isn’t the Big Daddy of PS3 trilogies, but it’s a circus of value. [December 2016, p83]

While the world may be a tad derivative, Corvo's powers more than make up for it. Blink becomes second nature, and it's obviously informed the level design's go-anywhere approach. There's just enough inventiveness here to elevate Dishonored above its numerous competitors, and it's quite hard to imagine going back to games where you can't teleport to the rooftops, or possess fish to access buildings' cellars. [November 2012, p74]

A host of small refinements add up to create the best game in the series. [May 2014, p83]

Well built with minor flaws, this is definitely one to get hold of. [May 2009, p.70]

It probably could have been a bit longer. [Oct 2009, p.64]

A riveting cerebral experience. Has that 'one more episode hook'. [July 2012, p83]

Okay in solo, but offers must-own 4-person multiplayer madness. [May 2014, p83]

The bulk of Resident Evil 6 is highly polished, AAA blockbuster stuff. Capcom has bet big here and delivered a tonne of content that not only delivers extreme value for money, but also gameplay to suit every Resident Evil fan type. As impressive as that feat is, one can't help but feel that this sequel is more of a catch-up to other games, rather than a bold zombie into bold new territory. [November 2012, p66]

It's a slow burning experience. Your first couple of hours feel a bit ho-hum but stick with it. Forgive the disappearing corpses and the occasional odd animation and you'll be hooked all over again. [July 2010 p72]

Any PlayStation gamer looking to broaden his horizons really ought to take a chance on this. If you're like us, and you figured 'turn-based' was longhand for 'boring', you'll be shocked when your 1000th (sissy) save reads: 40 hours played. [November 2012, p68]

TTT2 succeeds on a number of levels. It innovates within the series itself, the genre as a whole, while simultaneously appealing to hardcore fans and those who have only casually played Tekken since it debuted in the mid '90s. The game you get on your PS3 is based on the 'Ultimate' version of the arcade game with a few added characters thrown in, making the already chunky roster even plumper with 50-odd fighters. [November 2012, p70]

If you mooch for free off only one MMO this year, make it this one. [February 2014, p78]

The presentation still bites. Players and stadiums look drab, and PES 2013's overall physics can't compete with EA's replication of momentum, but at least Konami's offering is doing some things differently than FIFA, and doing them bloody well. [November 2012, p72]

The game captures the excitement of the sport, forces you to concentrate for laps on end, and can be as much of a time-sink as you choose, either with a full career or bite-sized challenges, and a smart middle ground where you need to beat a roster of chosen rivals for their contracts. [November 2012, p72]

Truth is, Tokyo Jungle is addictive as hell, and there's a heap of pride to be felt from outwitting enemies like a Solid Snake gazelle. And you'll positively beam when you defy commonsense by using a beagle to tear the throat out of a sleeping lion. Throw in rad co-op multiplayer, and this simple-looking PSN title will have you shagging, mauling, or "graduating from bovine university" for ages to come. [November 2012, p76]

Sure, the monsters are nothing new – we’ve seen more gruesome stuff elsewhere – but at moments throughout the game you’re suddenly in a psychologist’s office, answering questions about your fears and sexuality. Depending on your answers the game changes, though some changes are cosmetic (certain characters dress in a different way) but it pushes the emphasis firmly on the cerebral rather than twitch gunplay. [Apr 2010, p.77]

A technically troubled, budget production that tries to compensate with gore and 'edgy' characters that are ultimately obnoxious. [August 2014, p79]

A more than solid base to build a fuzzy franchise on. A bit thin on breeds, and the dog voices are rather annoying. [August 2014, p80]

Smartphone owners may be familiar with the basic premise, but it's been remixed and added to, essentially making the PS3 release a different game that's worth buying. [November 2012, p79]

The rhythm genre isn't dead, it just got better with lasers. [November 2012, p79]

With its improved controls, Escape Plan is now criminally good value for money. [February 2014, p81]

In 400 Days, no single character comes across as quite right. It’s often tough to choose which line of dialogue to say at times. It’s a perfect setup for the second season, presenting a broad glance at diverse situations and tying them together deftly with a small amount of overlap. [September 2013, p72]

We love the fighting that is present in SoulCalibur V because it's fast, inventive and approachable; but those improvements are all but squandered on threadbare single-player that's basically a bootcamp for pushing players online. That transition is fine if you've got the mad skills. However, newcomers may find that SoulCalibur V will too soon limit them to either replaying quick battles ad infinitum (to unlock useless hairstyles and arse-less chaps), or going online to be thoroughly pantsed by the grandmasters. [February 2012, p.72]

Take away the (great) LEGO visuals and chuck a few extra songs in there and there’d be no reason you wouldn’t be able to pass this off as Rock Band 3. [Christmas 2009, p.76]

Derivative and simple, but well-produced and very playable. Please, just go to Hell. [Mar 2010, p.68]

Looks marginally better than the PS3 version. That's about it. [February 2014, p83]

Minor control updates and all the DLC included. Looks gorgeous, still plays great. [February 2014, p83]

We found Catherine to be fairly enthralling, both in the old school challenge of its block-based conundrums and the addictive downward spiral of Vincent's narrative. Likewise, the quasi-RPG sections offer just enough exploration, offer endearing characters that are beautifully animated and lead to a variety of wacky endings to replay for. [January 2012, p.74]

A surprisingly deep and addictive golfing experience. [December 2008, p.82]

There’s nothing particularly wrong with Tekken 6, but the series is starting to age. Gorgeous graphics help, but this genre needs some fresh blood. [Dec 2009, p.66]

As slick to play as it is oddly Japanese, Nier should be blinking bright on the radar of serious Action- RPG fans. [May 2017, p71]

The omission of four-player cooperative play (as seen in its PS3 counterpart) hurts and seems a bit of an oversight but that doesn't stop it from being a damned fine platformer. Rayman Origins looks a treat, plays pretty sweet and walks its own beat. [April 2012, p75]

One of the most original titles we've seen this gen. [Summer 2009, p.70]

Amazing to look at, great to play. Forgive the tardy loading times and this is a winner. [March 2012, p63]

Very few games have the capacity to go from frustrating and infuriating to magical and sublime in the space of a few heartbeats (particularly when you get into a Zen state of mind and everything literally falls into place) but Lumines: Electronic Symphony walks that tightrope beautifully. [April 2012, p76]

Exceptionally presented, additively brutal. [June 2009, p.62]

[I]t's the Vita-specific features that may well entice new players to the otherwise hardcore fighting series. The lower difficulty settings actually let you dominate in fights on the easy setting (and there's 'very easy', too), unlike easy on Street Fighter IV, while a wholly touchscreen fighting mode lets you finger your enemies to death. It's not the best way to play the game, but it means that even the greenest newbie can win a fight without having to remember increasingly complex combat commands. [April 2012, p77]

This sucker devours bus and train trips. [March 2012, p64]

Tough, frequently ingenious and amusing, Stealth Inc is full of surprises. [September 2013, p80]

This isn't meant as a backhand, but Virtua Tennis 4 on PS Vita is virtually identical to the PS3 version, which which was quite good. Smashing, even. [March 2012, p65]

Surprisingly polished and great value for money. Touch controls work rather well, too. [April 2012, p78]

Has made some really solid steps forward in combat but needs a more readily digestible plot to entice newcomers. [March 2012, p68]

Reckoning is not about narrative. In this respect, it's a defiantly linear experience. What it is about is gameplay choice within the oft-rigid of an RPG. The way it accomplishes this is particularly fresh, and maybe even suggests a new precedent in the evolution of the genre. It's about time, right? Big Huge Games has clearly been paying a lot of attention to what's going on, and the result is that Reckoning is a patchwork of everything great that's been done to forward modern RPGs in recent times. [March 2012, p70]

The Darkness II is a radical departure from Starbreeze's old template. Gone is the effortless noir cool, plus the old stealth sections and overworld exploration have been given the barest of lip services here. [March 2012, p72]

A tactical and accessible real-time RPG that's well worth a look for Dark Souls fans, and those against self-torment. [Christmas 2014, p70]

The solo content is phenomenal value for money and the cross-play with PS3 works insanely well. One price gets you both versions and they share players and results. Couple that with an seamless Autolog-style challenge system and this is a must-buy. [April 2012, p79]

Arguably the best finger-abuser money can buy. An essential purchase for musou fans. [Christmas 2014, p72]

Great value despite its brevity and funny too. More charming than Michael Parkinson. [April 2012, p79]

But the more changes they make to get in line with a faster-paced style of gameplay, the further away they drift from what made the franchise unique for so many years. The drudgery at the beginning may annoy the casual gamer with an investment of several hours before Paradigm Shift is available and a half-a-dozen more before the first summons. Fans, however, won’t care in the slightest. They’ll be well aware lead time before proceedings really kick off. [Apr 2010 p.64]

A labour of one man's love that'll melt your heart, while satisfying your bloodlust. [Christmas 2014, p72]

There's not even the slightest whiff of cash-in here. Greatly expanded and built upon. Ultimax indeed. [Christmas 2014, p73]

Have this – plus a HDD full of DLC tracks– and your next shindig is going to make the papers. [Christmas 2014, p75]

At the end of the day, though, Splinter Cell Blacklist is all about thwarting evil doers within the veil of shadows and in that it excels exponentially. With an enjoyable globe-trotting campaign and a robust multiplayer offering, we’re glad Sam has re-entered the Sony spotlight. [October 2013, p72]

While Saints Row IV might be crass, stupid and a bit ugly in places, it’s a lot of fun. Expect to lose yourself ‘til the early hours with this. [October 2013, p74]

Brimming with fan-service, unlockable content, and freeform ‘create, share, play’ fun. A must for the young and young-at-heart. [October 2013, p75]

The now-gen survival horror revolution's here – and it only took 8 bits to get us there. [Christmas 2014, p77]

Horribly frustrating to begin with, but more than worth it in the long run. [Christmas 2014, p78]

An irresistible, toe-tapping experience that is well deserving of the Kickstarter love that brought it into modern times. Off the hook local multiplayer, too. [February 2015, p71]

In the end you have a sequel that improves upon its predecessor. It's a better game in terms of presentation and content, and if you didn't play the original then you're going to rip through this with a silly smile on your face. We're not sure that it's going to hold your attention though, and that's a shame as Heller's brutal adventures are amongst the best you'll have. [June 2012, p72]

A title that needed another couple of months in the oven. [Christmas 2008, p.68]

Being a Japanese attempt at Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma gets a bit overly ambitious in places. Exploration is not a case of 'if you see it, you can go there'. Firstly, because seeing the horizon is difficult; Dogma's graphics engine renders vistas with all the detail of a waterpainting. Secondly, you're held back by locked border towns, or high level enemy mobs, until you have some hours and major quests under your belt. Just as irking is the lack of authenticity to the towns and the NPCs within. You can ransack a house and sell the crap back to the homeowner (while happily stabbing them), or you can score XP by killing their pets. [June 2012, p74]

Starts slow then builds into a time sink, and each victory feels like a monumental win. Tacticians and action fans finally have something in common to obsess over. [October 2013, p80]

Yes, it’s punishing. But it’s the good, sexy kind of punishment. [February 2015, p74]

Never before has a game so gruesomely represented the impact that 9.3 grams of lead travelling at almost one kilometre per second has on the human body. Thanks to this game's disturbing X-Ray Killcam, players are treated (subjected?) to a clinical view of each bullet passing through their target's vital organs whenever they pull off an especially good shot – and by 'good' we mean 'life-ending'. It's brutal, it's disturbing, and we're not quite sure how it got past Australia's over-eager censors. [June 2012, p76]

Absorbing, personable, and a lot cleverer than it initially lets on. The wildcard Tales series continues to impress. [October 2013, p81]

Beyond the addictive action, where RCR really shines is with its irreverent comedy and fan-service references. Expect to snort milk out of your nose when The Player randomly codecs a Solid Snake wannabe who responds in broken English. Even if you weren't gaming back then you'll get a grin when you're given a DeLorean and asked to run over 88 people to fill your Flax Combobulator. [December 2012, p75]

There’s a wealth of new content here, and it’s all been given the love and care this beloved franchise deserves. Whether you’re a veteran, or somebody who doesn’t know the business end of a keyblade, give this a shot. [October 2013, p81]

Coupled with a stronger focus on the sound and feel of gunplay, gamers are granted the chance to pull off memorable robberies worthy of Ocean’s Eleven, with shoot-outs as intense as Three Kings, unfortunately minus the Clooney. [October 2013, p82]