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]

Once you earn and understand how to flick between the dimensions (on all four shoulder buttons) Conundrum will have you calling people over to the TV to boast how "S-M-R-T" you are. That joy is offset, however, by Airtight Games' insistence on pinpoint first-person platforming, something that's a source of intermittent frustration. [September 2012, p74]

Pure offline gamers might want to exercise some caution here, but, if you’re in a position to download the patch that irons out the creases, LittleBigPlanet 3 is one irresistible imagisphere. [January 2015, p74]

Yeah, the puzzles are moderately difficult, and (we think) the levels are linear, but there's simply no denying childlike wonder Unfinished Swan engenders, nor the indelible mark it leaves upon your heart. [December 2012, p70]

A truckload of guilty fun, Prototype offers a lot of freedom. Beneath it all it's a simple kill-fest, but it works well. [July 2009, p.72]

A personality-packed puzzlefest that defies categorisation and is one of the funniest games in recent memory. [February 2014, p80]

Dangerous, scary, and jam-packed with pressure. Alien: Isolation is an absolute horror, in all the right ways. [December 2014, p80]

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]

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]

An addictive precision racer that only has two speeds: easy, or brutal. [June 2014, p80]

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]

Stupidly charming visuals add to the sense of weight of your floating cloud god as he rains blasts of energy on the demons who are impeding your pilgrims' progress. Damn tricky, too. [June 2012, p 81]

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

An above average shooter that suffers from a lack of imagination. [Mar 2009, p.74]

While engaging modes shake things up when it all gets a bit shallow, think twice if you’re looking for a fighter with depth. But as a series send-off for obsessives? It’s a knockout. [May 2016, p75]

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

An excellent concept that's half broken. Add [40] points if they ever get around to fixing the crashes. [March 2014, p81]

For the money you're laying down, Deathspank is like the glittering bags of swag it depicts. Highly-amusing and addictive as all hell. [September 2010 p78]

Simple at first but your twitch skills will get a solid workout in the later stages. Bite-sized fun and quite fetching. [May 2013, p77]

What LEGO Harry Potter is, then, is most probably exactly what you're expecting. A robust yet simple homage to an international phenomenon unleashed upon the world via the medium of coloured, plastic bricks. It's not going to give your PS3 an aneurysm, but it may cause children to spontaneously combust in excitement. [August 2010 p75]

Act now, think later’ is the nature of Berseria’s beast, a battle system that thrives on heat-of-the-moment muscle memory and snappy knee-jerk reactions. [April 2016, p76]

Throw in Dark Souls-like player invasions, and the best co-op this side of Diablo III, and Alienation is a loot-tastic, bughunt safari that should not be missed. [July 2016, p72]

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

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

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

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]

Two games deep and two systems later, the grappling simply still isn’t as much fun as slugging it out, especially for those who have a more casual interest in MMA. [June 2016, p75]

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

Final Fight may not be the longest game in the world, but it has been upscaled to HD. It’s a wonderful time capsule of fun that is worth replaying. The ‘must be online’ DRM hurts the package though. [July 2010 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]

Its inventiveness means there's a lot to like, and the price is definitely right. [October 2012, p79]

Muramasa is twenty hours well spent amongst some of the most breathtaking visuals and sound on PS Vita. Unsheath your wallet and ninjadash your way to the store now. [July 2013, p76]

There’s no co-op, which is odd (there are cooperative modes in multiplayer though) – but there are some truly memorable moments, like your first shootout at high noon. Horse mounted battles and even stagecoaches get a look in. [Aug 2009, p.70]

Aesthetics aside, this is a feast for SRPG wonks. [May 2009, p.66]

Those of you expecting instant gratification best move along to another playground. Yakuza 4 is a slow burn and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. The balance between intense brawling, wacky distractions and convoluted exposition is deep and detailed and guarantees you endless hours of enjoyment [April 2011, p72]

If you have an existing library of Rock Band tracks you'll dig this. [December 2012, p83]

Where PES trumps FIFA is in its tactical depth. This year it's bordering on ludicrous just how in-depth you can manipulate the way your team plays. [Dec 2009, p.80]

Joe Danger 2 is tough, especially in the exclusive-to-PS3 bonus levels. Tough, but not unfair. You'll need to memorise the courses as you fling your vehicle through the air, and each of machines feels beautifully weighted and satisfying to control. [December 2012, p83]

The campaign might disappoint, but the game’s one-on-one online duels will take you to Valhalla. [May 2017, p75]

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]

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]

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

And you thought visual novels were niche. [Feb 2015, p78]

Short on runtime, but also the bearer of surprising plot revelations and brand new mechanics. It’s enough to stop this from being just another brick in the wall. [September 2016, p71]

Endearing, gorgeous platformer that tugs on the heartstrings early, but ultimately winds up feeling mechanically threadbare. [April 2016, p77]

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

We reckon it holds its own. It doesn’t even look that bad after a quick 720p makeover. Why would anybody buy Rogue Warrior when you can get something like this for a quarter of the cost? [Feb 2010, p.77]

Toybox mode is where the game hits its peak, offering open-world style gameplay packed with mini challenges geared towards a generation of kids far too young to be powersliding buses through parked cars and prostitutes in Liberty City. [August 2010 p77]

It’s still far from perfect – main menu freezes abound and the EU and NA servers will frequently fail to even show up, so you’ll probs find yourself on a JP one – but when it works, it really works. Finally. [November 2013, p84]

A genuine improvement over previous titles. [Christmas 2008, p.85]

Go in expecting a “next-gen” evolution of Rock Band 3, and you'll wind up booing. Expect a slick, party-in-a-box, and you'll be wolf -whistling. [Christmas 2015, p65]

Mercenary is a big budget FPS on a handheld, done as right as it can be, but it’s still not quite good enough. [November 2013, p80]

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]

Great games have a simple concept and message. Don’t Starve will leave you feeling full. [March 2014, p78]

Enlist the right team, and this is an incredibly rich adversarial experience where no one match ever plays out like the last. [Christmas 2016, p82]

This remaster retains and showcases Heavy Rain’s best assets (we’re so sorry). Some wobbles, however, have also made the jump to PS4. [June 2016, p76]

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

Infinity Ward has taken its foot off the accelerator here. The marketing department might as well have called it Call of Duty: Coasts. [Christmas 2013, p68]

Smart subtractions and extremely worthwhile additions make this the best Worms in years. Ignore solo, enlist for multi. The more people, and the more local, the better. [November 2016, p77]

Certain moments of that descent are essential parts of horror game history, and total must-plays on PS4. [February 2016, p83]

Enough has changed here to warrant a lazy capture. [December 2014, p81]

Not exactly taxing in the puzzles department, and its price-to-runtime ratio is a little out of whack. But gorgeous, memorable and oozing with atmosphere and love. [July 2017, p78]

Controls could’ve been tighter, given the high-stakes nature of things. Otherwise, this randomising, very replayable experience is hard to put down. [April 2016, p78]

Taken as a whole, El Shaddai is a remarkable achievement, as beautiful as it is baffling. While its quirks prevent us from recommending it wholesale, for those of you who crave innovation and imagination in your gaming diet, this is something you simply cannot afford to miss. [November 2011 p78]

Robust, charming and impeccably presented. Impossible not to enjoy. [July 2009, p.79]

PES still isn’t ‘better’ than FIFA, but by the golden boot of Beckham it’s the best one yet. [November 2013, p78]

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]

While it great barrier reeks of quality, Abzû is not as breathtaking as it could be. [October 2016, p72]

For hardcore nerds, it’s a wet dream made real; for everyone else, it’s a spectacle like no other. [June 2013, p72]

It’s not perfect, but Outlast still succeeds at scaring the pants off you. [April 2014, p80]

We didn’t get even remotely close to any sense of rapture. We had long since gone to the napture. Great as an exploratory piece of art. Average game. [November 2015, p76]

For every moment awed in the presence of a monumental celestial body, there are ten in which you’re lonely, humbled, and really quite bored. [October 2017, p79]

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]

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]

Like its forebear Skylanders Giants won't tax the skills of the mature hardcore gamer. But it is a worthy expansion that'll keep the youngins amused on the TV, and in the schoolyard, for hours. [Christmas 2012, p76]

Not bad, but it's something of an acquired taste. Best to try it before you fork out. [Nov 2008, p.103]

A solid introduction to Telltale's darkest world yet that looks to keep Thrones fans happy. [Feb 2015, p74]

The gameplay is ageless and timeless – probably because it’s a shameless copy of a certain plumber’s racing adventures on another console. There are weapons and powerups for both offensive and defensive manoeuvres, powerslides mean turbo boosts, and while the racing’s a bit bland in single player there are missions that earn money in order to unlock more of the cast, music and courses to race on. [Apr 2010, p.76]

It's also a problem that punches and kicks don't usually feel as powerful as you'd like. In Fight Night haymakers sounded like truck accidents. Here they kind of feel like slightly over-zealous high-fives. [January 2011 p75]

If you’re a fan of the franchise you’ll be getting this for new challengers Jacky Bryant, Rachel, Momiji, Leon and Ein. The Power Launcher move is about the only new mechanic addition. It looks hilarious, won’t rock worlds. [November 2013, p85]

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

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

We're not entirely sure who's going to play this game, or even who it's ultimately suited for. People who are fans of Mikami and Suda will no doubt snap it up without a thought, and so will those who are tired of the 'usual' slew of action games. Sure, Shadows of the Damned has character and shows of incredible, grotesque and inventive beats, but as a game it's left lacking. [August 2011 p70]

This is the prettiest and most polished Omega Force game to date. [Christmas 2015, p72]

This series is no longer for football puritans. Its for Pro Evolution puritans, and has the same strengths and weaknesses as its last few iterations. The animation and player models are brilliant, but there's still an oppressive, drab tone that could suck the fun out of a happy meal. [November 2010 p70]

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]

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]

A pretty spesh experience that asks a lot of your time and, yeah, sometimes your patience, too. [April 2014, p79]

The formula's barely changed since Just Dance 3. Brightly coloured representations dance on screen, you follow with a Move controller in hand. Or you can do as we did towards the end and sit on the couch and wave it as convincingly and energetically as you can. This works just enough to keep the score counter ticking up, but you'll never hit the max number of stars or nail the new and tough sub challenges that way. These sub challenges ask you to achieve a certain rank in specific part of songs. We just want to let our aching arms recover. [December 2012, p81]

Like Test Drive Unlimited 2 before it the cutscenes in Apocalypse are universally terrible. The obviously deliberate digital comic approach feels cheap too, making the sequences feel like placeholders for real animation that never eventuated. It's all a bit childish, really, and features the worst approximation of a foreign accent since Christopher Lambert tried to sound like a Scotsman in Highlander. You'll know it when you hear it. We do question why Evolution bothered devoting manpower to the story mode and we'd be happy not to see it again. Fortunately, players will spend far more time playing Apocalypse than they will do with awful cutscenes. The racing is still furious and fun – and that's always the main thing. [May 2011 p.74]

Very pretty, but pretty shallow. Unchallenging – both emotionally and as a puzzle-platformer. [September 2014, p71]

A stellar addition to any local social gathering. Decent competitive online components, too. [December 2013, p83]

Our biggest gripe is it's just too cheap and mean, leaving you very alone and swamped in single player against the hordes of enemies and overpowered bosses. Foes come thick and fast and players who charge at the edge of the screen whilst it's scrolling will get a sudden foot to the face for their eagerness [Oct 2010 p.76]

Currently an uneven mix of old school vs. new, and goofy vs. serious. A somewhat shaky start. Hopefully this won’t make for a receding heir line. [November 2015, p75]

There are many little bits to love in WOFF, but there’s far less cohesion than there should have been when it’s all thrown in together. [January 2016, p72]

Unfortunately Ninja Storm 3 doesn’t really do anything to distinguish itself from its predecessors utilising the ‘bigger is better’ formula, and while novel in the short term, the huge character list isn’t enough to hide the glaring simplicity of its combat. [April 2013, p77]

While the predecessor was a solid albeit short outing with optional co-op, this sequel seems less polished. The backgrounds lack the eye-catching finish, the plot is just a discombobulated mess strewn together and while Klei Entertainment has evened out the difficulty spikes it lacks the charm of the original. [April 2012, p71]

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]