Disarmingly simple and consciously limited, Push Me Pull You’s longevity is questionable, but this isn’t designed to be played for days on end. Stick it on when friends and family are round, secure yourself a festive amount of booze and snacks, and you’re all but guaranteed yuks of both kinds. [August 2016, p77]

Shank is one of those games that sums itself up in its own title. It's also a game wears its influences proudly on its arm like a 'mum' tattoo. You're looking at a 2D brawler that nods at classic beat 'em ups and pretty much every arcade game released in the late '80s. Aesthetically it's a beautifully animated homage to the greatest graphic novels and golden-age comics. [Oct 2010 p.75]

Fans concerned about this being the first Sly game not made by Sucker Punch should worry no more. Developer Sanzaru Games ‘gets it’ and has brought a lot of great ideas to the table that show, without a doubt, that action platformers are still a massively entertaining genre. [April 2013, p76]

Wrong Number isn't a classic like its sibling, but it is still bloody good fun. [June 2015, p76]

By not taking itself seriously and focusing on the exaggerated swagger of old folk legends, Gunslinger manages to be the best game in the series. [August 2013, p74]

A HD remake created with TLC, but it’s still brutally difficult. Argh! [October 2013, p83]

Guardians of Middle Earth's early days are a bitch, and can be made bitchier by the fact it has no local matchmaking. Push through this brief difficult period, and you'll be hooked. It's almost loathsome how addictive this can be. You ever laugh at all those World of Warcraft Gollums? That's gonna be you. [February 2013, p78]

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

Doesn't save the series, but doesn't condemn it further. Great with a co-op buddy, or if you like the score attacks. Only passable as a solo, narrative-driven experience. [May 2015, p72]

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

But for every archaic design choice that's needlessly re-trodden for the sake of sticking to 'the blueprint', Sonic 4 introduces other new features that help to replace the nostalgia with a bit more substance. Just the simple ability to quick-jump to any zone, act or special stage in any order (and to compete with your mates scores and times) makes this instantly better than its predecessors. Long-suffering Sonic fans rejoice; the magic is back. [February 2011 p80]

Who says couch based co-op is dead? Gear up, team up and plunder. [January 2015, p66]

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]

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

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]

It's still not quite perfect, but Awesomenauts Assemble is certainly a noticeable step up from its PS3 older brother. [May 2014, p75]

Charming and bargain basement priced, but needs more oomph. [Feb 2015, p80]

Though your moves become bigger, faster, flashier, you'll rarely feel like Spider-Man. We've often thought of him as being a fluid, dynamic character and in Shattered Dimensions he's anything but, as he gets 'stuck' for a moment when transitioning onto a wall from the ground, or not being able to stick to certain objects. Not all surfaces can be clambered, and forget about web swinging and leaping onto a wall in one motion. Also, why have we gone back to swinging from invisible hooks in the sky? Hadn't we done away with that [December 2010 p80]

While cloning the original into this sequel, a lot of enhancements were added (but a just as many bugs got in as well). [June 2015, p78]

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]

But despite the bland storyline there's no denying that Star Ocean: The Last Hope excels in other areas, most notably with its intense and satisfying combat system and a lively and engaging level progression which gives the proceedings a good pace. While certainly not a classic, this JRPG is fun enough and shouldn't disappoint Japanophiles. [May 2010 p77]

It just needs a little more zest and content. [Feb 2010, p.72]

Whether you're a rookie or an in-the-know veteran, this is an enjoyable package. [January 2014, p78]

A noticeable decrease in hilarity turns Brighter Darkness into the series' first sin in a long time. Only the most dedicated will forgive it. [December 2013, p83]

A lovingly-crafted callback worth answering, despite its truncated length and elementary difficulty. [October 2016, p68]

Riotous fun to begin with. But when the difficulty ramps up faster than a halfpipe, frustration creeps in due to loose controls and mechanics. [April 2016, p75]

MUA 2 is a compelling superhero romp, though the button mashing nature of play needs updating. Still, it’s an absolute hoot and beautiful to look at. [Dec 2009, p.78]

Solid, but not quite what we expected. [Apr 2009, p.70]

This third game in the Ninja Storm series is going to feel like a small step backwards from the previous title for longtime fans. Conversely for newcomers it's perhaps the easiest game ever to get into despite the manic on-screen action – if you have a sense of timing. [May 2012, p77]

The dearly departed P.T. finally has some notable competition as your chief nightmare provider. [May 2016, p74]

This is a random dungeon roguelike where if you die, or don’t use an ‘exit item’ in time, you lose half your cash, all of your stash – and it’s thrilling. A must-have for old-school masochists. [Christmas 2013, p83]

Aqua Kitty is certainly no catastrophe, but it left us feline kind of mangy. [Feb 2015, p81]

Although many stages are re-hashed from other games in the series, there’s enough here to tempt veterans back for more. Newcomers should not hesitate to jump in. [Nov 2009, p.71]

It's still no Monster Hunter, but it's good enough to attract and retain a few new slayers. [June 2015, p79]

It’s more WWE – packing a presentation which, despite being in need of a next-gen overhaul, does a fantastic job of replicating the exhilaration of real-life fights. It’ll satisfy your bodyslamming desires – just don’t expect perfection. [Christmas 2013, p78]

What it doesn't do, however, is evolve the series in any truly beneficial way. Rather than make meaningful improvements to the game itself, Neversoft has focused on the more immediate gimmicks. [November 2010 p77]

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

Nothing new, but add enough throatal lubrication and it's a hoot. [June 2009, p.65]

Although completable in a single sitting, Grow Home is just as long as it needs to be without overstaying its welcome. [December 2015, p70]

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]

We could have forgiven the ugly presentation of this collection if more was packed in. Given the second game is a dud, two rushed re-releases of DMC and DMC3 make for an expensive trip down memory lane. Where's DMC4? Where's the demo of the upcoming Devil May Cry reboot? Where's the value? [May 2012, p76]

Despite a few rays of fun, F.E.A.R. 3 is a production that offers gloom, minus any impending sense of doom. As an action-based first-person shooter it's solid enough to stand alongside is contemporaries in the faceless, grey-brown ranks of the FPS genre, but it does nothing to stand out from the status quo. [September 2011 p71]

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]

It's still dumb but a lot tighter and more fun than the original. Just make sure you play it in co-op, okay? [Mar 2010, p.74]

The multiple inescapable tutorials that open Worms Revolution's campaign are an ill portent: for series veterans they're insulting, and the new mechanics introduced don't seem like anything special. It's not until you've played a few games and dipped into the campaign proper that the merits of Revolution become clear. [December 2012, p82]

A proper, faithful blast, and it's much better than its release as a stopgap between seasons of the anime might suggest. Who says licensed games suck? [November 2016, p66]

Great synthesis of styles. [Feb 2009, p.78]

DOA 5 is a slick, beautiful mash of fighting polish and icky sleaze. There's a mountain of fun to be had with its characters, combos, and counter system, but it often degenerates into a confusing high-speed mess. [November 2012, p71]

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]

Battle Royale is an otherwise tightly designed and technically accomplished fighting game. Consulting our crystal balls – not a euphemism – we see it acquiring a small but dedicated following on the tournament scene. It'll never be as big as Street Fighter or Tekken, but it'll always be present on the periphery. [Christmas 2012, p.70]

Those expecting modern hyper-Holmes will be aghast, but traditionalists will be all comfy pipe 'n' slippers. [Christmas 2014, p78]

This is the reboot the series needed. If you own a PS4, you own this by default. [Christmas 2013, p70]

If you've been looking for an excuse to dust off your Move controller, this is it. [June 2012, p80]

Superficially it might look like a reskin, but Battlefield Hardline is no cop out. [May 2015, p71]

LBP Karting doesn't run a perfect race, but it definitely earns its podium finish thanks to a glorious track editor. It mashes together the approachability of ModNation's DIY editor with the overwhelming possibilities of LBP's 'if you can think it, you can create it' motto. [Christmas 2012, p.77]

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

Newbies should check the originals, whilst veterans will find this frustrating. [Jan 2010, p.82]

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]

Milestone hasn’t lived up to its name with this release – MotoGP 13 isn’t a landmark event in motorcycle racing games. It is, however, a noticeable veer back on track for this otherwise out-of control franchise. [August 2013, p79]

Never Alone delivers something different. It’s often frustrating, but hey, it’s windy out, Inuit? [January 2015, p69]

Competent as a handheld third-person shooter/RPG hybrid. Alas, the final act doesn't deliver on the promise of its premise. [Christmas 2014, p74]

It's a head-slicin', chest beater of a slash 'em up. It's derivative though. [June 2009, p.58]

Sets a respectable pace for two-wheeled racing on the new gen. That said, the graphical horsepower of the PS4 is still underutilised. [September 2014, p78]

Nice one, Clever Beans – this is how you do "casual". [January 2013, 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. [January 2015, p80]

It might not to be on your new PS4, but Brazil 2014 is still quite a surprisingly polished spin-off. [June 2014, p72]

It may not have any competitors, but it's one that is sure to impress fans. [May 2014, p.80]

The strides made in-ring make this an essential play, but [the] missed [outside ring] opportunities sting harder than a Big Show turnbuckle chop. [January 2015, p74]

Goes well, but lazily 'remastered' and made redundant by its sequels. [January 2014, p83]

Not without problems but surprisingly addictive once you get the rhythm down pat. [March 2012, p75]

Deck13 has stepped up to take a lash at Souls’ patented sadism. Some swings are short of the target, but the bulk have landed where they should. [July 2017, p80]

Given time and future updates, the gap between this and the top-tiers could be shortened considerably. Give this a budget buy today, and mark the name for future greatness. [November 2016, p69]

Depending on how brave you are (or your peripheral set up) the handling model can be altered from reasonably forgiving to brow-mopping stressful. Knuckle down and learn the nuances and you'll lose yourself in some glorious moments, recreating key battles and moments, swopping through the air and perfecting the art of dogfighting. [May 2012, p80]

A shade under 50 tracks feature on the disc itself and they’re pretty passable. It boasts a better hit/miss ratio than Guitar Hero World Tour to be honest, even though career mode is a bit nobbled (and not entirely crucial considering every track is unlocked the moment you boot up the game). [Sept 2009, p.68]

A damn fine batch of DLC that sticks to one power and rocks it. [November 2014, p73]

It might look simple but prepare to have your brain tickled and tested. [March 2013, p78]

Buy this looking for massive evolution, and you'll be the one who gets tormented. [October 2015, p79]

Basically, Battlefront is like the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi. It’s as visually impressive as it is, well, kinda barebones. That said, it is not to be underestimated. Diehard Star Wars fans should still stay on target, because it has the potential to set your world on fire. [January 2015, p69]

Though neither of these games can eclipse the love and attention lavished upon other Kojima projects, they're still decent examples of their genre. [Christmas 2012, p.74]

Streamlined and pretty, this is an example of a simple idea being the best idea. [Jan 2010, p.84]

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

To play its best moments, requires a 3 hour tutorial of sorts. Juice is worth the squeeze though. [April 2015, p79]

It can be a little frustrating, but thankfully these flaws are not so insurmountable that Shards of Darkness stops being a diverting and fun misadventure [June 2017, p81]

Ridge Racer Unbounded has pace, looks amazing, and when you're flat-chat and in the zone it can bring a smile to your face. Unfortunately, that buzz is too often killed by archaic game design and a host of frustrations that scuff this pretty ride up, badly. [May 2012, p72]

Most people won't feel the need to replay this eight or so times to piece together all endings into one full nest of a whole. [October 2015, p79]

There’s so much potential at play in Remember Me that we feel compelled to belabour the cons to emphasise what could have been with the abundance of strong ideas, well-paced narrative beats and an intuitive game soundtrack. It gets more right than it gets wrong though, and it leaves us yearning for a sequel that addresses its unfortunate shortcomings. [July 2013, p72]

Not without its rough charm, but clearly the bridesmaid to FFXV's babe. [May 2015, p76]

Marvel vs Capcom: Origins is a bland and unexciting update of a couple of classics that have long been superseded. [December 2012, p82]

While they look lovely, the puzzles aren’t quite challenging enough, and more brain teasers would have been welcome in the game’s three-hour run time. [January 2016, p76]

Maddening at times this rock-hard puzzler demands a ton of practice to reach perfection. [July 2009, p.89]

Despite the fact that series has (arguably) successfully made the leap to new-gen systems, there’s still a lot to like with Assassins Creed Rogue as you gallivant about the globe. You’ve played it all before, but finding out if the grass really is greener on the other side helps breathe new life into the Creed. [January 2015, p60]

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]

The Nippon Ichi crew are masters of turn-based strategy so there was no guarantee that they could do an action game, any more than Madonna was guaranteed any success in her acting career. But succeed they have; gamers can dive into their wicked anime universe with pick-up-and-play accessibility [Aug 2009, p.78]

A surprisingly fun title with a unique look. Flawed but charming. Well worth an attempt. [Feb 2010, p.70]

There’s a level of complexity and polish that belies the lo-fi visuals, the gore, the bonkers story and the motley crew of nutbags that you encounter. Under new ownership, Grasshopper has – dare we say it? – grown up. [March 2016, p70]

Battles are random. You’re dumped in at the deep end with little indication of how to do what you’re meant to, and when compared to FFXIII everything feels so last century. The characters have the same emotion as a corpse. It’s not at all streamlined, and graphics are washed out and low-res; it’ll take the most hardcore JRPG fan – and we’re emphasizing the ‘J’ – to accept this. A pity, as the townships and world are intricately designed. [Apr 2010, p.76]

Buy this for the best hero and plot of the series, and insane hours-for-dollars value. [January 2016, p81]

A three-hour experience that is equally touching, haunting and well worth your time. [December 2013, p82]