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]