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]