Chaotic, violent, and deliriously detailed. Only a handful of technical quirks and its cocky nihilism mar the experience. [Jan 2010, p.68]

The game designers at Insomniac have treated their series with some respect, but if you’re meeting these heroes for the first time you certainly won’t feel lost at sea. Ratchet & Clank’s latest adventure isn’t a revolution in platform-jumping, just a solid game that can suck up time like a black hole. [Christmas 2009, p.69]

Feral Ghoul ugly in many ways, but beneath its iffy exterior beats the heart of one helluva great RPG. Get past the graphics deficiency, and the sheer thrill of Fallout 4’s combat, crafting options, and exploring will hold your attention for months. [January 2015, p64]

As always, the music and the mixes make or break this package. The reuse of tracks is nowhere near as abusive this time around and, honestly, if you can't appreciate the overwhelming majority of tunes here then you're probably squarer than Spongebob. Drop these morbidly obese beats into some new multiplayer modes (that are actually worth playing this time), or let them run forever in the GH5-inspired jukebox mode to create one hell of a party apparatus. [December 2010 p72]

Uncharted: TNDC is one for the ages. Yes, the gameplay and visual wow-factor have faded in a few spots, but the inimitable charm of Nate and co., plus some of the best story-telling in gaming, make this a must-have. [Christmas 2015, p71]

The truest expression of digital combat around. Amazing. [March 2012, p74]

Slick looking and stupidly fast, Velocity 2X is a must-see genre convergence. [October 2014, p83]

Strategy and RPG heads alike cannot miss this gem. [Summer 2009, p.82]

Alongside much lengthier save times at the end of days, the interface issues are irksome enough to mar the special, very real sense of escapism Stardew Valley can so masterfully afford. Still, that escapism is so strong it’s impossible to ignore. [March 2016, p76]

Arguably the best Guitar Hero game since "Guitar Hero III." [June 2009, p.66]

Chains of Olympus was a pretty title, but even it stands as nothing compared to this graphical juggernaut. While there's no denying that the scenes depicted within can't compare with the exercise in colossal that was God of War III, the amazingly high fidelity of the graphics are guaranteed knock your sandals off in other ways. Don't let the seemingly diminutive size of the PSP fool you, this is one of the best games in the GOW series. [January 2011 p80]

For new players, this isn’t the best the series has to offer but it holds its own. If FFXV’s modern magical setting didn’t appeal, this might be the antidote. [October 2017, p72]

It’s taken a while, but Minecraft has arrived in all its creative, daunting and addictive glory. [March 2014, p76]

Simple without being simplistic, this is a gem. It requires a bit of patience though. [September 2010 p79]

Thank the gods Blizzard not only ported its baby over, but refined it, tweaked it and spiked it specifically for console. We feel all warm and gooey inside. [October 2013, p78]

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

A preposterously good year of PS4 gaming starts in the best possible way with this. [April 2016, p62]

Restrung and retuned to be the best guitar tutor available. Believe the hype. [December 2013, p82]

A surprise package, impossible to write-off as a gimmick: utterly and totally addictive. [Dec 2009, p.68]

Another fine refinement of one the best games of football on the market. [November 2013, p79]

Runs at 1080p, includes tweaks and extra content. Well worth the upgrade from PS3. [June 2014, p74]

Guitar Hero 5 is proof Neversoft is getting the hang of this caper, but it could've benefited a lot from a more proven tracklist. [Nov 2009, p.70]

This is a sizeable u-turn that deserves the moniker ‘major expansion’. It really does make the original Destiny release look like a beta, thanks to large framework tweaks and a king’s ransom of exciting new content. We’re quite taken by it. You will be too. [December 2015, p60]

OlliOlli2 improves on its predecessor in nearly every way and remains and absolute blast. [May 2015, p74]

Combine some rock-solid fighting with a strategic Persona System (think: the ability to manifest a second, ghost buddy for 2 vs 1 beat downs) and Persona 4 Arena feels like a breath of fresh air. Round all that off with faultless versus and online modes, and you’re looking at a truly unique fighter that deserves to be noticed by mainstream gamers everywhere. [April 2013, p74]

This is a game for those unafraid of a steep challenge (or investing in a good driving wheel setup). [June 2016, p73]

[Y]ou're looking at everything you could want in a game; a breathtaking world to get lost in, wonderful characters, a fun tactical combat system, hours and hours worth of quests, puzzles and more booty to grab than a live stage show of Magic Mike. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is gaming at its most magical and only the hardest of hearts will not be spirited away by it. [January 2013, p60]

Going off Faith we're in for a hell of a ride. Now more bourbon-fuelled piggies, please! [December 2013, p80]