Despite the at-times frantic movement Outland superbly promotes fast flowing gameplay. It's a winner, and the two-player co-op modes are just bonuses on top of a truly satisfying and rewarding title. [July 2011 p84]

Once you strap yourself into the rollcaged bucket seat of Dirt 4 it’ll be extremely tough to extricate yourself from it anytime soon. [September 2017, p69]

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

In short, this sequel is a worthy heir. If Assassin’s Creed II was a cart full of hay, and the process of buying it represented an epic leap of faith from a tower, we would have no hesitation in telling you to dive right in. Hell, we’d push your arse into it. [Christmas 2009, p.90]

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is the most charming and important downloadable indie game since Journey, and that’s not a claim we make lightly. [August 2013, p75]

inFAMOUS 2 is an electrifying sequel that has risen to the challenge and bettered the series on every conceivable level. On top of this Sucker Punch has resisted the urge to throw in an utterly superfluous multiplayer mode in favour of an extremely versatile User Generated Content system that'll ensure this game is constantly brimming with new content. [August 2011 p63]

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]

A precious package that is both incredibly challenging and rewarding in all the right ways. [December 2014, p70]

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

If God gave rock ‘n roll to us then it is settled: Tim Schafer is God. A must play. [Dec 2009, p.62]

Forget all your fears. The 3D platforming games of PlayStation legend have never looked or played better. [September 2017, p83]

Visually astounding and addictive, few videogame worlds are as fleshed out as Puppeteer’s. [November 2013, p82]

A mostly delightful platform experience, and the creation tools mean this is a time sink. [Jan 2010, p.76]

Intelligent mechanics, intense gameplay, well thought-out mission structure and plotlines are all winners in our book. Bring on the endgame antics! [May 2016, p70]

While the fixed-camera isn't always your friend and the platforming relies too much on trial-and-error death, this is still one hell of a tight package. Give Castlevania: Lords of Shadow a chance to sink its fangs into you and you'll be surprised about how exquisite and long lasting its embrace can be. [December 2010 p74]

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]

Buy this game immediately – and a PSP if you must. As well as unfurling the Metal Gear Solid story just that little bit more, and spending more quality time with Snake, it's a truly excellent game in its own right. Engaging and rewarding, this is a solid package no gamer should miss. [August 2010 p68]

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]

MAG won’t wow you with its graphics like MW2, nor does it offer any kind of offline component. Instead MAG delivers online battles that feel epic and the outcomes actually affect your PMC. [Apr. 2010, p.72]

Hardcore lovers of the sport will relish the challenge, enjoy every throttling by the AI, and take their skills online. But there'll only be so many times basketball punters will endure this level of difficulty without reverting to Tourette-like hysterics. So yes, it's complex. And yes, the experience oscillates between sublime and diabolical between each game, but basketball is a complex sport. With such unparalleled presentation and unapologetic gameplay, this is likely the best basketball game ever. [December 2010 p76]

Media Molecule, more than any other dev, makes games that fit snugly into its platforms, and here it’s maximised nearly every feature PS4 has to offer. [December 2015, p66]

It truly is a must-have package. A thoroughly entertaining and pivotal part of the Speed franchise and the racing landscape in general, we want more like this. [Nov 2009, p.68]

So it’s official, last year’s game wasn’t a fluke. PES really is back to where it belongs: at the top of the league. [December 2015, p68]

If you were soured towards the franchise thanks to Just Cause’s variety of glitches, repetition and a half-baked control scheme; you should totally give this franchise a second chance. Not only has Avalanche solved these problems, it has crafted one of the most exciting and entertaining open-world romps we’ve experienced in years. Plus; stripper zeppelin. [May 2010 p.67]

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]

Trust us when we say this is the best VR game since Batman. Our word is our Bond. [March 2016, p80]

A worthy sequel to a true PSP classic. [May 2009, p.68]

Impenetrable for twitch gamers, essential for patience imbued fantasy fans. [Jan 2010, p.72]