Space prohibits a more comprehensive deconstruction of NeverDead's myriad flaws, so instead here's the pithy summary: this game is utter bullshit. There are heaps of bad games out there, but few that glory in their deficiencies the way this one does. [March 2012, p78]

The bot is pretty special as their outer flies off, and you need to be tactical at times to get the best of them. Not bad, but not great either. [March 2012, p78]

It's a turn of the century time capsule that showcases the pinnacle of 3D platforming – a genre that's been rendered all but extinct by our modern obsession with shooters and sandbox titles. [March 2012, p77]

Shines where it ought to, but much too soggy around the edges. [March 2012, p76]

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

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

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]

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]

Has made some really solid steps forward in combat but needs a more readily digestible plot to entice newcomers. [March 2012, p68]

The biggest problem is a lack of variety in the stages and enemies. Aside from the odd boss fight you're just hewing your way through the same old scum with the same old tactics. Couple that with the fact that this offers less story than a homemade sextape and this gets old, fast. [March 2012, p65]

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]

This sucker devours bus and train trips. [March 2012, p64]

BigBig has put its shoddiest mini-games first, and mastering these challenges to get to the 'good' stuff is very tedious. Even if you do stick with it, the sense of reward soon give way to growing disappointment, thanks to re-skinned repetition. Not good. [March 2012, p64]

So-so fighting but an okay diversion. The AR is really cool, though. [March 2012, p63]

Amazing to look at, great to play. Forgive the tardy loading times and this is a winner. [March 2012, p63]

Plays great, looks great, and there's enough in here to keep you entertained 'til next year but the lack of online multiplayer is a real blow. [March 2012, p62]

Uncharted: Golden Abyss shines as a fun, authentic prequel that looks bloody amazing as a first generation title. The larger cinematic moments may not blow your mind, like similar set-piece events in Uncharted 3, but there's still no denying how succulent this looks on that 5 inch OLED screen. [March 2012, p60]

When you take into account the bargain basement price and what benefits you'll reap from it (assuming regular use), Move Fitness could be one of the wisest game purchases you ever make. [January 2012, p.81]

The real shining star of Medieval Moves, though is the bow and, considering the game was developed by the same team behind Sports Champions, this comes as little surprise. We regularly ditched the sword and shield in favour of the bow at every opportunity. [January 2012, p.80]

The augmented reality tech is nifty, but it's let down by some rather bland game design. [January 2012, p.80]

You'll spend roughly an hour to an hour-and-a-half on each episode and once you're done, that's it. It's also one of the easiest games to rinse for trophies too, so if you're one of those people who's looking for an easy boost, you've found it. Everyone else, bred on a diet of L.A. Noire and Heavy Rain, will find this fairly pointless. [January 2012, p.78]

All told, Jurassic Park: The Game may be marketed to you as a new-age Dino Crisis and a wild ride, but in reality it plays more like John Hammond's dinosaur tour as it was originally intended. You're locked on a linear track and inelegantly chauffeured through dino dioramas that you'll have close to zero interaction with. The tour grinds to a halt for the occasional toilet break (read: light puzzle moments), but once that business is dispensed with, you're escorted back to your proverbial jeep on a scalextric track and the tour limps on. [January 2012, p.77]

The game looks crusty. The sprites introduced last year are pixilated and their animations limited. Plus the game lacks any creative flourishes during the massive super moves. We love the idea of a stunning 2D fighter, but there's no technical or artistic creativity here. Note to SNK – invest some money to make it look like a cartoon made by a ninja Walt Disney. [January 2012, p.76]

Perhaps 'ambitious' is the absolute best thing we can say about Hydrophobia Prophecy. List its features and goals as bullet points and it sounds incredible, but in the end it H2-blows. [January 2012, p.75]

We found Catherine to be fairly enthralling, both in the old school challenge of its block-based conundrums and the addictive downward spiral of Vincent's narrative. Likewise, the quasi-RPG sections offer just enough exploration, offer endearing characters that are beautifully animated and lead to a variety of wacky endings to replay for. [January 2012, p.74]

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is a no brainer purchase. [January 2012, p.72]

While a bit old fashioned, Tekken Tag Tournament succeeds as an HD update and a cheerfully robust brawler. [January 2012, p.70]

Happy Feet Two may not be as broadly appealing as its Lego co-op competition, but is a decent kid's movie tie-in. Certainly much better than the first game, as KMM's attachment to the IP shows. [February 2012, p.78]