The buzz Dishonored will give you is unrivalled, and the spontaneous moments of brilliance you'll experience will be unique. It's a wake-up call for first-person gaming, resurrecting long-lost values and casually plunging a knife into the neck of the generic sequel.

As an overall package, the quality and quantity on offer here is irresistible. Slightly smudgy textures and some framerate issues mean these HD upgrades don't match the lofty restoration work seen in the Ico/Shadow Of The Colossus HD combo – yet when it comes to supreme stealthy fun, Snake's collection remains Solid gold.

The main draw in Dead Space 2 is that every aspect has been punched up a notch. And given that the original as pretty bloody brilliant anyway, what you've got here is one of the best put-together actioners of this generation. [Feb 2011, p.98]

A once-in-a-generation release that changes absolutely everything, and resets what a ‘game’ can be. Dreams is essential and should be on every PS4. Especially yours. [Early Access Review score = 100]

A flawed almost-classic. [Jan 2015, p.84]

Odds on, you'll finish the ride exhilarated. [Dec 2007, p.92]

More than a simple re-release, Vicarious Visions has pulled off the impressive trick of delivering definitive versions of two legendary games. No fakie, this is the real deal. [Issue#181, p.97]

Like so much in life, Peace Walker is great fun with a good partner. [July 2010, p.100]

The rougher edges of WWI make Battlefield a louder, fiercer, more engaging shooter. But the carefully interwoven campaign and multiplayer aspects show a more reflective side. [Christmas 2016, p.86]

Innovative, imaginative and extraordinarily playable. [Jan 2008, p.110]

A brilliant mix of accessible RPG elements, exhilaratingly fluid action and awe-inspiring environments that consistently captivate. Anchored by the charmingly blunt Aloy, Guerrilla crafts an experience that will live long in the memory. [Apr 2017, p.80]

A gorgeously simple set of controls. [Christmas 2010, p.109]

Well worth the upgrade. [Nov 2014, p.88]

This is at times a devastating experience – and, at times, it will leave you breathless with awe. There's no denying that a substantial part of the appeal is masochistic. The dedication and patience required to get the best of Dark Souls are steep, but its scope is staggering, and the rewards truly worth it.

Special Edition raises the character-action bar even higher than the original, with high frame rates and Legendary Dark Knight mode seriously wowing. [Issue#182, p.139]

The best Beatles game you can possibly imagine. [Nov 2009, p.128]

It may have little in the way of a challenge and takes around two hours to beat, but this is a masterpiece in storytelling and a game that will punch your feels in their feels. [July 2016, p.97]

Alongside FIFA 11 and MLB 10: The Show, this is one of the top three sports games on PS3. [Issue#51, p.118]

Unless you hate brown, gory toilets and machines that need power restoring via distant switches, make sure you drift off into Dead Space. [Dec 2008, p.104]

A horribly addictive roguelike that spawns endless invention while never forgetting to deliver disgusting thrills or unhinged humour. An essential indie experience. [Jan 2015, p.95]

Automata is a genre-pinching RPG that marries Platinum's combat to an overblown plot that could fuel a standalone anime. A few rough edges conceal a lot of snythetic heart. [May 2017, p.80]

There's a ton of depth here - line changes and create-a-play customisations are just the start - but the main thing is that it plays fast and fluid [Oct 2008, p.104]

The campaign isn't quite as thrilling as the 2013 reboot, but mechanically this is leaps ahead of Lara's last and the extra modes are sublime. At this rate, the next one could equal Uncharted. [Dec 2016, p.70]

A surprisingly meaty, touching miniaturised romp. Ready up a player two! [Issue#187, p.79]

A sports game that will leave you constantly thrilled and fulfilled. [Nov 2009, p.122]

Sensational storytelling. [Christmas 2007, p.84]

But what's really special is how good Battlefield sounds. [Apr 2010, p.102]

There are themes within this that I’m simply not good enough a writer to dissect (and I doubt few will do it justice). It’s incredible, considering the broader perception of video games, what Naughty Dog has managed to achieve in certain areas here.

A satisfying difficulty curve seals the deal and makes Rayman Origins one of the strongest titles in an already muscular line up. Not bad for a character without any arms.

Hoops: they did it again. [Dec 2016, p.73]

Sloppy storytelling sees it fall short of perfection, but this is a smart evolution over Dishonored, with memorable levels - and memorable ways to tear them apart. [Jan 2017, p.121]

One of the most exciting PC RPGs of recent years effortlessly makes the transition to PlayStation without losing a drop of its tactical depth in the process. [Christmas 2015, p.82]

This is punishingly, mercilessly, remorselessly ferocious. You will never, ever finish it. Until you learn to block. [July 2007, p.98]

An absolute masterpiece. [Nov 2007, p.104]

A nearly flawless package.[Christmas 2010, p.90]

It's more addictive than shelling pistachios. [Nov 2011, p.113]

Another success for Capcom. Devil May Cry has received a fresh injection of demon blood, and is as SSStylish as ever. A treat to look at, and a treat to play. [Issue#161, p.86]

The only thing missing from Rapture is the thrill of the new. [Mar 2010, p.104]

Gripping and entertaining, with an identity all of its own, this is easily one of the best indie adventures you can get. Otus and chums will get you hooked. We're not tawny on the verdict on this one. [June 2018, p.82]

The big surprise isn't that it serves up another great campaign, but that its take on Modern Warfare's world-conquering multiplayer may be the best yet. With Spec Ops and Survival mode, this is one hell of a package, and sees off the trilogy with a bang: not much has changed, but this is as big and beautiful a game as ever.

It's a slice of gleefully inventive oddness that's certainly sated our appetite for sackboy on handheld – and it's very nearly perfect.

FIFA is still the best football game your money can buy. It's not streets ahead of PES but there's daylight, and this is the most convincing representation of the sport – incorporating both the on- and off-field aspects – that we've seen.

Crams philosophical discourse, art, architecture, and magical realism into the story of one drifter, resulting in a unique experience that will leave you thoughtful. [Issue@173, p.85]

With no player limit, only one headset required and endless replay value, this is the perfect VR party game. [Dec 2016, p.92]

With its relaxing atmosphere, pretty environments and interesting theological dilemma, The Talos Principle is PS4's best puzzler to date.

Mastery is ultimately what will keep pulling you back in, and thanks to a wealth of modifiers, you can tweak the gunplay to be as accessible or as challenging as you want. Stick on Deadeye and you’ll discover just how much you’ve been relying on the default aim assist. Truly a whip-smart workout. [Issue#180, p.80]

A shooter that drips its frenetic fervor directly into your eyeballs. [Aug 2017, p.92]

The small, scattered levels live in the shadows of the Souls/Bloodborne worlds. Otherwise, Nioh matches - and occasionally surpasses - FromSoftware's genre giants. [Apr 2017, p.77]

An emotive gut punch that takes rusty shears to the heartstrings. [Jan 2013, p.111]

It’s the MK11 you know and maybe love but it looks like a new game on PS5. Running at 60fps in 4K gives this brawler a new lease of life. A must for newcomers. [Issue#183, p.75]

Scarily deep. It demands you play it: there's so much to find it's incredible. [Jan 2008, p.88]

A spicy little brawler-cum-platformer. [Aug 2014, p.95]

GRID's jostling pack racing and slithery, varied events are almost entirely pure driving pleasure. And that's what it's all about. [June 2008, p.98]

Frostpunk is oppressive, horrific, and preternaturally addictive. The exhilaration at lasting just one more day is enough to drag you back into the next game, and unlocking new modes and scenarios as you go only adds fuel to the fire. Don’t miss this one. [Issue#169, p.84]

The Old Hunters is DLC as it should be: an essential challenge that enriches the original rather than diminishing it. Being horrified has rarely felt this rewarding. [Jan 2016, p.92]

No mere sequel, XCOM 2 reshapes everything with lots of success. It won't coddle you, and the invisible dice hate you, but overcoming these odds is as sweet as ever. [Dec 2016, p.72]

The brilliant core gameplay remains deep like the Mariana Trench. Go get. [Jan 2009, p.90]

Not only is Injustice 2 a polished celebration of DC Comics' finest characters, but the new Gear system takes the fighting format to a new level. Rewarding and challenging, Injustice 2 is essential. [July 2016, p.78]

An exceptionally beautiful, insanely clever puzzle game that demands only the best from its players. If Mensa did holiday getaways, they'd look something like this. [March 2016, p.83]

It actually works quite beautifully. [Feb 2010, p.112]

You often learn by dying, yet this somehow never feels unfair. Compelling and endlessly replayable, the quality of Dead Cells is unlikely to cause division among your friends. [Issue#153, p.94]

Two of the best in the genre are running better than ever natively on PS5. While not startlingly novel, if you missed out before, you’re in for a treat. [Issue#186, p.94]

Minor gripes aside, this is a great PS4 port of a proven game. If you’re a fan of the Civilization series or the turn-based strategy genre, prepare to move in and get building. [Issue#170, p.92]

This is a jaw-dropping success, grafting new life onto an epic adventure, with action-packed combat that still oozes strategy. FFVII has redefined the genre once again. [Issue#175, p.66]

This is a comprehensive package. [Sept 2010, p.113]

Rockstar is the master of horror. [Christmas 2010]

This newer, stronger, much more enjoyable Street Fighter V may well be the best entry in the whole iconic series. [March 2018, p.96]

This is a brilliantly presented, fluidly playable game of football overflowing with new features. Over to you, Pro Evo. [Oct 2008, p.82]

Forgive its clumsier moments. Play it for its brill soundtrack, loveable-unlovable cast and charmingly rendered brand of nihilism. Then, for god's sake, call your parents. [May 2017, p.97]

Helping you keep that momentum is a masterful handling model. [June 2011, p.96]

It's inventive and engrossing - and almost ridiculously cheap. [Feb 2010, p.115]

A dark, cinematic single-player campaign lasting around ten hours coupled with a compelling multiplayer offering make this a worthy addition to the genre, even if it can't quite compete in the very top tier. But for legacy's sake, we hope that this time Max's retirement is permanent.

When it's good, it's absolutely bloody brilliant. But the deeper you delve, the tougher it is to ignore its few flaws. [Aug 2009, p.106]

Simply brilliant. [Nov 2014, p.95]

Put gaming conventions aside, go in with no expectations other than this is something new and massively good-looking, and you'll be rewarded with a unique experience that lurches between genius and madness, manages to be genuinely emotional, and that you'll be bursting to talk about with your friends. [Feb 2010]

The depth is the most impressive part of the game. [Spring 2011, p.108]

One of the most complete fighting games you can hope to play. A challenging Arcade mode, a bespoke Story, and a comprehensive Training mode complement one of the most diverse genres in the genre. [Feb 2018, p.84]

A technically brilliant superhero sandbox that empowers players like little else on PlayStation 4. [Aug 2015, p.85]

A brilliant main story and swing mechanic anchor the many Arkham influences, and ensure Marvel’s Spider-Man is yet another blockbuster exclusive release from Sony. The best Spider-Man game yet? Absolutely. [Issue#154, p.72]

This is a rollicking and hugely enjoyable adventure, filled with spectacular set-pieces, emotional highs and lows, and – thankfully – not an oversized sports bra in sight. Crystal Dynamics has set a shining example of what can be done when reimagining a franchise from the ground up, and all of the elements on show have been well-conceived and well-crafted, and they come together to form a cohesive whole.

Creator Matt Thorson has achieved a ludicrous standard of gameplay in Towerfall Ascension, one that seduces you instantly and jettisons all thoughts of million-poly character models and full-performance capture from your gaming consciousness.

In a game bursting with invention, Tearaway’s head-jumping kills feel uninspired and unsatisfying, and a predictable array of foes does little to alleviate that. Good job combat’s something of a rare occurrence, then. All Vita’s unique control aspects are exploited brilliantly within another beguiling Media Molecule universe.

Original, compelling, and a technological marvel, it's just as essential for Metal Gear fans as "MGS3" is on PS2. [May 2007, p.84]

This is more interactive adventure than traditional 'game', and a brilliant example of the benefits of narrative-driven gaming experiences. With a cast we're becoming more and more invested in, and scenarios of increasing moral complexity, the end of the world is fast becoming one of our favourite places to be.

The Show remains the most authentic sports series of all time. FIFA can't touch it. [May 2013, p.108]

FIFA 14 is one of the few launch games to have evolved in ways that aren’t solely graphics-based, and every one of its changes brings clear, distinguishable improvement. This is an essential day one purchase and – quite literally – the football game you’ve waited generations for.

Unless you’re anti-games lawyer Jack Thompson, you’ll enjoy Hotline Miami for what it is: an impossibly stylish indie tour de force about playing with your food. With its incredible soundtrack in your ears, neon flashes in your peripheral vision and endlessly, shamefully gratifying combat in your hands, you’ll learn to stop worrying and love the wrong.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift takes on all the beat-'em-up rules and punches them in their stupid throats. [Issue#51, p117]

It's absolutely spectacular. [Oct 2009, p.104]

Newcomers will be happy to find a strategic RPG that doesn't take itself too seriously. [Jan 2008, p.115]

A love letter to the classic series written in blood, Doom Eternal is a fast-paced and utterly thrilling way to paint the town (and Mars, and ethereal realms) red. [Issue#174, p.89]

Then there's the combat, which just isn't fun at all. [Christmas 2009, p.104]

Works as both an arcade kickabout and a tactically broad sim. PS4's best footy game yet. [Nov 2015, p.96]

Constant hesitation blunts what could be a sharply enjoyable romp. [Christmas 2011, p.111]

Up-'til-3am immersive. [May 2012, p.108]

Shocking, silly and brutal, BJ's comeback spins an enjoyable, if tonally confused, yarn. Despite its issues, this is still a rollicking thoughtfully driven shooter. [Christmas 2017, p.93]

This is a perfect update, with glittering HD and savage speeds. [Nov 2008, p.112]

A compulsive bite-sized gaming chunk.