You really need to be ready for some cleverly placed jump scares. Having to survive and investigate makes Death Mark more akin to Zero Escape than Steins;Gate. All of this, plus the beautifully gruesome artwork, clever dialogue, and a classical soundtrack that sends shivers up your spine, creates a visual novel experience you won’t easily forget. It’s unlike any horror visual novel before it. [Issue#156, p.86]

An oddity that provides richness and balance to the softwre library. [June 2008, p.96]

These are perplexing puzzles but they don’t become tiresome. It’s pretty too, with the beautiful background environments reflecting the mood of the characters. Everything comes together to create a game that will make you introspective, and by your interaction, really care about this small and personal story. [Issue#177, p.144]

Running around robbing ancient artefacts, desecrating temples and cracking intense puzzles is just as satisfying as ever, and feels like vintage Tomb Raider through and through. [Dec 2008, p.92]

Playing solo it can feel too casual but Hard mode stages with a friend (or four) fare better. Ultimately, the inclusion of the original arcade game is a saving grace and is as addictive as ever. [Issue#183, p.65]

Puzzles are clever, if occasionally finicky and for a long time you’ll wonder where it’s going. But when it finally shows its hand, The Missing becomes a heartfelt tale about identity, and the contortions we go through as we work out who we really are. Grab the Krispy Kremes and settle in with one of 2018’s most distinctive, memorable adventures. [Issue#156, p.86]

Despite being smaller than regular Driveclub and lacking variety, this is serious fun, surprisingly accessible and features a more sophisticated handling model than the main game. Great stuff.

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]

There's not much to gripe about. Sure, some missions have a tendency to drag after you've just downed what seems like your 152nd jet. The generic plot also carries all the emotional clout of tumble dryer instructions. But these unfortunate quibbles never truly sour the flight.

It's Lovecraftian genius: your imagination does the work, spinning up dread. [Jan 2016, p.114]

A refreshing breath of nostalgic gaming, and brilliant value at under a tenner. [July 2010, p.104]

The colour coding of the environment is phenomenal, meaning a lot can be going on from screen to screen without feeling too busy. [Issue#151, p.94]

When PES 14 truly shines, though, it outplays its megaton rival in several key areas. If you’re willing to scrape beneath the surface and accept its technical and licensing shortcomings, then this offers a nuanced, deeply rewarding game of football. If Konami can iron out those issues next season, PES United could yet be champions.

There's no question that this journey of music and life is one well worth taking.

Those with even a passing interest in baseball needed hesitate, though. This is manna from heaven. Import now. [Sept 2007, p.110]

If you’ve already sampled the delights of this series one way or another, rebuying content you already own is understandably a hard sell.But if you’ve never embraced the heat of the kitchen, allowed it to burn bridges between you and your loved ones, on the couch or online: you owe it to yourself to add this tasty treat to your PS5 library. [Issue#183, p.81]

Creating new items isn’t just the purpose of quests, it helps you get stronger so you can explore further afield. It’s a satisfying loop that makes you feel in control. Each game offers something unique, and together they’re a huge saga that’s still well worth playing, and represents Atelier at its most ambitious. [Issue#172, p.80]

It's in the realm of multiplayer...that Toybox comes to playful life. [Christmas 2014, p.88]

Effortlessly one of the finest driving titles on PSP. [Nov 2009, p.118]

A complicated rootin’ shootin’ tactics puzzler that plays like a miniaturised Hitman-headswest. It can get muddled when all the parts are moving, but this is a must-play. [Issue#177, p.153]

It’s an unassuming shooter where the only complexity comes in making your own guns out of bits and bobs you find dotted around on Archivist ships. That provides just enough complexity to keep you moving forwards, while the rest of your grey matter’s simply enjoying the absurd onslaught each fight presents. Simple, effective, cha. [Issue#153, p.89]

Combine the racing with the vast creative options and this is a splendid package for which the best is yet to come, via community-created tracks, cars and freaky figures. [June 2010, p.114]

There are other platformers around, but not many can offer brains and beauty, never mind such a happy ending. [Nov 2009, p.125]

The objective-based Architect mode is especially satisfying. [Dec 2009, p.18]

Nuance comes from special moves which don’t use up one of your three goes (Rainbow feint! Olympic kick!) and the sense of challenge in deciding how to spend in-game credit. Success brings riches, but it’s not always wise to splurge it on players – investing £14K in a youth academy limits transfer options, but guarantees a promising youngster every six months. Which sounds like a long wait, yet at seven minutes per match seasons fly by in evenings just like those dugout sims of yore. This time with no threat of the tape wearing out. [Issue#172, p.80]

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]

A heck of a catch. There’s plenty below the surface: this shark RPG isn’t afraid to comment on cycles of violence and pollution, while also being a gleefully good time. [Issue#177, p.145]

Silence is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. [Jan 2017, p.118]

Such customisation even translates to Hardcore Mecha’s multiplayer mode, where you can duke it out with another person’s mech either locally or online. The result is an incredibly robust package, and the ultimate small-scale homage to robot anime. [Issue#172, p.86]

It's lean, with few repeated ideas, and boasts one of the best save rooms you'll ever experience. [Christmas 2014, p.88]

The quality is a little uneven, but a good sense of humour and a determination to be inventive takes Pixel Ripped 1995 a long way. It’s rippedjeans- tastic! [Issue#177, p.157]

Perhaps the only downside to Tokyo Dark is the amount of text present in comparison to gameplay. There is a lot of talking, to the point where it verges on visual novel territory, and more interactivity with other aspects of the world would have helped prevent this. If you don’t mind a bit of reading, though, this is a gripping and stylish whodunnit. [Issue#172, p.86]

There’s a surprising number of changes, and most work. With an enjoyable campaign and a generous amount of online content, Cold War deserves a warm reception. [Issue#183, p.68]

One of the best retro shooters in a long time, Valfaris mixes a smart combat loop with pixelperfect design, wrapped in a bombastic heavy metal silliness that oozes fun. [Issue#170, p.91]

Pretty little explosions and detailed alien foes make this a visual treat, and the frantic action is always absorbing. [July 2007, p.107]

Still one of the most unique character action games we’ve played, combined with a heartwarming story and retro-futuristic setting that is just pure feel-good. Simply… wonderful. [Issue#177, p.150]

Stranglehold has a cool-as-anything hero, a strong story, a great pick-up-and-play vibe and - later on - a genuinely taxing tactical side. It is, in short,one of the most exciting games of any genre on PS3. [Oct 2007, p.84]

Strictly in terms of gameplay, this is probably a 7/10 - fun and polished if a little repetitive - but there's absolutely an extra level of enjoyment and quality here thanks to the smart and sensitive use of much-loved material. [July 2009, p.86]

A big improvement over the original, and one that deserves to be played by loads more people. So at least eight of you this time, yeah? [July 2009, p.90]

The most fun we’ve had with a music game in ages. Sophisticated yet approachable for those who belt out bangers and virtuosos alike – it’s got real potential. [Issue#183, p.64]

Despite a few issues that continually niggle, a pulse-quickening amount of freedom and stylistic assurance come together to easily eclipse Ubi's original offering. [Jan 2017, p.125]

There's something hugely satisfying about playing Civilization: Revolution. It feels clever, but it's actually about as educational as reading the ingredients off a box of Cheerios and pretending you've got a PhD in chemistry. [July 2008, p.102]

Whether multiplayer was a distraction that led to standards ever so slightly slipping in single-player is debatable. With such a strong combat system and beautiful looks, Kratos’ prequel could have eclipsed them all with a handful of key tweaks. Not quite the murdery meteoric rise we were hoping for then, but certainly not a fall from grace either.

Grab your pimp cup and step up to the battle, and you'll find not only some serious karaoke, but the best online set-up for any music game yet. [Issue#51, p.104]

Boasting two exceptional modes in franchise and Longshot, it mightn’t have the cult following of its PS2 years, but this is as good as EA’s veteran NFL series has ever been. [Issue#153, p.88]

A crackling little puzzle game with a very slow learning curve. [July 2012, p.109]

Easily one of the greatest racers on PS3 to date, both in terms of addictiveness and broad, crowd-pleasing appeal. [Oct 2007, p.98]

Brief though it is, Shadow Legend VR is stuffed with an amount of joy and enthusiasm many games can only dream of. It’s a hell of a knight. [Issue#172, p.93]

Its necessary backtracking may bug you occasionally but the joyful core of its being will bring a smile to the lips of even the most stoic. [Issue#151, p.85]

Really, it's your enthusiasm for the game and some repeated battling that makes Disgaea's system actually sink in. [July 2012, p.111]

More of that same set menu you know and love, spiced up with plenty of frantic action, this sequel will see you salivating over its little flourishes. We could take or leave the garnish though. [Issue#153, p.84]

It’s a brilliantly well-structured handheld game, both offline and on, and despite the lack of a traditional hub world it never sacrifices depth for the sake of portability. Familiar ideas are wound up with fresh ones, resulting in one of the strongest games of its kind to hit the system so far.

It's ballsy, hugely moreish, and so consistently exciting that not even the inevitably repetitive nature of the gameplay can bring this jet down. [June 2007, p.100]

A compelling game given new dimension. New wrinkles in the tale justify revisiting, but the more abrasive parts of its personality are wearing thin three years on. [Issue#183, p.74]

It looks spectacular and captures the magic of Disney across its many varied worlds. Despite some grindy moments, and an Uncanny Johnny Depp, that charm can’t fail to raise a broad smile. [Issue#159, p.80]

It’ll take you a handful of hours to get everything back up and running. However, this runtime feels far from insubstantial as every element is perfectly pitched. [Issue#175, p.80]

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

More guns, more planets, more skills, more… more. If you liked the previous ones, this gives you plenty of the same to enjoy. Borderlands 3 is the very definition of the bigger and better sequel. [Issue#168, p.76]

Come for the change of scenery, stay for the change of abilities. Even if you don’t usually enjoy the grind, you should end up warming to this chilly package.[Issue#183, p.97]

Only minor control issues hamper this deceptively clever and immensely entertaining game. [Nov 2015, p.100]

An HD remake of the highest order. [Dec 2013, p.84]

Two great retro packages. If you only want one, go for the first: like the Police Academy movies, the quality dips as the series progresses. [Issue#153, p.95]

Visual Concepts’ tireless scouting for new stuff hasn’t affected its immaculate eye for detail. [Issue#168, p.78]

A stylish adventure that makes like Fleetwood Mac and goes its own way. Beautiful to ear and eye, this is a trek through the forest that you need to take for yourself. [Issue#183, p.90]

It's a fighter that also satisfies your OCD side. [Christmas 2009, p.112]

Planet Coaster is uplifting and allows you to let your imagination run wild. It’s full of charm, wit and is the perfect escapism that fits your every need. [Issue#183, p.94]

A rewarding entry in the series. [Nov 2015, p.107]

No matter the scale of the fight, the combat system works. Each character’s unique fighting style is represented so they all feel different to play. It’s robust enough that Omega Force’s characteristic style, all about mowing down thousands, feels satisfying even when you go toe-to-toe with a single powerful enemy. Other One Piece games are welcome to try, but Warriors still has the treasure mark firmly painted over it. [Issue #175, p.70]

A user-friendly blend of big-fisted action and strategic thinking. [Aug 2007, p.110]

The format's best sports game. [June 2012, p.105]

Just buy it. [June 2009, p.97]

There are minor irritations – some bosses have annoying stun-locks, enemies sometimes don’t load in properly, and platforming can be iffy at times. But trying again comes with minimal punishment. Like the twisted religion testing The Penitent One’s faith, the game’s willing to forgive – if you’re willing to try again. [Issue#168, p.78]

Monsters has a humble ambition, and succeeds in it without making too much fuss.

This is a gentle, heartwearming experience that perfectly suits the PSP format. Blissful. [June 2007, p.102]

Best thing about Moons Of Madness is the way atmospheric horror is gradually built up during the first two hours. Sadly, this dread slowly dissipates in the latter stages, when less ambiguous enemy encounters feel a little out of place and forced. Overall, though, this is an excellent sci-fi horror game with an engaging story and an extremely eerie setting. [Issue #175, p.70]

A must-download for anyone who likes something a little more challenging than pulling a trigger. [Feb 2011, p.111]

Much buggier than the PS4 version, Dirt 5 is nonetheless a showcase for PS5 gaming, and a much-needed champion for splitscreen racing. [Issue#183, p.86]

You can let out a disappointed sigh out at the bawdiness of Dragon’s Crown, but you should remain allies for the heroic fighting, hidden depths and looks that will make the even sternest knees knock. A lute-played love song to everything fantasy, Dragon’s Crown brings crisp combat with all the RPG trimmings.

Irony Curtain succeeds as a love letter to classic point-and-click games. Its sharp satirical core is perfectly realised, and, most importantly, it’s laugh-out-loud funny! [Issue#165, p.84]

There's no question that the content on offer here is stronger than a Nigel De Jong reducer. [June 2012, p.114]

This PS5 edition offers new ideas and swish next-gen presentation. It looks, plays, and feels a step above PS4 but is held back by a similar need to open your wallet. [Issue#183, p.80]

If you ally yourself with the ‘I don’t get it brigade’ you’re missing out on some of the best storytelling in gaming.

It's ace. [Feb 2012, p.107]

Ghostrunner frustrates and thrills in equal measure. There is too much trial and error at times, but persevere through clenched teeth and you’ll be rewarded. [Issue#183, p.95]

Will it change gaming? No. Is it almost perfect in and of itself? You bet. [Nov 2015, p.108]

This isn’t Street Fighter or Soulcalibur, because it doesn’t set out to be. And it’s time series critics accepted that.

Etherborn is superb if you’re looking for a game to relax with. It’s certainly not without its challenges but the difficulty is wholly benign, allowing you to appreciate the carefully crafted world and its gravity-shifting environments. [Issue#165, p.96]

The only thing holding it back is the whiff of old age. This is a two-year old PC game ported to PS VR, and visually and technically it’s no Blood & Truth. But if you can overlook the low-textures and simplistic storytelling Sairento VR remains a sharp slice of neon-ninja fun. [Issue#165, p.96]

A happy surprise. [Feb 2012, p.115]

Crash has cruised back to prove he’s still the best. PS1’s premier kart racing game is also the finest on PS4. With free updates to come, we’re staying on the grid. [Issue#165, p.79]

There’s nothing scaled-down about this family-friendly PS VR adventure. A delightful romp for both PS VR veterans and the pint-sized adventurers in the family. [Issue#155, p.78]

With a sense of being transported to another world that many games struggle to achieve, this is a beautifully surreal journey. [Issue#175, p.81]

This is an expensive bacon sandwich, but you'll devour it with gusto. [Feb 2011, p.114]

The story is charming and enjoyable. [June 2008, p.105]

If there's one reservation about Endwar it's that, offline and playing against AI opponents, victories will inevitably begin to feel a little hollow. Play against other people online, however, and Endwar's pleasures are only limited by teh callous deviousness of the human mind. [Dec 2008, p.108]

A fine addition to a flagging empire. [Aug 2009, p.119]

Like Snake, it’s simple and addictive in all the right ways. We’d have liked more maps to choose from, but what’s here is an arcadey joy that’s a delight to get lost in. [Issue#175, p.78]

Parts of the script are, sadly, not as timeless as I'd imagined in the '90s, but in all other areas this deserves its classic status. Keep the remasters coming, Double Fine. [May 2016, p.93]