Taking us back to the ’90s in a mostly good way, Pacer is a solid WipEout clone with enough new ideas to slowly reveal its own personality. [Issue#182, p.161]

Delivers a visually exciting experience. [May 2013, p.107]

A neat and deceptively inventive puzzler. [Apr 2014, p.87]

If you liked Shank before, you'll still get on alright with this. [May 2012, p.116]

Unfortunately the system chokes as things get more frantic. Manoeuvring often means accidentally popping off cover, and performing tasks like reviving downed teammates whips the camera around wildly – minor complaints, but ones that are frustratingly at odds with the fragility of your character. Later stages see you downed by two or three hits, and it's impossible to keep a lock on foes or stay tucked safely away from bullety harm.

Ultimately, it’s more Superhot – stylish, thrilling, reliably weird – and that’s no bad thing. But it’s the first game in the series that doesn’t feel like a revelation. [Issue#179, p.77]

A slow-burner that rewards dedication. [Oct 2007, p.100]

Though its story lacks the same emotional punch as its predecessor, this sequel is certainly still worth getting tangled up in either alone or with a friend. [Issue#152, p.86]

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]

As solid as the combat is, there are numerous contemporaries that offer as much challenge and fun with much more visual flair, and without horrendous loading times.

An insane intergalactic treat. [Sept 2010, p.119]

There's a genuine feeling that the enemies can come from anywhere. [Jan 2011, p.115]

Finally, a Transformers game where the characters look like plastic toys. While limited, this is no mere cash-in. [Dec 2015, p.85]

Of all the many Lego games, this is the most distinct and enjoyable. [June 2017, p.84]

It's just a shame it's taken so long to get there. [Oct 2015, p.91]

It's not perfect but there's no other PS VR game with this level of depth and detail. Even if you think you've seen it all before, you've definitely never see it like this. [Jan 2018, p.96]

No need to splash the cash: here's a no-fuss, free party game collection for all ages, and with some style. Even the weaker games will be short-lived hits. [Christmas 2016, p.97]

Another strong entry in a series that's keeping itself relevant. While familiarity is creeping into multiplayer, Zombies and the campaign are the best they've been in years. [Christmas 2016, p.79]

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.

Deserves an award for its ability to reduce four supposedly mature adults to giddy yelps. [Christmas 2007, p.112]

Costume Quest glows with creepy artistic charm. [Issue#51, p.118]

Distressingly addictive. [Feb 2011, p.103]

"FIFA 09" feels like the better representation of actual football, while PES is the more fun, accessible game. And the end result is a score draw. [Nov 2008, p.100]

Bloober has constructed a little game with a story that feels so much bigger than most Triple-As will manage this year. [Nov 2017, p.92]

Positively brimming with quantity, if not always quality, it struggles to find a fitting template to consistently showcase its strengths. [Apr 2017, p.92]

It seems to have all the right ingredients on the outside looking in. That's before you start trying to unravel its awkward puzzles via its tedious time mechanics. [June 2017, p.86]

Never destined for greatness, but hugely likeable despite the flaws. [Aug 2010, p.110]

2K Australia has done itself proud. [Dec 2014, p.84]

It's a simple story: if you like tennis games, buy this. It's a brilliant, if unoriginal, on-the-go version of an already solid game. If you don't like tennis games… well, you might enjoy this anyway, providing you're not allergic to them like Andy Murray is to smiling.

Capcom revives one of its most hallowed franchises and conjures up one of the most rewarding side-scrolling slash-‘em-ups in recent memory. Loud, proud, and always a blast.

A total nostalgia bomb from start to finish, this JRPG has all the spells and whistles - not to mention ornate text boxes and a wonderful original soundtrack. Count me in. [Apr 2017, p.91]

There isn't a good enough reason to double-dip if you played the original, but if you haven't had the pleasure, we'd suggest you Triad it out. [Dec 2014, p.94]

Generic in places but ultimately redeemed by brilliant combat and some clever roguelike elements, this Dark Souls copycat is a (mostly) worthy contender. [Issue#167, p.87]

So it’s F1 2013’s ability to recreate a boring season in a fascinating way, rather than its ticket to oil-stained memory lane, that makes it a worthy purchase.

Future levels offer better value for money, but this Intro Pack is a confident first chapter containing the ultimate Hitman experience. Scrub Absolution's nightmares - the series is back to its prime. [May 2016, p.84]

If you're a brave soul hunting a hard game to treasure, you'll find what you seek in La-Mulana. [May 2015, p.87]

It's heady stuff. It's head and shoulders above the competition. [Oct 2016, p.81]

This solid scrapper is let down by jagged edges around each character, vexing loading times and poor sound quality. [Christmas 2011, p.115]

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]

Frantic, violent and definitely worth a bash. [Nov 2007, p.112]

Sadly, at more than four times the price of the iPhone version, it's hard to recommend too highly. [Apr 2012, p.113]

The biggest puzzle of all is how this beautiful adventure all about the colours of the rainbow has resulted in an experience that's uniformly beige. [Nov 2016, p.94]

Immortals has heart and when it comes together it can soar. But those wings are waxy and the sun is hot – tinkering is needed before it properly takes flight. [Issue#183, p.60]

It is a great story. [Oct 2012, p.113]

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]

There's also a vast amount of replay value in the secrets. [July 2008, p.98]

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

Reminiscent of both Hohokum and Polly Pocket, K0-0P Mode's bright, chunky dioramas are a treat for kids young and old - particularly in PS VR. Glory to Gnog! [July 2016, p.89]

It’s a terrifically fun game to throw on, whether you’re playing alone or with a mate, and it proves that Darksiders still has plenty of stories to tell. [Issue#173, p.91]

This is big and dumb where Bats was sleek and considered. But this is still a triumph – especially on a fan-service level – and absolutely deserving of a titanic culmination to the trilogy. These Robot Wars are more than worth your time.

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.

A rather mediocre adventure. [June 2010, p.111]

An enjoyable but traditional outing capable of short-term thrills, which is just enough for some. [Dec 2014, p.87]

This mess somehow gets worse with every play...It's like buying a Ferrari only for it to fall to pieces as you drive out of the dealership. [May 2007, p.118]

Tropico 5 is like taking a holiday from standard strategy games: warm, amusing and, just like packing a mankini instead of your board shorts, revealing and stressful. [July 2015, p.96]

Simple fun from a time when pocking a worm was actually a strategic maneuver. [Issue#51, p.118]

With plans for naval and ground vehicle combat, War Thunder has the potential to become one of PS4’s darkest horses. It’s punishing, sure – but guiding a precious bird to victory causes your chest to swell with imaginary medals every time.

A collection of highs and lows, Dream Drop Distance is fluid but flawed. It's Aqua's heart-stirring tale that will make seasoned keyblad wielders rejoice. [March 2017, p.93]

The most ambitious game on PS4 and an MMO shooter that rises above story problems by letting you create your own epic narrative with friends every second of play. With continued updates, Destiny will only get better. [Oct 2014, p.82]

A fan-pleasing return to form for a long-time PlayStation favourite, with huge future potential if it follows its contemporaries in delivering live roster updates. [Issue#156, p.96]

Carrying you through this arduous journey are the minimalist story and art style – both of which are just detailed enough to remind you what you’re fighting for. Unto The End’s brand of intelligent combat makes for a demanding challenge that isn’t for everyone, yet its unpretentious nature results in a refreshing, if brief, melee-based adventure. [Issue#184, p.91]

It's definitely a brilliantly accurate recreation of real army life, but that's not always best for a great night's entertainment. [Nov 2009, p.106]

With beautifully designed environments, the game looks and sounds fantastic – and there are some genuinely lovely added extras. It's a treat to play a movie tie-in that's truly worthy of its source material, and Years 5-7 is calling you right now.

Despite its simplicity Cross Tag Battle still delivers finely balanced, fast fights. [Issue#151, p.94]

With historical challenges, new sticker/ number/helmet decal editors and a brutal Pro Career for the full experience, there’s plenty to keep fans happy. But it isn’t doing enough to appeal more widely than that, and even its target market will lament the technical steps backwards from MotoGP 17. [Issue#164, p.89]

Coupled with a sedate soundtrack composed by Austin Wintory, a sonic sensation that enters your ear like waves lapping at a shore, it’s a relaxing experience from beginning to end. [Issue#161, p.84]

Both beautiful and chaotic - a bit like Cheryl Cole's bed hair. [Sept 2011, p.116]

An evolutionary update with unconvincing AI makes for a tough sell, but updates are scheduled. The improvements create genuine moments of greatness. [Issue#176, p.80]

Back in 1995, Trials was unparalleled in its adaptability, even when it came to its story– you choose a party of three out of six possible characters to take on a journey to restore the sacred Mana tree and hopefully stop wars breaking out between different factions. Some parts of your characters’ backstories will overlap, leading to shared experiences. However, despite new additional lines, interactions between characters can feel random, and the dialogue doesn’t hold up for a modern game. The English voiceover, too, strongly varies in quality. A win for fans, Trials Of Mana nonetheless proves not every game ages well. [Issue#176, p.74]

A few awkward steps threaten to spoil its performance, but strong characters and exceptional production values earn Dancing All Night a rousing reception. [Christmas 2015, p.77]

For the most part the game is either unwilling or unable to leave you stumped for long. [Oct 2015, p.94]

Few things are as disappointing as shoot-'em up Alien Zombie Death. [May 2010, p.104]

An unusual assembly of parts, but captivatingly weird. [Apr 2017, p.94]

With three new enemy types and one (very challenging) boss in the mix, as well as three new perks to earn by completing the optional Slayer Gater challenges, it’s a familiar yet distinct experience. But it’s still best to play through Doom Eternal before trying this. [Issue#182, p.155]

Strikingly handsome and fun for a while, Apotheon's scrappy combat and awkward controls spoil its atmosphere, costing in a place among the action-platformer elite. [Apr 2015, p.94]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

The only downside to this year’s game, as with The Golf Club, are the visuals. Even knocking balls about a clifftop woodland can feel sterile. But then the game offers an easy-to-use course creator and all is forgiven. Placing accessibility on par with accuracy, this is a golf sim so realistic you can smell the freshly laundered acid-blue chinos. [Issue#180, p.72]

It can be devilishly challenging, but never seems insurmountable. [Apr 2013, p.115]

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]

A smart puzzler that builds admirably on the blocks of its predecessor. [May 2018, p.91]

There's one thing I'm certain of: I need another go. [Nov 2009, p.127]

Smart and simple. [Apr 2011, p.101]

Occasionally excellent, often mired in mediocrity, Saints Row 4 is inferior to Red Dead Redemption and even five-year-old GTA IV in almost every way. And while you’re always likely to miss when comin’ at the kings, Volition’s effort still falls short of the more cohesive Sleeping Dogs, the expansive frolicking on Just Cause 2’s Panau and the polished pantomime of Infamous 2.

Very much in the Puyo Puyo mould, it’s goofy fun about the dimensions crossing over. PPT2 isn’t a gamechanger, but is still one of the best puzzlers around. [Issue#184, p.86]

This is covered in Dookie - but most definitely not sh*t. [July 2010, p.111]

This is an unusual, engaging and worthwhile bit of counter programming. [Christmas 2016, p.91]

With each map consisting of three islands, a large variety of buildings, and 30 story missions, there’s more to do than ever, which makes it ideal for beginners to the series. Just don’t expect innovation over previous Tropicos or similar games. [Issue@168, p86]

Gamers who hold speedrunning and time trial challenges close to their hearts will be in heaven here. [Oct 2016, p.81]

It hasn't quite got the gung-ho brilliance of "COD" or the set-piece pop of "MOH," but a few hours in you'll be happy to have Brothers on your side. [Nov 2008, p.110]

An effortlessly explosive adventure on your PS3. [Jan 2014, p.89]

There’s very little in the way of modernity here but played solo or in co-op Blazing Chrome manages to faithfully ape the classics of yesteryear. Just don’t expect anything new. [Issue#166, p.92]

So-so gameplay is buoyed by a fantastic script and great acting, offering an unofficial stopgap for R&M fans waiting for season four. [Issue#164, p.97]

Visually beautiful, and packed with great dialogue and emotional intrigue. The strong narrative makes you feel a part of the story. [Issue#168, p.93]

For those who loved the last game, it's a brilliant treat; a chance for one last blast while we wait for a full-blown sequel. For newcomers it's an inexpensive way to discover what they've been missing out on. [Oct 2008, p.88]

It's worth another trip down Sunset Boulevard. [Jan 2017, p.87]

One of the best-loved games on PS2 gets a pitch-perfect remake. Thick with atmosphere, Mafia: Definitive Edition just about manages to mask over any agerelated decrepitude. [Issue#181, p.91]

The unveiling of Superstar X-Factors had long-term fans of the series cowering, but happily they inject welcome freshness into a stalwart that had grown a tad stale. [Issue#166, p.86]

It's a patchwork of old and new in which the passion only flickes. [May 2007, p.106]