This is a sublimely addictive action throwback with an occasional habit of shooting itself in the foot. At least I can say this: politics has never been so exciting. [March 2016, p.89]

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]

There's nothing substantial here beyond desperate button hammering. [Dec 2009, p.125]

For all its easy-going accessibility, it doesn't play anything like a realistic game of rugby, so those looking for authenticity should kick this one into touch. [Sept 2007, p.106]

The shooty racing is good, clean fun. [Sept 2011, p.112]

It's the quality of the headscratchers that earns Turing a passing score. [March 2017, p.96]

Solid flying, familiar mission structure and some new ideas that don't work out. [Apr 2009, p.90]

This isn’t a game for hunting high scores or even for getting your hands on new lore (you get about 20 minutes of new, low-stakes cutscenes), but it is a good fit for lovers of Kingdom Hearts music or young players who are usually put off other rhythm games by the high difficulty. [Issue#183, p.81]

An undeniably great shooter, but don't expect a profound update from the original. [Apr 2015, p.87]

Thankfully Sixaxis control can be turned off. [May 2007, p.113]

A pitch-perfect party game for you and those who’ve come home to roost after flying the nest (or those who never actually left). Not as frantic as Overcooked but still a truck-full of fun. [Issue#176, p.76]

A lovingly remastered, nostalgic treat for fans, with all the cars and guns given extra polish. A robust GTA clone that should please anyone else who doesn’t mind a bit of gleefully juvenile silliness. [Issue#177, p.154]

A horrifying affair that will have you flinging the pad across the room in terror, ending any hope of a restful night's sleep. In the best possible way. Job done then. [Apr 2016, p.88]

This is a strong wrestling game, featuring the best grap engine yet seen on PlayStation, and only the weedy selection of extracurricular activities prevents a higher score. [Dec 2007, p.88]

It's great to have a solid grap alternative to UFC Undisputed. [Dec 2010, p.106]

Each campaign offers enough of a twist on the core loop to keep things interesting, either with environmental effects such as a health-sapping chill in the air or otherwise by switching up the rules of engagement. Acquainting yourself with each class’s specialities, especially as you equip better weapons and unlock new abilities, is a treat as well. However, there’s little to recommend to those who are not already fans of the genre and eager to roll some dice. [Issue#164, p.90]

Playable like a digitally remastered greatest hits album. [Nov 2009, p.120]

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

Like one of nature’s colossal ice cubes trying to crash poor Leo and Kate’s trip, Revelations sadly hits a stumbling block. In one key area, the action has unforgivably regressed from 2005’s Resi 4. Specifically, enemies now barely react to your bullets.

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Yuke's MMA fighter makes the leap from PS3 to handheld with impressively little loss of content. [Issue#51, p.118]

A little extra ambition and depth wouldn't have gone amiss, but this is definitely more treat than trick. [Jan 2015, p.86]

A slightly better version of Dead Island in everything but name. [Apr 2015, p.84]

Unless you hate Queen (boo!) this is near essential. [May 2009, p.99]

A charming, if insubstantial freeform exploration game that feels refreshingly open thanks to your intuitive climbing skills. It's almost guaranteed to, ahem, grow on you. [Nov 2015, p.98]

There’s so much Savage Planet gets right: it’s slick, gorgeous, and dense with things to do. However, for all the exploration, much of the action feels quite samey. [Issue#172, p.89]

Thanks to an increased, stabilised framerate, and clever use of the DualSense, PS5 offers the definitive version of Mortal Shell. Just remember it’s no Demon’s Souls. [Issue#187, p.84]

A sequel with increased complexity but no more finesse than the original. Payday 2 has a swag bag full of worthy ambitions, but overstretches when it comes to execution.

The real problem, however, is that these are not the kind of games that should be remade in hi-def. With titles such as Shadow Of The Colossus or Metal Gear Solid 3, it figures: these are unique experiences that no game since has been able to recreate, outdo or even capture the spirit of. Devil May Cry was lauded at the time, but the games simply aren't classics in that same bracket.

Fast, fluid movement, pin-sharp aiming and the endless cool of a rechargeable slo-mo function are on your side. [Sept 2011, p.114]

Barring the occasional niggle, this is a fantastically imaginative return. It brings an addictive appeal that'll have you scratching the musical itch long after you've unlocked everything. [Feb 2016, p.83]

If there was more variety, action and character to the game overall this would be excellent. [Feb 2010, p.108]

It's enjoyable but too casual to really shine. [Apr 2010, p.113]

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

With patience you can master the fiddly battle menus, and the wealth of content2 banishes any frustrations to a deep, dark dungeon. Outside of combat menus are a joy to navigate on R2. The sense of immersion helps break down the barriers of the game’s PC origins, as whether it’s cooking campfire meals or using a character’s lore knowledge to seek new narrative pathways, there are roles here you’ll enjoy playing for weeks. [Issue#180, p.76]

The improved handling makes for a much more playable game and career mode is satisfying and slick. It’s a little stretched feeling and overly-familiar, but still a class act. [Issue#174, p.82]

The bottom line is simple: while TT Isle Of Man: Ride On The Edge demonstrates how hardcore, unforgiving motorbike sims can be amazing on PS4, Ride 4 is simply dull. Authentic and capable, certainly, but dull nonetheless. [Issue#182, p.136]

Colossal fun for the duration of its story mode, it's core mechanics thrill though variety is a bit of a sticking point. Yet for the most part, this licensed gem shines. [Oct 2016, p.80]

It also has some excellent riffs on Streets Of Rage, Shinobi III, and R-Type. The pixel art and lo-fi soundtrack are gorgeous throughout, both in-game and out. This bills itself as “part 1” of an episodic experience, but it’s a short, satisfying, and cheap experience on its own. [Issue#166, p.84]

There are some new bells and whistles. [Apr 2011, p.114]

There is no other game on PS3 that you're guaranteed to still be playing this obsessively this time next year. [Nov 2007, p.84]

Like an internet date reaching for your hand over a candlelit dinner this feels much older than it looks. [Christmas 2008, p.119]

Like the periodic table? You're in luck, because Mercury HG is flipping obsessed with it. [Christmas 2011, p.109]

Hardcore hockey fans with plenty of patience will reap big rewards from 2K8, but if it's an easy way in you're after, stick with EA's superior "NHL 08." [Dec 2007, p.114]

This is a solid collection with two of the best shooters of the era, but it is pricey. [Issue#178, p.82]

Witty puzzler. [Nov 2011, p.115]

Some will get an old-school kick out of it, but most will wish it followed the lead of its villain and took a few more chances. [Feb 2016, p.90]

If it stops condescending to gamers, Harada and Ono might have some pressure at the top. [Nov 2012, p.117]

The initial selection of Pomeranian and deer does offer a nice contrast of aggressive carnivore and stealthy grazer, but you're grinding challenges for a while before you branch out to the cool stuff. And in a game in which you can fight a cow with a dinosaur, that's a crime.

Feels like Rambo for poultry. [Christmas 2011, p.104]

It only takes a few matches to feel like you've seen it all. [Nov 2017, p.92]

While FIFA 21 is as good a showcase for the potential of the DualSense as we’ve seen so far, the underlying issues with this entry remain. [Issue#184, p.88]

Sadly, though, there's an irritating delay when dealing attacks, and when you're trying to compensate for that in a retina-melting arena environment while three tiny blurs of furious colour attack you in unison, it's all too easy to lose track of who or where you are, let alone whether you nailed the previous three button-presses of your desired combo.

The puzzles are plentiful and challenging, but the dull looks and worthy brain-training angle make this a dull slog. [Oct 2007, p.113]

If you like this style of dungeon exploration, then this is a fantastically made one you can play co-op that's essentially endless, and what's not to love about that? [June 2018, p.85]

Its simplistic design means TESO feels like little more than an Elder Scrolls-themed amusement park. [Aug 2015, p.88]

This is more enjoyable than it really ought to be, and a great way to convert Move doubters. [Issue#51, p.111]

Old-school puzzle game with a weird galactic theme. [Sept 2009, p.107]

A stripped-down sneak-fest. [Sept 2015, p.88]

Shots are harder to keep down than a helium-filled kangaroo. [Christmas 2010]

Gameplay becomes a familiar grind all too quickly. [Christmas 2017, p.83]

A (literally) gut-busting dive into made genius. [Feb 2018, p.91]

Though the chat is scintillating, however, it feels cut short. [Issue#158, p.90]

As mixed in quality as you’d expect of an arcade collection spanning the ’80s , it’s the rare gems and added extras that make this a treat. [Issue#160, p.97]

Elsweyr is something of a drab comedown from Summerset’s embarrassment of floral riches, but there are compelling quests, and you can’t dislike anything with dragons. [Issue#164, p.93]

An excellent and unique strategy game. [July 2010, p.107]

Extreme Justice works though, because it delivers simple, primitive thrills with absolute clarity. [Dec 2007, p.103]

There's a clunkiness even Holmes can't solve. [Dec 2014, p.87]

It's all over pretty quickly. [Oct 2009, p.110]

Most importantly, of all the launch shooters on PS4, this is the only one to try and do something different and vary its formula. Something it also does with visibly new tech rather than shored up current-gen code. It’s a combination that makes Killzone Shadow Fall a great experience and strong start to PS4.

Go for last year's Overkill for your undead shooting needs. [July 2012, p.115]

Its new modes offer a lot, but certain elements feel marginalised. [May 2015, p.89]

A fun if throwaway addition to the Resi 5 experience. [Apr 2010, p.116]

While it's a lively and enjoyable adventure, it does take a while to reach its stride in terms of actual challenge. The latter half, however, certainly makes Toromi a worthy contender for your next holiday destination. [Issue#151, p.84]

What it might lack in terms of raw driving appeal, LBP Karting compensates for with a charmingly unhinged single-player, chaotic multiplayer and all the customisable bells and whistles you could ask for.

With deeper options, this would have been an essential. [Oct 2007, p.100]

Ripe with potential but riddled with problems, the new Battlefield will be brilliant six months from now. Right now, however, it’s merely a good shooter. [Issue#157, p.83]

A game that is often fiddly. As well as action points, there are fire points – some actions require a mix of both – and an awareness bar, which can be spent on special abilities or held onto, because it acts as a secondary health bar. All of that’s a lot to keep track of, and with a squint-inducing UI, you often end up feeling less like James Bond and more like the poor MI6 bod who has to do his paperwork. [Issue#153, p.86]

Despite a few new skins and some extra tunes - sepia squares with fusion jazz, anyone? - this PS2 puzzler just doesn't have the mantrap bite of its smaller brother. [Mar 2007, p.121]

Yes, the game is in the middle of the series timeline, but the devs do themselves a disservice by drowning a rich experience in an ocean of complexity. [March 2014, p.92]

Playing fast and loose with historical fact, Onimusha: Warlords remains a PlayStation classic. Even some of its questionable design choices can’t dampen the fun. [Issue#159, p.92]

A trip down memory lane that's more of a stumble. [Aug 2016, p.94]

Especially commendable are Cricket 19’s best-in-show customisation options. While only England, Australia, and Australian domestic sides are licensed, all non-licensed sides – and there are loads – can be immediately overwritten with fan-created versions. Giving you ‘real’ names and kits for the exotic likes of Barbados Tridents, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and, uh, Denmark. Oh to have such touch-of-a-button editing functionality in PES. [Issue#164, p.89]

It's also a meaningful exploration of the frustration and release of boss battling. [June 2015, p.86]

ProStreet bursts onto the stage dropping frames like a drunken juggler. [Christmas 2007, p.90]

A quirky platformer. [Christmas 2009, p.116]

As satisfying as a rum cocktail on a sunny day. [July 2011, p.101]

Starts slowly before revealing some winning qualities. [Jan 2017, p.87]

A little more focus on creating bigger scares instead could have easily let it flourish. [Apr 2010, p.109]

A cute and charming speed-runner that races straight for your heart through winning nods to childhood days and the best damn butt-slide you'll find on PS4. [Apr 2016, p.92]

This is a game that understands the hardcore racer, and that it’s important to choose the font of your bike number. But it’s also a game that believes its handling to be so compelling it doesn’t need to dress up nicely to achieve, say, an 8/10. It isn’t.

Sadly, pretty looks and sweetly-edited shorts can't mask the lack of inspiration at its mechanical core. [Jan 2015, p.94]

Freedom Wars can't match the series it aims to ape, but this is almost as worth checking out for its bizarre, clever conceit as its satisfying, if shallow, combat mechanics. [Christmas 2014, p.87]

The incredible visuals don’t (quite) make up for the unbalanced racing, and the kinetic feel, pit radio, career mode, and damage modelling are all inferior to the 2008 original. [Issue#169, p.86]

A surprisingly solid puzzler. [Feb 2011, p.114]

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]

For all its booms and bangs, Just Cause 3 is never quite the unrestrained fun-maker it threatens to be. Whenever Rodriguez dons his wingsuit, however, it positively soars. [Jan 2016, p.88]

Great value at a penny under five quid. [Dec 2008, p.121]