An intense, brutal and gorgeous ARPG. If you've got withdrawal symptoms from Diablo 3, look no further. [Aug 2017, p.96]

Street only fails to score higher because of its Gamebreaker feature. Activated after you've nailed enough big hits, it virtually guarantees you'll score a touchdown or nab an interception. [Apr 2007, p.118]

There's enough tactical depth. [Aug 2015, p.92]

With a wheel and pedals, Assetto Corsa offers the finest, smoothest simulation of real driving yet. But as an actual racing game, it's rather sedate, feature-light and often unfairly difficult. [Oct 2016, p.84]

Uniquely, irresistibly charming. [Dec 2012, p.114]

The only game I've ever reviewed that I've awarded an extra point for having a nice soundtrack. [Christmas 2011, p.105]

A fantastic idea that looks to the past for both its visuals and mechanics. The underlying roguelike itself is solid, but the eye-catching ASCII style is a big part of its appeal. [Oct 2016, p.86]

Not exactly family-friendly Christmas fare, but definitely worth a look with friends. [Christmas 2017, p.60]

It may not live up to the standards of its own impeccable presentation, but Hyper Light Drifter is still an intense and affecting retro adventure with lots to love. [Oct 2016, p.87]

It's just a pity Fetch doesn't break from Second Son's tired mission design a little more. [Nov 2014, p.91]

Very difficult to complete. [Christmas 2011, p.105]

It's such a shame the visuals end up spoiling an otherwise harrowing experience. [Aug 2017, p.96]

Echo's biggest problem is that the initial buzz of its concept gets fainter the longer it lasts. [Christmas 2017, p.83]

Counterspy's scrappiness makes anything beyond [a few hours of fun] rather dicey. [Nov 2014, p.90]

An exemplary use of an official license, dressed up in Unreal Engine 4's superb visuals and offering a challenging racing experience. Not perfect, but very good indeed. [Aug 2017, p.97]

There's little reason to buy Ultra Street Fighter IV if you have any version of Street Fighter IV on PS3, but post-patch it remains great despite a rather crusty conversion. [Apr 2015, p.95]

Do Not Fall is a game of constant death & gnawing tension, rather than enjoyment. A very well put together platformer; it just utterly barbecues your nerves.

Only cumbersome controls steer[] this shy of a more eufloric score. [Christmas 2011, p.109]

Deep and playable enough to make it work. [Feb 2009, p.97]

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

There's a phenomenal level of detail, and it's incredibly satisfying to see everything come together. It's just a shame there isn't more guidance. [May 2018, p.79]

Despite some irritating moments, Legasista does possess some cool play concepts. [Nov 2012, p.87]

A likeable follow-up that addresses valid criticisms of its predecessor and provides gory fun, but loses a little of what made it special in the process. [Christmas 2017, p.90]

Despite the odd frustration, Epic Mickey 2 is a brave platformer. It's intelligent, full of humour and, in typical Disney style, the cut-scenes are musical. Like the theme parks, environments are rich, and characters are OTT and full of enthusiasm. It's an enjoyable journey through the past century of Disney, and despite the pitfalls there are some beautifully created levels and moments of pure magic.

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]

Does a tidy job of recreating familiar sideshow attractions. [Christmas 2011, p.109]

A worthy partner to the PS3 version. [Jan 2009, p.98]

The interactivity is erratic, but it's got enough personality to justify the purchase if you have kids. [Christmas 2011, p.111]

Artistically it's a bit gaudy. [Feb 2014, p.87]

Unapologetically haphazard. [Mar 2009, p.88]

There's a huge selection of activities. [Christmas 2011, p.111]

This straddles the generation gap rather awkwardly. [Feb 2014, p.90]

Its not the game its forerunner was, but The Fractured But Whole's accessible combat tactics and occasional rib-ticklers ensure most players will have a good time. [Christmas 2017, p.96]

These updates aside, it's hard to ignore the spectacularly half-arsed mentality on show, despite the budget price tag. [Christmas 2011, p.111]

This is a game that seeks to find the good in you, so why not return the favour? [Feb 2014, p.93]

Where this version loses out to its bigger bro is that the zoomed-in perspective feels claustrophobic by comparison. [Mar 2009, p.94]

A short, spooky soundscape with bags of atmosphere and sterling sound design, marred mainly by a lacklustre story and corny voice acting. [Christmas 2017, p.97]

Captures almost all the charm of its full-sized counterpart. [Christmas 2010]

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

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

Among clumsy PS2 ports and tedious retro collections, it comes as a bracing gust of sea air. [Apr 2007, p.103]

Repetition also puts a smear on the game's charm, turning initially ingenious tasks into a chore. [Feb 2013, p.117]

A very well-made motocross game that is disappointingly familiar, but thanks to the new physics and better movement of bikes and riders, it's still a class act. [Issue#152, p.87]

A fun and original co-op game, which really satisfies in terms of its action - you'll have a great time with a friend. However, it's story fails to deliver anything worthwhile. [May 2018, p.83]

What really makes the game is Map Editor mode, where you can create your own maps and share them online. This is much more worth your time than the main mode. Many of the creations already available show great inventiveness with limited assets – things like cross-time football games or ‘Little Yharnam’, a Bloodborne-themed map. Hidden Through Time is basic, but at a low price (£6.49), it’s worth fooling around with if you’re still fond of Wally. [Issue#174, p.92]

A fussy but enjoyable slice of strategy that serves up the very best dinosaurs in PlayStation history. Mr. Hammond, consider your park endorsed. [Issue#152, p.83]

Remains faithful to the original at all costs. [Sept 2014, p.108]

As generic as generic gets. [May 2018, p.86]

Always brilliant. [May 2015, p.87]

It's not the best game in the Lego series, but there's still plenty to enjoy here. A great gift for any fan of The Incredibles, even if some elements are below Parr. [Issue#152, p.78]

Never Dead might be a scrappy mess in places – it's blighted by severe screen-tearing and dialogue so bad it makes the original Resi look like Citizen Kane. Yet it's a game about throwing a man around who's usually missing 75% of his torso, meaning it's impossible to be too scathing of its faults.

Zooming around highways, waterways, and skyways is a real blast, despite some wonky vehicle physics. And just soaring through the air is a soothing experience. [Issue#152, p.75]

Eden might be an acquired taste, but with its one-of-a-kind controls, creative art style and cracking multiplayer, it's definitely worth the hard work...and the 4.99 BP asking price. [Oct 2008, p.94]

A charming and accessible rhythm game that's easy to pour lots of time into. Fans of Vocaloid music in particular should give this one a look. [Issue#152, p.90]

While the atmosphere, scares, and narrative are successful, the game suffers from sluggish controls and the odd confusing puzzle. [Issue#169, p.96]

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]

Played solo, frustration can be the dominant emotion you feel, played with others, it can lead to colorful language in the best possible way. [Issue#152, p.90]

New endings mean the leading ladies feel slightly more fleshed-out, but those aforementioned old chestnuts have deep roots in the game’s numerous and extremely varied – er – routes. That is to say, it’s more of the same. Obviously that’s not a bad thing but, like marriage, it won’t be for everyone. [Issue@168, p.92]

While ReadySet Heroes is at its best with friends, it’s also surprisingly sturdy as a single-player game. You can choose to play as various cartoony critters and while this choice doesn’t affect the playstyle, it would work well as a gentle introduction to the genre for younger family members. [Issue#169, p.92]

The vast depth of Head Coach is both its biggest strength and its Achilles' heel. [Dec 2008, p.122]

When the story kicks into gear, it's well worth the time as it's one of the most thrilling visual novels on the system. [Issue#152, p.90]

MXGP 2019 is certainly well-made, offers a variety of game modes, and is decently engrossing, but that finicky handling and relentless undulation makes it difficult to enjoy. [Issue@168, p.92]

Damn, it looks good. [Sept 2008, p.104]

Playing more as a meditative experience that doesn't outstay its welcome, this is an ascent you will make more than once. [Issue#152, p.86]

The good news is that playing with friends is still really fun. [July 2009, p.96]

With three modern tiers of rallying plus a load of classic cars to try on 100 unique stages across 14 different countries, WRC 8 uses its licence well, but it’s simply outclassed by Dirt Rally 2.0. So try that first. [Issue#168, p.92]

Played with friends this is excellent fun full of teamwork and panic as you manage rather than defeat the undead. [Oct 2011, p.103]

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]

This has to be every comic fan's wet dream. [Apr 2007, p.118]

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]

There's no excuse for chess fans not to, ahem, 'check' it out. [Oct 2011, p.103]

Without any upgrade path and thus little reason to invest in a character, your fun with Zombie Army Trilogy will ultimately be short-lived. [May 2015, p.94]

Despite the frantic nature of the game suggesting pushing you forward is its main motivation, some sections do have a death mechanic that sets you back to a checkpoint. It’s a fun ride full of spectacle, but messy to the point where you can struggle to connect, never really committing to pursuing either experience or gameplay. [Issue@168, p86]

The story fails to make an impact, and dialogue often feels like a set of one-liners rather than people having a conversation. However, what Indivisible lacks in plot, it makes up for in interesting mythology and beautiful 2D designs. [Issue#169, p.84]

An entertaining little diversion. [Christmas 2012, p.111]

Not as confident as Telltale's selection of flagship franchises so far, but the ethos of the show is there in terms of tense confrontations and oh-so-tricky power games. [Feb 2015, p.90]

By turns infectious and infuriating, this is a glorious throwback for the most part, but its inconsistencies hold it back from greatness. Likeable, but flawed. [May 2017, p.77]

Be afraid, be very afraid (and a little infuriated, too). [May 2015, p.94]

If you're into a bit of hardcore Spanking, you'll love this. [Oct 2011, p.104]

Combat, while smooth, does get repetitive at times. [Oct 2012, p.111]

A solid bedrock for PS4 iterations, if lacking long-term appeal. [Sept 2015, p.87]

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

Fails to offer enough content that's new. [Feb 2015, p.92]

While it's underwhelming in places, there's a lot to like as you venture into the weirder parts of Andromeda. Frequent technical issues hamper the experience somewhat, as does an uninspiring main story. [May 2017, p.82]

A surprisingly satisfying cartoon RPS that scratches that itch to war a binliner as a cowl very nicely. [Apr 2012, p.105]

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

The puzzle/power combo is sure to attract your attention. [Feb 2015, p.95]

A visually stunning and often satisfying game, but one with more than its fair share of irritating moments. Put up with its nonsense and you'll be rewarded. [May 2017, p.89]

Despite the positives, there's no escaping the fiddly controls and flyaway firearms. [Oct 2011, p.111]

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]

It's the best kind of 7/10. The gunplay is raucous, but never revolutionary. The relationships make you laugh, if not cry. Binary Domain is unpolished in all the right places – the rough edges make it a unique metal snowflake in a production line of identical, shiny shooters. Fill that Mass Effect gap with a game that loves you.

A solid remake of a cult game from a bygone era, MediEvil’s flaws lay in its past. The eight hours you’ll spend in Sir Dan’s metal boots will, however, have you smiling until the credits roll. [Issue#169, p.82]

Not at all flashy, but genuinely absorbing. [June 2007, p.101]

Although endlessly exuberant, and often truly original, the sequel fails to fix the first game's issues while introducing new stumbling blocks. Hardly smooth shifting. [March 2017, p.87]

Jak can still turn heads. [Apr 2012, p.112]

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

A charming puzzler to get your grey matter sweating. [Oct 2011, p.113]

A fine twin-stick shooter that's just a few minor tweaks away from something really special - though score-chasers up for a stern challenge may well adore its charms. [Feb 2015, p.95]