The PS4 finally has a strong racing simulation debut to set the new gen pace. [Aug 2014, p.94]

There's a massively deep fighter hidden here. [Aug 2011, p.115]

Controls are awkwardly mapped and the music is unbearably repetitive, but exploration is rewarded and the mechanic is neat enough to keep you playing. [Christmas 2011, p.104]

This is a well put-together package. [Jan 2013, p.109]

Ifbyou can stand the jank and that esoteric intro section, this is one train you definitely don’t want to miss. [Issue #175, p.76]

A great campaign (with Score Attack mode for extra replayability), and an evergreen Horde mode. Fun when played with friends, with strangers, and when played alone? How strange. [Issue#154, p.88]

Bungie’s new DLC falls flat due to its rehashed Moon setting, yet there are still moments of brilliance here. The season pass price is hard to justify, but the free-to-play main game gives us hope. [Issue#169, p.94]

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

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]

Bizarrely, BG drops the open-world setup that's made the most recent Lego games such grand experiences. [Jan 2015, p.86]

Outside of the story levels, however, it struggles to truly celebrate the rich Marvel comics universe. [Jan 2017, p.87]

While its presentation is bogged down with messy menus and woeful atmospherics, packing in all 203 eligible teams and simply letting the tournament happen provides a platform for the magic to be recreated over and over again.

This is NBA Live as it definitely should be - deep, engrossing, polished fun. [Dec 2007, p.114]

There's the usual workout option and a confusing career mode, but you'd be better off just going to a decent club. [Mar 2007, p.117]

Those plot threads need weaving together soon, lest our interest run out before winter arrives. [Aug 2015, p.90]

The concept and delivery deserve praise. [Jan 2016, p.115]

No changes to the basic formula. [Oct 2007, p.101]

It's no exaggeration to call this phenomenal between the ropes. [Christmas 2015, p.78]

It's initially very engrossing, but once you've established a colony or two, there's very little left to keep you hooked. [Sept 2017, p.91]

The best tennis game on PS3. [March 2012, p.101]

Lacks the finesse and charisma of its inspiration, and the exhilaration of nippier titles such as Bloodborne. A decent action RPG that finds itself in with a tough crowd. [July 2016, p.83]

Weird, wonderful. [Christmas 2010]

The biggest complaint, as ever, is the controls: until the PSP grows a second analogue stick. shooters are going to feel clunky. [Dec 2007, p.112]

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]

This tries to be the History Channel when it might have been better off as the Memphis Belle, and despite some impressive physics and detail, it's that dull staging that cooks this bird.

A Greatest Hits album that's more like a collection of vintage B-sides. [Sept 2009, p.110]

Classic is still worth the 7.99 entry fee. Just. [Jan 2009, p.95]

The increased frequency of kills, assists, neutrals and captures certainly act like metabolic steroids for your rank, feeding you XP like it's going out of fashion, and for some players that'll be enough to warrant Close Quarters' existence.

It's a strong season that manages to tell a gripping story and offers plenty of dangling threads to keep you invested. [Aug 2017, p.86]

The attention to detail and the way the original atmosphere has been maintained is wonderful, and something Final Fantasy remasters should take note of. [Issue@#171, p.92]

Recognising that genius billionaire playboy philanthropist Tony is just as important as his metal-coated alter ego, Iron Man VR is a guaranteed virtual reality thrill for fans of the shiniest Avenger. [Issue#178, p.74]

With unimpactful combat, Kakarot isn’t the Dragon Ball action RPG fans have been waiting for but still offers a faithful recreation of the most beloved anime series. [Issue#172, p.81]

Wicked local multiplayer appeal. [Nov 2017, p.81]

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

There are at least enough creative, sharing and multiplayer options to stop things going stale. [July 2010, p.118]

Overall the writing, though at times clumsily reference-heavy, generally feels emotionally sincere, and playing through character conflict with this charismatic cast2 gives us (an extra) life. If you’re burned out on mainstream VNs, this is a perfect palate cleanser. So, got any quarters? [Issue#176, p.78]

Less a rise to glory and more a stumble towards modest success, Creed feels good but lacks the depths of its closest rival, Knockout League. It’s good fun and a visceral experience, but it’s over too soon. [Issue#155, p.90]

The problem with this version is that its target audience is so narrow. [May 2007, p.121]

It's not the most complex shooter, but it's the ideal pick-up-and-play experience for Star Wars fans. Stunning environments, solid shooting and immersive sound design mask the shortcomings. [Jan 2016, p.82]

Overall, an uneven, slightly flawed but nontheless enjoyable collection that offers a particular brand of gameplay and storytelling you're hard pushed to find from a current release.

There's little here to warrant dusting off your spacesuit. [Feb 2010, p.111]

Sakura Wars may lack depth in combat but that’s ultimately secondary to its storytelling and lovable characters, which it delivers with a big dose of anime heart. [Issue#176, p.75]

It hasn't evolved enough to deal a critical hit to the competition. [Apr 2018, p.95]

This is brilliant, challenging and rewarding as you pull impossible stunts out of thin air; but it's hard to get excited about another game in the series with fundamentally the same gameplay so soon. [Christmas 2007, p.108]

Impossible to recommend as a single-player game. Siege is an absolutely splendid multiplayer shooter for well-organised (and forgiving) teams, with great tactical terrain destruction. [Feb 2016, p.86]

Like morning after pizza, Sky Fighter is more enjoyable than it has any right to be. [Issue#51, p.117]

There’s a mega-compulsive core to Dustforce, but a desperate polish of the Vita controls is needed for the platforming to truly shine like it deserves.

With carefully communicated lore, healthy doses of humour here and there, enjoyable new activities, and an abundance of content, this expansion has us falling in love with TESO all over again. [Issue#178, p.80]

However exhausted (or not) you are with SOCOM, this still packs in excellent atmosphere, tense engagements and a great sense of achievement against the odds. [Mar 2007]

F.E.A.R.'s slo-mo gunplay is worth experiencing, but the whole game hangs on a single gimmick - and ultimately it isn't quite enough. [May 2007, p.86]

A creative stealth game that improves on its predecessor, though remains a little rough around the edges. Styx remains a deeply unpleasant character. [May 2017, p.93]

Whenever you die, you are returned to the Refuge and the world resets, with the order and position of the ‘rooms’ changing. But while death means you lose any consumables you may have picked up on your adventures, you keep any Sparklite you’ve collected, taking the sting out of what could otherwise be a frustrating mechanic. And while it’s not in the realm of soulslike difficulty, there’s enough challenge for this game to feel rewarding and make you want to keep playing. [Issue#170, p.92]

Mechanically simple and sometimes a bit repetitive, Yu and Kay’s relationship feels original and genuine, and their journey full of chill vibes. [Issue#183, p.87]

A good, solid racer, but not a great one. Its main problem is that it undeniably compares unfavourably with its closest competitors (it's secondary problem is its grating soundtrack, but I'll charitably let it off the standard -2 dubstep modifier). With a less inhibited approach to level design and slightly more refined handling its success would be less qualified.

It all becomes a beautiful addictive dream. [Nov 2011, p.99]

A fun skill puzzler that just about achieves its potential. [Dec 2016, p.89]

As stylish as it is, it's never quite as likeable. [May 2011, p.113]

Shaky at second glance, but deserves the PS4 promotion. Remix mode and stats screens provide a fresh way into Jodie's story, should you revisit it. [Jan 2016, p.95]

It looks fantastic, with animation delivering the TV-standard realism EA always aims for2 while offering gaming cues for eagle-eyed players to spot; using the stick skills to shuffle keepers out of position for a slap shot will leave you wide-eyed and fist-punching the air. See, that Nicolas Cage opener paid off. [Issue#182, p.160]

Something entirely different. [Oct 2015, p.91]

Addictive. [Oct 2007, p.113]

A package that makes the simple act of stacking utterly cracking. [Sept 2016, p.108]

Visionary ideas unfortunately fall to a formatted medium. The game world is ambitious and brilliantly realised, but sadly the fighting and platforming can’t keep up. Still, Remember Me is fictionally fresh with a finger on the pulse.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War offers few variations on the horde survival template… but what it does, it does it so well. If you love arcade shooters, it’s a no-braaaaaainer. [Issue#172, p.77]

Too technically flabby to be called vintage, but you'll find yourself immersed in a satisfyingly grim story with a varied cast of characters. [May 2015, p.86]

An original game with a wicked sense of humour. [July 2008, p.106]

While they look lovely, the puzzles aren't quite challenging enough. [Christmas 2016, p.86]

Superb value. [July 2009, p.104]

Quality split-screen titles that bridge generation gaps are few and far between. Cars 3 achieves this, but it’s a bit of a tough sell for solo-only players. [September 2017, p75]

Beyond its puddle-deep characters, Zestiria is a decent addition to the series. [Christmas 2015, p.86]

Strong, but just behind FIFA. [Christmas 2009, p.117]

With up to four players, it’s a unique structure for multiplayer action. As it’s a stealth horror game communication is key, and it’s best played with people you know. [Issue#166, p.89]

Surprisingly for a kart racer, Team Sonic Racing succeeds in bringing something new to the conversation, though it loses some of the spark Transformed had in the process. Mileage may vary. [Issue#163, p.84]

Sort of a seamless puzzle, a visual feast of abstract foliage, mentalist singing and funky contraptions. [Nov 2007, p.109]

An interesting story means Rogue is essential for fans of Creed lore, but it rests on its laurels by using Black Flag's naval combat wholesale, just in a chilier setting. [Jan 2015, p.87]

Great value. [Feb 2011, p.103]

It does, on occasion, achieve brilliance. [May 2008, p.110]

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

It might not be the most unique game ever made, but it has charm where it counts. [Issue#154, p.80]

The Heat meter effectively turns GTA’s wanted level into score attack, which is awesome. But the open-world busywork, generic city, and too-flimsy obstacles dilute the otherwise decent gameplay. [Issue#170, p.88]

An absorbing mix of ideas: an intense retro-tinged shooter with an unusual level of complexity. [Nov 2017, p.81]

This quirky platforming exercise raises man smiles. [May 2012, p.116]

An incredibly flawed RPG that we can’t stop playing. Whether you choose to unite or drive apart the island, playing this one feels like curling up under a moth-eaten but still cosy blanket. [Issue#167, p.82]

Lighthearted, loveably manic, and shamelessly fun, this is a great fit for PSP. [Aug 2009, p.118]

Simple but wonderfully effective, combining ‘Ooh what’s that?’ invitations to explore with ‘Ooh isn’t that lovely’ moments of beauty. Size doesn’t matter with a gem like this.

The Saboteur gets on by freedom and variety. [Jan 2010, p.110]

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

If you want a break from 2K's grind and high skill demands, this is a viable option. [Dec 2017, p.93]

Play it looking for depth and you'll come away feeling cheated; play it for points and you'll relish memorising the location of every last high-scoring kill zone, passing the pad between clammy-handed mates as you become unstoppable kill-crazed machines. But in a good way. [Feb 2008, p.92]

Into cult classic territory. [July 2010, p.107]

It's lovably shonky in the classic Grasshopper style, but this is a game of surprisingly layered depth and subtlety, and the studio's best game in yonks. [Feb 2017, p.85]

Reasons for playing, then? Nostalgia. Appeasing all those ‘best RPGs you’ve never played’ listicles. And as a reminder of why character– new ideas and memorable places – is so important to a grand adventure. [Issue#181, p.86]

It's a slow burner, but once you get to grips with the ridiculously deep battle system, its hooks won't loosen until you see all 16 long chapters out. [June 2010, p.117]

A curiosity that rewards, but shouldn’t be showered with praise. There are fewer new ideas in here than it seems in the opening level, but pace-changing pursuits and a dreamy Debussy vibe mean it’s still well worth playing.

A consummate package of shooting, slide tackling and swearing, but with some familiar current-gen frustrations. The saving grace could be FIFA 21’s free PS5 upgrade. [Issue#182, p.137]

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

UEFA plays almost identically to "FIFA 07," but it has fewer teams, which makes it impossible to recommend over its fuller-featured predecessor. Or indeed the mighty "Pro Evo 6." [May 2007, p.93]

Cold, brutal, clinical...the real face of modern warfare. [Christmas 2007, p.110]