Although it’s a bit buggy (we had to reload a few checkpoints to progress), it’s no secret that this will be five to six hours of your time well spent. [Issue#169, p.92]

Well worth playing. [Dec 2017, p.93]

If you're a horror geek, you'll have seen worse. But you won't often have seen much better. [Christmas 2008, p.98]

The Ms.-Marvel-centric campaign is almost worth the cover price alone. Deep hero customisation sets the stage for a strong online mode with plenty more to come. [Issue#180, p.67]

The gameplay is too unforgiving for FF to be a timeless classic. [Dec 2007, p.108]

A spectacularly unpretty game. [Apr 2008, p.108]

Push through the early learning curve and you'll find an enjoyable blend of authenticity and gameplay that's perfect for anyone wanting to rank up their PlayStation soldiering. [May 2011, p.96]

Draws intelligently from numerous influences, yet fails to craft an identity of its own. A snack-sized RPG that's a serviceable side-quest to tackle between epics. [June 2017, p.83]

This JRPG needs a few more lessons before it'll be concert ready. Lacking the tightness it needs, it's not quite the rising star it hopes to be, but it's still endearing. [Issue#152, p.91]

Setting you up with key scenarios from across this period of Chinese history, there’s plenty to play through. The only problem is that with the zoomed-out approach to the map, the detail has become more passive. Unlike in the last game there’s no direct control of battles, no debate system, and no smaller-objective story mode. It’s an interesting evolution, though one that leaves you bored on the throne more often than not. [Issue#174, p.86]

This is visually bare-bones and an incredibly sloppy port of the PC original. The menus have an eye-jittering delay that makes navigating a chore. Worse still, hard crashes occur every 20 minutes in the final third of the story, forcing you to replay tombs already conquered. It’s hard to recommend a game that punishes you with its bugs. Pray for this one. [Issue#178, p.82]

Subtle uses of the new console abound, with the DualSense’s triggers ‘hardening’ if a power is still in cooldown.2 Running at 60fps in 4K, Chaosbane manages to feel fresher than it should. Even when the screen fills with enemies, zinging notifications, and colourful projectiles, it never misses a frame. All that said, Chaosbane remains the same generic game behind the PS5-ness. [Issue#183, p.67]

A collection of Space Invaders varients with diminishing returns. Come for Extreme, hang around for Gigamex SE, leave when Arkanoid Vs. rears its ugly head. [Issue#184, p.87]

If you're wondering why pilots don't use tilt sensitive joypads, just try the woeful Sixaxis option. [May 2007, p.120]

A rare RPG that gives you freedom - real freedom - in a world that feels truly alive. [Nov 2016, p.91]

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

Brainteasers are trapped in an overly punitive framework. [Apr 2012, p.113]

You have to admire the commitment to staying true to the series. In so doing, it remains a wholly unique, slowpaced detective game that fans will love. Not a fan? Maybe you should be. [Issue#170, p.84]

Classic Id gunplay is attached to an old-fashioned, noisy but danger-free open world. There’s fun to be had but it’s limited and we’ve seen and blown apart these goons before. [Issue#163, p.81]

There's a decent fighting system underneath all the pencil-sketches and pixie dust. [Mar 2009, p.102]

Thief is worth it for the setting and hardcore stealth, but it’s marred by some poor AI and passive gameplay.

Clunky loading times. [July 2011, p.105]

Body-swapping for new powers never gets dull. HyperParasite is a creative roguelike with major progression issues, but heaps of derisive charm and tight twinstick shooting. [Issue#175, p.77]

The restrictive and repetitious combat is too simplistic to keep your attention for dynastic periods. [Apr 2012, p.113]

A cumbersome and confusing fighter that's hard to penetrate, Dissidia NT can be rewarding for Final Fantasy fans once you get your head around the mechanics. [Apr 2018, p.94]

It's mainly gore-splattered fun. [March 2012, p.103]

A compelling take on the future hampered by a story very much of our time. When I think about it, this is one I’d struggle to recommend that you pay much mind to. [Issue#153, p.87]

There's enough gore-spillage here to satisfy that Japanese horror hardcore. [Apr 2013, p.109]

Sadly the online mode is sluggish, and playing against friends is more laborious than it should be. Still, Bend evidently has a passion for the series, and – packed with trivia, and a novel new way to interact with the Uncharted universe – this is no lacklustre spin-off. It can't match your love for Elena, but is a unique combination that deserves its place on your Vita. Especially at just £3.19.

It'll be interesting to see how it develops and grows. [Spring 2011, p.103]

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]

It's all rather one-note. [July 2013, p.100]

A likeable, albeit unpolished, blend of action and strategy that hasn't been done before. [May 2009, p.94]

Reasonably priced but with only glimmers of personality. A fairly standard selection of multiplayer modes are livened up by the horde and generally a lot more fun than a lacking story campaign. [IssueE163, p.60]

It's a bumpy ride, but one worth taking. [Apr 2018, p.85]

If you can see beyond the horrible graphics, Operation Warcade will scratch that VR shooter itch. [June 2018, p.88]

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]

This feels an awful lot like the Hollywood blockbusters it's trying to out-kaboom - look past the pyrotechnics, and you'll see Full Auto 2 hasn't got a lot of soul. [Apr 2007, p.116]

It's all wonderful stuff, then - until it ends. Which it does surprisingly quickly. [Jan 2017, p.118]

So you can keep your super serious racers with their parts, bins, gear ratios and manicured race tracks; I'll be playing Fuel with its tornadoes, hovercraft and XXL off-roading. [June 2009, p.92]

The awkward interface remains a pain throughout. [Jan 2008, p.112]

Boss fights involve light puzzle elements, but once you've figured out the gimmick, victory is quickly mashed out. [Issue#150, p.94]

A great novelty knockabout, dwarfed by a near-flawless game you should already own. [May 2008, p.108]

A top-notch sandbox adventure and also one of the finest movie tie-ins in years. [Aug 2007, p.100]

With a juicy campaign, snappy shooting and ambitious (if glitchy) co-op, this is one piece of poultry you can happily devour. [July 2016, p.94]

Ultimately it suffers from clumsy controls and simplicity, but the ABC Murders still boasts a solid storyline (obviously), if you're not seeking a serious challenge, the cosy-crime feel makes it passable for a rainy Sunday with a mug of a hot chocolate (Belgian, of course). [Apr 2016, p.92]

A little good, a little bad, and an occasional flash of atmospheric design. [Mar 2008, p.106]

Unapologetically haphazard. [Mar 2009, p.88]

An unexpected gem. [May 2018, p.89]

This handheld version is meant to be less life-sapping and somewhat shallower, but you don’t go around offering weak lager to alcoholics, do you?

Great looking and robust to handle, 2K18 authentically replicates the full WWE experience - right down to the occasional, entirely senseless, unhappy ending. [Christmas 2017, p.82]

Compellingly charming. [June 2012, p.104]

It's sure to put a big smile on your face, but doesn't entirely satisfy as a puzzler. [Apr 2016, p.89]

Ultimately it's a sparse game that leaves us quite cold. [June 2018, p.88]

Despite complicated combat, it's an addictive alternative to "Final Fantasy." [Dec 2007, p.114]

It's a shame all of its potential is squandered with dull gameplay and horrible bugs. [May 2017, p.90]

Thanks to the insta-death mechanic, there's a lot more error than trial. [Sept 2017, p.85]

Basic gameplay, a by-the-numbers story, and graphics from a bygone era leave this PSP port stuck between a rock and a really outdated place. [July 2013, p.100]

A great spin-off offering a well-rounded package that condenses, but doesn't surpass, the pleasures of its bigger bro. Just be aware of possible motion sickness. [Dec 2016, p.93]

It's very similar to last year's game and still lacks a little magic, but the more organic-looking visuals, team creation feature and superb handling make this the best bike racer on PS4 so far.

Another classic with a Twilight twist. [Dec 2009, p.18]

Three-player online means co-operative carnage and the chance to torture yourself with high-score whoring leader boards. [Aug 2008, p.104]

It's a lot like zorbing - it's an eye-catching spectacle, and it looks like a lot of fun, but ultimately all you're doing is rolling down a hill in a massive plastic ball. Or car. Whatever. [May 2009, p.104]

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.97]

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

Never bad. [Apr 2013, p.111]

Pleasant to play and easy to pick up. However, the last-gen feeling and lack of atmosphere mean Ride is only a mid-pack racer.

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

It's a nauseating barrage of flattery, hand-wringing commiseration, and toothlessly apologetic joshing. [June 2009, p.103]

The turn-based combat is swift and (overly) simple. [Aug 2012, p.117]

A functional dancer, with no signs of its subject's genius. [June 2011, p.110]

The trouble is the interface, which is cumbersome like a one-legged elephant. [Sept 2011, p.109]

An off-season overhaul is required. [Christmas 2011, p.97]

Nothing groundbreaking, but it's a sweet and tasty slice of nostalgia that delivers a welcome warm, fuzzy feeling to new-gen. [Nov 2014, p.94]

Bookbound Brigade is an enjoyable, colourful and quirky game. A good read, but maybe not quite a pageturner. [Issue#173, p.84]

Re:Mind could have been an additional world, or a new chapter to shorten the wait until the next game. Instead it’s more of the same, often literally so. A missed opportunity. [Issue#173, p.96]

Nail'd isn't poor, but it manages to make predictable what should have been wild, mud-flecked insanity. [Feb 2011, p.112]

Part gruesome medieval fantasy, part bleak supernatural horror, Berserk evokes the spirit of its source but descends into drudgery in an overlong campaign. [Apr 2017, p.96]

The main problem with Lightning Returns; it’s a game so desperate to refine each individual element that they’ve become disparate. There’s undoubtedly stuff here worth exploring – the cerebral combat, fan-serving storyline and grand finale to a three-game story – but despite Square Enix’s intentions, it’s not a world you’ll make time to revisit.

With such assured motion, incident-packed races and gorgeous stadium track visuals this should be an easy recommendation, especially since it’s a deluxe version of an already-polished series. But the harsh handling model and extreme sense of déjà vu suck out a lot of the fun. [Issue#187, p.85]

For anyone already ingrained in the series, the opportunity to build your own team and take them online will be irresistible. But truthfully, for the uninitiated, there simply isn’t enough here to satisfy those of us desensitised by the bombast of bigger budget western games. Deliberately low on story but high on detail, Verdict Day is one for the (armored) hardcore.

Only for the genre's hardcore. [Nov 2014, p.90]

A lot of fun if you've got mates round and fancy something light-hearted as a warm-up to your next Singstar/Rock Band/Guitar Hero III sesh. [Mar 2008, p.112]

It's not a disaster by any means, but the predictable, methodical racing is rather dull, and the new engine simply isn't running as well as the old one. [Issue#151, p.93]

Impeccable visuals and some slick, considered design make it one of PS VR's most impressive. [Dec 2016, p.87]

[Christmas 2009, p.107]

A roguelite first-person platformer that demands to be replayed, City of Brass offers a level of freedom few games can match. It never gets old, even on your hundredth run-through. [June 2018, p.90]

On its own merit, The Sims 4 is enjoyable enough, particularly with its rich customization. Compared to its predecessor, though, it's a life simulator that...well, lacks life. [Jan 2017, p.86]

A cracking game. [Sept 2009, p.108]

It loses whatever grip it has on your attention too quickly. [Mar 2009, p.103]

A great sports game. [Apr 2009, p.104]

There's nothing really wrong with this game. [Nov 2011, p.113]

Some great modifications, but lacklustre world design, shallow progression and awful cutscenes deprive it of traction. [Christmas 2015, p.80]

More than an (unsteady) walking simulator, Among The Sleep is still in need of a bit more game than the comfort blanket of puzzles it cuddles. The payoff's great, though. [Jan 2016, p.90]

Low on longevity, but Slam Bolt Scrappers is loud, brash and brilliantly blocky. [May 2011, p.118]

It's as satisfyingly competitive as you'd hope. London 2012 is the best athletics game we've seen in a while, even if the fact we can't guide the actual Team GB to glory puts a slight tarnish on its medal.

Really fun. [Christmas 2010]

Faithful to its roots, perhaps even to a fault, T&E’s new adventure is still a welcome dose of childhood to those of a certain age. [Issue#161, p.97]