The quality of the footy secures Euro 2016 a big score, but presentation and licensing issues see Konami very nearly make a hash of an open goal. [June 2016, p.84]

There are absolutely leagues of depth lurking beneath the cutesy surface. [June 2013, p.104]

This certainly isn't the shale-up to the formula that veteran players will want, but bring a newbie to the table and you'll find a feast of fun. [Nov 2016, p.89]

Leaves the majority of its competitors languishing in its slipstream - with a glorious pile of fresh debris raining down around them. [June 2010, p.100]

This is the first proper horror experience on PS3 and it's a truly terrifying one. Whether it's a set-piece scare or a random hobo jumping out at you, it genuinely can make you jump out of your seat. [Mar 2008, p.90]

Unquestionably one of PS3's finest sports games - but also one of the most impenetrable to newbies. [Dec 2011, p.103]

It’s pretty unforgiving, in that restoring health can only ever be done via scarce consumables, and firearms and their ammo are also incredibly rare. Nonetheless, each mission is a tense delight. You’ll mostly walk to conserve stamina and avoid drawing attention, yet rasslin’ zombies is unavoidable, and you’ll want to be done before the town bells ring. Throw in humans both friendly and unfriendly – who will sometimes even fight among themselves – and you have a wonderfully oppressive, unpredictable world. And, yes, you get to slather yourself in guts. Yay! [Issue#176, p.78]

A princely suite of tracks, modes and features all wrapped up in a colourfully boisterous package. It's fast, frenetic and occasionally just a bit bloody frustrating. [June 2016, p.85]

A fantastically outrageous conclusion to a remarkable story, albeit one that doesn't quote recapture the highs of Virtue's Last Reward. Don't even contemplate playing until you've finished VLR. [Sept 2016, p.104]

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]

It's like a "Max Payne" knockoff designed by Robert Rodriguez in the middle of an all-night peyote-bender...It's a stupid, loud, relentless mix of guns and chuckles. [Mar 2007, p.118]

With its relaxing atmosphere, pretty environments and interesting theological dilemma, The Talos Principle is PS4's best puzzler to date.

Despite its shortcomings, Assassin's Creed is still enjoyable simply because of the breathtaking playground you're let loose in. In terms of sheer visual spectacle, the size and beauty of the world alone sets a new benchmark, showing what developers can really achieve with next generation visuals. [Christmas 2007, p.92]

Warning: if you hate hard games, don't play this. [Aug 2013, p.94]

A perfectly executed peep-’emup that makes you feel in control of your investigation, and tells a twisting tale that you won’t easily forget. [Issue#176, p.81]

Bugs aside, a tremendous and uncompromising simulation of a kind we may not have seen previously on consoles. [July 2015, p.89]

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

Ridge Racer 7 is more of a highly proficient stop-gap, a lightning-quick and not-at-all dirty Playstation 3 update in lieu of the true reworking we'd really like to see this far down the line. Nice, then. Solid even. But not truly next-gen. [Apr 2007, p.112]

Generations always draws you back with its level design and compulsive simplicity.

Worth every penny. [Dec 2011, p.108]

There’s a lot of highly polished content in Ghosts, and although it’s disappointing to see that it doesn’t truly embrace next-gen possibilities, I can’t lambaste it because I’d be denying the loveable bombast it doles out in wild, indiscriminate sprays. But yes, there should be a new engine powering all of it, plus genuine innovation always trumps the best-of atmosphere that pervades the solo campaign.

Despite stumbles, it's a gleeful party with old friends and otherworldly levels of gorgeous, all at a piffling price point. [June 2016, p.89]

It perfectly combines the classic's simple appeal with a quicker pace and slick new moves, making it more addictive than ever. [Sept 2016, p.108]

Very playable. [Christmas 2009, p.117]

A fantastic end to a fine season of assassination. [Issue#130, p.93]

It's genuinely unsettling. [Aug 2008, p.94]

A beautifully judged, moving tale with puzzles cleverly entrenched in the story's take on mental illness. [July 2015, p.93]

Well polished and accessible. [May 2009, p.99]

A satisfying difficulty curve. [Dec 2011, p.108]

Combat so crisp it punches your nostalgia into next week, Streets Of Rage 4 is a time capsule well worth cracking open for a short bursts of expressive thuggery. [Issue#176, p.79]

Always manages to pull you back in for a spoonful more. [July 2015, p.95]

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

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Beguiling and unique. [June 2016, p.93]

Immaculately presented and infectiously bombastic. [June 2013, p.108]

An inventive puzzler built around using pseudo code to fight enemies and overcome obstacles. It's no more than an evening's play, but a brilliantly unusual one. [July 2016, p.82]

Interactive storytelling done right. A superb setting and impressive central performance heighten a relatively simple plot, demanding multiple playthroughs just so you can see everything. [Issue#167, p.88]

Gorgeous visuals, accessible combat, and a gleeful sense of humour make this one of the most unabashedly fun fighting games around – and it’s packed with content. [Issue#163, p.93]

Reinventing the multiplayer sports game as a squirmily tactile wrestling bout between humanoid worms, Push Me Pull You is bizarre, baffling and kind of brilliant. [July 2016, p.83]

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]

The best couchplay game since TowerFall. [June 2016, p.94]

If you're looking for a new arena for on-screen violence, this is well worth your money. [March 2018, p.85]

A beautiful pseudo-historical tale about family ties in all their forms, with a last act the rats have clearly had a nibble at. But the journey is still worth making. [Issue#163, p.88]

A cycle trip down childhood memory lane that will put a smile on your face. A terrific thesis from the ex-Media Molecule team on charming co-op fun. [Issue#167, p.86]

Technical teething issues aside, FFXIV is a blinding online RPG. [Nov 2013, p.92]

Addictive, fun, and one of PSN's best strategy games. [Issue#51, p.118]

While the success of the storytelling (and its exploration of psychology and mental health) is up for debate, there’s no denying this is a wonderful puzzle-platformer that is intelligent, unique, full of surprises, and, at five to six hours, never threatens to overstay its welcome. [Issue#184, p.91]

A must for genre lovers. [Issue#158, p.87]

For keen players, this expansion does what it’s supposed to – it doesn’t just add more space and monsters, it introduces new mechanics and nuances. Tough going for casual hunters, though. [Issue#167, p.84]

A new madden that genuinely feels fresh rather than a half-hearted, contractually-binding annual roster update. [Nov 2016, p.91]

Few games are this consistently surprising, let alone this well designed. [Issue#158, p.88]

In too many ways this is identical to the last game. That's not necessarily a bad thing - "RE4" is one of the greatest games ever made because it rewrote the rules for action games, setting a template for everything from "Dead Space" to "Dark Sector." Because of that this is still a damn near essential purchase. It's just a shame that the lack of evolution means it occasionally feels like it's lagging behind the very competitors it inspired. [Mar 2009, p.80]

With a stupidly generous variety of modes, challenges and room for player expression, OlliOlli is one of PS Vita’s most fun and alluring games to date.

The depth is the most impressive part of the game. [Spring 2011, p.108]

It could easily be tedious, and it's certainly templated. But the diversions are good enough, the hero personalised enough, and the ability to move around the world quick enough via your immediately available horse and map-skipping fast travel, that it feels like an adventure all the same. Plus, leaning down to slice enemies with a scythe from a horse makes it feel like you're playing demon polo, which is awesome.

It may be built from pretty basic building blocks, but Inversus combines them into satisfying and strategic shapes. [Nov 2016, p.91]

One very welcome addition is NHL 94 Anniversary mode. [Nov 2013, p.94]

Among the most enjoyable episodes Telltale has released – it just doesn’t let you take ownership of events to the extent previous episodes did. A thrilling two hours rippling with tension, but interactivity is becoming marginalised in favour of an cinematic pacing. You won’t use the pad much – and you won’t care.

Not a lot has changed, but then not a lot had to. The characters remain the best reason to get stuck into some dastardly tactical combat. [July 2016, p.91]

An absurd, slapstick adventure that puts laughs above all else. Jazzpunk's a smartly penned palate-cleanser that shines all the more brightly due to the lack of decent comedy competition on PS4. [Nov 2016, p.92]

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]

Despite coming across as that bit drier than its source material, it's a well-realised Vita motor city and easily one of the best racers on the platform.

As the backbone of a larger game, though, it's solid, and an interesting alternative to the combat system of most RPGs. [Issue#158, p.91]

It's also nicely balanced in gameplay terms. [Jan 2012, p.101]

It's a wonderfully tactile, funny and warmhearted toy that's worth playing with. [Nov 2016, p.94]

A superb bundle. [Issue#158, p.92]

A teeny bit repetitive. [May 2011, p.113]

The cast, cues and fracas are still bringing down the house. [Apr 2014, p.86]

Sam’s learned new tricks, gained an almighty toybox and feels righteously superhuman to control, but spreads himself thin in an effort to impress.

A steep investment for anyone not a veteran rocker returning with tracks, mates and instruments in tow - but the full band experience is the most fun PS4 offers. [Dec 2015, p.81]

A fine example of contemporary narrative adventure done well. [March 2018, p.93]

With an engaging main quest and a multitude of extra goodies to keep you entertained, Dragonborn justifies its price tag. If you’ve rinsed Skyrim’s dense main map – and let’s face it, you probably have: it’s now been a whopping 14 months since the game came out – this is a meaty, if long overdue, slice of additional adventuring to finally get stuck into.

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

This year's career mode has everything else you could want. [Nov 2016, p.94]

The series is back on form. Bangkok's the most challenging level so far (note the electronic locks that render 47's lockpick useless), but also the most rewarding. [Nov 2016, p.95]

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]

These remain absolute must-play games, no matter what format they're on.

The sense of progression draws you on constantly. [Dec 2009, p.120]

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]

This is a rollicking and hugely enjoyable adventure, filled with spectacular set-pieces, emotional highs and lows, and – thankfully – not an oversized sports bra in sight. Crystal Dynamics has set a shining example of what can be done when reimagining a franchise from the ground up, and all of the elements on show have been well-conceived and well-crafted, and they come together to form a cohesive whole.

Story mode suffers from some weird plot touches. [Jan 2010, p.108]

The gameplay is addictive as ever. [Jan 2012, p.114]

Dante's set its own standard in levels of exploity, B-movie style unpleasantness. [Mar 2010, p.112]

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]

The PSP version benefits from a more reliable targeting system than the superb PS2 version. [Aug 2007, p.106]

Some changes aren't for the better: strength and pace are kings this year. [Dec 2014, p.80]

At just 2.99 this offers fiendishly addictive bursts of blood-splattery for your handheld. [Sept 2013, p.94]

For a game that spends most of its time grinding you down, smashing you into pieces and throwing you off high-rise buildings, MotorStorm Apocalypse is as much fun to be around as a rock star uncle. [Apr 2011, p.102]

It's enough to make it feel new and shiny again, and well worth buying. [Jan 2009, p.100]

A spicy little brawler-cum-platformer. [Aug 2014, p.95]

A supremely challenging (and occasionally infuriating) test of skill, control and composure. [June 2014, p.78]

A satisfying difficulty curve seals the deal and makes Rayman Origins one of the strongest titles in an already muscular line up. Not bad for a character without any arms.

Unquestionably an improvement on the original. [Apr 2011, p.106]

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

Demon's Souls is difficult. Really, really difficult. [JPN Import; July 2009, p.100]

For a first-season effort, FIFA Football is a seriously impressive achievement.

Has enough meat on its bones to feed the most voracious action fans. [Apr 2011, p.109]

This golfing great's finally close to its best again. [May 2011, p.118]