There's not much to gripe about. Sure, some missions have a tendency to drag after you've just downed what seems like your 152nd jet. The generic plot also carries all the emotional clout of tumble dryer instructions. But these unfortunate quibbles never truly sour the flight.

A rather mediocre adventure. [June 2010, p.111]

An enjoyable but traditional outing capable of short-term thrills, which is just enough for some. [Dec 2014, p.87]

This mess somehow gets worse with every play...It's like buying a Ferrari only for it to fall to pieces as you drive out of the dealership. [May 2007, p.118]

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]

Simple fun from a time when pocking a worm was actually a strategic maneuver. [Issue#51, p.118]

With plans for naval and ground vehicle combat, War Thunder has the potential to become one of PS4’s darkest horses. It’s punishing, sure – but guiding a precious bird to victory causes your chest to swell with imaginary medals every time.

A collection of highs and lows, Dream Drop Distance is fluid but flawed. It's Aqua's heart-stirring tale that will make seasoned keyblad wielders rejoice. [March 2017, p.93]

The most ambitious game on PS4 and an MMO shooter that rises above story problems by letting you create your own epic narrative with friends every second of play. With continued updates, Destiny will only get better. [Oct 2014, p.82]

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.96]

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]

It's definitely a brilliantly accurate recreation of real army life, but that's not always best for a great night's entertainment. [Nov 2009, p.106]

With beautifully designed environments, the game looks and sounds fantastic – and there are some genuinely lovely added extras. It's a treat to play a movie tie-in that's truly worthy of its source material, and Years 5-7 is calling you right now.

Despite its simplicity Cross Tag Battle still delivers finely balanced, fast fights. [Issue#151, p.94]

With historical challenges, new sticker/ number/helmet decal editors and a brutal Pro Career for the full experience, there’s plenty to keep fans happy. But it isn’t doing enough to appeal more widely than that, and even its target market will lament the technical steps backwards from MotoGP 17. [Issue#164, p.89]

Coupled with a sedate soundtrack composed by Austin Wintory, a sonic sensation that enters your ear like waves lapping at a shore, it’s a relaxing experience from beginning to end. [Issue#161, p.84]

Both beautiful and chaotic - a bit like Cheryl Cole's bed hair. [Sept 2011, p.116]

An evolutionary update with unconvincing AI makes for a tough sell, but updates are scheduled. The improvements create genuine moments of greatness. [Issue#176, p.80]

Back in 1995, Trials was unparalleled in its adaptability, even when it came to its story– you choose a party of three out of six possible characters to take on a journey to restore the sacred Mana tree and hopefully stop wars breaking out between different factions. Some parts of your characters’ backstories will overlap, leading to shared experiences. However, despite new additional lines, interactions between characters can feel random, and the dialogue doesn’t hold up for a modern game. The English voiceover, too, strongly varies in quality. A win for fans, Trials Of Mana nonetheless proves not every game ages well. [Issue#176, p.74]

A few awkward steps threaten to spoil its performance, but strong characters and exceptional production values earn Dancing All Night a rousing reception. [Christmas 2015, p.77]

For the most part the game is either unwilling or unable to leave you stumped for long. [Oct 2015, p.94]

Few things are as disappointing as shoot-'em up Alien Zombie Death. [May 2010, p.104]

An unusual assembly of parts, but captivatingly weird. [Apr 2017, p.94]

With three new enemy types and one (very challenging) boss in the mix, as well as three new perks to earn by completing the optional Slayer Gater challenges, it’s a familiar yet distinct experience. But it’s still best to play through Doom Eternal before trying this. [Issue#182, p.155]

Strikingly handsome and fun for a while, Apotheon's scrappy combat and awkward controls spoil its atmosphere, costing in a place among the action-platformer elite. [Apr 2015, p.94]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

The only downside to this year’s game, as with The Golf Club, are the visuals. Even knocking balls about a clifftop woodland can feel sterile. But then the game offers an easy-to-use course creator and all is forgiven. Placing accessibility on par with accuracy, this is a golf sim so realistic you can smell the freshly laundered acid-blue chinos. [Issue#180, p.72]

It can be devilishly challenging, but never seems insurmountable. [Apr 2013, p.115]