The story, while wonderfully trope-y, takes time to fully lean into its own absurdity. [March 2018, p.93]

There's not much depth, but plenty of eye candy, puzzling and cute. [May 2011, p.117]

A great platform-puzzler for kids. [Sept 2013, p.87]

Higbrow exploration of revenge and the afterlife it ain't, but if you want to wring the most blood, pound for pint, out of your PS3, then Ash is your lop-eared new god of gore.

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.

Thoroughly relaxing. [Spring 2011, p.113]

When The Past Was Around is an endearing game that is a celebration of two people’s shared love of music. It teeters on being sappy, but its dreamy, abstract nature brings it back from the brink. It’s an endearing pocket-sized tale and a wonderful gem from the Indonesian indie game scene. [Issue#184, p.86]

An accessible and enjoyable racer that really hits its stride in multiplayer. [Spring 2011, p.113]

Aesthetically, it's a sweet piece of 2D Americana. [Apr 2011, p.101]

So much was promised, and so little that's new has been delivered. Certain fundamentals are woefully sub-par (the horse riding is absolutely shameful), and it's either laziness or a troubling lack of creativity that's led to such a generic and repetitive selection of story missions. And yet the game is saved somewhat by the wealth of content it includes (and the well-integrated, largely compelling nature of these side-dishes), and the moments that remind you just why this series remains such a big draw.

Despite feeling the need to shower regularly during much of Twisted Metal, though, this should still be considered a successful return. A super violent serving of chunkily satisfying motor carnage, it offers a unique P53 joyride. Just tone down the Ronald McDonald homicide next time, eh?

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

An atmospheric and compulsive experience. It's only taken three versions of the same game for you to notice it exists, and if you can ignore the clunky controls and concentrate on aiming that gun, there's much to enjoy.

It's a patchwork of old and new in which the passion only flickes. [May 2007, p.106]

It's like Mila Kunis on a bobsleigh - sexy, fast and hard to take your eyes off. [July 2010, p.118]

It's actually fun, albeit about as memorable as a rich tea biscuit. [Spring 2011, p.113]

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

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

The high speed also means the novelty is unlikely to last with this one, but then that's exactly why it's got such a throwaway price. [Apr 2011, p.101]

It’s a clever use of Disney licences that kids will absolutely adore, even if grown-ups will be less enamoured by the mission – and merchandise – structure.

While FIFA 21 is as good a showcase for the potential of the DualSense as we’ve seen so far, the underlying issues with this entry remain. [Issue#184, p.88]

It's just a shame that the gameplay at the heart of its Story content hasn't pushed on. [Dec 2014, p.83]

Aviation purists might hate the game, but at the end of the day, it's really good fun. [Jan 2008, p.102]

For a series that was consistently outstanding for so long, being merely 'good' simply isn't good enough. [Nov 2007, p.108]

A thoroughly daft, slightly fugly and resolutely old-school action-RPG. [Apr 2011, p.104]

Modern Warfare’s a tough act to follow, and Cold War struggles to keep up. It’s still enjoyable though, and with many updates to come, it’s just getting started. [Issue#184, p.95]

A fun if throwaway addition to the Resi 5 experience. [Apr 2010, p.116]

Sadly, the combat doesn’t have enough depth to trouble the genre’s best (it certainly can’t touch Ninja Theory’s DmC reboot), and there’s a disappointing disposability about the whole experience. This is a project that has been rightfully and respectably salvaged, but one that can’t quite cut it at the top.