Its not the game its forerunner was, but The Fractured But Whole's accessible combat tactics and occasional rib-ticklers ensure most players will have a good time. [Christmas 2017, p.96]

Shocking, silly and brutal, BJ's comeback spins an enjoyable, if tonally confused, yarn. Despite its issues, this is still a rollicking thoughtfully driven shooter. [Christmas 2017, p.93]

A ruthlessly challenging, rich expansion to the world we fell in love with complete with a touching backstory - if a bit sparse on the side-quest front. [Christmas 2017, p.91]

A likeable follow-up that addresses valid criticisms of its predecessor and provides gory fun, but loses a little of what made it special in the process. [Christmas 2017, p.90]

With a beautiful world you'll repeatedly die for and lethal toys to play with, Assassin's Creed Origins finally delivers the game you always wanted from the series. Brilliant. [Christmas 2017, p.87]

A deeply flawed online penalty system and lack of content, solo and online, fail to support Gran Turismo's best-ever driving model. Here's hoping the online side, at the very least, develops further. [Christmas 2017, p.84]

Congratulating Rugby 18 for its base functionality is like cheering for FIFA because they remembered to include the ball. [Christmas 2017, p.83]

Gameplay becomes a familiar grind all too quickly. [Christmas 2017, p.83]

Echo's biggest problem is that the initial buzz of its concept gets fainter the longer it lasts. [Christmas 2017, p.83]

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]

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

Revitalised and exemplary FPS gaming. Multiplayer trims back to the essentials, campaign shows sensitivity and Zombies...well it's a new excuse to play CoD Zombies. [Christmas 2017, p.77]

A roughhouse riot when you find its rhythm, alternating between bloody attacks and essential damage avoidance, Ruiner may be little more than the sum of its parts, but what parts they are. [Dec 2017, p.97]

For fans of the franchise, or anyone with an urge to battle robots, there's much to love here, but its technical flaws and stingy mode options may disappoint others. [Dec 2017, p.95]

At its best, Raiders offers frantic co-op shooting against waves of enemies. But boring missions and repetitive objectives mean it's ultimately mediocre. [Dec 2017, p.94]

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

The captivating narrative is enough to see past the flaws. Hankies at the ready; this is a true tear-jerker. [Dec 2017, p.93]

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

Hob is an obscurist's dream, and while it can flummox, Runic's game offers a connected world that demands to be explored, and pulled apart, and remade. It's brilliant. [Dec 2017, p.92]

With incredible breadth and detail, Project Cars 2 can be absolutely wonderful. Bit it feels unfinished, and so similar to the original game, you really don't need both. [Dec 2017, p.89]

The story's not great, but the battle system behind it is carefully thought out. [Dec 2017, p.87]

Its appeal lies primarily with that official license and the draw of sitting down for some sim-cade powerslides. I'm down with that - for now. [Dec 2017, p.87]

A PS VR game with all the bells and whistles of a full-fat racer, but at no point did I feel the need to shake or blow on what it has to offer. [Dec 2017, p.87]

The most entertaining entry in the series to date. Aside from a few drops in its pacing, this is one of the most satisfying whodunnits on PS4 and Vita. [Dec 2017, p.86]

No huge changes have been made on the pitch, but thanks to improvements to The Journey and Ultimate Team, this is the most comprehensive and beautiful game of football on PS4. [December 2017, p.84]

A fine send-off for the Dishonored series, with enough new tricks to let you experiment freely, explore, and execute in a shorter but no less satisfying campaign. [December 2017, p.83]

A beautiful, exciting representation of the sport. You'd be hard pushed to find a better, more accurate simulation of basketball on a modern console. [December 2017, p.82]

Big, brutal, and - alas - bloated, Shadow of War is a disappointing follow-up, conjuring battles of grand scale and then deadening their impact through grinding repetition. [December 2017, p.79]