The mechanics are nothing new and the shooting's oddly twitchy. [Jan 2012, p.114]

A slightly strange fit. [Jan 2012, p.114]

The biggest problem here is the minimal interaction on offer. [Jan 2012, p.113]

It's lovely for a brief trip down memory lane. [Jan 2012, p.111]

Put yourself in the - presumably Velcro - shoes of someone in single digits and it's not nearly as bad as we feared. [Jan 2012, p.110]

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

It's an enjoyable and surreal experience. Smart dialogue and pointed cultural comment make this no different from its Oddworld predecessors, and a very welcome addition to PSN.

The whole package is, of course, fugly and cheap. But whether it's surprisingly enjoyable dogsledding sections or physics gaffes that often see dead animals inadvertently do the splits, I had a smile on my face throughout.

More problematic is that neither game feels as accomplished as the genre's best. SFIV is deeper and more technical, and there's more fun to be had in MVC3's frantic tag action. But there are worse ways to spend £25, even if the whole thing would actually be more valuable without the movie – the poisonous, horse-leg doner of the bunch.

In isolation, Reloaded is a serviceable Bond shooter – although there are better options out there. But when judged against its highly acclaimed ancestor, the kids are only just alright.

It's essentially a third-person hack 'n' slash with an RPG film laid over the top.

There's a Hollywood sheen spread over The Run that occasionally makes it sparkle, from the Frostbite 2 engine's environmental effects to the action-movie score. But peer beneath the gleaming veneer and you repeatedly encounter a stomach-lurchingly shallow experience – not unlike any movie you can name by the aforementioned Mr Bay, ironically.

Persona 2 isn't for everyone. The esoteric style and ageing looks will see off many a curious gamer, but persevere through the niggles and you'll uncover a stylish, incredibly written, charismatic experience.

As solid as the combat is, there are numerous contemporaries that offer as much challenge and fun with much more visual flair, and without horrendous loading times.

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.

If you were already in, you'll stay in. But if you want to join the club, it's only worth it if you're going to put in the hard yards to get your member's card.

This solid scrapper is let down by jagged edges around each character, vexing loading times and poor sound quality. [Christmas 2011, p.115]

There's nothing amazing about this Spidey. [Christmas 2011, p.115]

Unresponsive controls. [Christmas 2011, p.111]

Constant hesitation blunts what could be a sharply enjoyable romp. [Christmas 2011, p.111]

These updates aside, it's hard to ignore the spectacularly half-arsed mentality on show, despite the budget price tag. [Christmas 2011, p.111]

There's a huge selection of activities. [Christmas 2011, p.111]

The interactivity is erratic, but it's got enough personality to justify the purchase if you have kids. [Christmas 2011, p.111]

Does a tidy job of recreating familiar sideshow attractions. [Christmas 2011, p.109]

The repetitious enemies and rail-line progression make this occasionally thumping adventure little more than an aerobic ghost train. [Christmas 2011, p.109]

Like the periodic table? You're in luck, because Mercury HG is flipping obsessed with it. [Christmas 2011, p.109]

Only cumbersome controls steer[] this shy of a more eufloric score. [Christmas 2011, p.109]

An evolution of last year's game rather than an overhaul. [Christmas 2011, p.109]