There's no denying that it's repetitive, but it retains its arcade-style toughness. [July 2007, p.84]

An abundance of recycled gameplay sours what is otherwise an entertaining, imaginative and memorable end to Ezio's story. [Christmas 2011, p.100]

Waffly, but this inventive musical RPG strikes few bum notes. [Mar 2009, p.56]

Not quite up the standard of the PS3 games - but then what it is? It's still a triumphant early outing for Nathan Drake, and Vita's best launch title. [March 2012, p.88]

The odd-ball humour is as feisty as ever. [Feb 2012, p.107]

Much the same in terms of gameplay, but still ace. We're not sure there's enough new here, though. [Mar 2008, p.72]

A simple idea, but well-executed and lots of polish. [Dec 2011, p.105]

Polished and perfect for parties. Genius online features cement a great package. [Aug 2008, p.76]

Money well spent for a few hours of fun. [Nov 2008, p.84]

Stick to playing NBA Street Homecourt instead. [June 2007, p.83]

The attention to detail is staggering and it handles like a dream. A true technical showcase. [May 2008, p.74]

It's hard. Harder than talking Dracula into a booking a beach holiday. [Mar 2008, p.80]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Arguably less fluid and immediate than its rival FIFA 12, PES 2012's superior single-player game is nevertheless deep, challenging and often outright magical. [Dec 2011, p.102]

No giant leap for the series, but enough improvements to be a must-buy for VT fans...Our only major complaint is the absence of online play. [Mar 2007, p.66]

Great looks gel with genius game design. [Christmas 2006, p.20]

Soulcalibur's brutal melee combat works well on PSP, and the multi-player is great. [Oct 2009, p.80]

An impressive port that will satisfy seasoned fighters, though it concedes to newbies in the worst way possible. [March 2012, p.92]

The new controls merely paper over the same old flaws - but, ultimately, it's still compulsive fun. [Christmas 2006, p.84]

Still the best golf sim around, but in need of an overhaul. [May 2011, p.93]

The gorgeous visuals, incredible atmosphere, unique subject matter and immense production values are let down, and ultimately made redundant, by the abysmal pacing, sloppy design and criminal lack of length. [Aug 2007, p.60]

It may not provide a quick arcade fix, but as a full on guitar tutor this is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn how to play. [Dec 2012, p.99]

Genuinely difficult to put down. [Sept 2010, p.92]

The tools are there to turn you into the next Timbaland if you've got the talent and dedication. [Dec 2009, p.103]

They have trophy support though, which is nice. [Apr 2009, p.78]

Terrific games, but TCS is pointless if you've played them before. BUt it you haven't, get it. [Christmas 2007, p.66]

Showing its age in terms of ingenuity. Shame. [Oct 2007, p.84]

Honed, if familiar fun, but online focus causes solo player wobble. [June 2010, p.80]

A deep, involving, endearing adventure with heart. And ?sts.

Not perfect, but the best handheld game of football ever made. [Apr 2012, p.106]

Not as great as holding the peripherals, but this is a satisfying PSP alternative. [Aug 2009, p.68]

Mental acrobats will get a good workout. [Oct 2011, p.105]

The mechanics of the combat system are fine, but it doesn't have the scale of "Disgaea" and you'll long for more depth with every click. [Nov 2007, p.83]

It's fast and it's beautiful - but mostly it's classic WipEout. [Apr 2012, p.104]

Despite the niggles, this is still the usual brilliance. [May 2007, p.79]

Still brilliant. [Christmas 2008, p.86]

Stuffed to the point that it starts to feel like an incoherent mess. [Dec 2009, p.100]

An intelligent, original, and charming puzzler that's held back by awkward platforming and some erratic, often utterly illogical physics. [Aug 2012, p.100]

Unlike anything else out there: beautiful and inventive. [Christmas 2012, p.100]

Overall A challenging fighter that shows off the PSP's power. Slightly intimidating for non-fans, though.

Frantic, deep and explosive, but demanding with some rough edges. [Aug 2009, p.72]

Exaggerated, stupid and brutal... but we mean that as a compliment. The best beat-'em-up on PSP. [Sept 2006, p.66]

A joyful, successful new entry, thanks largely to its fearless approach to the medium. [Nov 2011, p.96]

Enormous fun, but let down by poor AI and single-player brevity. [Oct 2009, p.68]

The free-running and combat are a joy, and you'll be running around for pure fun. But an abundance of weak missions and a daft storyline get in the way all too often.

The best golf game you can buy, but - as before - not significantly different from the last game. [Nov 2006, p.82]

More vibrant than the original but still falls short of greatness. [Mar 2009, p.64]

An intriguing time-hopping concept hamstrung by substandard combat and unrefined level replays. Good, but not good enough. [March 2012, p.102]

Happy, funny and tiresome, DeathSpank is the Will Ferrell of games.

It's a solid enough game, then, but again not truly worthy of that 'next-gen' tag. [June 2007, p.83]

An improvement on FIFA 2008 in terms of tempo of play, but this still lacks real bite. [May 2008, p.68]

For all its showboating, this is an average action game with few standout moments. [Nov 2007, p.74]

A quality golf sim, but "Everybody's Golf 5" takes the major this year. [Nov 2007, p.83]

Won't insult your intelligence and won't exclude younger players. [Aug 2010, p.94]

Another familiar, quality MotorStorm, only with a new setting and less flashy visuals. [Nov 2009, p.31]

The complete package for any football-loving PSP owner. [Dec 2007, p.83]

A stylish, violent shooter wrapped up in a touching plot and lovely graphic-novel visuals. Not perfect, but deeply satisfying to blast through. [March 2012, p.106]

Some of the smartest gameplay available on PS3. [Feb 2011, p.101]

Not perfect, but genuinely fresh - inventive, pretty and super playable. [Christmas 2008, p.62]

It's not a great value, and only nostalgia fans will keep coming back for more. [July 2010, p.96]

It could - probably should - look better, but it's ridiculously deep and authentic with loads to do, both online and off. [Nov 2011, p.101]

Excellent player control and an interesting, globe-hopping story. [July 2012, p.98]

Feels dated, but still a solid golf sim. Needs a FIFA style overhaul. [Aug 2010, p.96]

A refreshing love letter to the Wild West, but its variety is part curse. [Aug 2009, p.70]

Wonderful, but you'll needs lots of free time to see the best of it. [Mar 2009, p.70]

Characterful, amusing, violent and intriguing: Yakuza 4 is excellent fun. [Apr 2011, p.72]

And in that respect, as a life simulator, it's depressingly authentic; an endlessly-looping cycle of tedium interspersed with brief moments of happiness and, eventually, death.

If its girly nature doesn't put you off, you'll have a good time. Otherwise, you'd better look elsewhere. [July 2007, p.85]

The loading times are far snappier. [Feb 2007, p.78]

Some episodes are a bit short, but Siren's tense horror is ace. [Sept 2008, p.70]

Pro Evo 2010's headline improvements outweigh those in FIFA 10, but EA's game was at a position of greater strength, and has arguably made a more significant leap, with lots of smaller refinements...We're cautiously proud to confirm PES is back on track. [Nov 2009, p.72]

Great fun - and pretty much essential if you're a Marvel fan - but never truly 'super.' [Feb 2007, p.72]

Plenty of tracks and motors, but fails the brand spectacularly on thrills. It's like Motorstorm as viewed by a seagull. [Apr 2012, p.108]

A great new setting. [Dec 2011, p.110]

Three big, bouncy adventures for 30 quid - plus upgrades. Nice. [May 2011, p.92]

Some inventive Trophies, clean looks and an emotional campaign make this a great purchase at 12 quid. [Feb 2010, p.92]

It's impossible to work out why some shots are brilliant, whereas others are rubbish despite you seemingly doing exactly the same thing twice. Good game, but one kept firmly in check by PSP's limitations. [Nov 2006, p.83]

Combines glossy but vapid action with thoughtful sandboxing. [Sept 2010, p.94]

Overall Spices up the familiar format with a sprinkling of new ideas. The best Silent Hill game since SH3.

Perfect if you can't go to the gym, but frustrating for workout fanatics.

A near-essential addition to PSP's library. [Aug 2007, p.79]

Same old grap, different day. Still fun, but this franchise is ageing. [Christmas 2008, p.82]

We're left plumbing the depths of clone hell. [Issue#174, p.82]

Big, challenging and imaginative, but its hardcore nature won't appeal to everyone. If you have a lot of time, and patience, this is one of PS3's best RPGs. [June 2012, p.100]

Do your homework and Absence of Detention rewards with unrivalled depth. Skive off, and you'll flunk the class. [July 2012, p.111]

An improvement on the original, with some great Final Fantasy fan service thrown in. [Apr 2011, p.78]

One of the more intriguing strategy titles available on PSN. [May 2010, p.96]

It's entertaining, amusing and its screen-filling boss battles are impressive, but it's completely throwaway. [Dec 2006, p.96]

Yet another terrific PSP puzzle game. It's not quite "LocoRoco" or "Lumines," but it's still a superior head-scratcher. [Nov 2006, p.84]

Too short, but packed with quality and imagination. [July 2009, p.60]

A decent update to a solid game. [June 2007, p.70]

Much better than on PS3. [Oct 2007, p.79]

It's the ultimate Ridge - glowing with PS3 power and delivering exactly what you want. If you want it. [Jan 2007, p.72]

Buy it on a handheld. [May 2008, p.80]

An exquisite football game. [June 2008, p.85]

Shines as a tactical blend between third-person shooting and serious strategy - but is eclipsed by Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare. [July 2012, p.104]

It drips atmosphere and style, with great characters and story to boot. [Christmas 2008, p.85]

If you can survive the near-vertical difficulty curve, Mega Man 9 is an entertaining blast from the past. [Dec 2008, p.86]