About as close to the pinnacle of the racing simulation genre as you could reasonable expect to get. [Issue#78, p.72]

The simple creativity it showed in blending the player's virtual action into the fabric of each level's trance soundtrack was a breath of fresh air in a world where 'rhythm action' mean "PaRappa" or "Dancing Stage." [Issue#30, p.120]

Dark Souls' world is dense with something new around every corner. [Issue#78, p.76]

An excellent puzzle platformer that introduces new ideas at a breakneck pace. [Issue#121, p.85]

Fantastic stuff. [Issue#48, p.99]

It's a sublime alternative to Street Fighter and worth investing in even if you've got the original. [Issue#65, p.90]

Finally, the great one is back - it looks cheap, but it plays exceptionally. [Issue#130, p.72]

SSF4 raises the series' game again and continues its quest to be crowned the greatest beat-'em-up of all time. And extremely worthy and credible update. [Issue#58, p.90]

Minecraft fans will adore it, Telltale fans will love it, those who like neither might find something to enjoy, and those who like both will literally explode with joy. [Issue#130, p.74]

Innovative controls, fantastic physics, seamless animation and pretty darn sweet visuals. Take a breath, retune your brain and learn how to sakte - you'll be glad you did! [Issue#25, p.84]

A near flawless example of how to reboot a franchise. Gripping, satisfying and strangely dark, we struggle to see how this origin story could have been told much better. [May 2013, p.77]

Assault Heroes will leave you giddy with its freewheeling, high-score chasing bliss. [Issue # 16, p.114]

Ultimately, though, no matter what you read elsewhere, its perfection, or lack thereof, will boil down to your own ability either to forgive, or to be blind to a few inarguable flaws: a slow start for an FPS, an ending that doesn’t feel earned, and too big a contrast in your behaviour versus Elizabeth’s reactions to it.

A must-have game for more than than the multiplayer. [Issue#53, p.82]

Feels amazingly fresh and new. [Issue 26, p.118]

Peter Molynuex was recently quoted as saying, pre-release, that he felt Fable II is a nine out of ten game. You know what, Pete? You’re spot-on mate.

A throwback to an almost non-existent genre on 360 and a superb addition to the list of great titles on XBLA. [Issue#50, p.93]

Based on longevity, this would receive about 500/10. [Issue#52, p.105]

A genius concept thanks to exploding sheep, homing missiles, air strikes and Street Fighter special moves. [Issue 19, p.116]

Great value, incredibly addictive and fun no matter what your skill level, Trials Evolution deserves to be another multimillion seller for one of Live Arcade's flagship names. [Issue#84, p.102]

The undoubted king of videogame football, but beginning to stagnate just a little. [Issue#51, p.80]

Only for the bold, Dark Souls II delivers a fearsome challenge, while dispensing with the complexity that bogged down its predecessor. A true triumph of game design.

An absolute beast. [Issue#48, p.80]

A wonderfully crafted, artistically perfect interpretation of The Beatles' music, oozing with love from every pore. [Issue#50, p.80]

A masterful piece of contemporary game design and a richly rewarding experience suitable for all ages. [Issue#86, p.98]

Tough for the many but heaven for the few, Bayonetta soundly trumps the Devil May Cry franchise as the Xbox 360's prime hack-and-slash action game. We eagerly wait for more. [Issue#54, p.74]

It's probably one of the best co-op games you'll ever play. [Issue#90, p.72]

Crisp, manic, gorgeous and invigorating at times, Forza 5 is as accomplished as ever technically. Drivatar is the only real innovation, and car numbers are lower, but it’s an incredible opening act on Xbox One.

A wonderful return to form. [Issue#90, p.80]

One of the most innovative and fun platformers of the generation. [Issue#102, p.82]

It's easily the best puzzle game to come along in quite some time and arguably up there with some of the best we've seen within the world of videogames. [Issue#38, p.114]

A considerable leap forward in enemy AI, regardless of concerns some might have about tactical depth and how see-through it occasionally is. A more tense experience on 360 there ain't. [Issue 14, p.76]

Despite our concerns, Rock Band 3 amazes through its sheer potential. [Issue#66, p.74]

Bloody brilliant. [Issue#90, p.90]

Tekken games seldom disappoint, but TTT2 is the best in years. [Issue#89,p.73]

There’s very little to denounce Dead Space with. It captures you completely with chilling suspense and leaves you feeling thoroughly thrilled. What can we say? Bring on a sequel!

The game itself is categorically excellent and even if it isn't quite what you might expect from something labeled Devil May Cry, this is a robust, deep and brilliantly executed action game, not to mention a sterling effort at reinventing something that was – if DMC4 was anything to go by – beginning to grow stale.

There are a few frustrations, but with so many characters, side-missions, collectables, puzzles, laughs, unlockables and cheeky nods to both casual fans and super-buffs, this is one LEGO title you won’t want to miss.

This looks awesome enough to make your eyes bleed with joy. [Issue#5, p.120]

Dead Rising features arcade-quality gameplay wrapped around a classic movie theme and sprinkled with tons of extras. Worth buying an Xbox 360 for - everyone should play this game. [Issue # 11, p.72]

Not only the best Assassin's Creed yet, but one of the meatiest, most engaging games of this generation. [Issue#66, p.78]

Single-player is too similar to what has come before to earn perfect marks, whereas all other aspects are worthy of such commendation. [Issue#25, p.72]

Fantastically violent and built for online players and loners alike. [Issue#124, p.72]

We may have to wait until FIFA 15 before we get to play a truly next-gen game of football, but EA still went above and beyond here. An Xbox One essential.

Effortlessly demonstrates Telltale's handle on episodic content. [Issue#105, p.84]

A brilliantly designed puzzle platformer with a wonderful protagonist that sets varied gameplay scenarios within a compelling world. [Issue#124, p.87]

The Darkness delivers on every level. A great FPS with a captivating atmosphere, it boasts intriguing characters, an intense plot and has a heap of depth to boot. It's undeniably impressive. [Issue 21, p.76]

The most accomplished, perfectly balanced and dazzlingly polished fighting game ever made - but watch out, it punishes infidels unwilling to invest the time to learn the 'art.' [Issue#25, p.88]

While only minor additions to the game, Enemy Within somehow manages to make the greatest console turn-based strategy game even better. [Issue#105, p.88]

Not a revolutionary sequel, but still one that improves and enhances the formula in countless ways, only a small few of which prove slightly misguided. [Issue#68, p.76]

An incredible historical document, charting the rise and success of the Xbox's biggest franchises. Vital to any collection. [Issue#118, p.56]

An undeniable classic - and, for once, one not showing the ravages of age. If only the letters "H" and "D" signified something more than numbers. [Issue#69, p.102]

You'd be a fool to live without it. [Nov 2009, p.104]

A quite marvelous piece of work. [Issue#53, p.104]

Lacking a little in polish and bizarrely ordered though it may be, Forza Motorsport 3 nevertheless delivers gaming's most authentic racing experience. Fact. [Issue#52, p.76]

Spaceman dude has a fantastic array of weapons. [Issue#101, p.85]

It's like The Sims, but with much shorter life expectancies. [Issue#91, p.66]

RDR isn't perfect: there are some control issues to navigate, and sometimes it is unclear what exactly you have to do next...But these are minor quibbles. [Issue#59, p.82]

Simply put, it's Criterion's most accomplished racer. [Issue#91, p.74]

Find a comfy armchair, arm yourself with fizzy sweets and pretend you're eight again. [Issue 26, p.116]

Rock Band 2 includes substantial improvements and a better setlist over its predecessor, making it the must-own music game for the 360. [Issue#39]

Lovingly crafted, musical, involving, delightful, beautiful, addictive and crammed with anime cheese. [Issue#25, p.92]

A huge crowd appeared the second we turned Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix on. [Issue#40, p.115]

A dream come true for music fans and gamers alike. If you've recently won the lottery, it's a must-buy. [Issue#29, p.88]

This is just about the dancing. [Issue#116, p.81]

Without doubt, this is a download for the true hardcore, but anyone who dares will be treated to one of the greatest games yet on Live Arcade. [Issue#38, p.114]

A classic example of a developer polishing a great idea until it's virtually gleaming. Go get it now. [Issue#76, p.101]

Beautiful, thrilling, epic, and with the depth to reward repeat plays, Castlevania is one of the year's best. [Issue#64, p.78]

Unless you’re particularly unsportsmanlike when it comes to multiplayer sessions with your mates, bludgeoning a man unconscious on your 360 doesn’t get any more realistic than this.

Epic beyond what we'd expect from a Halo game, typically well-polished and boasting impeccable shooter design. [Issue#64, p.80]

As visceral and genuinely 'on the edge' as they come. [Issue#5, p.86]

Easily one of the 360's finest shooters, then, and we genuinely can't wait to see what 343 does next.

Like any game of such scope, not every part of it is perfect. Yet, taken as a whole, there is very little that can compete with its wonderful, lavish, historical playground. [Issue#91, p.22]

Improved in some areas, diminished in others, FIFA is still this year's toast but could be dethroned with committed effort from the competition. [Issue#64, p.87]

The daddy is back. [Issue#37, p.116]

Deliciously tactical and exciting, with a sombre mood akin to the ever-wonderful Blackadder Goes Forth. [Issue#58, p.104]

A strong start to an ambitious series, held up by a series of thrilling interactions with the characters and actors from the TV show. A genuine must for fans. [Issue#120, p.77]

There is no other sports sim out there that can beat Virtua Tennis 3 for entertainment value. [Issue 18, p.86]

Fans of racing or Formula 1 games will be nothing short of impressed. [Issue#64, p.90]

A well-made and mostly fun interpretation of hte Batman universe, Arkham Asylum lacks evolution and can wear thin, but it stands up admirably in a very competitive genre. [Issue#50, p.84]

Foibles aside, Enslaved is an engaging fusion of genres with a flair for characterisation. [Issue#64, p.92]

Successfully combines elements of both franchises in an imaginative, fun and impressive fighting game. [Issue#83, p.76]

Far Cry 3 has strong, albeit a little forced, RPG elements. And during its better moments it feels more like Skyrim than it does a typical FPS.

It's the most accurate home port yet. [Issue#80, p.102]

It has enough cutesy charm to just about justify the admission price. [Issue#34, p.117]

Nowhere near as much fun or as addictive as the competition. [Issue#52, p.104]

It manages to overcome its linearity problems in some imaginative ways and is well worth your time. [Issue#83, p.84]

Starts off brilliantly but, like a loose thread, it begins to slowly unravel until you're left with just another God Of War clone. [Issue #56, p.78]

It should have been released months before "Soulcalibur IV" comes out, not the Wednesday before. [Issue#35, p.114]

While its ambitious ideas fall by the wayside, the core act of shooting robots is done better than we dared to hope. [Issue#83, p.87]

Feels like the game we worried that Brotherhood would be. [Issue#79, p.60]

In its own ragged way, Alpha Protocol takes a more sophisticated approach to its plot than Mass Effect or Dragon Age. [Issue#60, p.88]

Galaga has varied enemies, a cute double ship trick, as well as tough bonus stages that are nearly impossible to get perfect for (Hello Achievements!). [Issue 9, p.106]

Apart from the customisation, the wild choice of races, the territory slant and the team-mates, this is bloody good fun. Everyone from casual racers to hardcore petrolheads should try it. [Issue 13, p.86]

This is easily the best Call of Duty campaign in quite some time. [Issue#79, p.68]

What is there is so compelling that the lack of additional stages can't help but feel like a disappointment. The game's strengths are a double-edged sword. Regardless, this is still one of the best games of this year. With a bit of work, a potential sequel could be one of the best games of any year.

Still brilliant, but the amount that’s gone in to please noobs is grossly disproportionate to that which aims to please fans. Nonetheless, Tiger keeps up his impressive run.

True, the content available on Xbox Live continues to improve, but even with the spate of excellent titles to hit the service over the last year or two, there are very few as good as Hell Yeah! Wrath Of The Dead Rabbit.