Looks stunning, handles well – but the level design and combat will leave you wanting more.

While those that disliked XIII and its sequel might not find anything here to convert them – or at least not allow themselves to be converted by a strong action-RPG due to its cast or past – fans will find an entertaining and surprisingly innovative full stop to this chapter of the Final Fantasy franchise.

Fable Anniversary has been given a great HD-coat of paint, but many of the mechanics feel too outdated by today’s standards to be satisfying.

Liberation won’t blow either long term fans, or Assassin’s Creed’s sceptics, out of the water. It does, however, have some original ideas.

The idea of an FPS in the spirit of Counter-Strike is sound enough, but Rekoil needs to do a lot more than emulate this Valve classic to pull it off.

Boring when it works, frustrating when it doesn't, Fighter Within is one of the worst games you could ever have the displeasure of playing. [Issue#107, p.]

Endearing and satisfying. [Issue#107, p.70]

A few years ago How To Survive may have been enough to make the grade, but in a world overrun by superior zombie titles it barely makes the cut.

It’s an awkward mix of Diablo and Soul Reaver that nobody asked for. Something to play if you’ve got a few hours and an itch to bump up your Gamerscore.

A range of free workouts, respected trainers and the instant feedback from the Kinect makes this an impressive all-round fitness programme.

Some entertaining new challenges and excellent use of physics, but we simply can’t recommend it at this price, nor can we find justification for it.

The only thing we can definitively say is that if publishers are going to begin overcharging for slight next-gen upgrades, then this is going to be one hell of a long generation.

Graphically not as impressive as we would have liked and really not all that different from what we’ve played before. Still solid, but uninspiring.

While a number of the mechanics will feel familiar, The Bridge still feels like a slick perception puzzler that fans of brain ticklers will no doubt warm to.

A smart, stylish attempt at bringing platform puzzling back to the fore, regrettably let down by a physics engine that doesn’t want to co-operate.

Disappointing on almost every level, EA needs to seriously rethink NBA Live if it ever wants to compete with the NBA 2K series.

Still a great fighter even without all the bells and whistles that have been bolted on in recent years - it’s more accessible and balanced than later ones, too.

The lack of clear black and white moral choices is as refreshing as it ever was, even if this season opener seems to hint at a slight change in tone.

Max: Curse Of Brotherhood is challenging, fun and ultimately enjoyable as it blends precision physics-based puzzles with beautiful visuals.

TMNT is sloppy, unresponsive and it looks shocking. [Issue#106, p.86]

An exasperating experience. [Issue#106, p.85]

Definitely fun for the whole family.

It’d be unfair to criticise Ryse too much since, at least Crytek is trying something new. The combat could be better, but the Roman setting does feel fresh.

Typically impenetrable for novices, but it’s a stunning piece of work and with some time spent learning the mechanics makes for an epic sporting experience.

At a cheaper price, Crimson Dragon would be a little more acceptable; although it’s enjoyable at its core, there are few redeeming features.

Lococycle is full of Twisted Pixel’s wacky brand of humour and is animated excellently, but the limited gameplay just holds it back from being a must-have.

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.

The breaker system and surprisingly freeform combo mechanics offer some depth/longevity, plus it’s amusing enough for button-mashers too.

Rivals has managed to slip neatly into the middle ground between hardcore and arcade, offering brilliant gameplay mechanics and shameless thrills.

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]

It's a case of more of the same, but with such good source material this isn't a bad thing. [Issue#105, p.87]

30 Years of Wrestlemania is brilliant but that aside, this is exactly the same WWE sequel you would have expected from the house of THQ. [Issue#105, p.86]

There's plenty of variety. [Issue#105, p.85]

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

While the campaign is a damn sight better than Battlefield 3's, it still falls a little flat in spots. [Issue#105, p.82]

Black Flag tightens enough screws and adds enough cool new stuff to make it the best in ages. [Issue#105, p.79]

Simulation gaming with a sense of fun we haven’t experienced in years. Think Viva Piñata meets Theme Park and you’re close. Plus it actually works really well with Kinect. A winning combo.

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.

Dead Rising 3 might be a little rough around the edges, but it’s unrelenting in its ability to keep you engaged and entertained.

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.

Call Of Duty: Ghosts is a familiar experience, but it’s been fine tuned to almost perfection. The multiplayer is the best it’s been in a long time.

In many ways Irrational has combined the best elements of original BioShock and Infinite and returned us to a world we’ve been sorely missing.

Distinctly average, and aside from a few interesting online elements there's little to keep you coming back for more after your first few hours of gameplay. [Issue#104, p.84]

A masterclass in classic platformer design, DuckTales: Remastered may be over quickly, but it's a nostalgic trip that will certainly inspire a few smiles. [Issue#104, p.83]

It's the Ultimate edition you didn't ask for, but still good fun. [Issue#104, p.82]

Everyone loves karaoke. [Issue#104, p.81]

The improvements all help make it a much better learning tool. [Issue#104, p.80]

For fans of F1 both casual and hardcore this is still well worthy of your attention. [Issue#104, p.79]

Smart advances on pitch make the game skillful and extremely rewarding. It's just a shame that a few small niggles haven't been fixed from last year. [Issue#104, p.76]

It feels like the current gen is holding it back from greatness. [Issue#103, p.87]

The bugs overshadow what is a generally poor update of a classic game. [Issue#103, p.86]

Although fun, it'll only keep you entertained for infinity if you're happy to watch Mr Incredible beat up Aladdin guards for all eternity. [Issue#103, p.84]

Spark Unlimited had the ambition to revive the Lost Planet franchise, but the execution is sorely lacking in multiple areas. [Issue#103, p.82]

Learn the nuances then revel in the gorgeous results. [Issue#103, p.80]

It's one of the best local and online co-op games available on 360. [Issue#103, p.77]

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

Payday 2's unique brand of co-op mayhem cannot be missed, but for this price and when learning how to pull off a perfect heist is just so much fun. [Issue#102, p.81]

It's not ready yet. [Issue#102, p.78]

We won't deny that Killer Is Dead has some issues, but what it gets right it does so with gusto and originality, and in today's world they are valuable attributes indeed. [Issue#102, p.74]

The design mantra, it would appear, is to offer you as much freedom as possible. [Issue#102, p.70]

As stupid and amusing a game as we've seen this generation and even though some of it may be repurposed, the original stuff is good enough that it barely matters. [Issue#102, p.66]

GTA V is funny, genuinely laugh out loud funny – and not in a ’shoving a ten-inch purple dildo up your arse’ funny – the humour is told through situation, through incredibly clever writing and wonderful sense of place. Really, that says everything you need to know about GTA V. Rockstar has spent five years, and an insane amount of money, building a game that is not only bold enough to step away from expectation, but brave enough to revel in its combined history as well.

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

It's a bad game compromised further by awkward monetisation. [Issue#101, p.84]

Extremely boring. [Issue#101, p.80]

By the end of the game, you'll be questioning your sanity. [Issue#101, p.78]

Simple, compelling and really hard to put down. [Issue#100, p.87]

It's just a shame that it technically can't match up to its really lofty ambitions. [Issue#100, p.86]

It packs a lot into its short playtime but still manages to pack an emotional wallop. With intriguing puzzles and solid gameplay, Starbreeze earns every moment. [Issue#100, p.84]

There's a laser-like focus on gunplay here that strips away much of the fluff. [Issue#99, p.81]

Too damn short. [Issue#99, p.78]

It's never bland, but it is so bland it's impossible to recommend. [Issue#99, p.74]

You wouldn't know that this used to be a 3DS game. [Issue#99, p.73]

Genuinely funny. [Issue#99, p.70]

The cars never felt "right." [Issue#99, p.67]

As absorbing and oddly addictive an experience as you'll find on 360. Just keep an eye on the clock - this game devours hours at a time. [Issue#98, p.81]

The Behemoth's follow-up to Castle Crashers has been well worth the wait. [Issue#98, p.79]

If you're any good at all at fighters, give it a go. [Issue#98, p.78]

Those hoping for improvements will be left disappointed. [Issue#98, p.76]

Great presentation and a wealth of content make up for technical shortcomings. [Issue#98, p.74]

Wholly entertaining, Blood Dragon chucks everything we didn't like about Far Cry 3 in the bin and cranks everything else we did like up to 11. Then adds lasers. Solid. [Issue #98, p.72]

Warning: highly addictive. [Issue#98, p.70]

A marked improvement on the original, and though it does make a few new mistakes, there's a lot here that story-loving FPS fans will appreciate. [Issue#98, p.65]

The lack of challenge only adds to the boredom. In every way, Army Of Two: The Devil’s Cartel is an embarrassment to videogames...Not just boring, but exactly the kind of ‘violence for violence‘s sake’ dross the anti-videogame lobbyists dredge up at the arrival of each new atrocity.

It’s double-hard to make such harsh criticisms of a game into which such a tremendous amount of care has been poured – obvious by its looks, and obvious by that token that a great many of those who worked on it cared.

It's a unique twist on the stealth genre and one that's worth exploring in three dimensions. [Issue#97, p.77]

It can't hide its budget nature, presenting strategy fans with irksome gameplay, ugly visuals and an overall lack of polish or thought. This is a mess. [Issue#97, p.76]

This is a weird mixture of good and bad. [Issue#97, p.75]

Essential. [Issue#97, p.74]

Basically, it's broken. [Issue#97, p.73]

Under that pixelated good is a deviously complex fighting engine. This means it's not for everyone, thought. [Issue#97, p.71]

A delight to play, despite the fact that it openly revels in your failure. [Issue#97, p.70]

This year's effort comprises a lot of recycled, poorly implemented and buggy content, some of which is locked behind a pay-to-bypass grind wall. You can't charge 50 quid for that. [Issue#97, p.68]

There are good ideas here, but too much bogging them down. [Issue#97, p.66]

Surprisingly deep. [Issue#97, p.64]

You'll wonder why you didn't just stick with multiplayer greats like Bomberman. [May 2013, p.89]

Will struggle to hold the attention of anyone that didn't hammer these games back in the day. [May 2013, p.88]

The story is as epic as it ever was, but the gameplay is uninspired. [May 2013, p.86]