Don’t let the lack of a third dimension fool you. Street Fighter IV is possibly the best beat-’em-up ever made. A must-have.

Vast, epic, engaging, absorbing, terrifying, horrific, amusing and thoroughly brilliant. Fallout 3 is easily one of the best games ever made and one that deserves and needs to be played.

A truly spectacular sequel that reaches previously unthinkable heights. Portal 2 is an experience to be cherished and already a strong contender for the best game of 2011. [Issue#72, p.78]

Lost and Damned is an absolute behemoth of an expansion, providing a fresh perspective on the same city and setting a devilishly high standard for DLC in the future.

A fantastic, life-affirming piece of software that has set a new standard for what the medium can achieve, with a magnificent multiplayer mode to boot. If all games were this good, no one would ever leave the house. [Issue#33, p.84]

A game of such rare emotion that we became attached to our characters to the point of missing them now it's all over. [Issue 27, p.76]

We can't think of a more complete package to spend our virtual pounds upon. [Issue#29, p.116]

A masterclass in design. Brutal, epic, beautiful and harrowing in equal measure, Gears Of War 2 announces Epic’s reign as the king of the action videogame. Absolutely essential.

A study in pure, unadulterated excellence.

Unsullied by over-complication and masterfully focused, Gears of War aims to offer the most bang per buck yet seen in a videogame, and we're glad to say it does just that. [Issue 14, p.72]

A Batman game like never before. Fans will feel like they're dreaming, whereas everyone else has an incredibly large and in-depth world to enjoy and engage with. It doesn't get much better. [Issue#78, p.80]

Both an astonishing RPG and confident shooter, Mass Effect 2 is daring, shocking and often awe-inspiring in its use of choice. This is the future of storytelling in videogames. [Issue#, p.85]

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.

Titanfall is a ridiculous amount of fun. Maybe it’ll be surpassed, but right now it’s the best game on Xbox One and one of the best multiplayer shooters ever.

The Orange Box offers more value for money than any RPG package in history. Valve and EA could have charged through the nose, but wisely kep it honest. It's the best ?50 you'll ever spend. [Issue#25, p.39]

It’s just a great game tying to be even better. In some cases it works, in other cases it doesn’t. But, ultimately, if the idea of playing a superior version of one of the best games of all time appeals to you (and why wouldn’t it?) then this is a more than worthy excuse for a double-dip.

A furiously successful RPG and FPS combination that doesn't fall short on either front. [Issue#52, p.86]

Accessible, surprisingly innovative and completely engrossing. [Issue#95, p.87]

Mass Effect 3's job is one of refinement, and BioWare polishes its ideas to a mirror sheen. [Issue#83, p.72]

Buy, kiss your life goodbye. [Issue#64, p.103]

It's actually very good. [Issue#80, p.103]

Moment on moment action is outstanding, boss battles some of the most hectic and awesome we’ve seen in years and the presentation – from the bonkers cut-scenes to the brilliantly eclectic evolving soundtrack – is top-notch.

Point-and-click gaming at its very best. Ignore it at your own stupidity. [Issue#49, p.102]

Horizon sacrifices purity for spectacle, trades tuning depth for racing equality and shifts to an open road setting where once were trackside barriers and preset circuits, though none of this detracts from the glorious driving mechanics that Playground Games has superbly re-created under the watchful eye of Turn 10.

Easily in line for a game of the year nod and one of the finest adventures this generation has seen. [Issue#79, p.64]

While many fans will already have BlazBlue, Extend ties together all of the DLC, tweaks and modes that make it the definitive way to enjoy this superb series. [Issue#83, p.89]

There are some foibles – notably the general attitude of the game – but there’s absolutely no denying Forza Motorsport 6 is a brilliant, deep, rewarding racing game.

Its mixture of razor-sharp design and old-school joy make this as close to a must-buy as you're likely to come. [Issue#31, p.116]

The really great thing, however, is the character creation mode. Honestly, it’s brilliant, and about as close to a real character creation as we’ve ever seen.

SCV's great mix of spectacle, accessibility and depth make it a fun fighting game that almost anyone with an interest in the genre can enjoy. [Issue #81, p.88]

While it’s easy to say that it’s not so great offline, Left 4 Dead is supposed to be played with friends and when you do it’s hard to find any flaws. Very fun, very slick and very dead.

Another lovingly recreated LucasArts adventure. [Issue#62,p.100]

It's a brighter, more entertaining version of Trials HD, and a game that you simply need to download. [Issue #81, p.102]

A beautifully presented, wonderfully designed game that spins an emotional yard and will challenge every gamer instinct in your body. An essential exclusive. [Issue#123, p.70]

The best kinect game yet. [Issue#79, p.82]

We wanted to start it again as soon as we'd finished it, which should tell you a lot about L.A. Noire's quality. In the ways that matter it's genuinely excellent. [Issue#72, p.74]

Not quite the technical masterpiece we hoped for, but the mild disappointment soon melts away. The Witcher 3 is a huge, engrossing time-sink of a game that you'll happily spend dozens of hours on. [Issue#125, p.74]

The gameplay you’ve come to know and love is better than it ever has been and the new additions are downright fantastic. Another step up for the now veteran franchise.

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

A return to a level of platforming excellence that's been long forgotten. [Issue#125, p.82]

The greatest Guitar Hero yet. Amazing songs, phenomenal gameplay, and it's online too! [Issue 27, p.86]

A true vintage classic brought bang up to date. [Issue#65, p.103]

Rarely less than magnificent. [Issue#56, p.80]

A near-perfect mixture of frustration and joy, covering similar millimetre-accurate ground to N+, it's not entirely without problems. [Issue#66, p.105]

The level of customisation, freedom of choice and unending list of things to do makes this one of the most worthy and substantial sequels ever created. [Issue#81, p.79]

Slightly less satisfying than last time around, but only to the tune of being the second-best piece of downloadable content ever created for a console title. Not bad then. [Issue#52, p.84]

Graphically sumptuous, deceptively deep and utterly essential. [Issue#5, p.96]

A fantastic-action game that seamlessly integrates its controller in the same way as Guitar Hero did. [Issue#52, p.80]

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

A contender for the title of 2014’s best racer, Forza Horizon 2 builds on foundations laid by its predecessor to make a diverse, entertaining experience.

In truth, FIFA was pushing an eight last time around, so to award this significant jump anything other than a nine would be absolute cruelty. As they say, bravo.

Spectacular. [Issue#58, p.86]

An absolute triumph that shows how ambition and verve combined with next-gen technology can create an absolute monster of a game. The one game every Xbox 360 owner must try. [Issue#5, p.76]

Vast, sprawling, beautiful and infinitely playable, Darksiders II is the biggest and best surprise of 2012. So far. It will fill all the time between now and other big hitters. [Issue#88, p.26]

Fantasy genocide has never been such fun. [Issue#79, p.102]

Such a joy to play. [Issue#79, p.102]

Perhaps still a step away from its freeform goal, but maintains a satisfying illusion of creativity throughout. [Issue#65, p.84]

Maturity be damned! We'll make no excuses for Bulletstorm - it's great precisely because it's fun on such a base level. [Issue#70, p.88]

It's so enjoyable that we'd be hard pressed to recommend a better casual sports game for just about anyone. [Issue#79, p.103]

Finishing the game actually burnt out the pleasure centres of our brain. We're unable to enjoy anything else in life now and instead spend our time wallowing in misery. [Issue#29, p.74]

Zombie perfection. [Issue#53, p.86]

Beautifully paced and with the sort of gothic visuals that would scare Marilyn Manson. [Issue 19, p.116]

A magnificent gameplay concept. [Issue#70, p.102]

A masterclass in how to tell stories in games. [Issue#94, p.80]

There’s more than just a love for the source material here; Alien: Isolation also displays a thorough understanding of what made it work. The game is a worthy accompaniment to Ridley Scott’s film, and there are few bigger compliments we can dish out than that.

Fallout: New Vegas is deeply immersive, hugely engaging and brimming with character and atmosphere. [Issue#65, p.78]

Essential. [Issue#97, p.74]

The perfect racing game for all levels of ability, Forza Motorsport 2's deep customisation options give it an unrivalled lifespan among its genre stablemates. An essential purchase. [Issue#20, p.80]

Believability, challenge, intensity and fun - DiRT 3 has the lot. [Issue#73, p.80]

Doom has more personality than "Halo"...you know it's true. [Issue 13, p.116]

Quite simply another brilliant title in concept and design. [Issue#67, p.100]

With a track list that can rival anything on the market, this has captured the essence of Metallica perfectly. An incredible experience for fans. [Issue#45, p.78]

Repetitive and relatively simple perhaps, but when it's fundamental gratification you're after, Burnout Paradise doesn't go far wrong. A worthy challenger to the likes of "Forza 2," "PGR 4" and "ProStreet." [Issue#29, p.82]

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]

A special little number. [Issue #22, p.114]

Fun, frustrating and incredibly well designed, this is the perfect game to see you through the summer next-gen drought.

The most detailed, realistic, sprawling, long-lasting, and satisfying racing game ever - Eden has actually pulled it off. A must for any high-definition petrolhead; it's absolutely stunning. [Issue 10, p.80]

A radical evolution of the franchise. [Issue#87, p.78]

There is a layer of depth in MMA for those who are looking for more. [Issue#65, p.86]

Nuts & Bolts is a fantastically fun game. It may threaten to overcomplicate itself from time to time, but it’s impossible to play and not come out with a smile on your face.

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

An ambitious, immersive experience that somehow manages to revolutionise every key flaw in its predecessor. [Issue#53, p.78]

The game is bloody marvellous, but we'd rather have a finite number of enemies if it's all the same to you. [Issue 26, p.70]

Engrossing and rewarding. [Issue#85, p.88]

Right now, it doesn't get any better. [Issue#77, p.78]

We kid you not, ProStreet is arguably the best driving game yet...A game of extraordinary brilliance.[Issue 26, p.82]

An exceptionally well-crafted compilation, perhaps the best retro package ever. No matter whether you cut your teeth on the ZX Spectrum or Xbox 360, you’ll find something to love here.

While its other elements hep create atmosphere, they aren't as polished as its peerless gunplay. [Issue#77, p.82]

Its hidden depths might be too obscure for some, but this is the kind of title XBLA was made for. [Issue#85, p.91]

A truly fine sequel and one that goes beyond the original. If you’re looking for a game that represents skating in a genuine and authentic way, Skate 2 will serve your every need.

An open-world classic driven by systems over story. [Issue#117, p.76]

Incomparable to the pure fear that accompanies "Rainbow Six Vegas 2" and more akin to taking part in a sport than a war, Unreal Tournament III is the most accessible and technical shooter available, and it’s near impossible to fault it.

It seems pointless praising a game everyone knows is great, but this version provides a much more stable gaming experience.

Hot Pursuit's campaign combines a variety of modes with gorgeous graphics and a sublime driving experience. [Issue#66 p.77]

BioWare is at the top of its game and though Dragon Age does nothing to push the genre forward, it plays with the existing tools to present an incredibly polished and thoughtful RPG experience. [Issue#52, p.72]

Combat's a gut-busting harmony of visceral martial arts techniques and, combined with the UFC telecasting experience, this is by far the best MMA game to date. [Issue#59, p.76]

It’s great to see a developer building on its original game with such love and care. One of our favourite shooters in living memory.

One of the standout games of the generation so far, Rise provides stunning setpieces, brilliant exploration and challenging puzzles. This is an Xbox One essential.