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.

Although it's undeniably fun, the gameplay hasn't aged that well and after 30 minutes or so your eyelids will start to get heavy and fatigue sets in. [Issue#40, p.114]

Strangely it’s not the voice recognition that limits EndWar but the RTS and tactical choices that are overlooked. The single-player is left wanting in favour of a strong multiplayer.

So many cliches, so little time. [Issue#40, p.103]

This is an unexpected game. Everything points to the fact that by all accounts it should be awful. Licenses like this hardly ever work, but amazingly it comes off feeling like a fun, throwaway shooter with a workable shooting mechanic and some quite enjoyable moments that, while strictly not very Bond in nature, make the game well worth a look if you’re either a Bond fan or even just enjoy a good shooter.

Absolutely savaged by constant loading screens, it’s hard to appreciate the seven or so gems in Namco Museum.

Brilliant fun, humorous and entertaining without being condescending to its audience. [Issue#41, p.97]

The tracks are fantastic, but the bare bones package is upsetting. If this had been DLC we’d be all over it, but as it stands, it falls quite short of expectations.

You're going to have to go a long way to find an Xbox Live Arcade title as funny as this. [Issue#40, p.114]

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.

While 08 offers greater accessibility to novices, we can’t help but feel it’s had a troubled development and ends up making little improvement.

Every bit as fun as the last Scene It?, Box Office Smash adds online multiplayer and an energetic interface that elevates this year’s outing above all other similar games.

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 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]

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.

As kids’ games go this is a step in the right direction but too many of the old problems raise their ugly head, not that the kids will notice mind you.

One of the best Spider-Man games yet. [Issue#40, p.101]

Far Cry 2 is a drawn-out yet ambitious FPS that doesn’t quite align its many ideas into an effective game, due to the confused nature of the open world. Nice atmosphere, though.

You can't help but admire the artistry with which Rockstar's world has been created, but too many fundamental elements elements fall short of greatness. [Issue#39]

Penis-shaped arenas ahoy! [Issue#39]

Cheap, bland, and pretty much tasteless, like that value-brand white block that claims its chicken. [Issue#43, p.94]

It sucks! [Issue#37, p.116]

While you may enjoy the combat and beasts, the whole game is just far too tedious and it’s missing everything that made the original great.

A very pleasant surprise. Accomplished way beyond our expectations and some of the best fun we’ve had inside a videogame this year, Saints Row 2 says nay to the naysayers.

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!

While the campaign is really good fun and the brutal tackles are definitely a highlight, the graphics are really poor and the gameplay is too shallow to make a lasting impact.

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.

Trouble is, it all controls a little too crisply for our liking. [Issue#37, p.117]