Games don't get much more friendly than this. [JPN Import; Nov 2007, p.100]

This is NBA Live as it definitely should be - deep, engrossing, polished fun. [Dec 2007, p.114]

The ending is so wrong you'll want to scrub your brain clean. [Mar 2009, p.92]

Unless you hate brown, gory toilets and machines that need power restoring via distant switches, make sure you drift off into Dead Space. [Dec 2008, p.104]

The post-game wrap-ups are especially good, enabling you to look at each player's top moments from the match. [Dec 2007, p.111]

The core gameplay is so well-balanced. [Mar 2008, p.103]

Cold, brutal, clinical...the real face of modern warfare. [Christmas 2007, p.110]

An essential addition to the Elder Scrolls universe. [Feb 2008, p.94]

A brilliantly weird and different experience. [Dec 2009, p.124]

Strictly in terms of gameplay, this is probably a 7/10 - fun and polished if a little repetitive - but there's absolutely an extra level of enjoyment and quality here thanks to the smart and sensitive use of much-loved material. [July 2009, p.86]

If, like us, you found the first game a bit sticky and imprecise to play, you can rest easier with this sequel - this is a crisper experience. [Apr 2008, p.110]

This is Capcom in fine and original fettle, with a gut-punch of a shooter that's guaranteed to thaw out your wintry fingers. [Mar 2008, p.104]

Unique, rewarding, and brilliantly conceived both on and off the pitch. [Christmas 2008, p.119]

You won't find a better way to work through those anger issues. [July 2009, p.94]

Things look very good for "FIFA 09." [May 2008, p.106]

It's a huge return to form. [Dec 2008, p.114]

Bad news if you're after something brand new, but great if you're happy with their winning mix of firepower and smart laughs. [Aug 2008, p.102]

American football mixes brain and brawn like no other sport, and it's something Madden 09 reflects beautifully. [Oct 2008, p.96]

It's a lively way to breathe new life into RPG battles, which are often ugly and hard to follow. [Dec 2008, p.112]

An oddity that provides richness and balance to the softwre library. [June 2008, p.96]

When it's good, it's absolutely bloody brilliant. But the deeper you delve, the tougher it is to ignore its few flaws. [Aug 2009, p.106]

A cracking game. [Sept 2009, p.108]

There's also a vast amount of replay value in the secrets. [July 2008, p.98]

Delightful but requiring a deft touch to master, this really is golf for everybody. [Aug 2008, p.104]

Don't be fooled by the cute elephants - this is puzzling at its most brutal. [Sept 2008, p.98]

The slower pace might frustrate those used to COD4's adrenaline-soaked battles or Warhawk's arcadey clashes, but it's still a thrill. As a Metal Gear game it works beautifully, capturing the series' essence perfectly. [July 2008, p.108]

It's genuinely unsettling. [Aug 2008, p.94]

Buzz's transition to next-gen is further proof that Sony continues to "get" social gaming brilliantly. [July 2008, p.107]

Everywhere that 2K9 is good, "NHL 09" is excellent. [Nov 2008, p.111]

Where it counts, 2K9 is hard to fault. [Dec 2008, p.121]

Compared to Modern Warfare, World at War is loud and crass. [Christmas 2008, p.100]

It's a serious, focused and for the most part excellent sime that's more dynamic than "Gran Tursimo Prologue." [Aug 2008, p.96]

Running around robbing ancient artefacts, desecrating temples and cracking intense puzzles is just as satisfying as ever, and feels like vintage Tomb Raider through and through. [Dec 2008, p.92]

The best PSP game since Chains of Olympus. [Apr 2009, p.92]

Not fussy like GT or exhaustively varied like Grid, just simple, metal-crunching competition that delivers tons of reckless fun. [Dec 2008, p.96]

It's the best footy game on PSP, but isn't a big step up from last time out - and therefore stops short of a 9/10. [Christmas 2008, p.96]

A no-frills fan favourite. [Christmas 2008, p.96]

Yakuza is really where Sega took much-mourned Dreamcast classic "Shenmue." [Nov 2008, p.108]

A better game than the original, but also a less even one. [Feb 2009, p.94]

The combat's a bit bust but not a deal-breaker, and the characters are deep and likeable enough to make for good company for the 12 or so hours you'll spend with them. [Christmas 2008, p.84]

Strange, but somehow comforting. [Mar 2009, p.94]

It's enough to make it feel new and shiny again, and well worth buying. [Jan 2009, p.100]

One of the strongest JRPGs on PSP. [Apr 2009, p.107]

The best fun we've had on PSN for ages. [Jan 2009, p.94]

Play it right and it builds into a hypnotically rhythmic blur of colour and sound. [Mar 2009, p.91]

Very similar to Patapon, but it just about gets away with it. Partly, that's because there's loads more stuff (units, weapons and consequently strategic depth), partly because the core mechanic is still top fun (albeit exactly half as fresh as before), and partly because it seems ludicrous to criticise a game about dancing, warlike eyeballs for lack of originality. [Feb 2009, p.96]

Amazingly it works - particularly in online co-op. [May 2009, p.97]

A great sports game. [Apr 2009, p.104]

The gameplay is also spot on. [June 2009, p.94]

But what's really special is how good Battlefield sounds. [Apr 2010, p.102]

The only thing counting against all this is the overall size of the package. [Sept 2009, p.102]

Best giant stone frog puzzler ever, ever, ever. [Sept 2009, p.108]

Unless you hate Queen (boo!) this is near essential. [May 2009, p.99]

Accomplished and addictive. [Aug 2009, p.117]

Well polished and accessible. [May 2009, p.99]

It succeeds throughout because every element feels like it's pulling its weight. Flying, driving, shooting, free roaming chaos, linear missions: Everything feels big and in your face. [Apr 2010, p.94]

Just buy it. [June 2009, p.97]

An accessible, and crucially, fun scrapper. [May 2009, p.96]

Shift is the racer NFS could've only dreamed of evolving into last year. [Nov 2009, p.132]

Playing with four is the most fun. [Aug 2009, p.115]

So you can keep your super serious racers with their parts, bins, gear ratios and manicured race tracks; I'll be playing Fuel with its tornadoes, hovercraft and XXL off-roading. [June 2009, p.92]

It's loud, it's ludicrous and more importantly, it's a huge laugh. [Nov 2009, p.110]

A big improvement over the original, and one that deserves to be played by loads more people. So at least eight of you this time, yeah? [July 2009, p.90]

Playable like a digitally remastered greatest hits album. [Nov 2009, p.120]

Story mode suffers from some weird plot touches. [Jan 2010, p.108]

The only thing missing from Rapture is the thrill of the new. [Mar 2010, p.104]

It's game on between the big two once again. [Dec 2009, p.114]

Strong, but just behind FIFA. [Christmas 2009, p.117]

A sports game that will leave you constantly thrilled and fulfilled. [Nov 2009, p.122]

There's no reason for it to take any risks, and it doesn't. [Nov 2009, p.112]

Superb value. [July 2009, p.104]

Want to blow up stuff and drive faster than a greased weasel stapled to a Catherine wheel? Blur is your new best pal. [July 2010, p.110]

Demon's Souls is difficult. Really, really difficult. [JPN Import; July 2009, p.100]

A fine addition to a flagging empire. [Aug 2009, p.119]

A rewarding and tactile experience overall despite the inconsistency. [Christmas 2009, p.118]

You must download this now. [Sept 2009, p.110]

As a pure fighting experience, this can't compete with its MMA counterpart. But there's so much to do that the actual wrestling is often secondary...It's those rich, user-generated elements that make this the deepest, most playable WWE game yet. [Nov 2009, p.114]

Very playable. [Christmas 2009, p.117]

It's fast, smooth and pretty. [July 2009, p.93]

A very likeable game. [Dec 2009, p.122]

There are other platformers around, but not many can offer brains and beauty, never mind such a happy ending. [Nov 2009, p.125]

This is right up there along side Trash Panic as the best the Store currently has to offer in the sub five quid range. [Oct 2009, p.121]

Dante's set its own standard in levels of exploity, B-movie style unpleasantness. [Mar 2010, p.112]

The really exciting thing is the appearance of the new event types. [Oct 2009, p.120]

At 11.99 this is an expensive slice of PSN, but the end result is so tasty you won't regret it. [Oct 2009, p.117]

It's still number one - barely. [Dec 2009, p.122]

While the gameplay is better than ever, the overstuffed presentation makes sticking around long enough to master anything that little bit tougher. [June 2010, p.110]

The graphics are endearing and the gameplay immersive. [Feb 2010, p.111]

This type of game is exactly what PSP needs more of. [May 2010, p.111]

Leaves the majority of its competitors languishing in its slipstream - with a glorious pile of fresh debris raining down around them. [June 2010, p.100]

Another classic with a Twilight twist. [Dec 2009, p.18]

There's nothing else like it. [Dec 2009, p110]

From Jump to Eruption, the note placement is a joy to belt out. [Apr 2010, p.113]

It's still the only game guaranteed to get everyone in the family playing, swearing, calling you a cheat and loving every dangerously competitive minute. [Feb 2010, p.115]

The warmth in the world has survived the scaling down. [Jan 2010, p.106]

The objective-based Architect mode is especially satisfying. [Dec 2009, p.18]

It's a fighter that also satisfies your OCD side. [Christmas 2009, p.112]

Feels solid and assured. [Christmas 2009, p.119]

Can be as thrilling as the season it's based on. [Christmas 2009, p.113]

Delightful. [May 2010, p.110]

A little piece of retro vampire-blasting joy. [Mar 2010, p.111]

It's a slow burner, but once you get to grips with the ridiculously deep battle system, its hooks won't loosen until you see all 16 long chapters out. [June 2010, p.117]

This is covered in Dookie - but most definitely not sh*t. [July 2010, p.111]

An excellent and testing shooter. [June 2010, p.117]

Combine the racing with the vast creative options and this is a splendid package for which the best is yet to come, via community-created tracks, cars and freaky figures. [June 2010, p.114]

A refreshing breath of nostalgic gaming, and brilliant value at under a tenner. [July 2010, p.104]

In too many ways this is identical to the last game. That's not necessarily a bad thing - "RE4" is one of the greatest games ever made because it rewrote the rules for action games, setting a template for everything from "Dead Space" to "Dark Sector." Because of that this is still a damn near essential purchase. It's just a shame that the lack of evolution means it occasionally feels like it's lagging behind the very competitors it inspired. [Mar 2009, p.80]

One hell of an invigorating game. [Aug 2010, p.108]

Into cult classic territory. [July 2010, p.107]

Luckily, there's plenty more to do when you're bored of the main story. [Aug 2010, p.118]

The best thing is that both the game and the Hogwarts setting feel genuinely big. [Aug 2010, p.112]

A spellbinding little fantasy adventure. [Sept 2010, p.110]

This is a comprehensive package. [Sept 2010, p.113]

The presentation is brimming with cartoony amusement. [Sept 2010, p.114]

It's the first import game that punishes you for not being a Yank. [Sept 2010, p.118]

An insane intergalactic treat. [Sept 2010, p.119]

It's great to have a solid grap alternative to UFC Undisputed. [Dec 2010, p.106]

Obsidian has taken the dehydrated sands of apocalyptic Nevada and made them feel like a theme park of blood, blackjack, and Brahmin. [Issue#51, p.96]

What counts is that, once mastered, Vanquish has arguably the best example of third-person gunplay yet committed to Blu-ray. [Issue#51, p.112]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

A stopgap sequel. [Dec 2010]

Really fun. [Christmas 2010]

Rockstar is the master of horror. [Christmas 2010]

The dancey track selection gives the game a more up-tempo feel.

A gorgeously simple set of controls. [Christmas 2010, p.109]

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift takes on all the beat-'em-up rules and punches them in their stupid throats. [Issue#51, p117]

Weird, wonderful. [Christmas 2010]

The important parts work perfectly. [Christmas 2010]

Costume Quest glows with creepy artistic charm. [Issue#51, p.118]

Grab your pimp cup and step up to the battle, and you'll find not only some serious karaoke, but the best online set-up for any music game yet. [Issue#51, p.104]

MOH survives its weaknesses because when it's good, it's excellent. [Issue#51, p.100]

After a decade of failures, all those extra lives Sonic's collected over the years have finally come to fruition. [Issue#51, p.119]

Addictive, fun, and one of PSN's best strategy games. [Issue#51, p.118]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

"Quotation Forthcoming"

"Quotation Forthcoming"

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Great value. [Feb 2011, p.103]

Distressingly addictive. [Feb 2011, p.103]

A must-download for anyone who likes something a little more challenging than pulling a trigger. [Feb 2011, p.111]

This is an expensive bacon sandwich, but you'll devour it with gusto. [Feb 2011, p.114]

Deliciously destructive. [Feb 2011, p.114]

A surprisingly solid puzzler. [Feb 2011, p.114]

There's a genuine feeling that the enemies can come from anywhere. [Jan 2011, p.115]

Not a bad package for casual training. [Jan 2011, p.118]

The action absolutely stacks up to the current PS3 contenders. [Jan 2011, p.120]

It's during the co-op play that this really hits its stride. [Jan 2011, p.121]

The depth is the most impressive part of the game. [Spring 2011, p.108]

For strategy buffs, Legends of War is complex, visually polished, and unyieldingly hardcore. [Spring 2011, p.116]

It's excellent - technically strong, visually outstanding and full of welcome fresh ideas. It also has a poorly-told story and a deadening first few hours, but - a crucial but - the de-faced alien at the chewy centre makes it all worthwhile. [Apr 2011, p.97]

For a game that spends most of its time grinding you down, smashing you into pieces and throwing you off high-rise buildings, MotorStorm Apocalypse is as much fun to be around as a rock star uncle. [Apr 2011, p.102]

Unquestionably an improvement on the original. [Apr 2011, p.106]

Has enough meat on its bones to feed the most voracious action fans. [Apr 2011, p.109]

The sequel improves on almost everything about the first game. [Apr 2011, p.113]

Well-designed and beautifully animated. [Apr 2011, p.118]

Push through the early learning curve and you'll find an enjoyable blend of authenticity and gameplay that's perfect for anyone wanting to rank up their PlayStation soldiering. [May 2011, p.96]

The core of the experience is the racing. [May 2011, p.100]

Once you hit the sweet spots, it's the most satisfying ting on PSP. [May 2011, p.102]

For 30quid there's a ton of high-quality gameplay here. [May 2011, p.106]

This golfing great's finally close to its best again. [May 2011, p.118]

An involving story. [June 2011, p.103]

Feels oddly satisfying. [June 2011, p.112]

Get/bribe some mates and there's a great game here. [July 2011, p.92]

It's not all chatter and romance. [July 2011, p.100]

As satisfying as a rum cocktail on a sunny day. [July 2011, p.101]

A hearty fantasy banquet. Tuck in. [Aug 2011, p.104]

If you're just updating, think twice unless you're desperate to see a heartless Ryu murder everyone in his path. [Aug 2011, p.110]

The controls are smooth. [Aug 2011, p.113]

A curious hybrid: a stealthy shooter with RPG-like exploration and storytelling. It's not as direct as a sci-fi COD, nor as expansive or open as Fallout. Instead, it's somewhere in the middle. But that's also what makes the series special, and Human Revolution does the Deus Ex name proud, providing an absorbing world to investigate and a satisfying freedom to play by your own rules. [Sept 2011, p.100]

No rest, no pity, no remorse - it demands 100% of your attention. [Oct 2011, p.99]

Exhilarating, cinematic and dripping in Steve McQueen cool. [Oct 2011, p.106]

If there's one thing it can't be accused of, it's playing it safe. [Oct 2011, p.110]

A truly artistic and brilliant piece of design. [Oct 2011, p.112]

Aside from the bananas plot, what makes El Shaddai unique is its looks. [Oct 2011, p.116]

All of the weapons are amazing and you'll switch for the hell of it. [Nov 2011, p.101]

You also now get the Winter Classic. [Nov 2011, p.109]

It's more addictive than shelling pistachios. [Nov 2011, p.113]

Witty puzzler. [Nov 2011, p.115]

Both games include 3D for the first time in the franchise. [Nov 2011, p.116]

Despite the shortfalls, this is an excellent FPS, raising the art of virtual shooting to a new level with the sort of OTT gunplay that makes other games look watery weak by comparison. That, combined with the exceptional art style, makes this an experience worth having – and id a more relevant and contemporary developer than it's been in years.

There's not much to gripe about. Sure, some missions have a tendency to drag after you've just downed what seems like your 152nd jet. The generic plot also carries all the emotional clout of tumble dryer instructions. But these unfortunate quibbles never truly sour the flight.

There's no question that this journey of music and life is one well worth taking.

Generations always draws you back with its level design and compulsive simplicity.

Those who don't bother with the solo campaign won't miss much. Indeed, the online experience in its different incarnations is so addictive and gratifying that it's almost enough to let the balance and technical issues slip. But only almost.

Unquestionably one of PS3's finest sports games - but also one of the most impenetrable to newbies. [Dec 2011, p.103]

Worth every penny. [Dec 2011, p.108]

A satisfying difficulty curve. [Dec 2011, p.108]

Still, the actual wrestling is terrific, and breathes new life into WWE gaming.

Pretty offensive, truly disgusting, and in utterly terrible taste. Making it one of the best excuses you've ever had to buy a Move controller. [Christmas 2011, p.94]

It's rare to see a piece of DLC that's crafted with such care and attention to detail, and given that it's a standalone title, there's no reason why you shouldn't sink your teeth into it. [Christmas 2011, p.105]

An evolution of last year's game rather than an overhaul. [Christmas 2011, p.109]

With beautifully designed environments, the game looks and sounds fantastic – and there are some genuinely lovely added extras. It's a treat to play a movie tie-in that's truly worthy of its source material, and Years 5-7 is calling you right now.

Persona 2 isn't for everyone. The esoteric style and ageing looks will see off many a curious gamer, but persevere through the niggles and you'll uncover a stylish, incredibly written, charismatic experience.

It's an enjoyable and surreal experience. Smart dialogue and pointed cultural comment make this no different from its Oddworld predecessors, and a very welcome addition to PSN.

It's also nicely balanced in gameplay terms. [Jan 2012, p.101]

The gameplay is addictive as ever. [Jan 2012, p.114]

FF XIII-2's reliance on recycling locations and reluctance to indicate the next course of action hold it back from scoring as highly as XIII, despite its improvements – but its grand ideas, bigger monsters, and bigger still haircuts make it an adventure worth getting lost in time for. Lightning can strike twice after all.

It all adds up to the perfect environment for a game that rewards timing, perception and strategy in a way that just about any gamer can understand. But don't be intimidated by the good looks and graceful moves; shimmy on over and get to know Soulcalibur V. You've got nothing to regret but the shakes.

Niggles with the art style and slightly sub-par storytelling mean this isn't a classic, but with a few minor tweaks there's no doubt it could have been. Roll on the sequel.

The genius of Unit 13 is it doesn't try to take that glossy, cinematic action experience of a console shooter and give it to you on a handheld – instead, it takes all the best parts of mobile gaming and gives them to you in a shooter.

Although it's enjoyable from start to nearly finish, the game's 11-or-so-hour running time (told you it was fully-fledged) is about two hours too long. The last sections just recycle the same set-pieces and environments, dragging out the run-up to a conclusion that, although fitting, comes more as a relief than a busting great climax.

This does so much right, in fact, that if the controls didn't make our thumbs sad that score would be higher – as it is, this fighter comes oh-so close to a flawless victory.

It's ace. [Feb 2012, p.107]

As you'd hope from the series, this is faster than Usain Bolt with rockets on his feet and a perfect showcase for Vita's technical heft. Avoid the new dumbed down controls and this is as pure and addictive a racer as you'll find on any handheld.

A satisfying difficulty curve seals the deal and makes Rayman Origins one of the strongest titles in an already muscular line up. Not bad for a character without any arms.

For a first-season effort, FIFA Football is a seriously impressive achievement.

The impact of the visuals on Vita are impressive enough, but together with a solid control set and at least an attempt to include new features make this easy to recommend.

Whether it's playing Buckaroo on your board for 15 seconds straight or hearing the game manually mix your custom soundtrack during an über-trick – bloody surreal when you're listening to Bankrobber by The Clash – there's nothing else quite like this on PS3. After years of waiting to get royally piste up, SSX's blizzardy brilliance remains as intoxicating as ever.