This is one of the more child-safe games to come along in a while.

A botched attempt to meld Descent-like graphics and action with a semblance of real-time strategy, Virus: The Game fails by a wide margin to deliver on its promise.

Dinosaurs and dragons. Monsters and elves. Enter the realm of Fantastic Worlds, the Sid Meier's Civilization II add-on where magic and imagination rule in more then 15 new fantasy and sci-fi based scenarios. Best of all, you can dream up and create your own fantastic scenarios using a rich art portfolio and a set of 10 custom scenario creation tools.

Excalibur 2555 AD is a Tomb Raider wannabe that falls short of that lofty goal in every respect.

Street Fighter Alpha 2 explodes on-screen with lightning-fast gameplay and amazing innovations. Quick Move Reversals, Alpha Counters and the incredible Custom Combo System create a new standard for all games to fight by. Push your talents to the limit as you discover new hidden moves and reversals for every character. Neutralize opponent's attacks with high and low Alpha Counters and execute incredible Custom Combos to create your own rapid-fire assault of attacks. All your favorite warriors are back for more. Previously hidden characters Dan, Akuma and Bison are joined by 5 new fighters: Sakura, Rolento, Gen and classic favorites Dhalsim and Zangief.

Quick - what has dozens of monkeys, ghost pirates galore and more insults than a cranky parrot? Why, The Curse of Monkey Island, of course! In this highly anticipated third installment to LucasArts' popular Monkey Island series of graphic adventures, Guybrush Threepwood once again takes up dull blade and rapier wit against the nefarious demon-pirate LeChuck. In Curse, Guybrush must save his one true love, Elaine Marley, from being turned into the evil pirate's zombie bride. But, hoping to marry Elaine himself, Guybrush unknowingly slips a cursed ring onto her finger that transforms her into a gold statue. He must then find a way to change Elaine back to her beautiful self and stop LeChuck from carrying out his sinister plans. Aye, 'tis a rollicking piratey adventure that's sure to challenge the mind and shiver a few timbers! [LucasArts]

Enter a deceptively beautiful world torn apart by age-old conflicts...where secrets lie hidden at every turn...and nothing is as it seems. You must search. You must explore. You must summon every spark of intellect and intuition. Only then will you learn the truth and this troubled land and its inhabitants. You must let Riven become your world - before an entire world is lost. [Red Orb]

With the exception of its lacking originality, Heavy Gear contains all the elements of a successful game and is certainly the finest game of its kind in many months.

The unstoppable Lara Croft is back in TRII, complete with the classic gameplay that made Tomb Raider the game of the year! Join Lara in her quest for the Dagger of Xian, reputed to possess the power of the dragon. But beware, Lara is not the only one in search of danger! Warrior Monks and crazed cult members plot against you as you travel from the remote mountain peaks of Tibet, the canals of Venice and even to the bottom of the sea.

Grand Inquisitor is the best graphical Zork yet, and one of the most consistently entertaining adventures of the year.

Although this is not a terrible game, there's nothing here that would merit someone to really consider buying it when there are so many other 3D games of such a higher caliber.

The worst thing you can say about Chessmaster 5500 is that you might not want to spend the bucks on it if you already own Chessmaster 5000.

Myth is arguably the first real-time strategy game to put the player in a true 3D landscape, with an emphasis on tactical battlefield action rather than base construction. Myth also happens to be one of Bungie's most successful pre-Halo releases, and shows off the company's range and ability in genres outside of first-person shooters. A single player mode features an engrossing and enjoyable plot, with you battling the evil and eponymous Fallen Lords, their evil leader, Balor and all manner of undead creatures, but Myth's multiplayer is where it really stands out. Bungie.net's game-matching technology has been much-emulated since, and at Myth's release, was something truly special. Multiple game modes including King of the Hill, Steal the Bacon and even co-op added huge variety to what was an outstanding and standard-setting game - and it still is. If ever an older game deserved another visit, it's Myth, with a huge, loyal and highly motivated following. [Bungie]

Though not an entirely bad idea, the actual combination of the two proves to be somewhat pointless.

In a genre that's already given us Hind, Longbow, and the Comanche series,AHx-1 simply doesn't measure up.

Armed & Delirious is blander than it thinks it is and certainly less clever and entertaining than it should have been.

Blade Runner is an interesting mood piece, but somewhere along the production line, someone forgot to include a game.

Plunge into a shadowy conspiracy world where the schemes of a mad drug kingpin and the prophesied return of an ancient Mayan god clash in what could be the end of all mankind. Race around the globe with George as he frantically attempts to free Nico, his investigaative reporter girlfriend, from othe clutches of Karzac's crime cartel. Guide Nico and George as they unravel the dark mysteries that lead them closer and closer to an ancient horror best left buried in the steamy jumgles of Central America. Gather clues and make friends, but be aware - a smiling face can hide a deadly obstacle in your quest to sop the return of "he who devours the sun and consumes the flesh of all mankind," the Mayan God Tezcatlipoca. [Virgin Interactive]

When it gets to the actual gameplay, Civil War Generals 2 is practically identical to Robert E. Lee: Civil War General.

This game may never make it to the winner's circle, but it'll get you where you want to go.

Although it desperately clings to the precepts espoused by most real-time wargames, Earth 2140 shouldn't be quickly dismissed as just another Command & Conquer retread.

Given how long Sierra's been refining this series, you'd expect the '98 editionto be the best ever.

Galapagos can be pretty much summed up in four words: great idea, questionable implementation.

Hannibal is a handsomely designed gaming system that integrates a suite of thoughtfully crafted and eminently challenging features throughout every facet of play.

The improvements prove to be nothing more than a cheap face-lift of a rapidly aging game.

There are some glitches and oversights scattered throughout the program, to be sure, but the fun to be had makes them easy to live with.

The game, while earth-shatteringly simple, does require more than a little strategy and ends up offering quite a challenge.

All in all, it's quite obvious the time and energy went into set design and mediocre character animations, not into actually making the game work.

It's undeniable that NBA Action 98 is a great first attempt, probably the best competition NBA Live has ever had.

There are some fundamental problems in NBA Live 98, but it is a lot of fun to play and captures the sensationalized aspects of the NBA very well.

Despite its numerous strengths, the game just doesn't have much longevity.

Where Powerplay '98 stacks up most favorably against NHL '98 is the place you'd least expect it - out on the ice.

Nuclear Strike is the PC port of the extremely successful console Strike series, and a brilliant port it is.

A great deal of the game's potential depth is sacrificed for the sake of speedy real-time action.

It's unfortunate that there are so many failings in Sabre Ace, since the overall package, subject matter, and mission structure are all good.

SODA Off-Road Racing is a great title marred only by poor graphics and uninspired sound.

The changes to the system are for the better, but they simply make it feel morelike a glorified patch than a new game.

In the world of SimCity, all that was lacking was the ability to wander your cities and towns. Now, you can. In Streets of SimCity, you can place any town from SimCity 2000, and drive the streets. That would include, taking a peaceful ride in the city, or a reckless Destruction Derby on the side of the road in modified cars. The modded cars include, shields, and even flight. That takes almost all boundaries away for a never ending clash of vehicles, to see who is the best.

Just about every element within it presents a new twist on what has now become a fairly predictable PC gaming category.

As was the case with the movie, the plot becomes the game's own worst enemy.

Veterans of the You Don't Know Jack series will be instantly at home with the gameplay.

Played from a first-person perspective, this frenetic game is unlike anything else in its genre.

Dark Rift delivers hyper-active 3D fighting with a sci-fi theme! Compete against eight exotic and powerful characters and two very large bosses. Motion captured character animations enhance the realism. The arsenal includes multiple-hit combos, back-crunching grabs, juggles, projectiles, and punishing special moves. Tune into individual character stereo sound tracking. Fight in Tournament, 2-Player or Training modes.

Adventurers longing for a deep and rich story, with carefully crafted characters, coupled with swashbuckling fighting action and challenging puzzles and problem solving, look no further.

SPY Fox is a suave secret agent who battles dastardly characters such as William the Kid, Napoleon LeRoach and King Conglomerate with his cohorts Monkey Penny, Quack and Walter Wireless. Level 4 (primarily children ages 9 to 11).

Yet another world-class arcade conversion hits the Saturn! Manx TT Superbikes recreates the top-speed twists and turns of the legendary Isle of Man TT circuits. Throw your high-powered superbike around country lanes and hurtle through villages at hair-raising speeds as one or two riders push their nerves to the absolute limit on the circuit where heroes are made!

Atomic Games has managed to create the ideal sequel: It expands and adds many features while keeping everything that made the first game a joy to play.

The dawn of a new age of exploration. Your race has discovered a way to pass through the fabric of space and move to other solar systems beyond your own. The galaxy is alive with movement and colonization. But you soon discover, that you are not alone. Other races have evolved and seek to further their empires. Will you coexist, or is the galaxy yours to do with as you please? You'll have to design your starships, build them and send them into the icy void of space. Explore new solar systems, colonize strange alien worlds, and build an industrial complex to feed your empire. Research vital new technologies, perform intelligence operations on your neighbors, and play the delicate game of political intrigue. Will your empire stand the test of time and conquer the galaxy? Or will you bring peace to the untold billions who await you? Your dominion awaits...

Overall, Buccaneer feels like an unfinished work, and the fact that it offers a few really good features makes the overall package that much more disappointing.

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In Dark Forces, Kyle Katarn, a young mercenary successfully infiltrated the Empire. Jedi Knight continues the story of Katarn as he embarks on a quest into his past and learns the mysterious ways of the Jedi. With this knowledge, he must stop seven Dark Jedi from unlocking the powers of a hidden Jedi burial ground. This task forces Katarn to decide his destiny. If he chooses the Dark side, he will come into enormous power. If he chooses the Light side, he faces seemingly insurmountable evil. Whatever path Katarn chooses will change the face of the galaxy forever. [LucasArts]

Set in the aftermath of a world-wide nuclear war, Fallout will challenge you to survive in an unknown and dangerous world. You will take the role of a Vault-dweller, a person who has grown up in a secluded, underground survival Vault. Circumstances arise that force you to go Outside -- to a strange world 80 years after the end of the modern civilization. A world of mutants, radiation, gangs and violence. Your immediate task is to find a replacement for the broken water purification controller chip. Without that chip, your fellow Vault dwellers are doomed to dehydration or be forced to leave the safety of the Vault for the Outside. [Interplay]

I just felt taken for a ride. And a bumpy one at that.

Constructor takes the empire building and resource management of the best simulations and adds to it a strong dose of character interaction, humour and strategic competition. Take the role of a real estate developer in a race to build up and manage resources, properties, environments and human interaction, while trying to outperform and destroy rival development firms.

As far as upping the level of interaction in FMV games goes, I'd have to say the effort was pretty much a wash.

AN INTERACTIVE CD-ROM AND ONLINE COMEDY - NOT THE REAL TRUTH - IT'S A PARODY! - TRUST US! The unauthorized paranoid paranormal parody of the X-Files PLAY: - Abduct This! - Trust No One - Run Agent Run! and more!

The developers were headed in the right direction, but in the end they fail on both fronts.

If you're going to have fun with this game, you've gotta get online.

Microsoft has proven itself fighting fit with a thorough retooling of the classic.

Age of Empires is an epic real-time strategy game spanning 10,000 years, in which players are the guiding spirit in the evolution of small stone age tribes. Starting with minimal resources, players are challenged to build their tribes into great civilizations. Gamers can choose from one of several ways to win the game, including: world domination by conquering enemy civilizations, exploration of the known world and economic victory through the accumulation of wealth. Age of Empires was developed by Ensemble Studios and features the expertise of Bruce Shelley, co-designer of the hit strategy game "Civilization." [Microsoft]

With a price tag of around thirty bucks, Spells of the Ancients is an expansion pack that promises a lot of power for a moderate price.

MNF '98 is definitely an improvement over its predecessor, but it still has aways to go before it can be considered a true champion.

Even veteran adventurers can expect 20 hours or more of gameplay from Atlantis,but that's only because of the sorry save-game feature and the obtuse puzzles.

After two years of tweaking and minor improvements, this is a more precise, bug-free game... that is still cumbersome and flawed.

While it suffers many problems of its genre, the story is fascinating and it holds numerous challenges.

Originating from a small programming team in Russia, Chasm: The Rift is a standard 3D shooter that falls technologically in between Doom and Quake - and scarily enough, isn't that bad.

Claw is easily the finest modern side scroller available for the PC.

The Aftermath is a heck of a deal that practically turns Red Alert into an entirely new game.

How could the company that produced Fallout also be responsible for one of the lousiest games to come down the pike in quite a while?

The games range from quite entertaining to downright stupid.

Far from being a cheap Wing Commander knockoff, Forced Alliance is a solid, ifnot terribly revolutionary, gaming experience.

What could well have been an entirely successful departure from the droves of underdeveloped strategy games saturating the market instead feels all too familiar despite its striking aesthetic differences.

Raven Software's MageSlayer is a homage to top-down action games, specifically Atari's Gauntlet.

Don't get too excited that someone finally made a college football game for the PC.

EA's NHL series once again ups the bar, not only for hockey games but for all sports games.

There is obviously a great bubbling need for a quick-playing, accessible, slick, historical wargame - and Panzer General II more than fits the bill.