If you're up to it, this is certainly the best Spider-Man game that's graced a PC yet, even if it's also one of the toughest.

More than enough fun to last through the main story -- especially if you bring a couple friends -- but whether you'll be returning to it again and again over the course of months is dependent largely on your superhero obsession and tolerance for repetition.

Personally I've had a lot of fun in the game, and I don't want to be starting from scratch when the game is rocking. But that, my friends, is truly up to you. May the Force be with your decision.

But all transgressions are forgiven once you make it to Episode 5's finale -- a surprising, sparse, and spot-on little jaunt into "Reality 1.5" that'll likely stand as the series' landmark moment once it's bundled into a season.

One of the most frustrating elements of the game is the sense of helplessness in controlling and customizing units and squads, and setting up offensive tactical maneuvers. In the end however, the amalgamation of storyline and gameplay is successfully delivered as a truly unique experience in Perimeter.

The one killer drawback to Jam Sessions is that you can't play individual notes.

The mixing of genres is cool, and adds a unique twist to the play mechanics, but honestly, Midway would have been much more user-friendly had it been either an action game or a real-time strategy affair -- not both.

This is clearly the best-playing FIFA game ever made, but that merely puts it above some of the most average-playing soccer games ever made. Even with the improvements, the game remains far too simple tactically.

Is it worth 30 bucks? If you're heavily invested in its movie-making tech, or didn't struggle with the late game busywork, the answer is probably, though a 10-dollar shave seems more appropriate since stunt antics add relatively little to the sim game.

The one saving grace is the presence of Pac-Man Vs., a sincerely cool multiplayer take on the legendary maze-chase game that got a bit of a bum rap when Nintendo tried to transform it into the cornerstone of the company's business model.

The game does look good, though. And control is tight. Which means that while it may not be inspiring, it's perfectly playable -- arguably the best handheld racing game ever made.

It's visually impressive, plays well, and -- best of all -- is meant to be enjoyed in short bursts. Almost a portable action movie, Pursuit Force offers plenty of thrills. However, like its silver-screen inspirations, it ultimately leaves one feeling unfulfilled.

Sure, not everything here is a winner, but there's enough good stuff that the flops are a sort of bonus rather than a nuisance.

Each little cartoon snippet you unlock is fun, but eventually you find yourself asking why you have to do so much work for them -- it's like watching a cartoon on a DVD player powered by a hand crank.

Flawed as it is, the sheer replay value of all the races and classes makes Battlecry III a good value at the bargain game price of $29.99.

A fun game and a worthy sequel to Godzilla: DAMM. If it had been afforded a little more finesse (especially regarding the Challenges) and a little more authentic Godzilla flavor, it'd be even sweeter.

Like Nintendo's cult classic, it's a game with likable characters, a sharply-developed sense of humor, and somewhat perfunctory gameplay.

Despite its few slipups, the core of Societies is strong enough -- and the gameplay addictive enough -- that even the stodgiest traditionalist will find something to shout about.

It's a beautiful remake and a testament to the longevity of smart game design; it's just not the must-buy it would be for a couple bucks less.

For any other legacy, this game would be just fine. For the iconic Godfather series, it really could have been something with more of a Brando weight. But even though it's more of a Tony Soprano, The Godfather: The Game still manages to deliver a solid gangster experience.

More than enough fun to last through the main story -- especially if you bring a couple friends -- but whether you'll be returning to it again and again over the course of months is dependent largely on your superhero obsession and tolerance for repetition.

The best news to come out of all of this is the implementation of the Sixaxis: It's not overbearing or intrusive. For example, it only takes a few small gestures to bump someone against the wall. And that's about as extreme as it gets -- which is the proper way to handle the controls.

Even with the new story Dungeon Siege II never quite manages to shake the underlying sense throughout that if you squint hard enough at the screen you could be playing the original game. It's as if answering the critics became such a preoccupation that instead of a sequel, Dungeon Siege II became the perfected version of the original.

On the PS2, the game shows the limits of the system. For every impressive feature the developers were able to cram in the game, there is something else that holds the game back.

The up-close character portraits and overwrought voice acting is gone, but everything else is there -- the mazelike caverns, the glorious level-raising, the seemingly endless array of equipment.

2K6's biggest setback -- it doesn't have the instant visual appeal, next-gen look, or out-and-out raw emotion that gamers want to see in a next-gen sports game.

While as nice as it is to see a classic arcade-style game get its due, what the world really needed wasn't a regurgitation of Power Stone 1 and 2; it needed Power Stone 3, brought up to spec with advancements in game design and all the things players have become accustomed to in other games.

It doesn't possess the solid competence of a game like Saints Row, but a different setting, new toys, and a gameplay experience that's actually a bit fresh have more than made up the difference.