The graphics aren't particularly innovative and the sound effects are merely a step up from mediocre. However, Wrath of Heaven succeeds where it counts - in providing an enjoyable experience with plenty of replayability.

Despite the high level of difficulty, this is a very well planned and well-executed game that represents what a sequel should be. I would easily recommend this to anyone looking for a challenge.

The mysteriously dangerous supernatural atmosphere effectively absorbs you into the story and keeps you riveted until the end.

The backstory is fascinating, and plot hooks keep the player interested; you'll want to uncover Harbinger's secrets. The glue that holds it together, however, fun as it might sometimes be, never seems to change.

The brilliant story is enhanced by a beautiful score from Mitsuda and cinematic sequences which are stunning, to say the least.

The elements for a great game are present, but the focus and execution of those elements is not.

The multiplayer mode offers less variety in gameplay, and the homogenous characters severely limit the game's depth.

Full of dramatic flair and humor, but the truth is that when the humor gets old the gameplay grows stale quickly.

At its core, this is a title with enough flash and bang, with a high replay value in both single and multiplayer, and enough strategy that it’s hard not to recommend.

The real challenge is not how you perform a move or ability, but rather when to do so. The rules of this title promote fair play by penalizing contenders who resort to stall tactics.

Not a very daring expansion, with battles still limited to two factions and maps that are, in many ways, a step backwards in strategy. At its price, however, it certainly delivers.

Glaring deficiencies, such as the redundant environments, weak camera system, and most importantly, a severe lack of challenge.

While the specifics of the setting might be novel, the gameplay consists of ground that has already been covered by better titles, some many years old and sitting in bargain bins.

By providing an impressive level of detail in a game where detail is essential, and by including intuitive enhancements to the player experience, this is one title that should easily land on the “must have” list for any gamer.

The sound and music don't particularly damage this offering, but could have been a lot better considering the quality put into the gameplay and graphics.

Far from being a cranium-stretching taut and suspenseful Sherlock Holmes mystery, this release falls flat in almost every dimension of its design and execution.

Great production values aren’t enough to raise Impossible Creatures from being a mediocre exercise in button pushing, as it’s high on glitz but short on actual strategy.

Even when it works, The Sims Online has little to offer beyond serving as a graphical instant messenger with an economy.

The combat is engaging, but it grows repetitive and is extremely time consuming.

Because of its brevity, it doesn't come close to justifying the $15 price tag.

A fun and rewarding experience that offers endless addictive entertainment.

For those considering entering the world of war games, however, HoI has somewhat of a cruel learning curve that's accentuated by pockets of boredom and frustration - and not all players will enjoy the real time nature of the title.

Easy to get into, difficult to stop playing and always enjoyable.

Falls into line behind countless other film conversions, boasting low production values, an obviously rushed release and highly conventional gameplay that struggles with the controls.

The final score loses many points due to the awkward controls.

A wonderfully complex simulation that entertains more than it frustrates, though this title is clearly not for everyone. Action-oriented RTS fans should avoid it like the plague.

The best arcade fighter on Xbox. It's not as pretty as "Dead or Alive 3," and it lacks the comic book appeal of "X-Men Next Generation," but Deadly Alliance still knocks them both flat.

The short life span of the single-player campaign and the lack of any outstanding features make this offering falter when compared to other first-person shooters like "Halo" and "Timesplitters 2."

Despite the poor level of in-game documentation and the required learning-curve, it’s still the only title of its kind that I could comfortably recommend to players new to the genre.

In many ways, it's most similar to a game released in 1990: "Dune."

Completely engrossing, from the horribly narrated opening sequence to the pulse-pounding excitement of the final encounter. What Arx Fatalis lacks in innovation and polish, it more than makes up for in rich atmosphere.

Fighters with minimal moves at their disposal, unbalanced characters, and an AI that can't hold up its end of the bargain conspire to make Kakuto Chojin feel like an empty shell.

It's a drastic departure from the "MechWarrior" games, but MechAssault works perfectly as a console homage to the rich BattleTech tradition.

Doesn't contain novel graphics, audio or gameplay, but it does offer more of what worked so well before. Given the short length of the campaign, Mercenaries might have fared better as an expansion pack.

Advanced players and long time fans of "Starfleet Battles" will rue the simplifications of the rule set, though the great sense of online community still remains.

While the mechanics are solid, the single-player campaign often feels as soulless and hollow as the vacuum in which it takes place.

One of the best platformers to hit the PS2, ever.

Aggressive, forward thinking and fun, but repetition soon dulls those virtues.

Appealing to both the intellect and the imagination, it presents itself vividly and audaciously, leaving little doubt that it intends to be a complete experience in every possible way.

Can be an entertaining, if quirky, diversion.

Simplifying the sometimes daunting dynamics of strategy titles, Battle at Procyon crafts an enjoyable gameplay experience that comes across like a breath of fresh air.

There's too little here that's original and engrossing, there's not enough variety in the obstacles and environments, and the linearity is extremely confining.

The seamless amalgamation of all things '80s into the mix lets the creative team go wild with the vocal work and provide an outstanding retro soundtrack.

The gameplay is streamlined a bit from the previous edition, and while the changes are minor, they're tweaks that simply smooth the way.

An experience which never rises above being a cool simulation, albeit a fantastically detailed and well thought out one.

The challenging AI and consistently grim atmosphere will draw many players into the missions, but less than clear objectives will deter others.

All in all, Pro Skater 4 isn't a massive leap forward for the series, but a massive and refined expansion upon its original premise.

The graphics are of unprecedented quality, and the gameplay is well implemented, balanced, addictive, and bug-free.

Slow and jerky movement, deficient sound effects, and repetitive action cause this release to be a frustrating disappointment.

Slightly sluggish controls hurt the faster characters, leaving some of the mid-speed characters' blend of movement and power overbalanced in the grand scheme of things.

There's not enough new content here to justify a standalone release.

These shifts in the gameplay keep it fresh most of the way through, and the excellent visuals keep you coming back for more.

I have no doubt that it's destined to be a sleeper classic.

The sequel is a complete game rather than just a multiplayer vehicle.

Blending the time controls with standard platformer gameplay gives this title more than a twist; it's got an entire hook of its own.

Smart gameplay couples with intelligent AI to make sure you're kept on your toes at all times through this deep, stealthy shooter.

The game's outdated look and obtuse artificial intelligence make it hard to recommend.

Deals out an epic storyline, lots of characters and an innovative combat system, but fails to break any new ground.

The wonderful artificial intelligence and level design combine to keep you glued to your screen...A true tour de force.

While UT 2003 doesn’t revolutionize its genre, it contains beautifully presented high-speed action that first-person shooter fans crave.

Fun and easy to learn, Monster Force is a top-down shooter with style.

Recycled gameplay, overused mechanics and jarring shifts between mini-challenges and exploration will leave you slightly disconnected from the overall experience.

Solid if familiar gameplay here, and the graphics and audio are immensely pleasing if no longer groundbreaking.

Brilliant use of cell shading to create an animated effect and the surprisingly workable control scheme.

Hardcore platform players will find little that's new or challenging, but Sly Cooper's definitely good for some quick and easy pleasure.

The gameplay can't hold a match to even the most basic competition, since the distinct lack of modes, oversimplified approach and lackluster execution combine to make a release that's the exact opposite of what a party title needs to be.

Gamers have already seen, heard and played everything Team Factor has to offer - and had more fun doing so.

The game radiates beauty and wonder from every corner, and the end result is something special.

Not without its flaws, Tribes succeeds because of variety and solid design.

Despite its many faults, it remains a solid contribution to its genre, with graphics and music that form a particularly credible environment. That the arrival of its hasty conclusion is so regrettable is only a testament to its many strengths.

The gameplay is gleefully wrought with complexity. However, hardcore strategists will surely find this title simplistic.

Manages to bring a highly developed artistic sense to the table.

Visually stunning, loaded with cameos and dripping with both Square and Disney nostalgia, Kingdom Hearts will grab you from the opening to the end.

Brilliantly designed, the waves and riders are appropriately the highlights, as the animations are smooth for both, and every wave's approach is unique enough to keep you entertained for as long as the increasingly sprawling levels of the Tony Hawk games.

Like a college fling: It looks pretty enough, but lacks the substance you'd need for a long-term relationship.

The improvements primarily in graphics and sound in Grand Prix 4 do not seem worth the huge increases in computer power necessary to run the title smoothly.

Despite the laundry list of bugs and the steep hardware requirements, Battlefield 1942 remains as engrossing an online experience as they come, with great graphics and explosive gameplay - providing one has a solid Internet connection.

Fans of the series deserve the same content for far less money in the form of a true expansion pack, preferably one that actually adds fresh content beyond new scenarios.

Everything that surrounds the gameplay is strongly polished, but when you're battling, everything beyond your bot will be visually disappointing.

A textbook movie-to-game cash-in. Everything in it is halfheartedly done; the graphics and sound are canned and formulaic, as is the gameplay.

Excellent AI, controls and sound design combine their respective strengths to make a package that's stronger than the sum of its parts.

One of the best adventure games I've ever played. The near-perfectly crafted combination of story, gameplay, graphics and audio makes it utterly enchanting.

Light on story, heavy on action and gore, Turok Evolution will appeal to fans of the series, but lags a bit behind the design philosophy for most newer shooters.

The graphics are devoid of polish and personality, and the sound will make you fall in love with your mute button all over again.

Anyone coming to Onimusha 2 cold will find brilliant beauty, but baffling execution.

With gorgeous graphics, an enthralling story, nifty sound and music, and fun gameplay, it's a blast from beginning to end.

It's not a standard first-person shooter, and it can't be played as one; trying to do so will lead to failure and frustration. SOCOM is a game of patience, planning and wits.

For a game that's billed as strictly linear, the multitude of possibilities in Icewind Dale II is striking; its breadth is in its depth, not its scope.

The gameplay itself lacks any compelling reason to keep at it. Slow, stately and with an emphasis on stealth and absolutely, positively nothing else, the majority of gamers will find themselves bored.

While there are still a few glitches in the camera work, and not every segment is brilliant, this title contains enough moments of unrequited fun to keep you coming back for more.

A great addition to the survival horror genre. It's got good (if complex) controls, decent visuals and the backing of a terrific license.

If you're willing to get frightened out of your wits, be grossed out along the way and feel like an icicle, The Thing will definitely not disappoint.

Sub-par graphics, poor animation, too much downtime in the action and meager music all detract from what could have been a welcome addition to any gamer's collection.

No other game can be properly compared to it.

The quality of every component of the final product - from graphics and sound to vehicle physics and gameplay - is uniformly dismal.

The real-time naval tactics elicited in ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore combat are both subtle and enjoyable.

You can buy gear, place bets on games, get tattoos and haircuts, but when it comes to actually playing ball, the title fails to deliver.

Misfires on pretty much all cylinders.