Not only are the graphics significantly improved, they whisk by at a steady pace and feature larger levels with even more interactive environments.

In what could be billed as "the complete criminal experience" this game delivers in every category with jaw dropping graphics, stunning sound effects, a unique musical score that's presented with countless hilarious commercials through your car's radio, and a relentless AI that will hunt you down whenever warranted.

Your objectives are simple enough that you never have to flip switches, jump over pits or hunt down missing keys, but at the same time the smart enemies, brilliant level design and strategic combat will tax your brain more than any scavenger hunt ever could.

Valve's inclusion of an interactive physics-based environment and the wonderful gravity gun lends itself to fun gravity puzzles, making use of good old-fashioned common sense and intuition - something I've found to be absent in the average first-person shooter.

Bar none this is the greatest console game ever made... Its mix of thought-provoking action, wonderful ambience, and perfect execution make this a must play for any gamer.

The best fighter for any console system. What else needs to be said?

If you want an incredible 3D experience that will cause you to lose sleep, meals, PTA meetings, and romantic rendezvous, this is the game.

However, it is not perfect: Most notably, while fans of the original title will surely find this game enjoyable, they will also find it extremely easy to defeat, with unusually light penalties for dying.

Difficulty complaints aside, Gran Turismo is truly an amazing game... This is the last word in console racing games, period.

Astounding graphics, sound, and storytelling combine to make the definitive fantasy RPG epic, one that will enthrall players for years to come.

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.

I can say with complete honesty that no other first-person shooter can touch Bungie's epic in terms of level design, gunplay, sheer action or multiplayer entertainment.

Remember to start on the outside of the turn, cut to the inside and then tromp on the accelerator when you're past the half way; that should keep your speed as high as possible on the your way to the nearest retailer. Trust me, the traffic ticket would be worth it.

With gameplay oozing off of this disk like gravy out of Refrigerator Perry's hot beef sandwich, fans of the gridiron will lose themselves in hours of rapture and may very well forget to eat or sleep.

The new owner's box adds astonishing depth and replayability to a franchise mode that is already dangerously addictive, while the playmaker controls only serve to better immerse the player in the experience.

Awesome and addicting in everyway, it's also only the second game for Windows 95 that was worth playing at all (the other being "Ultima Online").

The graphics, sound, and intelligence factors combine to make a game that will scare the hell out of you! The main problem that Quake seems to have is a lack of identity. It wants to combine "DOOM" elements with Hexen elements which creates a mish-mash effect.

While it is playable, and actually pretty fun a lot of the time, it has some serious, nearly game ruining flaws that, for me, made it a complete disappointment.

Burnout's World Tour circuit is both lengthy and addictive. However, once you've beaten all the competition, filled your garage to its fullest, and amassed a complete collection of trophies, the single-player game does lose some of its luster.

About as close to Hell as you're going to get - whether you believe in it or not. Everything about this game just rules and it will blow you away. The gameplay is the easiest I've ever come across in an RPG which is just fantastic.

The massive environments are a joy to explore, and the fact that combat and exploration take place on the same screen prevents even the most frequent of encounters from becoming a burden.

The real attraction, however, is the Xbox Live component, which is so original and compelling that even staunch critics of the first title may want to give Splinter Cell another opportunity.

The gameplay is pitch-perfect, and everything has a rich and polished feeling about it. The variety of the styles of play is deep and incorporates some of the best multiplayer fragfests to date.

Beyond the confines of the single player is the best multiplayer strategy game since "Total Annihilation." ... If you buy a single game this fall -- make sure it's this one!

There's also the matter of the decidedly realistic approach taken here, which some may find a bit dry in comparison to other longstanding fighters, such as "Tekken Tag Tournament."

There is one slight problem: I had already played much of it on a now defunct console some years ago. Dreamcast owners don't have much to look forward to here, with many of the same characters, features, and game mechanics intact.

The goalies are still a bit of a sore point, however, since a single defender can run the gamut from godlike to pylon within a single period with little rhyme or reason.

A game that plays you with its unique sanity effects, that forces you to adapt to over a dozen characters and that holds no punches when it comes to the horror of Lovecraftian agents plotting out demise, Eternal Darkness will be a significant milestone in gaming for years to come.

Astounding pre-rendered cinematics and a tightly woven storyline are backed by a substantial and varied single-player campaign.

The simple and brutal nature of Civil War combat is captured in the action that unfolds and forces players to rely on strategy and the sheer will of his units, and not high-tech weapons of devastating power.

The Sims puts forth the closest, most amusing rendering of digital life gamers have ever seen.

While it fails to achieve the lofty status of greatest platform game of all time, still held by an overweight plumber, Banjo Kazooie is a close second, and that ain't half bad.

If playing games is more of a religion than a hobby to you, meet your new bible...System Shock 2 will scare the hell right out of you -- and you'll like it for that reason.

It's a button-masher in the best sense of the term, and even people not normally interested in fighting games should check it out. While its raison d'être is multiplayer, soloists can't ask much more.

It seamlessly combines real-time and turn-based gameplay, gives the player ultimate control of their experience, and provides a level of depth that verges on bottomless.

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.

This has become my favorite game of all time...If you're tired of wannabes, clones, and half-baked attempts at originality, play Thief: The Dark Project and get totally absorbed in the story, gameplay, and Garret himself.

Not only have I never played a better skateboarding title on the PSX, but I don't believe I've ever played a better skateboarding title ever, on any platform.

A rock-solid real-time strategy offering from folks that have a proven track record for providing historically accurate and fun strategy games. Its depth and long list of features will keep even the best empire builders and military strategists busy for months.

At its core, Final Fantasy X is just another chapter of the story we've all grown to love, but like a rare piece of literature, this story just gets better and better with each page you turn.

All of this is bundled with an intuitive Windows-style GUI, a painless point-and-tap process for connecting to online matches, and some of the nicest graphical wrapping gamers are going to see this Christmas.

It is, by all accounts, one of the best turn-based strategy games ever made and perhaps the best ever of its kind.

Every scene literally drips with well-crafted atmosphere, and many are so memorable they will stay with you for days after you finish.

If you have the system to handle this game, and especially if you have a good 3D board, grab it right now, don't read another word. This is by far the best medieval warfare game I've ever played, and the added bonus that it happens to have a killer interface, a brilliant storyline, and dazzling graphics just adds a few more medals to Myth's already heavily adorned chest.

Smart in its game design, a brilliant melding of software and hardware, this is a game which achieves what all games shoot for, but so few manage, to transport you somewhere better, if only for a few moments.

Baldur's Gate is not a computer role-playing game...it is THE computer role-playing game.

Manages to do what few sequels can--retain all of the good things in the original and improve on them, while still incorporating new features and gameplay elements never before seen.

With the radar screen gone and the camouflage index, stamina gauge, inclusive healing system and a whole host of new gadgets in, the series is more tactical than ever.

The combat system is deep, varied and insanely addictive thanks to dozens of fantastic techniques and plenty of memorable enemies. The adventure is superb and the number of collectibles and hidden items keep the gameplay fresh.

After a few hours of Pro Skater 2, you might even be tempted to check out deck prices at your local sports shop.

It is utterly rife with quality in all areas, as the graphics, sound, music and gameplay all mesh in near-perfect unison to create one of the single most immersive and addictive adventure offerings, ever.

The story is interesting, the Force Powers and weapons available are incredibly cool to use, and the opportunity to cut an opponent to shreds with a Lightsaber is the secret dream of any Jedi aspiring to heed the call of the Dark Side.

With a heavy dash of "Thief," a sprinkling of "Deus Ex," the essence of Bond and a huge dollop of comedy, the game comes to vibrant life, with each of its parts working in terrific synergy.

The best RPG of 1999. Planescape Torment raises the bar past "Baldur's Gate" and sets new standards in terms of storyline, character progression, conversation and interaction.

A revolutionary step forward in role-playing games...Any fan of the RPG genre should not be caught dead without a copy of Neverwinter Nights on his or her PC.

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

An amazing mix of fighting, puzzle-solving, and platform style action and adventure. The only PlayStation titles that come even remotely close to being this immersive and enjoyable in my experience is the "Resident Evil" family, but even they lack the sheer depth and playability of Raziel's quest.

A cinematic and thrilling experience. The ability to take part in the last century’s most defining and destructive war through the perspective of three different sides is quite engaging.

It is refreshing to see the DS stand up and do some things that can't be done on the GBA, allowing it to stand out as its own system rather than being used to play GBA titles on.

It has everything that I believe is integral to a classic success: It looks amazing, sounds fantastic, and offers more immersive entertainment and replay value than any other single-player game I’ve ever seen.

Alone, the vivid colors and lighting effects are incredible, but pop in the expansion pak and Rayman's world comes to life in cartoonishly bright tones. We're treated to a luscious feast of sharp textures, cartoonish and colorful characters, and appealing indoor and outdoor environments. Given the limited capabilities of the N64 version of Rayman 2 compared to its PC counterpart, one simply has to marvel at the results.

Ico is one of those rare titles that you don't so much play as experience. Many adventure games boast this same interactivity and immersiveness, but with its careful blending of genres, delicate balancing act between a story of growing love and mounting horror, and a brilliant system that also incorporates tense moments of action, Ico really lives up to its claims.

"So this is what 'Metal Gear Solid' was trying to do." The level of immersion that this title provides is simply unparalleled in console gaming, and that is what makes the gameplay so spectacular.

Stunning enhancements to the visuals and sound aside, the new tricks, game variations and collection of extras is more than one would expect from a sequel.

Parts are a bit problematic, such as the combat, challenges, and village management, but most of what you experience is endlessly fascinating.

Though it may not contain enough hardcore realism for hockey purists, it definitely offers some options that cater to them.

If you're looking for one of those rare experiences that affects your mind, body and soul in ways only the greatest of releases can, look no further than "Deus Ex" -- it will consume you.

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.

If you're a fan of the series or of the genre, then I can readily recommend picking up Civilization III -- just keep in mind that it may not be all you expected, especially later in the game.

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

Freedom Force oozes polish and personality from every pixel.

Suffice it to say that if you like strategy, military tactics, or liked the original game, you will love Red Alert.

This game looks amazing. There is simply nothing out there that can even compare to it on the PlayStation, and it's unlikely that we're going to see anything to rival it any time soon.

Even a bicycle would be fun to ride in this game. Why? Because the tracks are spectacular. Ranging from a spoof of Jurassic Park to a complex city with freeways, hairpin turns and even staircases that can be used as ramps, the tracks are complex, beautiful and enjoyable over and over.

An immensely playable and entertaining game that easily overpowers its few niggling flaws with its style, its spirit, and most importantly, its unswerving dedication to fun.

Despite a few minor control problems that crop up during battles, Sacrifice emerges unscathed with graphics, sound, gameplay and artificial intelligence that are all of extremely high caliber.

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.

For the first time, real-time strategy concepts like resource building and army management feel at home on a console.

Elegant, enormously detailed and full of extraordinary stories (to say nothing of the construction set that allows you to make your own).

Above all, the NPC interaction and voice acting are the best in any game to date. This game is possibly the best investment an RPG fan can presently make, and will prove entertaining for countless gaming hours.

After playing this title I personally felt let down. This was an amazingly solid title and is well deserving of a good deal of the surrounding hype, but I might have entered the game knowing too much.

While not the best RPG to hit the GBA, and not the best Zelda game in the series, it remains a strong game on both fronts in my mind.

Gorgeous visuals, an easy-to-use interface, and a great storyline all combine to make it one of the most dangerously addictive games I've ever played.

While features such as the noise meter and match-up stick do give the player more control over the experience, significant updates and additions to the rest of NCAA 2005 were conspicuous in their absence this year.

One of those memorable titles that people will be talking about for years to come. Its impressive graphics, gripping storyline, and fun use of Bullet-Time action elevates the game to the current standard that most others should aspire to.

While I still personally prefer "NASCAR Heat," as a pure racing simulation NASCAR Racing 4 wins hands down. If you love this sport, this is a title which you simply cannot miss.

Alien scum in the final version of DN3D are still tricky devils ducking for cover, teleporting in and out, lying in ambush, and even laying traps in later episodes. However, the monsters are still stupid enough to walk into a tripbomb so overall intelligence isn't perfect.

Massive non-linear playing fields, astoundingly intelligent enemies and a gorgeous setting make Far Cry a solid hit that sets the bar higher for the games that will follow it.

A towering aggregation of everything that's good about strategy gaming.

More of that great Descent action you've come to expect and won't disappoint! It you've been waiting for more new levels, enemies, and mission builder than this will be your nirvana.

A technical tour de force filled with design wizardry. From the robust graphics and finely tuned interface to the smart computer-controlled opponents and mission design, this game radiates talent.

As with a good book, this game demands attention and you won'twant to stop playing it. It's a lot of fun to laugh, especially atthis signature brand of humor. With its cartoonish artwork, crisp soundeffects, and brilliant character acting, Monkey will draw you inand have you laughing for a long time.

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.

The Chronicles of Riddick looks great, sounds great and the gameplay is a perfect amalgamation of shooting, adventure, platforming, role-playing and stealth. Though I'm certain to be crucified for my blasphemy, this variety and skillful execution makes Riddick equal to, and in some ways, superior to the single-player component found in "Halo."

An absolutely inspired and enchanting title. Playing puts you into a deep trance, and you just cannot quit. Transfixed by mesmerizing visuals and music, you are sucked into a unending web of block matching mania.

The gorgeous visuals and music, great story, responsive controls, excellent level design, and - most importantly - superb implementation of action moves make this a true winner.

If you are looking for an RTS game with something really different, or if you have an interest in trains, you won't find a game more appealing than Railroad Tycoon II.