An engaging experience from start to finish, including the mini-games and boss battles.

Taken as a scripted series of events the gameplay can be engaging, particularly after an unusual plot twist.

PC diehards will be less tolerant of its keyboard/mouse control scheme, poor save system and lack of “Restart Mission” option, even if the game does have a lot of positives.

It’s just a shame that the fun is over a little too quickly but if you were disappointed by Rising Sun, then MOH: EA will give you new faith in a series that seems to be going in the right direction again.

At the end of the day, Samurai Western is one of those games where it’s hard not to wonder why someone bothered to make the game in the first place.

One of the most incredibly engrossing adventures on any system.

It has a few areas where the whole package could be tightened up, but the strategy is deep, delicious and crispy like bacon, which is what you want in a strategy sandwi-- I mean, game.

There's a good game here but when you have to fight tooth and nail through its problems to actually see it, there aren't many that will feel that AR is anything but a somewhat finished mess.

The gyro may seem like a gimmick – and it probably is – but that doesn't make Twisted any less worthy of the WarioWare moniker – it's fun, challenging, and ever so twisted.

This is a game that requires so much studying and preparation, that only those hard-core RTS gamers that really enjoyed SimCity or Civilization may want to give this everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world strategy game a try.

The basics of the original remain intact – clap, slap and bang the bongos.

A strong beat’ em up sidescroller with some amazing 3D starfighter missions on the side.

There are a few flaws that fracture Pariah as a game, but a better-than-you'd-expect single-player mode coupled with a very good online setup give Pariah enough of an advantage over other Halo wannabes as a perfect alternative to the mass contingent of Xbox FPS online gamers that play "Halo 2."

Don't be fooled as I was – Pokémon Emerald is a great strategy RPG.

The hardest of the hardcore strategy buffs won’t be able to forgive some of the game’s shortcomings.

What really makes the game work so well is the pacing of the combat, coupled with a story that one actually wants to experience.

A fantastic game. Save for the somewhat dated look of the game, there is just too much being offered by Empire Earth II for RTS gamers not to take notice.

If there is one place where Stolen has the edge over Splinter Cell it's probably the minor gameplay mechanics like lock picking and computer hacking.

One of the more interesting and fresh games to come out this year. It's certainly worth your attention since it's so unique and different from a lot of other games currently out.

Psychonauts marries platforming, adventure games, stellar art, fun dialogue and a great gaming experience – it's a polygamous experience that I definitely recommend to all gamers.

Jumps are a bit hard to do and some of the more advanced stunts are really a challenge.

It's only too bad that some of the elements that were only loosely introduced could not have been made more of a focus or an option in the game.

With the combination of some of the absent design aspects, the forcing of micromanagement, and the sub par graphics, I can only marginally recommend this game.

Maybe my only real complaint is that during Challenge mode there's a half-second delay from the completion of a line of tiles to the time is disappears.

A stunning and beautiful game.

Great fun, high replayability, good control, attention to detail, interesting story, high production values, and a great gameplay experience – Jade Empire comes recommended.

A fairly simplistic game with a very basic premise: kill anything that gets in your way.

You cannot go wrong by picking up a copy of this game.

It's almost a guarantee your ride will wind up being a reflection of your personality.

A hack-and-slash with plenty of action-adventure gameplay, Rise of the Kasai is a good game for the gamer who loves the blood-spilling with huge and heavy weapons.

Unfortunately we don't get any creative new monsters but, we do get a new multiplayer mode in Capture the Flag.

Doom 3 stumbles a bit in its online play, but it still offers a great alternative to Halo 2 for FPS online gaming, although it won't exactly make anybody forget about Halo 2's much better online package.

The presentation in LSW is excellent. The game’s visuals are detailed and the Lego look is superb.

How can anyone justify dropping $50 on a ninja game with a broken camera, un uber weapon that makes most of the game a cakewalk, some twitchy control and only a so-so presentation? I certainly can't.

If the first two games left you in the dark with the heavy emphasis on stealth, then Chaos Theory will certainly intrigue you as there’s the option to play it like an action game.

Squeezing the fun out of Mario Party Advance is a tough slog.

It is still pretty stunning to me that I can lay on my couch with a wireless hand-held and play total strangers from across the globe.

In the past, shrinking a game down to portable form meant cutting out a number of features, but that doesn't happen here.

It is hard to get excited about the game. It certainly isn't an embarrassment, and huge Spidey fans will likely find lots to love here, but everything has a “been there, done that” aura about it.

A highly polished gore-fest that is easily the best game that I have played on the Playstation 2 this last year.

It works in small doses in providing some carnage and distraction from reality.

With its impressive graphic and new Nitrous boost feature, RR positions itself as the best game in the series and it provides a great example of the quality of games we can expect from the PSP.

Revisiting the levels to mop up adds some replay value to the otherwise rather short game.

Fail and wind up like so many game journalists at E3 – waking up across town with absolutely nothing in your pants pockets (if you're wearing pants at all).

The save system is crummy.

It is the most impressive game to use to show off the PSP's power, but it is also very, very fast and fun.

It is probably only worth a purchase if you are a huge basketball fan and just have to have a five-on-five.

The strategic elements are in place for the most part, it has an interesting take on resource collecting, and the 3D engine makes the explosions nice to watch.

A nice, neon-enhanced glow sharpens the graphical package, and the colorful costumes of many of the game's characters alleviate the rather dull environmental visuals, above and below ground.

If you only had to do one thing at a time, it would be easy, but most of the time you’re dealing with three things and planning for the forth.

The painful hand cramps, the repetitive motion of sliding the stylus, and the extremely uneven challenge of the opponents, make Pokémon Dash a title that can be safely missed.

Bland and non-involving.

Find out what Fun is again.

The problem that ultimately hurts Supremacy, though, is the game’s AI. If there were more challenge to it, this game would be a heck of a lot more fun to play.

While all this gameplay is offered, and the core strategic elements of the game are sound, the game is crippled by its mediocre production values.

Just be warned: My feelings of nostalgia could easily be frustration for you.

Easily the best WWII first person shooter on the Xbox.

While there’s plenty of new items that fit into the consumer demographics of the college-age Sims such as mp3 players and cell phones, and chances to experience full-blown Animal House-style college days, it’s hard to take advantage of those chances because if you’re serious about getting a Sim college degree, you really have to focus on schoolwork.

Such is the nature of a bad game though; if it's bad, it would have always been and always will be bad.

It is quite satisfying to power your way through the technology developments but having to do this over and over again, loses its entertainment value.

Graphically, Tekken 5 is one of the smoothest games I have ever played. Almost every movement looks believable and the stages, the lighting, the character models, it all looks amazing.

Now, the computer-controlled cars are much better at making players work hard for a win. The only time a player can tear apart the competition is if their car has significantly more aftermarket parts on it.

A gift to those who spent their school years up late at night with "Illusion of Gaia" and "Secret of Mana."

Those without a network adapter are left in the dark as Project: Snowblind unfortunately contains no split screen multiplayer.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with MVP Baseball 2005. For next year, all I need is more mini-games, more un-lockable content, and a couple of pitchers who don't give up poorly-timed gopher balls.

With an outrageous plethora of fantasy league-style features, nobody comes close to capturing the authenticity of fantasy leaguing better than EA.

EA continues to raise the bar year after year with its sports simulations, and MVP Baseball 2005 is no exception.

Touched! has enough thrills and weirdness to keep you playing.

One other distraction to the proceedings is the inane squad chatter that constantly streams in.

While in many ways this is a good thing, the weaker storyline detracts from its overall enjoyability.

It's everything good to be expected from a basketball game, plus loads of customization.

You get both games in one case for just $40US. Fans of fighting games cannot pass on such a great deal.

It's truly excellent to finally be able to play NBA Street V3 on Xbox Live.

A great sports game and a betterment of its previous installments. If you're a fan, this is a no-brainer purchase.

The mouse sensitivity is atrocious, even when set to maximum.

The visual and storytelling satisfaction in gaming today across any platform doesn't get much better than OSW.

It's achingly repetitive.

I would highly suggest fans of the series to buy it even though the battle system is a little weak.

It’s no "GTA," but I’ve played worst games recently.

The best survivor horror game ever made. It's also one of the best action games I've played in a very long time.

GBA owners and Zelda fans won't be disappointed.

And that's what Mercenaries is all about. No, not democracy to a downtrodden people. Cash. And plenty of it!

As fun as it is for fans, novice players should give it a pass.

This is one tough game for newbies! Don't expect any sympathy from experienced MechWarriors, who take gleeful delight in annihilating those novices who come in their path.

It doesn't have the same high quality of the "NBA Street" series due to the more urban roots of street basketball versus street football, but for a good adrenaline rush of smash-mouth football, look no further than NFL Street 2.

It doesn't have the same high quality of the NBA Street series due to the more urban roots of street basketball versus street football, but for a good adrenaline rush of smash-mouth football, look no further.

When played with a few buddies I whole heartedly recommend taking NFL Street 2 for a spin no matter your genre preference, but taken as a single-player experience – football fan or not – it's the old chant, "Try before you buy."

EA really took advantage of the touch screen.

A great game if you’re looking for a racer that you’ll spend a lot of time on. It’s also great for those of you who are constantly on the go.

For hardcore strategy gamers Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth is a visual and aural feast but low on actual strategy since battles almost always descend into attrition.

It’ll bore you to tears in about 20 minutes.

The more advanced lightsaber customization was another one of those things that made me think that the developers really did have a good grip on what being a Jedi is about.

Like I wrote when reviewing "Mario Party 4," "As a single-player experience MP4 lacks in excitement and any kind of addictive fun factor."

While its old school side-scrolling shooting action may not appeal to younger gamers, an older GBA-playing crowd will appreciate Metal Slug Advance and its high challenge level.

It's not overwhelming in what it offers in addition to what the original game offers already, but it does have enough interesting points to make it worthwhile for fans of the original.

Even the interface is out of the olden days.

It doesn’t break any new ground but it is a challenge.

With the refinements and enhancements the team has made it's definitely worth a look if you missed the previous title.