The depth of Morrowind's gameplay and overall design is matched by the audio-visual presentation. Hands down, Morrowind's soundtrack should be released on CD – once you've heard the opening chords you'll be humming it for hours after first booting it up.

Without a doubt the finest WWII game released this year, and if other gamers agree a prime contender for the PC Game of the Year.

If you are a tactical shooter, this isn't your game. It's the combination of many small parts from different genres so it will probably only appeal to the casual fan.

989 Sports keeps improving their franchise each year, but unfortunately it’s too little to catch up to the competition.

It’s an interesting outing into the world of strategy RPGs, with quite a bit of depth to the gameplay and very nice visuals, but if you are a long time player of these sorts of games you may find the title a tad on the easy side.

A wholly decent entertainment experience although it won’t change anyone’s opinion about the genre it unfortunately sits in.

Despite Gothic II’s problematic inventory system, as well as its sometimes-difficult battles, it is still a very fun RPG.

And the Sims wouldn’t be the Sims without great music, given an appropriately magical theme in Makin’ Magic, and the now-famous Simlish language spoken amongst Sims populating your PC.

This game has some of the worst driving physics I’ve ever seen in a racing game.

Plays a lot like a series of great chess matches with tons of new variables to learn.

Mixes in arcade style gameplay with never before seen realism, topped off with the best graphics and detail in any sport game.

A great mix of what gamers loved about the original and some welcomed upgrades that don’t detract from the experience.

It lacks the sheer exhilaration of the SSX series, but scores high marks for a deep career mode and solid level design.

You can pick up the controller and start a game, without ever being completely lost.

With superior games like "Disgaea," "Fire Emblem" and "Final Fantasy Tactics" out there, all of which are more interesting on pretty much every level, Gladius remains a merely competent title in a field already full of magnificent experiences.

Fans of Dragon Ball Z probably won’t care too much about some of the simpler fighting mechanics and the tedious method of unlocking all the capsules, but newcomers to the Dragon Ball Z universe will likely be left scratching their heads as to why the series is so popular.

The new game is fascinating, but, for the first time, I found myself thinking back fondly to the previous games in the series.

Frequent adventure gamers who've acquired the sixth sense needed to navigate quickly through item hunts may enjoy Journey to the Center of the Earth for its engaging story and often-beautiful environments.

While it's inexcusable that there's still no Xbox Live support, and the GTA story mode isn't the revolutionary addition it could have been, THUG's overall great features and customary amazing skating action assure that this is again not only a great skateboarding game, but a great game period.

Deep, fun at long stretches, accessible and you just might learn something about economics – Railroad Tycoon 3 is a recommended title.

Aimed toward the more "casual" sport gamer. If you just want to pick up the controller occasionally and play some basketball, ESPN is your game.

The AI isn't very good in most games but in this game it's pathetic.

An undeniable solid gaming experience that should be in the library of hardcore strategy fans. Any failings are mostly made up for in Empire’s shear depth.

TC3 will do what many other light gun games cannot. Convert fans to the genre. I'm a living example.

A complete package.

Amazingly engrossing online play, near-flawless visuals and sound, strong overall gameplay, and lightning-quick control responsiveness.

Had the potential to be so much more, but the control problems, the pacing, inconsistent health bar, and lack of any multiplayer options, make it merely a novelty as Rare’s first Xbox title.

The game should probably better have been dubbed "UFO: Afterbirth" – it’s ugly and sloppy and imposes itself on the heels of what you really wanted to see.

The gameplay is fairly solid, if a little elementary and repetitive, but does offer enough of a challenge in its specific career goals as to offer most gamers at least a little diversion from some of the more deserving holiday titles.

Perfect for people that enjoy a low-impact game. It’ll score many points for being easy to get into and a leisurely way to pass the time, but people that like things to happen should steer clear.

In terms of Star Wars games it’s probably the most complete Star Wars package the gaming world has ever seen.

It might not be the best way to be introduced to the genre because it is so deep in the gameplay department, but those accustomed to the genre will eat this up and have a great time.

It tries to to do too much at once, and while it generally succeeds, there's still some room for a bit of spit and polish.

It’s a game that fatigues quickly. There’s nothing wrong with the gameplay, per se; it just feels a little bit empty. Try playing through the game without using the bullet time feature, and you’ll see how bland it really is.

Although Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon isn't a horrible game, it isn't a good one. And with the license of a movie that was such a huge success, an okay game just isn’t acceptable.

Simply put DSII is your average squad shooter. There is nothing breathtaking about this game but it can provide you with some hours of enjoyment.

Talk about a game that’s firing on all cylinders, Viewtiful Joe is one high-octane ride.

Halo for the PC is everything that PC gamers want in a first person shooter, but a bit of a failure to those Xbox gamers waiting for the multiplayer.

The adventure is on the short side, but with good writing, a strong translation of the TV show, and the fact it makes you think makes Law & Order II: Double or Nothing a solid purchase for fans of the show and those that want a bit of a mind exercise.

An awesome game that reminds me more of an updated version of a classic than something new, but that’s exactly what I was waiting for.

Even with its Halloween theme, Spirits and Spells is more of a cruel trick than a tasty treat.

If you still want to feel that retro-love pick up NBA Jam, but don't expect to be blown away by its features or anything new, for there is truly a lack of both (except in terms of dunks? there will always be lots of dunks).

VV has enough going for it - an amiable style, easy control, good puzzles, the platformer conventions, and humor - that it’s time well spent.

Billy Hatcher may never catch on as a marquee Sega character, but his debut is a somewhat fun game on the cartoony side of weird.

I have mixed feeling about whether anyone should have to pay for features that should have been included in the original release and have already been included in countless patches.

Hockey enthusiasts will absolutely love NHL 2004.

It puts at least a cherry on the "vanillafication" that was Generals.

An extremely good hockey game but has one major failing in my eyes: lack of fun.

If the GameCube is your only access to gaming bliss and you’re a hockey fan, then there really isn’t a better hockey game for you than NHL 2004. Just be prepared to groan when you have your friend trash talk you when they score a back handed one timer from the point.

Can be a bit too formulaic, but Star Wars fans will be able to ignore the standard gameplay of JKJA and completely get engrossed exploring and adventuring throughout the Star Wars galaxy.

It's a fun title that gives the genre some notable tweaks, and it's certainly recommendable to anyone with an itch for a fast and furious dungeon crawl.

A well-done racing title that strikes a good balance between realism and accessibility.

It is simply a purity of attempt to re-create the D&D experience that they share, a purity I ultimately appreciated despite the rushed-out-the-door feel of parts of the game.

The only real disappointment I had with Homeworld 2 was with the missions themselves.

The game should last an average player quite a while with plenty of hidden secrets and bonuses for completion.

I suppose the upshot of it is, is that I would recommend The Simpsons: Hit & Run, particularly to those that may have been let down by prior Simpsons games.

By far the biggest problem with Raw 2 is the audio. The menu music is solid, but everything else is horrendous.

The sound is where the game really suffers. There are only two types of music you can listen to during the game. These include Rock and Techno. Both are horrible.

The presentation is probably the best in any sports game out on the market. You can truly see the ESPN integration in the game. The cut scenes are beautiful and commentating is great.

May contain a high replay value (for some), but in the end that was not even enough to keep me playing. The uninspired and flawed game play hurts this title in the long run.

While Savage may not be supremely addicting, it is still an excellent game and I can see it quickly becoming a favorite among online gamers.

If you can deal with the occasional frustrating roadblocks you'll face, then Lethal Skies II will probably be a somewhat enjoyable, if not particularly engaging, way to waste a few afternoons, even if you can't tell a MIG29 from an A-10.

My primary criticism is the game's lack of multiplayer options. In story mode, the game does allow cooperative play, with one player driving while a partner uses either a light gun or another controller to shoot. But, while it's a unique innovation and it does produce a more true to life experience -- making perps and power-ups more of a challenge to hit as your partner swerves all over the road -- it struck me as more frustrating than fun.

The best hockey game out today is ESPN NHL Hockey.

An expansion pack done right; it breathes some new life into the game with various extras and will have players heading back to the servers. It isn't flawless, but it's definitely a lot of fun and far better than "Road to Rome."

"Madden 2004" may include more realistic gameplay and statistics, but ESPN is a much more satisfying experience when breaking down the purpose of games in the first place. To be fun.

DESA should be given serious consideration by all parents looking for a good game for younger children whether for themselves or some good family competition, especially if you are a parent that can overlook the nefarious advertising.

If you're a hardcore extreme sports fan, Disney’s Extreme Skateboarding Adventure will probably have you bored to tears in within an hour. However, if you have kids or younger siblings (girl or boy) in the house, it fits the bill as a challenging, entertaining, kid-friendly game. [Add 23 points if you're looking for a kids game]

Runaway is the best adventure game out right now, and my early nominee of the best adventure game this year.

What we have here is a game that follows the norm in basic premise as to what we’ve come to expect from console strategy RPGs, but twists it just enough to play a little different and still be very fun.

I'll say it without embarrassment - Gameday is back. It still lags a bit behind the big two, but it wouldn’t be too surprising to see next year's model truly compete.

Whether you’re a fighting aficionado or a green rookie, there’s plenty to enjoy about this game.

Should satisfy those looking for otherworldly action in a fantasy "medieval" Japanese setting. The style isn’t for everyone, but the RPG elements and the nonstop combat make it worth playing.

Having only a few flaws is still too many flaws when stacked up against the stiff competition of both "Madden" and "ESPN Football."

Soul Calibur II will satisfy most fighting fans with its smooth play and brilliant graphics. It stands easily among a handful of other games as one of the best fighting games of all time.

For all its flash, it still begs the questions: Do visible nipples add anything to gameplay? I’ll let you decide.

Although it doesn’t have the replay value of "The Sims," Ghost Master provides a ghoulishly great gamine experience while it lasts.

The control system is great. The punches and kicks flow well together and each character acts and feels distinctly unique.

Tron 2.0 reinvigorates the material and delivers an excellent gaming experience. The story is okay, definitely not classic material, but the ending of the game is so anticlimactic that I had to downgrade the score from 9.0 down to a still very respectable 8.9.

At the end of the day, F-Zero GX is a speed-freaks dream come true. On top of being fast, Fast, FAST, FZ has great racing options, insane tracks, snappy control, a brilliant customize feature, and the ever-important fun factor.

As an action title, it is just decent. As a platformer, it is hopelessly flawed. As a reflection of the brilliant humor of the television show, it is really on the money.

Taken together, with its hundreds of moves per fighter and addictive modes and polished graphics, Virtual Fighter 4: Evolution is a marvelous game.

One of the most in-depth and enjoyable football titles to have ever hit the market, with the exception of "Joe Montana 94." Sorry, but that's the greatest game of all time.

I wouldn’t consider scooping Island Thunder unless you are a Live subscriber, because as good as the game’s story and single-player missions can be, there’s simply not enough levels and gameplay here for going solo.

For fans of fires or fans of just wasting away time staring into a dark monitor, EFR will be your "Game of the Year". For other video gamers with at least a half-mind, look elsewhere for your fire controlling needs.

APE is quite tactical, the control is good and it should keep fans interested, even with the fog-of-war, funnel levels, and pathfinding problems - a good RTS entry.

APE is quite tactical, the control is good and it should keep fans interested, even with the fog-of-war, funnel levels, and pathfinding problems - a good RTS entry.

Without peer in Flight Simulators. If you only have one flight sim, this is the one!

As in-depth as you need or as simple as you want. And with the multiple modes, great course selection, and unlockables, you'll be playing for a while.

The new races added to Age of Wonders already fantastic fantasy world and a host of customizable campaign and level editors means that fans of turn-based strategy will never have to play the same missions twice.

Proves that gameplay and story can (and always should) supersede flash and that a game does not need a big budget to tell a great story.

DD's biggest failing is the audio. There are four different types of musical sets you can listen to while racing. They’re all lame and performed by bands that are not known very well.

The one factor of the game that can be deemed perfect, revolutionizing, unique, fun, addictive, and challenging, has to be the gameplay system. Bioware has created a different type of RPG, for the non-RPG types.

This game is so good, it's almost impossible to think that there's a possibility that the NCAA Football series can improve.

Though Star Wars Galaxies does have the potential of becoming a better MMORPG, the current version of the game is dull and lacks in quality.

Outlaw Volleyball manages to be the only "pure" beach volleyball game on the Xbox.

With so many hours of new gameplay just in the single-player mode, not to mention the multiplayer and customization upgrades, it's shocking to realize that this is really only an expansion pack.

Even with it's incomplete manual and it's many frustrations, I still liked Pirates of the Caribbean. There's much to do, places to see, buccaneers to slaughter, and mutineers to squash – all wrapped up in a colorful package.