The last great game of 2003 you've never heard of.

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.

An above average bit of RPG goodness, with some added mechanics, and all of it's served up in a very eye-catching package.

To give the visual style greater impact Stubbs the Zombie features the best soundtrack this year.

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.

If you’re a fan of the wrestling genre, Def Jam Vendetta is just what the doctor ordered.

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

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

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.

The wacky characters, impossibly upbeat music and insanely addicting party management, will have strategy gamers obsessed long after the doldrums of the summer months have passed. Makai Kingdom isn't the best of the bunch, but it holds its own quite nicely.

Like "Max Payne," BR is fun while it lasts and it has enough style to make it worth revisiting.

A terrific pick for younger gamers and a great update for older fans of the series.

It has high caliber production values, mission variety, easy control, and plenty of Bond moments that offset the linear levels and less-than-stellar camera.

It’s still pleasant, lighthearted fun and legions better than the embarrassing "Lunar: Dragon Song," making it the uncontested champion of DS RPGs.

Oddly enough, hunting down targets isn’t integral to gameplay, it's completely optional.

Refines the original – layers some extra flash but at its core, remains very much the same as the original.

The action is fast and furious (although “punctuated” with periods of running around), the graphics are impressive and the voice acting is very good.

Aimed at the first-time player – for everyone else, go download a mod. [Score intended for those who don't own "DS" already.]

Almost like you're careening down the hills of San Francisco's city streets in a car with its power steering out of commission.

Most importantly, Shox offers an exhilarating sense of speed which, in the end, is what draws many of us to racing games in the first place.

It’s refined battle system, the use of a job system, and a much more palatable story make it well worth checking out for fans of console RPGs.

It's just about everything a fan could want even if it's more popcorn than a "serious" RPG.

With the solid on-court graphical presentation, fast-paced gameplay and variety of game modes, many may actually see it on even par with "NBA 2K3."

Although I really liked Breakdown for its story and first-person implementation and grew to love the combat, some will think it’s a “niche” title with too many idiosyncrasies for a wider audience.

Those who haven’t played the first two games can hop right in without feeling alienated, and those who have followed the Sly series from day one can feel safe that the game’s quality hasn’t ebbed in the least over the years, while still enjoying the little in-jokes peppered throughout Sly 3.

Online, Project Gotham Racing 3 is practically an addiction.

As far as audio goes, the game is a mixed bag of licensed music.

Since Deadly Shadows shares the same engine as "Deus Ex: Invisible War," you get the same gorgeous visuals, amazing lighting and incredible physics.