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.

An easy learning curve, excellent presentation and a story that will keep you coming back.

An extremely challenging game, with a lot going for it, but unfortunately the game is hindered by some aspects, like the save function.

A great WWII experience as well as an exceptional game. The lack of multiplayer and a few discrepancies keep SWON from being a spectacular game but it still is exceptional.

A good game – almost achieved "great" but, sweet momma, some of those missions are hard – filled with action, challenge, the obligatory references to Star Wars, and a first-rate presentation.

If you don’t have Live, you shouldn’t be buying Counter-Strike.

A racing video gamers fantasy fulfilled nevertheless, with tight controls, a good variety of tracks, a garage full of excellent looking vehicles and picturesque cityscapes, and great online gameplay through Live that any Live subscriber will immediately appreciate.

With around 10-15 hours of play, outstanding music, the best gameplay system ever conceived, and the two original Prince of Persia's included…you will certainly get your money's worth with the Prince.

Much like a NHL expansion team that does unexpectedly well in its initial campaign but doesn’t have any realistic chance of competing for even a number-eight seed playoff spot, NHL Rivals 2004 is a good start for Microsoft’s hockey franchise, but needs many more superstar elements to challenge its competition in the hockey game arena.

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

The single-player game basically involves a series of duels and the A.I. can get a bit predictable.

A solid basketball title that has the general mechanics down pat, but everything else still needs work.

Unfortunately, there's no online support, but SWON is packed with enough diverse gameplay with a heavy challenge level that you won't lament the online absence too long.

Also funny is some of the dialogue and one-liners. On the whole the audio portion of Metal Arms gets good marks – if not for being memorable, then for being perfectly suited to the game.

Needless to say, this type of gameplay is hardly challenging, thought provoking, or enjoyable, for most serious gamers. However, what Broken Sword does do is very polished and offers a slick level of gameplay for the occasional gamer used to solitaire and minesweeper.

It's chock-a-block full of action, strategy, humor, mini-games, it'll take many hours to finish, and Luigi finally gets some props.

Double-Dash doesn't stray far from what gamers have come to love about the series -- if it aint' broke, don't fix it -- but the added refinements make it a must-play title, particularly with friends.

RPG fan or not, Monster Rancher 4 gives everybody a little taste of something.

Overall, I really like this game, but the difficulty really puts me in a tight spot - no matter how fun the game is to begin with, it loses appeal quickly as the game becomes insane.

This is the best online shooting experience available today, including the recently-released Xbox translation of the PC sensation "Counter-Strike."

More like a puzzle game interspersed with fighting than anything else.

The story isn’t entirely accurate which is a bit of a downer, the source material truly demonstrates a lot more potential then this.

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

While bitching about the problems with the enemy, if you manage to hit your enemy with a bullet, I’d make sure to hit him repeatedly… head shots aren’t necessarily fatal, and shots to legs can usually be walked off after bouncing around for a few seconds.

The whole game is so imaginative, hilarious and exciting, that it makes Mario (the very pioneer of this genre) and his talking hose seem incredibly flaccid my comparison.

Definitely isn’t as good as "Mario Kart," but bring some friends over and you can still have one hell of a fun gaming experience.

A twenty-pound sledgehammer of wall-to-wall action.

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