Just when you think you've had your fill of the survival-horror genre, something like this comes along, which restores your faith in the genre while leaving you shaking in your boots.

Like a really good comedy film, probably best suited as a rental.

One of those games that's good, but it suffers from being too niche to ensure it broad acceptance from gamers. Couple that with the fact that the Taiko Drum is yet another specialized controller that'll probably never see use again.

Very punishing death penalties and boring gameplay.

Like a really good comedy film, probably best suited as a rental.

Fans of aircraft combat titles should really enjoy Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War. It's got a good storyline, top-notch presentation and a great gameplay engine. Fast action, furious combat and flying fun make this a game you shouldn't miss.

A fantastic sequel, but the age of the franchise definitely shows.

Even with the well-thought-out online options, the core gameplay is so basic, golf fans won't find this game interesting at all. If you're more the arcade sports player, on the other hand, you'll easily get your $20 worth from this.

While we're on the topic of spraying fire, Namco's made this even easier by letting you double up on your lead blasting abilities. In Crisis Zone, you can hook up a second Guncon (light gun) and go John Woo on the bad guys.

Maximum Impact isn’t a game I would recommend to anyone other than you hardcore KOF fans. There are much better fighting games out there with a lot more to offer for you others.

Feels like it should have been designed as a "Dynasty Warriors" clone. It would have done a wonderful job as such. The environments and character designs are beautiful accomplishments, and the sense of scale is an incredible feat. But the RTS aspects hurt the game badly.

Because of the shallow gameplay, I can't imagine anyone playing through this game once, much less multiple times. It's a simplistic romp into gaming nostalgia that won't appeal to anyone but the most retro of the retro-gamers out there.

Because of the shallow gameplay, I can't imagine anyone playing through this game once, much less multiple times. It's a simplistic romp into gaming nostalgia that won't appeal to anyone but the most retro of the retro-gamers out there.

The minute you discover the lack of true voice detection, all the fun is spoiled.

When it comes right down to it, Robotech: Invasion isn't a bad game, it's just not an original game.

Because of the shallow gameplay, I can't imagine anyone playing through this game once, much less multiple times. It's a simplistic romp into gaming nostalgia that won't appeal to anyone but the most retro of the retro-gamers out there.

When it comes right down to it, Robotech: Invasion isn't a bad game, it's just not an original game.

The sticker slap is my favorite new addition. The trick takes the place of the wallplant and enables the skater to turn a wall into a pitstop on the way to a huge combo. Leaping out of a grind into a sticker slap will send a skater right back to the rail, where he (or she) can retrace the path that already produced a good line.

Practically three full games for the price of one. Seriously, you won't find a better value in games these days. And for those who were addicted to Tetris, Puzzle Kombat is going to steal away many hours of your life.

The sticker slap is my favorite new addition. The trick takes the place of the wallplant and enables the skater to turn a wall into a pitstop on the way to a huge combo. Leaping out of a grind into a sticker slap will send a skater right back to the rail, where he (or she) can retrace the path that already produced a good line.

The sticker slap is my favorite new addition. The trick takes the place of the wallplant and enables the skater to turn a wall into a pitstop on the way to a huge combo. Leaping out of a grind into a sticker slap will send a skater right back to the rail, where he (or she) can retrace the path that already produced a good line.

With three campaigns, 30 lengthy missions and online multiplayer, it’s no wonder Codename: Panzers will keep you playing (and loving every minute of it) for a long time to come.

After hours of working with this game, unless you’re a history buff or ruler-in-training, you will likely find yourself overwhelmed and lost.

Far from fresh or innovative, it's still a fun title to keep the kids happy or blow a rainy day playing.

Far from fresh or innovative, it's still a fun title to keep the kids happy or blow a rainy day playing.

But pretty pictures and good audio don’t always make for a pretty good game, as gamers both old and young can tell you from personal experiences. The gameplay is what counts, and in that sense, Shark Tale doesn’t quite hit the mark.

But pretty pictures and good audio don’t always make for a pretty good game, as gamers both old and young can tell you from personal experiences. The gameplay is what counts, and in that sense, Shark Tale doesn’t quite hit the mark.

But pretty pictures and good audio don’t always make for a pretty good game, as gamers both old and young can tell you from personal experiences. The gameplay is what counts, and in that sense, Shark Tale doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Still, despite the occasional glitch in battle, Rome: Total War is a superb game that easily consumes your day, evening, night and next morning. In other words, play this game with caution if you succumb easily to the desire to conquer the world.

Good for fans, but action-RPG gamers probably already have a better game in hand.

Probably the craziest game I've played in years. The simplistic control and wonky concept have me locked into seemingly day-long games. And wow, it's so worth it to build a bigger Katamari after each round and watch the King of the Universe turn it into a star. Too cool. I'm amazed at how such a simple game is so addicting.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran or wet-behind-the-ears newbie, Chains of Promathia adds even more to see and do in the already robust world of Vana'diel.

It’s also painful to say that I’ve heard far better music on the GBA. The Casio-style representation of the score is beyond belief, considering that music is 50 percent of the Star Wars franchise’s success.

Good for fans, but action-RPG gamers probably already have a better game in hand.

Good for fans, but action-RPG gamers probably already have a better game in hand.

Unfortunately, the lack of any real depth to the gameplay, random game crashes and the poorly implemented Xbox Live features make it too hard to suggest as a purchase.

This game just drips with anime style. The visuals, while not being top tier, are still awesomely fun to watch in action.

There were some good ideas here, but they just weren't implemented in any sort of fresh or interesting way, and when you've got great squad games like "Rainbow Six 3" setting the standard for squad-based combat, games like this have a long way to go.

From this developer, we expect more, and this ain't it.

The combat is good, the production values high and the promise incredible, but unless you’re a huge fan of the Forgotten Realms storyline, you’re better off renting Demon Stone.

There are still some sticky spots, and the graphics are showing their age, but get past the first campaign, and it’s a real treat for any FPS fan.

A lot of good ideas do not a great game make. It lacks that "spark" that makes some games rule, and others fade into obvlivion.

Fable isn't always awe-inspiring, and its combat lock-on system can be frustrating, but what it introduces to the genre is fantastic. "Watching" gamers' playing tendencies and assigning experience points accordingly is ingenious, and it really makes players practice their skills.

The sad thing about Spy Fiction is that it almost gets interesting. There are some plot twists and a few entertaining cutscenes that toy with the idea of actually drawing you into the game. But they come too little, too late. And they certainly aren’t enough to make up for an unfinished game.

Even with the seeming laundry list of complaints I have about this game, I still kind of enjoyed it. There's a certain sense of accomplishment that comes from solving the tougher puzzles.

If you're a fan of the series, then you'll enjoy this, though possibly feel like you've paid full price for what is basically an expansion pack introducing some new mini-games, online support and extra characters (like Ratchet and Clank.)

The game has such an immersive, dark style that it stands out as one of the scariest games ever made. The action is intense and gripping.

The surround sound may be great, but bad voice acting is bad voice acting, no matter how many channels it comes from.

With the anime cell-shaded graphics and weak storyline Tales of Symphonia may not appeal to every RPG fan. But if you own a GameCube and have been waiting for a fun and addictive RPG, you can't go wrong with this game.

A good, though somewhat flawed game. With the upcoming patch, I can only hope they fix the AI, pathing, framerate and difficulty issues.

The free-roaming gameplay, expansive environments, fun combat and commendable graphics all make for a great experience, and the fact that it comes in a superhero game is just icing on an already-great cake.

The free-roaming gameplay, expansive environments, fun combat and commendable graphics all make for a great experience, and the fact that it comes in a superhero game is just icing on an already-great cake.

It’s undeniably cool to pick your favorite wrestlers from yesteryear, but as soon as the actual gameplay kicks in, the lack of attention given to this title quickly chills all those warm fuzzies.

The basic menu system starts out simple enough, but if you really want to dig down deep into the guts of groove, you've got to work around a menu system that is definitely daunting. Sure it's pretty to look at and has a very professional feel to it, but it can be a total bear for newcomers to the mixing game.

A surprisingly deep fighter. Occasionally the fast combat can degenerate into button mashing, but the strategic elements are there if you can keep your wits about you.

It's undeniably cool to pick your favorite wrestlers from yesteryear, but as soon as the actual gameplay kicks in, the lack of attention given to this title quickly chills all those warm fuzzies.

The basic menu system starts out simple enough, but if you really want to dig down deep into the guts of groove, you've got to work around a menu system that is definitely daunting. Sure it's pretty to look at and has a very professional feel to it, but it can be a total bear for newcomers to the mixing game.

If you’re looking for a racing or action game, you’re better off buying a title more focused on those genres.

If you're looking for a racing or action game, you're better off buying a title more focused on those genres.

This is a bad game. A game so bland and annoying, it took twice as long as most other titles to play for a review because I could only bear it in 20-minute doses.

One issue with Burning Horizon is the lack of online multiplayer. This severely limits the replay value of the game since once you have properly scouted a map and learned how to deal with a scenario there seems to be no reason to play it again. This is a crying shame as some of the greatest fun I had with the original was the online team combat.

But it lacks long-term appeal, and so, its final score likewise suffers. As for SCPTT2 outdoing Pong, after 20 years, people still play Pong, but by the end of 2004, very few will play Smash Court 2.

A slightly below-average RTS with such poor AI; the whole game is rendered very un-fun. My advice? Unless a pathing patch comes out real soon, ignore this game entirely.

Ingenious, but a little gameplay short of "must have."

What's most interesting about even this game, though, is that in spite of its being single-player only, we're just as eager to go back and keep playing. With the exception of a few linear and otherworldly levels (which, by the way, out-Doom Doom), there are enough ways to try to escape from Butcher Bay that it's hard not to think about playing again.

Careful not to fall asleep.

Let's put it this way: how many arcade stand-ups did you buy and take home with you? Metal Slug 3 is one of those games you'll think fondly of for years to come, but it's probably one of those titles, like the coin-op arcade classics, that you'd just as soon remember fondly than have at home collecting dust for years to come.

A good addition to the stealth genre, but Garrett would much rather run and hide than to stand and fight.

A good addition to the stealth genre, but Garrett would much rather run and hide than to stand and fight.

Its "average-ness" makes it accessible to newcomers, but hardcore RTS or RPG fans will find there's not enough depth of either genre to keep them interested for more than a few hours.

While it sounds like a cool premise, the game pretty much falls flat due to generic gameplay and so-so presentation values.

Its difficulty and niche sensibilities prevent me from recommending it to casual gamers, but those hardcore tacticians with at least 30 hours on their hands will not be able to get enough of it.

With such good multiplayer options, graphics and sound, it's a shame that the single-player portion of RalliSport Challenge 2 falters as much as it does.

With its good graphics, audio and party-based play, Shrek 2 improves in nearly every way upon the original game.

Good stuff for RPG fans everywhere, though a bit too difficult and time-consuming for the casual gamer.

With its good graphics, audio and party-based play, Shrek 2 improves in nearly every way upon the original game.

With its good graphics, audio and party-based play, Shrek 2 improves in nearly every way upon the original game.

Each of the other nations has some new wonderful advantages in line with their own historical value. Most new units are actually replacements of old units, but the Indians (India), for example, have elephants in addition to their horse units.

Siren is a good game with plenty of innovation, but the general "sightjack, sneak, repeat" gameplay gets stale after a short bit of time, and the lack of action makes the game hard to stay interested in.

A few questionable issues with AI and replay aside, it’s a good purchase for stealth-action fans who want to see some action in with their stealth.

Both the single and multiplayer modes offer tons of fun, and those secret videos it shoots while you’re playing are sure to embarrass you time and time again.

The shooter has outstanding graphics, addictive gameplay and solid multiplayer components, but it’s held back from becoming a true classic through its disappointing narrative and mediocre soundtrack.

All-Star Baseball 2005 may get the job done, but in a season as long as baseball’s, you’ve got to have that special something to keep you motivated, and unfortunately, this game just doesn’t have it.

Unless you are a big fan of the show, in fact, a good portion of the story will be lost on you.

Unless you are a big fan of the show, in fact, a good portion of the story will be lost on you.

It's fun enough to hold your interest for a little while, but the repetitive play will cut that time far shorter than the game's excruciatingly long load times.

Is this game as bad as it seems? Not really, but if killing terrorists is your pleasure, you’re better off doing it in 3D with one of the Rainbow Six games and focusing your time on Al-Qaeda-like enemies, not the local goombas.

An intriguing take on the RTS model that provides a rich platform for trying out new strategies in different scenarios.

I absolutely love this game. I can see myself playing it for at least a year. There is so much to do and see and, quite frankly, I’d feel like I was letting my party down if I bailed.

If you want a thrilling single-player FPS with the best looking graphics to date, then FarCry is for you.

What the single-player mode of Pandora Tomorrow is missing in difficulty, the multiplayer modes make up for in spades, but while it may be overwhelming at first, once you learn a level the multiplayer aspects are incredibly strategic and fun.

All-Star Baseball 2005 may get the job done, but in a season as long as baseball’s, you’ve got to have that special something to keep you motivated, and unfortunately, this game just doesn’t have it.

If there had been Xbox Live support it would have at least given you some live players to compete against, but still would be a boring card-dueling game with too many confusing rules and a bland presentation.

There's so much good going for it, I can't see not recommending it as a purchase for most gamers, although the subject material and weird moments in the storyline might be a bit too off-putting for casual gamers.

If you like a beat ‘em up style title, Seven Samurai 20xx is a good rental. I wouldn’t recommend buying it because it’s just too darned easy.

A lackluster port with average graphics, a poor camera system and stupid AI.

Though the game relies heavily on cheap scares, it's a refreshing take on horror-themed games. It's also a bit longer than you'd expect from a straightforward action game, though the increased length is offset by an overall lack of variety.

Though the game relies heavily on cheap scares, it's a refreshing take on horror-themed games. It's also a bit longer than you'd expect from a straightforward action game, though the increased length is offset by an overall lack of variety.