Shadow Hearts’ enthralling plot and superb combat system make this one a keeper. Did I mention the micro-skirted heroine?

It could have been vastly improved with a bit more graphical polish, and the addition of more exploration and side-quests to break up the monotony of its near-constant combat.

The physics model in Hitman is a definite milestone in computer gaming. No other computer game to date has been able to achieve the realistic effects you’ll find here.

The best kind of console conversion--one that isn't obvious. PC gamers wanting an extreme sports rush have found their hit.

It gets hefty points for not being just a "prettified" version of the one available for PlayStation, N64 and Dreamcast.

I would not call Primal an innovative title, but it has lots to do and TONS of different powers, which the game doles out just about when you start wanting something new.

If Racer Revenge wasn't a Star Wars game, such a generic little arcade-racer wouldn't even be worth mentioning.

Godzilla can't compete with top fighting games like DOA3, but then you'd be foolish to expect it to. It's probably going to appeal more to people who like monster movies.

If you want to get online and play action games against other people, Tribes Aerial Assault is a must. The consoles have never seen anything like it before.

The graphics and music combine to good effect (though likely too cheery for some) and make Pac-Man World an awesome place for a little gaming vacation, especially as you fly around on some of the Pac-dot chains.

Vastly improves on the original "Civilization: Call to Power" but still falls far short of the original, original "Civilization" series.

I especially like that the Army Builder screen has something to analyze your army, and tell you where it is strong and where it is lacking.

If you love the Looney Tune cartoons, you will love each level of this game.

An excellent game, but needs some polish to catch up to "NBA 2K3" and "NBA Live 2003."

Absolutely runs away with the title of most visually and technically impressive game for the PlayStation 2... Unfortunately, the developers shot themselves in the foot with the actual game.

A few minor annoyances, like poor enemy AI and some puzzles that seem almost too difficult keep it from a higher score, but if you’re looking for a game you can invest some time in and not feel like you came away with nothing, welcome to Eden.

A solid action game that feels a little like Starfox, with different battle types that always amount to you shooting everything that moves. While you can't call it revolutionary, it's got good controls and a sense of humour, so I found myself liking it.

The writing is of the quality that you'll find in your average Jean-Claude Van Damme flick. It tries to be witty and satirical, but is adolescent and uninteresting instead.

The control scheme is a bit counter-intuitive. While it does work nicely once you’ve gotten used to playing, it makes for some frustrating gameplay for the first hour or so.

It's got a marked cosmetic advantage over competition. When it comes to playability, though, this sucker doesn't even make the scoreboard.

The kind of product Westwood is largely known for--complete, compelling, full of great little touches, and just generally elegant (which is a funny thing to say about a game of pirates, pillage and plunder, but so be it).

The major factor holding Outlaw Golf from being a top tier golf game is its unforgiving control system.

It's a wild and fun ride.

Nothing if not original.

While entertaining in small doses, Creature Isle does not have the kind of countervailing payoff for these frustration as the first game.

I wish it had gone for more stuff, particularly given the power of the Xbox (like how about highly destructive environments, instead of blasting the odd box?), and given that House of the Dead II is probably the better game. But hey, why complain when you get two games in one?

It's definitely challenging and (once you have some clue what you're doing) fun, but the obvious depth and complexity of the combat system only throws the tepid shallowness of every other aspect of the game into sharp relief very soon.

Riddle of the Sphinx's immersive storyline, hearty exploration sequences and challenging puzzles make this three-CD set an enjoyable--albeit somewhat taxing--experience for the seasoned adventurer looking for a value-priced fix.