If the game was not so brilliantly presented with such rich characters, story and astounding art and voice-work (best voice-work to date in a videogame), you would probably take more notice of the simple and boring adventure elements (go here, go there, find this, talk to that person...), and the too-heavy reliance on melee combat, and the constant battles, and the frustration of having to take two steps back to level up before being able to take the all-important third step forward in a world.

While some of the changes might be puzzling, they don't do any serious damage.

The game is so cute, so catchy, and so compelling, that its appeal is truly universal.

Truly addictive personalities will find a new puzzle challenge, but Egg Mania: Eggstreme Madness just doesn't have the jam to hold the attention of less obsessive gamers.

There really aren't a lot of flaws that I can point out in this game, but I do wish that Blake had the ability to jump.

I think they shot themselves in the foot when they made the sword something you have to power-up to--that should be something you have continual access to.

This is the kind of plague that should see Pac-Man quarantined and approached only by trained disease control experts in the shelter of a hazardous materials suit.

Whether you're looking at the graphics, the gameplay, the server response, the community activity, this is one staggeringly good game.

If you just want something to race in circles while oohing and aahing over the purty but extremely exaggerated lens flare, this isn't for you. Sega GT 2002 is a game with substance.

If you have other consoles and are going to get a version of it, it's probably better to look at the GameCube and Xbox versions.

For those with the patience and will to eventually master the control interface that buries it, Commandos 2 is still an excellent game.

The game is also annoyingly dark during night missions. Even with the brightness cranked, it was pretty hard to see.

The three-dimensional stability of the environment in Mario Sunshine is astonishing. At no time do the seams show.

Here's hoping Amusement Vision knows when to move on and begins a new project instead of staying stuck and trying to squeeze out a "Monkey Ball 3."

One of the truly rare games which induces that special kind of gaming exhaustion caused by sleeping two or three pitiful hours at night (while you dream about the game) before getting up to do it all over again.

I think DTR should also get some credit for its control scheme, which is very intuitive.

The combat system of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is just brilliant.

Pump up the difficulty, unlock more videos, and more players, create more characters; you can and will still have a lot of fun with Street Hoops after you start to catch on to its flaws.

The graphics and AI could use some serious polish. Still, it's more fun than you might expect, and definitely worth a try.

If only Sega and the IVF could both learn that lesson and promote volleyball on the merits of the game and of the athletes who play it, rather than their femaleness and enforced lack of clothing.

The gameplay of Tsunami 2265 is best-suited for younger or for casual gamers.

There are hidden cheats and costumes, and plenty to keep you busy, and the joy of the combat, the good intermixture of stealth and tactics, and the sheer style with which The Mark of Kri is delivered make it a true classic.

While it isn't the lengthiest or most addictive product on the block, this offering still boasts a wealth of replay value.

If you like the combat, you'll be satisfied with Enclave. If you're not, you won't find much else to take an interest in.

The game remains single-player only.

One of those games that is so good, even the credits rock.

Urban Warfare also plays more like a first person clone of "Metal Gear Solid," and a not bad one at that.

Fun in small doses, but it just doesn't have the hooks to keep you playing.