A winning combination of arcade-style mechanics and rich, engaging presentation. Of course this game is not going to win over players who have little taste for manic aerial combat, or those who were looking for something really different from the previous games.

In the end, how you receive this game will depend largely on how much weight you put on the X-Men franchise, because without it, Legends would be a very average brawler at best, and an overwrought, slightly clumsy bore at worst.

It’s difficult to complain at length about any particular gripe in the face of truly spectacular levels, innovative gameplay and almost obscenely high production values. For the first time in years, "Goldeneye" has a little competition.

Delivers breathtaking visuals, set against a fairly average game.

The missions are plentiful, and thankfully they never become repetitive.

It seems a bit odd to say that a game rooted in comic books is now the best RPG experience to be had on the PSP. However, the game... even outshines its console counterpart.

The game is fantastic – absolutely the best graphic adventure title of the year – and is a game others should aspire to in many ways.

The only major complaint to be made about Psi Ops is its use of a checkpoint save system. While not always the case, this system has a way of making a bad situation worse by leaving a player with nothing save for a death wish just because they happened upon the checkpoint ill prepared.

The new setting is wonderful for the type of game that Battlefield is, a freeform romp through the area with vehicles and different kits to wage war upon.

I recommend it if you aren’t squeamish about knocking the crap out of very realistic and very familiar looking people.

It is still a patient game that will punish those overeager to engage the enemy. If you know you don't like that sort of play, there is nothing here to change your mind. However for those that like it, this is a powerful and compellingly priced offering.

Its difficulty and sometimes confusing nature continues to keep the game from being appropriate for newcomers to the genre itself, but memorable characters and dialog, deceptively deep mechanics, and a promise of future sequels make this series, the flagship of Nippon Ichi and NIS America, one of the crowning achievements of this console generation.

This is one of the best RPGs that PlayStation 2 owners could hope for.

Warlords isn't as huge an expansion pack as some of the previous Civilization titles have had, but it's the best balanced, most refined expansion pack a Civilization title has ever had, and it carries more than enough new content to justify the purchase price.

Full Spectrum’s audio has a really gritty simplicity to it that really gets one into the mood Pandemic seemed to have been trying to convey.

The lack of "Game Over" is a delightful incentive for continued play, and despite no fear of defeat, Darwinia still contains a considerable array of challenges to overcome.

A wrestling fan’s wet dream crammed onto a disc. Almost every mode you could possibly want is present and well done. The roster is top notch, with nearly every wrestler imaginable available.

This time around there is more character interaction, more action, more techniques, and THANKFULLY the game is much longer.

The one thing keeping it from breaking 90%, I found the conclusion of the story to be a huge letdown. While several of the threads come to satisfying (And even surprising) conclusions, the major plot thread started in the first game was revealed to be, and I might be getting a little mean here, stupid.

The only major complaint to be made about Psi Ops is its use of a checkpoint save system. While not always the case, this system has a way of making a bad situation worse by leaving a player with nothing save for a death wish just because they happened upon the checkpoint ill prepared.

As a member of a series that takes a treasured place in the pantheon of gaming greatness, it is a lackluster effort, more concerned with watering down the game's strengths to make it more palatable for the masses than in delivering more of what made its predecessor great.

Make no mistake, you should play it just for Sucker Punch's wonderful story and those fleeting moments of excellence as Sly, Murray, and Bentley, but don't expect the near-flawless execution of "Band of Thieves."

Even without the ESPN presentation, the core gameplay continues to shine boldly through – and with the retail price of $20, the game is a steal for just about anybody. Every hockey fan should have it. Period.

LocoRoco is a bit shallow, but it’s a real treat to play. Earnest and ebullient, it’s tough not to get sucked in by its atmosphere, and equally difficult to stop playing once you’ve figured it out.

The moment when your uppercut lands squarely on the chin of your opponent and you see his lifeless body collapse to the ground feels perfect, and you feel like a champion. No other boxing game has ever recreated this so faithfully.

There are a variety of attacks and moves that can be mastered for the Diskarmor, but sadly you will often find yourself simply using the most straightforward attacks as they are not only the easiest to execute, but also are less likely to leave Rygar open for attack by any one for the handful of different enemies in the game.

The ability to communicate vocally is hand over fist an improvement over the keyboard and icon based communication in the other versions of the game.

At the very core of the game is something that could have worked, but it is so deeply entrenched within mediocrity and poorly executed ideas that it hurts.

If you buy no other action game this year, spend some green on big, green and ugly.

The game offers a lot to do for any RPG aficionado, including a compelling story bundled into a non-linear package that affords something many RPG gamers want – freedom to act as they please. Fable, with all it offers, is the perfect game for this type of freedom.

With tons of costumes, character information, CG stills and a plethora of extras you'll want to play this game for a long time to come.

A great title that will suit fans of both the sport, and those of us who just like a little arcade-style action in our diet. The controls are fluid, the graphics are terrific, and sounds, well it all depends on your tastes.

It really is surprising that so many divergent elements were all thrown together and still produced a solid, sound racing experience.

What it does do is take the simple, tactile pleasure of solidly built FPS action and inject it into such a staggeringly wide variety of situations, contexts and scenarios that putting down the pad after a heavy blasting session is genuinely difficult.

The control aspect is passable at times, and downright painful at others. Whoever wrote the code for this "nodes" system needs to be taken out in the road and ran over.

As a member of a series that takes a treasured place in the pantheon of gaming greatness, it is a lackluster effort, more concerned with watering down the game's strengths to make it more palatable for the masses than in delivering more of what made its predecessor great.

Crack has been refined and made anew with EverQuest II. It’s an addicting game as well as being very deep. It probably won’t be for the casual gamer, but anybody that enjoyed EQ will pick this up, and find the game more enjoyable then the original.

While the game's extra content and sense of freedom are is exceptional, its bugs and glitches are so severe that they will tax the patience of all but the most devoted player.

After several years of completely mediocre showings, this is the first time the developers have produced something truly worth playing.

There are some great touches of humor throughout the game, especially when you encounter Mysterio (I haven't laughed out loud at a game in quite a while).

Each individual game controls elegantly with the DS stylus. It is entirely possible to play each of the 42 games in the collection without ever using the directional pad of the face buttons. This is vital in appealing to non-gamer markets.

It really is impressive seeing Street Fighter Alpha 3 running on the GBA hardware.

Prey offers impressive visuals, a decent story, and high-octane action to bring players the equivalent of an outstanding summer action flick.

If you like deliberately subjecting yourself to frustration for little or no reward, surrounded by a group of idiots mocking you, super glue a coin to the ground and attempt to pry it away while screaming obscenities at the top of your voice. It'll be cheaper than wasting your money on this.

Its song selection is immediately accessible to anyone who listens to pop radio, but for those looking for a bit more variety in their musical games are bound to be disappointed, at least until a suitable expansion disc arrives.

In all, the game is fantastic – absolutely the best graphic adventure title of the year – and is a game others should aspire to in many ways.

As a member of a series that takes a treasured place in the pantheon of gaming greatness, it is a lackluster effort, more concerned with watering down the game's strengths to make it more palatable for the masses than in delivering more of what made its predecessor great.

The crux of the gameplay lies in combat that is extremely tedious. There are other features within which to loose yourself, from item customization, to even a Pokemon style creature rearing and combat mini-game that is deep enough to almost be a game on its own. But these facets are made to accentuate the core game, not make up for its shortcomings, which as it turns out are considerable.

It's a very alluring piece of work, and the little virtual puppies can be very enjoyable playmates. They're lifelike and responsive, and they can learn a wide variety of tricks. It's also not too much effort to care for them.

From stick figures to rough polygonal approximations of popular franchise titles, Wario Ware dares to impress via sharp and insanely creative (or is that just insane?) art direction rather than traditional horsepower or amped up visuals.

2006's biggest flaw is the lack of change. Players who own Tiger’s 2004 or 2005 incarnation have little reason to buy this edition.

It's a very alluring piece of work, and the little virtual puppies can be very enjoyable playmates. They're lifelike and responsive, and they can learn a wide variety of tricks. It's also not too much effort to care for them.

Anyone, whether they gravitate towards platformers, adventure games, or role-playing games will find something to enjoy here, as Square Enix's latest release includes all of the hallmarks of a classic, and comes highly recommended.

Not the best RPG of the year, nor is it even the most rewarding role-playing title on the Game Boy Advance. However, the game is without question one of the most polished portable RPGs to come to retail in recent months.

Vengeance both upholds the tradition set by Tribes and Tribes 2 in the multiplayer side, and presents a decent single player campaign as well. First person shooters may be a dime a dozen these days, but it's not too often one is released that breaks the mold and offers a truly unique gameplay experience.

I recommend it if you aren’t squeamish about knocking the crap out of very realistic and very familiar looking people.

It's a very alluring piece of work, and the little virtual puppies can be very enjoyable playmates. They're lifelike and responsive, and they can learn a wide variety of tricks. It's also not too much effort to care for them.

As a member of a series that takes a treasured place in the pantheon of gaming greatness, it is a lackluster effort, more concerned with watering down the game’s strengths to make it more palatable for the masses than in delivering more of what made its predecessor great.

It is true that it isn't the longest, or most difficult game in the world, but for the few hours it takes to complete Boktai, players will have in their hands not only the sun, but pure enjoyment as well.

Ultimately, a sizeable portion of the game feels more like a 3D "Double Dragon" or "Final Fight" than it does "Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins." It’s solid gameplay in that vein, but it’s a misstep for this particular franchise.

It's disappointing that the developers have resorted to stuffing the series with such stupidity in order to fulfill popular culture's obsession with morons, but if you're willing to ignore this shortcoming, THUG 2 can be a lot of fun.

While the gameplay is serviceable, fun and current, the art design and visual production are head and shoulders above similar games in many respects.

In the end, how you receive this game will depend largely on how much weight you put on the X-Men franchise, because without it, Legends would be a very average brawler at best, and an overwrought, slightly clumsy bore at worst.

A great title that will suit fans of both the sport, and those of us who just like a little arcade-style action in our diet. The controls are fluid, the graphics are terrific, and sounds, well it all depends on your tastes.

Boasting another large assortment of popular tunes, Volume 3 also sidesteps the pitfalls of its predecessor with the inclusion of duets—a seemingly simple addition that changes the entire face of the game and elevates the series to a new high.

Bottom line, if you can look past the technical gripes, Act of War: Direct Action is a very solid RTS game with a fantastic story.

While visually that game is unmatched, there just isn't enough game here to warrant anything other than a rental.

While the gameplay is serviceable, fun and current, the art design and visual production are head and shoulders above similar games in many respects.

It offers a rare, deep developer experience, a very good single player RPG campaign, the ability to play these online, and the ability to use Neverwinter Nights 2 within a dungeon master framework, creating one's own persistent campaign piece-by-piece.

Players who are looking for one of the most charming, addictive, and challenging shooters to come along in a long while should waste little time in picking up Gradius V.

Die-hard Marvel fans can adjust the score on Ultimate Alliance about ten points higher. The character dialogue alone will cause numerous geek-outs, chock full of obscure references as it can be. All other comers will find a capable, high quality action RPG that offers a huge amount of customization and a lot of unique characters that are far more than sprite swaps of each other.

Despite the flaws, this game is impressively large and open ended, and offer a wealth of fun and addictive content - two of the most important qualities of any game.

Have you ever played a game that's so good that the simple knowledge of its existence is enough to put a smile on your face? This is one of those games. Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon is a shining example of what this genre is capable of, and it comes as close to perfection as any recent adventure game has.

100% completion can be had in a few days play, and after that I am afraid the game will be yet another dust magnet on the shelf. In that time, however, players can experience a truly well made, and magical game.

This is the best online action on the PS2, period. Nothing else is even close. Whether you want to gun down terrorists, hop in a tank and blow stuff up, smuggle goods across the border, or extract hostages from hostile territories, SOCOM 3 is where it’s at.

The difficulty may be a prohibitive factor for some, but make no mistake, this is the new king of the DDR mountain.

It’s easily one of the deepest games I’ve played in a long time, and will last you a while too.

In the end, how you receive this game will depend largely on how much weight you put on the X-Men franchise, because without it, Legends would be a very average brawler at best, and an overwrought, slightly clumsy bore at worst.

Agent 47 continues the tradition of greatness in Blood Money, taking the sandbox formula that’s worked for years and bringing it into 2006.

While the gameplay is serviceable, fun and current, the art design and visual production are head and shoulders above similar games in many respects.

There are some AI issues, and the multiplayer component seems like it was tacked on as an afterthought, but, as a total package, Legends delivers. It is as true to the source material as any game could hope to be, and as a long-time fan of the X-Men, I am more than pleased.

But strip away the culture it’s trying so very hard to win over and there’s a game that’s been hastily, and sparsely, updated, and was beaten to death in the womb by "Burnout 3" months ago. Just like 20” rims and a spoiler on a 1984 Volvo, this game may turn heads, but where it counts most it’s a phoney.

While both versions are comparable in most respects, the slow down and horrendous load times between areas that are apparent in the Xbox version are what sets the PC incarnation a notch above its console brother.

Dominions 3 pretty much stands alone at what it does, and its central gameplay is well balanced and extremely fun. However, it undoubtedly is burdened by a huge learning curve and archaic graphics.

The game controls are extremely tight.

Visually, Call of Duty 3 absolutely trumps the previous game. While profound launch titles like "Call of Duty 2" always strike a special cord, it is exhilarating to see the console mature and develop so far after only a year.

Despite the small gripes, overall this is a great collection of classic Genesis titles. While the Wii's Virtual Console promises to have at least some of these titles available for download in the near to immediate future, Sega Genesis Collection offers a nice, compact alternative.

The story, graphics, speech, and every other aspect make this game an addictively fun title that no true RPG fan should pass up.

It is a great quest game that is definitely aimed to appeal to the generation of gamers that grew up in a time when the adventure game genre took center stage.

What it does do is take the simple, tactile pleasure of solidly built FPS action and inject it into such a staggeringly wide variety of situations, contexts and scenarios that putting down the pad after a heavy blasting session is genuinely difficult.

The game features some of most stunning scenery yet seen in a video game, and Jack Wall’s ethereal musical accompaniment captures the feeling of the game’s artistic landscape.

What I love about Nocturne is that the game forces you to play intelligently all throughout. At no point do you feel as if you are taking a backseat to the story or the occurrences on-screen. Absent-mindedly progressing through every battle will bring you straight to the Game Over screen. You have to strategize to be able to get through the game.

But strip away the culture it’s trying so very hard to win over and there’s a game that’s been hastily, and sparsely, updated, and was beaten to death in the womb by "Burnout 3" months ago. Just like 20” rims and a spoiler on a 1984 Volvo, this game may turn heads, but where it counts most it’s a phoney.

If you like deliberately subjecting yourself to frustration for little or no reward, surrounded by a group of idiots mocking you, super glue a coin to the ground and attempt to pry it away while screaming obscenities at the top of your voice. It'll be cheaper than wasting your money on this.

For twenty bucks this is a pretty great game, especially if you’re big into rally racing.

Typical EA first in the sense of unrelenting polish and presentation, of production values meant to wow you with glitz and glamour at every turn. Typical EA secondly in the sense of a don’t-rock-the-boat, stick-with-the-formula game that offers nothing new aside from a few odd bugs I’ve never seen in an RTS before.

A fairly simplistic game, an hour or even less spent with DDRMax2 will make even the most jaded gamer realize its charm. Even if it is not your cup of tea, I suggest you give it a try at least once.

Quake 4 brings an engaging single-player challenge with a refresh of some of the genre’s most popular online play. Still, this is an incremental step, not a leap in design.