While the combat is not as novel as it first seems, what really hurts the game is the occasional forced backtracking. If you liked the first Legend of Heroes, this is a no-brainer to pick up, but JRPG critics or gamers looking for a breath of fresh air should pass it by.

The problematic A.I. in Red Dead Revolver is the game’s biggest disadvantage.

The largest problem, however, is how repetitive the quests become after extended play.

Though quirky and enjoyable, slight hiccups in the game's challenge, physics and firearms system let this title down somewhat, although a varied raft of psychic powers and an accomplished narrative go some way towards compensating.

Series fans will find a lot to love in this title, which offers an attractive, immersive, and most importantly, fun excursion into the world of J.K. Rowling's imaginative works.

An adrenalized version of the original, taking what that game did well, and then pumping it up to the point of sensory overload. It moves faster, the levels are bigger, has more story, and the action is over-the-top to an almost unfathomable degree.

Though quirky and enjoyable, slight hiccups in the game's challenge, physics and firearms system let this title down somewhat, although a varied raft of psychic powers and an accomplished narrative go some way towards compensating.

While fun, Crisis Zone is definitely the weakest game in the series. Its fast, over-the-top presentation comes at the loss of the series’ precision gameplay.

Swinging the remote with such precision will give her a better idea of what the Wii is capable of than anything else on the market right now.

There is a learning curve involved in figuring out not only how to attune your attention to the game but also in how to shift this from play to play. However this learning curve is far steeper than in other DS titles.

Though quirky and enjoyable, slight hiccups in the game's challenge, physics and firearms system let this title down somewhat, although a varied raft of psychic powers and an accomplished narrative go some way towards compensating.

It is sort of sad when a game bests its nearest competition simply by virtue of the fact that the average player can stand to play it the whole way through without smashing it with a hammer, but that’s really the best way to sell Conflict: Vietnam. Sure it has awkward controls, occasionally unclear mission objectives, and obtuse friendly AI, but it all boils down to player satisfaction.

It's even possible, with a little effort, to unlock everything here in the time span of a rental. While it is an elegant game, Lego Star Wars' simplicity is an unavoidable weak point and it would be negligent to recommend this game wholeheartedly to the average gamer.

Besides a few ideas that are executed poorly, the gameplay is varied, making it a fun experience. But its biggest problem is amount of gameplay, which is limited.

It’s not the type of gameplay that’s going to attract a large audience, and players turned off by the slow-paced nature of trading card games will not find anything to like here, but it is an exciting game despite these shortcomings.

First, no Xbox Live! support. A game based almost entirely upon the multiplayer experience should certainly utilize the tools available on a system like the Xbox.

It offers enough frantic fun for any fan of the genre, and there are enough modes to entice anyone from the novice to the seasoned veteran.

A very interesting demonstration of the DS's capabilities, but it is not exactly a worthy successor to the classic puzzle games of the past.

Monster House looks good and sounds good, and combined with THQ’s attention to the film, the game has atmosphere in spades. That’s the real selling point of the title.

The expansion only changes the game on a strictly superficial level, although it does this extremely well.

Sometimes you just want to blow stuff up with extreme prejudice. It's for these occasions that Black was made.

Its impact is muted rather significantly by the age of the engine, but it still succeeds in being rather unlike anything else released this year.

The new first-touch control, the games biggest innovation for 2005 and the catalyst for this change in attacking emphasis, is brilliant. It’s logical, easy to use, works as it should, looks realistic and can blow a game wide open.

With the exception of the very first level (the Battle of Stalingrad) you hardly get the sense of urgency that you should feel while playing this game.

Perfect for a younger crowd, as the difficulty and ambience seem to be particularly well suited for those in the 5-12 age bracket.

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.

Besides a few ideas that are executed poorly, the gameplay is varied, making it a fun experience. But its biggest problem is amount of gameplay, which is limited.

Fails to stand up to typical console RPGs in terms of story telling and game mechanics. It simply does not offer the complexity that console gamers would expect and hope for in an RPG title.