The game runs at an amazing pace with every moment filled with meaningful tension and tangible atmosphere. "Metal Gear Solid" is hailed as a masterpiece with good reason, and this revised version serves its legacy well.

This console version makes enough changes to the original game that even hard-core "Sims" purists will want to give it a spin.

In their attempt to dress up a solid brawler, Rockstar actually hurt the experience a bit by adding endless, tedious minigames that pretty much overpower the game in the early levels.

The game encourages and, more importantly reduces, the tedium of grinding by rewarding exploration – an act that, for most of us, is a reward in and of itself.

The story doesn’t make much sense, and there are many truisms at work here, but the gameplay and presentation are phenomenal, and both the single and multiplayer aspects of the game are impressive.

You just have to be willing to look past the technical bugs and the fact that you're paying full price for a game that should have been released as a mission-disc, not a full-fledged sequel.

While Final Fantasy XI doesn't currently offer quite as much variety and depth as competing games --especially on the PC -- its superb graphics, sound, and dedicated community make it a match for the competition.

Given that all you're doing is shooting everything around you, it's almost essential to give the player a continual sense of progress and achievement by opening up new locales frequently. Otherwise the whole exercise collapses under its own redundancy.

Not only adds more stuff to the Sims canon, it improves and more importantly expands the game in subtle but far-reaching ways.

On the downside, deep as peripheral options are, the title doesn't feel like much of a step forward from its predecessor, "Hot Pursuit 2."

This is a difficult game, then, but it’s not an unfair or unusually frustrating one, and it’s a game good enough that the rewards for pushing forward are worth it.

PoP is a group of interesting ideas searching for a stronger game to hold them all together.

This is far more than just a port; it's a comprehensive console-specific retooling. The thought of that may make some fans sick to their stomach, and yes, some of the more detailed options for taxation and civilization management have been automated to a greater or lesser degree, but there's still plenty of strategy here for even hardcore fans to appreciate.

All hype and scare-the-girlfriend jokes aside, Silent Hill 3 is a truly disturbing, frightening, and bloody experience (more or less in that order). This is the current high-mark of scary games, period, with production values that put most contemporary horror-flicks to shame.

They have succeeded far beyond my admittedly high expectations. As a KOTOR fan, I finally have my long-awaited sequel(s). As an MMO fan, I am hooked. As a Star Wars fan, I am enthralled.

Technical issues aside, Far Cry 2 is an epic (and epic-ly long) take on the first-person shooter. The setting, open word, and side quests make it feel more like a more action-oriented "Grand Theft Auto," or a less ridiculous "Just Cause," than the original. Which, admittedly, will annoy fans of the original (present company included).

An improvement on the original, and the new environments add a considerable level of depth. Fans of the series will also appreciate the tweaks to the character development system, like the two new classes and special abilities.

The career mode needs the same polish found in EA's other sports franchises, boxers would benefit from additional moves (like clinching) or individual ratings for specific punches, and some notable roster omissions might disappoint ardent fans (Holmes, Hagler, De La Hoya, Foreman, and others are MIA).

Other than its lighthearted approach and whimsical characters, what sets Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters apart from similar titles on PSP is the amount of depth and variety.

Battlefield: Bad Company is the most console-feeling Battlefield ever produced.

Not only is it the most advanced golf title yet seen on the system, it easily ranks as the best golf game on any handheld.

World at War can't fill Modern Warfare's combat boots despite an earnest attempt by the developers to replicate the experience in a World War II setting. At the same time, the game still offers some genuine fun with an impressive amount of bang for your hard-earned buck.

Disgaea's loose, unorthodox gameplay, plus its tongue-in-cheek attitude, is just what the genre needs.

The Movies takes Tycoon-style gameplay and brings it to a new level of polish and immersion, not only delivering addicting and challenging gameplay, but the means to create some funny movies to share with friends, too.

Even by today's standards, it's a near-perfect sports game for handheld consumption.

Addictive, brilliant, and fun. It has an intuitive interface, charmingly simplistic graphics, and the relaxing yet relentless pacing that always denotes a Sid Meier game.

An addictive and enjoyable warfare simulation. While not entirely groundbreaking, Command & Conquer: Generals is one excellent game.

You get a capable, satisfying single-player game, access to many new prestige classes, a much higher level limit, and a wide assortment of new bits for the toolset. For the closet game designer, these additions alone are worth the price.

The game deserves special props for its amazingly executed setting; the whole world is so visibly at war that every mission in the game feels completely natural.

Viva Pinata tackles Pokemon's cuteness, Animal Crossing's fun chores, and The Sims' relationships, and comes out tasting as sweet as the candy its main characters are filled with.

Lacks some of the technological prowess of other shooters, but its personality and extras keep its head above water.

The core gameplay is top notch and is sure to please even the most hardcore fighting gamer. This crossover series has been long anticipated and the wait was well worth it.

Although the graphics engine chugs along at times, this is an excellent arcade racer that manages to raise the bar in the overcrowded, clichéd street racing genre.

Engaging, visually stunning, and a whole lot of fun to play.

A perfect complement to Maximo's music is its sound effects. Everything from sword and shield clashes to more subtle ambient noises are excellent.

Resident Evil 5 is mired in poor design decisions that drag down the experience and render single-player campaign a tedious exercise in working around the game. It’s frustrating to see a game that I so looked forward to playing and carried with it such potential, sabotage itself in so many ways. Compared against the ambition of games like Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Assassin’s Creed; Resident Evil 5 seems timid, unwilling to move out of its comfort zone. It’s a shame.

A relatively simple game with a silly name that manages to be fairly fun.

It was hard to get excited about another version of Tetris, but with the new play modes, and the excellent multiplayer capabilities of the DS, Nintendo has indeed taught an old dog some new tricks.

Compelling visuals, competent acting, totally appropriate music, and amazing animation married to great controls make The Two Thrones a strong action game. It might not be the king of the genre, but this Prince deserves respect.

The game doesn't feel entirely new or original, but it's well executed and consistently fun.

Despite the wonky AI, the game mechanics are solid. And the rip-roaring story gets better with each passing hour. The problem with "Invisible War" is that it requires the player to stop bitching about every little detail and just enjoy the ride.

There is so much story, so much multiplayer, and so much stuff to do that your average 10 hour game should be terribly ashamed of itself. In this economy, you can't do better than Assassins Creed III.

Once again the game to beat, though its controls will be a sticking point for the pick-up-and-play crowd.

Devil May Cry 4 is also nothing close to the full next-gen transformation that the moody, gothic world of Capcom’s demons deserved.

It's leaps and bounds above the mediocre, movie-based Hulk game, and smashes itself a niche in the genre.

Owners of both Prophecies and Factions will eat up the Asian-themed landscapes and ability to travel between both games. For new kids, if MMOs freaked you out because of their overwhelming commitment, Factions will reward for your hard hours quickly.

This is far more than just a port; it's a comprehensive console-specific retooling. The thought of that may make some fans sick to their stomach, and yes, some of the more detailed options for taxation and civilization management have been automated to a greater or lesser degree, but there's still plenty of strategy here for even hardcore fans to appreciate.

Just as "The Sims" tapped into the human need to interact, Spore taps into a very deep and similar experience that few games dare to touch - to create and share.

What this title does, it does well. But to introverted Yanks like us, it makes about as much sense as putting mayonnaise on french fries.

Though visually lacking, Skies of Arcadia proves that gameplay is still king. It may be a port, but it's superior to most other role-playing games out there.

Although the graphics engine chugs along at times, this is an excellent arcade racer that manages to raise the bar in the overcrowded, clichéd street racing genre.

It's nowhere near as groundbreaking or accessible as the impeccable "Resident Evil 4", but when you look at other PS2 action game releases this year like "Tenchu" or "Nanobreaker" you see just how far above average this game is.

A solid story, sharp graphics, excellent audio, great gameplay, vehicles, super weapons, a variety of environments, and topnotch multiplayer action (not to mention the ability to blow up walls) all make this revolution something to shout about.

It provides simple, addictive gameplay for the novice with enough depth for all but the most spreadsheet-crazed war gamer.

The single-player experience still leaves much to be desired, but the multiplayer experience definitely earns that thirty dollar price tag.

Devil May Cry 4 is also nothing close to the full next-gen transformation that the moody, gothic world of Capcom’s demons deserved.

Criterion Games brings the fire here in this Frankenstein's monster amalgamation of Burnout and Need for Speed. The buttery smooth controls, multitude of unlockable rides/upgrades, and ever-alluring draw of besting your friends' times, not to mention the forward-thinking CloudCompete, come together to offer one of the finest arcade racing experiences out there.

It's a perfect game for the times, and one that doesn't bother with Asimov-inspired tin cans running around spraying bullets.

While it’s basically just a more polished version of the first game with a few additions here and there, Skate 2 is easily the best skating game on the market. The city is massive, the trick system still feels like butter on wheels, there are endless challenges, events and places to discover, and the online features are plentiful.

SimCity 4 isn't a perfect game. It has a difficult learning curve, so the poor documentation and limited tutorials might frustrate players. And the gameplay suffers from some pacing and balance flaws.

All these modes, combined with the incredibly entertaining gameplay and four-player support, add up to a sports game with plenty of play life.

It's leaps and bounds above the mediocre, movie-based Hulk game, and smashes itself a niche in the genre.

Rise of Legends is a very different sort of RTS game that genre fans will be able to pick up and play but yet will find themselves drawn into thanks to its very different look and feel.

The game’s only real misstep comes in the character Sancho – a friend of the hero’s family who speaks in a shameful caricature of a Mexican accent. Luckily, these slimy moments are scarce and nowhere near nasty enough to ruin such an engaging, delightful, and expertly crafted game.

With all these fantastic flight features, there's one glaring omission that casts a pall on Ace Combat 5. Put simply, no multiplayer.

Players who can't stand "Diablo" won't much like Legends, no matter their mutant fanaticism. But for everyone else, the mutant madness will be addictive and appealing.

The thrill of careening around turns surrounded by dozens of competitors? Check. A great simulation of the long road to victory? Check. Spectacularly destructive wipeouts? Check, just no fire.

Typifies the phrase "easy to learn, hard to master."

The gorgeous graphics, great sound and level design, and innovative gameplay make this one of the best shooters of the year. It's also a very good reason to upgrade your video card.

In their attempt to dress up a solid brawler, Rockstar actually hurt the experience a bit by adding endless, tedious minigames that pretty much overpower the game in the early levels.

While it’s basically just a more polished version of the first game with a few additions here and there, Skate 2 is easily the best skating game on the market. The city is massive, the trick system still feels like butter on wheels, there are endless challenges, events and places to discover, and the online features are plentiful.

It does drag on in a few spots, and its sci-fi bent may betray the original premise, but it brings gamers a deep, compelling story told in a clever way -- both in terms of narrative and gameplay execution.

Even with a scant few missteps, Psi-Ops is quite a ride. From the slick controls, to the surprisingly intelligent enemies, you’ll be compelled to play through to the end.

Overall Battle for Middle Earth II is not a drastically improved game when compared to the first, but it does deliver more high-budget and engrossing RTS gameplay.

A Teen-rated, sanitized version of one of America's defining moments. And perhaps this substance is what's lacking, because while Battlefield Vietnam is a capable game, it doesn't have quite have the impact that its predecessor.

An incredibly fun game born of a fascinating concept that follows through on its potential in almost every way. If you’re a fan of hip-hop, or of solid grapplers with a huge does of the old ultra-violence, you’ll find plenty here to keep you bouncing in your seat.

Although Summit Strike still boils down to more of the same, the Ghost Recon 2 series has proven itself to provide some of best squad-based, realistic action out there.

It’s been said that tactical RPGs are similar to recreational drugs. If that’s the case then Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is definitely not a gateway drug. The gameplay is almost too complex and deep for newcomers. However, if you’re already addicted to this genre or are interested in it then this game will keep you hooked for a long, long time.

A pleasant surprise. It has deep and varied gameplay, yet manages to keep things extremely focused. It’s too early to tell how well the gaming community will take to these new-fangled ideas, but we’re sure glad someone had the guts and smarts to put them in a game.

At its core the game is fiendishly clever. Like the game's baroque visuals, the mechanics are equally ornate – nearly diabolically so. It's a shame to discover such a meticulously crafted game cobbled together with duct-tape.

Warhawk is an excellent example of a multiplayer-centric game that almost anyone can get into. There is nothing complicated or revolutionary in the design, but the mix of combat styles, large maps, great controls, and a ready supply of players more than make up for the lack of originality.

New Super Mario Bros. U is a solid game, but one whose core experience is as conservative as can be and the level design, graphics, and sound are nearly identical to previous entries. The co-op features, however, are excellent, as are the new challenge modes.

The added scenarios, especially the alternate history ones are just icing on an already sweet, sweet cake.

We would have liked more maps and a solid fix for the sound problems.

Where its online options are concerned, Ghost Recon is simply one of the best reasons to get Xbox Live.

Its sense of speed, tight controls, and terribly addictive career mode will appeal to just about anyone.

Pure strategy in a shiny candy shell. It takes the brains of a strategy game and stuffs them into the buffed-out body of an action game. The result is a tense, nail-biting experience that rarely fails to amaze.

PGA Tour 09 does not reinvent golf in the same way as "NHL 08" completely reinvigorated EA's hockey series, but it is nonetheless an extremely polished and surprisingly addictive title.

The visuals are simple yet strikingly effective. The core gameplay is manageable, yet effectively complex. A game like this isn’t produced by huge teams with tons of money. Those kinds of games (god bless ‘em) are pure craft. Darwinia is art.

Looking at the list of options and features, WWE Smackdown Versus Raw 2006 seems to have everything. With a better wrestling engine, it would.

With the lack of an online death match mode, playing cooperative missions via EA Online (only in the PlayStation 2 version) turns out to be the jewel in EoN's crown. For gamers and Bond fans, this is infinitely superior to nothing.

Paradigm has managed to give the series a true upgrade while retaining the excitement of the original right down to some pretty snazzy remakes of the Peter Gunn theme.

Anyone looking for a great hack-and-slash adventure will be more than satisfied with Onimusha 2. You still have to put up with funky camera angles, but the overall control is more than sufficient to get you though this 10-hour-plus trek.

The one down side is that the shooting still feels pretty basic. The game is a little shorter than you might expect, but goes well over 10 hours and it wraps up the series' story nicely with a pretty crazy twist.

This console version makes enough changes to the original game that even hard-core "Sims" purists will want to give it a spin.

Once again, it exemplifies the very definition of a boundary-pushing video game.

The same formula that was once termed as ground-breaking now become tired and old.

While the game soars when it comes to charm and presentation, the uneven mix favors the weaker half of the gameplay formula and can't offer up a single well-rounded control option.