The wide variety of gameplay elements creates an intoxicating mix that will leave players yearning for more. And this is the game's primary issue. Just when you become fully immersed in all the game has to offer, it ends.

For many, it will simply be the fantastic graphics and sound that seal the deal.

If the game offered anything beyond a gimmick that grew stale three games ago, we'd have something to recommend. But with nothing more than generic button mashing and a sorry excuse for a career mode, Bloody Roar 4 is for die-hard fans of the series and furries only.

For those of you who haven't played the original Dungeon Siege, it's included with this expansion pack for free. This is a tremendous value. For pure monster-hacking goodness, it's really hard to beat Dungeon Siege.

The few moments of true excellence are sadly overshadowed by some dull level design and lackluster enemy AI. Still, the game provides enough juice to keep the avid "Medal of Honor" fan happy.

There's not a single thing wrong with this game. The diligence and creativity that have gone into it should be carefully scrutinized by anyone thinking of working on a similar project. Do yourself a favor and play it.

Stages are sterile clones of much livelier settings found in competing titles.

Strictly for Barbie collectors or fans of the show who have no understanding of what makes a good videogame, American Idol is a cheap rip-off of other, much better games, and an overall unimpressive attempt to cash in on a popular TV phenomenon.

This benchwarmer fails to meet the minimum requirements for a modern sports game and will continue to ride the pine until next year.

With slightly better play control and improved vector-graphics information, the collection could be a definitive representation of videogames from the late '70s and early '80s, but as it stands, it's a fairly average look at gaming's early days.

Sharp visuals, solid handling, and a rollicking soundtrack are joined by some slightly inventive play mechanics.

What should have been a fast-paced, movie-fueled action fest is bogged down by overly sluggish controls, Vaseline-smeared graphics, and a general lack of polish.

Takes golf videogames back to the '80s when it was a boring, elitist sport. It looks to have completely disregarded the shifting of the guard that took place when a certain tiger-striped phenom stepped onto the scene.

It's like the fine wine of videogames, and anyone who sees it in motion will be mesmerized. And if they play it? They'll be straight-up intoxicated.

Two words for Eurocom and THQ, though, concerning the next installment in the franchise: more Tutankhamen.

And on a rare personal note, this is the only game other than "Dance Dance Revolution" and "Animal Crossing" my wife has wanted to play. That has to count for something.

Playable (if you're lucky enough to avoid the movement bug), and it hits all the marks expected of a scrolling shooter. It's hard to applaud a game for being merely adequate, however, and Blowout's plainness will make it of little interest to the majority of gamers.

Even for an arcade action game, Maximum Chase is short and easy. You'll blow through the entire game in less than an afternoon. There are special objectives to beat in order to unlock things such as new cars and camera filters, but there isn't much incentive to replay this game once you've beaten it.

It may be junk, but at least it's well-made junk.

Taken together, the new touches are nice, but the graphics are one area where SOCOM II can't yet compete with its PC cousins.

It must be noted that load times can be unduly harsh. Worse, should you perish in battle, the automatic save system will force you to repeat arduous trials and reclaim items you have rightfully won. Such injustice doth greatly anger the gods!

But the exhilaration can quickly turn to frustration, perhaps hyperventilation, if you repeatedly fail some of the game's tougher missions.

The presence of only two playable sides, mission brevity, and overall simplicity will likely be a disappointment to some fans. However, it's a competently designed and well-packaged game that should appeal to casual gamers.

In addition to an in-game instant replay feature, FIFA provides a neat highlight package at the end of games that shows the top six plays of the game.

There's enough in here to keep the hooligans entertained until the next World Cup, or at least next year's game.

Although the automatic save system makes it a great handheld title, it's perhaps even better suited to relaxing marathon sessions on your couch. Fire Emblem is well-crafted, and unless you have an aversion to turn-based strategy, it's highly recommend.

A solid game that manages to be more than just a "GTA" clone. It was clearly rushed, however, and the numerous bugs and glitches drag it down to a great degree.

A steaming pile of unplayable cel shading.