The simplification of the gameplay also tends to make the game feel a bit repetitive, and it can be frustrating to repeatedly try to make the same jump to that last graffiti spot only to fall and be forced to climb all the way back up and try again...[yet] one of the best games on the Xbox.

While there's room for improvement in terms of graphics and sound, it easily makes up for it in realism.

The biggest problem is that despite the large number of tracks, the racing starts to feel the same after a while. The races are exercises in cutting off your opponents, grabbing the turbo power-ups at the right time, and learning to take curves properly.

While the graphics aren't especially mind-blowing, they complement the game's overall feel and make the unbelievable story that much more appealing.

It's essentially a one-trick pony -- short, fast, fun, and to the point, just like a good arcade experience should be, but not exactly what gamers hungry to spend $50 will call filling.

Featuring an interesting story line and fresh spin on classic gameplay, it may just barely make its way onto the short list of great pirate-themed titles to hit videogame consoles.

It's the most graphically inferior Xbox title yet, and while the controls and combat are entertaining, the bland level design and shortage of puzzles make the gameplay repetitive and boring.

There's not nearly enough depth or substance to the game to recommend it. SoE is a game full of sound and fury, signifying a rental at best.

The general AI of the characters seems confused when not actively engaged in grappling. This is especially true of tag matches, where the computer will sometimes forget whose side it's on.

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.

An excellent "pick-up-and-play" title. The trouble is most will be satisfied enough by "picking up" the controller just once to play this.

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

A fairly solid title, but it falls short of the mark for a big "Sonic" release.

Even though the game is well thought out and relatively well executed, it's not the most exciting subject matter.

All the important elements that made "Super Mario World" a classic are preserved in this portable version and should inspire other companies to revive other SNES titles for possible GBA ports.

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.

One area that the game is really lacking in, however, is its soundtrack.

Buildings are built noticeably faster now. Especially huge projects like the airport. Now there is a random damage element courtesy of the elements themselves, occasional storms will pass through and they can put a final nail in your faltering economy, or at least slow down a burgeoning one (this feature is optional).

Simply experiencing the old-school "Sonic" gameplay again after so many years of 3D titles makes the title a must-have for longtime "Sonic" fans.

Suffers from a lack of replay value: Once you get the hang of its flawed controls, it is possible to get a gold medal in each event within an hour or so of play, leaving little reason to ever touch the game again.

You could easily spend 40 hours or more if you wanted to explore every inch of the levels and do all the secondary quests in the game...a solid, if not spectacular, gaming experience.

Suffers from a lack of replay value: Once you get the hang of its flawed controls, it is possible to get a gold medal in each event within an hour or so of play, leaving little reason to ever touch the game again.

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.

What began as a simple tale of a dog and the flower he loves has become a farcical, overblown imitation of a cheesy action movie with little challenge or replay value. As unfortunate as it is for gamers to be let down so early in the new year, it must be said that PaRappa 2 is the first disappointment of 2002.

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

While it does not have the seemingly endless replay value of the original, the tighter gameplay works well for a more straightforward gaming experience.

While a bit overblown and convoluted...The story is solid, the graphics are spectacular, and the action is fast-paced and frantic.