It has it all: harrowing missions, top-notch graphics and special effects, and convincing audio and voice acting. Few games in this genre approach the level of polish and design seen here.

Although technically sufficient, the deliberate pacing and occasional trial-and-error nature may turn some players off.

It looks fairly good, but it doesn't play nearly as well as "NBA Live 2004" or "ESPN NBA Basketball."

Although it's good that the game tries to stay true to its '80s roots, the unnecessarily complicated controls, distracting plot, and bland visuals keep it from being much fun.

Looks great and sounds OK. With its decent tutorial and reliable squad mates, it'll help those new to squad-based tactical games feel at home. It's also a pretty linear experience, but has enough environmental variety to justify the price of admission.

Although technically sufficient, the deliberate pacing and occasional trial-and-error nature may turn some players off.

If you're already wary of Japanese strategy RPGs, then be sure to stay even further away from Gladius. It's got as many menus, and its battles are slower and less rewarding. LucasArts clearly tried to make everything look and feel good, but Gladius is ultimately done in by the leaden gameplay.

The basics are here and they work. But it's still a little bit shallow. Harry Potter fans will naturally eat this title up.

If you can ignore the acting or enjoy it for camp, the rest of Gothic II is an incredible experience.

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.

By diluting the elements that set NFL Blitz apart from other football games, Midway has left the door open for its game to be compared to "Madden NFL 2004" and "ESPN NFL Football." Unfortunately, there is no comparison.

We're certain a veteran shoot-'em-up enthusiast can blow through it in just two days. But you shouldn't write it off, either. For immediate thrills, not many rivals can match its sheer staying power and intensity.

Given the open-ended nature of the series, most hard-core fans will enjoy investing their time here acquiring elusive ingredients and perfecting their hocus pocus, while casual fans will get a kick out of the chaos they can cause spending a few hours playing around with it.

Dark Age is easily one of the best massively multiplayer online RPGs available today, and Trials of Atlantis is a solid addition to the experience.

If handheld racing is your thing, this rally title should be near the top of your list.

The reflex-driven gameplay is almost hypnotic, and the included options are sure to satisfy most hard-core tennis fans and casual players looking for something new.

Horrible aerial physics, the trying control system, and the gradual build-up of stats make sure that the "Amped" series still has plenty of room for improvement. Amped 2 plays second fiddle to the "SSX" series as the most exciting snowboarding game on the mountain.

Although technically sufficient, the deliberate pacing and occasional trial-and-error nature may turn some players off.

A mostly brainless fighter that manages to capture the magic and appeal of the source material.

The new single-player mode may alter the experience for some, but the core gameplay still offers endless replay value if you just want to skate around while listening to an eclectic mix of punk, rock, and hip-hop.

As the wrestling game with the most depth, great playability, impressive visuals, and slick presentation, SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain delivers in all the categories WWE fans hold in high regard.

Introduces far more gameplay problems than solutions.

Mixing a great single-player game and a variety of multiplayer events, Karaoke Revolution is a cool, original, and distinctive party game.

This is a simple, laid-back game, but you'll be surprised at just how rewarding it is to create railroads and watch towns grow.

Clearly, the 24/7 mode is the most impressive element, and it could've easily been its own release. All combined, it adds up to a very good game, due largely to the breakout star.

Has excellent mechanics and ideas, but they don't come together into the cohesive, enjoyable whole that we've come to expect from the series. Drive a stake through this one's heart and keep your garlic handy for the next one.

Certainly the most mature and well-balanced of Goodman's titles, and it succeeds more often than not.

The missions are more engaging, the environments more detailed, and the graphics substantially improved. Sadly, the interface has become unnecessarily complicated, and the few bugs that exist upset the game's flow.