The story does a good job of keeping the enjoyment of the game alive. Yes, you might put the game back on your shelf once you beat it, seeing as how the mini games don't offer you much.

The massive maps, the use of vehicles, both as transportation and weapons in combat, as well as advanced tactical strategies for working as a team really bring this series into the next generation of military gaming.

Mature, intriguing, thoughtful, and not afraid to take some risky chances.

An addiction, a perfect sequel, both in story and gameplay, and a game you will want to explore over and over.

Without a good story, interesting characters, a good design or enveloping world, Romancing Saga fails as an RPG.

Zoo Tycoon DS is neither a very enjoyable, nor a very intellectual game. Aw heck, it is not even a game – it is a chore. And I do not like chores. If I were going to take care of an animal on my DS, I would rather have it be my Nintendogs. At least they are cute, and play a mean game of Frisbee.

There were several enjoyable moments during my time in L.A. and I truly appreciate the epic scale and detail that went into this city. I could only wish for thinner traffic, smarter opponents, and craftier police. As it is, everything is just thrown at you, and the entire game seems just a bit…ahem…"rushed".

I loved the rock concert atmosphere and awesome soundtrack, and the naturalistic track designs were inspired and expertly crafted so they work independently or when merged together for longer runs.

While I was really impressed with the implementation of the Lockdown Stick and Floor General play calling, I was turned off by the sub-par graphics, robotic animations and otherwise glitchy visuals.

The ambience and Burton-esque feel of the game is present and well accounted for in the music, storyline, and character voices. In fact, it’d be good enough to make another film out of it all. Too bad you’re supposed to play it rather than watch it.

The idea that kids can play online and not be subject to cyber creeps is a compelling one and if Toontown succeeds I’ll bet we see more games like it. While most folks aren’t going to want to trade in their bow and broadsword for a seltzer bottle those with kids should definitely give Toontown a look.

Resurrection of Evil doesn't fare as well on the Xbox as it did on the PC. The grabber is awkward and imprecise, which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't required for some battles. The 16-person multiplayer of the PC is now limited to four and the entire multiplayer package just isn't as robust as the PC.

Black & White 2 takes the same unique play style of the original Black & White and adds a system of objectives to make the game more linear. The result is mixed, but those who enjoyed the original will probably still find plenty to like about the new Black & White.

Was the game perfect, no, but it did do a reasonable good job of transferring the material to a different medium.

A solid package and you would not go wrong in getting it if you are a racing fan, or if you are looking for something quick and enjoyable that doesn’t take all your time to really get into.

EA has officially regained the top spot in the console soccer wars with FIFA '06. Winning Eleven will still be the choice for the unyielding hardcore "footballers" in Europe, but for the best overall appeal to gamers of every interest and skill level, it's hard to top FIFA 06.

The 3D action and well-done graphics as well as the ease of control and use of both the above and below ground experiences make for a great adventure and real-time strategy experience.

It all gets kind of boring about halfway through, especially after those hallucinations make you a little too dizzy.

It also has a lot of the repetitious gameplay issues that dragged those games down after a few hours of play.

I hate trashing any game, but Gundam was just so confusing, unwieldy, and mentally frustrating, I cannot be kind.

Personally, I think Frogger works better on a handheld, so Frogger: Helmet Chaos is easily my favorite version for this next-gen remake. You can bust out the classic 1981 game at a moments notice and relive your misspent youth, or dive into a substantial action-platform title that will challenge your reflexes and your brain.

With the short length and easy difficulty, Heroes of the Pacific makes a respectable weekend rental for any gamer.

While I do appreciate some of the more conceptual features of Ancient Shadow, the control scheme left me frustrated to the point where the game became more a lesson in aggravation than it was the nostalgic hop back to my childhood I was expecting.

It's gameplay and graphics are good but it does not stand out in any major way.

Perhaps I am just spoiled by the unpredictable plots on ABC’s, Lost, but I found no compelling reason to really finish this game.

I’m not being offered anything new but I’m being asked to buy it anyway, largely because the material has been repackaged There are highlights, of course, but they’re framed by mediocre efforts that turn out to be better in hindsight.

Ramiro Cruz is no Max Payne, and he never will be – but if you have ever had even the slightest inkling to visit the dirty side of Mexico, Cruz is one heck of a travel partner.

As with most of these dancing games you either “get” it or you don’t. For those that do, you won’t find a more comprehensive or fun dancing game out there.

Obviously, your choices for RPG’s on the DS aren’t overwhelming, so if you can’t wait for something better to come along, give this a shot. It’s not terrible, but one can only imagine how good this could have been.

For those of us who crave battles with thousands of bloodthirsty warriors on each side, the Total War series is still your best bet for total carnage.

A satisfying follow-up to those looking for more of the same. But those looking for a significant step ahead for the series will likely be disappointed.

Everything you loved about "Band of Thieves" is back with more creative levels and certainly more creative playable characters, but more isn’t always better, and the convoluted cast might dilute the experience for those seeking a more focused story.

Top Spin admittedly fills a much-needed gap in the tennis genre, but if this is the best the sport has to offer it’s time to find a new sport, or at least a new system to play it on.

When you add up an excellent sim experience, with flashy graphics, capable announcers, a deep franchise mode and solid controls, you arrive at the best all around basketball game for the PS2. No contest.

The game oozes with style and originality unlike anything that might dare to compete with it. And yes…there will be blood.

This is a comic lovers dream come true; the perfect marriage of comics and video games, and with so many comic-inspired games already out and more on the way, I can say without reservation that Ultimate Spider-Man will rule them all with ultimate gameplay and ultimate style.

Combines dazzling graphics, rambunctious gameplay, and an intriguing story that does justice for this Marvel icon Did I mention it’s $30? Yeah, that ain’t so bad either.

DICE –the game – features a high-school story with grammar school gameplay. Only those who are willing to put up with the boring-est of the boring button mashing games will be able to see DICE through to its end.

This is a comic lovers dream come true; the perfect marriage of comics and video games, and with so many comic-inspired games already out and more on the way, I can say without reservation that Ultimate Spider-Man will rule them all with ultimate gameplay and ultimate style.

This is a comic lovers dream come true; the perfect marriage of comics and video games, and with so many comic-inspired games already out and more on the way, I can say without reservation that Ultimate Spider-Man will rule them all with ultimate gameplay and ultimate style.

There is a massive amount of content and unparallel gameplay opportunities, especially for those who like to tinker in the cyber-garage of the future.

However, the magic of the original RPG Maker has been lost, somewhat, by the newest member of the family. There is too much that cannot be done, and no way to change it anymore.

This is a twisted and deranged game, and I loved every minute of it.

The improved interface and totally configurable controls along with some superior graphics definitely make this the version of Fable you want to play.

It’s every bit as lovable as "Katamari Damacy" was, and now you can bring a friend along for the entire ride.

One of the most amazing action-RPG’s of the holiday season. Whether you are a hardcore X-Men fan, an RPG-lover, a single-player, or a multiplayer, this game has something to offer everyone, and with more than 70 branching levels and over 100 potential hours of gameplay, there is a whole lot of X-Men and Brotherhood action just waiting for you to explore.

Short, repetitive, and boring.

Rise of the Imperfects is a fun experience and a beauty of a game, but is probably best as a rental. Only those without the skill or desire to master complex fighting moves will enjoy this game long enough to warrant a purchase.

This is a solid follow up to KUF: The Crusaders and a welcome addition to the collection of any RTS fan. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a must have title, but it is a nice change of pace from most of the games currently out on the market.

The cooperative online and local multiplayer modes are long overdue and a huge asset to making this game last well beyond the solo campaign. The cooperative campaign mode is so much fun that you might never even play it by yourself.

It's not very often I can recommend a game with virtually no reservation, but Ninja Gaiden Black is one of those few titles that everyone with an Xbox should at least play and probably own.

Whether you are a hardcore X-Men fan, an RPG-lover, a single-player, or a multiplayer, this game has something to offer everyone, and with more than 70 branching levels and over 100 potential hours of gameplay, there is a whole lot of X-Men and Brotherhood action just waiting for you to explore.

An artistic, immersive, and fun diversion, with plenty of nostalgia thrown in for the series’ fans.

This is definitely the ultimate superhero experience on the DS, making the most of the dual screen for presentation and gameplay and a valiant attempt at touch screen control.

The tactile mini-games were inspired, but the actual platforming elements were simply average. The graphics were decent, the extras largely boring and the difficulty a little easy.

An extremely fun platformer with the best cooperative gameplay I've seen all year.

From its mediocre gameplay to its downright icky graphics, there wasn't a whole lot that couldn't have been done better in the making of this game.

Definitely an experience that is best shared, but even if you do find yourself playing alone, you will be able to immerse yourself into a surprisingly deep story and wonderful fantasy world of Asian-influenced culture that is loaded with non-stop and brutal action.

The graphics are bad, the sound is marginal at best, and worst of all, the gameplay doesn’t feel like Texas Hold ‘Em because of the poor AI.

If you buy or rent this title expecting it to be Wolfenstein in the woods you’re going to be very disappointed. Like authentic hunting, Outdoor Adventures demands wit, attention to detail, and – I’ll say it again – patience!

A must-have collectible for the nostalgic gamer who yearns for the yesteryears of gaming - everyone else should probably skip it.

The only real complaint is that after more than a half dozen iterations, it’s about time that From Software stopped resting on its laurels with the game engine and upgrade the quality of the models with some visual panache.

Offers a quality presentation of a sometimes-awkward game, but for the most part you can overcome the quirky camera and really get into the melee and ranged combat. And the collection of mini-games rivals a handheld version of "Mario Party."

Dating is another significant aspect of play added to The Sims 2, and it certainly throws in an element of challenge and intrigue to the base game.

If there’s one racing game to buy on the PS2 this year, it is Burnout Revenge. The game really has the entire package sewn up.

A fun little game that should not be overlooked if one is looking for a cheap yet satisfying game.

This is simply an underground fighter that is more of a diversion and a guilty pleasure for those who like brutal street fighting with a bit of martial arts elegance.

It’s not often I can wholeheartedly recommend a game for mandatory purchase, especially at full price, but Burnout Legends is one of those games that is just so much fun that you won’t be able to resist.

Whether you are a fan of the previous games or just want to experience the absolute best in arcade racing, Burnout Revenge is a game that you won't be able to stop playing once you start, so grab a copy today and clear your calendar for the rest of the year.

It's a standard action/adventure game, but fans of the films and/or Bruce Campbell are the ones apt to get the most enjoyment out of it.

No technical marvel, it’s incredibly easy, the graphics are only so-so, it ends far too soon, and there’s no reason to ever play it again once you’re finished. That said, if you’re a fan of the previous Scooby-Doo games, you’ll like this one too.

Just be warned that it’s not the easiest and most impressive game to get into. And as any EverQuest fan will tell you, it’s not the easiest game to stop playing either.

NHL 2K6 hits the ice with fervor and awesome gameplay, that much is obvious. But the weak announcers and buggy graphics detract some from the positives.

A passable fighting game, but has nothing to recommend it to people who are not fans of its namesake anime and manga series.

With a decent soundtrack, excellent voice acting and a graphic style that was printed from a picture book, Radiata Stories pulls its great character development and cheery sense of humor together to become a wonderfully enjoyable role-playing experience.

A hard core, straight up, turn-based strategy game that's got a lot of depth. The story is surprisingly entertaining.

In many ways, NHL 06 really could be considered the best console hockey game to ever hit the ice – that is, if it weren't for the handful of glaring issues that have been with the game for years and EA simply refuses to address, not the least of which is EA's poor integration of online play through Xbox Live.

This game has a nice mix of simplicity and active thinking that makes it a great kid’s game. Get the grandparents to get this game, and watch your son or daughter shine on your computer.

A decent online poker game.

But even with all of this quality presentation the gameplay is still held back a notch by the limited scope and quirky nature of the puzzles, repetitive backtracking between locations, and an overall slower pace than most competing adventure titles.

A few months ago, the table poker video game was a novelty, but as more and more of these games hit the shelves, the quicker the novelty wears off.

The Total Team control opens a whole new set of doors for the tired franchise and will definitely have old school NASCAR gamers frothing at the mouth for its new, deeper play mechanic.

Flaws are still present, but appear less often, and the options have been upped in almost every area for a more complete package. The play feels smooth, and the game looks great.

While not a total loss, it definitely is not worth the price of admission.

To be honest, as a newbie to the series I didn’t expect the level of depth that Big Mutha Truckers 2: Truck Me Harder had to offer.

The game designers set out to capture that thrill of tearing off on an unstoppable temper tantrum and they nailed it.

It probably sounds like I am complaining a lot but many of the games in this collection are permanently burned into my brain from countless hours and tokens spent back in the 80’s, so when I get a perfect visual representation of those games that don’t play the same way as I remembered it kind of bugs me.

Simple to learn, easy to master, yet quite challenging to complete.

If you enjoyed the recent Dukes of Hazzard movie or just hang out on TNT waiting for the reruns you might be a redneck, but if you are playing Big Mutha Truckers 2 while you're waiting at least you're a redneck with good taste in games.

The game is flawed, sure. You can’t play too long in any one day without becoming bored. And you’ve got to commit to taking care of your virtual pup(s) even after the walking and feeding become tiresome.

The game is flawed, sure. You can’t play too long in any one day without becoming bored. And you’ve got to commit to taking care of your virtual pup(s) even after the walking and feeding become tiresome.

The game is flawed, sure. You can’t play too long in any one day without becoming bored. And you’ve got to commit to taking care of your virtual pup(s) even after the walking and feeding become tiresome.

It was a good idea that was sloppily put together, and the result is a repetitive, overly simple game that doesn't have a whole lot to offer.

Voyage doesn’t explore new gaming territory, but it’s a solid adventure title. It also does a really good job of bringing a somewhat forgotten classic to life.

An excellent hybrid of systematic dungeon crawls and traditional RPG gameplay that will reward most any RPG fan with quality hack-n-slash gameplay, strategic inventory management, and thoughtful character advancement.

Just brighten up the levels and give me some camera scripting and this game would have scored a full [twenty] points higher.

With normal graphics, background music that tends to be forgotten, and low replay-ability, Geist is better off on the store shelves than in your Gamecube, at least until it hits the bargain bins.

Advent Rising is interactive fiction at its finest. This is what Halo wanted to be; hell, it’s what Star Wars wanted to be. Orson can write circles around George Lucas when it comes to stories, characters, and dialogue.