The 3D real-time combat sets this game apart from anything else in the genre and takes the edge off what is typically a grueling leveling-up grind of endless encounters and combat.

Whether you are looking for a quality arcade race experience, challenging puzzles, an in-depth racetrack design tool, or all of the above, TrackMania is one game you won’t want to miss out on.

Myst Uru: Complete Chronicles is a spectacular adventure, and while I was sad to see the online component fail before I even got to login I am glad to see that Cyan came through and delivered some substantial content that not only enhances the original adventure, but completes the saga.

And even though you might have that sense of familiarity while playing the game, almost every aspect seems original, both in its presentation and its implementation.

A stunning journey, more so in its visual splendor and complex gameplay than its weak narrative, but a journey that every self-proclaimed adventure gamer should experience.

Using the simple control dynamics to soar through a living, breathing, virtual New York City is as much fun and exhilarating as watching it on the big screen.

Action, adventure, mystery, intrigue, romance, combat, exploration; this game has it all, and at times dangerously approaches becoming a simulation. That's just how immersed you will become.

The missions can get repetitive, but there are hundreds of them to take care of. The story mirrors that of the movie, yet it adds in a lot of twists and turns without feeling stilted.

Pool Paradise is the definitive pool simulation for next-gen consoles. While nothing will ever replace the actual art of playing “real” pool, this is as close as it has ever come. The controls are intuitive and the interface is fun and accessible to young and old alike.

Missing: Since January is so innovative it almost seems that the designers are testing the waters for a new genre of games.

Despite its stripped down gameplay, Ground Control finds a perfect balance between action and strategy. The result is a game that will appeal to explosion-addicted gamers and tactics fans alike.

The gameplay remains fun and humorous yet it features all the modes and licensing you would expect from the more serious games including a new serious mode of play.

Out of the box, Söldner is bug-ridden and weak, but in its current patched state the game is a worthy contender in the recent crop of online war game titles. It’s fun, and in my opinion more fun than Joint Ops and even the Battlefield games.

The strength of it lies in the quality of the provided samples and the ability to import more of your own with ordinary music CDs. But that wouldn’t mean much if the interface weren’t so intuitive.

It's a pretty solid wrestling game but if you don't really care about the "legends" you'd probably be better off going with a game from the Smackdown series.

Does a remarkable job of simulating just about every aspect of the IndyCar season and the world famous Indianapolis 500. The car setup, the schedules, the teams, the racers, everything is perfect and you won’t find a more authentic presentation of IndyCar racing on the Xbox.

A scintillating package of retro Capcom goodness; there’s something for everyone to love here, and the low price makes it a killer buy.

About as much fun as playing in traffic. Avoid this game like a speed trap.

The decision to create so much gameplay outside the car could have reinvented the series, but instead, it merely bogs it down with clumsy and frustrating gameplay. The poor save and checkpoint system will have you playing and replaying portions of the game to the point of insanity.

There is just too much missing here for this game to become a permanent fixture in your game library.

If you don't already have the online adapter for your PS2 you now have the single best reason to get one and get online. Then again, if you have an Xbox or a suitable PC you would probably be better served playing Pandora on either of those formats.

When it works it works well and offers a very challenging online experience. The fun is hampered by both horrendous load times and the fact that you need a high-end system to coax performance from the engine. There are also some issues with unbalanced units, rampant camping, and the lack of any "functional" vehicles other than transportation.

A virtual mech wonderland, full of potential for experimentation, both in configuration and strategy. It will have a certain appeal for its target audience, but everyone else might want to take their Wanzer for a test drive before dropping $50 to put one in their PS2 garage permanently.

The gameplay neither lives up to the legacy of the man or any other game in the genre.

Starts off strong with a great story, flawless controls, and some initially impressive graphics, but the more you play the more the graphics start to reveal their flaws, as does the gameplay, when AI glitches and environmental bugs start to pop up and ruin the experience.

In a world where third-person action shooters are a dime a dozen, this is one game that breaks all the rules. The intuitive controls, addictive Psi-Powers, non-linear design, and immersive story will keep you glued to your Xbox until the very end and have you stalking your game store for the inevitable sequel.

While Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2 attempts to go with the sim approach, there’s no denying that "Top Spin’s" fluidity, ease, and beauty make it more accessible to casual and hardcore gamers alike.

Obliterates the rules of terror and even common decency to deliver a delightfully twisted horror game that will scare the fearless and chill the spine of the bravest soul. It was a great ride on the consoles and it's just as good on the PC. Play it...I dare you.

Playing this with a friend or single player can be a blast, but remember to play with the right kind of gamers.

A great concept marred by a few design flaws and an overall lack of depth and content.

Given the choice between either Crash or Spyro, you should probably know that Spyro is targeted for younger gamers while Crash is a bit more difficult and aimed for experience players, thus giving you the most and more challenging gameplay experience.

A valiant attempt to try something new, and while it succeeds on a few levels, it fails on just as many.

There is a good story and a nice rule-based combat system that is easy to learn and fun to master. It might not be as good as the real thing but as a GBA title it's a solid title with a few pleasant surprises.

If you love a good strategy game or have the slightest interest in authentic military tactics then Full Spectrum Warrior is not only fun, it’s even a bit educational, and a must-own game.

It's got more action than "Splinter Cell" and plays better than "Breakdown," plus you have the character of Riddick, crass, egotistical, and tough as nails.

Underdone graphics and sound that does everything except what it should dampen the already uninspired, copycat gameplay.

Ion Storm has definitely learned some important lessons from "Invisible War" and while there is still room for improvement, this is their best game, and certainly the best version of Thief yet.

Thief: Deadly Shadows creates a super-realistic environment and weaves a sinister storyline full of plot twists and plenty of suspense to create a game like no other.

For those of you new to the series Warlords Battlecry III has a lot to offer that you won’t find in any other RTS title, and if you like RTS games, there’s a lot to like here. A traditional RPG fan will find lots to love too with the hero driven game play.

Gorgeous, fun, challenging, and offers a unique blend of gameplay that tailors itself to the type of gamer, even while they are playing. As an action game, you won’t find anything even close to this on the PS2.

It’s this opened-ended type of storytelling mixed with diverse gameplay that makes True Crime: Streets of L.A. a decent console port and one of the better action games you can play on the PC.

In some ways, Future Tactics' simplicity helps it a great deal. In others, more attention to detail (especially weapons and armor systems) is sorely needed.

It’s highly addictive and just plain fun, which is why we play these games in the first place.

It's a shame so many critics are casually dismissing this game as “just another budget title”. When somebody can make a game this fun and addicting and sell it for under $20 I have to tip my hat and say “well done”.

It’s a shame the experience is over just about the time you are warmed up, and the fixed-position camera might work for movies but doesn’t translate well into gameplay, especially in a 3D world.

If you are looking for a mindless adrenaline rush, a test of reflexes, or simply a fun afternoon of monster bashing then look no further than Van Helsing. He is more than up for the task, but his adventure is best served as a weekend rental rather than a purchase.

It combines the storytelling techniques and character designs of a quality anime with a deceptively simple combat system and a plot that can be quite captivating at times.

Sim purists will still want to get their "Colin McRae" on, but those looking for a fun and challenging rally racer that bends the rules in favor of fun will want to make RSC 2 a permanent addition to their Xbox library.

It’s actually quite fun in doses. Still, after the recent glut of A-1 quality releases, it’s hard to see Red Dead Revolver as a full-price competitor to "Ninja Gaiden," "Onimusha 3" or "Pandora Tomorrow."

A gorgeous game, flawlessly presented in a fashion that will have you think you are watching and then participating in your very own Spaghetti Western. Sure there are plenty of old movie clichés, but it wouldn’t be the same without them.

The designers have managed to capture the charm and visual style of the films and recreate a small portion of that magic on the small screen – the very small screen.

The bottom line is you won’t find a more fun-filled multiplayer party game for the Xbox; one that rivals "Dungeons and Dragons Hereos," not in sophistication, but in pure enjoyment for the entire family.

The epitome of effective game design, especially with regards to the MMO arena. If you have even the slightest interest in comic books, role-playing, MMOs, or beating on mooks, you owe it to your self to pick up City of Heroes.

Despite the fact that the whole purpose of the game is to sock it to your fellow players, Lineage II is accomplishing something that other MMOGs have been trying to do for years, it gets the players to actually work together. To me, that fact is pretty huge.

If you’re sitting at home in your ripped jeans, watching "Army of Darkness" on VHS and have a crumpled Jackson in your pocket, this game is not only calling you, it’s running at you, screaming with a hissing bomb in its hands.

It’s only appeal lies in playing with your friends and settling a grudge match. The stilted and repetitive gameplay may bore you quickly, and even more so played solo.

If you enjoy slow, strategic, stealth gameplay, if you've hacked your way through the most violent games available and still want more blood and sick, twisted, violence then look no further. You won’t find a more stylish or disturbing game than this.

The best thing about Contracts is the highly polished gameplay.

If you enjoy slow, strategic, stealth gameplay, if you hacked your way through "Tenchu: Return from Darkness" and wanted more blood and violence then look no further. You won’t find a more stylish or disturbing game than this.

The massive scope of the content, both cars and tracks, makes this an awesome opportunity for racers to sample a bit of all racing genres.

An excellent mix of intense first person shooting combined with a sophisticated risk-reward system that actually integrates into the gameplay. The Tarot cards are pure genius and add a whole new level to the genre.

While Sydney is certainly more enjoyable to look at than Sam Fisher or Solid Snake, the simplistic gameplay, lack of stealth, and TV-targeted visual style is likely to appeal only to fans of the show.

The innovative Total Punch Control is a milestone for the genre and while most likely serve as a template for future boxing games.

I played three games before reading the manual or even checking out the controller config screen and was shouting at the screen and having the time of my life.

If you can suck it up long enough to get to the main menu you will find a very unique shooter with a mix of squad and personal combat that ranges from ground to air to space. Breed is a refreshing diversion from a game like Halo but it’s certainly no substitute.

Consistently poor design decisions were what seem to have drained all the fun from this title, a pity because it’s not like the market is saturated with Squad-RTS titles.

A fun, playable and respectable effort at capturing the feel of World War II combat, but its magnificent cutscenes and (initially) superb soundtrack end up promising an experience that the blocky graphics, uninspired landscapes and poor sound effects can’t make good on.

There is plenty of great racing and wrecking action, but the loose controls and last-gen graphics will probably keep this game from achieving the stardom it could have if they designers had gone the extra mile.

An excellent storyline, high production values, sweeping sound, impressive graphics and an attention to detail that would make my professors at Berkeley proud all combine to make Desert Rats one of the best World War II real time strategy games I’ve come across in a long time.

The best business side wrestling simulator I’ve ever experienced. Unfortunately, the game’s greatest strength, its depth, is also its biggest weakness. It’s a long road to finally understand and control it, but once you do, so many doors and avenues are open to you.

It is at once intriguing, educating, amusing and ultimately fulfilling.

Does a great job of extending the story started in the first game but it fails to wrap up a lot of details, indicating a possible third installment or simply poor storytelling.

While the audio and visual elements are admittedly showing their age, the core game engine is solid and the computer AI is untouched by anything else in the current crop of competitors.

And while the genre may feel comparable to games like "SOCOM" and "Ghost Recon," this is truly a unique gameplay experience, both on and offline and the voice-command system is second to none.

Delivers incredible new game features that turn a familiar classic into an amazing new experience.

If you have the system to handle it, Far Cry is a landmark achievement in groundbreaking technology that will not only allow you to show off your expensive new hardware, but let you have one helluva time doing so.

Everything you loved about the first game is back and better than before.

Note to Japanese game designers – when you kill somebody they had better stay dead unless you give me a real good reason why they keep coming back. Clones, holograms, “beaming” in from remote barracks, anything!

This is one of those rare franchises where the game and the show that inspired it complement each other perfectly, and if you are looking for a clever investigation style adventure game then CSI: Dark Motives is the game for you. It’s everything that the first game was and more.

Sam's new moves and gadgets are excellent and tightly integrated into the missions so they aren't there just for the sake of having something new.

ASB 2005 is for serious baseball enthusiasts only. Those looking for a casual day at the ballpark should probably check out the titles from EA, 989, or ESPN.

The game itself doesn’t offer anything more than what you get from the paper card game. But with Dawn Of Destiny, you don’t have to spend the cash that it would take to acquire the over 1,000 cards available in the game by hitting up your local card shop.

If you don't normally play adventure games and feel like going out on a limb there are probably better games to cut your teeth on, but however you spend your money Crystal Key II does offer a unique and pleasant experience.

This game clearly lacks big budget production values, but the fact is, it simply doesn't need them.

While this game manages a flawless presentation worthy of the X-File legacy, the gameplay deviates from the detective-styled adventure offerings of the past and chooses a more intense action style that might put off the more casual gamer.

But for now, UT2004 is one of the best, if not the best, tactical FPS games you can play on your PC, either alone or online. With improved gameplay, enhanced AI, and new game modes it’s packed with enough content to keep you entertained for months, and it will take a good solid year to master all the levels and tactical subtleties this game offers.

Certainly an improvement on its predecessor, but it still lacks the visual punch to offer any competition with the PC or Xbox games.

Despite some obvious flaws, Breakdown has probably had the single biggest impact on my perception of gaming since the original "Half-Life."

This particular game is essentially a glorified chess match. What sets Worms apart is the plethora of strategic possibilities and its sense of humor. While I don’t expect the series to develop much beyond this point, it’s a pleasant diversion.

"Manhunt" certainly offers a better stealth-kill gameplay model and "Ninja Gaiden" delivers more ninja action than most gamers can handle, but you’re still going to have fun exploring the wonderful levels and stylishly killing countless enemies.

Bomberman Jetters has its faults. Bad voice acting, dated graphics and a preternaturally challenging multiplayer AI all detract from the general experience it provides. However, they aren't enough to kill its charm, well-tuned gameplay and multiplayer allure.

A solid follow-up to "Raven Shield" and not only raises the bar on difficulty and mission design, but does so while adding some really great weapons and some creative new multiplayer modes.

The Suffering obliterates the rules of terror and even common decency to deliver a delightfully twisted horror game that will scare the fearless and chill the spine of the bravest soul. Play it…I dare you.

It’s slightly above average in almost every aspect and matches that with a low low price.

Even when it hits the $20 bargain bins it's still going to be a bad game. I can't stress enough that if you have a PC remotely capable of playing Mafia then please get the PC version.

This is Hollywood’s version of the mob taken even further over the top, but it does make for interesting and amusing game material. The game is hampered in many ways though, and it drags down the entire experience. Perhaps Mediamobster will whip the game into shape with a few patches.

Out of the box Dead Man’s Hand is a huge disappointment and a classic example of a great idea marred by poor or just sloppy game design.

A quality racing experience with blazing visuals, realistic physics, and an excellent trick system.