It's possible that some gamers will be disappointed by its relatively unchallenging gameplay, and it's not the most value-packed title on the market, but despite this, it's the classic video game Western the world has been waiting for.

It relies far too heavily on trial and error design, meaning it will likely only appeal to the 'hard core' crowd.

The series will be in trouble if it doesn't fundamentally improve the stealth mechanics in time for the fourth installment, but for now, Hitman: Contracts is a value-packed, highly enjoyable stealth action experience that no fan of the genre should overlook.

Remarkably atmospheric.

Alias isn't the disaster that it could have been, but it doesn't have what it takes to sneak past today's heavyweights.

Disappointingly, preprogrammed machines is a fitting description for the thugs that supposedly threaten Sydney's life in Alias.

A cheap game offering even cheaper thrills. If you're a die-hard fan, rent the game, but be prepared to be bitterly disappointed.

Almost frustratingly, you'll come across interactive objects that lead nowhere and have been included simply for realism's sake, which really demonstrates the kind of attention to detail that's evident in every facet of this production.

It offers lightning fast gameplay, beautiful graphics, streamlined control and near flawless networking. It's no exaggeration to say that you won't find a more feature-packed, high quality first person shooter on store shelves today.

If you're looking for something that's truly revolutionary, you won't find it here, but despite Breakdown's occasionally repetitive gameplay and bland environments, it's a breath of fresh air in a genre that's fast becoming stale.

The music is great, and as in past Tenchu games, manages to mix traditional Japanese instruments with some more modern electronic sounds.

Perhaps if the developers had spent less time trying to blur the lines between roleplaying games and action titles, they could have focused their efforts on compelling combat – something that should be important in a game all about slicing and burning everything in sight.

Ninja Gaiden's greatest strength is its combat system, which gradually evolves as you progress through the game.

It's not for everyone – strange quirks such as the bucket-carrying mechanic and the expensive hardware needed to enjoy its multiplayer make it less accessible than traditional Final Fantasy games, but so long as you're not expecting an epic narrative, you'll enjoy what the first GameCube Final Fantasy has to offer.

One of those rare games where the story, characters and performances eclipse the gameplay by a wide margin.

A huge disappointment. The game certainly isn’t up to Namco’s standards, and although it can be occasionally enjoyable, there are numerous racing games which tear strips of R.

An amusing game, and it's relatively enjoyable for a while. But at its core, the gameplay isn't all that interesting, and can only hold your attention for so long.

Unfortunately, it's just too shallow to enjoy for any length of time, and feels restricting when compared with the king of the slopes, "SSX 3."

It reeks of the poor production values found in the numerous Mega Drive and SNES fighting games which tried to cash in on the success of the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat series, and as a fighting game, it verges on being unplayable.

One of those rare games where the story, characters and performances eclipse the gameplay by a wide margin.

One of those rare games where the story, characters and performances eclipse the gameplay by a wide margin.

So long as you don't mind that it's not quite the stellar production that's emerged from EA's stables, you'll have a great time with Links 2004, especially online. It's just not a hole in one.

Makes a terrific rental title, because it's great fun in the short term. Unfortunately, its disjointed story telling, lack of multiplayer modes and limited longevity make it hard to recommend as a full priced purchase.

This game is for the kiddies and most hard-core gamers will not find anything that keeps them playing to the end, but as a game for parents to buy for the youngsters, it's not a bad buy at all.

Ultimately, it is a pretty straightforward extreme sports racing game, but it achieves its modest goals so admirably that it's definitely worth your time.

The game fails to tell an interesting (or even a cohesive) story and you'll often wonder why you're doing what you're doing.

It's undeniably one of the best games ever developed, it looks fantastic and it's in many ways the very essence of video gaming.

An absolute masterpiece. It takes gaming to a whole new level, will last you a long time, and is an absolute must for any Nintendo fan, or anyone remotely interested in gaming.

But its seriously problematic camera control, slightly washed out graphics and occasionally gimmicky gameplay make it hard to say that Super Mario Sunshine lives up to its heritage.

It isn’t just a brilliant game, it’s an experience not to be missed.