The environments are giant and beautiful, sometimes taking up to an hour of gameplay before ever loading. The dark and grimy interiors and real time lighting effects are certainly gorgeous.

One of the best games ever made. Not getting this game should be a crime.

Resident Evil 4 is heartstopping moment after heartstopping moment, paced nearly perfectly and executed flawlessly. 2005 has its game of the year, and that game is Resident Evil 4.

San Andreas is a true epic, but no game should be this frustrating.

It's a game worth owning, for most, but it's not so revolutionary that it will make converts out of the skeptical. Perhaps in Grand Theft Auto 4. Time will tell.

Halo 2 met my own lofty expectations in virtually every way possible, minus two small exceptions: first, I would love to have been able to play two-player co-op on Xbox Live; it's unfortunate that this didn't happen. Secondly, while I found the story much more engaging this time around, I also found the ending a little bit jarring.

A truly wonderful and immersive experience.

God of War isn't just violent; it's gratuitously violent, and the sex, while certainly a part of the era depicted, just serves to reinforce the notion that this is an "M"-rated title for very good reason.

To say that the game's story and gameplay are massive would be a complete understatement.

Highly enjoyable and infinitely replayable. It is easily the best game that I’ve played this year.

UbiSoft has really knocked one out of the park with this release-I can't wait for the third installment.

The storyline is so in-line with the current international scene that it’s a little frightening.

Fusing the old-school of pinpoint control, simple, yet fun gameplay, and an excellent amount of challenge with a healthy dose of new-school flash, and coating the whole thing with one of the most eye-catching art styles in gaming to date, Viewtiful Joe is a much-needed refresher course in why games are made to begin with - to be tons of fun, an entertainment world no amount of popcorn blockbusters or cheap reality TV could hope to match.

A harmonious coupling of open and linear gameplay is applied smoothly to a Star Wars license that actually helps instead of hinders, and the end result is an absolutely must-own game and a damn fine title.

To award a 10 on this well-crafted but by no means revolutionary game would be a disservice to titles that are out there really trying to rewrite our preconceived notions of videogames, but to go for a 9 also seems like lowballing a title that should be a must-own for so many.

Forza is kinda like Danica Patrick: an attractive, rising star that isn't quite ready for victory lane...yet.

A simply addicting combination of the best RTS and strategy elements make for one hell of a gaming experience.

Where the series goes from here (Please, a cross over with the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" series?), it will have a mighty legacy to live up to.

While the GameCube version isn't the best-looking of the three platforms (it's better than the PS2 version, but worse than the Xbox port), Prince of Persia is an artistic masterpiece.

You can play any given song at any of four speeds (Normal, Slow, Slower and Slowest), and you have the ability to select what portion(s) of the song you'd like to play. That has proven ridiculously useful as I continue in my Quixotic quest to complete "Free Bird" on Expert.

This is proof not only that the first game's greatness wasn't an anomaly, but also that true effort in game design can overcome even the greatest possibilities for a letdown. Samus is back, people; get ready to ride, for the most anticipated GameCube game of 2004 is here, and it rocks the house.

This is the stuff dreams are made of--tight control, classic Metroid gameplay and a few puzzling twists.

An enjoyable experience worthy of the Ratchet name...even if we're hoping the next iteration of the series pushes the envelope instead of merely experimenting.

In a sea of mediocre and washed out titles, Tecmo has delivered a stellar title for the Xbox that does not rely on the Live package, or massive bouncing breasts...Stylistic, challenging, and entertaining, Ninja Gaiden delivers on the promises that games like "Devil May Cry" made.

Mario Kart DS takes the best of all of the Mario Kart games and puts them together in a game people will still be playing when the next generation of Gameboy comes out.

A game sequel done right, with only the blatant and unabashed commercialism working against it...or for it, depending on how you look at the game.

Fans of the genre will easily get over 40 hours of play. Multi-player fanatics may double or triple that time frame. Simply put, if you are a fan of FPS games, you MUST add this game to your collection.

A rarity in the gaming world; a game that brings a smile to your face by not taking itself seriously, and at the same time keep you on your toes gameplay-wise.

The lighting and reflective effects are truly impressive, sometimes on par with "Gran Turismo" or "Project Gotham Racing," while the courses have impressive texture work and detailed architecture all by themselves.

Call it the sophomore jinx. A great rookie season had us anticipating more, but MVP needs more work before it can really be considered the Most Valuable Player.

They don't make action games any tighter than this one; Viewtiful Joe on the PS2 is like a ray of light peering through a dark cloud of cookie-cutter titles.

It will give you a ton of value as a single player game. It's also a great first effort for the genre on the next gen system.

I like that causing enough of a mess will give you the opportunity to collect multiple Crashbreakers within the same run, but at the same time, I'm really not fond of the manic button presses needed to secure and enact each Crashbreaker.

It all boils down to the extremely high quality and production values of this title. The gameplay IS a bit old-school and the story isn’t extremely intricate, but that’s part of the magic to behold. Don’t let anything turn you away from trying out Square Enix’s latest blockbuster.

Both the graphics and the gameplay are incredibly slick, but everything is awfully short and easy.

It won't have the longevity of "KOTOR," and the difficulty factor basically reduces to an enemy health multiplier, but Jade Empire is still an enjoyable romp.

WSM has its hooks set deeply enough in me that even the frustration isn't enough to tear me completely away. I may put the game down for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months. But like an alcoholic who's been clean for an extended period of time, all it takes is one drink - or two clicks on the World Soccer Manager icon - to fall right back off the wagon again. In this case, I find that I don't mind that so much.

With the tremendous gameplay that is the franchise's hallmark, beautiful graphics and animation, a fantastic soundtrack, and the kind of replay value that makes the phrase "bang for your buck" even more cliche than it already is, it's not even a stretch to consider it one of, if not the best game overall for the Nintendo DS.

Perhaps the most interesting feature is that intelligent creatures will not forget Mr. Carver. They may give up on finding Mr. Carver, but they never forget the presence. It's almost like Metal Gear: Twin Snakes on alert mode, except when alerted the guards never do quite get up.

It's still a buy, but fans hoping for something new are in for a sore surprise.

A multiplayer classic.

It isn't, you understand, that WipEout Pure is terribly revolutionary. No, the appeal of this game is that it returns to the roots of the franchise, and puts it in the palm of your hand with startling clarity.

Even without the online element, Street v3 is still excellence personified.

F.E.A.R. is just polished, period. If you have the system to handle the game, it is a must have for all gamers.

Gotham also sounds great. although I generally keep the soundtrack muted in the background in favor of Live chatter (when applicable) and the sounds of the race, which are as spectacular as ever.

Easily one of the most ingenious games ever designed. Not only is it one of the most fun games you can play, it's one of the most innovative releases of this - or any - generation of games.

Fires on all cylinders until the end, but doesn't really put itself above superior competition.

While pure sim heads may be put off, Rallisport 2 will have plenty for veteran racing fans, as well as beginners. Without being overly complicated in the garage or on the track, Digital Eclipse has served up a pure racing experience.

I just be hating on certain aspects of Splinter Cell’s gameplay formula, and I think it’s about time someone threw a contrary opinion into the ring.

Some framerate problems from the PS2 version and the great textures and flair from the Xbox version. Throw the two together and you get an odd half-breed.

As such a strong multiplayer game, Mario Kart: Double Dash!! deserves your money. Ignore those cynical, angry critics; this game might not be a revolution, but it's a hell of an evolution.

A delicious blend of adventure, platform hopping, action and puzzle solving makes Beyond Good and Evil not necessarily revolutionary, but it's a wonderful combination nonetheless.

Takes a winning formula and makes it better. Gamers looking for a good multiplayer title, or who just don't cant stand another round of "Doom3" should be sure to look up United Offensive.

With smooth visuals, a gripping plot (when not relegated to Disney-land), and a mostly-captivating soundtrack, Kingdom Hearts II is a title any adventure/RPG/fun-loving gamer will desire to add to their collection, despite not shining as well as the original.

If you’ve played the console versions of "Burnout," you’ve played Legends.

What it boils down to is that they fixed the major flaws from last year's game: lefty power, and minor league development. Everything else is merely icing on the cake, but what a cake it is.

I would have liked to see a little more variety in the level design, and just a bit more of the “over the top” craziness of the original, but I still enjoyed the single player missions enough to rate the game highly.

I've seldom had this much anticipation for a sequel, and even more seldom had my high expectations met.

The classical soundtrack is as emotional and well placed as any game I’ve seen before it, and Max Payne 2 also features specific attention placed on sound and environmental effects.

A multiplayer classic, for those with the hardware. A fairly decent game for everyone else.

GameCube fans can finally put their 20-sided die away, as Tales of Symphonia is exactly what they needed. It's an ace on any system.

The simplicity and fairly low challenge bely shockingly addictive gameplay. While big-name, big-budget sequels may dominate this year's holiday season, Katamari Damacy is a quiet, almost invisible candidate for Game of the Year. This is not a game to be missed, especially since it's only $20.

Treasure will make you believe that robots are your friends.

The sense of freedom ultimately serves to highlight the inevitable limitations.

A fantastic sophomore effort from Snowblind Studios, and is easily the best of the games spawned by the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance engine Snowblind originally created.

The accompanying hard drive is a neat toy, and there's no denying that FFXI is addictive. $12.95/month after the first one, though? That's a fair bit o' jack.

Has everything a good game needs, but the non-interactive scenes overshadow the interactive.

I wish more games had the voice acting and overall audio quality displayed in Earned in Blood.

Golf vets may be bored, but everyone else will have a ball.

While running the studio does boil down too quickly into lather-rinse-repeat patterns of tycoon-style management, the moviemaking part of the game gives you an almost endless supply of replayability.

The Xbox version of Max Payne 2 cannot profess to be as sharp as the PC version, thanks to control differences between the two setups.

While the majority of gamers kick around inside Gran Turismo 4, I know where my racing allegiance lies. This game even manages to destroy the hallowed Burnout series to easily claim the arcade racing crown, and that’s no small feat. Grab your wallets and, uh, race to the store.

My uneasy feelings on Madden as a premiere example of videogame-as-renewable-commodity aside, the series continues its slow and steady march of progress.

Where it falls flat is in the delivery of the long-anticipated online play that should be the game's biggest selling point. If you've got enough buddies on Live or PS2 Online that you can get together a reliable carnage crew, go for it. You won't regret it.

More importantly, they also nailed all the aspects that made the film so great, and the much larger adventure their tinkering yielded is certainly appreciated.

Perhaps best of all, however, is the way each level has multiple paths and solutions, not only during the 3PS (3rd-Person Shooter) elements, but also during the fantastic driving levels – which utilize the Need for Speed engine – where you’ll often have an option between Bond’s various automobiles (yes, including the Aston Martin), or the Q-Bike, and even, on occasion, a helicopter.

Just because there's everything but the kitchen sink doesn't mean it's a good game. Luckily, Jak 3 is a good game.

The presentation is completely misguided, and the combat is largely unrewarding. Under all this, the platforming is as creative and addictive as it was in Sands of Time, but the polish and sense of wonder are sorely missed.

While the game play is certainly more varied than other titles available, and polished to an extent above that to which many games go, the short single player campaign may be all some players will be interested in.

Because it’s not a terrible game, especially on a currently under-served platform, there are no really strong arguments I can give to avoid the game.

What Spiderman 2 boils down to is a lot of "Hell yeah!" excellence with just a little "Aw, damnit" thrown in for good measure. It's still an excellent game, and it's a superb example of how a movie license should be treated, but in the end, it probably won't crack any top 5 lists.

Addictive and entertaining, but a bit short on songs.

Perhaps best of all, however, is the way each level has multiple paths and solutions, not only during the 3PS (3rd-Person Shooter) elements, but also during the fantastic driving levels – which utilize the Need for Speed engine – where you’ll often have an option between Bond’s various automobiles.

If you have multiple gaming consoles, I’d strongly recommend picking the game up on either the GameCube or Xbox, both of which support four-player mayhem without something as impractical as a MultiTap.

Ballers is, sadly, less than the sum of its parts.

Legend actually has a coherent plot that makes sense, even as fantastical things arise, which is more than I can say for the previous Tomb Raider titles, which seemed to be little more than glorified excuses to eyeball Lara's sweater puppies (nostalgists beware: they ain't what they used to be).

It's a hockey sim - a pretty darned good one, warts and all - and having a hockey sim in which I can lose myself has been a dream of mine ever since I first spent a weekend with Front Office Football.

A good game... but just barely.

One of the strongest titles to be released in 2004. The gripping story, maddening puzzles, and style of the game remains a stark contrast to the Half-Life's and Doom's typically residing on store shelfs.

There are better shooters around, but if you’ve long hankered for vehicular Star Wars mayhem, Battlefront was made for you.

Quake 4 is a fun game to play. The action is beautiful and fast paced, and Raven did a great job creating a foreboding atmosphere. However, it does not belong in the current FPS upper echelon.

If you're a Ratchet fan, Deadlocked is still worth picking up, but rather than being a meaty new adventure in the series, it will probably serve mostly to deepen your nostalgia for its predecessors...not that that's a bad thing. That co-op play sure is nifty, though.

Innovates itself into a corner. Tactical RPG fans are going to dig on the creative character development but they'll be the only ones interested in putting up with the awkward controls and even more awkward gridless combat.

It's not the "best" version, but it's the most complete. If that makes any sense.

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

All the GBA's power is utilized here to make a truly gorgeous little outing.

A nice update to the series. But especially with the way other historical RTS games have advanced the genre, I was expecting more innovation from the game (and developer) that started it all.

Worth a look-see, but memory card requirements effectively banish this one to the realm of "Either buy it, or don't bother."