Immensely playable...Easily the most enjoyable first-person shooter available for the PS2. [June 2005, p.74]

Despite a few fresh ideas, Haunting Ground is no classic. The thin story relies too often on clich? and titillation, the villains aren't terribly frightening, and the gameplay becomes too predictable too quickly.

As you'd expect, there's a wealth of new characters to meet, and over a hundred challenging new quests to complete. Whether you're an Imperial stooge, a Rebel troublemaker, or an independent freelancer, there's more than enough to keep you busy.

Worst of all is the repetitive and completely linear feel of every mission.

If you don't mind missing out on cooperative play, and if the 3D dogfight addition appeals to you, it's certainly worth the extra ten bucks.

Beautifully drawn and animated, not to mention surprisingly involving, Revenge of the Sith should please any action gamer, Star Wars fan or not.

Worst of all is the repetitive and completely linear feel of every mission.

The most obvious problem is that the system is far too forgiving of dragging a wheel or two off-track. Do that in real life, and you'll easily lose control almost instantly. In Enthusia, you'll barely even feel the car pull in that direction.

Forza is easily the best driving game ever made. Loyal "GT4" fans ought to strap into the seat of this hot rod and take it for a spin--you won't look back.

Although the turn-based combat system brings nothing notably new to this party, it remains mesmerizingly awesome when you unleash the right variety of attacks to make your Pokemon opponents "faint."

One area where Guild Wars sets itself apart from other MMOs are the environments; they are flat-out the most impressive, especially when seeing that even lower-end rigs can run the game at a respectable frame rate.

The game itself lacks heart. [July 2005, p.74]

It's having to help brain-eatingly bad A.I. (alone) or trying to cooperate when you can't communicate (online) that makes survival horrible.

Rengoku doesn't break down, but it doesn't' break new ground either.

The game itself lacks heart. [July 2005, p.74]

Its otherworldly sets... are done up in such bewildering detail that you'll want to wipeout P.O.ed spacemen if only to have a more leisurely look-see at all their busy, mind-bending contraptions.

A fantastic marriage of styles, somewhere between "Beetlejuice" and "Tron"... It's a satirical, sardonic does of mind fun. [May 2005, p.96]

A satisfying scrap that'll keep you mashing buttons, if for nothing else than to see Stacy Keibler in her bitmapped bra and pixel panties.

Because the PSP buttons (including the shoulder buttons) are in such close proximity to each other, your fingers are constantly tumbling over each other to pull off the right stunt.

While Unreal Championship 2 is amazing on a technical level, it's short on creativity and personality. [May 2005, p.88]

Unfortunately, Dead to Rights II maintains its predecessor's graphics and camera glitchiness.

There are just enough rough edges--erratic frame rates, astronomically long load times, and the aforementioned camera problems--to suggest that Jade Empire may have benefited from a few extra months of development polish. But no matter. In the end, the game is still hopelessly engrossing and thoroughly replayable.

Unfortunately, Dead to Rights II maintains its predecessor's graphics and camera glitchiness.

The auto graphics shine throughout. Whether you're into tuning or just customizing your ride, Midnight Club 3 is more than roadworthy.

The auto graphics shine throughout. Whether you're into tuning or just customizing your ride, Midnight Club 3 is more than roadworthy.

Your teammates at times don't respond to enemy fire and don't take cover when necessary. Enemies are just as brainless: They rush through doorways without even noticing you and your men, or run right past you unflinchingly as you're firing off rounds.

The single player career mode is surprisingly short, and after a few missions starts to feel repetitive. Though it won't blow many minds, SWAT 4 is a pick-up-and-play tactical shooter with a solid pedigree.

The disturbing visual style and complex play mechanics may overcome any minor deficiencies to result in a game that is surprisingly engrossing. [June 2005, p.90]

A mild-mannered blood-spattered adventure that's worth a one-time run through, and doesn't have a warrior's tenacity for a long-term fight to the legendary halls of action gods.

With an uncharted single-player mission and a set of cool new weapons and demonic abilities, Doom 3 fans have another motherboard-melting adventure on their hands.

Though Doom 3 is lacking in innovative gameplay, it more than makes up for it with amazing graphics, flawless sound design, and excellent storytelling. [Apr 2005, p.72]

The gameplay isn't going to challenge hardcore gamers as the enemies simply aren't that tough, but the presentation really shines. [May 2005, p.95]

As the most challenging Dynasty Warriors to date, 5 is also the most satisfying - but with so little changes over the years this latest installment may feel like a rehash to most. [May 2005, p.96]

Whereas small refinements dominate the single-player mode, the new co-op game revolutionizes the multiplayer mode. Co-op takes on a whole new meaning in Chaos Theory as two spies must literally work together to accomplish a mission.

Where as playing Head-On alone has its moments, playing with seven other Twisted friends via wireless connectivity is a blast. Blowing up each other with an onslaught of weaponry from steroid-induced wheels never grows tired. There is no slowdown, and the pace is just as quick as if you're playing the computer.

Visually, Tony and friends have never looked better. The frame rate runs super fast, even when you're busting out multiple combos.

Clearly, this version of Spider-Man 2 looks and plays better than on Nintendo's DS. But with some control wonkiness plagued throughout the game, Spidey doesn't spin an entire web of delight.

The inconsistent camera (that destroyer of other games) takes its toll as it makes seemingly simple tasks like navigating lengthy catwalks more perilous than it should be, and some of the puzzles rely excessively on split-second timing and result in repetitive trial-and-error.

The controls are quite responsive, offering a wide assortment of combat moves, but the weak camera hinders them.

Even if the missions are lousy and the combat sucks, there's undeniable appeal in bumping into a real-world actor playing Morpheus or the Architect.

If you're a diehard, you'll relish playing through your favorite early battles in the epic story. Sagas is a competent first entry to the action genre, just not exemplary.

Although entertaining in an arcadey sort of way, the game doesn't exactly play like soccer.

Everything racing fans could want: solid graphics, tight controls, expansive courses, unlockable secret vehicles, and (of course) the multiplayer option.

Wireless multiplayer mode (only available in the U.S. version) pits two players head-to-head, but this option is unlockable only after several hours of play (that may be too long for many players).

The combination of electronic music and softly psychedelic colors is spellbinding. It's like holding a mini rave in your hand. Turn it on--it's delicious.

Does a fair job of showing off the PSP's technical prowess. As a fairly straightforward hack-and-slash RPG, Untold Legends fits the bill. Just don't expect it to match the bliss that is "Diablo II."

While it was a decent games for the PSOne, especially popular with the kiddies, it seems a waste of the PSP.

The controls are quite responsive, offering a wide assortment of combat moves, but the weak camera hinders them.

If you're a diehard, you'll relish playing through your favorite early battles in the epic story. Sagas is a competent first entry to the action genre, just not exemplary.

If you're a diehard, you'll relish playing through your favorite early battles in the epic story. Sagas is a competent first entry to the action genre, just not exemplary.

Packed with a bevy of features, TimeSplitters Future Perfect is a cornucopia of candy-coated goodness for any FPS fan. If you start now, you just might be able to unlock everything by the time "Halo 3" ships to stores.

Packed with a bevy of features, TimeSplitters Future Perfect is a cornucopia of candy-coated goodness for any FPS fan. If you start now, you just might be able to unlock everything by the time "Halo 3" ships to stores.

Packed with a bevy of features, TimeSplitters Future Perfect is a cornucopia of candy-coated goodness for any FPS fan. If you start now, you just might be able to unlock everything by the time "Halo 3" ships to stores.

It's a no-brainer for Koei to bring its cash cow franchise Dynasty Warriors to PSP--what is surprising, however, is the handheld version's flawed controls and fractured gameplay that makes it a harder-than-usual sell for longtime Lu Bu aficionados.

The graphics are breathtaking, and the electronica soundtrack is well-done... The controls are impeccable.

This isn't a game that's going to make you want to abandon your big-screen basketball games by any means, but it can be enough to temporarily satisfy a serious basketball jones.

The single player campaign does a good job of gradually introducing new gameplay concepts and putting them to use. Unfortunately, the great gameplay is saddled with a ludicrous story (complete with overacted FMV cut scenes and techno-fascist iconography).

An enticing blend of action and RPG adventure. The game mixes the best elements of both genres, resulting in a title that is just a hair away from greatness. Musashi may not be Zelda's equal, but it sure is close. [Apr 2005, p.84]

But if you've got a choice, spring for the darker, freakier Xbox version.

While replaying completed levels to raise scores and collect more lums will unlock secret areas, the core simplicity of the gameplay may not tempt many players to romp again where they have romped before.

The Xbox version offers the superior visual experience. Its advanced lighting system casts advanced real-time shadows (much like "Doom 3"), a high-tech feature the PS2 hardware simply can't match.

This challenging game organized into vertical and horizontal levels makes excellent use of the DS dual-screen format.

The big feature missing, which also made Underground innovative, is the ability to draft other cars. Without it, Rivals is just another racing game. Additionally, the Drift mode, which was addictively fun on the consoles, is now water downed to a flat, frustrating way of trying to skid your car in an unfashionable manner.

Overall the visuals for creatures and terrain are crisp, sharp, and Pokemon-perfect even if the sounds are a little too sweet. Dash might not make much of a splash, but it should be a good kid-pleaser.

It is a decent soccer game, but with its unbalanced gameplay, the field may be a bit greener somewhere else.

Wireless head-to-head play with a pal is a kick. It might not win over fans looking for a hardcore sim, but in the handheld rink, Gretzky NHL at least holds home ice.

If you can get past its gimmicky aspect, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat becomes an interesting spin on the side-scrolling hop-n-bop action genre that ultimately relies on endurance as much as reflexes. [Apr 2005, p.82]

Follows up last year's comeback player of the year with control tweaks and makes its formidable franchise mode even better. [Apr 2006, p.97]

Captures all the basics of this fast-paced game. The fun for a non-rugby fan will be in learning about the sport, and Rugby 2005 just might win a few converts.

Defense is all about bone-jarring tackles, and after every one there's a mass shoving match (called "the ruck") for possession of the ball.

Best of all is the vicious melee attack, dealt out with a forearm blade. It's enough to make the Fett family green with envy.

Having to worry about more than button mashing is something new for Devil May Cry, and it can make things tricky in the beginning--even on the easiest level, you'll need to fight intelligently from the start or you'll die a quick, painful death.

Where "Full Spectrum Warrior" offered a fairly straightforward series of forking streets, Brothers' battlefields are big--so much so that you never feel bound by arbitrary barriers, wondering why you're funneling into forward fire when crossing the low wall on the left or the field to the right will take you well around it.

A fine expansion with fun locations and seductive opportunities, but it needs a bit more gameplay balance before graduating to the "real" world.

The most striking change is in the innovative control scheme--where you use the right analog stick to throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts--which has now been slightly altered to enable you to fight more like a professional pug in the ring.

The game was number three in a field of three last year, but this season it looks great and has dramatic gameplay improvements for all skill levels. [Apr 2005, p.97]

LucasArts has done a super job in bringing this game to life thanks to the outstanding story, tight controls, and the hefty amount of intense action, while also including a standard list of multiplayer modes and Xbox Live online support. That it won't win critical acclaim for being revolutionary is beside the point.

The most striking change is in the innovative control scheme--where you use the right analog stick to throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts--which has now been slightly altered to enable you to fight more like a professional pug in the ring.

It's a serviceable game, but it doesn't excel in any regard. [Apr 2005, p.85]

Thanks to the GameCube's unfriendly button layout, performing the new demanding dial-a-combos is harder than ever. Patient players, however, will uncover an almost overwhelming array of play modes and hidden features.

The most striking change is in the innovative control scheme--where you use the right analog stick to throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts--which has now been slightly altered to enable you to fight more like a professional pug in the ring.

An excellent game, better than it has any right to be. But the premium bonus content (including arcade-perfect ports of the first three Tekken titles, plus a spiritual successor to Tekken Force) catapult the entire package to "must-have" status.

This game require real patience. There's no way to speed through long-distance trips, so it pays to keep a magazine handy (psst, you're holding one).

Don't get fooled by the cartoony visuals--this is one game that'll make you think long and hard in a good way.

Once you get the hang of the game engine and acquire better strike craft, the game becomes a very pleasurable experience. Ace Combat Advance is the perfect stopgap between an air-combat sim and an arcade top-down shooter.

The game was number three in a field of three last year, but this season it looks great and has dramatic gameplay improvements for all skill levels. [Apr 2005, p.97]

Flawlessly paced progression keeps you playing for leaner lap times; a newfound sense of speed makes each race seem like protracted suicide; and down-to-the-nuts-and-bolts details assure authenticity--as the box says, this is the drive of your life.

We praise the designers' decision to make Adol a speedy little devil, so darting around towns and inevitably retreading terrain isn't such a tedious chore.

Easily forgotten, Project: Snowblind delivers on the promise of an FPS game and nothing more. Were it the only option, it would be instantly snatched up; however in a crowded market, there's no reason to settle for "average" when you could be playing "great."

While two buddies playing each other can certainly appreciate FIFA Street, competitions against the computer can quickly turn into a repetitious chore.

Even while having more twitch-combat, the strategic aspect has not been compromised, making the game approachable for both hardcore and casual audiences.

MVP retains the Gold Glove for controls, but the competition has made up ground. [Apr 2005, p.97]

As a top down RTS game, Super Army War would have been great. But as a 2D side-scroller, this game is a logistical nightmare.

Easily forgotten, Project: Snowblind delivers on the promise of an FPS game and nothing more. Were it the only option, it would be instantly snatched up; however in a crowded market, there's no reason to settle for "average" when you could be playing "great."

MVP retains the Gold Glove for controls, but the competition has made up ground. [Apr 2005, p.97]

Second Sight's visuals are more balanced than its gameplay.

A brainless, gratuitous gashingfest that means well but just doesn't play well.

A beautiful composition, but restless gamers will have a hard time sitting throught the constant cinemas... Perhaps next time developers will seriously consider integrating the story through an increased amount of real-time gameplay. [March 2005, p.90]