Superior to the Xbox version in every way... Massively enjoyable yet enormously painful, Splinter Cell is a serious game whose brilliant realism should shake up a few complacent gamers. [PS2 MAX]

Gung-ho and trigger happy, Frontline is horrifically good war-mongering fun. [GamesMaster Magazine]

The quality and individuality of presently pilotable planes and the extraordinary variety of AI airpower should satisfy all but the most hard-hearted hangar habitues.

You don't buy any MMORPG lightly, least of all this one. It imperiously demands massive chunks of your time, patience and dedication but the rewards are commensurately high. The fierce sense of satisfaction as your fame grows and coffers swell is hard to match. [PC Gamer UK]

I swear, for the first five hours FEAR was on its way to a "Half-Life" sized score. The favourable comparisons were many and various: the thoughtful and dangerously accurate guards, the beautifully designed levels... but FEAR never upped the ante. It stayed almost exactly the same from start to finish. [PC Gamer UK]

Nothing radically new but 30 missions of the most furious, vibrant, relentless, utterly insane war your can imagine. [PC Gamer UK]

Unparalleled explosive thrills - but it only burns in your mind during the time you're squeezing the trigger, and lacks context or emotional depth. [PSM2]

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the game, though, is the way in which it gives a real sense of what war was really like for pilots in the Pacific.

A thoroughly enjoyable two-player game knocked down by an over-too-soon Career mode.

Far more accessible than the first and loads more fun. If you want more realism than "Halo 2" can offer, look no further. [GamesMaster]

Some of the most imaginative levels ever. [GamesMaster Magazine, #109]

It has lived up to the hype and that's no mean feat when you consider that it's been billed as GTA War. Only the lack of total freedom and iffy handling hold it back. [PSM2]

One of those games that you switch on intending to have a quick blast, then find yourself staring square-eyed at in the early hours.

It may not look as scary as "Code Veronica," but you'll definitely need some extra loo roll.

Ultimately, you'll die many times in Urban Chaos and scream death-threats to the programmers, their first born, everyone they've ever met and Father Christmas because the untimely demise wasn't your fault.

The sparse menus aren't up to Nintendo's usual standard and the game is lacking in an abundance of minigames, but with a storming collection of songs covered and fun and challenging gameplay, Donkey Konga 2 is perhaps the best party game ever. [NGC Pocket]

I've been playing Bangai-O for a week now, and I still don't know what the hell is going on half the time...Look, you'll either love or hate Bangai-O, and either way, it's extremely unlikely you'll ever understand it.

The smooth and sharp aiming system is a rarity among PS2 shooters and the multiple firing modes for each weapon are great. But it's a shame stealth isn't more central to gameplay. Project Snowblind is better than "Killzone" but not up there with the Xbox heavyweights. [GamesMaster]

They've created the first game featuring a comic book hero that doesn't disappoint.

Almost the best superhero game on PS2, but let down by the fact that - when you get down to it - we've seen it all before. Still, you should definitely give it a shot. [PSM2]

An immensely satisfying racing sim designed for hardcore racing fans.

Pin-sharp sim that's both challenging and forgiving, with a story that's not just bolted on... A true delicacy in a time of relative famine for racing sim fans, but should feature on any gamer's menu. [PC Gamer UK]

What Spartan lacks in depth is made good by some top-drawer visuals and satisfying combat. A corking console debut for Creative Assembly. [PSM2]

More four-player fun than even Ron Jeremy could offer.

Besides the abundance of car wrecking weapons, the most entertaining aspect of Rumble Racing is that the vehicles, including the trucks, can do mid-air tricks. Every time you perform a barrel roll or misty flip its impossible not to raise a cheeky smile.

A gorgeous, big, weighty, important event-game that makes good on most of its grandiose promises. Easily in the top two first-person shooters for PS2 alongside "TimeSplitters 2." [PSM2]

Not an essential purchase, maybe, but Point Blank version 3 is still tremendous fun, horribly addictive, and its new modes do make it even more of a party game.

An old concept it may be, but what does that matter when you're having so much bloody fun?