While the solo campaign is suitably lengthy and will keep most gamers on their toes for a reasonable period of time, it's multiplayer where SOCOM II really shines.

Further refines the grappling engine that Yukes has been using for its gamecube titles, and along the way, offers the best grappling experience you can get -- at least for the time being.

As a single player game played in short burts and with an eye towards old school run and gun style dynamics, we there's precious little that can touch Doom 3.

The single player aspect of the game is even more barebones then the previous title. Gone is the campaign and in is "instant action" which as you may have guessed allows you to select a map and then play with a number of bots.

Unlike many expansion packs it offers a solid amount of additional content that enhances the overall game without breaking anything in the process -- a rare feat indeed.

It entertains, it excites and it's easy to follow so no need for cheats, and sometimes that is all that matters.

An amazing amount of fun but it doesn’t just rely on its novelty to carry it - it’s actually a good game and in the early missions at least has a good pick-up-and-play element.

Certainly, if you can access the Xbox or PC versions, plumb for them first, but otherwise, and especially if you're looking for what has up to now been one of the most unique online pleasures known only to Xbox owners, what are you waiting for?

Its excellent production and genuinely unsettling atmosphere make other so-called horror games look about as scary as Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video.

It's quite a slow game, and at first many gamers may find it on the tepid side, as it's only once you've got the hang of how the whole farm holds together you'll find yourself dedicating more and more time to the simple joys that Harvest Moon has to offer.

Transformers does a very solid job of capturing the visual style of the cartoon series while running on the PS2 hardware.

An old-school racer with an immense amount of charm, although we'd still recommend "Burnout 3" in favour of it -- just.

If you're after a stealth game that isn't simply a matter of 'stealth to point A because that's the only way it can be done', however, it comes highly recommended, as each level can be replayed any number of ways, depending on how you mix up your stealth and blasting action.

An exercise in masochism, as you'll find that the world records within the game are generally easily knocked over. It's only when you can look across the sofa at tired, sore and elated faces and realise that you just lunged over the line at the last second to grasp victory that you'll find Athens 2004 a really worthwhile game.

Def Jam: Fight For NY is a good game -- there's no doubt about that -- but it's perhaps that rarest of fighting games -- one that's better off played solo, or against one other player only, rather than in true multiplayer.

THQ and Pandemic do deserve commendation for stepping away from the tried and tested styles of military simulations and trying something different.

Forget the bogged realism of "Call of Duty" or "Conflict Vietnam"; Tribes: Vengeance is all about big guns, big mecha suits, and big explosions. If you're after some intense fighting with gung-ho madness, then it’s good to get some Vengeance.

It's thus highly recommended for golf game aficionados, especially if you liked the original Toadstool Tour.

If you've only got a passing interest in golf, and want a game with the usual level of Nintendo polish that tends to make their games interesting, then it's worth hitting out with Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour.

Traditional console RPG fans may be intrigued by the concept but ultimately turned off by the totally open-ended gameplay style, while those coming over from the PC side of things will probably find it refreshingly familiar -- although we'd plump for the PC version if you've got a system capable of it, if only because it is, after all, a PC port.

A great movie adaptation and very good choice for younger gamers -- or anyone who needs a Christmas present for a younger gamer in a hurry.

The other major limitation comes about in online play; while the Xbox version supported 16 players, you'll have to make do with ten less in PS2 games, and with a total lack of co-operative online modes.

There are frustrating points (like the long save point distance) but it creates the desire to know what will happen next if you keep going.

It's not really a case of great or inspiring innovation, but it is a solid use of the Snowblind engine into an engaging title.

Black Arrow feels like a mission pack for the original Rainbow Six 3, because that's what it is. If you loved Rainbow Six 3, though, you'll undoubtedly love this.

It's not for everybody -- the difficulty level will see most off, and the lack of third dimensional movement will probably remove a fair chunk of the rest of its prospective audience -- but if you like your shooting action hard, heavy and repetitive, then you really need to add R-Type Final to your collection.

Those looking for a Nintendo-themed puzzle game with plenty of length, but not always the greatest amount of depth will enjoy collecting Mini Marios until the goombas come home.

There are three main aspects to the game which can be identified as the main weaknesses; the lack of single player, the maps without helicopters, and the player numbers.