Max Payne definitely deserves its M rating. Its story, tone, and language are miles beyond what most folks are used to from a GBA title. Happily, so is the look and sound of the game.

This expansion is everything "Play The World" should've been and will breathe a whole new life into your Civ experience.

It is in many ways the best of the bunch, but somewhere along the line it has lost that cool edge that made the series so legendary.

Quake 3: Team Arena, in a word, rocks. The quality associated with id Software shines through in this mission pack. It is definitely worth your money -- go and buy it. I'd write more here, but I need to go play more Team Arena. I wish I were joking.

It's remarkable that EA has managed to catch up to the incredible effort from Sega in a single generation, and if it weren't for an overly trying physics engine on the ice, the two would be in a dead heat.

While this undoubtedly sounds familiar to RPG veterans, Symphonia manages to distinguish itself through solid and enjoyable gameplay.

The plotline is simple, the characters are instantly likeable, but more importantly, from start to finish, the action never lets up.

With a strong showing, 989 Sports' World Tour Soccer 2005 shows that the developer may have the makings of a dynasty on its hands.

The biggest change in 2003 is how the ball handles... The ball feels much more separated from the players now, and the control even reflects this.

This is the game that so many have deemed the best game ever released on the PlayStation. Now it's been given a new coat of paint. Sure, it has a few blemishes ... but overall, it's the same experience you loved before, only now it looks better.

Despite a few minor issues, Morrowind manages to shine on the Xbox. It is the first game to truly bring a wide-open role-playing experience to the console.

When it's all said and done Vietnam doesn't wow us the way that "1942" did in its day, but it's a step forward graphically, a leap ahead in the sound department, and just as much fun as the original.

While Psi-Ops doesn't break a lot of new ground in the action or stealth fronts, the addition of psychic powers adds a boatload of entertainment value. Thanks to some of the best ragdoll physics ever seen on the PS2, you'll be happily tossing burning enemies into walls or off bridges for hours.

A terrific game. All of the stealth gameplay, intricate level design, Byzantine story branches, and delightfully larcenous action makes a welcome return in this edition. The godfather of stealth-action games is back. Unfortunately, while Thief: Deadly Shadows stands as an equal to any of the previous games in the series, it doesn't exceed them - nor does it move the franchise forward as much as it was obviously designed to do.

Too bad it's so short, but there's plenty to do in the city of L.A. once the story is over. This is the first game that treats the "GTA" model as inspiration rather than a quick ticket to the bank.

Even if you know nothing about Buffy, the TV series, know this about Buffy, the Xbox video game: it's unquestionably the best beat'em-up for the system.

It's part turn-based strategy, part role-playing, and part action-oriented real-time strategy wrapped up inside a highly playable design. And best of all -- it's a lot of fun to play.

It's a triumph for THQ and vindication for Yukes. This is best of the series, and one of the best wrestling games to hit a console.

I love Battlegrounds for the same reason I love arcade-style sports games; it exploits the aspects of its source material that make for great design, and throws the rest out.

If you spent much time in the 80's pumping quarters into Gauntlet, you're going to enjoy this console version with almost as much zeal. If you've never played Gauntlet (blasphemy!), you owe it to yourself to pick this title up and give it a whirl.

Even if it isn't all that different from "Zeus," it provides the same addictive gameplay that made "Zeus" such a great game.

If you're looking to play the game, stick with MVP Baseball 2003. If you want to manage a team, go with "World Series Baseball 2K3."

Once you get past all the rainbows and happiness, you'll find one of the best portable sports games around. And hey, those Ham-Hams ARE pretty cute.

While it's got a few problems, particularly with the load times and frequent checkpoints, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow is still a great game. It looks nice, offers enough challenges to keep you engaged, and has the best multiplayer action around.

The game's strongest point is its graphics and audio presentation, which captures the vibe of a WWE telecast very nicely.

The saber play is great fun, particularly in multiplayer, and the variety in the single-player game keeps it entertaining as well. Next time we'll hope for a new graphics engine, but for now, the Force is definitely with the Academy.

Fans of River City Ransom on the NES and brawlers as a whole will love this version.

A capable, attractive little robot in loads of bullet-riddled action. It's challenging and twitchy, with enough variation to keep the most distracted player hooked for the duration.

Some homogenous gameplay and the occasional graphic lapse aside, Armed & Dangerous scores with humor and weapon innovation.

The biggest change Escape from Monkey Island has undergone is its change to 3D. Far from ruining the game, as many fans feared, this makes EMI the best-looking Monkey Island title yet.

While there are still some control problems that keep it from being perfect, Sega's dominance on the hardwood continues. This year makes it a three-peat.

By far the best feature of Substance is the audio. Supporting Dolby Digital, the sound effects, dialogue, and musical score are topnotch.

Overall, the controls prove powerful and intuitive, granting this game its ultimate top-notch status.

It lacks some major features you'd expect, but this arcade racer still offers an immersive career mode, a beautiful presentation, and an insane sense of speed.

The sheer number of gameplay modes the cart brings to the handheld keeps the action fresh whether you're tackling the forces of evil or just your buddy.

The superior graphics and flight modeling are unmatched, and game's many solitaire and multiplayer options give it long life on the hard drive.

Leave true role-playing to "EverQuest." LoD, just like "Diablo II," focuses on action over role-play. If that's been your addiction since the game came out, this is your new fix.

Probably the best pure soccer game yet -- the best since the series moved into 3D.

The basic gameplay is rock-solid, and fans of multiplayer RTS games will get far more than their money's worth out of it.

Quirky, innovative and charming, La Pucelle: Tactics is at once one of the best tactics games out there, as well as one of the best RPGs.

To my surprise, Insomniac was able to add just enough tweaks and twists to last year's formula to turn a somewhat generic-feeling character action game into something that actually holds my attention...Not the ultimate platformer, but it's definitely the best one coming out this holiday.

Despite a few bugs, Crystal Key 2 is a fabulous adventure game, with an interesting story, challenging puzzles, and beautiful graphics.

A shining example for how to create a fun and challenging game based on an extremely boring and dull concept. Clearly one to earmark as a future hall of famer.

The new multiplayer, when it works properly, makes a very cool addition to the Splinter Cell franchise. Pandora Tomorrow's single-player campaign plays it too safely, though, mostly offering more of the same.

A highly polished and very enjoyable action title that, while not the equal of its console counterparts, is still a terrific action game on the PC.

An immensely satisfying arcade football game, with huge offense and serious points going to the unbeatable multiplayer component.

With improved and deeper gameplay, this sophomore baseball effort ranks along with the best the company has released.

This game remains thoroughly addictive and is worth picking up if you're interested in a fun diversion with a reasonable shelf life.

The definitive version of the game. PS2 Splashdown players who own an Xbox should consider this upgrade.

What makes Grunty's Revenge work so well is that it never becomes boring or overly repetitive.

Splashdown has amazingly distracting watery visuals, great draw-in distances, offers a large challenge for one or two players, and is a joy to control.

Look past the gratuitous, fleshy outer casing and delve deep into the tight stealth/action gameplay provided. Manhunt delivers.

In many ways it is a far superior product compared to last year's hit. But in other ways it also feels like a rushed product.

It has plenty of gameplay, and provides a very intriguing story line. The game redefines the RPG genre and is worthy of anyone's software collection.

Perimeter certainly has its share of problems, from a bizarro-world storyline and ho-hum multiplayer support to lackluster artificial intelligence. But playing the game is just so much fun that it's almost impossible not to recommend.

If you're blessed with a rip-roaring connection, Steel Battalion: Line of Contact is the most engaging experience you can have with Xbox Live.

Whenever you add a new race into an already established game, the question of game balance becomes an important issue. Rise of the Elves does an excellent job in this regard, as the Elf retinue is not overly powerful nor are they fodder for the other four races.

Thanks to revolutionary ten-man motion captures, the look of 2004 will impress you. This is the first hoops game I've played where everyone on the court acts the way they're supposed to.

Overall it shows how a rhythm game should be made: it's weird, witty, and addictive.

The formula that Mr. Vogel and Co. have mastered here is, as before, how to combine fast-paced exploration with smart surprises that keep you guessing. Do yourself a favor and try this game, because as they say in Arkansas, "It's the gameplay, stupid."

While Spider-Man 2 has some issues, nearly everything is outweighed by the fantastic web-slinging and the huge city environment.

The Xbox is blessed with being the most technically advanced version, but the PS2 takes the edge with its online gameplay and visual trickery.

What will dazzle veterans is how complete a package Loaded is.

Thanks to the huge amount of customization options, this game offers much more depth of gameplay than what's found in your average fighting game. If only so much tedium wasn't involved in accessing all of it.

Not just a way to make a quick buck off of diehard Buffy fans, it's a game that is as deep and fun to play as anything else on the system.

By far, this game has one of the simplest, yet all-encompassing interfaces I've seen in awhile.

It might not be the next "Halo," but with scads of unlockable content, a solid multiplayer mode, and a decent single-player storyline, TimeSplitters 2 has enough appeal to be a worthy addition to your Xbox collection.

Offers an extremely solid competitor to "Chessmaster," and the best training of any chess game yet.

Probably the coolest new feature of 2002 FIFA World Cup is the inclusion of juggling. A player who masters juggling can truly be devastating on the field.

Another great feature is the skill chain system -- like in Square's "Chrono Trigger," weapon skills can be combined for extra damage, and then followed up with compatible spells for even more damage.

And the best part of all -- you won't have to go eBaying for a Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer to play it.

The meat of the game is in the career mode, which is incredibly deep, but takes a real time commitment to get the most out of.

Incredibly balanced and well polished. If you have AoK, you must get The Conquerers Expansion.

It is the near-seamless integration of the ESPN look and feel that sets this game apart.

It's not perfect, but it's got enough unique style to create thirst for a follow-up.

If MMORPGing sounds like it might appeal to you, then you'll not be disappointed with Frontiers. It's a solid online RPG experience that works very well.

And its distinctive Japanese flavor, teeming with uniquely fantastical architecture and environments that are rarely rendered Stateside -- complete with ridiculous anime hairdos and not-so-slick voice acting -- Crimson Sea will definitely quench your thirst for action.

The single-player game is beefed up with a tweaked pitching interface and the ability to save games at any time. Its biggest coup over its competition from EA Sports, though, is the ability to play online.

Awesome environments, cool characters, and great weaponry, but there just isn't enough!

Things appear and disappear out of the corner of your eye, and you're never completely sure of what you've seen. Nothing has to say, "Boo," because there's an underlying Boo-ness to the whole experience.

It's not as polished or flashy as the NBA equivalent, but for a first effort NFL Street is a damn good time, with better multiplayer than anyone else.

The screeching of the monsters when they're getting shot and killed is piercing to the ears. Coupled with believable voice acting and excellent moody music, The Thing will be music to your ears.

It's remarkable that EA has managed to catch up to the incredible effort from Sega in a single generation, and if it weren't for an overly trying physics engine on the ice, the two would be in a dead heat.

The most troubling thing about Mechwarrior 4: Black Knight is that it's priced like a full game rather than the "add-more" expansion pack it really is.

Despite such minor setbacks, the overwhelming characteristic of the game is high-speed action of the fun (and generally not too frustrating) variety.

Once the initial shock value wears off, you're left with a very challenging and rewarding video game. You might, however, want to keep a barf-bag handy just in case.

The strongest of the dragon's GBA appearances. Thanks to the large number of challenges you're presented with, the game plays a lot freer and more open-ended than most platformers -- handheld or console.

Adds a great deal to play with, despite occasional frustrations.

An impressive product that's only a patch or two away from true strategy game greatness.

With its diversity, engaging style, and sly sense of humor, Startopia has plenty to offer.

A fantastic game -- it's easy to pick up and play, has great character and depth, and is even better with a friend.

PopTop steams onto the scene with a product that's nearly everything a strategy game needs to be: easy to pick up and play, but deep enough to engross players for hours and months on end.

An incredibly deep game whether your playing alone or online.

A good game with very cool camera options and great use of a 3-D engine but it could have used something a little more original in the gameplay area to truly set it apart from the rest.

Most of it is done really well, but there simply aren't enough great moments to offset the repetitive gameplay seen throughout much of the game.

It's beautiful, it's well-designed, and I can't wait to spend more time in it.

With its well-designed levels, fluid pacing, and hyper-violent combat in eerie locales, The Suffering is a fun way to safely tap into your dark side.

The balance between pleasing hardcore gamers while pleasing Joe Gamer is astounding.