Its combat system is a little slow, and the learning curve may be a bit steep for some people. I also had a few lockups during gameplay, which are a MAJOR bummer if you have not backed up in a while.

Historical shakiness aside, Legion offers some addictive gameplay, but doesn't quite rise to the glory of Rome.

In terms of gameplay, longevity and room for growth, however, Bloody Roar: Primal Fury just doesn't have the legs to compare to the likes of Sega's "Virtua Fighter" series or Namco's "Tekken" and "Soul Calibur" games.

The physics are extremely arcade-based, which isn't a bad. The problem is, however, that the controls feel sluggish and the cars feel like they're pivoting around a pole running through their center.

Magnificent controls, thrill-a-minute gameplay, and an incredible sense of pacing elevate the title above the average senseless shooter.

With the exception of the graphics you've seen it all many times before, and probably with more flair and better characters.

A highly playable, though somewhat clichéd, golf game.

It's not incredibly original, either, with a big debt to Diablo-style gameplay, for instance. Then again, it has some great things that the Diablo games don't, like huge 3D environments and a fire-breathing dragon you can ride.

I pity the fool who doesn't at least consider renting it.

A solid action game made worthwhile by moments of inspiration which do a lot to eclipse some rough edges and a host of minor gameplay gaffes.

The best arcade-baseball game on the market, but there's still room for improvement.

The game is rich, detailed and fun to play. The only large complaint I find with the game is the lack of multiplayer, which will keep Starship Troopers out of the top slot.

It's also almost exactly like "Age of Empires II" with a facelift and a few new perks. It fails to really innovate in any area; instead offering a few new perks and a few things that'll have you saying, "That's kind of cool!"

Like the other games in their series, Hitz is easy to pick up, fun to play, and not at all representative of the sport that it's based on.

It could have easily been a "great" game if more time was spent making the interface cleaner and less micromanagement was needed all around.

Constant fun, whether in small doses or extended sessions.

Sluggish graphics bog down what would have been an otherwise great title.

Good fun in a nostalgic way, but younger gamers might not get what all the fuss is about.

Best suited for high-level characters that like to use every power at their disposal -- and that's where the expansion shines.

Fans of sci-fi racing in general will likely find the game engaging, but in the end, the harshly unforgiving nature of the gameplay and steep learning curve will tend to work against them.

Despite its camera problems, its visual deficiencies, and the fact that it does some things worse than the original, I'm having lots of fun with Toadstool Tour.

A great third-person action title with a neat squad twist. Sometimes the missions might get a tad repetitive, and it might not be the biggest revelation in terms of gameplay you've ever seen, but throw in some friends and you'll have a blast.

Although Spider-Man contains no multiplayer options, the game is filled with extras.

This is a good solid game, but nothing truly spectacular. It is a fun shooter, with a twist. That sniper scope adds a new dimension to the shooter genre.

Incredibly weird. While I found my time with Cubivore pretty intriguing, I'm betting that the majority of gamers will be left scratching their heads and wondering what the hell they've just witnessed on the screen.

So much of what makes this game cool is lost in translation to a less potent platform. If the PS2 is your lone system, you'll still have a good time, but may be left wondering what all the hype was about.

More about style than substance. Nevertheless, the style excels, and there's still enough substance to give strategy gamers something worthwhile.

Accurately modeling the features that have made this series so endearing and capturing the action from a surprisingly workable viewpoint, it's a tremendous traveling companion for anyone with a taste for adventure.

The so-called "secret weapons" aren't worth the price of admission alone, and the maps aren't as good as those from The Road to Rome, but the combination of the two makes Secret Weapons an expansion any Battlefield fan should give serious consideration to.

The game's cartoonish nature and over-the-top attempts at humor may ward off prospective players before the game is able to redeem itself.

Where Disney Sports Soccer strays from convention -- and becomes a lot more interesting in the process -- is with the addition of magic items.

It's a huge step forward for the franchise and other developers will likely copy the freestyle dribbling system for years to come, but until the defensive and offensive play is better balanced, it's hard to recommend.

The word challenges and speed are challenging, and often funny, but the challenge level won't stop even a mediocre typist from finishing the game in just a few hours.

A solid game, but it falls short of being able to contend with either "RalliSport Challenge" or "Colin McRae." It suffers from difficult controls, a lack of different gameplay modes, and some occasionally odd graphics.

The central gameplay mechanic of Gallop Racer 2003, and the one I found compelling, is that it forces you to strike an ever-shifting balance between your horse's position on the track and its level of stamina.

Doesn't just do an excellent job of conveying a time-honored tradition's mass appeal, but portrays it in such an exciting light that even haters such as myself can't help but recognize.

An amusing romp through the bizarre Crash Bandicoot universe. It's not the best game of its kind, but it's certainly worth a visit.

Its simple, yet challenging gameplay will last a long time.

A mediocre trick system proved to be more of an annoyance than an innovation. Nevertheless, in the end, MX fans will likely find this title worthwhile.

It's deep, lengthy, and has a lot to offer to those who are willing to take the time to appreciate it.

A very well done strategy game that suffers from, of all things, an overload of story and linearity.

Great story, some good visuals, fun puzzles, and a lot of great dialogue and characters, but the game is held back by extremely tedious combat, some graphical and sound hitches, and a number of troublesome bugs.

A few AI problems keep it from reaching expectations.

There are problems with the game's length and with the iffy AI, but a lot of that is offset by how well the game's many elements are balanced and by its nifty graphics.

Drop-dead gorgeous... [but] one of Hegemonia's major failings is that its real-time combat is usually simplistic and dull.

Some of the new additions that House Party brings are fun, but it doesn't change the game all that much.

While I clearly had fun with the game, there's simply not much to it. The volleyball is definitely faster than "Beach Spikers," but the moves aren't as varied and once you've figured out how to win, victory becomes automatic.

While UT certainly does not break new ground, it makes a good transition from the PC and offers much with its unique game types and excellent multiplayer.

Most every mission is so unique that the core of the game fades into the background, instead replacing it with ever-changing objectives... Little stays constant enough to become an actual gameplay mechanic.

There are definite improvements in the Xbox version, however, and despite its faults, this is an involving and disturbing, if incredibly short-lived journey into horror...nowhere near as impressive as "Silent Hill."

This game is a good children's title and is aimed at ages eight and up, though I dare say any kid who could reach the keyboard and mouse could play.

If you can put up with the need for a control pad and occasionally frustrating levels, not to mention the terrible save option, this really is a good super hero game.

If you're not a big follower of Star Wars, you may want to just pick up "Age of Empires II" from some bargain bin. You'll probably have just as much fun.

Even on the hard difficulty setting the AI is only a second from making a mistake that leaves the lane wide open for a monster slam. Shooting the three is not as easy because of the percentages, however, depending on the player, this can be exploited against the computer in a big way.

On the whole, there's really nothing here compelling enough to attract owners of the PC and Dreamcast versions.

A greater challenge wouldn't have hurt, but this is a fun game.

A pleasant surprise. Whether you're going head-to-head against formidable AI bots or human opponents, it has plenty to offer both newcomers and bot-bashing aficionados alike.

It's not the T&A fest that DOA Xtreme Volleyball is, but it isn't afraid to flash some skin (though no "nude code"). Where it's at its strongest, happily, is in the gameplay. The button scheme is in-depth enough to make the action challenging.

Control of the camera can be problematic at times, ranging from a minor distraction in some situations to a major problem in others.

3DO's High Heat 2003 will be more fun over more time, but if you like your games as pretty as a lingerie model, Triple Play's cup runneth over.

If you like genre-benders, sure. If you like naval combat games, definitely. If you get bored easily or don't care for the setting, save your money.

The action is solid for the most part and the RPG elements add some depth. It's got its problems, but it's still a world ahead of most games based on a lucrative license.

A simple game to learn but has an underlying structure that is very complex (complex in a good way though).

Supplies a reasonably thrilling interpretation of the more vicious portions of the movie without all the clutter of the "boring bits" of the epic quest itself.

A collection of three games -- two great and one good -- that isn't up to snuff for a GBA comp cart.

There are absolutely no differences between this, the GameCube, and the PlayStation 2 versions, aside from some miniscule tidying of the jagged polygons from the PS2 original.

A very satisfying single-player FPS, coated with a fat-free topping of space combat. The lack of secrets and multiplayer modes also means an utter lack of replay value, but I felt nothing but satisfaction at the rousing conclusion.

The game plays well, creates delightful tension, and captures the ebb and flow of small unit actions. It's just too bad that HPS won't invest money in upgrading graphics or printing a manual. If they did, they'd have a turn-based winner.

The content in the new expansion is awesome, but it only makes us wish they'd spent that energy bringing us "Asheron's Call 2" starting from a clean slate.

If a sim with action is what you are looking for, go for it. If you find the frenetic pace of an MTV music video too slow for you, then avoid this game entirely.

The legacy mode is rewarding and the gameplay is predominantly solid, but a plethora of bugs and some AI issues ensure it won't supplant EA's game as the reigning champ this season.

An excellent choice for someone who enjoys the genre. If only High Voltage and Interplay had paid due respect to the source material.

It will demand a lot of your time, and a lot of your patience. It's a game that becomes really fun game once you master everything.

It may be on a console, but don't let that deter you: it's actually surprisingly deep.

The limited longevity and lack of subtlety tends to wear down an otherwise entertaining scrap-fest.

A fun party fighter with lots of visual variety but little gameplay differentiation and a horrid sense of humor.

The game's particularly ruthless A.I can offset the fun a little. Surviving certain levels is tough enough, but having to do it over and over to complete all the objectives borders on the inhumane.

Sorry, it's been an epic wait for the tech upgrade... It's a good game, but too often resorts to recycling a number of first-person shooter clichés instead of breaking new ground.

A solid snowboarding experience, but it lacks the flash and pomp of a truly great game.

A decisive step backwards from the combat dynamics of Operation Flashpoint and the team command structure of SWAT 3.

If you enjoy strategy games that aren't too in-depth and have a slower pace, this game is for you.

With a lengthier adventure and a deeper combat sequence, Car Battler Joe could've had a shot at the Hall o' Fame.

A fun game, but it could've benefited from more polish and a little more imagination.

As an arcade racer, it's very easy to play, but doesn't have the shortcuts and environment interaction that makes it a blast to play.

The biggest flaws with AvP: Extinction are the lack of a rotating camera, the unit micromanagement required, and the fact that there are only 21 missions in the game with no multiplayer at all... I wasn't disappointed with the game, and I don't think fans of AvP would be either.

A respectable effort, but disappointing reminder that when you swap content from platform to platform, something often gets lost in the transition.

All in all though, the birds-eye view of the action is what drives Driven -- like it, and you'll like the game. Hate it, and you'll consider Driven to be just another failed movie license.

While it's not going to make you shelve your copy of "NFL 2K3," it is a surprisingly deep take on the gridiron game.

Doesn't quite match the Xbox and GameCube titles, but still good fun.

Under a slightly clumsy-looking graphical exterior lies a phenomenally deep fighting simulation.

An original title? Heck no. Is it a complex title? Certainly not. But is it loads of fun? You bet.

A fun, straightforward shooter in WWI clothing, and while the 200+ missions inevitably become repetitive after a while (despite frequent changes in visual scenery), the bracing dogfight sequence and multiplayer modes are always entertaining.

Lots to see and do for kart racing fans -- if they don't mind the atmosphere.

The game's events are portrayed with such stark realism that sometimes after playing I almost felt like I had experienced the events alongside the characters.

It's actually excellent.

There are things to like about this new version, especially as a multiplayer game, but in the end there are too many issues, big and small, for it to reach the nearly unreachable standard set by its predecessors.

The potential is for seriously high amounts of frustration and tedium from being stuck in one section and having to play through the earlier sections of a level over and over. I would have opted for the ability to save incrementally.

It should be noted that patience is a system requirement for BITAW. Missions can easily take hours to complete.