With the feel and look of many of the Super Nintendo and Capcom shooters like "UN Squadron," this is a sharp looking, entertaining flyer.

Other than its "Janglish"-infused plot and low-altitude issues, Lethal Skies II is an excellent air-combat game; the arsenal of real-life and fictional planes is outstanding, and the action is doled out in perfectly sized chunks.

It's very derivative, and beyond a few puzzles requiring you to use all four characters in tandem, there's not a lot that's new here. At the same time, it's mostly enjoyable while it lasts.

It is possible to have fun in this game. The bad news is that there are some underlying structural problems that make the game horribly unfriendly to new players and will probably keep the game from being as popular as it might be.

My disappointment in this disc's shortcomings is tempered by the sheer amount of great, classic gaming on offer.

A schizophrenic but enjoyable combination of gameplay styles, and it's worth slogging through the solid Sphinx segments to savor the Mummy magic.

The intelligent touches and relative difficulty make Rogue Ops generally fun for fans of the genre. The unevenness in the presentation and controls keep it from really setting the genre on fire.

The first-person shooter action doesn't compare with the likes of "Half-Life" or "Red Faction" and the team-based strategy element couldn't carry the night vision goggles of either "SOCOM" release.

A schizophrenic title that can't really decided what it wants to be. It's still a fun and different take on the sport of football -- especially as a multiplayer party game -- it's just not as much fun as it used to be.

You can "create the ultimate coaster -- and ride it!" But at the same time you can do very little else, and while the ride might be the ultimate, too much else just seems to be missing.

It has all of the trappings of a bad RPG: extremely linear gameplay, over-the-top voice acting, frustrating camera angles, and a ho-hum storyline. What saves it, and what ultimately makes it a fun game to play, is the terrific combat model combined with stellar graphics.

A schizophrenic but enjoyable combination of gameplay styles, and it's worth slogging through the solid Sphinx segments to savor the Mummy magic.

A solid and pleasantly deep arena beat-'em-up with lots of longevity, and through the presence of the Hedgehog and his posse adds absolutely nothing to the game, it's nice to see them getting work in these tough economic times.

You'll have fun fighting in Defiance, and feel lucky, because it happens quite often. But if you've been following the series, you'll also know that it's quite heavily reliant on aimless wandering and boring box puzzles.

Another notable absence is weapons. You heard me right: No weapons!... A wrestling game without steel chairs is like Maxim magazine without the cover girl.

Hardcore fans will find a lot to like, but until the AI and balance issues are fixed it remains merely a good game but one that falls a bit below expectations.

Like an interesting tech demo with a sometimes tedious and frustrating game built around it.

If you can overlook some minor gameplay quirks, you'll be rewarded with one of the more unique and in-depth action games you've played in a while.

It is a wargaming grognard's dream, but may put off anyone else. That would be a shame, because underneath this detailed spreadsheet-type interface is an intriguing strategy game.

I was happy to find that the game is well-balanced, requiring even use of all three abilities, and multiple pathways can be accessed by exploring areas with different team leaders. [*See GameSpy for their new 5-star conversion scale]

Even with the new systems, the core mechanics are losing their edge and the tournament structured story isn't helping things, either.

EA really needs to perfect FIFA's control as much as it needed to make a better career mode. The old developmental mantra is gameplay first, options second. Still, what it gives us in 2004 is a solid and entertaining package.

It's arguable that Capture the Enemy is worth the price of admission, being one of the brightest additions to the series in a long time. But considering the ratio of great to mediocre content, you should think twice before parting with the $30.

It's everything reality television should be -- cruel, funny and heartless -- but it's over all too quickly.

The quick-paced gameplay also means that you'll have to make even more snap decisions when engaging against a human opponent and this will result in some heated matches.

An official apology for last year's dreadful "DBZ: Taiketsu." It gives gamers a true sense of the high-flying fighting action that makes up the anime series.

A good game buried under a lousy interface and a steep learning curve.

If you're a wrestling fan with a sense of humor, a love of Japanese absurdity, and modest expectations, Ultimate Muscle: The Path of the Superhero is definitely worth your time.

A schizophrenic but enjoyable combination of gameplay styles, and it's worth slogging through the solid Sphinx segments to savor the Mummy magic.

While the improved handling and graphics are a treat, Spy Hunter 2 feels like it's moving away from the original's inspiration, instead of towards it.

My biggest nitpick is that defense and rebounding is still an afterthought.

A step -- albeit a small one -- in the right direction for the series. The gameplay has been deepened, as has the career mode. Where it still needs work is in the presentation.

It's enough to make you want to hold hands and sing Kum Bai Ya -- if you can put down your GBA long enough.

While Dave Mirra 2 shouldn't be branded with such terms as "unpleasant" or "ridiculous," it is safe to say that the title repeats the same type of quality as its PSOne ancestor, "unfinished" and "hurried" would be more like it.

The old adage about hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror holds true here, and while the terror's fun for a while, the boredom ultimately cancels it out.

It's no ProTools, but for what amounts to Remix: The Game, the package is quite acceptable.

Beats "Tiger 2004" in exactly two respects: prettier graphics and Live support. Every other category goes to Tiger in a Governor Ahnold-esque landslide.

The main problem with Amped 2 is its controls...In practice, most players will find it difficult to learn at best and frustrating at worse.

Though the appeal wears thin a lot more quickly, it still has some thanks to the large amount of content and just the overall polish and humor of the game.

Even with the new systems, the core mechanics are losing their edge and the tournament structured story isn't helping things, either.

Fails to live up to the standards set by the first game. It's not that it's more-of-the-same, which would have been OK, but Syberia II takes characters and a storyline that were deep and compelling the first time around and turns them into cardboard caricatures of their former selves.

The qualifications -- short length, lack of replay value, and control issues -- knock the game down value-wise, even though I think anyone who's attracted to quick, violent squad play will have a good time.

Merely good - hopefully Nintendo will take heed and give us the game we've REALLY been wanting next time around.

You'll have fun fighting in Defiance, and feel lucky, because it happens quite often. But if you've been following the series, you'll also know that it's quite heavily reliant on aimless wandering and boring box puzzles.

An involving graphic adventure, but it's noticeably hampered by its technical flaws and well-meaning attempts at action sequences.

Got a spare 20 to 30 hours, and a hankering for mindless medieval bloodshed? Not been pressing the Square button enough? Go on -- give this an intense weekend rental.

All the features put together make a fun addition to SimCity, but only because the expansion packs in so many different additions to the game.

If you want some quick fun and a chance to bring to life that wild race course you've dreamt of, TrackMania might be just the thing for you.

A decent title. It'll never be one of those "stranded on a desert island" games, but it certainly has replay value and is well worth a look.

A quirky and sometimes frustrating puzzle action title that fails to do its two famous mascots justice.

While it could have been a more inspired finale, the multiplayer aspect makes up for the single-player shortcomings. The aging engine has been used for all its worth.

Soldiers could have been a fantastic game, but in the end is brought down by technical issues, bugs, and a level of difficulty only a sadist would enjoy.

While I wish the multiplayer offered more, as it would no doubt extend the title's replay value, it's just not exciting enough given the current number of quality online action titles on the Xbox. The single-player experience is enjoyable, if not revolutionary.

While the large ship selection is a fun idea, it's no substitute for the essential elements of good level design, consistent game speed, gameplay originality and a smokin' soundtrack.

An interesting twist on the empire-building genre, but a lack of polish keeps it from being truly great.

With all this going for it, it's a shame the single-player game is so humdrum.

It's still not quite on the same level as the highly polished "MVP Baseball" from EA Sports, but it's nowhere near the cellar dweller it was last season.

One of the problems is a lack of meaningful interaction with the rest of the world.

The real crux of Condition Zero is simply that it provides a great way to enjoy Counter-Strike offline, old graphics or not. If you're perfectly happy playing the free Counter-Strike mod online, don't bother with Condition Zero.

Its battles are enjoyable enough, and series fans will be pleased with this adaptation of the Onimusha mythos. But in comparison to everything else on the market, the game falls short in comparison.

The perceptive lack of lots of courses in Air Ride mode and the limited fun that the Top Ride and City Trial modes offer might shy away some gamers, but KAR is primarily a fast, fun, and novel take on the kart racing genre that shouldn't go ignored.

The story and the protective guardian concept both work. And developer Neverland did a brilliant job with the game's controls. The ability to do so much with so few buttons is astounding. The game snags when it comes to the clunky and unrealistic movement of the characters.

Forgive its design and technical shortcomings and you'll be in for a treat -- let them bother you and you're in for a frustrating ride.

The Gladiators isn't a bad game. Indeed, it's quite challenging and entertaining in many regards. However, just that like the B-movies that were its inspirations, that's all it is.

A solid MMORPG, but feels like it's missing that special spark that will keep you hooked for weeks on end.

A decent tribute to its source material, but fails to capture its best qualities.

With its serviceable single-player game and a gem like the new Defend mode, Island Thunder is a tidy little bonus juuuust worth the price.

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 physics and graphics are better than they've ever been, but the AI, lack of features, and out-to-lunch rosters make it tough to globally recommend.

Fans of the series will love Silent Scope 3, though the game may be too difficult for everyone else.

Its lack of innovation, crude trick control scheme, and lousy opponent AI might tempt you to look elsewhere for your watercraft kicks...but I can't help but smile as I weave my way through the course.

A very cool combination of gameplay elements, and the most intriguing light-gun title for a home console since Elemental Gearbolt (anyone remember that one?)

Unfortunately for its publishers, there are a few great platform games out for the GBA. "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon," "Rayman Advance," and "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams" are superior games that offer a more complete package.

The battle system is fairly easy to learn and the puzzles aren't mind-blowing, but all in all, the game is very entertaining and that's what gaming is supposed to be about.

There's too much of an emphasis on fetching items rather than performing tricks and getting rewarded for doing them well.

It's the closest one yet to capturing the spirit of the card game.

[It's] not going to compete with the likes of Zelda or "Breath of Fire." It does, however, provide a friendly role-playing experience with familiar characters in a setting that is easy to navigate.

While the addictive gameplay remains [from the GameCube version], all things animal are replaced with generic geometric shapes and run-of-the-mill sound effects.

Classic monsters and load of pumpkins can't make up for repetitive gaming action.

It has some minor gameplay annoyances, but overall it delivers the slow-paced but nonetheless thrilling experience of game hunting.

I reallllly wish I could recommend this game. It's a quality game in almost every respect...but the save flaw is just too big.

I do have to admit that smashing my GBA with a hammer out of sheer frustration was kind of fun.

Most of the racing is exciting and a treat for the eyes, but there should have been more in the way of multiplay.

FG plays fast and boils down to several repeats of each mission as you figure out what happens, where it happens and just what it was you did in order to make it happen. Zero replay value in other words.

It's a goofy mix that will surely turn off more players than it turns on, but I find the combination a compelling one. Just the simple fact that I've never played anything quite like Warship Gunner makes my jaded self happy.

An excellent 2D fighting game...The game does not work for one simple reason -- the GameCube controller.

Unfortunately, for PS2 owners, a vicious beat-down is delivered by the GameCube's less blurry, less angular crowds, and it wins by a split decision.

The one-player puzzle quest is a disappointing throwaway, and the strategy of the multiplayer mode is too chaotic to be entertaining, but the core gameplay remains simple, solid fun.

A title with solid gameplay that's perfectly suited for the online world.

This is a fun little game, but I don't think it's worth buying unless you're a diehard Treasure fan and would really like to support the company.

Despite some nice features, the overly repetitive gameplay will probably wear thin after a bit.

I was pleased with this Romance, but less than fulfilled.

Its rubber-band AI is staggering in its cruelty.

Offers no gameplay surprises, not enough challenge, and not enough replay value, but it's certainly prettier than most GBA platformers.

It's dripping with blood. Actually, it's submerged in a tank overflowing with bodily fluids, detached limbs, and severed heads. Saucy!

An interesting concept for an action/adventure game with a deep storyline that evolves gradually, but it suffers from the scope of its technical glitches.

They don't freshen up the gameplay so much as to make DW3: Xtreme Legends worth another thirty bucks on top of however much you paid for DW3 -- unless you're utterly obsessed with the DW series, or you can find a used DW3 for cheap.

The game is fun to play, has solid control, and plenty of tracks, but nothing about it screams out for attention.