It's a shame that cinema's most iconic monster doesn't get the towering experience he deserves.

When all is said and done, Baten Kaitos does have the substance to back up its style.

NFS:U2 is trying very hard to progress this franchise, but sadly the enhancements that EA seem most proud of (the free roaming map, refillable N2O and SUV racing) detract from, rather than enhance, the game play experience.

To match such thrill-a-minute environments, the level design, puzzles, and boss fights are all insanely original.

Beyond the jaw-dropping visuals there's actually a fun and entertaining piece of 'soft' ware to be held, er... had. So what if it raises a few eyebrows? It's only a game.

On balance, however, this is a great game that outperforms most others in the field, but it's also obvious - painfully so - that it could have been so much more.

One of Halo 2 Online's best features - if not the best - is the statistics tracking system. [Online review]

The combination of uninspiring sound, graphic and game design all add up to a title that is best left sitting on a shelf as a message to the game's developer and publisher that gamers will not buy sub-par products.

However it's all about balance, and Insomniac know how to keep players busy long after the main story has been completed, which is good, as it does feel a little short.

The potential for Guerrilla to develop a truly impressive FPS title on the PS2 is obviously there, but it's a learning curve that players won't be scaling anytime soon. The PS2's answer to "Halo"? Don't make us laugh.

As for size, the game suffers because it lacks the depth of its competitors, but it still manages to offer more playable hours than the previous three EA Lord of the Rings releases.

While the execution and presentation is undoubtedly better than last year (gimmicky rhythm-sections aside), the fact remains that the current crop of WWE superstars is dull and uninspiring.

There are far better games out there (without a licence attached) that will yield far broader smiles.

The balance achieved between depth and accessibility is highlighted perfectly by online play, and it's online where you'll 'ultimately' reap the rewards this game has to offer.

A worthy successor to the Ace Combat series in almost every respect. Fans will love this game and many more may succumb to its charm.

This game is too hard for little gamers to earn their platformer wings, and too annoying for the rest of us, who will have seen all the worthwhile bits before, to grace with our time.

Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors attempts to improve on the formula established in the first game, but does not succeed; instead it feels almost exactly like the first game, but better looking.

An enjoyable enough experience, but is perhaps too reminiscent of the "Medal Of Honor series."

A device for mental torture. And even the most diehard fans of the series would have to be truly blinkered to believe that this game was worthy of the licence. Put simply, it's nothing but a travesty.

While other games have moved onwards and upwards ("Ratchet & Clank", "Jak" etc), Miss Rayne is treading water.

Quibbles aside, Gamestyle would be hard-pressed to name a better RPG it has experienced on the current crop of consoles.

Phantagram has gone for sheer strength of numbers, which means draw distance and animations have suffered. Not a major loss, but it does diminish the high-gloss presentation.

With fast paced, realistic players, FIFA delivers a more enjoyable experience than previous entries in the long running series.

The words 'a mixed bag' tell you everything you need to know about Midway Arcade Treasures 2. For every classic like "Mortal Kombat" there's a travesty like "Pit Fighter" - so this one can only be recommended for the purists.

The learning curve is well judged, and, due to its charm, should appeal to a wide variety of Nintendo gamers, but in the world of video games at the moment that is, sadly, a minority.

Convincing voice-acting and a humorous (if puerile) script cannot do enough to disguise the fact that this is an utterly vacuous game.

A brilliant attempt at creating a completely engaging and interactive 'living' world. It is clear that an awful lot of care and attention has gone into sweating the details.

Imaginative and meticulously-produced, but its flaws are too numerous to recommend over superior pinball titles. For a first-party Nintendo release, this is a poor showing indeed.

Full completion of the game takes time, and whilst there are some nice extras on the DVD to unlock, you can't get around the fact that it's time that could be spent doing something far, far better.

Sitting uncomfortably between "Rallisport Challenge 2" and "Richard Burns Rally," in terms of visuals, game length and handling integrity, Colin McRae 05 is too fussy to be an arcade game yet far too simplistic to be classed as a true simulator.

Yet again the Shadow Hearts series delivers, and really you’d be a fool not to try out this original and captivating series. As for now this is the finest RPG on the Playstation 2.

The range of songs is highly impressive, despite being covers rather than the original songs.

If Gamestyle can offer any reason for playing Headhunter: Redemption then it can only be for the story and satisfaction of overcoming the above design and difficulty issues.

There is an addictive quality to Monster Hunter as you push your character to new levels and wonderful weaponry. Yet it relies too much on management of items and combinations that take up more time than the quests themselves.

Shame then that the actual game itself does not contain much inspiration to match the source material.

Yet the beauty of Katamari Damacy comes not from fighting, exploration or trading, but from rolling a ball (known as a katamari) that captures anything within its path. A brilliantly simple idea, and one that's perfectly executed.

Both parts of the game are excellent, highly addictive and original, and if you’re looking for a different kind of game (albeit a slightly annoying one at times) or you just want an entertaining, well-constructed experience, Second Sight demands your attention.

It lacks the vital spark to set it apart from others already on the shelf. And, despite the best efforts of its marketing gurus, Blood Will Tell looks set to remain indistinguishable at retail; no doubt inviting but ultimately middling.

There's absolutely no question as to the somewhat obfuscated way in which the learning curve charts itself. Still, when you finally do get to grips with the controls, there's the subtle and atmospheric visuals, a Richard Jacques score and genuinely thrilling narrative to commend it.

An exceptionally balanced game. FRD have managed to combine elements of pretty much every third person action game without it ever feeling contrived or forced, and they've selected all the best bits (stealthy kills, plenty of weapons, good storyline) and discarded those ideas that didn't work in other games (no camera control, steep learning curve).

While it may not stand up to the 'Final Fantasies' of the genre it's still worth considering - especially if you're after a quick RPG fix before the next big release.

It is the very definition of average. There are some nice ideas lurking within and if they had been implemented better then the title could have been far more enjoyable.

As an experience, as well as a smartly-written and smartly-presented game, A Dog's Life is a great example of off-beat European software. Gamestyle greatly enjoyed being Jake for a while, and hopes that more imaginative titles will come around.

Doesn’t do anything to attract new followers to the genre; it knows its market and is more than likely content with its piece of the pie. Those who love such themed releases will be satisfied with Gradius, but some of us wanted more, or at least a new plateau in shooters.

Where has all the publicised “groundbreaking” technology gone – into the hills for safety? For all the size there is really only one route through each mission, as each goal offers the only save checkpoint; and these (as you soon learn) are too far apart.

It’ll challenge you to the point of frustration but is saved by that just-one-more-go factor, and like a lot of music albums it is sometimes left wanting in the middle but starts and ends well. It’s above average, but falls short of greatness.

Just remember, Fable is not "Project Ego." What it is, though, is a redefinition for RPG's. It takes out all the frustrating elements of the genre, and instead puts in a heap of fun options and possibilities. This is why; despite its disappointing conclusion, Fable is one of the most gripping and enjoyable games that has come to grace the console scene.

Racing games have now changed forever, and entirely for the better - for that there can be no higher recommendation. It's that good.

A game you have to play through at your own pace; there are so many things you can do that are optional it is a title that personifies the idea that the more you put in the more you will get out.

Ultimately, this is an enjoyable and involving game, marred by an unhelpful interface and over-complicated controls. There’s a decent game hiding in there somewhere - if you’re willing to persevere.

For some it will become too repetitive, as you can only shoot down so many opponents or destroy so many targets before it all becomes a little boring.

The laziness of the enemies, repetitive combat and ridiculous slowdown are all against it; but the clever storytelling, great boss fights, high-quality presentation and rock-hard challenge ensure this is a step above a lazy, licensed game.

Regardless of the strong visuals and design, Ghosthunter only feels like a half-hearted attempt, and a flawed one at that.

There's not a huge amount that's actually new in the singleplayer game but for those on Live it's an absolute must have. All your Friends will have it and be talking about the game and the new levels, so you'll simply be missing out if you don't get involved.

Confounding Factor certainly bit off more than it could chew, and set itself too high a challenge, but what we have here is a wonderful failure.

Along with "Army Men Tactics" its certainly one of the better releases in the series. Admittedly, this for some (including Gamestyle) is not saying much at all, but more than anything it shows that with a little more thought, development and invention these green men could be so much more.

A decent attempt at an atmospheric horror, with a slant towards puzzles. It’s refreshing not being able to carry a weapon or worry about herbs and such like, but those expecting who prefer such additions should avoid this release.

If Ham Ham Games had a stronger RPG element (a Mario Golf GBA level of involvement would have been fine) and the ability to record high scores by name (it just saves the score, not the scorer) and it would have scored a point or two higher.

A little less presentation and a lot more effort on the game experience itself would have saved this cat at least some of its nine lives.

Surprisingly absorbing once you have mastered the intricacies of the game, this is a fine release, at a bargain price.

Think of Sudeki as a trip to the Renaissance faire with your crystal loving anime fan friend from the new age bookstore. You can choose to either drink in the experience, enjoy it for what it is and not scratch too deep; or you can over analyze it, shatter the illusion and trudge around miserable all day.

A few less than spectacular extra features complete the package. Worth mention only for reference these include annoying celebrity matches, and a frustrating ESPN 25th anniversary mode, where the top 25 plays in football are reenacted by the player.

For some experienced Madden and NCAA players there is little challenge (or reason to sustain a long career with a small college team) due to an AI that at times is lacking. However, the commentary (when it does occur) is well handled.

It doesn't quite reach the lofty heights that the likes of "Goldeneye" and "Bladerunner" achieved as film/game tie-ins, but what Spider-man 2 does is create one of the best super-hero games of all time.

The Dolby Digital soundtrack is somewhat disappointing, as despite having utilised many elements from the film it lacks the power and punch one could have hoped for – even the city sounds a little too quiet at times.

With a little practice you can create a decent remix in under half an hour, although an original song will take longer to create. But you won't notice the time because with MMG3 each moment will be a labour of love.

Gamestyle found itself continually muttering "one more round" despite having completed our fifth one in a row. If it can make golf interesting, it must be doing something right.

The highlight of the extras would have to be the two hidden games, Mega Man The Power Battles and Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters, both of which are quite entertaining to play (especially with a friend) but are only really enjoyable in short bursts.

It isn't the technical worries that will disappoint fans of the series (after all, we're used to that sort of thing by now), rather the glaring gameplay inadequacies that utterly destroy most of the main game and cripple the extra modes.

A game that screams "missed opportunity". This is a flawed and lazy port of a great game.

Those who enjoyed the original will again lap up everything this has to offer, but the unconverted will remain as such.

There is much to saviour and overcome for the discerning player, but for others be wary, as this release does not take prisoners.

The length may be an issue to some, but while it lasts The Mindgate Conspiracy is immensely enjoyable, and in retrospect ideally pitched.

Hardcore S-RPG fans looking for their next fix will enjoy this title.

Everything else is just as you'd expect from the blue blur's 2D exploits; dynamic momentum and solid-but-clunky feedback making for a satisfying game regardless.

It is a joy in singleplayer and borderline heavenly in multiplayer; the challenge is set just right; the puzzles are set just right; even everything from the box art, the feel and most importantly the playing is just right.

It's a shame that the [movie] actors did not assume the speaking parts, but there's always a next time.

Full Spectrum Warrior ultimately delivers the most realistic console experience of war.

Ironically this effort to strengthen the plot has the exact opposite effect, diluting its focus.

Gamestyle recommends this game to anyone seeking a violent, explosive extravaganza of gaming mayhem. Don't expect it to last forever, though.

The AI is symptomatic of a larger malaise which envelops the game and hems in the player.

It tries to be Mario platforming crossed with all the goodness of lemmings but really it ends up showing only glimpses of the brilliance of each.

Funny, challenging and at times addictive.

So in effect the new setting, period and additions to the game have made little difference.

A short simple action filled blast. The camera is annoying at times, and it becomes a trifle unoriginal, but if you enjoyed the film (on the assumption of course that you didn’t expect it to be great) then you’ll feel the same way about the game.

Feels like an add-on pack which has been stretched too thin between the cracks of a cracking good yarn (see: "Disgaea").

Double bastard-woo with hot custard on top (and those who allege otherwise are suffering from cranio-rectal inversions).

We’re saddened to break the news to all those fans of Sydney Bristow that, taken purely on its gaming merits, Alias is stunningly average at best. At times it does manage to break above tedium with some interesting gadgets.

It works so well EA may have just have spoiled the chances of any other boxing title that harks back to the simpler time of button pressing to throw out your uppercuts and jabs.

It is easy to see that the gap between Playstation 2 and Xbox is beginning to stretch. Rainbow Six 3 is a solid game, but in this shape and form a sense of disappointment is hard to avoid.

The defining aspect of FFXI is the huge amount of time that is required to play the game. Couple that with the fact it is dangerously addictive and soon enough you will find yourself firmly ensconced in your chair not wanting to leave to do anything else.

Yet the only reason to buy this (unfortunately) is the X-Files license, and because of the strong scripting (and characters) these are the only redeeming qualities in the cold light of day.

At the bargain price it is hard to fault Ghost Recon Jungle Storm because, for the money, it delivers across the board; and the additional missions are welcome. Those waiting for notable improvements will just have to be patient for "Ghost Recon 2."

Interesting diversion. Yet for all this novelty, one realises that the linearity and the lack of player freedom (and opportunities) really puts a dampener on what could have been something gloriously different.

There's not much here to renew interest for old fans (save the most dedicated), but for everyone else prepare to be amazed - Solid Snake is back!

Without doubt the worst Mega Man game ever created. It lacks fun, lacks skill and it lacks substance, and will have you hooked for all of 10 minutes.

The strong story spans ninety levels and offers plenty beyond the main story. Make no mistake, Drakengard is not groundbreaking, but coming from Square-Enix it’s a welcome piece of variety, and a fine game as well.

Although nothing special or notable for original ideas, this is how a licensed game should be done. If you’re a fan, God-forbid, you might just like it. Kudos to Artificial Mind & Motion.