The move to third-person is bold and different, but in order for it to succeed an effective auto-targeting system is essential; unfortunately, the lock-on provided is patchy at best - and just as likely to target the guy at the back over the guy who is inches away from ramming an Uzi up your rectum. Compounding the problem is the relative uselessness of shooting when not using the lock-on.

While the result stumbles just short of enshrinement as a legend, the defining bar has been raised, again.

If you have the yearning, however, it may be advisable to seek out another of Sega's recent offerings - the lavishly-presented, highly-atmospheric originality of "Otogi."

It's the kind of game that makes Gamestyle thumb its nose at the third dimension... collectively question the latter-day wisdom for 'bigger and better' experiences. Metroid: Zero Mission may be relatively small, but it's perfectly formed.

While obviously lacking in the story department, neither the single nor multiplayer modes really capture the Final Fantasy zeitgeist, instead having more in common with action-adventure titles like Gauntlet or Zelda. [Import]

The definitive version of an all-time classic. There is nothing else that could have been added to make this title feel any more complete or (pardon the pun) ‘Final’.

There is definitely the potential for a very good game here, unfortunately it is hidden well by the many bugs and annoyances.

Make no mistake: within moments of the disk-tray closing, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II weaves an intoxicating spell that compresses hours into minutes with shocking efficiency. A most pleasurable enthralment blinds the eyes to any shortcomings for a time, but with each successive break from play the cracks begin to form.

We get the feeling that this is more of a late cash-in than an attempt to bring innovation and enjoyable gaming to the modern pre-nuclear holocaust (and mercifully Radscorpion-free) world.

Fighting really isn't Sonic's strength - at least not with regard to good gameplay. He needs to be kept on his feet - a balled blur of blue - not flat on his face.

But with this much constant repetition, sloppy enemy and level designs, artificially-prescribed deaths, lack of bonus GBA-connectivity and even some glitchy overlapping voice samples, it's really a matter of how much the player is prepared to tolerate.

The voice-acting meanwhile features a variety of accents and the sound effects adequately portray the stark reality of a strange world.

Despite a few niggling problems Max had lost none of his charm and this title comes highly recommended to both Payne and shoot'em up fans a like.

Some people might like its micromanagement approach, whereas others will find it very tedious.

Beyond the genre mainstays, BG&E further delivers through its intuitive interface.

Much improvement will be needed to prevent it from following in the path of many a flightless bird...namely, into oblivion. In the meantime, place R: Racing Evolution on the "endangered species" list.

Whilst it may lack innovation and the mediocre graphics could put off a few punters, Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma offers up a competent, decent and all-round enjoyable stealth package (even if it does so at the expense of others).

Gamestyle seriously can't imagine anyone NOT having a good time with the game; the story is strong, scripting is well-done, characters are likable and the humour is abundant and at times very sarcastic.

As incredibly ambitious and well-plotted the execution, Deus Ex: Invisible War falls slightly short of towering. If only those crash bugs and loading times were near-invisible, we'd be unapologetically, opaquely positive in our praise.

Enough cutscene and Land Shark buffoonery accompanies their jaunt across Milola to cover the price of (one's) tagging along. Strip them away and the barenaked shooter still plays better than most. That it somehow feels disappointingly ordinary only serves to confirm the creative genius evident in the rest of the 'designer' garb.

We can't recommend this game enough. If it's an adrenalin rush you're after, then 1080° Avalanche could be the snowboarding rush you've dreamed of. From Nintendo, with Love.

Kintaro's Revenge is a highly likable and fun game that adds something extra to the template of the forgotten genre, the sideways scrolling beat 'em up.

On the first run through, chances are you'll encounter the end credits in a mere six, possibly seven, hours. Fortunately however, this shortlived interlude will be one of the most enjoyable of your gaming life.

Beneath the gore and gritty urban realism is a well-designed and challenging game. Killing is never meant to be fun, but in Manhunt there is a sick satisfaction to be gleaned from each and every kill.

After learning the control regimen, it only takes a few adjustments to drive each model with aplomb - all the way up through the mighty 660-horsepowered Enzo (albeit one that appears to have Colin McRae at the wheel).

Pretenders and rivals to the throne take note: a new standard by which all adventures shall be measured has been set. And it doesn't include a big set of 'guns'.

Less endearing is the proliferation of 'bleeped' language.

Two steps removed from the CCG it seeks to emulate, and is unlikely to appeal to anyone but Magic aficionados - and even then it has so cruelly crushed the freedom and essence of the licence that players of 'chess with cards' cannot help but shun it.

XIII may not 'revolutionise' the genre, but it certainly tips its hat to some revolutionary (FPS) elements, including the platformesque addition of the grapnel and...an obeisance to singing soldiers.

Casual flight fans will find lots to love here, but true flight jockeys will crash and burn in despair.

An unusually brilliant release, which (for once) didn't see the light of day on the SNES. This makes it all the more essential, either for those with strong RPG preferences, or for anyone who might not have previously been 'into' them.

A competent racer with stacks of available customisation and stacks of replay value, even without any online features. The multiplayer is solid, there’s a lot to do in single player, and you'll feel totally fashionable playing it.

Nicely presented (and there are no load times at all), it's packed with pure playability and has enough 'whimsical' substance to last just as long as the others. Fans of the previous games will relish the new challenges on offer, and anyone new to the series will no doubt have a whale of a time in multiplayer alone.

As long as you (and your Live friends) know the rules of engagement, Rainbow Six 3 is a rewarding game with a lot of tactical depth lurking beneath the incredible sights and sounds.

Those expecting something off the 'top shelf' of classic game experiences need not apply. Unfortunately.

There is nothing ultimately redeeming about Medal of Honor: Rising Sun - because ultimately it marks the lowest point in the series.

Without question, Ratchet & Clank 2: Locked and Loaded surpasses "Mario Sunshine" as the best 'platform genre-specific' offering of the current generation.

This isn't a bad game but in comparison to the heavyweights of the genre it just doesn't offer enough. An interesting diversion then, but one that probably won't last you for very long.

The worst issue, however, is the handling - akin to pushing a shopping trolley with one wheel locked, the cars in Group S are just about as twitchy as they can be.

Visually, each course is stunning and finished with sublime attention to detail - even during online play. Nothing has been omitted; trees, luscious environments and realtime shadows simply enhance the addictive gameplay.

It is one of the finest 3D games ever produced; nay crafted. At last, this is the 'third place'... this truly is the third dimension. History has just been rewritten.

There is nothing here to justify a full price game - a simple result of the boredom induced after only a few hours.

The combat system is extremely shallow, and Gamestyle can find little in depth to favourably commend it.

Single-player is great fun, but there is no depth to keep you hooked; the most fun comes from getting other people involved and so multi-player is where EyeToy becomes really special.

An average game that lacks the spirit of the sport.

The game features enough levels and unlockable extras to keep the player engrossed for a long time; so Barbie and horse fans alike - male and female, young and old - will all get something out of this.

Only the forced structure of progression and often frustrating punishments give rise to concern in an otherwise excellent game.

But undeniably, Luxoflux have delivered BIG on their biggest undertaking to date, and have thus elevated True Crime: Streets of LA to sequel-worthy status.

Gamestyle quite enjoyed taking a detour from the norm with Gladius, which stands commendably behind "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" - in genre-matching terms on the Xbox.

A remarkable achievement. Not because of an innovative control system, not thanks to superior visuals, but for one simple, overriding factor; it's fun. So much fun.

There are also issues with the questionable collision detection, which often results in your character slamming into a nearby pole that you had apparently avoided.

An extremely large turkey. And one that any Potter fan would do well to avoid, even if it means waiting a tad longer for the next "proper" game to follow Chamber of Secrets.

New match types such as the elimination chamber, and a revised control system, mean that unlike other WWE titles appearing on other formats, this one can stand up in its own right as an accomplished game - and one that people outside of its hardcore fanbase should have some fun with.

They've managed to dilute the entire essence of the extreme sports genre into a cheap, unsubtle and far too easy story-based adventure.

A change for the better - and much better than anyone could have imagined. It has the right feel, the right look, and the combat system has yet to be bettered in this genre.

But amidst all this dispensable extra substance is the core mechanic of Mario; the one thing that holds true to the series, and one thing that ensures Mario is leaps and bounds ahead of its platforming peers - inertia. The faster you run, the higher you jump. It's a brilliantly simple concept that works perfectly.

Matching the console's strengths with pick-up-and-play action, gorgeous graphics and appealing story, makes for an unqualified winner, and a title worthy of every Xbox owner's library.

It's hard to imagine how EA can possibly top this one.

If you've got "Tricky," you'll find more of the same without the clarity of the level design and structure - but if you're new to the series and just want some fast action, you'll probably love everything there is about it, so enjoy!

There are plenty of secret items, including an overly long and rather tedious "Making Of" feature, not to mention a co-op mode for you and a friend. But all of this is insignificant when the gameplay itself is rather shallow and repetitive, meaning pretty much everyone will give up before everything is unlocked.

Such issues with level design, camera foibles and other miscellanies were surely highlighted during testing. It is unfortunate that these were either downgraded or deliberately overlooked, but the damage to the series is momentous.

It’s undoubtedly a bold (if not brazen) attempt to entertain, and while Gamestyle found itself striving to collect every last item from the first title, it is hard to see the same happening with this one. Which leaves its technical achievements looking rather muted.

Try hitting your head against a brick wall for about half an hour instead.

A small problem that shows itself from time to time is that Gromit is a touch slow and clumsy when executing moves; this is due to the fact one animation must be completed before allowing our hero to initiate the next.

The whole package offers a weird, unique, fun, original, stylish and difficult game which, unfortunately, can be all too hard to find these days.

Stumbles just shy of greatness.

With the return of NBA Jam comes the return of pick-up-and-play gameplay and quick, fast-paced (and exciting) basketball entertainment. However, it is also accompanied by lacklustre AI, repetitive commentary and a short lifespan.

A decent translation with much to enjoy (primarily the sport itself); as a videogame, despite its problems - but hampered with the ruck to individual control flaw - the game seems more unfair, and less sporting.

Both a surprise and a disappointment. It is nice to see a Simpsons game that is finally worth playing - unfortunately, it is only worth playing for a few hours because anything after that sends the player tailspinning into a cul-de-sac of repetition.

Shining Soul is too shallow to appeal to the turn-based RPG crowd and the combat is too tedious to appeal to action RPG fans, or indeed anyone not wanting to inflict a repetitive strain injury upon themselves.

The playability is higher than the disappointing last installment of Wipeout, thanks to the sheer speed, though there’s nothing really new here. Using different rules for races in career mode adds an extra dimension to the gameplay, yet the whole experience suffers from murky environment syndrome.

It features a huge amount of wanton fun, a massive sprawling challenge and plenty of items to collect and skills to improve. The only downside to the game is that once you’ve played for a few hours it all starts to get a little stale.

Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge answers the very question that it poses: N64 into GBA doesn't fit.

There are loading times that I wouldn’t have thought exist in this day and age, and the graphics are nothing exceptional. Dialogue is bad, the sound is bad 70’s pastiche but the guy who did the cut-scenes deserves a big fat raise.

Overall P.N.03 may not offer anything new, but the combination of old values, futuristic looks and game play has made this one of the most satisfying Gamecube releases of late. [Import]

Remarkably, for a game that is so complex, a mere four buttons or so keeps everything at your fingertips - this truly is accessible strategy.

Minor grumbles, which hardly undermine the effusive charm and proven appeal of the Disney licence(s). As a gift for hyperactive siblings, it hits the spot. As an Extreme Skate Adventure, it lacks the power of 'X'. Tony Hawk, perhaps?

For most, the graphical splendour and multi-hit combos will carry it only so far before the magic fades. From there, the appeal of several more levels of the same is greatly diminished.

The biggest let-down though is that Soul Calibur 2 feels much more like a remake than a true sequel. [Import]

Put in enough time and you will find you are able to block, sidestep, counter, throw and special move your way to an impressive amount of “perfects”, without ever reaching the ridiculous heights of some games whereby a newcomer has no chance whatsoever.

A shocking game; a turgid stinking pool of primordial ooze that would take millions of years to evolve into something that is worth using as a doorstop, let alone playing.

Perhaps one of the most addictive games Gamestyle has ever come across, Pokémon Pinball is a must for pinball and Pokémon fans alike and won't disappoint for a second.

There is enough on offer in single-player to keep you busy for weeks, and the lifespan is stretched even further thanks to the Time Trial mode.

Along with the balance issues, unrealistically high numbers of turnovers and frequent worst-moment-possible penalties shatter the illusion of simulating an NFL game.

Continues the good work of the original release, and takes full advantage of the expanding Live universe. Few games today really represent value for money, but Gamestyle is confident in stating that this release is certainly money well spent.

The third instalment offers a brilliant new focus in the series that not only heightens the goals of the games with regard to hitting the player in their psyche; it adds new dimensions of dread on top.

Gives Nintendo fans another dose of the old faithful cast and crew, with a few new[ish] faces bolstering the otherwise familiar line-up of characters.

Throw in a clutch of two-player options and you've got an entertaining offline game that will satisfy many.

An utterly superb game.

It's a luminous use of an indelible vehicle, and it deserves to be held aloft; suitably accorded the very best nomenclature in Gamestyle's vocabulary. A Ten, then.

Credit is due for the canny and accurate use of a line judge, and memorisation of the last picked team for exhibition and arcade games - and for the wonderful replays, enabling you to see all of the action. Part of that action is, naturally, some breast-juggling. We just thought you'd like to know.

An oddity, and one cannot entirely dismiss murmurings of a rush job from its topsy-turvy execution - perhaps acknowledged through the slightly reduced retail price. This is not the definitive pirate RPG that many had hoped for, but beneath the problems a game exists with an enjoyable undercurrent; just reaching it is the challenge.

Ape Escape 2 just hooked me by being just plain fun while being different and original from today’s generic platform games. Oh and it has monkeys in it.

It is a quest worth making.

A title for the fans to be sure, but anyone else seeking that graffiti buzz should look to the Dreamcast (or Xbox) to really understand, understand the concept of (Jet Set Radio) love.

A nice try at an RPG – it has a nice fresh plot that can both bore you and enthral you at the same time.

Doesn't know whether to call itself an adventure or something much deeper - underpinned with the trimmings of a simulation. This personality 'conflict' has resulted in a game that fails to match the auspicious concept.

The Stunt mode is actually criminally under-exploited with only a handful of courses to try, but with every level of the story mode featuring a grading system as well, one can easily turn familiar areas of the city into practiced and perfected courses - not too unlike the real thing then.