The strongest, most-polished game in the series, but it is definitely a sequel.

If you play only one FPS this year, it will probably be "Quake 3," but if you play two FPS games this year, give Unreal Tournament a try.

Guess what. It's a damn fine game.

Complex and simple at the same time, MechWarrior 4 reaches a Zen-like balance between simulation and pure fun.

Unless gamers are intimidated by the sheer chaos of Power Stone 2, this is likely to become one of the premiere party games for the Dreamcast.

Along with the frenetic gameplay, Spawn: In the Demon's Hand conjures up a deliciously wicked bevy of visuals for the owner's viewing pleasure.

Winning Ring of Red could take nearly as long as quashing a real world war, but hey, at least it's a nuclear blast all the way up to that pesky peace declaration.

I count myself somewhere in the middle, acknowledging the innovations of Oni while also being aware of its inherent flaws.

Solid graphics, fast and furious gameplay, and awesome online multiplayer battles make this an arcade racing title that should not be overlooked.

The controls take some getting used to and the AI can be infuriating, but, it's still an insanely addictive game. It's one of those titles that'll have you storming out of the room swearing that you'll never play it again, only to find yourself back in front of the screen, Dual Shock in hand, half an hour later.

Each level is dissected by terrifically cheesy HOD-style cinema screens that supposedly advance the plot, but in reality make you scratch your head and go, "Wha'? Well, it looks good...."

The multiplayer elements may need some fine-tuning and additional features, but the game is still a literal blast to play.

The series gets better every year, and now it seems to be just a few minor tweaks away from perfection.

The lack of mouse support is both shocking and somewhat unforgivable... (yet) EMI will provide hours of intelligent and silly gameplay.

If you're tired of the same old shoot-this-guard, find-this-key, flip-this-switch gameplay, give "MDK2" a shot -- you won't be disappointed.

In terms of options, "Blitz 2000" rests on its laurels, though a four-player simultaneous mode may be enough for die-hards to pick this one up.

It's always nice to see a license stretch its wings succesfully.

Even with its shortcomings, it's a fun fantasy romp with plenty of hacking, slashing, and casting.

If you're looking for something new, if you're looking for groundbreaking gameplay, you won't find it here. What you will find is a very solid game engine, with fantastic multiplayer support, and nice units and technologies to choose from.

Like fine wine or stinky cheese, Ms. Pac-Man just gets better and better as time goes by.

The only drawback to the graphics would be the lack of a rotatable battlefield, as it is sometimes hard to figure out where you can and cannot go in cramped quarters, canyons and towns.

Well equipped to attract a large following among network players with its elegant controls and dazzling graphics.

Infinitely replayable, as random encounters are a part of the game, and no one will find all the secrets the first time through.

The major problems were addressed, the graphics were improved, and additional gameplay modes were added. What more could you ask for?

Though city-building strategy is a niche genre that has never been my favorite, it's fair to say that ZMO is the most fun I've had in quite a while.

You’ll find the gameplay tight, intense, suspenseful, and unique. It has already stolen my heart, take a risk and don’t overlook it, it may steal yours as well.

Cool, complex, and full of action, Earth 2150 extends the tradition of classic sci-fi RTS warfare with a few new twists.

While the task of rebuilding the village is fantastically addictive, the repetitive gameplay is a bore.

The game delivers all the options and play modes you could possibly ask for, a rock-solid control scheme, and of course, EA Sports' unmatched presentation value and signature high-flying action.

Rayman is more like "MYST" -- a beautiful journey where nothing much is required of you, and nothing much really happens. And with the sun shining, the waterfalls sparkling, the magic mushrooms making pyramids, and a tummy full of Lums, that's just a pretty peachy place to be.

Blends disco inferno sensibilities with technological prowess into one magically delicious cocktail, which goes down easy and is every bit as intoxicating as the type of brew it takes to get your antisocial ass out on a real-world dance floor.

The graphics aren't quite up to par, but the game makes up for it with tons of innovative and enjoyable missions, excellent physics, and enough planes and customization options to please even the most demanding flight-simulation fans.

The camera provides a third-person view, and although you can adjust the angles and the depth, it's definitely confusing, and not ideal for battle or discovery.

The pace of the action is generally heart pounding, and that's a good thing. On the down side, the missions are either too short or too initially implausible.

Where else can you see Deion Sanders put a hit on somebody? Certainly not at a Redskins game.

The collision physics make flipping pedestrians over your car seem realistic, as well as barbarically satisfying.

While the camera problem cannot simply be swept under the rug, it doesn't destroy the game's overall playability and replayability (getting the Symbiote Spidey outfit is a blast).

The incredible visuals help this title to stand on equal ground with the rest of the FPSs.

Although Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix suffers from minor control problems, the amusing and entertaining storyline, as well as the impressive graphics, made me want to come back for more.

If you don't dig a traditional RPG structure, this is going to bore you to tears. But for a strong storyline in a non-traditional setting, Planescape is well worth the money.

This game is excellent, although its predictable and simple story combined with average character designs and dialogue prevent if from becoming an instant classic.

The added bonuses in gameplay, such as critical hits and non-linear play, are what make this game definitely worth checking out. So get out your dancing shoes, and start slashing to the beat.

The other PS2 baseball games better quake in their cleats. High Heat is as superb a gameplay experience as it is ugly.

There is only one major criterion System Shock 2 fails to hit. Graphically, it isn't so special.

Forget what you think you know about the oval-track monotony and unbreakable silliness of console racing games; Jarrett and Labonte obviously did before attaching their names to this wonderful, visceral racer, and we're all better off for it.

Thankfully, Capcom, the king of coin-op fighters, seems to have few reservations about taking what are essentially change magnets and bringing them home intact for the low, low price of $49.99 (or roughly 100 plays).

It's extremely satisfying to take the U.S. to the World Cup finals (hey, a guy can dream, can't he?), Arsenal to the top of the English Premiere League, or simply play out bitter rivalries like Celtic vs. Rangers, or heck, Chicago Fire versus Deportivo la Coruna...could happen....

One of the most visually stunning games for the deuce. This, coupled with engrossing arcade gameplay, kept me coming back for more. It's a must-have for your PS2 library.

Upping the slob factor, you can now select "slacker" as an occupation, lower the neatness factor, and voila! Suddenly you've got your own Richard Linklater movie.

The only real problem here is that the game still plays a bit too fast.

As with all M&M games, the sound effects are my favorite. Each town and feature on the map has its own song or sound, and the richness and variety is impressive.

This story is addictive, the gameplay is exciting, and make no mistake about it: Ogre Battle 64 is a role-playing game of no small merit.

"Air Combat" isn't going to win any awards, but you'll be too busy busting caps at the tan army to even care.

More scenarios, more themes, more shops, more fun.

Fun LAN action, in-depth single player games filled with secrets, and a completely original look and feel all create an arcade racer that is a step above most of the bland racers on the market.

Captures the look and feel of Donald Duck's universe impeccably, and delivers a solid, fun, gorgeous platform romp the way folks like it--with style.

Fantastic and beautiful third-person action among three races, with a wonderful sense of humor.

A spectacular arcade-style racing game with pretensions to realism that fall far short of other driving sims on the market. The unrealistic aspects of the game, however, are far overshadowed by an incredible presentation and visual touches galore.

Even if it doesn't offer the most innovative gameplay, you're still guaranteed hours of mayhem-filled fun.

The fact that you get sent back to the original load screen every time our friend Samanoske meets his untimely death is unforgivable, but it's not something that should keep you away from an otherwise first-class game.

One of the nicest PSX games to be released in recent months, featuring great graphics, sound, gameplay, and an engaging storyline with vivid characters.

Jack has always been about graphical fun, irreverence, and sarcastic humor. And this one is no exception.

The game has an ironic weakness, however. It is too much like Mario in some respects and not enough in others. The premise and underlying tasks are just too familiar to allow Banjo-Kazooie its own identity.

The actual driving controls and physics in the game are great except for one thing. The analog steering controls are very jerky.

This new release is not to be overlooked as an excellent continuation of a classic and fun series.

Fun as hell to play.

The graphics are superb. Rather than attempt to hypnotize you with psychedelic patterns of bullets, this game has a slower pace that actually allows you to take in your surroundings, an apparent breakthrough when put up against other recent shooters. The backdrops are luscious and feature textures so detailed that you probably don't have enough rods and cones in your eyes to appreciate them.

It's an addictive game that'll have you hacking away at brigands, toad men, evil priests, and even the occasional minor gaming bug.

The construction sounds and repetitive voice samples may get on your nerves after a while, but this is a minor shortcoming.

Sure, FOTD is a blatant "me too" AOE clone with a few new additions and a different cultural angle, but it's also an addictive diversion that'll keep you glued to the PC for hours on end.

Next time, the developers should do something about the voice acting and maybe add a more intuitive real-time mouse-swing system, and then we'd have an undisputed champion.

Much like Nell Carter's thighs, the courses are large and in charge.

Visually stunning with tons of detail, an extreme amount of firepower, and beautifully violent deaths.

It's still a very good game once you learn to live with its shortcomings, and I wouldn't suggest that any THPS addict shy away from buying it, but don't expect THPS on two wheels.

It has all the features and tweaks of games costing twice as much, a terrific physics engine, and a thoroughly enjoyable career mode that is sure to keep you busy for quite some time.

Think of it as falling in between "Ridge Racer" and Gran "Turismo." If you are a car fanatic who would rather spend $1,000 on nice rims than pay off a student loan, this might be the racer for you.

Even with its flaws, Summoner stands out as the best RPG available for PS2 this year.

If you're an RTS fan who never got a chance to check out "StarCraft" on your PC, then you should definitely give it a whirl. If you've already conquered the universe, there ain't no reason to do it on your N64.

A solid game for those who are looking for something fun and different, and it's not as complicated as Konami's "Dance Dance Revolution."

The storyline is immediately absorbing, and is a nice break from the typical run 'n' gun first-person shooter.

Although Sega GT does indeed look awesome -- better than any PlayStation game could possibly look -- it's nowhere near pushing the envelope of the hardware capabilities the way "Gran Turismo" does on the PSX.

It came as quite a surprise to me when Rush 2049 was not only a blast to play, but offered up an impressive amount of replay value as well.

Poor and rich people alike have no excuse to look elsewhere for a sensible purchase.

While this magnificently dumb galoot blatantly treads on common ground, it leaves a lasting trail of wreckage that gamers will happily follow.

If the storyline were simplified, the objectives more clearly stated, and the technical glitches ironed out, then this game would be an absolute classic.

This swan song for the Earth 21XX series almost knocks itself out of orbit by cramming more content into one small package than the average encyclopedia.

A brilliant lesson in game making as well as in history--and like history, it repeats itself again and again and again.

Make weapons out of trash! (Disclaimer: probably not advisable as a real-life hobby.)

The adrenaline-inducing arcade action makes up for the game's flaws.

While it may not be perfect, it does a damn good job, and sure as hell gets you interested in the Yamaha line of products.

A revolutionary title, but terrible AI holds it back from being one of the best games of the year.

The bottom line is that this game has everything a fan could want, except of course, that it's full of courses and players that most Americans have never heard of.

From start to finish, the game is a non-stop blast-a-thon. If you're a fan of the genre, you won't be disappointed.

When a football game's biggest problem involves the kicking game, you know you have a winner on your hands.

It's easy to pick up and play, but with all the planes and adjustments at your disposal, don't expect to master this one anytime soon.

The sound effects are very well done, but the senseless and endless chatter from your colleagues is distracting and unwanted, and the music score could have been much better and less monotonous.

This game managed to capture the feel of those rat-tailed days, without putting my older and fatter body at risk.

This is a tremendous one-player shooter with a level of intensity and suspense that reminds me of when super-graphic gaming was a brand-new thing.