Long on ideas but well short on design and execution -- a game that for the most part looks as good as originally promised, but with some shoddy controls that almost ruin the experience.

Deceptively deep, this is the new blueprint for action RPGs and one of the last must-haves for the N64.

No big surprises here, from level design to weapon selection. A complete retread of yesteryear's game play.

There's no better platform game available for the PS2.

It's just that Bungie was obviously trying for an ambitiously epic, innovative game with a distinct style and a hip, futuristic plot, and almost none of those new and unique elements work well.

The PS2's version of "Vanishing Point." Floaty, slow control, graphics that shine in some ways but fall a bit flat in others, gameplay that doesn't last very long and feels more like work than fun most of the time.

The best online game on the Dreamcast and will likely keep you awake for days straight.

Its anime influences also feel forced and plagiaristic. Overall, this is one of the bigger disappointments this year.

If video games were breakfast cereal, Darkstone lurks below Malt-O-Meal.

A strangely cool and addictive game. But we have to take a point off for what is sure to be a limited appeal.

Slowly becoming the Utah Jazz of console sports franchises -- produces enough so that you can't ignore it, but possesses neither the flash nor the innovation to beat the younger competition in the ratings game.

The kudos system, overall structure, and addictive qualities of this game easily transcend any minor flaws.

It's certainly not the worst kart racer out there. But this isn't supposed to be a kart racer, this is supposed to be an RC racer -- it's there right in the title. And at that, the game fails pretty miserably.

With a lot of exploring and mostly the same old shooting technique as before, Mega Man qualifies as a run-of-the-mill action RPG. Fans of the man will enjoy it.

If cars really behaved like those in VP, the carnage on our nation's highways would immediately result in a national speed limit of 15 to deter the sort of fish-tailing, wildly over-steering behavior exhibited in this game.

A better-than-average motorcycle simulation, with a deep career mode and satisfying racing action.

This is one of those quirky, indefinable puzzle games that you have to play to understand. Novice players will immediately be hooked, while experienced puzzle fans may find that this wet Tetris is too easy.

A very intricate, engrossing, and abnormal RPG. If you like things a tad on the bizarre side, Persona: Eternal Punishment is right up your alley. People who should stay away from Persona 2 are novice players.

A bitter pill to swallow. Still, you could waste an afternoon or two on this and still find yourself fairly amazed with some of the puzzle elements, the hunt for horror exploration aspect, and all the chainsaw-ripping, zombie-blasting gore.

A relatively solid, if unspectacular, first effort for the F1 Championship series on the PS2 that plays pretty realistically. On the other hand, there's nothing here that a casual racing fan would find immediately compelling.

If you're into complete and total destruction (a la "Blast Corps" for the Nintendo 64), then you'll have a hell of a time with Thunder Tanks. It will blow you away.

It's a worthy successor to Rogue Squadron, with a great branching storyline, reachable objectives, and great graphics and sound.

Absolute magic for veterans, still won't raise an eyebrow for the uninitiated.

If you get past the controls, you'll be rewarded with a fun, thoughtful adventure.

It's inexplicable, but definite -- Goin Qu@ckers is a lot of fun. Give it a chance before you decide it's too young for you.

While it has its share of shortcomings, March Madness 2001 packs enough variety and fun to make it the champion of Playstation basketball.

The best RPG's, though, tell a compelling story, provide plenty of exploration, and let you mix it up with fun, addictive battles. On those counts, Grandia II is a rousing success.

If you're new to the series, this is arguably the best Resident Evil game ever made.