Forgoes the spunk of its predecessor in a vain attempt to update and build a franchise, and brings mediocrity to an all time record by managing to be absolutely average in every aspect except plot—where it manages to be different and be dismal.

Along with the recently released "Shadowhearts," Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is a breath of fresh air. It has a unique premise, great game play, and high production values. Then there is the gripping storyline, the most important part of any RPG.

Forgoes the spunk of its predecessor in a vain attempt to update and build a franchise, and brings mediocrity to an all time record by managing to be absolutely average in every aspect except plot-where it manages to be different and be dismal.

Laid back and all encompassing arcade action it may not be (yet), but it is obviously striving to reach those player accessible goals—while not abandoning its nurtured and honed simulation attributes in the hopes of becoming the perfect soccer experience.

All the versions of this game are great, and now the GameCube version is not the ugly duckling like in other years. Now GC owners have a great soccer game to add to their library, and overall one of the most fun and popular sports games around.

Most players will be happy to know that all the games' control schemes are mapped out pretty well on the Xbox's controller.

It isn't exactly revolutionary, but there are some key moments in the game that just had me grinning from ear to ear.

It’s a highly recommended compilation for old timers (myself included), but maybe newbies will not appreciate the games as much.

Heck, I could have watched 12 hours of The Weather Channel and had more fun and seen better graphics. The real downer is that the only segment of the war left for a third game is Dana Sterling’s story, known the world over to be the most melodramatic and least exciting chunk of the Robotech mythos.

Perhaps the single greatest addition to Deception is the revolutionary online versus mode. So far the servers are amazingly free of lag, which would all but kill this timing-sensitive game.

Despite its shortcomings, THUG 2 offers no shortage of content and anyone who’s ever fallen off of a board will keep coming back for more.

A very boring game. There is not enough substance on each game board. Trying to take the pinball video game genre in a different direction is a noble step, but at the same time, you cannot remove things that define pinball games and make them fun.

The only positive aspect for those that have played the game, and feel the same as I do, is that Neversoft has officially announced that their next installment will go in a new direction with hopes of revitalizing the franchise.

Pales in the face of the competition. There is very little to unlock, XBox Live play is merely functional and lacks features, and there are very few extras.

I really like how the different characters are voiced, and the individual casting is spot on.

Not only is it the best RPG I’ve played this year; it is a serious contender for Game of the Year in my opinion.

The replay value on offer in Shark Tale is very low. Once you pass through the entire game you probably won’t want to go back and experience it again, unless you’re a fanatic follower of the movie.

Yourself!Fitness is definitely treading uncharted territory as a fitness game that primarily targets a female audience. responDesign's goal is to develop "Games that are good for you" and they've succeeded here. Those gamers yearning for something different and who are not afraid of breaking a sweat should grab Yourself!Fitness and get physical.

The quirky sounds you can add to your bongos are a humorous touch and should be good for a few laughs.

Primarily for hardcore strategy fans but, thanks to the great tutorial, it's still accessible enough for the casual gamer interested in delving further into the world of armchair generals. The game play is steeped in depth and can sometimes be overwhelming, but that’s a good feature—trust me.

Super hero games have a particularly bad reputation among most gamers. For every rare decent licensed game there are always a slew along the lines of the abysmal Aquaman Now that I’ve succeeded in sending shivers down your spine, I am pleased to announce that X-Men Legends most definitely does not suck.

Rather than feeling built, Katamari Damacy presents itself as crafted, as though all of the design team members felt a deep personal attachment to the title.

It's a nice title with a good story, especially for GameCube owners who have played the limited number of outstanding games the Cube has to offer and might be looking for what else is out there.

A visually stunning game that will keep many Star Wars fans happy for many hours. My biggest complaint is that once you’re not in the various crafts the game can be a little boring and you find yourself dreaming the AT-ATS.

Star Wars: Battlefront IS a network multiplayer game—you perhaps shouldn't expect it to be anything else.

EA Big did more than just nip-and-tuck with the sequel, creating a deeper and more satisfying experience. The improved graphics, hefty roster of fighters and unlockables, and involving game play mask the frustrating flaws found within.

Its tight controls, unique economic system, and challenging enemy AI make Dawn of War an RTS experience that will redefine the genre. Plus, there is still so much additional 40,000 back-story that this game didn’t even touch on that the potential for unique and interesting add-ons is simply mind-boggling.

The replay value can be summed up in one word: Multiplayer. This is where Tiger Woods 2005 truly shines. Two great golfing players will have matches go down to one mistake, or one lucky shot, which will add to the tension and the desire to do better.