A game whose essence is defined by the two player mode is now made essential by the perennially available multiplayer options. Join the revolution - this is what online gaming was made for.

Episode 2 is comparatively short not only in terms of Episode 1 but in comparison to RPGs in general. Whilst its length seems well paced in terms of the combat and exploration aspects of the title, its narrative just doesn't quite do enough.

An utterly outstanding game. It is also one of the few games in existence where friends gleefully swipe said Nintendo DS hardware in order to play it, resulting in various skirmishes and the subsequent prising of gaming hardware from contorted, cold, dead hands. [JPN Import]

Without the burden of the name, it would be looked upon as an above-average mix of air and land combat; however Namco had a lot to live up to and haven't quite delivered the quality expected.

An undoubtedly flawed, but fun experience - Agrippa’s combat is enjoyable, engaging, and exhilarating, whereas Octavianus’ stealth sections offer nothing new and are fairly limited.

Without that depth though, this is an average attempt at game design that occasionally sparkles. Only occasionally though. [JPN Import]

All of this, along with an amusing and twist-laden story, delivered through beautifully choreographed FMVs and equally well-conceived in-game cutscenes, comes together in one of the most visually impressive games with some of the finest gaming moments that gamers are likely to experience during this generation of consoles.

A fun little game that transfers well to the format of the DS and gives new life and vigour to the genre by way of the touch-screen input.

It's easy to get swept up amongst the hype, but it's hard to deny this is arguably the survival horror genre's most significant landmark title since the original Resident Evil itself.

Thankfully, longevity hasn't been sacrificed for the sake of beauty: the main quest alone will take the average gamer a minimum of fifteen hours and that's without spending a single moment delving into the fabulous subquests, which will double, even triple that time...A stunning and wondrous game.

The term 'Sandbox' has been bandied around for many games on this generation's hardware, but with the aptly titled 'Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction', Pandemic have created just that - a wondrous and inspiring playground which will provide hours of entertainment.

Add in the different characters, the language options and the reliance on magic rather than weaponry; this is a chilling experience in horror gaming.

Above all, it's a game that oozes Star Wars, allowing you to role-play as an evil Sith Lord, or a righteous Jedi Knight; and it makes doing so a lot of fun. The character development is enduring and interesting.

A fantastically fun title, and is a credit to SNKP, who have managed (with considerable skill) to bring the distinctive tang of Slug to the masses. Although easier by far than its arcade brethren, at least this means the game has a chance of finding a (mass?) market ' a shrewd move by the IP's new masters.

There are no major improvements over any of the previous iterations and very little reason to pick this up for those who already own the superior "Mr Driller G" or "Mr Driller: Drill Land." Having said that, this is easily the best handheld version of the young classic. [JPN Import]

Largely missed opportunity. Those who loved the original for its setting and style will be disappointed and put off by the direction the series has taken.

A great package. A little quirky and rough around the edges, it survives on originality, genuinely funny content and an enormous challenge.

The important part is that the game is still as fun, enjoyable and challenging as it was when it first came out; everything else is icing on the three-tiered cake, with the mini-games happening to be a rather thick layer of icing at that.

The overwhelming similarity to the first will leave some with a "seen it all before" feeling and it does nothing to entice back those who have been alienated first time around. On the other hand, the game is still one of the most unique and entertaining experiences around.

It is in the depiction of conflict as a state of being where Kojima wins-out, though, with his character's movements on-screen depicting the strain, horror and (sometimes) glory of war.

It's stylish, slick, appealing and wouldn't look all that far out of place dancing itself silly in an Austin Powers film. Everything is clean, pure cut and concise.

An enchanting tapestry of stylistic design, a deep and unconventional battle system, and fifty hours-plus of rewarding game play.

Whilst none of the levels quite match up to the stunning quality that was Phendrana Drifts, it is, as a sum of its parts, wonderfully evocative as a playing experience and induces the same level, if not more, of internal satisfaction that Prime achieved.

No single level in Halo 2 is as good as The Silent Cartographer (though the second level does come close), and there are moments that are just as repetitive and lazy as The Library.

Like the game’s aiming, Killzone misses the mark by a mile. Afflicted with so many niggling problems it has ended up a shambles of game which barely delivers on any front.

Between its towering mountains and vast waters there are surprises, in-jokes and events in San Andreas to fill at least a hundred hours. Should "GTA4" be any more involving, there’ll be no one left to see how GTA5 turns out. Half of us will no longer have the jobs to afford it; the other half will be motoring back and forth in the neighbours’ stolen car, endlessly prowling for prostitutes.

AC5 ups the ante once again for console dogfight games, combining the tight, exciting gameplay and gorgeous visuals and atmosphere of AC04 with added challenge and a superb story tied together by some brilliant cinematic cutscenes.

For those willing to spend the time to discover the subtleties of the handling model, lower their record times by milliseconds, attain Triple-A standard in all the mission modes, they will find a game which will satisfy their craving for a good arcade racer for quite some time.

Whenever the player is required to utilise aerial combat within an enclosed space the camera blithely decides to exhibit erroneous behaviour, and offers no rhyme or reason as to how it can be controlled in its new form. This is utterly catastrophic for any kind of action game because it inhibits the player from interacting with the in-game environment, and means having to battle with the game system instead.

Neo Contra isn’t a terrible game; it simply fails to get the balance between running and gunning right, resting far too much emphasis on the latter. It’s fun for a quick blast, but doesn’t offer enough depth or difficulty to warrant extended play.

It does, however, have a certain charm to its style and quirks, and those lightgun fanatics looking for something extra to test their abilities on would be well served by this offering. Anyone else is advised to look to Time Crisis 2 or Vampire Night, as both are much better showcases for the genre.

Whilst not suited to tournament play in the slightest, there’s plenty of scope for having fun juggling opponents and letting rip with massive combos. Let's hope The King of Fighters: Neowave will take up the tournament reins sometime soon.

What Nocturne does provide is an atmospheric and refreshing change to the angst-ridden-teen-saves-the-world, bread and butter adventures we’ve come to expect of the genre.

The shortcomings of the RPG exploration is made up for by the endearing characterisation, and splendid battle system. It is curious, then, that Mario himself is the least charismatic character in the game; his black, empty, beady little eyes betray his empty in-game personality. [JPN Import]

A rather inconsistent experience, in difficulty, enjoyment and general polish, but one that is saved by the core arcade simplicity that is occasionally given a chance to truly shine.

Cute and the Mario theme is well applied, with lots of familiar elements from games throughout the series, but fun soon gives way to pure frustration and the whole affair is over far too quickly. [JPN Import]

Looks as if Tony has survived to skate another day, but that shark is still snapping at his heels.

Whilst Nexus is most certainly an Armored Core game, and very good with it, a lot has changed on how the game fundamentally plays. Is it the best in the series? Well, it comes stunningly close. [JPN Import]

It is ideal fun for both the serious and casual games player, and entertaining for those not taking part to watch the participants flinging their hands over the place.

A must have for those with an interest in online gaming, especially the type of gamers who simply do not have the time to spend hours upon hours finding a party in an MMORPG. The pick-up-and-play formula works very well here and will no doubt keep you addicted for many months. [JPN Import]

A quirky and lovable puzzle-action hybrid that is totally satisfying and wilfully unusual. Despite its glaring eccentricity, it has a stable camera and excellent controls, meaning it's technically polished as well as beautifully and inimitably presented. It's mood music for the eyes. [JPN Import]

With a tweaked combat system and more balance to the boss battles Blood Will Tell could have been a magnificent game. However as it stands the core mechanics are too regimented to elevate it above an enjoyable fantasy romp. An opportunity squandered.

With the amazingly rich heritage that Star Wars has, it's confusing that the music isn't used quite as effectively as it should. Without the context-sensitive moments of the cinematic Star Wars the impact is lost, replenishing health to the dramatic rumblings of the Imperial Death March doesn't really do it and sometimes the music just disappears.

As it stands, it's a short-term adrenaline spike that sometimes lags under the weight of its enhancements. [JPN Import]

Balanced, tuned and counter-weighted to within a pixel’s distance of perfection, Treasure have masterminded a game both technically adept and visually astonishing. Revel in this pean to the art of destruction. [JPN Import]

Easy mode is far too easy (granting you unlimited magic power) and Normal mode far too tough. Treasure really ought to have found a happy compromise, which may have added to the title's replay value. [JPN Import]

The interaction of your character with the world of Albion and its inhabitants is its most enduring and enjoyable quality; it's important this aspect of the game is understood and explored.

Ultimately, The Room comes across as a game afraid of its own potential; not only afraid, in fact, but petrified. For what it achieves the game pays a heavy cost in bad calls, misjudgements and, above all, an uncharacteristically blunt edge.

Burnout 3 has turned an obsession with high-speed destruction into a masterpiece. No idle sequel, no mere upgrade, Takedown is nothing short of a declaration of war – a nosebleed racer that's faster, angrier and more explosive than practically any video game you've ever seen.

It is a game for the TRPG hardcore; those who’ll enjoy spending hours playing the same maps or random dungeons over and over to level up in order to progress through the story, or who spend days working out the best combination of stat modifiers to make finishing off the mission puzzles that little bit easier.

A great exploration-based real time strategy and puzzle game, but a fractured one.

Feels like the product of a completely different publisher; the sort of output you would expect from a desperate company, eager to cash in on current gaming trends. For now, Amazing Island remains a failed experiment.

A fun, exciting and action-packed game. Beneath its cute exterior beats a heart of granite and any negative aspects are outweighed by points of excellence that allow it to move self-assuredly through the mountain of faceless Gameboy titles. [JPN Import]

Players expecting a cerebral horror that gets under the skin and with plenty of frights (a la Silent Hill) will be sorely disappointed. Ghosthunter's roots are firmly action-based, with its graphics, plot and overall presentation providing an enjoyable one-off gaming experience with little replay value.

The realism that the game provides is shockingly accurate, and whether you just wish to play it for the competitive aspect with mates, or go down the whole route of running your own team, it provides reward throughout.

It's more satisfying to play than "Devil May Cry," and allows players to pull off awesome chaining attacks much like "Shinobi"...However, the repetitive levels and tiresome enemies may be enough to put some people off what is essentially an incredibly competent title. [JPN Import]

The one thing left nagging in the back of your mind is that it could have been so much more.

Where Madden's defensive co-ordination has been tightened up, ESPN's is a little slacker, with offensives able to turn up the heat on the occasionally sleepy and slow rearguard with little effort.

Tales will take over your life from the moment you start until the credits roll. The end sequence will take between forty and seventy hours to reach and, although it'll satisfy, it will also sadden. The game does, unfortunately, end.

It's a very minor masterpiece; a perfect execution that's inherently shallow rather than profound. Give credit, though, to a hype-free summer blockbuster that will doubtlessly leave the senses tingling.

Advance Tour offers much more in terms of longevity and variety than "Toadstool Tour" did, but on the other hand, doesn't do it quite as slickly.

It stands proud as an example of how all retro collections should be compiled in terms of content, even if it does serve to highlight minor presentational niggles such as the lack of a button config option that are often common to these packs.

Its initially brutal learning curve might deter a lot of people, but those who invest time to master it will find it to be a very satisfying and rewarding game. An entertaining title that could have been a classic.

With all the changes and additions made, this is the most balanced game in the series, and undoubtedly the best. With around 70-80 hours worth of gameplay on offer, it won't suck you in the same way as Disgaea's all out design, however it does still prove to be the most engrossingly tactical strategy game for the PS2.

Not only do games such as "Dynamite Deka" and the even more ancient "Captain Commando" roundly trounce this apology for a beat 'em up, even "Target: Renegade" on the Spectrum gives it a run for its money. Risible.

It is a good pool simulation, for extra realism you could add stale beer stains and fag burns to your carpet. It will take you a long time to unlock everything, but it’s not without its flaws. The length of time it takes the AI to make a shot grates, and the lack of solo practice annoys.

There is so much fun to be had from torturing the enemy that at times you have to worry about your own mental state. Yet, for all the satisfaction on offer for the majority of the experience, it ultimately ends on a disappointing low.

The game can be finished in a handful of hours if beating the lairs is all that is attempted, but there are a huge amount of subsidiary side tasks and gold treasure acquisition to complete otherwise. All in all, a polished game that deserves a delve to see if it appeals to you or not.

Shining Force is only worth buying for those who like their RPG meals to be served in small helpings and without any fat. Those who are growing tired of the endless pages of stats and infinite battles that are currently in vogue will find a lot to enjoy here.

One sure-fire classic in the making, one surprisingly entertaining competition section and an average battle game...Go on, treat yourself to a slice of 2D magic and show that once again, some of the best multiplayer experiences don't have to be online. [JPN Import]

From the wreckage of its weak structure and thinly spread action, the auspicious concept of Full Spectrum Warrior emerges a damaged, substantially broken vessel. Its strengths, however, are such that only a fool would dismiss it at this juncture.

As immediately effective the game may be, look beyond the surface and the game becomes surprisingly shallow.

Played as it should be, with minimum lives and maximum difficulty, Metal Slug can provide jaded gamers with a sublime and simple gaming experience. Unapologetically tough, Metal Slug will remind players of a time when all games set this frustrating a challenge.

Replay value is immense due to all the factors in play, and all the hidden aspects will take a long time to discover. A must-buy for old NES fans and a definite consideration to those new to the series.

This is a very easy game to get into, and one which intuitively finds its complexity in difficult situations rather than bombarding the player with gimmicks and gadgets. The very essence of the stealth genre was created with Thief: The Dark Project back in 1998. Six years later, Thief: Deadly Shadows captures the same spirit beautifully.

It's fun, gloriously slick and executed at the standards we've come to expect. DK94 players should consider this essential; to everyone else it comes highly recommended.

High levels of patience and acceptance of the mediocrity that fills so much of the early sections are necessary to find some of the highlights that Future Tactics has to offer.

The hidden worlds and multiple endings provide plenty to do, certainly enough to keep any SRPG fan occupied until the highly anticipated "Phantom Brave" arrives.

Then the corner was gone, and the car was still under perfect control. They had done it, they had managed to capture the powerslide.

It celebrates the perverse catharsis to be found in bringing quick justice to bad people, and the pride found in doing it well.

Capcom have succeeded in taking the series to a natural end without making any significant changes...A crowd pleasing adventure, but not an essential one. [JPN Import]

Perhaps what sets Siren apart from such a large number cheap "Biohazard" clones and the kings of the genre, is how the general real-time gameplay is equally terrifying, if not more so, than any of the subtle scripted moments. For all of "Silent Hill’s" positive attributes, the atmosphere is largely all bark and no bite... For Siren, the player is always in danger, and the game will never let you forget this. [JPN Import]

Whereas FIFA and WE make slow but sure progress with each successive year, the second-party Sony outfit have half-heartedly fiddled with a few aspects of the game instead of improving the general quality of it.

Makes a brave effort of emulating the TV series, but is ultimately let down by the poor A.I., and when stealth is the mainstay of the game, we’re left shaken, not stirred.

It is one of the most perfect social gaming experiences that anyone can and probably could play. There is no significance to how good you are, or how much the game has been played in the past - these are mere irrelevances. [JPN Import]

A new revolution in the boxing genre. EA have taken the brave step of totally disbanding twenty years of evolution and creating a control system that breathes fresh air into a genre which has stagnated for some time.

Undoubtedly, this game offers far more playtime than the entire series put together, with constant tweaks and updates ensuring the experience remains at its best, through the constant evolving gameplay...a game which sucks you in and refuses to let go, a game which you'll wake up to every morning with that fresh "must play" feeling. [JPN Import]

It's unique in today's environment, where it seems that every online game is either a FPS or a racer, and the tactical possibilities on display mean that many repeat plays later and it's still feeling as fresh as the first time you played.

Derivative and flawed mechanically, it is nonetheless a superlative tie-in. By integrating into its source material rather than paying homage, it enriches the franchise as a whole – something a great many similar efforts have failed to even attempt.

A fairly awful experience with just a literal handful of inspired moments, and since these moments are so heavily scripted, you are better off just watching videos of it instead. [JPN Import]

Practically every element of the finished product feels half-hearted and incomplete. The action is fast and furious, but falls short on entertainment value. Presentation is mediocre at best. [JPN Import]

The use of the third dimension with a few of the special weapons is a bright point in what is mostly an uninspired, placid and, in the main, perplexing experience.

It has taken the classic MGS structure known and loved by PS1 players plus it throws in most of the good bits from MGS2 for free. All the stealth, excitement and action so revered has been kept, and some new toys have been thrown into the arena to play with. [JPN Import]

If not for the bland level construction and an oddly low-slung camera this would be truly outstanding.

Line of Contact does provide the online experience many players wanted. Even with the steep learning curve involved, the game is something everyone should experience.

Not only does it exhibit and exemplify some of the best 2D level design for almost any action adventure game ever seen, but it also offers a wealth of engrossing replayability for those that wish to explore the gloomy depths of the infamous Zebes.

An excellent multi-player romp, but in single player, it’s merely a diluted example of the other games in the series. [JPN Import]

There will undoubtedly be those who, having cut their teeth on onslaughts such as "GigaWing" and "Mars Matrix," will feel somewhat let down by the sparse, reheated level design on offer here. For those with a passion for the series, however, there is a huge amount to enjoy. [Japan Import]