The animation is incredibly fluid, achieved by motion-capturing human movement, then importing and manipulating the data into the game.

Unless you're desperate to see Captain Lou Albano in action again (and who isn't?), scant reason for a purchase presents itself. Casual wrestling fans can pass.

The combined package of beautiful graphics, intense action (including force-feedback rumble support in the controller!) and familiar Star Wars ditties all work together to create an immersive, outstanding experience from beginning to end.

You don't know the meaning of the word surreal until you've stood in the rain, beating a pimp to death while opera music provides an eerie chorus.

The greatest thing about Bass Strike is the Sony PS2 game controller. Yes, it's the same as it ever was, but -- finally -- the right analog stick serves as a near perfect dupe for a fishing rod's reel.

Quite simply, mature PS2 owners craving a creepy game that's perfect for playing with the lights out and speakers cranked, pick up a copy of Silent Hill 2 and you will not be disappointed. Clean underwear not included.

Unfortunately, repetitious sound bytes and uninspired terrain hamper a decent presentation.

That's basically the game's strongest point -- the ability to make you feel as if you actually are involved in a real war. Any gamer looking for that degree of realism in a first-person action game cannot go wrong with Operation Flashpoint.

Galactic groupies will eat it up. Battles are engaging, possibilities for advancement near limitless and the fun factor way above standard ranges.

Also, while the depth of the game means a richer experience, it can be quite intimidating and overwhelming at first, even for the experienced player. Thankfully, there's a 189-page manual and handy Hot Key menu card and map to keep beside the PC while playing.

It's the most realistic football game on a console, guaranteed to make you sweat puddles at its highest difficulty setting.

NCAA Football doesn’t just look good, it looks as comfortable on your television screen as an ESPN broadcast on a Saturday afternoon.

Even the death sequences are pretty cool, as the game slows down, zooms in on the hero and shows him getting gunned down by a hail of lead.

One part racing, one part freestyle and all parts addictive.

Frame rates are so horrendously slow in the game's crowded areas -- such as the cities -- that it becomes almost painful to even move your character, let alone interact with others.

Plus, there are many combo moves, hidden areas and countless destructive items to find, including the ability to shoot down a 747, blow up a gas station, drive over pedestrians or electrocute prison inmates strapped into the chair. Fun for the whole family!

Virtually every element of Red Faction is nicely polished -- even the controls are intuitive, unlike most console shooters, which make PC gaming vets long for a keyboard and mouse.

Despite interesting missions like Midway and Guadalcanal, experienced gamers can blow through Zero Hour in a day. Ambitious flyboys will gladly return to it as coffee break filler, but long-term companionship is doubtful.

Indeed, the cheesy southern rock 'n' redneck country tunes can get annoying after a while, and the smart-ass remarks made by the play-by-play commentator tend to repeat more often than not, but it hardly detracts from the overall, seat-of-your-pants racing.

And by combining an open-ended design with a wonderful (if somewhat politically incorrect) sense of humor, Tropico provides one of the finest and most dangerously addictive gaming experiences of the year.

The action on the field is also masterfully recreated with a variety of fly and ground balls that spin, curve and bloop just as they do in real life, not to mention the comical errors that happen when fielders try to reel them in.

While the game is far from perfect -- some may bristle at the constant micromanagement and the often ambiguous objectives you are required to meet -- it is very approachable and addictive, an almost ideal virtual playground in which you can play god.

A few minor lapses in realism won't get in the way of Triple Play's addicting gameplay.

Basic gameplay mechanics combine with real-world charisma to form the most solid Dreamcast flight simulator seen to date.

Although the game's design and combat system do not always dazzle, Oni is a sublime break from the ordinary.

The graphics in Phantasy Star Online are excellent in all respects. Not only is the lighting superb, but the general design of the environments is also both visually appealing and extremely efficient.

While the vehicular slaughtering remains satisfyingly gruesome in looks and sound, the graphics of the rest of the game have taken a step back -- Carmageddon 3 suffers from lousy frame rates and animation slowdowns.

The audio is equally impressive, with noisy spectators (local chants, cheers and boos), color commentary by announcers John Motson and Mark Lawrenson, and music written and performed by none other than electronica superstar Moby.

The game's biggest downfall is that it isn't particularly difficult.