Though the graphics are miles below the photo-realistic polygon bodies in “Beach Spikers” (GameCube), “DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball” and “Outlaw Volleyball” (XBox) the control and gameplay are spot-on.

A knockoff game but one well enough done in the abscence of a new version of the game it's imitating to warrant your time.

What few vehicles/locations the game has have been rendered and programmed with enough care to make them come across as genuine labors of love.

Miku might be doing the same thing over and over through four chapters (divided in the game as 'Night 1-4'), but the tension and atmosphere of dread that this game continually builds is about on par with that of an interactive version of "The Sixth Sense".

There’s still room for a more user-friendly control scheme and fun virtual surfing experience to come down the pike.

If The Bard’s Tale played as well as it pokes fun at hack-and-slash RPG clichés we’d be talking about a ‘10’ here. The repetitive combat and reliance on tried-and-true RPG conventions, sadly, bring down the score.

It also carries the baggage of dated graphics, cumbersome controls and scavenger hunt mentality that was all the rage (get it?) back in 1999.

There simply is no other game like this on PS2, and that alone makes it an attractive -if somewhat expensive- $50 gamble.

Predictably-competent (but soulless and extremely short).

The new gameplay tweaks (which I personally dislike) and low retail price (under $30 if you know where to shop) go a long way to lessen the lack of improvement on the graphics and sounds.

A brilliant game if experienced in short bursts... the game was obviously not designed with long term play in mind.

The game is just too short and easy for the average PS2 action junkie reared on a steady diet of "Sly Cooper," "Ratchet & Clank" and/or "Jak & Daxter."

We wailed on the controller and got a few laughs out of the game but in the end it just doesn't match the excellence of its Dreamcast brother.

A diamond in the rough... The dreadful Saturn-caliber graphics and crappy sounds are tolerable once the fun of exploring other character’s dreams (ala the 3D free-roaming portions of “NiGHTS”) is experienced.

If you wanted to play more of the same after you were through with the underwhelming "Project Titan", Gunfighter will definitely be your bitch for the couple of days it'll take you to get through most of what's worth getting through.

Ugly graphics keep this from scoring higher, and yes we realize graphics aren't everything... Buffy fans should be pleased though I think VU Games can do just a bit better.

Too short, its puzzles are laughably easy, it's too expensive for the limited replay value it offers and it doesn't break any new ground for the survival horror genre.

Sure, there are other, better games out there, but for fifteen dollars, Gungrave: Overdose is just too good to pass up. If you like action games and love destruction, then grab this game, gear up, and get ready to overdose.

Unfortunately, like other games that have an incredible opening act but don't know how to close the show (certain overhyped Konami action/stealth game come to mind?), "Max Payne" sometimes falls into "Soul Reaver 2"-like pretentions of grandeur that fall short.

The best arcade racer on PS2.

Konami’s handful of ideas to make driving sims better (VGS displays, Enthusia Life mode, etc.) are worth sampling despite a handful of odd decisions by the programmers (losing Enthu points to a rear end crasher??!!).

Classic platforming action done right. It’s tough as nails, fun and paced to near perfection. What it isn’t, is very original.

If you’re the type that likes independent movies and underground techno, you know the art house type stuff, Rez will appeal to your senses. It’s got style written all over it and it’s fairly snazzy to play as well...an experience like no other.

Only its short length (a meager 7-8 hours) and lack of multiplayer support keeps The Two Towers from overtaking Koei’s “Dynasty Warriors 3” as the system’s best mindless hack-and-slash action/adventure.

Goofy brain-dead fun that's hard to resist when played in the proper mood.

Has the 'I've gotta see what's next' feeling of excitement around every corner.

While shy of “Virtua Fighter 4” perfection (a lot of elements from the first “Budokai” engine are recycled) Budokai 2 is easily the best videogame to have ever been spawned from Akira Toriyama’s animated universe.

What it lacks in flash, longevity and accuracy to the “Contra” universe (no weapon pick-ups??!!) Shattered Soldier compensates for with old-fashioned, thumb-blistering, bang-your-head-against-the-wall hard shooting antics of the 2D and 2.5D variety.