It's not the worst racing title we've seen, whilst some of the ideas are worthwhile; it's just a huge shame that the actual racing experience just isn't there.

The result is a title that offers a physics and driving engine that isn’t up to scratch, whilst the actual racing action is turned into a monotonous experience that requires very little skill.

GameCube owners are certainly the luckiest out there, as R: Racer includes the GC-GBA title Pac-Man as a freebie; whilst it’s nothing revolutionary, this fun little title makes a purchase almost worthy.

It completely blows you away – you’ll be convinced there’s actually a micro-universe living within your PC! The only concern we have with this game is that there is no real learning curve to speak of and the lack of any meaningful tutorial certainly makes it a hard game to approach.

One of the most captivating and thoroughly polished titles in recent times. It’s not perfect, however anyone who has an interest in well-crafted Sci-Fi storylines a la "Minority Report" will find themselves completely captivated with this game.

A large portion of the enjoyment comes from the same type of British humour that featured in ‘Giants’; it’s certainly not an easy thing to develop a game that manages to make you laugh, however this one certainly succeeds.

The presentation sets the tone brilliantly and drags the player through, but sadly the gameplay is largely forgettable.

Looks and feels more like a retro offering than a new game.

The full frontal presentation is the overriding factor for GBE and if you feel that too much emphasis is being placed on its importance and that of its quality and the inordinate amount of audio that is packed into it, which is superb, then you would be wrong.

The presentation sets the tone brilliantly and drags the player through, but sadly the gameplay is largely forgettable.

It creates a superbly tense atmosphere that draws you in and completely immerses you, we can’t think of any other stealth game that’s managed this to such good effect. We also like to see developers stretch beyond the barriers and explore ways to touch the players’ emotions – this game certainly does that. But on the other hand the repetition soon becomes apparent and its lack of depth.

It’s hard for me to say how guys are going to react to the way this game does feel quite female oriented, if even just in presentation, it’s success in Japan suggests that it won’t pose a problem. Just to be safe though they put half naked chicks in it.

This is a class act that builds and extends the Star Wars game franchise and PC gamers are getting something their kindred XBOX owners loved to bits and will not be disappointed in any way.

It may not be the longest or more difficult game of its type, but it makes up for it by being a whole load of fun while it lasts.

A brilliant game for Xbox and Xbox Live!, quite possible the finest racing title ever created.

The combination of puzzles and action fits well, whilst the level of humour certainly helps the game to gel with the player – although some may find the type of comedy a little low-brow.

Although the game is slightly disappointing on a couple of levels, the truth is its Mario Kart, who couldn't love it. The actual races are absolutely brilliant particularly in multiplayer, however the Battle Mode is surprisingly weak.

If this is your type of game then Rainbow Six 3 won't disappoint, but if like us you're beginning to grow a little tired of these games then best to look elsewhere.

For fans of the series this game is a must, it's the game that both "Soul Reaver 2" and "Blood Omen 2" should have been.

The storyline, as well as tasks in hand, all work in perfect synergy, which gives this game its uniqueness. The puzzles in themselves may not be overly taxing, nor some of the stealthy actions, but as far as pure unabated storytelling and immersive interaction goes this works a treat!

May not have changed a lot since last year, however the small changes to a more predominant focus on combat results in an immediately enjoyable title that’s hard to resist.

It’s a very simple concept, if you’re a Pop Idol fan then you’ve probably already put in your pre-order for this game, if you’re not then it’s better left staying away from this game it’s simply too shallow and doesn’t last long enough to warrant more then a rent.

Whilst the strong presentation and authenticity is appealing, the overall result is a tired fps that suffers from fundamental flaws.

Quite simply brilliant and definitely 'Game of the Year' material; we've been crying out for a game to re-invent the action/adventure genre and finally that’s here - if you've got a PS2 you need this now.

Whilst the actual game can’t compete with the fluid and brilliant motion of "Pro Evo 3", it has to be said that the outstanding visuals, attention to detail and correct licenses certainly provide a brilliant compliment to Konami's effort.

So from a game design point of view then True Crime is a rare refreshing change from the norm; thankfully True crime features strong gameplay to actually back it up with a number of improvements to the "GTA3" rulebook and a smattering of innovative ideas.

A hugely disappointing update to a franchise that was once reverred in the videogames industry - why is there no 4P option?

There is nothing too wrong with Super Trucks. The models are nice, the tracks nice and the graphics and sound… nice. But as Madonna said of Costner, “What the hell is nice?”

Features a number of flaws at a control level that stop it becoming an essential title.

On one hand it feels as though the game doesn’t push the franchise far enough, mainly because the story isn’t tied into the gameplay strongly enough, but on the other hand THUG offers far more then previous Tony Hawks titles and is still as enjoyable as it was in 1999.

A hugely disappointing update to a franchise that was once reverred in the videogames industry - why is there no 4P option?

Our only concern with the game is that we can see it beginning to grate after only a few weeks; sure the Xbox Live! functions add some replay value, however given the very nature of the title and its pick-up dynamics we can't see ourselves playing this for months to come let alone even till Christmas.

At the end of the day Grabbed by the Ghoulies is a fun romp whilst it lasts, but unfortunately the sheer amount of repetition and lack of depth will make even the most avid Rare fan begin to question their motives.

A hugely disappointing update to a franchise that was once reverred in the videogames industry - why is there no 4P option?

While at a glance it seems that this game is just a slightly more polished SSX engine with new levels, the new single player campaign makes such an impact on how the game is presented and played that it really sets this game out from its predecessors.

Tak isn’t the worst platformer we’ve seen and will certainly appeal to the younger gamers out there; however its sheer insistence on the generic platform formula is enough to deter most people.

It tries too hard to be so many different things and ultimately falls flat on its face, very disappointing after the success of the previous title in the series.

It's full of charm and character, it’s fun to play and includes a wide range of gameplay styles, more importantly we can’t think of a single aspect that lets it down – truly "Jak2" is a perfect game.

It's fun to play but more importantly captures the Wallace & Gromit spirit perfectly.

One of the very few games to masterfully merge artistic style with compelling substance in the wonderful visuals, brilliant combat system and great game concepts.

Although this is definitely a nice addition compared to the typically linear nature of titles in this genre, we would have liked to see the developers stretch the barrel a little bit further.

Any downsides or real negatives? None, apart from the need for a powerful PC to possibly experience the game in even more quality. If goaded to pick up any concerns it would have been for slightly more variety in the layout of the levels, with a touch more ingenuity.

If you're looking for something fun and enjoyable to play then Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg’won’t disappoint, just don't go hoping for a radically new or innovative experience.

For children the simplified controls, strong characters and locations and the critically acclaimed THPS gameplay make for an ideal title to keep them happy.

It’s a game that has almost unlimited replay value and depth, whilst the tutorial section does an admirable job of introducing you to the genre if you’re new to this type of game.

It’s certainly not for everyone because of the poor design, weak interface and completely unfriendly learning curve, however those who like their strategy first and foremost and those interested in the games settings will likely gain enjoyment - just remember to scratch beneath the surface.

Those who purchased the original and probably played it to death will find themselves asking why this game has been in development for the best part of three years; it's along similar lines to annual sports updates in terms of innovations and enhancements, so why such a wait???

The attention to detail evident in the presentation will please fans and provide a number of chuckles, however it's doubtful whether that much amusement comes from the actual game.

The best fighting game we've played since "Street Fighter Alpha 2," this is arguably the best fighting game to date.

Those who lost interest in this genre a long time ago won’t find the experience here to regenerate their faith. It’s a shame because the actual storytelling and directing is a work of genius that demands to be witnessed, whilst the visuals are quite possibly the best you’ll ever witness on a Playstation2.

Improvements to the interaction with the environment and further polish to the overall look would have resulted in a perfect score, as it stands KotoR offers one of the most enthralling and rewarding experiences you're likely to have with a videogame for quite some time.

The game can be used a classic example of great game design, everything from the levels to the control set-up to the actual game structure is as near to perfection as we could have hoped for.

I actually found myself being so bored at one point that I took to reading out the characters lines in silly voices just to entertain myself.

If you like racing games generally then it is hard to pick this over "Toca Race Driver" or "Ferrari 355," the former offering the best racing experience, the latter one of the best driving experiences.

Whilst we found ourselves forgiving Lara for moving like a 7-ton dumper truck and Core for basically realising that their new ideas weren’t quite cutting it, we can’t say the same for the bugs that rear their ugly heads all too often - we’ve simply lost count of the number of times we’ve had to reset our Playstation2 because Lara has got stuck in a wall yet again.

Whilst Dead Aim is executed sort of well, it just doesn't have anything memorable, is too short to be an engrossing one-player game and doesn't have many compelling reasons to be played through time and time again, because of the adventure elements, that are somewhat boring if you just want to shoot and shoot.

Your own music, non-artificial intelligence and some of the most realistic recreations of real-life locations we've seen, and having it easily playable online through your television is a wonderful thing. We've been waiting for stuff like this for years.

It's not the most gripping story we've ever come across, but it certainly isn't the worst, and if you like zombie films then it'll be right up your street.

If you have more than one console then the Xbox is best, followed closely by the PS2 then the GameCube version. In comparison to the others, this one has the slight framerate issues.

Interestingly the PS2 version appears to have the edge over the Xbox version, sporting crisper textures that seem to feature more detail. Along with the fact that the Dual-Shock 2 controller was conceived for the Tony Hawk control system, making the PS2 version the superior out of the lot.

At the moment Xbox owners have a pleasant choice between "Midtown Madness 3" and Midnight Club II, and we feel that the latter just about gets the edge, 'cause of the one-player.

If you really like this mindless shooting wrapped up in some dated graphics and dated gameplay, then go for it. But without the multi-player mode that really made the Xbox version, and damn, not even with split screen or link-up, there's precious little to recommend here.

Whilst the games 10 missions won’t last long, the game certainly chucks it at you with dozens of enemies incessantly attacking you. A variety of boss encounters provide some challenge, however they’re not the most memorable encounters that you’ll ever come across.

The main issue is that the emphasis on action means that the tactical side often falls by the wayside; ultimately you’ll find yourself sticking to a power character such as Tex or Brutus and just wade in guns blaring to destroy everything.

It's not the most gripping story we've ever come across, but it certainly isn't the worst, and if you like zombie films then it'll be right up your street.

A top-notch expansion pack that Medieval fans will love. You get a major new campaign as well as lots of extras for "Medieval Total War" that substantially increases its life.

An amazing multi-player experience with the added bonus of a rather compelling one-player mode that provides a nice respite from the hectic online games.

Everything you could have wished for and more.

The actual racing experience is virtually second to none, each car handles wonderfully different to the last you raced in, with a very solid and weighty feeling to them.

It’s difficult to knock Wolverine’s Revenge too much because it does offer some neat ideas, but unfortunately GenePool has seemingly forgotten about the fundamentals and left us with little to get excited about after the brief initial interest.

A challenging, gorgeous, serious and compelling game.

Although Midnight Club II is no match for the mighty "Burnout 2" it is worth a purchase if street racing is your thing. There is a nice selection of missions and cars to choose from and the urge to keep trying again is present in most of the levels.

Vietcong strays down the path between arcade shooter and tactical war simulator perfectly, resulting in a game that you’ll find hard to put down.

A funny game; the opening phase is likely to put off most gamers as it’s too long-winded, slow, frustrating and just not exciting enough; however persevere and you’ll be rewarded with a decent action/adventure title with ludicrously high production values.

Accessible to everyone and extremely addictive to anybody who picks up the pad. It’s a meltdown of different sensations and probably the type of videogame you’d pick to generalise exactly what ‘Playstation’ is all about.

Do not let the visual style put you off, you'll soon warm to it like everybody I've ever seen who's taken one look at the game. However more importantly the gameplay is the definition of perfection.

Whilst there’s no doubts about the multiplayer fun to be had with this title, we have to question it’s ability to perform in today’s market, the simple fact is games have moved on and gamers are a fickle bunch.

The luscious visuals and complete lack of competition could be enough to convince Xbox fighting fans, however don’t go expecting a radical experience.

Worth a look... [but] we would have liked to have seen Pyro stretch the boundary slightly more and gone for some revolutionary new steps, whilst RTS fanatics will bemoan the relatively limited range of different troops under your control.

Special. More than just a simple upgrade, with loads of exciting and original levels, complete with a great developing storyline that will keep you pleasently happy along the way.

If this had Xbox Live! support it would be a definite 10; one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences you can have on Xbox - get it now...

Thanks to the use of the Buffy engine, the game features an excellent combat system that refuses to tire on you and a compelling story to pull you through the game.

Despite it’s rather shallow feeling and the such, it’s still pretty damn addictive and you’ll be dying to complete each and every course.

Has some great ideas, which are sadly letdown by poor execution and sloppy presentation.

The online experience is of good quality and works as well as anyone could have hoped for.

The look of C&C: Generals is uninspiring, tired and lacking spirit, miles behind the charismatic approach employed by Blizzard with "Warcraft III."

If you’ve got a new graphics card and want something to show it off, Unreal II: The Awakening is the perfect solution, but don’t go expecting a true next-generation experience; our advise would be to rent it as you’ll likely complete it in no time at all.

There's absolutely no depth here – no character development, no feeling that you're on holiday, nothing – you just feel cheated out of any game whatsoever. The truth be told, this game is entirely based around perving on the women.

A great action title... The problem is that we had such high expectations for the game, expecting a true next-gen title to really push the genre forward, in this respect The Getaway falls short of the mark.

Despite our concerns over the lack of a full 3D engine, Sim City 4 is a beautiful game to behold.

A welcome addition to the Panzer Dragoon series, and can rightly hold its head high as one of the finest shooters ever created.

An excellent title that offers a great racing experience, a novel storyline and an immense number of tracks and cars to race with.

Emphasis is placed on speed, power-slides and in the traditional EA BIG manner getting your blood pumping through a mixture of big-beat music and intense action; on this front Shox does not disappoint.

If you’re a fan of the movie you’ll be bitterly disappointed at the butchering the license has received, whilst even action fans will be put off after they’ve punched, kicked and thrown their way through the first 10 missions; avoid!!!

Unfortunately the execution is extremely poor and not at all what we could have hoped for, at the end of the day this is just another action title with a Star Wars license blasted across it.

An absolutely brilliant game to play – really enjoyable, really addictive and instantly playable.

There are some fantastic moments and some really great ideas that action fans will love, however the flaws and the insistence on trial-and-error approach will infuriate everyone who plays it.

Games such as "Guilty Gear X" have shown what true next-gen 2D titles can look like, whilst other titles have more depth and a sufficiently more detailed fighting system for fighting fanatics.