It's a wannabe of epic proportions, the outer layer of which peels away almost instantly to reveal a substandard set of digital internal organs.

Rallisport Challenge 2 is bigger and better than any other rally game, leaving one simple equation - play this game or miss out on what could be the finest racer of 2004. [XBM]

The bottom line is, Euro 2004 is good, better than anyone expected and an improvement over "FIFA 2004." Things would have been even better with Live support.

When one level plays like the best idea ever and the next feels like turning up to work after five years on the job, you know that some padding has been done. This is a shame because it's obvious that Red Dead Revolver could have been a classic.

It may not be the slickest of games, the visuals are very PS2-ish in their detail and crispness, but the atmosphere created by the character design, animation and effects drenched landscapes is second to none.

Maybe it's the surprisingly enjoyable mini games, or the general humour that's packed into every level, but there's something about the game that could arouse a brief flicker of enjoyment for around 90 per cent of all hardened Xbox snobs.

The level introductions are a bit forced, but the one-liners, comic asides, character interaction and laid back gameplay is the perfect accompaniment for the summer sun.

Don't expect the in-depth tour de force of other MMORPGs out there, but rather a relaxed experience which is good, wholesome fun that won't see you lose weeks of your life in the process of play.

It also looks immensely cool to see Jacques swinging through the air. Later, his whip is upgraded to a segmented sword-cum-whip combo - as brandished by Ivy in Soul Calibur - once again demonstrating the disparate influences that have gone into his design. [JPN Import]

It's very insistence on realism is what makes it so successful as an experience. It makes you feel that you're just an ordinary person (not a videogame hero, for example) in extraordinary circumstances and with very little chance of survival.

Simply the most atmospheric game we've played this year. In terms of overall presentation, it is beautifully accomplished, but, and it's becoming more and more rare these days, beneath this veneer lies a game that's enjoyable whether you approach it as a stealth specialist in need of a fresh and fulfilling adventure or simply as a mindless blast-a-thon.

This is never going to compete with the likes of Pandora in the looks department, this is instead about the gameplay. It's here where Hitman Contracts excels.

Repetitive and tiresome at times but that's not the problem. The problem is that the developer has made no effort at all with the shadow/lighting system.

Sadly every single part of this game seems average and we can't help but feel that the fans are being let down.

Development time for this title has clearly been organized as follows: 10% on gameplay, 10% on graphics and sounds, 40% on Sydney's arse and another 40% on her breasts - 0% on enemy AI.

It's not going to take you long to open up all the modes, and you might tire of the microgames once you've played them a few times, but trust us when we say it's a worthy investment.

Our longest wait was just over 60 seconds (longer than our quickest match-up) while an announcer blathers on about the next match and we sit confused, assuming that the game has crashed.

A solid Career and Create-a-player mode nicely round off a genuine oh-go-on-then-one-more-go game but the real fun to be had is in fighting on multiplayer.

The slow, repetitive action is the knockout blow that stops this contender from ever being the greatest. [XBM]

Graphics and sound are impressive enough, but we have come to expect more than that from top new releases, and when the poor AI is factored in, Breed looks less and less appealing. Get your FPS fix elsewhere!

Now it's here and we can't help to say with steadfast assuredness that it's not worth your effort.

What truly rains on the game's parade, however, is the constant button bashing through the one too many levels, which after a while, simply numb the brain.

Sacred definitely gets better the more you play it, the monsters keep getting bigger until they almost fill the screen, the weapons and skills go from a half-hearted stab to a whirling dervish of metal and magic and the lands of Ancaria roll before you begging to be explored.

If you want the tricks buy Tony Hawk's and if you want to play something that has a semblance of recognisable football skill you'd be well advised to leave this game on the bench.

Onimusha's stars aren't exactly in the same league as Dante, Jean Reno or Mr Viewtiful and B) The eccentricities of the series don't make for a beginner friendly combat game.

This is the most tense and atmospheric tactical shooter available on the PlayStation2. So tense that it manages make you fear the opening of a door.

Neat little touches such as his over the top armour, and the way Jack loses clothing as his health decrease are amusing enough to draw out the odd giggle from most players. However, when these jokes wear thin, the realisation that the worlds of Samurai Jack are as sparsely populated as areas in the Sahara desert really tests the will of the gamer.

It simply doesn't live up to the show's reputation. It's not funny, the style of the graphics aren't the same and, even though Samurai Jack has some totally kick-ass moves, the game lacks enough 'wow!' factor to keep you coming back for more.