It does become kind of mesmerising, but like watching waves on a beach, chances are that pretty soon you'll tire of the lack of variety on offer.

There's so much to have a go at and so much detail and addictive gameplay that fans of the series won't be disappointed - in fact you may just think that it's fang-tastic!

The sequel is a better game in every way, but the original was so successful at combining extreme sports stunts with real basketball that there was little room left for improvement.

Many of the missions in the game are just re-hashed from Star Wars games of the past, and though they are epic, they're not very exciting anymore.

If you own the Dreamcast version, then there's far too much overlap to warrant owning this as well.

The sequel is a better game in every way, but the original was so successful at combining extreme sports stunts with real basketball that there was little room left for improvement.

No other racing game on any platform simulates the NASCAR experience this accurately. Graphics have been improved for this year's update, but lack the arcade pop on the consoles.

This is one fantastically exciting shooter with a richly detailed game environment and varied gameplay.

I just can't help thinking that the "Final Chapter" should have had a little more to it.

Too often while playing The Witness, I realized that there were a lot of other things I’d rather be doing than playing The Witness. I respect it; I admire it. I just didn’t enjoy it all that much.

If you're more interested in multiplayer mech action and a not quite as brilliant single player game, then you should give Mechwarrior 4 a look.

Once you get past the graphics, though, everything else is virtually unchanged. As mentioned above, there's really not much new here.

There didn't seem to be any specific gameplay difference with NHL 2002 and its immediate predecessor. All my on-ice moves were the same as in the older game.

If you're looking for a big gun and a legion of monsters to use it on, then Serious Sam's got what you need, with much prettier graphics than "Doom."

There's no denying that "IL-2 Sturmovik" is a great sim and therefore Forgotten Battles is a great sim by extension. As a sequel, however, it's a bit underwhelming.

Continuing a short but respected series, the game does little to broaden the genre, but at least it performs with style and solid mechanics.

Unless you're really really into the game, you can live without this add-on.

With the exception of the extremely, though not awe-inspiringly fun bombing run mode, UT2003 could essentially be Quake 1996 with one hell of an Oprah Winfrey style makeover.

Delivers more of their established brand of imaginative gameplay rather than attempts at innovative technology.

Graphically, the Game Boy Advance comfortably does the game justice.

A cheaply made, cost-effective sequel to "FFX" that reuses the graphics, characters, enemies, and areas to create a mostly new gameplay experience. You might love it, you might really, really hate it - or, like us, you might be torn... [Import]

Its level of realism, convincing detail and great multiplayer make it one of the best military FPS games on the market.

Possibly the biggest strike against Giants, though, is that much of the gameplay is, well, kind of boring.

Gameplay is probably the most unremarkable aspect to Kingdom Hearts. The real-time combat consists of mashing the X button repeatedly as your one and only attack move, and also using magic once and a while.

A fun basketball title, but this isn't one of those "must-have" years, unless All-Star Weekend is something you absolutely can't live without. EA just didn't bring its "A"-game for '05.

A spooky and enthralling FPS, [but] the lack of multiplayer is somewhat like jumping into a Ferrari, then sticking to the speed limit.

Hardcore space simmers are likely to be disappointed with its lack of depth and unusual controls, but where they see shallowness and unrealism, others will see easy learning curves and familiarity.

Takes a step forward with a few new game modes and an interesting rival/buddy system, but the uneven graphics and performance hurt it. And on Xbox, as with all EA Sports games, the situation is worsened with no online play.

This unique and head-bangingly challenging game is really not at all suited for the non-hardcore, and if you don't like games that require your entire mind and body as a sacrifice, you're likely to loathe and fear Ikaruga.

Like any expertly-crafted tale, you want to know what happens next and see more of the fascinating, seemingly alive world of Wonderland in its new, depraved form.

For all the great things this game has going for it, longevity is its weakness. With only 14 real missions, each of which able to be completed in less then ten minutes, there's just not much game for your money.

Featuring similar hack and slash gameplay, which has an uncanny knack of being addictive due to its frustrating nature, Maximo is a title that may appeal more to old-school gamers.

What it lacks is the elegance of the original design.

A fun basketball title, but this isn't one of those "must-have" years, unless All-Star Weekend is something you absolutely can't live without. EA just didn't bring its "A"-game for '05.

Sappy, sure, but the enthusiasm is infectious and ultimately effective.

Graphically, this is the finest game we've experienced on the new handheld console and once you've seen some of the incredible character animations, you won't know whether to laugh or cry in sheer amazement.

You'll need a high level of tolerance for boneheaded design choices, but there's plenty of fun to be had. Psi-Ops has all the right ideas, but it trips itself up in the execution.

The undead hordes are as great as they've always been to kill.

Fast and frantic gameplay.

You'll need a high level of tolerance for boneheaded design choices, but there's plenty of fun to be had. Psi-Ops has all the right ideas, but it trips itself up in the execution.

As great as its predecessor was, but still just a port of last year's game on an older console - and with seemingly worse graphics to boot.

A fun basketball title, but this isn't one of those "must-have" years, unless All-Star Weekend is something you absolutely can't live without. EA just didn't bring its "A"-game for '05.

You get to impale, slash, fry, freeze and shatter zombies (all with a reliable and smooth camera that smartly scales and keeps track of the action), stomp on vermin in search of wine and money, watch the barmaid all but fall out of her blouse, and track down the scum-buckets who ripped you off in the first place.

The game is an odyssey, a huge epic that has the ability to swallow your gaming time in a terrifying and seductive manner.

The term 'movie game' has been overused, but this unique offering comes closer than most.

So if you're looking for a traditional gaming experience, you're likely to find Nintendogs lacking in gameplay and variety. Those with more open minds stand a better chance of being captured by its undeniable charm.

There are no surprises in Sonic Advance 2... The lower your expectations, the more you'll enjoy this game.

So if you're looking for a traditional gaming experience, you're likely to find Nintendogs lacking in gameplay and variety. Those with more open minds stand a better chance of being captured by its undeniable charm.

Because of the excellent job EA has done in its implementation, this new graphics engine feels comfortable and natural.

There's no next generation oomph that sneaks up and slaps you on the face like that little bald orange man from the old Tango drink ads, no real sense of feeling justified for making that step up from 32- to 128-bit.

So if you're looking for a traditional gaming experience, you're likely to find Nintendogs lacking in gameplay and variety. Those with more open minds stand a better chance of being captured by its undeniable charm.

Boktai may not usher in a whole new genre of environmentally powered games, but it is a very cool merging of technology and gameplay in one sweet package.

You can make it through the game in one day of heavy play... That said, while it lasts, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries is both compelling and absorbing.

It's not one you can pick up and play for five minutes at a time or without reading the manual, but is extremely involving once you get into it.

With extensive gameplay, a great range of cars and replay value that will keep you motoring on even long-haul journeys, GT Advance is a great start for the racing genre on the GBA.

It's too hard to steal bases against the computer and throw computer stealers out. Computer batters are far too patient at the plate... It is worth checking out.

Most of its faults are forgiveable, and the excellent controls coupled with the intense action often make for an engrossing experience.

We're still waiting for something that is truly a progression in EVERY way for a genre that has seemingly stagnated over the last two years.

Memorization is only a small part of success, and we suspect that some inhuman quality is required to fully conquer the game.

The game's biggest problem is all the filler between the reasonably exciting combat sequences. This New York City consists of two subway stations and about eight neighborhoods separated by long loading screens. You'll get sent back and forth across them all. Get this key. Visit that character. Trigger this sequence. Kill that guy. Along the way, we counted exactly two (2!) optional missions.

By inherently alienating new players in combining two genres, and then providing too little incentive to win over RTS vets, the game becomes more of an upgrade for fans of the franchise, who want to control new races and explore some of the new features.

A definite step-forward for fans of Ghost Recon...However if you found problems with the original title, particularly in its engine limitations, then don't expect these to have disappeared.

The plot, graphics and general fun of discovery should be enough to keep you happy despite the fact that 12 hours is about all the time it'll take you to complete the game.

The dated graphics and the lack of a campaign turned me off. SMA may have been successful if it was an add-on pack that came out last year, but this year it just seems dated.

It's simply too frenetic in spots for some tastes. Still, that's a fairly minor quibble with what is undoubtedly one of the more enjoyable strategy offerings of the year thus far.

The fast pace, smarter computer-controlled players, and freestyle control system make it enjoyable at times, although it also makes you think that such things might have been better suited for the next version of "NBA Street" than a game with pretensions to simhood.

Despite a few dodgy-looking moments, however, the visual presentation is praiseworthy. The sensation of navigating expansive, violently scarred landscape remains impressive.

Its mysterious world, artful narrative and moving character work is the reason we play games. It’s depressing that its singular vision is hampered by the most basic video game building block — the ability to control your experience — but beneath its finicky handling and aggravating programming lies the same magical hoodoo you find in great Pixar films. It’s fitting, really, that a game this difficult to birth would be equally difficult to enjoy. But if you take the time to love it, it will love you right back.

It doesn't quite work. Although it's hard to see how the controls could be improved, at the same it's not hard to see that improvements are necessary if console real-time strategy games are ever going to be an easy alternative to those on the PC.

Its more realistic graphics, short-but-helpful training videos, a nifty career mode, new multiplayer additions, and lots of other tweaks make it the best in the series thus far.

Some will no doubt be so happy to see such a fantastic sim that they'll be willing to put up with the lack of amenities like a horizontal real-time swing and slow loading, dull background graphics.

The career mode is very well implemented, and is something that should be found in more games like this.

A satisfactory update to the franchise, but still has yet to really hit its stride on the next-gen platforms. It took the FIFA team years to get it right on the PS2. Let's hope we don't have to wait quite so long for this FIFA to reach its amazing potential.

Brings back a sense of adventure which somehow got lost along the way.

A good-looking B-17 experience with a full range of different tasks to tinker with and some quick blasts of action all wrapped in a lightweight strategy envelope.

It isn't so attractive after you sit down to play it. Still, the glitz and intense combat can make you forget that there is no substance here for at least a few hours.

Simple, no nonsense action. Like a Stallone or Schwarzenegger movie from the 80s, it does not really cut the mustard in this flo-mo Matrix/Max Payne era.

A very playable, semi-educational tactical shooter sure to keep any Counter-Strike or Tom Clancy games player occupied for at least a short while.

A no-brainer for all Mega Man fans out there. And even if you weren't an old-school addict, you can still dig in for some harmless fun... just be prepared for the frustrations and insane difficulty that come with many retro classics.

Unfortunately, there's no true career mode where you can create a player and take him through multiple seasons.

The only way to avoid relegating this to the ‘I’ve got nothing better to do for the next twenty minutes’ league is to persuade your friends to buy a light gun and bring over their console and a spare TV and act like John Woo for an evening – great fun!

A fun game, and the inclusion of a character driven -oh ho - plot to be the right direction for the genre to go. But it’s not for anyone who is either looking for the next-generation visual thrill of its competition, or heavy realism.

The new control system hurts more than it helps...While the game is competent, it lacks the depth that made the previous Mario Golf game so enthralling.

Age of Empires III would be a damn fine RTS if it came out five years ago. Instead, it's some impressive modern technology and bold gameplay ideas unfortunately saddled by an outdated take on the genre.

I appreciate that developer Vicarious Visions has tried to steer Skylanders in a new direction, and there’s certainly plenty to do here. But I’m not sure the future of Skylanders lies in mediocre kart racing, and unfortunately, there’s just too much of that in Skylanders SuperChargers. Hopefully the next entry will get the series back on track.

What it lacks in polish, it makes up for with that elusive "fun factor" that you can feel even when you can't always pin it down.

There's simply not that much to say. After all, it's freakin' ping pong.

A bit too by-the-book to have the magic of the original, but it's still a good game.

To sum up my feelings about Flanker 2.0, consider this. "Flanker 1" has been on my hard drive for getting on for 4 years. I doubt very much whether Flanker 2.0 will remain on my system for 4 months.

Visually, this is a good example of what the GBA can do, with clean lines and solid character animation. There's a bit of slowdown on crowded screens, but the controls are tight and generally the game moves smoothly.

Playing Empire Earth is akin to attending a banquet with courses of food... that keep coming long after you've pushed back from the table and undone your belt.

Freekstyle just doesn’t drip with love and attention the way "Tricky" does – its characters are nowhere near as appealing, its sound not as characterful, its gameplay not as polished and the package not as coherent.

The franchise may not be as wacky as before, nor as realistic as the competition, but it hits hard, doesn't let up, and is great entertainment for a group of friends looking for something less simmy and more instantly accessible.

The attention to detail is commendable, but the sheer scope may be a point of frustration for some, especially those who come from the Tony Hawk school. The supercross races are so exacting that progression without dedication is impossible.

Disappointingly, the presentation isn't updated as much as we'd expect. GBA owners are accustomed to better visuals, and the music remains painfully strident.

If running around slicing the arms off enemies and toying around with Force powers is your idea of fun, you have found your game. But then, you probably already found that game many years ago when the series first began.

It's too hard to steal bases against the computer and throw computer stealers out. Computer batters are far too patient at the plate... It is worth checking out.

The franchise may not be as wacky as before, nor as realistic as the competition, but it hits hard, doesn't let up, and is great entertainment for a group of friends looking for something less simmy and more instantly accessible.