One part hockey, one part soccer and one part pure fantasy, Quidditch World Cup may not have the draw or the depth of Madden, but it is still plenty of fun to play.

The combat difficulty level is forgiving, and the game guides you through the puzzles with helpful clues and hints from the other characters. Less experienced gamers -- who, let's face it, are really the ones the game is aimed at -- will find its light touch very rewarding.

It feels good on the PS2 pad, even, though a joystick is (of course!) preferable.

If you love the gameplay in "Dynasty Warriors" but are tiring of its setting, Crimson Sea 2 offers a refreshing change of pace with a familiar style of gameplay.

With a dash of humor and inspiration -- the two things Parallel Lines desperately needs -- this might have been a minor classic. Instead, it merely shows that attention to detail is nothing without a flash of life to drive the effort.

Ultimately what we have here is an excellent back-end and a beautiful graphics engine, with a combat-heavy, plot-light module and a few nasty bugs.

Its linearity and concentration on stealth is quite a contrast to the open freedom of the GTA games. Its explicit violence can be gimmicky, but it fits so well with the theme that nobody could (or should, at any rate,) call it gratuitous.

If the difficultly was a bit more consistent and mission parameters more forgiving, then Battlestar Galactica could have been a massive hit. As-is, the game is sure to please fans of the license, but those looking for something deeper will likely be disappointed.

It shares too many of "NBA Live's" problems, but still has great depth and plays a decent game of basketball. One of these years, EA is going to properly fix Live, thus killing two birds with one stone.

The hardest worm ever to grace your garden.

GP4 is worth a look, offering a rock-solid racing experience against some well-crafted AI, but it doesn't add anything significantly new.

Gamers who haven't exactly stuck by Sonic's blurry blue side over the years will have to work a little harder to get to the fun, spastic heart of Sonic Heroes, but those who know what to expect in terms of mechanics and sheer kinetic insanity will feel right at home.

If you're a Larry fan from way back, Magna Cum Laude takes the series into a pleasing new direction. But it needs a greater variety of challenges to be more appealing.

Out of the box it's not as fun as its predecessors, and nowhere near as deep or engaging as Madden or ESPN.

In terms of other improvements, On Holiday really doesn't seem to have made any thrilling leaps or advancements...Overall, a great expansion.

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

A fun time, in spite (or because) of its ludicrous story and cutscenes, which you won't find in any other serious racer.

Much like "Lumines," however, Every Extend Extra rides the line between flash and total sensory overload, with flashing colors, oversaturated backgrounds and that omnipresent musical accompaniment. It can almost be too much at times. But the concoction works, if only for the relatively short play time.

Puts a futuristic twist in the high tech tale but is its storyline constructed like a Chicken Royale or a piece of nouvelle cuisine?

Yes, [it's] still using the same dated graphics engine that appeared in "DW4", and the music and sound effects likewise remain the same. But the fun, challenging, and over-the-top gameplay that has made this series so successful is also still here.

As it is, it still has much to commend, but its peculiar design choices make it difficult to enjoy to its full potential.

Unfortunately, the frequency of the random encounters means the relative simplicity of combat can make it tiresome and repetitive at times.

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.

Just don't be surprised when you find the game length to be dangerously close to the running time of an average Bond flick.

While battles are fast and furious they can get confusing and despite the presence of a compass there is no radar to show where the enemies are.

Sim Tower is over a decade old, and looks it. But if you're looking for something a little more cerebral to play on your GBA (or your DS, for that matter), Tower perfectly captures the timeless, relaxing fun of building something vast and complicated, and sitting back and watching it work.

Faults aside, the adventurous out there will thoroughly enjoy the level design - it's a blast!

A handful of glaring errors and nagging problems hamstring the title, preventing it from garnering overly high acclaim.

The great control, realistic physics, and abundance of tracks give MX vs. ATV Unleashed: On The Edge a lot to boast about.

It's not a failure by any means, but feels mostly like a fun afternoon (or more) spent watching pulpy spy and war flicks.

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.

An artistic triumph, Star Wars Battlefront poses a difficult question: Do features make a game? If they do, this one’s got problems. Stand Battlefront next to most other multiplayer-oriented shooters and you’ll find it lacking in variety and depth. But none of those other shooters let me blast Slave-1 out of the sky from the Millennium Falcon, or take out an AT-ST with a well-timed thermal pod, or block ten laser blasts and force push a stormtrooper into a pool of lava.

One of the oddest things about Network Transmission is the game's learning curve that bucks convention by starting out frustratingly difficult and getting progressively easier.

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.

Once you've mastered the ship-to-ship battles, captured a few towns and messed around with the simple trading system, you'll have seen the majority of what it has to offer...If you fancy a few hours of easy-going fun on the high seas, give it a try.

Misses out on a Highly Recommended award is that it suffers from seemingly unfinished game elements and it's not really a major step-up from the last 32-bit Smackdown.

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!

If you can forgive the unimaginative AI and time-intensive design, Omega Strain stands as an accomplished shooter.

If its creepiness, truckload of style, and inventive concepts sound appealing, then by all means give it a shot. On the other hand, if you think the repetitive shooting, ho-hum puzzles, and inability to actively control your characters' movements will flip your smile upside down, then it might be best to avoid this in favor of another play through "Resident Evil 4" or "God of War."

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

All of this adds up to a game that is, by turns, compelling and frustrating, innovative and derivative. At the final bell, there is little in qualitative terms to separate Ecks vs. Sever and "Doom."

The fantastically realistic physics engine makes this the game that F1 purists will want to own, but the control and graphics frustrations will likely result in them not enjoying their time spent with this game.

If realism is really your gig, Fever is not the best choice, with Sega's "NFL 2K3" having more balanced gameplay.

This is essentially a stylish "Day After" dumb-and-gunner, with even less brainpower required than "Dark Alliance," and it's safe to say that if you enjoyed that game, this will have some appeal for you.

Fun for a while, and the customization is quite compelling at first, but before long the innate repetition, linearity, and ultimate emptiness really begin to grate.

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.

Tak 2's biggest flaw is that we've seen it all before. It's not a bad game, and is certainly a lot better than its predecessor, but it really doesn't do anything particularly well.

It has a lot to live up to, and although it does manage it on several counts, the frustration from its down points tends to grate just a little raw on fractured nerves.

Although the single-player game is mixed, Xbox Live addicts will find much to enjoy with Clone Wars - enough that it'll probably justify its purchase price alone.

Gamers who liked the idea of, say, "Twisted Metal Black," but found the execution too quick and snappy to be satisfying, should check out Road Kill, a decidedly more kinetic follower.

We buy video games to play them, not simply marvel at what they can do. Its technological advancements and sheer scope may indeed be incredible, but No Man’s Sky’s repetitive world and gameplay are decidedly less than stellar.

No, it doesn't have the depth of its PC granddaddy, but barring a handful of unfortunate issues, it's perfectly good at what it does: pass the time.

Another minor issue is that while Nikki is death while on the stealthy offensive, she's not much good if the combat suddenly gets up-close... the moral of the story, we suppose, being don't let the enemy get close to begin with.

Considering its wallet-friendly $40 price point, Sword Coast Legends’s core campaign is easily good enough to warrant a recommendation — provided you’re content with a rather leisurely, low-stress stroll through the Forgotten Realms.

Another minor issue is that while Nikki is death while on the stealthy offensive, she's not much good if the combat suddenly gets up-close... the moral of the story, we suppose, being don't let the enemy get close to begin with.

OK, we admit it: Rumble Roses isn't the deepest thing going, even for a fighting game. But it's an entertaining and eye-catching spectacle of male-oinker-oriented wrestling fun. Plus, it's populated by some of the best-looking, most meticulously modeled virtual girls ever designed.

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.

While it doesn't necessarily capture the imagination to the extent that "Half Life" did, it does pack a pretty good punch.

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.

If Dominator is a Greatest Hits package, however, where is Crash mode? That's like Michael Jackson releasing a Best Of without 'Beat It'.

Only let down by AI deficiencies and some clipping issues, it's a healthy upgrade for the strategic shooter.

Guitar Hero Live is a classic rock star: talented, interesting, bipolar, and filled with questionable ideas. The new guitar is a hit and the streaming mode is plenty of fun, but the full-motion video fail and annoying song rental model mar what could have been a legendary comeback album.

A handful of glaring errors and nagging problems hamstring the title, preventing it from garnering overly high acclaim.

Had the single-player elements not been so overused, it might have been a breakthrough title. As-is, playing Urban Chaos feels a lot like listening to a hit pop song. It's fun to hear the first few times, but repetition has its limits.

Overall, the first episode of this family-friendly adventure is engaging enough to keep you playing through its brief 90-minute run time. The cliffhanger is also a doozy that nicely sets up the next episode.

Unravel might look like LittleBigPlanet, but in practice it’s the kinder, gentler Limbo.

The path of progression can get a little dry, despite the depth of combat. Interacting with objects in the environment and strategy-laden boss battles help spice things up, but there are also times when you may realize this isn't the most fun game in the world.

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

Essentially, if you want to improve your chess and bring a competitive edge to it, this is the ideal pocket edition to carry round with you. The only complaint – and it’s a substantial one – is the lack of a save facility.

Riveting duels, killer combination moves, and buckets of blood see the cinematic adaptation effectively mimic the flick that inspired it.

While free of crash bugs, problems in interface, gameplay, and content abound. But if you're an old-school player, or a WoW player who's ready to delve deeper into a more complex MMORPG, then Vanguard was made for you.

A solid fighter, but not a great one...The often weak graphics, unacceptable load times, and poor audio make this feel like a game that was rushed out the door.

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.

Boring...plain as an old Rich Tea biscuit, and just as dry.

Full of overt and covert nods to the classic, Pitfall: The Lost Expedition is a worthy, entertaining successor to the proud, creaking lineage.

While the control system is well thought out, it can at times infuriate as you desperately scramble around trying to reel off rounds into your enemies, while running from them.

NBA Live 07 is a lot like its cover athlete, Tracy McGrady: It's capable of some stunning moves, worthy of the highlight reels, but is a little too offensive-minded and selfish. It's got a lot of skill, but doesn't do enough to get to the playoffs.

There isn't another game on the road that comes close to it, in its depiction of a car culture that goes way beyond the physics models and pedal-to-the-metal action offered by its rivals.

There's an awful lot of linear, shooting-gallery tedium you have to plod through to get to the good stuff.

The combat difficulty level is forgiving, and the game guides you through the puzzles with helpful clues and hints from the other characters. Less experienced gamers -- who, let's face it, are really the ones the game is aimed at -- will find its light touch very rewarding.

It's very hard indeed...That said, cracking a mission is an incredibly rewarding experience, and the inclusion of a 'quicksave' facility does make the process somewhat less painful.

A great game to play with friends online or off, but here's hoping the next iteration gives us more to do with the D.

An excellent expansion pack.

The good things about Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles are REALLY good, and the things that are bad really hurt.

A solid game that leans towards the easy side. The only real flaws are an iffy camera and iffier reading of its potential audience. It's still the best interactive thing to happen to the Shrek universe thus far.

Although Shaun Sullivan's game does almost everything right, simulation speed moves at approximately the same pace as continental drift.

Each game also consists of doing the same thing over and over again, and while this provides the perfect even playing field when skirmishing with a friend, it gets monotonous alone.

The game hangs together well, and its surface simplicity belies hidden depths.

The core gameplay, while striking less of an impact than in its heyday, is still a solid, addicting experience. The instantly accessible gameplay and well-crafted balance between arcade feel and realism make it a recommendable online game.

This is a strange instance where an expansion is actually better suited for new players than returning vets.

The most singularly glaring issue with Roboforge - there is absolutely NO MANUAL. What?! Yes, it's true. Sadly, you'll be completely on your own with only the skimpiest of Flash5 tutorial-introductions to guide you.

Its gameplay sacrifices and slightly stale taste make it no match for "Tekken: Dark Resurrection."

An entertaining and occasionally even deep role-playing experience able to stack up against classic entries in the "Final Fantasy" and "Dragon Quest" series.

Root of Evil puts itself across as a lighthearted, if slightly demented, kid's game. But it can be much more challenging than such a presentation implies, and the disconnect is sometimes jarring.

One part hockey, one part soccer and one part pure fantasy, Quidditch World Cup may not have the draw or the depth of Madden, but it is still plenty of fun to play.

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.

If you're a Larry fan from way back, Magna Cum Laude takes the series into a pleasing new direction. But it needs a greater variety of challenges to be more appealing.

Quick bouts are enjoyable enough, but once you have your head around the novel betting structure, The Con doesn't give you enough to get your teeth into, long-term.