Roughly a third the size of its predecessor, meaning that you'll be able to go from eagerly installing the game to disappointingly removing it from your hard drive for good in just two or three nights.

Fans should rejoice at having the chance to play both Kain and Raziel, with faster deeper combat leading to the story resolution many have longed for. It's not perfect, but Defiance is easily the best of the series.

A mediocre FPS combined with a mediocre RTS, where the units don't necessarily do as you tell them. The thinking behind the combination is pretty sound, but it falls victim to the classic problem with this sort of genre-spanning game - you can't take two sub-par games and make one good one.

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

If you've got enough patience to get used to the kinks in the interface and the sometimes dense mission design, you'll get a great deal of entertainment out of this one, both online and off.

While seemingly similar to previously released action titles at first glance, Kill.switch quickly proves to impart its own unique types of spin on the strat-shooter genre, not merely in mechanics and "hooks," but also in the game's very dramatic approach.

Rebel Strike's control issues and lack of a manual camera option bring added frustration to an already difficult game.

If you're the type to enjoy that style of gameplay, we're honour-bound to point out "Super Smash Brothers: Melee," a superior game in about all aspects, and with infinitely more to do.

Black & White 2 shows a crystal-clear understanding of what makes games cool. If only it showed as good a comprehension of what makes games... well, games.

Think of Pursuit Force as a cross between "Burnout Legends" and "GTA: Liberty City Stories," though it doesn't quite reach the quality level of those two.

Offers exactly what the dedicated Star Wars follower and gamer wants: a way to re-enact the drama and excitement of Lucas' vivacious universe and even deviate from course and create your own scenarios.

Even more impressive than the original, offering richer gameplay, deformable terrain, real-time lighting, new zoom capability, and a host of other improvements that puts TMP at the top of the crowded RTS genre.

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.

After you see through its repetitive gameplay, gimmicky execution scenes, and tiresome, self-consciously obscene dialogue, there isn't much left. Manhunt's gameplay isn't deep or varied enough to match up to the alternatives on any platform.

While it has its flaws, it's paced well, full of action, and managed to keep us smiling all the way to the end. With a tweak here and a polish there, Ritual could really be onto something good. Bring on part two.

Amongst all the launch games for the DS, this quirky dating game is the one that really captured our hearts and pulled us back.

Pretty much what you'd expect from another sequel. No more, no less.

In Shadowbane, the players get to remap the world, and that's something that just hasn't been done before. It's a significant achievement, and an engrossing gameplay experience that should be applauded, albeit cautiously.

If you come to Children of the Nile with a spirit of investigation and if you're willing to learn the nuances of this complex model of ancient life, you'll be richly rewarded with one of the most serene and gratifying city builders since the genre began.

It's at its best when you can just wreak havoc and tear apart a room, tossing furniture with abandon and scattering objects wildly. But the amount of tedium you'll have to wade through along the way isn't worth it. Frankly, Elebits is a great idea in search of a better game.

Despite the game's limited length and distinctly Japanese presentation, River City Ransom EX remains a winner overall. From a punchy, bleeping score to cheesy kung-fu sound effects and esoteric script, the game comes off as a killer blast from the past.

It's worth it, but only if you have the patience to deal with a control interface that could drive you batty.

The game's mediocre in too many areas, and is generally inferior to its predecessor. Yes, mechs are cool. Yes, it adds maturity to the genre. However, "Disgaea," "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance," and "Advance Wars" all blow Front Mission 4 out of the water.

It falls short in a few areas, and the missing tilt-sensor is a disappointment, but puzzle fans with patience and those into heavy metals would still do well to give this one a roll.

This is a Katamari game in all its glory, only a bit truncated. It doesn't have the longevity or the broad appeal of its predecessors, but it has the basic spirit, which is what counts.

One of the best hand-held games currently going... If an action-puzzle game with old-school sensibilities sounds like your cup of grog, The Lost Vikings is definitely worth a raid on your local games shoppe.

Super-serious types who regularly dust their Ninja Scroll collections might have problems with its goofy, irreverent tone, but pure gamers will find a lot of pure fun.

A tightly packed game. Despite the AI and graphics issues, it's simply a lot of fun to play, due in large part to the fielder cam and excellent pitching and batting.

It's the ultimate in meta-gaming. Playing yourself playing yourself and it's worth the purchase, because it's different enough, even if you just spent the past year sitting in a computer chair playing a character sitting in his computer chair.

It may not be perfect, but the combination of movie authenticity, solid action, and exploratory gameplay adds up to one hell of a good time.

One of the most innovative games we've seen in years...It delivers all the immersion, innovation, and entertainment you can ask for.

The graphics and sound both capture the action well, and the character animation is particularly strong.

Stylish, solid, and unique... and on the upper difficulty levels, it's hard as hell. It gives a gothic boost to the first-person shooter genre, and a definite shot in the arm to the criminally underrepresented western video game.

Transformers has just enough of a bright, toy-like look to tickle the nostalgia of those who grew up with the cartoons and the hype, but the game stands up well on -- sorry again! -- its own two feet.

Starving fans of the genre could consider it an oasis. An adventure game that looks good and plays well? Whatever next?

A fascinating, unusual combination of turn-based story-driven missions with "card-battle" mechanics (think "Magic the Gathering" or "Yu-Gi-Oh!"). And being part of the infamous Metal Gear franchise, it's got all the convoluted yet strangely intriguing plot twists you'd expect.

If there were a more advanced game behind the excellent writing, The Bard's Tale could have been one of the highest rated RPGs this year. The Bard's sarky one-liners, foul mouth, and rampant chauvinism make every cutscene and conversation entertaining and frequently laugh-out-loud funny.

The best that can be said is Chibi-Robo may satisfy patient children. The rest of us will grow weary of the hurdles and slow text, and pull the plug to go looking for something else more our speed.

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.

Despite the many little changes, improvements, and false steps, this year's game is still as disappointing as last year's, albeit in different ways, and with more obvious flaws that take less time to annoy the player.

Another improvement is in the deliberate simplicity of the interface which is designed to keep the screen as uncluttered as possible and to issue commands with the minimum amount of keystrokes.

Younger DS owners, especially female ones, will lap it right up, finding the challenge level and frequent save points a good fit.

In short, the people that should love the franchise mode may be put off by the performance. In addition to the sluggish menus, load times are too frequent and too long. Portable games should be fast and accessible, and Madden isn't.

As with the previous episodes, all the comedy and the gargantuan amount of options hang together well.

Its general lack of lasting appeal and minor flaws are counterbalanced with slick controls, a challenging level of difficulty, and some out-of-the-ordinary gameplay mechanics.

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.

By far the most realistic golf game to date and should be snapped up even by those with a vague interest in the game.

The game is severely crippled by awkward controls, inexplicable design decisions, and arcade-like sequences that reveals way too much about how to breeze though the twelve brief missions.

In the end though, what really makes Crypto-138 stand out from the pack is the combination of solid controls and side-splitting humor. It may not be politically correct, but it's going to keep you entertained.

A tremendously fun game; I don't usually play adventure games, but this one held my interest from beginning to end. With excellent roach animation and plenty of interesting locations to wander around your senses are kept keen, and the stylish video clips add very well to the eerie atmosphere.

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

It's a great title for hardcore UFC fans who are looking for authenticity and stripped bare chuddies minimalism, but for gamers who have been spoiled by a sea of options, moves, and thrills this is far too... skinny.

A pulpy, good time. Just don't expect to come back after completion for any particularly inspired level design or captivating combat.

Features the same aesthetic and attitude as its renowned predecessors but lacks some of their soul. On the plus side, the game is a heck of a lot better suited to mobile gaming.

While being by and large a straight-forward action shooter, it's really aching to be a tactical shooter, and in that vein it's a pity there's not more control over your team members.

The best tennis game in years...Whether it's rapid-fire one-off matches or a protracted solo mode that floats your boat, the game has you covered with a brilliant mix of rowdiness and realism.

Underneath the silly cash grab lies a genuinely fun multiplayer game. Siege took me back to the early days of Counter-Strike, when I would lose weeks at a time to endless late night sessions with friends. Find some buddies and Siege really settles in as thrilling game of calculated chaos. But between the paltry offline offerings and the slow, microtransaction-gated drip of goodies, I wouldn’t advise breaching this door alone.

It's disappointing that the few effective minigames are piled under a heap of mediocrity.

In the long run, we love F1's purity; while it can seem too much at first, the stringent driving model is ideally suited for Formula One racing. An arcade leaning would make the game more accessible for a broader audience, but would also sell short the enthusiast appeal of the sport.

A great-looking game, and can be very relaxing to play, but the illogical puzzles and sparse, uninteresting plot leave it feeling rather flat.

Commendable, lacking only in more targeting controls and somewhat dull first impressions. Its gameplay quality will depend greatly on a large enough supply of well-mannered group members.

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."

Once the greater story starts, you'll face some great combat (the "Area 42" assault), moments of pure oddness (like making a brainwashed politician B.S. his way through a public speech), great little period touches, and some cool bits of humor from the alien who thinks he's Nicholson.

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.

With a more detailed and challenging storyline, Genji could have been right up on the top tier with the titles that inspired it. As is, this is an entertaining, beautiful experience for any fan of swords and samurai.

Big Brain Academy's biggest problem is its limited quantity of activities. Yes, we get that it's part of Nintendo's new "Touch Generations" line, and that it's only $20, and it's meant to be a quick diversion...but even the casual audience that's being targeted is going to get bored after a few days.

It may fall between two stools. It isn't realistic enough to please the sim crowd but action players may find some of the restrictions placed on them -- only four weapons to choose from, the inability to point the nose where they want and the need to rely on concealment -- too confining.

Short.

The combat sections of the game are great and you have so much freedom of movement with your on-screen, bearded lovely!

I have no doubts about TA:K's entertainment value. Yes, it is a reincarnation of a two-year old game system (with radically different gameplay, I must emphasize) with various problems, and the innovation may no longer be there, but the fun certainly is.

Worms 3D's new engine isn't a necessary improvement on the classic and enduring 2D game, but the upgrade works, even if it makes the controls a little more cumbersome. It still has the tone, humour and playability that is synonymous with Worms.

You'll cry for training wheels at first, but the elation of mastering the game's techniques is its own reward. This is a great start to a Gran Turismo off-shoot.

Provides the player with as much tension, graphical realism, and all-round superb gameplay as one could wish for. The minor bugs and the tricky control system can defintely annoy you at times, but they shouldn't totally put you off, as the game really is a classy bit of programming.

For a game without a particularly compelling plot, pretty addictive and fun to play.

Although 1503 offers only a few modest innovations, it's still a solid example of how gratifying it is to spread your own civilization, whether it's this century or 500 years ago.

Ridge Racer 6's graphics may be pure 360 shininess, but the gameplay is from a generation ago... hell, two generations ago and that's generous.

Outstanding graphics, excellent, balanced and enjoyable gameplay, an interesting career mode and plenty of tracks and cars.

After you see through its repetitive gameplay, gimmicky execution scenes, and tiresome, self-consciously obscene dialogue, there isn't much left. Manhunt's gameplay isn't deep or varied enough to match up to the alternatives on any platform.

If at first you succeed, don't change a thing. That could be the motto of Chris Sawyer's RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, a sequel that is essentially the exact same game as its predecessor.

The resources might have been ripped off from "Settlers," but they're perfectly balanced and you get a genuine sense of achievement as you build a thriving town from a few sticks and a couple of peasants.

If you liked the previous Spider-Man outings but wanted more fluidity and flash, you're gonna dig this game. If you're only so-so on your Spider-Man fandom and care more about a solid, intuitive experience than comic-styled minutia, you're still gonna dig this game.

In the end though, what really makes Crypto-138 stand out from the pack is the combination of solid controls and side-splitting humor. It may not be politically correct, but it's going to keep you entertained.

The game lacks the complicated character advancement common in the genre, but it's fast-paced, looks and sounds great, and will keep casual RPG and Lord of the Rings fans happy.

While it's very much an evolution of the preceding Armored Core games, it's certainly an improvement, and there's enough new here that players of the older games won't feel ripped off.

Sports not only improved visuals and a fantastic jazzy soundtrack, but the real changes lie in streamlined gameplay and a very different perspective. Unlike the other eight before it, this title follows the events depicted in the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" novel.

Its single-player is engaging and varied, and the multiplayer is even better. If you're looking for something a little deeper than the usual GBA fare, Shining Soul II is sure to put a smile on any gamer's face.

Sacred takes the best elements from the RPG genre and fuses them with a great deal of style. The polish, attention to detail, and obvious love that went into this game makes up for its minor shortcomings.

A spectacular boxing game that moves beyond a lot of the systems prior limitations.

Madden is fun, no question. It looks wonderful, and the visual improvements make it a more entertaining game both for players and spectators.

With High Treason, Act of War has become one of the most flexible multiplayer RTSs since "Rise of Nations." It's also still the best "Command & Conquer: Generals" clone since, well, "Command & Conquer: Generals."

You might not enjoy looking back on the repetitive track design and poor graphics, but you won't recoil in shock or anything. It's more likely that you won't be able to remember anything about this game at all.

So Wreckless, while being a graphical tour de force, and a superb showcase title for the polygon-pushing potential of the Xbox, is one of those games that's all talk and no trousers.

The limited AI and by-the-numbers level design completely backfire. And while quick kills form combos that pay off in cash, little is done with the system. Even the multiplayer feels tacked on.

Many of the tracks and events have simply been lifted from earlier entries, and the controls aren't reliable enough to consistently deliver the elation that characterized the best SSX titles.

Fans should rejoice at having the chance to play both Kain and Raziel, with faster deeper combat leading to the story resolution many have longed for. It's not perfect, but Defiance is easily the best of the series.

Infected does get repetitive, there's no denying that. But the sheer action and stress-factor of clearing out mission areas, and the bloody, cartoonish joy of Bruce Campbell-ing your way through legions of splattering zombies to a Rawk soundtrack is probably more than you expected from a zombie-centric game in the first place.

Yes, the game has its faults, but like the show, Double or Nothing succeeds on the quality of its writing, and complements the TV show very well.

Stylish, solid, and unique... and on the upper difficulty levels, it's hard as hell. It gives a gothic boost to the first-person shooter genre, and a definite shot in the arm to the criminally underrepresented western video game.