Simple gameplay, but like all good games of this genre, it’s oh-so frustrating at times.

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.

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

Long time fans of the game will grumble about its flaws, while new players will be put off by the lack of direction in Quest mode. In the end, it's a game that suffers from "jack of all trades, master of none" syndrome.

If they had done something about the AI and given more feedback during pausing, there's a fair old chance that The Art of War would have upped its score to win our Highly Recommended accolade.

As many improvements as the game's developers have made over its predecessors, I only wish they had gone the extra mile and made this game into the top-notch title it could have been.

Perhaps the most competent boxing game we've come across in a long while, if not ever. It manages to be a worthy film tie-in that remains supremely playable and strangely compulsive.

As engaging as the game can be, the action has a tendency to seemingly last forever at times, forcing you retire early just for the sake of a breather.

None of the other games come close to this one in terms of gee-whiz frills and bonus content. But ASB 2004 doesn't really get the job done on the field.

The Live stuff definitely adds a new wrinkle to the yearly football competition. For Xbox owners interested in online play, Fever has a huge advantage over Madden, which is unfortunately single-player only on Microsoft's platform.

It's just as much fun now as it was ten or twenty years ago, and that's enough for us to crown it one of the most worthwhile multiplayer PSP games around. If you have friends, and at least some of them have PSPs, you need this game. It's that simple.

FlatOut 2 is fun, if only for a little while.

The volleyball is actually quite good, but it's far too limited and all the other nonsense just gets in the way.

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

What Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb amounts to is lots of riddles, lots of combat, too many deathtraps and jumping puzzles, and a decent, if contrived story.

Doesn't really have any significant flaws beyond the odd moment of frustration and the occasional gimmicky voodoo power. It's beautifully presented, full of imagination, and delightfully off-the-wall.

It ultimately lacks the long-term appeal of EA's offering.

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.

FlatOut 2 is fun, if only for a little while.

Yeah, sure, you've been here before, but you've never seen the view from up here. Fortuantely, the game holds up once your boots are on the ground as well.

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.

Climax has created a game which is not only addictive and playable, but keeps you constantly cooing over its lovingly crafted details that so many other rally games leave by the trackside.

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.

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 you're looking for something that's fun, easy to learn and great to have the odd knock around on, then you might have just found yourself a nice little surprise.

The linear gameplay may bore some and there are moments in the game that are confusing and seemingly impossible without starting the level again and retracing your steps.

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.

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

Its presentation is well below par, and the battles quickly become repetitive, but there remains an oddly addictive spark beneath its problems.

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

With more polish, a better campaign, and a little more attention to detail, it could have been a real winner. In the end, it's creative and novel, but its flaws prevent an unreserved recommendation.

It's disappointing that there's no option to enjoy the game at your own pace, as it can bring the game to a screeching halt. But otherwise, Double Trouble is a stellar example of how great games can be adapted for the Nintendo DS.

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.

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.

We're floored by the effort; if EA Sports can fix a few minor niggles and implement ongoing audiovisual upgrades, we expect big things from the series.

This game is jam packed with a range of fighting moves, weapons and a particularly vicious but faithful attack dog that our Max could only wish for.

This is not a short game and once you've started you'll never want it to end.

Stands out in the action-adventure genre by providing well devised combat and level design meshed with a great Buffy story. If you're not familiar with the TV show, you can still have a hell of a good time dusting vampires and kicking demon ass.

Whether you challenge specific favorite opponents or get a random one through the game's matching service, you'll be presented with one of the best squad-level strategy games out there... and you'll be constantly checking your email for the arrival of the next turn.

Sheep's target audience is the casual gamer who's going to fall for the cutesy box art and admittedly well-done intro FMV. But, unfortunately, they're probably going to come away disappointed and frustrated as well.

Working its magic touch for the sport, the presentation and addictive gameplay impress right from the initial pre-match nerves to the relief of the final whistle.

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.

One of the game's most interesting levels even has you riding a lizard mounted with big Wookie bowcasters. It looked cool on Tatooine and it looks cool here.

Flawed but on the right track. If anything, it just needs some tweaking to make it easier and a little friendlier to players new to the concept of hitting arrows in time with a beat.

Kirby Star Allies is a fun, but short romp that doesn't do much to push the franchise forward.

Graphically, this year's offering is a big step forward over last year's. However, it still has a way to go.

This is a worthwhile RTS that deserves more than to be upstaged by higher profile games, neither of which has battle zeppelins.

Despite its good intentions and ocassional co-op fun, Tri Force Heroes lacks the depth — and charm — we’ve come to expect from the franchise.

A decent chapter in a larger story, but as a standalone game it's simply not that exciting. It's hard to get over the dumbed-down combat and character development systems.

It takes far too many clicks to get a unit's attention. Units and icons are sometimes too small, and the camera system is still unfriendly when moving over tall terrain.

Dreamfall is a masterpiece of storytelling, and almost lives up to its illustrious predecessor.

A nice execution of admittedly old ideas, Men of Valor features exhilirating action, storytelling that takes risks, and convincing team AI.

Certain key footballers like Beckham, Owen, Carlos or Figo have been designated as star players, granting them extra abilities like speed, strike power, free kick magic or skill on the ball. This prevents most of the matches ending too predictably.

It doesn't really share too much with the original arcade title.

The story's not really any more involving, and the game still lacks the personality of Blizzard's seemingly insurmountable Diablo 2, but there's no denying its slick looks, interface and the hours of absorbing gameplay on offer.

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

X-Games doesn't have quite the graphics flare that SSX has, though in my opinion X-Games is the better looking of the two titles. It also has considerably faster load-times.

Although the two-player mode is entertaining, there's not enough variety to keep you going for long, and the quibbles with the camera and the music are the icing on an unsatisfying cake. Avoid.

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.

A game that just doesn't fit in. Out of the box it's not as fun as its predecessors, and nowhere near as deep or engaging as Madden or ESPN.

The pendulum has swung the other way and the game now favors arcade stylings... but it hasn't lost sight of its sim heritage... A great improvement over the original, Lethal Skies II is one of the better arcade-style aerial combat games out there.

For the uninitiated who favor endless combat over plot, it's also a great place to jump in, since the emphasis is on action and character rather than history.

If you're impatient, have bad carpal tunnel syndrome, or just never got that whole hand-eye coordination thing down, this probably isn't the game for you.

Time of Defiance hardly gets the adrenalin pumping, but there's more to life than quick thrills...Many will find it just as addictive and timeless as Civilization, but with the added frisson of real politics and even deeper strategy.

Both atmospheric and exciting, and there isn't much higher praise for a historical first-person shooter than that.

All told, this is a great package for the PSP that offers discrete slices of fun with every game.

Bears the gift of immense replayability, lending itself to quick, low-commitment gameplay sessions.

The racing in Bandits: Phoenix Rising is not that compelling, and the shooting loses its appeal after the first mission.

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

The action icons on Groove are more sluggish than on Play, which will mean a lot more furious hand-waving action and frustration that things can't move along quicker.

But you won't be getting this game for the advanced graphics engine. Instead, you'll be getting it for the fact that during one early battle, someone sticks a piece of paper on your character's back that says 'Kick my ass'.

While it did have its good qualities, the lack of any real replay value makes Hitman one of those games that just isn't quite worth the price tag.

Most of the attraction was the aliens, though it was difficult to restrain the urge to lift them out of the genre-bound confines of Earth 2160 and into the groundbreaking RTS they deserve.

Hugely compelling and damned addictive.

Pure action-junkies may lose patience with Primal (if the prolonged, "enforced tutorial" beginning doesn't outright kill them), but those who like to sit back and soak in atmosphere are in for one hell -- one Hell -- of a moody ride.

Racer Revenge isn't a bad game in terms of action when you're out there mid-gameplay, but it does nothing to add to the fun we had with Episode I Racer.

It almost makes up for that movie.

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.

Less Dragon-Ballsy gamers may get frustrated, but are encouraged to stick it out as well, until they get the hang of this deep -- albeit slightly convoluted -- fighting feast.

If you're online, have the conn-speed and the time, and understand that co-operation and quickness are the operative terms here, then Tribes Aerial Assault can and will give you a console experience you simply haven't had yet.

If you're a longtime Battlecry player hoping for a revolutionary improvement, Warlords Battlecry 3 will be a disappointment. But if it's high-quality RTS gameplay you're looking for, it's here in spades.

All of Contact's charm can't save it from the tedium that bogs down a lot of RPGs. But it's still as solid as they come, not terribly spectacular, but the perfect fare for devotees of the genre.

While the new version features revamped graphics and a few new options, gameplay is nearly identical to what it was five years ago.

It achieved something that is very rare in gaming: well-developed and believable characters. That, in itself, is no mean feat, but mix it with the game's delightful combat, varied design, and admirable coherence of style and creative vision, and you have something very special.

As the pedigree of the series suggests, Warlords IV's AI plays a very mean game indeed. The different difficulty levels are well balanced, going from a pushover at the easiest setting (good for getting to grips with the rules, and what constitutes a good army) to a very real challenge at the upper ones.

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.

A fast, fluid, and gorgeous game, with a remarkable control scheme, a gratifying sense of progression, and its own unique sensibility. With a launch title like this, the Wii comes out of the gate swinging, demanding to be taken seriously.

Without more variety in the missions, consistency and depth to the characters, and a purpose to the expansive and pretty scenery, there are far better games to pick from this year.

Serious Sam II is packed with simplistic, repetitive shooting. It's not for players who want to think, or even do more than twitch. But for anyone longing for a good old-fashioned shooter with a few modern capabilities, this is the game.

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.

Both atmospheric and exciting, and there isn't much higher praise for a historical first-person shooter than that.

I'm not too excited about it, but there's enough going on for me to keep it on my hard drive past the time spent reviewing it.

For fans of micro-management, it's hard to imagine a better game than this immensely deep system of administration, but alas, we got bored very quickly thanks to the overly elaborate profession and skill trees.

Stands out in the action-adventure genre by providing well devised combat and level design meshed with a great Buffy story. If you're not familiar with the TV show, you can still have a hell of a good time dusting vampires and kicking demon ass.

Animal creation, plot, and fast-paced multiplayer and skirmish options all lend a certain amount of charm to the proceedings, although play is much more boring than you'd expect in a game where you can breed an unholy attack force of elephants with scorpion stingers and pincers.

This isn't the sort of add-on that improves the original, or even changes the core gameplay very much, although it is a nice added chapter that fans will certainly appreciate.

This isn't a game for the twitchy or easily distracted. But get into Siren's head and you'll find a singular horror experience that keeps its teeth in your neck from start to finish.

A lackluster release with very few real improvements, not healthy innovation or genre-busting action.