A polished and exciting ride, carefully calculated for 80 percent thrills and 20 percent brain teasers.

A sign that the series is grinding along nicely in a comfortable rut, biding its time with the same old technology and some minor gameplay changes.

TrueSwing is an unparalleled re-creation of what it's like to actually swing a golf club, and the visual touches provide you with nearly everything that a membership at a real-world club can offer. There is no finer simulation of golf.

The perfect party game, not to mention the best home karaoke product on the market.

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

Largely an upgrade on the original, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is still one of the most polished and imaginative escapades we've played. Like a blockbuster movie, the tale delivers on almost every count from dazzling pyrotechnics to deft storytelling.

With solid localization, fun fighting, and a smooth flow, Rogue Galaxy is a likeable role-playing game that impresses on several fronts -- while at the same time giving a peek at what the future of the genre may hold.

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.

Smooth Moves does have its share of missteps. Rest assured that most of them are minor, and don't detract from the main formula of the Wario Ware series: insane amounts of fun.

EA's latest is a touch harder, comes with a reworked swing system that's a great compromise between finesse and simplicity, and includes a smooth new career mode. What's not to like?

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

An incredible, if flawed, experience. You'll need some tolerance and patience, but ultimately, if you want in on the most realistic mech game ever devised, this is it... To paraphrase the legendary Ferris Bueller: Steel Battalion is so choice. If you have the means, we highly recommend picking one up.

This is fast. Seriously fast. Brain-crushingly, mind-numbingly fast. Probably faster than anything we've ever played before. It's not fast like "Wipeout" is fast - sure, "Wipeout" is fast, but not this fast.

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.

Rocket Slime has a unique charm and gratifyingly relaxed gameplay, while its clever tank battle scheme gives this meringue-lite RPG some real weight.

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

Packing serious star power, astounding production values, and surprisingly entertaining gameplay, Everything or Nothing delivers on all relevant counts, providing for a rousing escapade that ranks among the best to feature Her Majesty's finest.

The likes of "Planetside" and "Unreal Tournament 2004" have stolen some of its thunder, but Vengeance is still unique enough to recommend to any multiplayer shooter fan.

Though all the elements are familiar, IO has polished them up and the end result is like a favorite dish: You know what it tastes like, but you're still looking forward to eating it.

The level of work that went into this game is way beyond the norm. It's obvious that no expense was spared in making Def Jam Fight For NY a big-time title... It's one the most polished fighting games available.

If you're a hardcore space simmer, you won't find better out there - it really is as simple as that. The sheer depth of the thing combined with the freeform universe, gorgeous graphics and near-perfect physics engine means you could play this non-stop for weeks and just not get bored.

There's no other game that has pulled me in quite as much as Exile, relieving stress in a way that no shooter ever has.

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.

Largely an upgrade on the original, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is still one of the most polished and imaginative escapades we've played. Like a blockbuster movie, the tale delivers on almost every count from dazzling pyrotechnics to deft storytelling.

You're bound to find a mode to immerse yourself into, and you've never had so much fun pitching in a baseball sim before.

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.

The main benefit over the original is the game's expanded challenge mode.

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.

Even more surprisingly, the enemies evidently know that you know you're supposed to save certain persons and -- right buggers that they are -- actually go out of their way to bring harm to your would-be charges!

Remix gives PSP owners a massive, compelling experience, while at the same time making the hardware look golden. After all, it's not only a port of a best-selling console game -- it's better!

The difficulty level is impressively even, remaining challenging enough to hold the attention, but rarely crossing too far into frustration.

Vegas 2 may be formulaic, but when the formula's still tastes great, it's hard to complain too much. Rainbow Six's action-movie realism and smooth look still make the game every bit as gripping as its illustrious predecessor.

Unfortunately, one of X-Men Legends II's greatest strengths is also its greatest weakness. There is virtually nothing different about the actual gameplay.

Have your driving your way, while still getting enough substance and structure that doesn't feel like a mere test drive.

The developer's first baby possesses a real joie de vivre and handles like a dream.

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.

Maybe being a villain isn't all that the brochure promised, but those giddy early levels and powerful later ones just might make the middle slog worthwhile.

The gameplay is solid and fun for any skill level, but what's really amazing is just how good this game looks. The faces are scarily accurate.

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.

Act of War strikes an ideal balance between demanding and engaging. It's returned our faith to the modern real-time strategy game, and promises an impressive new franchise from Atari.

If Franchise mode is your bag, then yes, you’ll want the new model. The upgraded run mechanics and countless small improvements certainly keep it a step ahead of Madden 16. But those looking for a game-changing, highlight-reel play should hold off. EA has moved the needle again, but not the final score.

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

It's witty, smoothly produced, and absorbing.

For the gamers who want a combat-heavy fantasy world to lose themselves in without the frustrations of the first generation of MMORPGs, Dereth is where you'll want to head.

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.

A linear game that simply doesn't feel linear, and that's a major achievement. By tightly focusing the action and constantly engaging the player, the developers have managed to make you feel a part of the action without holding your hand.

It's no "Baldur's Gate II," nor is it a "Planescape: Torment," but the way things are going it's the closest we're likely to get this century.

EA's challenge is not to simplify their simulation or stop adding detail, but to integrate those features so well that players can simply marvel at how advanced the game has become. The Superstar revisions are a step in the right direction, since they allow players to focus on the entire game one player at a time, but otherwise that's just not the case.

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

Action/RPGs tap into some inherent need to button-mash and kill countless foes, while still strategizing a bit with your party and their attributes so you don't feel brainless -- and this may be the best sci-fi themed entry in the genre to date.

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.

Drive Unlimited has blurred the line between single and multiplayer gaming almost out of existence.

Adding cop chases back to the franchise, retaining the free-roaming world setup from "Underground," and introducing the Speedbreaker are all welcome items.

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 solid title, featuring a believable and interesting storyline, plenty of missions to work through, and even good graphics. However, it can get very tedious at times, testing the patience of the most tolerant of gamers.

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.

A perfect place to jump into the Age of Wonders series. It's "Age of Wonders II," only sporting a few refinements and a lot of extra content.

Though we're a long way from skateboard half-pipes here, the developers have provided atmosphere and attitude to rival one of the great modern console series.

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.

Proves to be very addicting for someone looking for a thinking man's (or woman's) shooter both offline and on.

That break-the-mold game that longtime players of the franchise have been waiting for. And if you're already a street-rag reader, you have permission and reason to drool - just keep it off the AirFlow controller, please.

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.

The core aspects of SOCOM 3 remain the same, so those who tired of the earlier games won't find much to win them back for a third round.

The addition of Xbox Live and the fact that you can play with four players in battle mode means that owners of both PS2 and Xbox should definitely be leaning towards this one.

While Gladius isn't going to convert haters of RPGs or turn-based strategy, it's got the same hard-to-define addictive hook as its older peers, "FFT" and "Tactics Ogre." The battles are fairly brief and the next goal is always reasonably close at hand, so it's hard to resist the lure of "just one more" brawl before quitting.

Its setting is superb, its gameplay tense and convincing, and it boasts what are definitely the best fill-your-pants moments in a PC game for quite some time. It's hard to see how it could have turned out better.

Though all the elements are familiar, IO has polished them up and the end result is like a favorite dish: You know what it tastes like, but you're still looking forward to eating it.

Legends is a compelling game for those who aren't fans of the license, but it's an absolute must-have for X-Men followers; the bigger the fan, the more you need this game.

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.

Put into perspective and it being an ambitious "hit the ground running" success by Namco, Tekken Advance is a stunning achievement for GBA and deserves the praise lavished on it.

It's not quite as big as "GT3" in terms of races and events, but there's still plenty of gameplay, and expansion disks and online capability on the horizon.

The AI is surprisingly excellent - if you send a batch of troops out to scout, they will take up careful positions, scale machine gun positions, engage the enemy, and redeploy defensively without any more commands having to be issued.

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.

It's vibrant and fast, easy to pick up, and as satisfying as a speeding hedgehog can possibly be in the long run.

The world is elaborate, the sense of speed is dizzying, and the customization could cost you a job or a girlfriend. But you'll still have Brooke to keep you company.

Without the guns, gadgets, and radars of modern-themed games, it's a much tenser experience, and the cunning level design and excellent sound effects really draw you into its world. The variable difficulty levels mean no one should get seriously stuck, but there's still plenty of challenge for those that want it.

If you like fantasy, and if you're ready to graduate beyond the must-haves like Civilization and Heroes of Might & Magic, then Dominions 3 is a unique game you won't want to miss.

Rare's stylish presentation, wondrous depiction of an alien world, and, ummm, mediocre yet steady gameplay come together in a way that simply isn't seen that often in console or PC gaming.

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

Playing Battle Realms is simply a joy. It's a real-time strategy title that doesn't bog you down in its details, it doesn't carry the ponderous weight of less refined titles, and leaves you with that genuinely satisfied feeling you get from playing a superbly crafted and balanced title.

Fans of both the series and racing titles will lap this up (no pun intended).

As a simple enough idea, the unwieldy concept of a medieval trading/intrigue/court politics title has grabbed us by the short and curlies and refuses to let go for the near future. In a nice way, if that's possible.

The setting is rich, the characters are captivating, the interface is clean and easy to use, and the puzzles are just obtuse enough to be challenging, not frustrating.

It's not just its uncompromising realism or its emotive theme, it's the whole package -- great looks, fantastic sound, and a gameplay and plot structure that promotes bonding with the men under your command. Wrap that up with a slick control method and, for once, some tactical depth, and you're left with a very special recipe.

It doesn't offer the same mission or weapon variety as its big brothers, but its portability and wireless multiplayer more than make up for those shortcomings. And like its counterpart on the PlayStation 2, it's one of the best first-person shooters for the PSP to date.

Every aspect of the game feels polished and ready to go, whether it's the single-player story, the online multiplayer, the numerous unlockables, or the custom mapmaker. This is one of those rare Jack-of-all-trades that has actually mastered them all.

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's good because it offers some refreshing gameplay, lots of variety, and a sublime world in which to conquer or destroy. It may even represent the evolution of the role-playing game genre, which has needed a shot in the arm for years now.

The world is elaborate, the sense of speed is dizzying, and the customization could cost you a job or a girlfriend. But you'll still have Brooke to keep you company.

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.

A sign that the series is grinding along nicely in a comfortable rut, biding its time with the same old technology and some minor gameplay changes.

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.

A very good-looking and VERY addictive experience, and is probably the best starting environment for those who long to enter the MMORPG experience and yet dread the horror-stories they've heard.

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

The difficulty level is impressively even, remaining challenging enough to hold the attention, but rarely crossing too far into frustration.