While the missions in The Simpsons: Hit and Run can take on an air of sameness after a while and the pursuit scheme is less than completely thought out, the most startling thing we can note is that the gameplay stands on its own, Simpsons or no Simpsons.

It adds just enough to keep fans interested, but doesn't fix all the flaws or reinvent the game. With that said, the game has more focus, a bit more style, a lot more to do, and a definite ending if you choose to pursue it.

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

In terms of pacing, community, and great gunplay, this is the closest you'll get to a handheld "Counter-Strike." And as far as handheld shooters go, this is as good as it gets.

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

The new engine looks great, the interface (once you get to grips with it) works reasonably well, and the economic model is compelling enough to keep you playing.

As a standalone experience, University doesn't quite live up to The Sims 2's high grade point average. New stuff like pranks and streaking actually aren't that much fun and the whole experience feels like a lot of work... As an expansion pack to the main game, this is a terrific product.

Assassin's Creed is a solid enough game to overcome its awkward plot device. It doesn't much matter why you're in the situation you're in. What matters are those wonderful moments when you're sitting on a tower overlooking one of the most gorgeous cities you've ever seen in a game, and you know it's all yours to play in.

The big question was how well the new controls would work, and though you'll need extra practice to kick well, the game passes the test, making for a solid bridge between two generations of game systems.

The type of conversion we hoped to see on the handheld: There's virtually no degradation in quality, it's better than almost any console game in the genre, and it makes the platform look like gold.

One of the most compulsively playable strategy games of the year, both online and off...Simplicity is the main ingredient that makes RAA so enjoyable.

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.

Amazingly fun; once again, fans will be shouting "Finish him!" for months to come.

Kohan II's single-player campaign is passable, but doesn't do as much to break the RTS mould as the rest of the game. Most players will head straight for skirmish matches against the AI, and just like the original, they'll find it excellent, challenging, and convincing, as enemy or teammate.

Series fans -- and while it's a fine game, it's unlikely to appeal much to anyone else -- will lap it up, happy that such a well-loved saga is coming to a satisfying conclusion. What more could you ask?

The visual impact of the game is fantastic in terms of the surroundings that you race through, the shape of your bike and the track design.

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.

An extremely stylish and -- please take it the right way -- icky excursion into the supernatural that has learned from its predecessors, and from itself, how to entertain and unnerve the player.

Its instant accessibility, great overall presentation and tremendous historical feel make this game a secret worth spreading.

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.

Sam and Max's return is both a funny, well-written return to form and a real testimony to the episodic format in general. Culture Shock shows remarkable sympathy for the strengths of the original game, and has a polished, streamlined presentation that nails its feel.

A great modern anthology of 2D fighters. If you go gaga over every new Capcom or SNK fighter released, you’ll absolutely love this game.

With plenty of action, great visuals, lots of replay value and overall refinement, this is a winner both for newcomers and fans of the series. And while the game wraps up pretty cleanly, there's plenty of material for another adventure.

Amazingly fun; once again, fans will be shouting "Finish him!" for months to come.