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.

Original, addictive, and mesmerizing, Lumines is good enough to make a case for the PSP all by itself.

It's a solid first-wave title, while the awesome 3D engine and multiplayer game makes it a truly new experience in the portable arena. Let's just hope the next legend that SOE tells has more surprises.

Even if you do have a shiny new PSP to play with, you're better off picking up a copy of the original Ape Escape for the PlayStation. It'll control better, and be less than half the price.

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.

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.

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.

Offering a perfectly balanced mix of features, gameplay, and style, Wipeout Pure is one of those rare gems that fires on all cylinders.

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.

The computer players take ages moving, and if you add more than one opponent for extra tactical depth, the problem is multiplied.

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.

A solid, straightforward first-person shooter. It manages to stumble, gasping and grinning, from the no-man's land of "adequate" and into the green zone of "good," mostly due to the assorted flairs and presentational touches that make all the difference.

If your only option is the PS2 version, it's a less attractive option -- but if you're looking for simple, addictive brain teasing, you can't go too far wrong with this.

In the same league as the disposable horror flicks that fill video shelves and late-night cable. It's not particularly frightening, but good atmosphere and short-lived twitch satisfaction is enough to sustain interest for a while.

Thanks to the huge variety of powers and strategies, it'll last at least as long as a typical full-priced option.

The computer players take ages moving, and if you add more than one opponent for extra tactical depth, the problem is multiplied.

A good deal for Xbox owners, despite its shortcomings. There's an awful lot of gameplay here, thanks to the multiple single-player modes and good selection of party games.

In the same league as the disposable horror flicks that fill video shelves and late-night cable. It's not particularly frightening, but good atmosphere and short-lived twitch satisfaction is enough to sustain interest for a while.

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.

The action is swift and challenging, but easy to control.

Like "Samba De Amigo," and countless other monkey games with silly controllers before it, Jungle Beat's a winner, albeit a short-lived one.

It's both a parody and tribute to the four-color pages of yesteryear when spandex heroes fought against world menaces, using a mix of brain, brawn, and unrestrained hyperbole. The game captures this with a wink, but also a great deal of love.

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.

There's a very limited, repetitive number of enemy types (whose quickly depleted voiceovers get annoying), and the core combat is solid, but uninspired (circle-strafe, reload, repeat).

It's not without its flaws -- a lack of tactical depth and disappointing multiplayer are chief among them -- but it's gripping and spectacular to play, and certainly one of the better Star Wars games on the market.

Neophytes may find the game's imposing difficulty tedious, but fans of the series will think Capcom has tapped into divinity with Dante's Awakening. It's got superb production values, exhilirating action... and besides, what would Dante say to his detractors? "To hell with them."

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.

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.