There's no denying that "IL-2 Sturmovik" is a great sim and therefore Forgotten Battles is a great sim by extension. As a sequel, however, it's a bit underwhelming.

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 story is solid, the puzzles well integrated into the plot, and the pace is quick moving enough so that you can finish the game in about the same amount of time as you can finish a good suspense novel.

If you are the kind of gamer who generally wants to button through game cinematics anyway because you think they're a pain in the ass, you should avoid Xenosaga like it was a proctologist with a history of methamphetamine psychosis.

Features have been piled upon features in an attempt to enhance gameplay, but this has only succeeded in bulking things up to the point where you risk an aneurysm if you try to figure everything out.

The storyline features such ridiculous contrivances as diving to find the ingredients to make aspirin for someone's grandmother, who has back pain. Ugh.

The ultimate laugh-out-loud party game.

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.

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.

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.

It's designed to be played through multiple times, and won't show anywhere near the whole of its plot or locations first time out.

One of the best console RPGs you'll ever play... The sort of masterpiece that could only be made by people with a preternatural insight into what makes gamers tick.

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

When these sorts of loaded odds are all you get in lieu of a competitive computer player, the whole thing feels like you're being cheated rather than challenged.

A much-needed change of ammo in the way-overused gun barrel of 'survival horror.'

No other racing game on any platform simulates the NASCAR experience this accurately. Graphics have been improved for this year's update, but lack the arcade pop on the consoles.

There are bosses with personality and the fighting is pointlessly gratifying enough to distract for long periods of time, but those hungry for some kind of innovation might be left a little cold here.

Despite some dated-looking visuals (it REALLY does look like PSO), Dot-hack is an impressive bit of high-concept work, and scores lots of points for its presentational excellence.

The designers at EA Pacific were able to bring us the contemporarily relevant content of C&C: Generals, with the fluidity and immersion-level we always hope to expect... and all this without any of the pansy-assed 'political correction' that dominates these days.

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.

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.

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.

The hands-off battles and overall lack of challenge make this game feel somewhat like a very long, yet entertaining book that's totally lacking a climax.

The ominous industrial-soundtracked wanderings change from tense to boring and finally kind of infuriating, as you find yourself being forced to visit and visit and re-visit again areas you've already cleaned out.

If you like your fighters to be deep, complex, and thoroughly bizarre, then Guilty Gear is a recommended purchase and might just be the "different" you've been looking for.

While DICE probably should have included a few more maps, and some editing material so that modders could more easily build on what they've been provided (you can release that software developer's kit any time now, EA!), it's hard to argue with this expansion when everything included in it is so good.

Sappy, sure, but the enthusiasm is infectious and ultimately effective.

Control is also woefully imprecise, to the point where combos can seem time-delayed a second or more.