Sadly, the music is rather blander than previous versions of THPS.

The plot to Etherlords, the new fantasy strategy game from Nival and Fishtank, is such complete and utter cobblers.

While the campaign mode doesn't offer as much arcade action and the new strategic additions actually lessen the overall space combat feel, there's still plenty here for Trek fans and non-Trekkies alike.

It may fall between two stools. It isn't realistic enough to please the sim crowd but action players may find some of the restrictions placed on them -- only four weapons to choose from, the inability to point the nose where they want and the need to rely on concealment -- too confining.

Hot Date adds an obscene amount of voyeuristic addiction to an already proven immersive experience.

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.

My current favorite for top strategy game of the year. It's more playable than the original and there is a wealth of new options that increases replayability by a factor of ten.

As good as this game is, as amazing as the graphics are, as fantastic as the audio is, as fun as it is to play, and as much as everyone loves Solid Snake, the obscene storyline virtually ruins everything.

In terms of gameplay this title is a gem. There are loads of tricks for you to master and a stack of challenges for you to complete.

Offers exactly what the dedicated Star Wars follower and gamer wants: a way to re-enact the drama and excitement of Lucas' vivacious universe and even deviate from course and create your own scenarios.

You can be quietly gnashing your teeth for almost a minute on occasion for all the loading to be completed.

It's the way the game is laid out and immerses you that makes Half-Life the cat's golden milk-drenched whiskers.

If you're one of those many people who continue to pine for a Square RPG on your favourite Nintendo handheld, then rejoice because your prayers have damn near been answered with this game.

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.

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.

If you want to go high on adrenaline and never mind the pain, then this might be the right prescription - so long a s you can get to grips with the controls.

The dated technology and lack of features -- most importantly, the unchanging, scripted campaign -- kills the longevity of what might have been a breath of fresh air in the simulation scene.

The visuals are, if anything, more extreme than the previous version - the whole game is geared to slam your eyeballs through the back of your head. Not, fairly obviously, in a bad way, but in a crisp, well-defined and dazzling way.

Ahriman's Gift is one of the best that the genre has to offer. If you buy any RTS game this year, make sure you check out the Kohans.

The added feature of housing and storage alone makes it well worth its price tag, but the many new quests, island and monsters all making their debut are really the tasty icing.

Ace Combat 4 delivers all the necessary thrills at a blistering Mach 1 style pace.

More of the same from the Crash series, albeit wrapped up in nice new PS2 visuals. If you want innovation, try elsewhere.

Almost akin to what alcoholics would call a "moment of clarity", a prolonged amount of play reveals Burnout to suddenly be a far more enjoyable game than initially realised.

Those expecting something completely different, such as the ability to pilot spaceships or man turrets, will need to wait until the next release.

When taken in isolation, Black Thorn is a competent, if somewhat uninspiring, add-on. When taken in context, it's overpriced, old-fashioned, and has been released with exquisitely bad timing.

The problem is that the innovations seem incomplete, and without them, it really is just another RTS.

Despite all these problems, the response and assistance available from Game Masters is plentiful and a refreshing change for an MMORPG.

It will charm the pants off you and spectators if you're fan of the series.