IGN

Pacific Storm: Allies will appeal to those who loved the original game, since it essentially offers more of the same. However, it also hasn't evolved much since then, which is disappointing since there was plenty of room for the production values to improve. Don't be lured by the action and RTS modes, as this is a hardcore strategy game when you get down to it.

At its core, Supreme Commander is a good game. It's just surprising that it passed Microsoft certification in its current form. Technical issues like crashes, slowdown, impaired AI, and inexplicable momentary lockups paired with much uglier graphics than what the PC mar this release to the point of no return.

One day there will be tennis game that can accurately convey the emotion of watching two titans of the sport slam it out in a five-set, four and a half-hour marathon under the New York lights, but until that happens tennis games will never be wholly representative of the genuine article.

It really is a shame because, this particular aspect of design stupidity aside, Alone in the Dark really does deserve the somewhat overused accolade of ‘flawed masterpiece’. Sure, its plot is hugely contrived, it’s occasionally frustrating and really lacking in the kind of polish we expect from big-name games in this day and age.

It?s loud, it?s pretty and it lets you blow big-ass holes in buildings. There are plenty of flaws that FPS gurus will be able to nitpick about, but Bad Company delivers a fun-filled single-player campaign with a multiplayer component that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in our industry.

In spite of its sluggish opening, Battlefield: Bad Company goes on to produce one of the most entertaining first-person shooters since last year’s Call of Duty 4. Bold and bright in tone, it’s blockbuster fare that combines DICE’s first-person expertise with a small sprinkling of innovation that’s enough to ensure it’s a perfect way to shoot the summer breeze.

Most hardcore NASCAR fans will just be happy that there?s a new game version of their favorite sport, and we can report that it functions reasonably well as such. But to the general gaming public, even those of us who really love racing games, there?s nothing special about this one.

Legends die hard and deserve a heroic story that lives on when they are gone. Metal Gear Solid 4 is such an ending for the legendary warrior Solid Snake. Not only does it sum up the full franchise of Metal Gear, its depth and its complexity, coupled with its technical prowess, make it one of the best games of the year and, indeed, one of the best games ever made. Get some well earned rest, Snake. You've earned it. We salute you.

Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit is a strong fighting game, with combat mechanics that are both simple and deep. There are some issues in terms of variety, however, with a limited number of stages and characters that are fairly similar to one another. Regardless, DBZ fans will likely find a lot to enjoy here, which is really what matters.

Funcom succeeded on several fronts with their much-anticipated MMORPG. It's got a different, enjoyable gameplay style, offers a free-for-all PVP experience that fits with Robert E. Howard's fiction and boasts outstanding audio and graphical packages.