Jeez...is time to update the ShackReviews database already? This week we've five new console games, including the world's most popular soccer game (or so Konami says, anyway) and a third person James Bond title. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing (GC, PS2, Xbox)
• MX Unleashed (PS2, Xbox)
• Rise to Honor (PS2)
• World Soccer Winning Eleven 7 International (PS2)
• Wrath Unleashed (PS2, Xbox)

My review copy of 007: Everything or Nothing arrived yesterday, and I'm very much looking forward to giving that a whirl. I can't remember the last Bond game I've played (it was probably GoldenEye), but I was really quite impressed with the game when I saw it at EA's recent NYC press event, so I have high hopes for this one. If nothing else, the production values on this game blow away any other Bond title to date. Aside from getting the entire Bond cast to play their regular roles, the addition of actors like Willem Dafoe, Shannon Elizabeth and even Richard Kiel (reprising his role from waaay back when) really does add a lot to the game. And I'm really not opposed to the third person perspective, either. So hopefully I won't be horribly disappointed in it.

Yeah, it's a holiday weekend, but I have no life, so I'll still update the ShackReviews database. This week we've got a handful of console games, including an Xbox port of the last game to come out of the now-defunct studio Legend Entertainment and a remake of the original NES Metroid. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest (PS2)
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (GC)
• Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA)
• Nightshade (PS2)
• Unreal II: The Awakening (Xbox)

As part of the same firehouse sale that I used to pick up Mac versions of both Fallouts, I also got the Mac port of Wipeout 2097 (also known as Wipeout XL), which as I've said in LNC on a few occasions is one of my favorite games of all time. There are a couple of funny things about this port. For one thing, the soundtrack is remarkably weak. I assume this is because of rights issues, but I wasn't having any of that, so I ripped the audio off my original PlayStation version of the game and dropped those MP3s into the music directory in place of the ones that shipped with the game. But the really funny thing about this version is that when you start up the game, the options screen lets you select your framerate. I figured that you know, framerate == how smooth the game runs, so I chose the highest one available. Big mistake. If anyone ever asks, Wipeout at 100 FPS is absolutely insane. At that speed, it runs so fast that the starting countdown sounds like, "Thretwonego!" And you don't even want to know what it's like to get a speed boost. It's just nuts. Needless to say, I dropped it down to 30 FPS. And if I'm feeling brave, I'll crank it up to 50 or 60. But 100? That's a bit too fast for me (my wife got dizzy just looking at it).

Victory is mine! But I'll still update the ShackReviews database. This week we've got a handful of console games, including the end of a shmup legacy. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Air Force Delta Strike (PS2)
• EyeToy (PS2)
• The King of Fighters 2000/2001 (PS2)
• R-Type Final (PS2)
• The Sims Bustin' Out (GBA)

Although I'm still primarily playing Beyond Good & Evil (and generally enjoying it, although I have some issues with the game's camera and clunky stealth system), I picked up the Mac ports of both Fallout games for a ridiculously low price, and couldn't help myself and started playing the first one yesterday. It's been an age and a half since I last played Fallout 1, and it's still a great game, but it's definitely very rough around the edges, and its flaws have gotten to be a bit more pronounced over the years. Most significant of these is its limitation of 10 save games, although I've gotten around that by backing up my save directory after playing. There are some other issues as well, like the fact that it can be difficult to figure out where you're supposed to go at any given time (even if there are multiple ways to do just about everything). Still, it's a classic, classic RPG and I definitely love the game (even if I love the sequel a bit more).

Yeah, there's some sort of football thing today, but as far as I'm concerned it's just another day to update the ShackReviews. This week we've got a mix of new and very old games, including the long awaited North American debut of Silent Storm. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Silent Storm (PC)
• Sega GT Online (Xbox)
• Sonic Heroes (PS2, Xbox)
• Betrayal at Krondor (PC)
• Carmageddon (PC)

I'm still playing through Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time...I'm at 62% and absolutely can't wait for this thing to end. I haven't been so dreadfully bored by a game in ages. To many of you I'm sure it sounds like I'm just irrationally disliking what everyone else seems to think is among the best games released last year, but I assure you that I approached this game exactly the same way I approach every game, with a fair and open mind. Actually if anything, I was somewhat biased in favor of the game, as I had read so many great things about it and it was one of my favorite games from E3 last year. But the game repeatedly violates my one and only rule of game design: if it's not fun it shouldn't be in the game at all. Period. Combat in PoP is not fun. In fact it's mind-numbingly annoying. Without the combat this would be a much better game (maybe not great, but at least better)...but it's in there, and it's a big part of the game, and as such I really dread playing it. But I will finish it (hopefully sooner rather than later) and if the game manages to get really, really good in the last third, I'll be sure to mention that in my review. Hopefully it will...the first 2/3rds have been a real disappointment.

Gooooaaal!!! Yes, that really is my entire knowledge of soccer summed up in a single yell. Anyway, let's update the ShackReviews database, shall we? This week we've got five new and recent titles for you, including the sequel to the well-received Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Auto Modellista (Xbox)
• Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II (PS2, Xbox)
• Delta Force: Black Hawk Down - Team Sabre (PC)
• FIFA Soccer 2004 (GC, PS2, Xbox)
• Maximo vs. Army of Zin (PS2)

Note that although some places are selling it already, Silent Storm doesn't officially become available in North America until tomorrow, so that won't be added for another week. Anyway, I've been playing through Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and you know what? I don't particularly like it. Granted I'm only a third of the way through it, but so far I'm getting really bored with the endlessly repetitive combat and simplistic jump puzzles. Yes it's gorgeous, but once the shock of seeing those stunning animations wears off, you're left with what appears to be a particularly average game. Like I said, I'm only a third of the way through it, so hopefully it'll get better, because I'd heard so many great things about this game that I'm really disappointed so far.

War. War never changes. Fortunately, the ShackReviews database does. This week we've got five new and recent titles for you, including the final game in the .hack series, for those willing to stick with it this long (I didn't make it through the first game). As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• CT Special Forces (GBA)
• .hack://QUARANTINE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="external Part 4 (PS2)
• Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (PS2, Xbox)
• Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark (PC)
• NFL Street (GC, PS2, Xbox)

Although my gaming this week was primarily occupied by Metal Arms: Glitch in the System (which I expect to finish today or tomorrow, so look for that review soon), I also picked up the Mac port of Halo the other day. I bought the Mac version because I like having a multiplayer game on my desktop so I can jump into a quick game in between more serious tasks and I've grown a bit bored with UT2k3. Unfortunately the first patch hasn't come out for the Mac version of Halo yet, which means its multiplayer is incompatible with the PC version. I love Macs, and Mac users, but jeez...playing exclusively against Mac gamers is a funny experience. It's only been out for a few weeks, so obviously there's going to be a learning curve involved, but I should not be able to dominate a server that quickly. Hopefully that patch will come out soon...until then, I'm going to play through the single player campaign.

SEGA! Phew. Okay, with that out of my system, let's update the ShackReviews database. This week we've got a few recent titles and the first two releases of 2004. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• AquaNox 2: Revelation (PC)
• Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits (PS2)
• Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (PS2)
• Sonic Battle (GBA)
• Sonic Heroes (GC)

My gaming this past week was limited to Metal Arms: Glitch in the System, which I'm enjoying quite a bit. What's becoming clear as I progress through the game however, is what's going to really prevent this game from being a true classic...its protagonist is the dullest character in the game. There are interesting characters in here, but the one you actual control is a total snooze, and if his name weren't in the title, I doubt i'd even remember it. What this game really needs is a protagonist like Sonic. Not literally like Sonic, of course (that just wouldn't work here, and a character that original only comes along once in a blue moon) but a lead character that has a real presence. Even Glitch's voice is bland in comparison with everyone around him. Fortunately the gameplay's solid, and it can be a bit challenging at times, which I find to be a bit refreshing after the softball Legacy of Kain: Defiance and the hard-for-the-wrong-reasons portions of XIII.

As promised, here is the complete list of Holiday Giveaway winners and what they will receive from us soon. It's unavoidable that someone might get a game they already own, but perhaps other people have the same "problem" and you can swap.

• One of three copies of Call of Duty, courtesy of Activision.
  masetto, Mn3m0n1c, arriviste
• One of three copies of Tony Hawk's Underground (one Xbox, one PS2, one GameCube), also courtesy of Activision.
  beatnik212 (PS2 copy), Dimmona (Xbox copy), Badgun (GameCube version)
• One of three copies of True Crime: Streets of L.A. (one Xbox, one PS2, one GameCube), also courtesy of Activision.
  adamh (Xbox copy), woodjh (GameCube copy), iammacman (PS2 copy)
• One of three copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition, courtesy of Maxis.
  Sapiens, mordaken, Punchdog
• One of five copies of Halo: Combat Evolved, courtesy of Microsoft Games.
  brock89, BulletPro, tuck1270, VoodooRaze, Serpico74
• One of five copies of Age of Mythology: The Titans, also courtesy of Microsoft Games.
  pukerat, quikster, sinisterDei, Beaxch, imf4
• One of two copies of Savage: The Battle for Newerth, courtesy of iGames Publishing.
  bitterjester, Dry_Hump
• One of three copies of Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon, courtesy of Dreamcatcher.
  Freon, KinetiK, mack4000
• One of two copies of Morrowind: Game of the Year edition - PC version, courtesy of Bethesda Softworks.
  Busdriver3030, Zartan70
• One of two copies of Morrowind: Game of the Year edition - Xbox version, also courtesy of Bethesda Softworks.
  ursasmar, Erazamus
• One of five copies of Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria, courtesy of Ubisoft.
  cr00kedView, h4wk, Squirrely, AxeMan808, MeenMunky
• One of two copies of Simpsons: Hit & Run - GameCube version, courtesy of Vivendi Universal Games.
  kikilupo, rezombie
• One of two copies of The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring, also courtesy of Vivendi Universal Games.
  klerck, derekwildstar
• One copy of Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WW2, courtesy of Electronic Arts.
  Omegaspectre
• One copy of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - PC version, courtesy of Rockstar Games.
  sexydingo
• Nintendo GameCube w/ Viewtiful Joe and Wavebird Wireless Controller
  Krillin

Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks again to all the publishers and developers who contributed games.

Huh? Wha? Oh, right. It's time to update the ShackReviews database. This week we've got a handful of older titles, including an XSN game we missed and an adventure classic. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers (PC)
• Hunter: The Reckoning Redeemer (Xbox)
• Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos (PC)
• Mega Man Battle Network 3 (GBA)
• NBA Inside Drive 2004 (Xbox)

Last night I finished up Legacy of Kain: Defiance, and I plan on reviewing it shortly. Even for a Legacy of Kain game I have really mixed feelings about this one, and it should make for an interesting review. On the one hand, it's a very average game, with the added burden of being extremely buggy (I lost over eight hours of gameplay to one such bug) and having the worst third person camera I've encountered in years. And yet...it has, even for a Legacy of Kain game, an amazing storyline. It's a game I can't possibly recommend to anyone except the Kain faithful, but oh man...if you're a fan, the storyline is more than worth putting up with the rest of the game's many, many, many flaws.

Happy Daft-Days! I'm a bit daft meself, but it's time to update the ShackReviews database. This week we've got a handful of relatively recent titles for you, including a game with one of the longest development cycles ever (leaving DNF to hold the crown). As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Ford Racing 2 (PC, PS2, Xbox)
• Legacy of Kain: Defiance (PC)
• Max Payne (GBA)
• Midway Arcade Treasures (GC, PS2, Xbox)
• One Must Fall: Battlegrounds (PC)

Last week I had a lengthy chat with The Boss around here, and we've pretty much hammered out a plan for ShackReviews 2.0 that should please a good portion of you (although again, we can't possibly please all of you). This is going to be a fairly large undertaking, so it won't happen overnight, or even within the next few weeks. There are some other projects that will need to come first, but it will get done, and when it does I think we'll all agree it's a big step up from the current reviews system.

It may be Chanukah, but I still have to update the ShackReviews database. With the holiday flood behind us, this week we've got seven mostly older titles, including at least one that I can't believe I missed the first time around. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand (GBA)
• Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon (Xbox)
• Contract J.A.C.K. (PC)
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 (PS2)
• Golden Sun: The Lost Age (GBA)
• Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny (PS2)
• Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown (Xbox)

We still haven't come to a consensus for the new grading system for ShackReviews 2.0, but Maarten and I have tossed a few solid ideas back and forth, and I think what we eventually decide on will satisfy at least the majority of you (let's face it, we can't please everyone). To anyone that suggested that we do away with ratings completely, well...that's just silly. Not that I don't prefer grade-less reviewing (on loonygames, we never had grades and chose to let the review speak for itself) but the fact is that most people want, and more importantly expect to see a rating at the end. It may be superfluous in longer reviews, but for quick reviews, they're a necessary evil. Speaking of which, one of the ideas I'm kicking around is the possibility of letting people review games more than once. Meaning every person could do two reviews: one labeled as a "first impression" followed by a full review, or a full review and then later a "second opinion." I'm not sure if the other Shack crew backs me up on this one, but it's something I'm considering. I think for certain games, it would make sense, especially for something like Unreal 2, which you may have reviewed at launch but could now go back and re-visit now that the XMP add-on is out. Again, it's not a definite thing, but I'm tossing it around. Any suggestions for this or other features are much appreciated.

For those of you who didn't see the original post earlier this week, we're giving away a whole bunch of games (and thanks to Maxis for adding to the inventory)! Head to this page for a chance to win (US/Canadian residents only):

• One of three copies of Call of Duty, courtesy of Activision.
• One of three copies of Tony Hawk's Underground (one Xbox, one PS2, one GameCube), also courtesy of Activision.
• One of three copies of True Crime: Streets of L.A. (one Xbox, one PS2, one GameCube), also courtesy of Activision.
• One of three copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition, courtesy of Maxis.
• One of five copies of Halo: Combat Evolved, courtesy of Microsoft Games.
• One of five copies of Age of Mythology: The Titans, also courtesy of Microsoft Games.
• One of two copies of Savage: The Battle for Newerth, courtesy of iGames Publishing.
• One of three copies of Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon, courtesy of Dreamcatcher.
• One of two copies of Morrowind: Game of the Year edition - PC version, courtesy of Bethesda Softworks.
• One of two copies of Morrowind: Game of the Year edition - Xbox version, also courtesy of Bethesda Softworks.
• One of five copies of Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria, courtesy of Ubisoft.
• One of two copies of Simpsons: Hit & Run - GameCube version, courtesy of Vivendi Universal Games.
• One of two copies of The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring, also courtesy of Vivendi Universal Games.
• One copy of Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WW2, courtesy of Electronic Arts.
• One copy of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - PC version, courtesy of Rockstar Games.

In addition we're providing this grand prize on our own:

• Nintendo GameCube w/ Viewtiful Joe and Wavebird Wireless Controller

All you need is a Shacknews or FileShack account and give us your mailing address (U.S. and Canadian residents), and you'll be good to go. Enter now! Winners will be announced December 25. note by Steve: Given our 'experience' with outsourcing the shipping of games in the past, we have gotten the publishers to all send the games ahead of time so we arent stuck promising games that dont show up this time. Learn from mistakes! :)

What would the holidays be without gifts? We've teamed up with several publishers who think you guys are the bomb and want you to score some free games. Go to this page for a chance to win (US/Canada residents):

• One of three copies of Call of Duty, courtesy of Activision.
• One of three copies of Tony Hawk's Underground (one Xbox, one PS2, one GameCube), also courtesy of Activision.
• One of three copies of True Crime: Streets of L.A. (one Xbox, one PS2, one GameCube), also courtesy of Activision.
• One of five copies of Halo: Combat Evolved, courtesy of Microsoft Games.
• One of five copies of Age of Mythology: The Titans, also courtesy of Microsoft Games.
• One of two copies of Savage: The Battle for Newerth, courtesy of iGames Publishing.
• One of three copies of Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon, courtesy of Dreamcatcher.
• One of two copies of Morrowind: Game of the Year edition - PC version, courtesy of Bethesda Softworks.
• One of two copies of Morrowind: Game of the Year edition - Xbox version, also courtesy of Bethesda Softworks.
• One of five copies of Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria, courtesy of Ubisoft.
• One of two copies of Simpsons: Hit & Run - GameCube version, courtesy of Vivendi Universal Games.
• One of two copies of The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring, also courtesy of Vivendi Universal Games.
• One copy of Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WW2, courtesy of Electronic Arts.
• One copy of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - PC version, courtesy of Rockstar Games.

In addition we're providing this grand prize on our own:

• Nintendo GameCube w/ Viewtiful Joe and Wavebird Wireless Controller

All you need is a Shacknews or FileShack account and give us your mailing address (U.S. and Canadian residents only), and you'll be good to go. Enter now! Winners will be announced December 25. note by Steve: Given our 'experience' with outsourcing the shipping of games in the past, we have gotten the publishers to all send the games ahead of time so we arent stuck promising games that dont show up this time. Learn from mistakes! :)

Ah, Sundays...the day that I get to sleep in and update the ShackReviews database. This week we've got eight more holiday releases, including a creepy sequel to an already creepy original game, and yet another Mario Party. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Beyond Good & Evil (GC, Xbox)
• Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly (PS2)
• Gotcha Force (GC)
• I-Ninja (GC, PS2, Xbox)
• Mario Party 5 (GC)
• NHL Rivals 2004 (Xbox)
• R: Racing Evolution (GC, PS2, Xbox)
• X2: The Threat (PC)

For the last couple of days I've been thinking about ways to improve our ShackReviews system, and I think the thing we need to address first, is the ratings system, which I think many of you will agree with me when I say is completely broken. Take a look through the database, and it seems like any marginally popular title has an overwhelmingly "Exceptional" rating, which definitely devalues that grade. So, my proposed solution is this: we switch to a ten point scale (possibly with decimal gradations for further accuracy). Existing grades will be converted to a x19 score, which will turn "Exceptional" grades into a 95, "Good" becomes a 75, and so on. That should prevent a flood of perfectly graded titles. Maarten also mentioned that he'd like to improve the display of these grades, as that bar doesn't convey a whole lot of information, and can be quite confusing. So what do you think? Would stars be better than numbers? Any and all feedback is helpful, so post it in the comments.

Just a reminder, have you voted for your favorite games of the year yet? With some games seperated by just a few votes, your opinion could make the difference! Voting continues until December 22. Registration is not required.

Good news, everyone! It's time to update the ShackReviews database! This week we've got nine more holiday releases, including the sequel to Deus Ex and a game that proudly boasts of its "bra and panty" mode (hey, I just post 'em). As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Armed & Dangerous (PC, Xbox)
• Commandos 3: Destination Berlin (PC)
• Deus Ex: Invisible War (PC, Xbox)
• Empires: Dawn of the Modern World (PC)
• Gladius (GC, PS2, Xbox)
• Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town (GBA)
• Lords of Everquest (PC)
• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA)
• Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (PS2)
• Medal of Honor: Infiltrator (GBA)
• Mega Man Zero 2 (GBA)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 (PC, GC, PS2, Xbox)
• NBA Live 2004 (PC)
• Super Mario Advance 4 (GBA)
• Uru: Ages Beyond Myst (PC)
• WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain (PS2)

Most of my gaming this past week was spent with Rockstar's Manhunt. I'm enjoying the game quite a bit. It's a pretty unique game, and the initial shock of its over-the-top violence wears off pretty quickly. If nothing else, you'll see the same executions over and over again, so by the third time you're much more concerned about whether or not anyone is going to hear you shattering someone's skull than with the gore it spatters on the camera. I am enjoying it, although I find the limited save game system to be very frustrating at times. As a general rule, I really dislike limited save game systems, but what really annoys me are those games where it's possible to lose more than 30 minutes of gameplay by making a single mistake. Admittedly, this makes Manhunt really, really scary at times, but as you've got the Director yelling in your ear to hurry it up, it's tough to comply when you're that worried about losing all your progress so far.

The sky was as black as the coal in my chest where my heart should be. The rain poured down like the tears I never shed. My narration was becoming more and more cliched by the minute. Oh yeah, and it's time to update the ShackReviews database. This week we've got eight more holiday releases, including an awesome Zelda collection and the PC version of BioWare's Star Wars RPG. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon (PC)
• Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix (Xbox)
• Go! Go! Hypergrind (GC)
• The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition (GC)
• Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (Xbox)
• Need for Speed Underground (PC, GC, PS2, Xbox)
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (PC)
• XIII (GC, Xbox)

As you can probably guess, I spent much of this holiday weekend lying around playing games. I focused my attention on a handful of Xbox titles. I played a bit of Morrowind: GOTY, a gave Grand Theft Auto III a whirl, and played lots and lots and lots of Counter-Strike (well over 150 rounds, according to my stats!). I even fired up the copy of Star Wars: The Clone Wars that came with my replacement Xbox, and it was pretty fun. At some point I'll have to give it a bit more time, as my initial impressions were pretty positive, and I do like the idea of a Star Wars-meets-Battlezone kind of game.

Holy $#@%! It's time to update the ShackReviews database! This week we've got a whopping twelve more holiday releases, including the latest games from the creators of Grand Theft Auto and X-Wing/Tie Fighter. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Beyond Good & Evil (PC)
• Counter-Strike (Xbox)
• Final Fantasy X-2 (PS2)
• Karaoke Revolution (PS2)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (GBA)
• Manhunt (PS2)
• Metal Arms: Glitch in the System (GC, PS2, Xbox)
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (GC)
• Project Gotham Racing 2 (Xbox)
• Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PC, PS2, Xbox)
• The Simpsons: Hit and Run (PC)
• XIII (PC, PS2)

Remember when I said last week that I was only "about halfway through" Age of Mythology: The Titans? Imagine my surprise when after about an hour's worth a gameplay the credits started to roll. This is reflected in my review of the game, which isn't overwhelmingly positive for obvious reasons. Since that disappointment and after picking up a new Xbox (see this LNC for an explanation about that), I started playing the Morrowind: Game of the Year Edition, and I'll be damned if I haven't gotten totally addicted to the game all over again. Since I played it the first time around on the PC, I've had to start over completely from scratch, but it's remarkably fun the second time around, since I'm doing things totally differently. I've also been playing Manhunt off and on since that arrived the other day, and I know I mentioned this in my preview, but if you want the full experience, you really have to pick up a USB headset. I've cranked up the sensitivity on the thing, and there's something really, really cool about having to hold your breath as someone walks by.

Vae victis! It's time to update the ShackReviews database! This week we've got eight more holiday releases, including the PS2's most popular online title to date and Nintendo's latest Mario Kart. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Beyond Good & Evil (PS2)
• ESPN College Hoops (PS2, Xbox)
• Legacy of Kain: Defiance (PS2, Xbox)
• Links 2004 (Xbox)
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GC)
• Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (GC, PS2, Xbox)
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Xbox)
• SOCOM II: U.S. Navy Seals (PS2)

I continue to plod my way through Age of Mythology: The Titans. It's fun, although I'm a little disappointed at how little the Titans have affected the gameplay. In truth, I'm only about halfway through it, so I imagine their role will be beefed up significantly as I move forward. Still, I may put it down later in the week, as I'm told I'll be getting a review copy of Rockstar's Manhunt later in the week, and I'm feeling up for a spot of the ultra-violence. Oh, and give yourself +5 geek points if you know the meaning of the battle cry that opens this post.

Hey, hey kids! It's time to update the ShackReviews database! This week we've got a whopping nine early holiday releases, including Square's first MMO and an impressive looking reinvention of a gaming classic. As usual, if there's a game you want to review but don't see in the database, check first and then submit it! (And don't blame me if a game you never submitted isn't added!)

• Final Fantasy XI (PC)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (PC, GC, PS2, Xbox)
• True Crime: Streets of L.A. (GC, PS2, Xbox)
• kill.switch (PS2, Xbox)
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (PS2)
• Amped 2 (Xbox)
• Grand Theft Auto Double Pack (Xbox)
• Top Spin (Xbox)
• Fire Emblem (GBA)

Phew! That's quite a list this week, and there's lots more to come next week, too. As for my playing habits this week, I started playing the original Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver right after completing Max Payne 2, but after a few days of that I decided I needed something a bit more recent. I had, after all, just finished the original Blood Omen less than a week before that (I can blame the length of Max Payne 2 for that), and it was a bit too much early PlayStation for me. So instead I've been playing Age of Mythology: The Titans, which is really a lot of fun. It's more of the same of course, but I'm enjoying it a lot more than WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne. It feels less tacked on than that one did, and The Frozen Throne was pretty frustrating at times, whereas The Titans just feels like a logical extension of the same game.