Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain (Sony) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Syphon Filter offers a compelling reason to fork out for a Network Adapter fused to an engrossing single-player game. Great stuff.

Onimusha Blade Warriors (Capcom) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A brash and energetic excursion into multiplayer battling for Onimusha that's fun for a while, but ultimately throwaway.

GT4 Prologue: Signature Edition (Polyphony Digital) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Mixes taxing driving requirements with some tediously easy tasks, but delivers on the quality front, if not the quantity.

Drakengard (Square Enix) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

For all its majestic battlefield scope, Drakengard's long-term prospects are ultimately somewhat short-sighted.

Riding Spirits II (Capcom) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Meticulous attention to manufacturer detail can't hide the fact that the spark of passion isn't firing in RSII's cylinders.

Red Dead Revolver (Rockstar Games) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Red Dead Revolver is this year's sleeper hit waiting to happen. Occasionally rough around the edges, but fun throughout.

CY Girls (Konami) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A second-rate adventure with nothing to give except some decent combat and a big ol' lug of lifted ideas.

Van Helsing (Sierra) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Almost an unofficial sequel to one of the best games on the PS2. Christ knows how they'll get away with it, but you might as well enjoy it!

Smash Court Tennis: Pro Tournament 2 (namco) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Supreme tennis sim that builds on its predecessor with a killer career mode that's as nuanced and rick as you want it to be.

Serious Sam: Next Encounter (Global Star) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Hardly reinventing the wheel, but good, honest, mindless fun with the bonus of online play. Not bad at all.

Showdown: Legends Of Wrestling (Acclaim) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Easy to get to grips with and plenty to do, but it lacks the exhaustive detail, scope and personality of SmackDown!

Disgea: Hour Of Darkness (Koei) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Charm, an imaginative approach and accessibility overcome RPG suspicion and basic visuals to make a deeply satisfying game.

Muppets: Party Cruise (Global Star) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

With so many games, you should find something to like - but amusement decreases as the player numbers drop.

International Golf Pro (Oxygen Games) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A simple, up-and-down golfer that can't match the majesty of Tiger Woods but can still play a pretty mean 18.

England International Football (Codemasters) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A mediocre footy simulation that adds nothing to the genre and stumbles behind PES and FIFA like an arthritic goal-keeping coach.

Samurai Jack: The Shadow Of Aku (Sega) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Action platformer that plays like a samurai-ed Maximo and looks like a comic strip. But in a good way.

Seven Samurai 20XX (Sammy) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

So nearly a pure thumb breaking, button-bashing actioner, Seven Samurai 20XX stabs itself in the foot by trying to stretch too far!

Knights Of The Temple: Infernal Crusade (TDK) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

This is mindless in a strangely pacifying kind of way. You may well keep plugging at it if you've finished everything else. Maybe.

Conan (TDK) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

He looks nothing like Arnie, but you've probably never seen him as Conan anyway. Beyond that, it's standard fantasy nonsense.

Firefighter F.D. 18 (Konami) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

With some more imagination and courage applied to the design, this could've been a top interactive drama. Hot, rather than burning.

Maxxed Out (Midas) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Totally unremarkable. A driving game with few redeeming features. It's cheap, sure, problem is it's not very cheerful.

The Sniper 2 (Midas) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

There is no reason to play this game. Do not buy it, and if someone buys it for you, slap them and put it on eBay!

League Series Baseball 2 (Midas) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Budget batter that's better than the price suggests. The problem is, though, who'll step up to the plate over here?

Way Of The Samurai 2 (Capcom) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

If practising your sword technique and finding lost children isn't your ideal occupation, you're not likely to enjoy discovering them.