Three years ago, gamers were introduced to Aya as she resigned from the New York Police Department and enlisted as a NMC (neo-mitochondrion creature) hunter for the shadowy government organization M.I.S.T., a secret agency of monster slayers somewhere between Ghostbustersand Men in Black. Wherever there was a neo-mitochondrion outbreak, Aya and her team were on the scene to put the boots to the mutants. From the outset, it's evident that SquareSoft revamped the entire game to give gamers a better looking, sounding, and (most importantly) playing experience.

The game starts with Aya training in the agency's shooting gallery in Los Angeles. Just as she begins to get in a groove, she is asked to look into some strange happenings at the Akropolis Tower. When she arrives on the scene, an explosive, full-motion video flashes across the screen and showcases the death and carnage as Aya surveys the scene. Her entry into the Tower is where this RPG begins.

SquareSoft has kept some of the excellent elements of the weapons systems from the first Parasite Evetitle, but went for an entirely new battle system. Combat is delivered in real time and allows players to run, hide, and open fire. Aya can tap into her parasitic powers and can unleash elemental, magic-based attacks on the many foes she encounters. Ammunition is plentiful in the game and there are plenty of entertaining weapons to choose from. Auto targeting and involving puzzles are back, though the arrow-pointing interface for solving these puzzles is really hard to operate.

The cinematic mix of story and action is very well done, and the numerous cutscenes do an excellent job of moving the pace along in a believable way.

Even though the original Parasite Evehad its problems, SquareSoft has pieced together an excellent sequel that will satisfy fans of the first game and help create many new ones. —Todd Mowatt

Pros:New, real-time battle system is an improvement over first Parasite EveGreat weapons and plentiful ammunitionGreat mix of story and action

Cons:Clunky interface for solving puzzles

The sickness is twisted yet again. Steel had better beware the infliction. The lunatics of Sweet Tooth's asylum have been loosed on each other in the most guttural, visceral car combat game ever to dare the arena. TWISTED METAL BLACK is a freak show of psychotics behind the wheels of heavily armored death machines in this volatile return crafted by the original masters who invented the car combat explosion. 14 deranged minds are on the hunt for blood in this latest and most grotesque cast of misfits. The carnival of horror begins — thrill as the cannibalistic Mr. Grimm blows chunks of flesh and scrap through the doors of his opponent's auto! Cheer as Crazy 8 gores through steel into victims with his terrible machine of devastation. Witness the transformation of Sweet Tooth... into something even more horrible!

Not for the weak-hearted, the action detonation of TWISTED METAL BLACK is the shocking apex of the series, with bleeding-edge graphics and merciless intense action. Anything in the background can be blown apart and scuttled down. Any vehicle can be firebombed and nuked off the Earth. Anything horrible and violent can very well exist here... in the darkness of TWISTED METAL BLACK.

As retro gaming continues to increase in popularity, many classic arcade games are getting a modern-day facelift. The latest 2-D coin-op classic to enter the 3-D era is Atari's Centipede, which now allows you to wander through a wide-ranging environment filled with cantankerous centipedes, sneaky spiders, and other deadly enemies.

Gameplay varies considerably from the original game. While your goal is to still to shoot and survive, there are now six worlds and 30 levels to conquer. Retro gaming purists may scoff at the colorful new environments, which have replaced the generic black background of the original game. However, the 3-D game design now allows for dangerous enemies to creep up from any angle (which they often do). Fortunately, the controls have also been updated to allow you to strategically jump over approaching enemies. —Brett Atwood

Pros:Impressive 3-D update to classic arcade favoriteMultiplayer support (up to 4 players)

Cons:Controls may confuse some players

Most attempts to tamper with the basic gameplay of Tetrishave fallen flat on their faces, but Tetris Plusis actually a decent take on the timeless classic. You can tackle a basic solo game of Tetris, challenge a friend in two-player mode, or go directly to the best portion of the game: puzzle mode.

In puzzle mode, players control blocks as they descend from the top to the bottom of the screen. As they fall, you can spin blocks so that they land next to corresponding colors at the bottom of the screen. Gameplay is just like the original only with a few major twists. The bin that holds the pieces at the bottom of the screen starts out partially filled, while a little professor character climbs on top of the stack. Your job is to clear lines of blocks so that the professor can reach the exit at the bottom of the bin before a spiked ceiling smacks him in the head. Two players can also duke it out in puzzle mode, sending cleared lines to their opponent's bin. This isn't the best version of Tetriswe've ever played, but it does still manage to offer a lot of entertainment for its low price. —T. Byrl Baker

Pros:Several types of playGood two-player mode

Cons:Mediocre graphics

Soviet Strikewas the first entry in the popular Strikefranchise of overhead perspective helicopter action games to appear on the PlayStation. As with the other titles in this series, gameplay is simple to learn since it is fairly straightforward. Upon receiving your mission objectives, you must proceed to the sprawling mission map where you proceed to blast everything in sight. The game's plot plays out in a series of surprisingly good cutscenes, but as we all know it's the gameplay that counts, and that's where this title unfortunately falls a little flat.

Interested in strategy? Forget it. Any planning you make here is a waste of time beyond deciding which enemy to destroy first. This is all about instant gratification. Besides, who needs to think when use of your brainpower will merely distract you from wreaking utter havoc on the landscape? The graphics are decent for a PlayStation game of this vintage, but things slow down a lot when there are too many objects crowding the screen. —T. Byrl Baker

Pros:Target-rich environment is great for blowing off steamDecent graphics considering the game's age

Cons:Too much slowdown when the screen gets crowdedNonstop blastathon gets old in a hurry

You Don't Know Jack, a popular and irreverent trivia game previously available only on the Internet and computers, has come to the PlayStation. At seven or 21 questions in length, this game is fast, furious, and difficult. Every subject imaginable from pop culture to math is covered through five types of questions: multiple choice, impossible (some very random facts), ThreeWay, DisOrDat, and Jack Attack.

ThreeWay questions require you to buzz in when the correct answer is highlighted among three onscreen choices, while DisOrDat asks you to correctly group words into two or more categories while the clock ticks away. The game gets particularly heated during Jack Attack mode, which challenges gamers to buzz in when they see a word or phrase that matches a specific clue.

Reading fast and buzzing in quickly are beneficial skills. Although the designers didn't add much in the way of graphics or extras for this version, there are two discs full of questions to avoid repetition. Some phrasings and topics aren't suitable for the pre-teen and younger players because they consist of bodily functions, profanity, or sex. Up to three contestants can play, but you'll need a Multi Tap (sold separately). —Carrie Bell

Pros:Hit PC game comes to the PlayStationUp to 3 players and 2 CDs worth of questionsChallenges knowledge on a variety of subjects without being boring

Cons:No improvements over the PC version

Pick 2 of your best warriors and join the Tekken Tag Tournament. Use the strengths of your fighters, tag back and forth, and crush your foes in defeat. The new version of Tekken Tag Tournament features 20 fighters who have appeared in the Tekken series since the first arcade game debuted in December 1994. Expect all the excitement of the original arcade game, plus plenty of all-new surprises.

Pool sharks will enjoy the real-world physics of Billiards: Real Pool, as well as the ability to see every angle of the setup with complete 360-degree views. Beginners can use optic guidelines to help set up the shots. The 12 game modes include basic, eight ball, nine ball, rotation, carom, and such nontraditional pool games as five-nine and "bowliards." Tournament mode allows players to match skills with eight computer opponents—each with unique strengths and weaknesses. The 25 puzzle games take place on uniquely shaped tables, such as cloverleaf, star, triangle, and an H-shaped table. Players will have a specific number of shots in which to knock in a certain amount of "hit" balls on tables featuring obstacles. Billiards: Real Poolhas competitive action for one to two players, and even allows them to choose their in-game music from the "jukebox."

Square-jawed, smack-talking, shotgun-toting Ash must once again battle evil forces, but this time you take control of the fate of the world! Evil Dead: Hail to the Kingpicks up eight years after the cult-classic trilogy ends. Bruce Campbell, the star of the movie series, lends his vocal talents to the game. It continues the ongoing saga of Ash and the Necronomicon, or the Book of the Dead. Open the Necronomicon, and battle all the Kandarian demons, ruthless deadites, and unspeakable monsters that it can spew out. The game takes place in environments familiar to fans of the films, such as the cabin, the cellar, and the bridge. It contains all of the humor, suspense, action, and gore that made the movies such classics, then adds puzzle-solving aspects to the successful formula. Ash has the remarkable ability to use weapons in both hands simultaneously, so feel free to head down into that cellar and carve yourself a witch. Hail to the King, baby!

Portal Runnerengages players' emotions and makes them feel they are living the story, fully engaging them in the relationship between the main characters. It's an action game with adventure gameplay elements, such as hot shooting action and platform-style challenges. Nonlinear exploration of spectacular and surreal environments and the varied pacing of the interactive story line make for a truly immersive gaming experience.

Originally released in 1998, the PC version of Half-Lifechanged first-person shooters forever by proving that a compelling story can be told within the genre. Prior to the game's release, first-person shooters were mindless action games. Half-Life, while containing its fair share of action, also contained plenty of exploration, puzzle, and story elements. Now released as a PlayStation2 game, Half-Lifehas never looked or played better. This version contains the outstanding single-player story mode, as well as a few new ones. While the new additions aren't so great, the story mode is one of the best escapades available on the PS2.

The game follows the adventures of Gordon Freeman, a young research associate at the Black Mesa Federal Research Facility. A typical day at the office goes completely awry as numerous alien life forms invade the facility. The fate of the facility, and quite possibly the world, is in the hands of an unlikely hero.

The graphics here trump the original's (understandable, as more than three years have passed). The character models have four times as many polygons, as well as smoother textures and animations. The sound is also very good, with some of the funniest voice acting yet heard in a game. Of course, the single-player gameplay is excellent, thanks to some very well-developed enemy artificial intelligence.

Unfortunately, the new modes aren't nearly as brilliant. Decay, the new cooperative mode, seems like an afterthought and pales in comparison to the cooperative modes in Perfect Darkand Halo. Deathmatches only support two players, which is incredibly lame considering many PS2 first-person shooters support four. Despite these flawed modes, the single-player story is so superb that it totally warrants a purchase. —Raymond M. Padilla

Pros:Greatly improved graphics from the originalExcellent storytelling, especially for the genreStrong enemy artificial intelligence

Cons:Cooperative mode is dullDeathmatch only supports 2 players

There's road rage, and then there's road rage Simpsonsstyle! D'oh! Mr. Burns is up to his greedy ways again. He's purchased Springfield's transit corporation and heinously jacked up the fares. Refusing to shell out for the new rates, the road rage ensues. You'll take on commuters and jam-packed back routes, all in an effort to help buy back the corporation before time runs out.

More than 25 Simpsonscharacters climb behind the wheel or wander the streets begging for a ride. "Eat my shorts, dude!" Careen through timesaving shortcuts and take on terrain including hills, mountains, and forests. Wreak havoc in five Springfield neighborhoods that include landmarks such as Moe's Bar and the nuclear power plant. Busy traffic and wayward pedestrians confound your rage. However, two-wheel leans, speed starts, power slides, and other cool car physics help you release that rage.

Multiple game modes let you go head-to-head in two-player split-screen action that challenges your opponent in a race for the next passenger, or you can steal his or her passenger midride! Complete up to 60 unique passenger deliveries in story mode, or take a leisurely Sunday drive through the fair Springfield. A bonus system lets you unlock cars and specific characters, while intuitive menus make this game easy to play. As Homer would say, "If it's hard to do, it's not worth doing!"

One of the most anticipated titles in PlayStation2 history absolutely lives up to the hype. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertyis the follow-up to one of the most captivating and intelligent adventures on the original PlayStation. Solid Snake, everyone's favorite mullet-sporting supersoldier, is back, along with many other familiar faces and voices. While its predecessor was lauded for telling a complex story, this sequel has even more fascinating twists and turns. Also, like Metal Gear Solid, MGS2takes console-game storytelling to an entirely new level with stunning in-game movies, great graphics, and game mechanics that let you find your own solutions to challenges. The game's twisting and at times bizarre plot will undoubtedly keep some gamers perplexed.

Konami has replaced the moronic enemies from the first MGSwith more cerebral and capable foes; this causes an even greater emphasis on stealth than the original. The controls have been refined and Snake's repertoire of moves has grown, significantly deepening the gameplay. This is, technically and stylistically, one of the best-looking PS2 games on the market. The sound is also topnotch, with a fabulous score and outstanding voice acting. What makes this game such a standout, however, is how all of these sight, sound, and story elements combine to immerse the player into an entertainment form somewhere between movie and game. It will be years before Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertyis surpassed. This is interactive entertainment at its finest. —Raymond M. Padilla

Pros:One of the best and most complex stories in gamingOutstanding graphics with many interactive elementsExcellent soundtrack and voice acting

Cons:Long periods of watching instead of playingSome extraneous dialogueSolid Snake may inspire gamers to grow mullets

Myst III: Exile introduces a new villain whom you must track through several surrealistic Ages, while navigating puzzles to uncover the truth behind this new adversary. Only then can disaster be averted and the fate of thousands ultimately is determined. Immerse yourself in an adventure beyond imagination with a dramatic storyline that reveals the twists and turns of the riveting plot as you progress through it.

For even the mildest fans, anything related to this beloved book deserves top-notch treatment. Vivendi's officially authorized The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringfalls disappointingly short of that goal. The game is intriguing enough (credit the source material) to play through entirely—once. For the cost of the game, you are guaranteed a reasonably pleasurable 10 hours of gameplay. After that, it will likely sit on your shelf.

There are good things in this game: the RPG mechanics are fine (at various points in the story you play as Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf), the visuals are beautiful in parts, and certain aspects of game design are fantastic (Gandalf's magic-casting stands out). Little touches make it appealing to true fans, like when Aragorn receives the repaired Sword of Elendil, and it glows during fighting. It would be a great game for even non-LOTRfans to play, since a good deal of backstory is provided in lengthy cinematics throughout the game. Fellowship's greatest asset, of course, is the story itself, as well as the bevy of villainous creatures that provide great boss-fight material. I'm sure many other games wishedthey had a Balrog to offer.

But the story deviates strangely from the book in order to satisfy the format of an RPG game. The final boss-fight (which we won't spoil here) is completely unrelated to anything devised by J.R.R. Tolkien, and it seems hollow, strange, and unsatisfying. The puzzles sprinkled throughout the game are random and often frustrating, as is your first encounter with the Ringwraiths (inevitably, you die many times—too steep a difficulty curve right out of the gate). This game is still strongly recommended, but with many caveats. Proceed with caution and you're likely to enjoy yourself. Expect a masterpiece and you'll be wishing you saved your money for a different PS2 title. —Jennifer Buckendorff

Pros:Great story and great characters (of course)Missions that require problem-solving as well as combatGorgeous mapsGetting to play as Gandalf

Cons:Painfully long cutaway scenesCheesy endingOften-tedious fights

The biggest driving game ever returns in a hot new city and new era. Return to the mid 80s amidst palm trees and pastel beach in tropical Vice City—a mecca of glamour and corruption. The car-jacking thugs of Grand Theft Auto move in a world populated by bikini-clad beauties and gold chain-wearing crime lords, but the rules remain the same. Explore a highly detailed city landscape packed with vintage 80s Ferraris, motorcycles and speedboats, and build a rep with the city's gang lords and crime syndicate by hijacking as many cars and raising as much mayhem as possible.

Something fishy is going in Springfield and Homer, Marge and other familiar Simpson characters get behind the wheel and investigate.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater introduces new depth and thrilling gameplay. It's a new level of gaming, with all the detailed levels, thrilling gameplay and stunning plot twists players crave. Set in the 1960s, you become a legendary soldier sent to uncover the secret behind Metal Gear, a top-secret superweapon with nuclear capability. You are all alone in hostile territory — but you will complete this mission, to secure the continued existence of human life.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Special Edition is part of the legendary series. In this Special Edition you'll get all-new content that expands your knowledge of the real-world people who inspire and create this world-famous game series.

THE STORY:

Carl Johnson left the San Andreas neighborhood of Los Santos five years ago, when it was being ripped apart by drugs and gang violence. When he returns in the early 90s, his mother has been killed, his family has fallen apart and his childhood friends are criminals. When crooked cops frame him for murder, he decides to save himself and his family by taking over the streets.

SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES: