CAPCOM Gregory Horror Show PlayStation 2 Games

The cel-shaded style of the gameplay works well for the most part, giving the game a very different feel to its peers; heavily accentuated cars give off impressive looking turbo flashes accompanied by speed lines to enhance the feeling of acceleration. But for all the good things this graphical style gives to the title, it also proves to be a little problematic. The issue here is one of visual depth--there are many occasions when the cars (and sections of the various circuits) look exactly like the frames from a printed comic--i.e., flat--and this lack of visual space and depth can lead to confusion and accidental collision at times when it's least needed.

The circuit selection is good, if relatively unknown outside of Japan, and hammering around at a rate of knots produces some interesting collisions that are far less damaging to the race order then they might be. One area where Capcom seems to have skimped is in the sound department, which comprises some nasty Japanese twangy guitar tunes and an occasional commentary voice-over that's irritating enough to have you reaching for the volume controls within minutes.

Niggles aside, there's a lot to be said for Auto Modellista. It tries very hard to fill the mid-ground between GT3 and Ridge Racer, and for the most part succeeds; if you're looking for something a little different this could be the racing game for you. --Chris Russell

But that soon changes. As you hack your way through the game, up ramps the difficulty level, and so do the factors of Chaos Legion that move it away from being the all-out action fest it initially appears. As you battle onwards and upwards you build up your legions, which ultimately you'll be able to call on to help you. You can deploy these legions in different ways, assuming you've built up enough energy to do so, and they add a pleasing extra dimension to an already enjoyable game. A tactical element is factored in by you having to choose which legions--and there are seven types in the game--to take into the next level, although your choice rarely makes a mesmeric difference.

Viewed from the third-person, the action in the game is pretty relentless, and that makes it ideal to switch on and jump straight in to. It's an arcadey hack-and-slash at heart, whose worst crime is to occasionally border on repetitive, but best asset is the sheer entertainment factor that lies at the heart of it all. --Simon Brew

This is one game where it really pays to pick up the strategy guide, and here's why: players need to complete the mission in as little time as possible. Since lots of great powerups are found in secret rooms, you would waste a lot of time endlessly inspecting doors without it, and never reach the coveted "S" status that comes with a fast run through a level. The overall grade is a combination of your rankings in style, collected number of orbs, the amount of items you used (the fewer the better), damage and your overall clear time. This isn't just an attempt to get you to buy more: you'll get far more orbs, find many more secret chambers and enjoy the nuances of the game better with the guide.

As with the original Devil May Cry, this is not a game for children. It comes with a gore warning, but a stronger argument could be made that the Gothic elements--like the Demonochorus (possessed cherubs) or Infestants (energy-sucking insect-like things)--would be likely to disturb even an adult's sleeping pattern.

There are many facets that recommend Devil May Cry 2, even if many fans find it less engaging than the first version. It's just as addictive as other sequels from successful franchises--Final Fantasy comes to mind--and as such, let's hope there will be many more reincarnations. --Jennifer Buckendorff

In addition to being a fine swordsman, Dante is equally adept with guns. In the first half of the game, players slash and shoot their way through. After acquiring a different weapon, the focus changes to close combat. Weapons can be upgraded and new attacks can be learned, adding to the game's variety. As a whole, the action is immense and flows smoothly. A few things impede it though. During fights with bosses and multiple enemies, the fixed camera angles can get frustrating. The in-game text also scrolls painfully slowly.

Graphically, this is one of the best-looking games Capcom has ever published, and that's saying something considering its impressive visuals in Resident Evil. The hard-rock styled music is nothing to write home about, though. The voice acting is strong, but there's not much of it, which is a shame since the interesting setting would have made for some great storytelling. However, the focus here is fast and furious action, and this game elevates it to an art form. --Raymond M Padilla, Amazon.com

The main problem with Mad Maestro, as with all games of this genre, is that there's no time to enjoy the on-screen visuals. Keeping time requires so much concentration that anything else is virtually impossible. It has to be said that there's not really much to miss, though, as the blocky, stilted graphics and effects are nothing to write home about--shame. It was a brave move to bring over such a uniquely Japanese title and it remains to be seen how well it fares in the European marketplace against the likes of Britney's Dance Beat and Parappa the Rapper 2.--Chris Russell

Armed, as he is, with many new attacking options, Maximo offers players more possibilities than he did previously: not only are there 30 attacking moves to learn, but new pairs of boxer shorts equip Maximo with special offensive powers. (Or perhaps that should just be downright offensive...) All of which makes Maximo Vs the Army of Zin a truly riotous adventure. The game builds on the platform action found in its predecessor: Maximo leaps and bounds his way through a medieval cartoon world that is riddled with the nasty clockwork Army of Zin. As his adventure progresses, Maximo is rewarded with thanks and gifts from those grateful villagers whom he is able to rescue--which makes the adventure a thoroughly satisfying one. Combine that ingenious reward system with top-notch visuals and tight gameplay and you have a truly classic title. --Jonti Davies