Electronic Arts NHL 2003 (Xbox) X-Box Games

The big innovation this time round is the off-the-ball feature, and this really is a stroke of genius. It's fiddly to get to grips with, but basically when attacking, you can control a separate player as they run into space, ready to take receipt of a killer pass that splits the opposition defence open. It takes a little working at, but when it comes off, you'll be smug beyond belief. The feature itself genuinely adds an added tactical edge to a game that used to be wrongly dismissed as an arcade-style kickabout.

On top of that, there are the things that FIFA does better than anyone. The presentation, audio and visuals are superb from top to bottom, and the improvements to the club management side boost the game's longevity--as does a promised link up with Total Club Manager 2004, where you'll be able to import teams from that into FIFA 2004.

Most importantly of all, at the heart of all these improvements is a highly playable football game that's very easy to get into yet suitably challenging to master. And in multi-player mode, it's even better. --Simon Brew

In terms of gameplay though Everything or Nothing is far less extravagant. In contrast to previous Bond games it's viewed from a third-person perspective and looks and plays not unlike a more action-packed version of Splinter Cell. There are problems with the entirely manual camera system though--particularly the lock-on for the aiming system, which is frustratingly random in choosing which bad guy you target.

The vehicle sections, which use the same graphics engine as Need for Speed Underground, are less obstreperous and offer some of the most genuinely enjoyable moments as you hurtle in pursuit of bad guys riding heavily armed cars, motorbikes and helicopters. Additionally, both on foot and when driving, the game gives you the chance to trigger "Bond moments" when you find shortcuts or dispatch bad guys in particularly imaginative ways.

Everything or Nothing is perhaps the ultimate example of style over substance in video games, but there's just enough of the latter to ensure that everyone but the most pernickety of gamers will find something to enjoy. --David Jenkins

But it soon becomes clear that this is no sophisticated vintage Bond homage. It's merely a fleetingly entertaining blast that just happens to feature some British spy dude.

That isn't to say that there aren't enjoyable elements here. There are a couple of Crazy-Taxi-influenced levels that work well, as well as some mildly diverting "on-rails" shooter stages. At heart, though, like the N64 masterpiece GoldenEye, this is a first-person shooter, and one that suffers badly in comparison.

The game features some clever gadgets, as well as frequent set pieces in the form of "Bond moves" that will delight the casual fan. But more experienced players will find the lack of depth here distressing. The real problem is the "intelligence" of the enemies. These are the dumbest bad guys you'll ever encounter in a video game.

Coupled with the unerring accuracy of your auto aim, you could complete much of the game blindfolded. Consequently, it's difficult to feel much satisfaction, even upon saving the world. The developers have at least made an effort by providing different styles of play and a decent multiplayer mode, but 007: Agent Under Fire is (at best) an adequate game in a genre full of great alternatives. Be careful with your next Bond license, Mr. EA--it may be your last. --Steve Colton