Fable (M) (4.5 stars)
Microsoft Game Studios
Xbox
Tired of action RPGs forcing you to be a little goody-two-shoes or stopping you from putting a silly tattoo on your face? Then rejoice in the near limitless freedom found in the land of Albion. You can follow the dark path—killing half the villagers you meet and making obscene gestures at the rest—or play the traditional hero—questing for the good of the land before buying a house and settling down with the right woman ... or man, if you prefer. The game knows no barriers.
The central story is much the same, whether you're a perfect role model or sprouting horns from your demonic head. But, the little details make Fable as rich and beautiful as an RPG can get.
Sly 2: Band OF Thieves (E) (4.5 stars)
Sony Computer Entertainment
PlayStation 2
If Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus was a pickpocket misdemeanor, Sly 2 is felony theft at Fort Knox. Playable characters Bentley (the brains) and Murray (the muscle) join Sly in this ingenious stealth platformer, making a beautiful, cel-shaded crew so slick that they make Ocean's 11's gang look like a bunch of amateurs.
Mega Man X: Command Mission (E) (3 stars)
Capcom
PlayStation 2, GameCube
With so many RPGs turning to real-time battles rather than turn-based warfare, it's surprising that the bouncing blue bomber of so many frantic, platforming titles would opt for the latter in his role-playing debut. But the solid combat system makes blasting reploids a worthy exercise for Mega Man's arm cannon.
Terminator 3: The Redemption (T) (4 stars)
Atari
PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Most Terminator games don't live up to the films, instead feeling like video-game equivalents of Van Damme's Cyborg. So Redemption is an appropriate title for this action-packed, arcade-style, third-person shooter. Arnie lends his voice for more cheesy one-liners than a California gubernatorial speech.
Gungrave: Overdose (M) (3.5 stars)
Mastiff
PlayStation
Overdose is summed up by its opening tutorial message: "Kick Their Ass!!!" You'll do a lot of that as an undead warrior called Beyond the Grave (not too far beyond, since his coffin hangs from his back). For a criminally low $15, you can spend countless hours blasting thugs in this over-the-top anime shooter.
Matthew Scott Hunter has been known to mumble, "Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start" in his sleep. E-mail him at
[email protected].