You control a six-man squad, divided into two teams, and you have the opportunity to handpick your squad members (and their equipment) after each mission briefing. You can switch your point of view to any of the six active soldiers--the soldier you control automatically becomes the leader of his team, while the other team operates according to orders you give via a map interface. Thus, you can move one team into a covering position, leave them with orders to provide cover fire, and then lead the other team in to reach your objective. Or, break up your squad and try to achieve two objectives simultaneously.

The level of detail and realism is incredible, right down to the way the soldiers communicate in hushed tones and with gestures. The complexity of the game requires an elaborate controller setup that takes a while to get used to (luckily there are plenty of training missions designed to help you learn the multitude of movement, weapons, and command functions). Once you get the hang of it, you'll find it's worth the time spent in boot camp.--Maile Bohlmann

Pros:

• Incredible graphics and realism
• Wide array of tactical options integrates strategy into the action
• Missions are diverse and challenging

Cons:

• Controls are complicated, hard to master, and sometimes counterintuitive
• Dramatic music and "drill sergeant" narration between missions is pretty campy
• Enemy soldiers sometimes behave too predictably

Play as Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and Puss In Boots. View larger.

Each character has their own set of special moves. View larger.

Problem solving gameplay as well as mash-em up fighting. View larger.

Synopsis Team up with your friends in the ultimate Shrek game, based on Dreamworks Animation's final Shrek movie. Play as Shrek, Puss In Boots, Donkey and Fiona to out-smart, out-fight, and out-play that crafty Rumpelstiltskin. Team up with up to four of your friends and be transported to an alternate version of Far, Far Away in this quest to save your home. Use each character's unique abilities to solve puzzles and unleash their powerful fighting moves to defeat enemies in exciting gameplay. Switch between Shrek's normal world and the alternate reality for double the adventure, and re-discover your inner ogre to restore your world to its former glory. Features: Based on the DreamWorks Animation film Play as Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and Puss In Boots as you fight to save Far, Far Away from the crafty Rumplestiltskin Utilize each character's fighting moves and unique abilities in your quest Morph between Shrek's normal world and his alternate reality for twice the adventure Enjoy fun and exciting gameplay through a combination of problem solving and mash-em-up fighting Play with up to four people in drop-in, drop-out cooperative mode

Depending on the size of your catch, battles with bass can last 20 minutes or more as you raise and lower the rod, let the reel spool free, and tighten it in to bring home your catch. We recommend using an optional fishing-rod controller for even more realism.

With four sweeping lakes to tackle, players have plenty of locations to search for the big one. Tournament and career modes pit gamers against computer fishermen as they try to catch the heaviest five bass within a set time limit. Bluegills and catfish also fill the lakes, but it's the big bass that players will be after.--Robb Guido

Pros:

• Go anywhere--lakes are full of bass
• Great fish fights
• Lures galore

• Landing a bass can be painful, especially if you're using the wrong lure
• No two-player mode