Action & Adventure

Lomax's friends are in trouble, and it's up to you to save them from the sinister villain, Evil Ed. Using a magical spell, the fiend has kidnapped them and is forcing them to do whatever he instructs. Adventures of Lomax is a platform game that presents itself as a Lemmings spin-off (after all, it is developed by the same company).

As the hero, you will have to jump and shoot your way through a multitude of side scrolling 2D levels while picking up different power-ups. The special items Lomax encounters gain him invincibility; increase the jumping range and power of his attacks. Most effects fade off in a specific amount of time and are there to give you a quick health boost.

Adventures of Lomax takes place across several stages (over 40 in all) that range from outdoor areas, caves, and dark and spooky castles (four different environments). Because this is a platformer, you'll run across obstacles from time to time, required to either blast things away, like bats and zombies, or jump from platform to platform. ~ Scott Steinberg, All Game Guide

Bomberman has finally made his first appearance on the PlayStation, (Outside of Japan anyway), showing off its' classic pedigree. The game features no less than twelve multi-player stages with three modes of battle play: single match, Tag Team and Maniac mode. Others modes include Normal (single player story) and challenge mode, but the real Bomberman fanatics have no doubtably been waiting to play the game's five-player mode.

Bomberman World also features a brand new single player story mode where Bomberman battles the forces of evil. Bosses are also huge, and the Bomberman history mode once again follows the story of an attack from the four evil Bombermen.

The game meanwhile retains its' visual style with 2D gameplay presented through a pseudo-3D look. Bomberman World also includes seven new characters in VS mode, Dual Shock support, memory card saves, and features a substantial twenty power ups. ~ Brad Penniment, All Game Guide

As Richter Belmont journeyed to Castlevania, he had one thing on his mind: destroy Dracula. His family had been attempting to do this for decades but always wound up failing -- he'd be brought back to life by a priest named Shaft. Richter approached his nemesis and destroyed him thinking he had finally done what others before him had failed to do.

Then he vanished without a trace leaving Maria Renard all alone and worried. She set off to find her true love -- the night Castlevania was to reappear. Unbeknownst to her, an offspring of the Dracula family was doing the same thing, though he had other plans. Alucard knew that his father wasn't dead and vowed to put an end to Dracula once and for all. Because of what he is (a vampire), he damned his father for bringing him into the world and making other people suffer; it was time to put an end to it all.

You assume the role of Alucard in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, an updated 32-bit version of the old 2D side-scrolling classic Castlevania. While it is still a 2D side-scroller, it adds a wealth of new gameplay options and a feeling of depth and role-playing to the mix.

As you progress throughout the castle, Alucard will gain experience for killing enemies. Experience is then transferred into level-ups which gives your character more magic and hit points. Unlike other Castlevania games, your character can pull of special maneuvers, such as Summon Spirit, by executing a button combination on your controller. When one is successfully cast, it will drain your magic points like a real role-playing game.

You will also come across various items, weapons and spheres throughout your journey. Items are stored in an inventory and consist of health, food and keys for locked doors. You can also equip armor and weapons from the inventory screen. Swords are Alucard's main way of attack, though there are a variety of whips and morning stars to be found.

At times, you will find special weapons that are used by collecting hearts. There is a bottle of holy water that can be thrown at enemies, knives, a bibuti (full screen attack), a clock that freezes time, a throwing axe and more. Like your spells, they each require a certain amount of hearts (which can be collected by destroying candles and pottery) to use. Some only effect certain enemies while others have a global effect.

Alucard can also transform into different things, each of which is required to solve various puzzles. Among his normal vampire self, he can turn into a bat, a wolf, and a shade of mist. To do this, you will first need to find their respective relics and then use them (i.e. the Soul of Bat). Additionally, there are other relics that allow your character to jump higher, uncover items upon the destruction of candles and attack using his shape-shifting beings.

Finally, there are a few familiars to be found within Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. A familiar is something that can help you -- a summoned spirit. For example, there is a fairy that constantly heals Alucard and a flying demon that hits out of reach switches. Each one is essential to explore and further your adventure in Castlevania. ~ Matthew House, All Game Guide

An orange marsupial named Crash Bandicoot desperately needs your help in saving the world from mad scientist Dr. Neo Cortex. Jump and whirl your way across three tropical islands and 32 levels to give the evil doctor a taste of his own medicine. The game features 3D characters and environments with movement restricted to a single path. The majority of levels are set behind Crash's furry back as he dodges hazards and battles a variety of enemies by either bouncing or spinning on them. Other levels are a mix of side-scrolling sequences and chase scenes that have Crash running toward the screen.

Areas on each island are selected from an overhead map. The object is to safely make it across each stage to unlock the next leg of your journey. Crates scattered throughout the islands can be smashed to reveal health-restoring fruit and other helpful items. There are also hidden symbols that unlock bonus rounds and gems to earn by completing stages under specific conditions. To earn a perfect rating on a level, you'll need to complete it without dying and smash all of the crates. Traverse all three islands and defeat five comical boss characters before your final showdown with Dr. Neo Cortex. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

In Croc, you play Croc (ironically enough), a lively crocodile who was raised by the Gobbos. Jealous of their happiness, the evil Baron Dante took over the Gobbos Valley and enslaved all of them. Beany the Bird was able to help Croc escape and now he must free the Gobbos from their enslavement.

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos has five stages that are broken into 40 levels. A total of nine bosses exist along with an entire host of evil creatures who must be overcome on your way to defeating Baron Dante. In the game you will be required to perform precision platform jumping during exploration through a 3D world. You can choose between three camera angles which but the camera rotates on its own as you move. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

The year is 2027 and the world is in turmoil. Cyberia is a futuristic adventure in which terrorists rule and mankind lives on the brink of destruction. The ultimate doomsday device has just been discovered. Code-named Cyberia, it was designed in an era of long forgetten peace by the most brilliant minds in nano and cybernetic technology.

Only the tough will survive the coming cataclysm. You play as Zak, an outlaw computer hacker. Unfortunately you begin the game while awaiting trial and sentencing for treason. Enter William Devlin, head of the Free World Alliance (FWA) who gives you a choice: Work for the FWA or sweat it out in your cell. ~ Chris Gore, All Game Guide

Players assume the role of disgruntled detective John McClane in this three-part action game.

Die Hard is a third-person action game with an over-the-shoulder perspective. Those pesky terrorists have taken over the Nakatomi Plaza and rigged it with a series of bombs, and there are civilians located throughout the complex. Players will progress through 19 danger-filled levels with a main objective of disarming the bombs and killing any and all terrorists they encounter.

On the other hand, Die Hard 2: Die Harder is a Virtua Cop-like on-rails shooter. As John arrives at Dulles International Airport to meet his wife, he realizes something is not right. A force of renegade terrorists has flown in from South America with one objective: rescue their drug-selling kingpin. The adventure takes players from New Annex to a snowy countryside, with the overall objective of destroying the terrorist's escape plane.

Finally, Hard With a Vengeance is a frantic test of driving abilities. Simon Gruber and his gang of terrorists have littered the city of Manhattan with bombs; while the police and bomb squads are out dismantling them, he'll be executing a multi-billion dollar bank heist.

Simon has called upon John McClane to find the bombs and save the city. Along with John's new "friend" Zeus, players will race against the clock in a desperate attempt to dismantle the explosive devices. There are over 15 different vehicles that can be acquired including taxicabs, sports cars, and trucks. ~ Matthew House, All Game Guide

He went from zero to hero on the silver screen, and now you can recreate his adventures on your PlayStation in Disney's Hercules. Play as Disney's version of the mythic character Hercules through ten levels of excitement as you battle the bad guys, rescue his girlfriend Meg and protect the people of the city Thebes.

Before you can take Hercules on any adventures, you'll need to get him trained under the guidance of his trainer Phil, a cranky satyr who shows him how to rescue damsels in distress, which is your first task. If you can handle that, you'll get to take on the deadly Centaur Forest.

From there Hercules makes his way to Thebes (also known as The Big Olive), the canyon of the Hydra and Medusa's lair before finally entering the Underworld, from which no one has ever returned, to rescue Meg. There will also be battles against the Cyclops and the Titans to test your mettle.

Being a demi-god, of course, Hercules has more weapons at his disposal than a mere mortal. Besides the usual jumping and sword swinging, he can let loose with a power punch or pull off a mid-air ground slam to take his opponents down. He starts the game with three lives and a full Herometer, which measures his health level; if it reaches zero, he loses a life.

Along the way he can pick up some items which will help him with his quests, such as Hermes' Sandals, which allow him to move faster, and Hercules action figures which restore the Herometer. Extra lives are awarded for grabbing Hercules vases and silver and gold coins grant bonus points at the end of levels.

There are better power-ups to be had as well, gifts from the gods who sit on Mount Olympus high above the world. The Helmet of Invincibility grants temporary invincibility while the Sonic Sword does deadly damage to all enemies who are within close range. The Lightning Sword and Fireball Sword shoot lightning and fireballs which cause extra damage.

Each time Hercules meets Hermes in a level, his progress is saved and he will return to that same point if he loses a life. If he can collect all four Mystery Password Vases in a level, he gets a password which will take him back to the beginning of that level the next time you play.

The book offers training tips and passwords for the first three levels, but after that you're on your own. There are three levels of difficulty to choose from, but the last two levels, Passageways of Eternal Torment and the Vortex of Souls, are inaccessible if you're playing as a beginner. ~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide

The sequel to Kileak: The DNA Imperative, Epidemic drops players into a world plagued by a deadly disease: The Gigari virus. Having spread across the globe, it has forced the remnants of human civilization into hiding underground. Home to humanity is Neural City, which is controlled by the Byflos Group, who hold the threat of shutting off all life support over the heads of the city's denizens. As Masao Coda, a member of the Del Sol liberation group, you must use your Protect Armor suit to engage the Byflos Group and its many robotic minions, rescue your infected girlfriend from certain death at the hands of the virus, and eventually, save humanity.

A first-person shooter, Epidemic requires players to traverse numerous corridors and cramped spaces, finding key cards to gain access to new areas and destroying the enemy robots that stand in their way.

While capable of firing rudimentary laser and machine gun weapons, the Protect Armor suit can be equipped with six different missile types: Veda, Splash Arrow, Napalm Launcher, Erosion Missiles, Brain Destructor, and Float Mines. These can be found littered throughout the game environments in limited quantities. As a last resort, it's also possible to inflict high-speed ramming damage, though this will only work against certain enemies. The Protect Armor suit can be upgraded by finding the requisite alloy and circuits dotted around the levels. A map is integrated into the heads-up display, aiding navigation of the corridor-like environments. ~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide

Conrad may have thought he escaped from the alien Morphs, but he thought wrong. After fighting his way through their world the first time, in a game called Flashback, he went into a cryogenic sleep aboard his little space vessel. For 50 years he drifted aimlessly in space, waiting to be found. The good news is that Conrad was found and beamed up on an alien ship; the bad news is that the alien race that found him is none other than his enemy: the Morphs. Once again, he must escape from their hostile world and regain his freedom that he had fought so hard for.

Fade to Black is a sequel to the 2D classic Flashback. It picks up 50 years after the latter and features the same character. Where this sequel differs is that it features 3D graphics in a 3D world, allowing players to immerse themselves even more in Conrad's struggle for freedom. The game features over 13 levels filled with intricate puzzles, sub-levels and missions, highly detailed textures and graphics, lots of items to interact with and a large amount of action. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Following in the rough-and-tumble tradition of games like Final Fight and Streets of Rage, Fighting Force is a beat-'em-up starring four playable characters. Each male or female combatant offers dozens of moves as well as individual weaknesses and strengths. Unlike its predecessors in the genre, the action in Fighting Force takes place from a third-person perspective set within 3D environments. Clean up the streets, malls, rooftops, and parks from gangs, soldiers, and hooligans. Use your feet and fists; pick up weapons like flamethrowers, shotguns, and grenades; or grab the common trash can or lead pipe to knock some sense into your foes. The game features a total of seven areas spanning over 20 levels. Battle the computer alone or team-up with a friend for two-player simultaneous action on the same screen. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Prowl the skylines in your weapons-loaded DASA Kamov gunship as you get set to create mayhem among a corrupted police force in G-Police. Take control of the heavily armed helicopter "Havoc," piloting it through 35 strategic and combat-based missions involving futuristic street gangs and corrupt corporations while also tracking down your sister's killers. G-Police supports the PlayStation's Analog Controller and memory card. ~ Brad Penniment, All Game Guide