WinBack: Covert Operations

The new multi-player options and superb gameplay could actually keep you playing until MGS 2 in October. I've played precious few PS2 titles that are better, and Winback is certainly one of those games that will seem impossible to put down.

This is a pretty good cake, albeit of a flavor you've probably never tried...I'd put Winback ahead of "X-Squad," on the strength of its better-thought-out gameplay and far longer mission (not to mention the replay value all the multiplayer modes add).

Once mastered, the inventive gameplay mechanics have a way of becoming addictive, and the no-frills graphics get the job done.

An above average effort on the PS2. Basically an enhanced port of the N64 sleeper.

Sheesh, this clunker might as well be subtitled "Interactive Espionage Game Design Basics for Dummies." How retailers can live with such rubbish polluting their shelves isn't apparent.

Compared with the sights/sounds/gameplay of "MGS2", the technical flaws that were present on the N64 version (and haven't been fixed in this PS2 port) stand-out like a sore thumb on Roger Ebert's hand (there's a lovely image for you!).

Neat gameplay is marred by a tough camera system and the lack of interesting toys is a letdown, but the game is a solid appetizer for another certain espionage game that's on the way.

This game is badly designed and horribly flawed almost to the point of unplayable. It's not an unenjoyable game. But it has too many crippling flaws. First thing is the aiming. Which is very unreliable and untrustworthy. Manual aim is of course out of the question in most combat situations, because it's too slow. And lock-on aim is very bad. You can't really trust it. You never know if you're going to lock on under pressure, since the enemy may be out of range, too much to the side or a number of other problems. Also, if an enemy is out of range, they can still shoot you. There is also this weird thing that if an enemy is slightly to the side and your character aims straight ahead but then locks on, he aims the gun towards the enemy very slowly and you'll miss the first few shots and can get shot yourself first. Second is the overwhelming amount of laser traps in this game. The moving ones are the worst ones, since your only way to get past those is by timing a roll under them. And if you don't, you're instantly dead and lose all your progress. Unfortunately, I didn't have the patience to get past one in Stage 10(I think), where you have to roll under a laser way too many times. That one was somehow so damn hard and I kept dying there. There's a certain strategy to the combat. And once you nail it, the game can be pretty satisfying. But sadly, the experience is too flawed and a single mistake can also make you lose too much progress sometimes.