Top four holiday games reviewed

By Emmet Cole

MAFIA - PC

21 Dec 2002: Taking you back to the underworld of the 1930s, through the recollections of one-time cab driver turned mafia foot soldier Tommy Angelo, this PC game puts you behind the wheel of a number of Depression-era vehicles or leads you into shoot-outs in a variety of stunningly realised locations. While the game play is familiar - who hasn't been in a shootout recently? - Mafia has the look of a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster and engaging gameplay. The game landscape is detailed and contains 12 virtual miles of bridges, bars, alleyways, cops, and civilians. So, whether you're serving up some street justice with a couple of baseball bats, or making rooftop getaways with the cops closing in on all sides, Mafia is an offer you can't refuse.

FIFA 2003 - XBOX

Another in the seemingly endless list of soccer titles and a sequel to the other FIFA titles, FIFA 2003 is the biggest update to this successful genre in a long time. Maybe it's because Pro Evolution Soccer has been stealing the limelight from the FIFA offerings, or maybe it's because FIFA 2002 WORLD CUP was so awful, but the game engine seems to have been slightly improved for FIFA 2003.

While the gameplay remains the same, special functions like free kick-taking and penalties feel much more accurate and convincing than in previous versions. It's also worth mentioning the graphics, especially the virtual stadiums and realistic fans. This one is a must for FIFA fans, but not essential if you already own Pro Evolution Soccer 2.

HITMAN 2: SILENT ASSASSIN - PS2

In HITMAN 2 you play the part of a retired assassin, forced back into action by an act of treason so terrible that murder, apparently, is the only solution. While killing everything that moves is definitely one way to succeed in this game, the most rewarding aspects involve stealth and deception. This is a difficult tactical game that rewards the subtle game player and will require many attempts before you begin to crack its many challenges. The graphics and sounds are excellent, even by PS2 standards, and there are many excellent features including one that allows you to change the game view from first person to third person perspective at any time. While this is a difficult game, it's certain to keep even the most demanding game player engrossed for a many a long winter night.

TIMESPLITTERS 2 - PS2

TIMESPLITTERS 2 is an action game in which you play the part of a Space Marine, whose mission it is to seek and destroy Time Splitters: evil aliens bent on destroying humanity by wreaking havoc as they travel through our past and future.

It's not just a weird world full of zombies, demented clowns and sadistic monkeys that must be destroyed; TIMESPLITTERS 2 also has an element of strategy that rewards the selective player. With its excellent graphics, gameplay and a stunning multi-player mode, TIMESPLITTERS 2 is probably the best first-person shooter available for the PS2.