Spiderman 2
PS2, Xbox, GameCube, £39.99 Activision
****
Spiderman 2 looks set to challenge for the crown of biggest ever box- office hit, so it was inevitable the film would generate a game. But what couldn't be predicted was that the game would possess merit. Despite the fact that this is a film-of-a-game - often translated as a contractual-obligation travesty - Spiderman 2 turns out to be one of the best action-adventure games released this year.

Activision has taken a leaf out of Grand Theft Auto's book by including an impressively modelled city (in this case, New York) and has added a physics engine. So this version of the game not only lets you swing around with all the grace Spidey shows in the movie, but also possesses rigour: sling a web and it will attach itself to a building (rather than a skyhook) and stay attached to the same point.

Spiderman has also acquired a gravity-defying super-jump and countless satisfying moves, such as the ability to run up the sides of buildings, and immobilise enemies in a web and swing them around to take out fellow baddies. Try leaving webbed baddies hanging from lamp posts.

Gloriously varied missions build up a decent storyline, evil bosses abound, and you can even deliver pizzas. Climb to the top of the Empire State Building, swallow-dive into an elegant free-fall, and defy gravity with a judiciously timed web just before you hit the ground.

Even though it is associated with a film, you should still take it seriously.
Steve Boxer

Ground Control 2: Operation Exodus
PC, £29.99 Massive/Sierra
****
It's been a while since the original, but unexpectedly fond memories flood back the moment you install this. Realtime strategy games have a habit of being either smart or pretty but rarely both; this game is an exception to that rule.

The key lies in that definition of RTS. Don't expect your usual base-building, resource-gathering antics. Any resources you use (armoured units and occasional sentry weapons) must be flown in, which means you have to capture and hold landing zones. With many levels requiring you to pull off complicated pincer-movements, this soon turns into a frantic tactical scramble, even in the excellent single player game.

What of the rest? Graphically, it's as good as anything, with a fully rotational 3D engine you can pan around. When enemies are raining missiles from every angle, the effect of being under bombardment is as good as in any game.

One downside is the storyline. Drawing on every sci-fi cliche from Aliens to Babylon5, it is hard to care about the badly voiced characters when you see every plot twist coming. You also have to question the single-player longevity. At just around 20 missions, it's over all too quickly.

This year was supposed to be a golden year for gaming, but it is turning into a tedious wait for killer titles. Unexpected gems such as this make the wait just about worthwhile.
Mike Anderiesz

Athens 2004
PS2, £29.99 Sony,
***
Released a few weeks before the event itself, Athens 2004 is a retro game dressed up in fashionable graphics. This is a button-bashing exercise that mimics Track & Field and other joystick waggling videogame greats from the 80s.

With 25 events, official licensing and polished visuals, Athens 2004 rises above this simplistic heritage to offer an enjoyable, if flawed, experience. There are two gold medal features - competitive multiplayer and dance mat compatibility. By including so many disciplines, the developers have cannily covered their bases, perhaps realising that most of the track races are simplistic. The challenge lies in the more complex events such as gymnastics and archery, which require timing and strength.

Setting records is a treat, especially when playing with friends. And multiplayer generally is a winner, giving a real competitive edge to even the lesser events. Another plus is the ability to leap around on a dance mat, rather than mash buttons, which works up a realistic sweat.

Unfortunately, some false starts mar the game. Some events lack variety - quality rather than quantity would have been preferable - and lengthy play becomes tiresome.

With a few tweaks, some more licensed athletes and online play, Athens 2004 could have been a winner rather than just a contender.
Greg Howson