Top five games of the year: PC games

Reviewed by PETER ELEY

Max Payne 2

(RockStar)

This game noir about a cop's fight for redemption has an intelligent storyline, film-quality graphics, and Matrix style action. It's bleak and not for those wanting a mindless shoot-'em-up.

* * *

Medal of Honour Allied Assault

(EA)

The Saving Private Ryan of computer games puts you on the D-Day beaches in the later stages of World War II. Hard to fault, with spine-chilling realism, sharp graphics and flawless gameplay. Not for the faint-hearted or those who give up easily. The insight into what this war must have been like is sobering.

* * *

Halo

(Microsoft)

The Xbox classic finally made it to the PC in a flawless transition. Halo's strength is its coherent storyline which has lots of twists and turns, and its intelligent, full-on action in which the strong and silent hero Master Chief takes on aliens and a race of undead nasties on the ring world Halo, home to a potentially devastating weapon.

* * *

Madden 2004

(EA Sports)

A makeover freshened up EA's long-running gridiron title and made it into the perfect sporting simulation. It looks good, gives amazing control over players, and has enough stuff to interest ardent fans. It may not be played much here, but Madden's quality makes it worth buying.

* * *

Generals

(EA)

The game that let the US fight global terrorism in Iraq came out just as George W. Bush did the real thing. Generals is the 3D version of Red Alert, and combines its best elements with exceptional graphics. Its expansion pack Zero Hour patched up a lack of depth to make it into a premier game.


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