Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell

Format: Xbox, PS2

Based on a plot devised by bestselling thriller writer Tom Clancy, this is the ultimate stealth infiltration and spy action game.

The US’s National Security Agency (NSA) deploys a top secret elite intelligence-gathering unit called a Splinter Cell. It consists of a lone field operative supported by a remote team. Like a sliver of glass, a Splinter Cell is small, sharp and nearly invisible.

You play the part of Sam Fisher, the most capable splinter cell operative, who is dispatched to danger spots around the world to try to prevent terrorist attacks before they happen.

This game consists of missions in which you have to use your cunning to overcome your enemies while keeping as low a profile as possible.

Sam Fisher can crawl, squeeze into tight spaces, and hang from pipes suspended from the ceiling.

He is equipped with an array of experimental intelligence gadgets, such as night/thermal vision goggles, fibre-optic cameras for seeing around corners and under doors without stepping into view, electronic eavesdropping devices, and special weapons for incapacitating opponents.

While he is infiltrating his targets, the game gives you periodical news broadcasts which report on the results of your good work.

In the best Tom Clancy tradition, this adventure is many-layered, and Sam Fisher soon stumbles on a sinister conspiracy which could destabilize the world order and trigger a nuclear war.

Sim City 4
Format: PC

In Sim City 4, you get to create, build and run the city of your dreams.

You start from scratch, designing the mountains, valleys and landscapes of your realm. Then you build your own modern city.

As big-city mayor, you are responsible for running your bustling metropolis, and taking care of such things as education, community amenities, and crime and emergency services.

When new factories cause pollution, you have to decide where to allocate residential zones.

You have to strike a balance between encouraging the economic development to make your city prosper, and providing parks and recreation facilities to make your city an attractive place in which to live.

You can even gauge the public’s reaction to your administration by observing what’s happening in the streets and neighbourhoods.

As mayor, you take charge during crises and disasters. You deploy emergency vehicles and join the action as they tackle fires, mob riots, tornadoes and even volcanic eruptions.

The release of Sim City 4 marks the return of an engrossing game, now revamped and far more satisfying than its predecessor of more than a decade ago.

Mech Assault
Format: Xbox

Mech Assault – a third-person action/shooter set in the 31st century – is the latest incarnation of an immensely popular game.

Players choose from a dozen BattleMechs (“Mechs”, for short) – huge walking tanks as tall as office blocks – ranging from nimble 30-tonners to massive, lumbering 100-tonners.

You configure your Mech for effectiveness, and then dispatch it to wreak havoc and destruction with its laser and plasma weapons.

The Mechs themselves are great fun to watch as they demolish huge structures, or falter and reel back when they are struck by enemy fire.

You have a choice of weapons, but the more destructive they are, the more vulnerable you become. If you are too trigger-happy with the powerful particle beam, your Mech will overheat and have to close down for a while to cool off.

So the game depends on accuracy, swift reflexes and clever strategy as well as sheer firepower.

The varied landscape enables you to ambush your enemies. You can use your jump jets to appear suddenly out of a valley and open fire on your opponent before you duck for cover again and plan a new attack from elsewhere.

The new Xbox format of Mech Assault allows gamers to find and play with others readily; communicate with other players during gameplay through the Xbox Communicator headset; and download exciting new levels and characters.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003
Format: PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PCCD.

This is a very classy game with intricately animated players and some of the world’s most challenging golf courses vividly brought to life.

The controls are easy to get the hang of and the visuals are all you could want. Action replays are in slow motion with multiple 360-degree panning shots.

You can play as Tiger Woods himself or pit your skills against Tiger in a one-on-one showdown.

You can also play as (or against) any one of 24 other golfing legends as well, including Ty Tyron, Mark O’Meara, Brad Faxon, Vijay Singh and Colin Montgomery.

You can play on any one of 12 of the world’s most challenging golf courses, and can even choose your clubs (with the game suggesting particular clubs for particular shots).

You can pick up trophies for achievements such as sinking particularly difficult putts.