Dark Cloud - PlayStation 2

The combat system is clearly inspired by the one used in the N64's Legend of Zelda games--choose a target to lock on, and wail away. Between rounds of slaying monsters, you'll have to strategically rebuild cities to advance. Successful fishing trips will lead to valuable weapon upgrades. Some battles test your rhythm, requiring you to match button commands, similar to such games as Um Jammer Lammy and PaRappa the Rapper. Weapon management is a vital part of the game--weapons can break if not cared for properly, but you can also transform them into powerful objects of destruction by shrewdly managing upgrades.

The multifaceted game contains an excellent tutorial to help you learn its many aspects. While it has its imperfections, Dark Cloud is the best PlayStation 2 RPG to date. It's perfect for the angling adventurer who likes to dabble in urban planning. --Raymond M. Padilla, Amazon.com