PlayStation

Game Description: Can anyone stop Megaman? Far be it from the makers of this series (Capcom, incidentally) to quit while they’re ahead, as the Megaman franchise continues to get better with age. Since Zero expired in the last installment, Mega will have to work alone as he tries to save the Reploids in this chapter. Make your way through eight enemy-infested levels of play, defeating boss characters and stealing their weaponry. A randomized mapping system, variable endings, and all-new Nightmare System ensure the title will deliver the highest replay value possible.

The simplicity of some of these games is probably what makes them so memorable. With the Mega Man series, Capcom offered players some of the best platformers of their time, all the while avoiding complicated aspects.

Well, after reading Dale's review and considering some of his points, I must admit that I had a little change of heart and felt compelled to lower my rating on Smackdown 2. The game definitely has major issues that I needed to emphasize more.

Its no secret that developers dont have the best track record when it comes to producing videogame sequels. Some will attack the problems that plagued the original in a deliberate attempt to improve upon the playing experience. The rest will just add the prerequisite bells and whistles fans are demanding without giving much thought to how the entire package will fit together. That appears to be the case with Yukes sophomore WWF release, WWF Smackdown! 2: Know Your Role.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence, Mature Sexual Themes, Mild Language

Game Description: Licensed by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), this sequel to the popular WWF SmackDown has made several improvements upon its predecessor. There are now more than 50 wrestlers from which to choose, including the Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Chyna. New gameplay modes include Ladder Match, Hell in a Cell, Casket Match, and Tornado Tag-Team Match. To mimic the TV show's format even further, plots are developed through cutscenes that feature the voices of the superstars. You can create your own wrestler or even a new pay-per-view event. Season mode includes more matches, events, and pay-per-view events than did its predecessor. It all adds up to a fast and furious virtual version of the real thing.

Saiyuki is at it's a heart a turn-based strategy role-playing game (RPG) similar to games like Final Fantasy Tactics and Vandal Hearts. Whether or not this genre is appropriate given the source material is debatable, but it's an interesting route the developers choose to take nonetheless.

Game Description: As a young Buddhist monk in China, you’ve never had much cause for adventure in your sedentary life. Your life becomes very exciting when Lady Kannon, one of heaven’s six guardians, suddenly contacts you. Journeying through immense 3D maps, you’ll meet up with a host of amazing personalities in your search for the remaining five guardians of heaven. The object of the game is to bring the entire group to India; you’ll need all of the magic, weaponry, and reflexes you can drum up.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Violence 

Since Im not going to attempt to tackle the meta-issues or any cultural relevance here, Ill focus on the nuts and bolts of the game itself, irrespective of its historical background.