I'm back from a much needed and deserved vacation break. Much of the time was spent catching up on the stellar video game releases of this holiday season: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time; Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando; and Beyond Good & Evil. While all three are excellent games, Prince of Persia and Ratchet & Clank stood out for different reasons.

Prince of Persia was a beautiful game throughout with very unique and compelling game play mechanics such as: the ability to walk across walls, and the ability to slow time as well as reverse it altogether. The ability to reverse time is the single game play element which makes the game so successful. When a failed attempt is made at a platform leap or other action, a simple reversal of time will take you back to try again: brilliant! The puzzles in Prince of Persia were mixed with stages of intense fighting, providing a delightful mix and balance to the game. I would vote this game as game of the year, 2003.

Ratchet & Clank was a delight in its heavy artillery and weaponry and the gratification it delivers by allowing you to smash and blow things up until your heart's content. We're talking robots, buildings, and other non-humanoid breakables here. There's nothing but good wholesome destruction in this game. The other element that makes this game so much fun is the variety of vehicles that you pilot during the many mini-games included: star explorer, glider, hoverbike, gigantic mech-robot, and rail boots. The action is always changing along with the game play which makes this game so addicting that you won't soon put it down before you complete it.

All things considered, it was a very pleasant holiday and thanks to all who made possible all the pure gaming goodness. Now it's back to work.