The setup is pretty much as it is in the Cartoon Network show: Players follow the lost-in-time Ronin on his quest to destroy the evil shape-shifter Aku, who banished the warrior to a dark future the wizard has ruled for centuries.

Jack's adventures take place in a handful of realms under the boot of Aku's hordes of robot minions. The wandering warrior makes his way through a few small areas in each realm while freeing villagers and collecting idols for new powers and items, and battles a tougher boss enemy at the end of each realm.

The fighting is simplistic: Jack has a few sword attacks, some throwing stars, a bow and arrows and several magical sword enhancements. He also can slow time a bit and perform powerful attack moves with a few button presses, provided he has learned them. It's pretty basic stuff, and it's too easy.

The only bright spot is some excellent music; it's very well produced, though the tracks are a bit short. This one might be good for young gamers (the "Teen" rating seems harsh) or fans of the show; others need not apply.

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 2, also for Nintendo GameCube and Microsoft Xbox
PUBLISHER: Sega
HOW MUCH: $39.99
AGE RATING: Teen

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'Breakdown' (** 1/2)

Players are put in another man's shoes - and head. Unlike most first-person games, you really feel as though you are behind the eyes of amnesiac super-soldier Derrick Cole, seeing what he sees. That's because the game always follows his field of view.

The game has two combat modes - hand-to-hand and weapon-based. The weapon mode is pretty simple: Derrick can lock onto enemies and shoot them. The troubles crop up in the hand-to-hand mode. "Breakdown" comes close; the problem is that the control is too clunky and awkward. It adds to the immersion, but as a game mechanic it's wanting. Visually, the game's a bit drab.

"Breakdown" is a neat experiment, but the problems inherent in its design keep it from holding together.

SYSTEM: Xbox
PUBLISHER: Namco
HOW MUCH: $49.99
AGE RATING: Mature

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'Far Cry' (***)

This is a first-person shooter in the vein of "Halo" - that is, with an emphasis almost entirely on combat and on outfoxing a crafty enemy, rather than on exploration and puzzle-solving.

Players take on the role of Jack Carver, a charter-boat captain who makes a deal with the wrong customer, Valerie Constantine. As the pair draw near their island destination, someone sends a missile into Jack's boat. Jack's washed into a grotto, Valerie's nowhere to be found, and this tropical paradise turns out to be crawling with mercenaries paid to shoot first and never mind the questions.

What are they guarding? Well, that's for Jack to find out. On the way, he will have lots of firefights with cunning foes who work in groups, flank and fire from cover. The mercs also keep a sizable motor pool, but they leave the keys in the ignition, so Jack can help himself to a buggy or something if he gets tired of hoofing it across the game's gorgeous island landscape.

Beware, though: This idyllic setting is the backdrop for some pretty intense gunplay violence.

SYSTEM: PC
PUBLISHER: Ubisoft
HOW MUCH: $39.99
AGE RATING: Mature