This Playstation2 game really lets Playstation show its stuff! For those who bought Playstation2 or received one for Christmas, this is one game you have to have in your new collection!

First thing to know is that you are being timed throughout the game so strategy is of the utmost importance, the better you play the further you'll get. The basic idea of the game is to build, operate a profitable theme park. Sounds easy enough, but I guarantee that once you start so does the challenge!

You are given a budget and within this budget you are expected to build sidewalks, rides, concession stands and hire employees to run your park. Be sure you hire the best when it comes to employees as they are key to helping you keep within your budget and get the park in the black, which is vital to succeeding. You then proceed to build your theme park. Remember that location is key to this game so think quickly but wisely to where the best position should be for anything built. *Here is a tip for all you gamers, when you begin this game open the gates even though nothing is open, as no people is no revenue (a mistake I made here, so open the doors first thing!)

The setup will take awhile and you may ending up changing the way you originally placed everything, but that only adds fun to the game. You get a real backstage look here at just how a theme park is put together. By the time you are done you almost feel as if you could have given Walt Disney a tip or two. Your theme park will mirror life itself and you will find yourself as an owner with all the challenges people face in the real world. I like this realism as it is all leading up to the big and final goal, a real life moneymaking business!

Now folks comes the moment you have all been waiting for...drum roll...it is time to build your roller coaster!!!! First thing to remember is that the size of the roller coaster you are building is dependent on your budget. This is where building the park ties everything together. Like anything else you have to build within your means so the more your park makes the bigger the coaster. You start putting in the curves, the loops and those mean turns but wait a minute the computer is rating your coaster! Now there is nothing worse than building the most awesome coaster know to man and have the game rate "boring". Modification time! You can go back and twist that turn a little more or curve to the left. You keep trying till you get the rating you are looking for. When you finish it's time for a ride and what a ride it is! Playstation makes you feel as if you are there taking each twist and turn with the console. This has to be almost as good as IMAX, without leaving your living room!

This is one of those games you find yourself wondering late at night "what if I had done this or this?". Just remember that this game times you (the time is in years) and try to make it as profitable as possible. Most of all though, enjoy the game, as it is the ride of a lifetime!

Gameplay: 9.5
Gameplay is absolutely one of the best around. Your challenges change almost constantly, which keeps the game fast and alive each minute you play. The fact that there is a timer running adds an urgency to the game and fast thinking in strategy. Perfection combination.

Graphics: 10.0
Graphics are unbelievable. There are a lot of consoles out there on the market but once you have played Playstation2 you realize that they were all leading up to this. Every item from the face of a person to a hamburger in a concession stand is lifelike and all lends to the feeling of being there. This game has some of the best graphics of any game and the color is bold and bright in every scene.

Sound: 9 .0
Music playing throughout the game gives a real feel to your park. Announcements given over a "loud speaker" also add to the realism.

Difficulty: 9.5
The difficulty is just perfect for this game. It requires strategy and quick thinking. Although you are timed and rated, you can keep on making changes till you reach the goal you are looking for. The more you play the game the easier the decisions become but the challenge of the game still remains high paced.

Concept: 9.5
The concept is a good one. This game really gives you total control over what you create and gives you an inside look to building a business ground up and keeping it profitable. It is a game within a game and this gives it a unique edge.

Overall: 9.5