In addition to a wonderfully dynamic fantasy world, AC2 has something else every MMORPG needs: a way to ease newbies into the game world without making them feel like newbies. New players can gain experience by way of an initial set of more than 20 interesting, story-driven quasi-tutorial missions. It's no longer "sink or swim."

You don't need a superfast machine to run Asheron's Call 2, but it will help. Game specs call for a hefty 733 MHz of processing power, minimum. (And you thought your 1-gig PC was going to last forever.)

2. Battlefield: 1942 (Electronic Arts, rated T): There's a single-player game in there somewhere, but the real fun is in the massive World War II campaigns you can wage online with as many 64 players.

Choose a role (sniper, pilot, medic, rifleman, tank commander, etc.). Then go all-out in huge battles that combine land, sea and air vehicles and strategies. Re-enact or reinvent - it's up to you. EA gives you the tools and the theaters.

3. Mafia (Gathering of Developers, rated M): Developed by Illusion Softworks, Mafia is a bit of Max Payne and a lot of Grand Theft Auto with style to spare.

Set in the 1920s - with the great cars, swanky music and clunky weapons intrinsic to the era - Mafia tells the story of one man's ascent as a gangster and his attempt to extricate himself from the world of organized crime. It's "The Godfather" in game form.

4. Age of Mythology (Microsoft, rated T): The follow-up to the popular Age of Empires series, Age of Mythology lets you play god to Greek-, Egyptian- and Norse-like civilizations.

It's a real-time strategy title that lets players control mortals and mythical beasts as they wage war. Beware the kracken!

5. [A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000663TT/warcry-20" target="_Blank"]No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way[/a] (Sierra-Fox Interactive, rated M): It's a first-person shooter with Austin Powers style - only, he's a she, baby!

And "she" is Cate Archer, a sexy '60s spy girl whose fast and funny game is filled with terrific gags and tons of fun gadgets and weapons to go along with a hilarious spoof of a story.

Honorable mentions: RalliSport Challenge, Disney's Ultimate Ride Coaster, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, The Sims Online, Rollercoaster Tycoon 2, Unreal Tournament 2003 and Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.