For people who aren't burned out on "Guitar Hero" yet, there's yet another version available.

I was really excited when I first heard about "Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s" for the PlayStation 2. "Guitar Hero"? With '80s songs? Sounds great to me!

Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I knew it wasn't a totally new game, but I still hoped for more than what I got.

For starters, it's ridiculously overpriced. It's the cost of a brand-new PS2 game, and it's barely more than an expansion pack. For $50, you get 30 songs (that's $1.67 per song, for you math impaired), and that's it. No new game modes. No new stages or characters (in fact, there are fewer of both). Just old characters given '80s-style makeovers and some slight on-stage alterations.

Even the unlockable guitars are the same ones you have in "Guitar Hero II." Yes, I liked the fish guitar, but I was hoping to see something new this time.

The songs themselves are OK, but most of them aren't anything to write home about. Some of the really big '80s rock songs aren't included; it's more of a B-list of '80s songs. Even some that are good songs to listen to just aren't that fun to play. And there are no bonus songs to unlock. It won't take long to beat the game.

As it is, "Guitar Hero" fans probably still will want to play. Just don't be surprised if you walk away feeling disappointed and ripped off. At the very least, wait until the price drops, or rent it.

"Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword" is an expansion done right.

The second expansion pack for "Civ IV" (after "Warlords") adds even more content to what already was an incredibly in-depth game. My complaint with "Warlords" had been that it tended to focus on earlier eras in history, and "Beyond the Sword" fixes that by adding a ton of more-recent content.

"Beyond the Sword" adds 10 civilizations (including Portugal, Babylon, the Netherlands), 16 leaders (Abraham Lincoln, Hammurabi, Sitting Bull), five world wonders (Statue of Zeus, Moai Statues, Cristo Redentor) and a bunch of new units to use in your empire-building.

The best new scenario is Charlemagne, in which you play as one of five kingdoms trying to take over western Europe in the Middle Ages, all while staying in favor with the pope. I also liked one called Gods of Old, which is a typical "Civ IV" game, except all the religions have been replaced by ancient Mesopotamian gods who like to mess with nature.

"Beyond the Sword" adds so much content, it's practically a standalone game. It's really a no-brainer. "Civ IV" owners will want to rush out and buy this expansion, and if you're thinking about getting the original game, you might want to consider "Beyond the Sword" (and "Warlords") along with it.

{M3'Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s'

{M3PlayStation 2

Price: $49.99

Rated: T for Teen

3 out of 5 stars

{M3'Sid Meier's Civilization 4: Beyond the Sword'

{M3PC

Price: $29.99

Rated: Everyone 10+

4 out of 5 stars