vs CPU

Project Natal video from CES

2010-01-07T14:46:00.001-08:00

At the Consumer Electronics Show today, Microsoft's full-body, controller-free, motion/voice-sensing device was announced as as a fourth quarter (holidays) 2010 release. Here's the video that was shown during the announcement.

The most overrated games of 2009

2010-01-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

There are lots of year-end "best of" lists out there. Yeah, this one's more important. If you're planning to pick up some of the 2009 games you missed at the time, avoid these. I wish I had.

5. Lord of the Rings: Conquest

Critics didn't give this stinker a lot of love, but it had much better sales than some of the best games of the year, and I can understand why. It's a proven developer with a great franchise license.

The idea was an enticing one: Take the formula that worked so well in the Star Wars Battlefront series and apply it to Lord of the Rings. You and your friends can re-create the epic battles from the films while playing as one of hundreds of warriors on a sprawling battlefield.

Battlefront is one of the best-selling game franchises of all time for a reason. That formula works. Why wouldn't you snap up this game without a second thought? Even the most skeptical gamer expected it to be more of the same, but with Aragorn instead of Luke Skywalker.

It's astounding that it managed to turn out so bad. The presentation is ugly and simplistic - worse than last-generation games that use the same gameplay engine. The controls were changed to a more counterintuitive layout, and it's simply not fun in any way at all.

I wouldn't have thought it was possible for anyone to do so poorly with such a sure thing. But then I played it.

4. Spongebob's Truth or Square

This game didn't get great scores from game critics, but it scored highly enough that some parents could be fooled into thinking this game is playable or watchable.

It isn't.

Here's what I said about it at the time:

The 3D camera hates you, your family, and everything you stand for, and seems to actively try to ruin the game for you by always managing to lock into the worst possible position. ... My 6-year-old, who is a huge fan of the show and has no trouble with far more sophisticated video games, gave up on playing it within minutes. There are segments that even I struggled to finish. Eventually, my son asked to stop watching the game because he was so upset by how often Spongebob was dying.

Read more

3. UFC 2009 Undisputed

Several critics picked this mixed martial arts sim as the sports game of the year, and I would agree if it didn't feature one of the most convoluted control schemes in the history of console gaming.

Here's what I said about it at the time:

I'm pretty sure to block a knee strike in a standing clinch you have to hold down the left bumper, the right trigger, make a gentle 75-degree sweeping motion with the right stick, do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. And when you have dozens of contextual blocks and counters like that to learn for each situation, and have to execute each with split-second timing, that quickly becomes, er, what it's all about.

Read more

2. Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood

This highly rated, cinematic old west shooter is a fun game to watch. Playing it? Not so much.

Here's what I said about it at the time:

The game expects you to know what's coming next and wants you to do it fast. So you'll find yourself dying and restarting at the most recent checkpoint a lot as you learn the script and figure out what you're supposed to be doing when. ... It's mystifying that Bound In Blood focuses on two brothers, allowing you to choose to play as either one, but does not allow two players to go through the story mode together. That's on the same level of wacky as the Fantastic Four game a couple of years ago that didn't allow four players.

Read more

1. Borderlands

There's one way to enjoy the RPG-shooter Borderlands: Online with four friends.

Try to play it any other way, and it's going to be dull, silly, and annoying. In single-player or even two-player splitscreen, the game's many problems, like the poor control scheme, repetitive missions, awful story, and looping, trying-too-hard-to-be-funny dialogue, become a lot more obvious.

It's a decent, multiplayer shooter with an interesting look. Play it with some friends, and you might enjoy it - at least in bursts.

The fact that it's often mentioned among the best games of the year is what makes it the most overrated game of 2009.

AP's top video games of 2009

2009-12-31T11:24:00.000-08:00

Here's The Associated Press roundup of 2009 in video games, along with its top 10 games of the year and the game of the decade. If, like me, you've played a lot of these games, you're likely to be nodding in agreement as you read. It certainly won't spark the kind of reader revolt that Gamespot's winners have in the past few weeks.

'Uncharted 2' tops a turbulent year in video games
By Lou Kesten, The Associated Press

The idea that video games were recession-proof turned out to be a myth this year, leading to declining sales, shuttered studios and thousands of newly unemployed developers.

Stalled fortunes also meant less risk-taking from game publishers, who released plenty of sequels and other titles based on proven formulas. But the news wasn't all bad — at least for consumers — with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all cutting prices on their flagship consoles.

Creatively, Sony and its in-house studios had a spectacular year, releasing three of 2009's best titles as PlayStation 3 exclusives. And Xbox 360 owners had plenty of first-rate games to keep them busy.

1. "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" (Sony, for the PlayStation 3): Like an interactive version of a classic Hollywood action movie, this globe-trotting treasure hunt delivers thrills, romance and more hairbreadth escapes than the entire Indiana Jones series.

2. "Assassin's Creed II" (Ubisoft, for the Xbox 360, PS3): Renaissance Italy is the breathtaking setting for this intricate tale of conspiracy, murder and revenge. The tantalizing glimpses of a larger, centuries-spanning power struggle create high hopes for the next chapter.

3. "Dragon Age: Origins" (Electronic Arts, for the Xbox 360, PS3): Developer BioWare takes the elements of Tolkienesque high fantasy and recycles them into a gritty, sophisticated epic with plenty of surprising twists.

4. "Batman: Arkham Asylum" (Eidos, for the Xbox 360, PS3): The Caped Crusader gets trapped in Gotham's nuthouse, where he has to endure the taunts and traps of The Joker. Cleverly designed challenges make this the best superhero game yet.

5. "inFamous" (Sony, for the PS3): The second best superhero game this year is the origin story of a guy named Cole who can control electricity. The option to choose between heroism and villainy adds even more playability to an already stirring adventure.

6. "Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time" (Sony, for the PS3): Insomniac Games' critter and robot pals are the most reliable characters in games (sorry, Mario), and their latest romp across the galaxies is as clever and colorful as ever.

7. "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story" (Nintendo, for the DS): Mario did co-star in this lighthearted role-playing game, in which he and his brother explore the innards of their old foe, Bowser. It's every bit as wacky as it sounds.

8. "Borderlands" (2K, for the Xbox 360, PS3): Gearbox combines the first-person shooter with role-playing elements in this addictive game. It's set on a hostile planet populated by bandits, rabid dog-beasts and giant insects. Fortunately, it provides all the firepower needed to deal with them.

9. "Forza Motorsport 3" (Microsoft, for the Xbox 360): Fans of hardcore racing simulations already love the "Forza" series, but developer Turn 10 has now made it easy for even the most inexperienced driver to take the wheel of a high-performance vehicle.

10. "Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars" (Rockstar, for the DS, PlayStation Portable): Rockstar Games delivers a handheld chapter of its "GTA" crime saga that's nearly as immersive as its console-based cousins.

Honorable Mentions:
"Shadow Complex," ''Scribblenauts," ''Professor Layton & the Diabolical Box," ''Demon's Souls," ''Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor," ''DJ Hero," ''The Beatles: Rock Band," ''Rock Band Unplugged," ''1 vs. 100."

Game of the Decade: "Rock Band 2."
Harmonix Music Systems provided an entirely new type of video-game experience with "Guitar Hero," giving all of us the chance to live out our rock-star dreams. "Rock Band 2" is Harmonix's fullest realization yet of that ideal — and the one game I keep coming back to whenever I just want to have fun.

Video game watchdog group closes doors

2009-12-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

The game industry is losing an important component this year, with the closing of the National Institute on Media and the Family.

The nonprofit wasn't about censorship, it was about research and reporting. Its annual report card on video game violence helped lead to the creation of the ESRB, which helps parents figure out that Super Mario Galaxy may be a better Christmas present for their 8 year old than GTAIV.

If anything, the group has helped prevent censorship by bringing the problem to light in a way that allowed the industry to regulate itself, before someone came in and did it for them. The game industry owes them a thank you, and so do parents.

Dear Spike TV: Stop helping

2009-12-14T10:52:00.000-08:00

What's worse than letting Spike TV pick the best video games of the year?

Letting Spike TV pick the nominees, then letting Spike TV viewers vote on which game should win each category.

You wind up with "best voice acting" nominees that were clearly chosen based on the name recognition and the physical attractiveness of the actor, rather than their performance. And then the viewers swoop in and vote for Hugh Jackman in his awful Wolverine game, or Megan Fox in her awful Transformers game. Because it's Hugh Jackman and Megan Fox.

The game of the year didn't even win its own genre subcategory. But, hey, there was music and celebrities.

It's hard enough to get the mainstream to take gaming seriously as an art form. Having an awards show like this in the spotlight every year isn't helping.

Maybe Spike's just ahead of its time with this approach. Maybe three years from now Academy Awards will be decided by whoever looks best in a swimsuit.

Mass Effect 2 voice cast is a TV geek's dream

2009-12-10T12:09:00.001-08:00

Looks like I'll have another broken hand in January, when Bioware's next role-playing epic debuts, featuring one of the most incredible voice casts in gaming history.

Now Playing: Smackdown vs. Raw 2010

2009-12-09T11:17:00.000-08:00

As anyone who has ever seen the internet, ever, can attest, there are positives and negatives to letting people create and upload their own content.

On the plus side, there's stuff. A lot of stuff, and all right there. Some of it's even really good. On the downside, the bulk of it is so bad you feel dumber for having seen it.

That's the case with THQ's new WWE game, which allows players to create wrestlers or storylines and offer them up to be downloaded by others. It's a terrific idea, one of those things where you wonder how it could have possibly taken this long for someone to do it. Now you have an endless supply of soap opera-style, user-created storylines and created wrestlers based on everyone you can possibly imagine. No longer will you have to dream about Britney Spears vs. President Bush in a steel cage match. You can live the dream.

Like I said, it's a great idea. The reality of it? Less great.

There are thousands and thousands of user creations, and as you'd expect most of them are bad - the kind of bad that makes you sad about the future of the human race. There's a search mechanic which allows you to filter by keyword and rating, but this ain't Google. Do a search and you might find a created wrestler that was uploaded three months ago and has one 4-star rating (by the person who created it) ranked higher than one that was posted six hours ago and has 17 4-star ratings. The search engine sees no difference between the two.

What's more frustrating is the fact that the menu

...

stops to load

...

every time you hit

...

any button at all.

Scroll down a five-item list and you have to wait for it to load. Click to look at the ratings for a creation and you have to wait for it to load. Hit the "back" button to return to the previous screen and you have to wait for it to load and the game erases all of your search settings, which you then have to re-enter.

Poke around for long enough and you'll see that there are some amazingly creative people devoting a lot of time and talent to the things they're uploading. It's almost enough to make you wish they had been the ones building the menu system.

Until you see "Britney Spears" spelled with two Ns and a Q.

Dragon Age broke my hand

2009-12-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

Why do you hate me, Dragon Age?

I give and I give, and all you do is torture me with your evil radial menu.

It's all seductive and easy to use: just point the right stick at what you want and hit the button. Simple. Addictive.

You forget it's even there and that you're using it constantly for 10 hours straight - until you turn off the game, break free from its spell, and realize that your thumb separated from your hand somewhere around the 100th hour of gameplay.

But the physical pain is nothing. What really hurts is not being able to play.... and being forced to sit there and watch while my wife plays.

Who am I kidding, Dragon Age? I can't stay mad at you.

Still Playing: Dragon Age: Origins

2009-11-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

Here's what I said about the fantasy role playing game Dragon Age: Origins during E3 last June:

Sure, it looks great and it's from Bioware (The Old Republic, Mass Effect), but aside from that I just can't tell how it's better than the 17,000 other fantasy hack and slashers released every year.

I've already told you that I was very very wrong. But, more specifically, I was wrong because I missed the part where it's from Bioware, which means enthralling writing, addictive gameplay, and a beautiful world packed with details to discover.

My wife and I have each put in more than 50 hours on the game and we're both still obsessed with it. Here are a few examples of why.

Characters With Character

See this girl?

She's someone who joins you early in the game. But unlike similar characters in other games, she feels like a real person. She pines for her homeland, she has an unshakable faith, and she's a storyteller. You can talk to her at any time, listening to tales of tragic love stories, or hearing about how she sees the influence of the supreme being in the world around her. Sometimes she'll start conversations all on her own.

And she's just one of many such characters, all of whom are created through some of the most passionate voice acting I've ever heard in a video game as well as brilliant character designs. If you look closely, you can even see that her teeth are brown - as they would be for someone living in such a time.

Breaking the Fourth Wall

One of the many possible subplots you may or may not run across in the game is a temptation from a Desire Demon.

She wants you to betray an in-game character - someone you don't even really know - and offers you everything from unique weapons to the unconditional love and loyalty of your companions if you agree. Any of it would make the game a lot easier to play in a very real way. All you have to do is bend your morals just a little.

It's a clever and unique way of testing how greedy you actually are and how far you're willing to go in a video game. Even the character itself is rendered in a sexually provocative way (edited in the image above) that makes you think about the nature of games vs. reality.

Epic Action

Considering everything above, the game can almost surprise you with the fact that it's packed with epic fantasy battles.

You can pause the action, look around the scene, and then tell each companion to fire off a spell, hack away at the boss character, shoot an arrow at a certain enemy, and so on; so it's easy for anyone to fight a dragon. Killing one is something else altogether.

It can lead to one of those definitive, unforgettable moments in a game. The kind that you ramble on about to your friends. "So then I was the last guy left alive, and I was almost dead, and everything was covered with blood, but then I jumped up onto the Ogre's back and stabbed him and he screamed and fell and then I rescued everyone! It was so cool!"

Don't be surprised if you find yourself yelling in celebration after a big victory. While playing an RPG.

It's all made even more thrilling by the fact that you actually care about the characters and want to save them.

A Beautiful World

Many times you'll find yourself stopping in the middle of the action to just stare around in amazement at the game world. From the lava-streaked underground dwarven city to the towering ruins of the heroes' fortress, it's absolutely breathtaking at times.

Even more so when you realize that there are hundreds of stories and adventures to discover everywhere you look.

You're a guest on my Xbox. Act like it.

2009-11-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

A few general things to keep in mind when playing on someone else's Xbox:

I've got like a dozen people on my Live friends list, and I like it that way. Don't add 20 people to my list after I go to bed, and then leave me to find out when teabggerINURFACE877 spams me with messages as I'm playing the next day.

Don't demand that everyone plays every multiplayer game on the hardest setting when (1) no one else wants to and (2) you can barely handle it yourself.

You're the only person in the house playing that obnoxious FPS game. TURN DOWN THE VOLUME. Tip: If people four rooms away from you are diving for cover every time you shoot, it's probably a little too loud.

You have awful taste in games. They're not fun to play, and they're even less fun to watch. Quit bringing your bargain bin crap to my house and then hijacking my system to play them for hours. I feel like I need to give my 360 a bath after you leave. Also my eyes.

Your long, rambling, outrageous stories about the things you did in games are not believable or interesting. No, no one believes that you beat that one game using only your big toe and got a special "Big Toe" achievement. Or that you unlocked Mario as a playable character. Or that the game developer called to personally congratulate you. Yes, we know you insist that it all really happened, and yet somehow we don't care.

The Red Ring of Overreaction?

2009-11-18T10:19:00.000-08:00

"The Red Ring of Death," the Xbox 360 hardware failure caused by overheating, has become the rallying cry for Sony and Nintendo fanboys, anti-Microsoft crusaders, and doomsaying game store employees everywhere. It's also a very real thing.

How real? I bought an Xbox 360 on launch day, and since then I've had five "red rings." If anything, my ring ratio is on the unlucky side, even considering that various surveys have reported 30 percent to 60 percent failure rates around the world (though red rings are reportedly much more rare these days after some changes to the console's internal architecture.)

And yet here I sit four years later still playing and loving the console. Why? Because "red ring" repairs are always free, and even though it was a downer to see those lights each time, I was always back to playing games with a repaired or new console on Microsoft's dime within two weeks.

Not everyone has the same outlook. One of my friends got a red ring and went out and bought a PS3. Another got a red ring and, instead of sending it off for the free repair, cracked the console open and tried in vain to fix it himself - voiding the warranty and leaving him with no system.

The 360, its library of games, and the Xbox Live features are a great fit for the things my family and I want from a game console, and that's the most important thing as far as I'm concerned. To me, that's more than worth dealing with the red rings - only one of which has happened in the last two years.

Still, it's important to be aware that the red ring is real and to take that into account along with the things the system offers when deciding if it's the right console for you. But then it's equally important to keep some perspective if it happens: Do you want to wait two weeks for a free repair, or do you want to turn it all into a giant nightmare by overreacting?

It's just ring. It doesn't have to change your life. Unless you consider a trip to the UPS store a life-changing experience.

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

2009-11-16T11:01:00.000-08:00

It's Monday, so it must be the Zombie Apocalypse. Again.

One of the most eagerly awaited games of the year for action and shooter fans, Left 4 Dead 2, hits shelves tomorrow for Xbox 360 and PC. Xbox Live members got a preview of the game via an exclusive online demo earlier this month.

Developer Valve, of Half-Life 2 fame, scored a major hit with the 4-player co-op focused original by combining the atmosphere of a survival horror movie with the frantic run-and-gun action of a competitive first-person shooter. This is more of the same, but faster, bigger, and more frantic. There are no slow, shuffling zombies here. A neverending wave of them sprint toward you - and toward a hail of bullets from you and your three companions - in a way that looks a lot more like "Saving Private Ryan" than "Night of the Living Dead."

One interesting side note: The story sees its four characters cross the Southeast, from Louisiana to Georgia, over the course of the game. So, yes, the zombie apocalypse will be coming to Alabama.

Other highlights of this week's release list include the hilariously titled New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Assassin's Creed II, Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues, NCAA Basketball 10, and expansions for Wii Fit and The Sims 3.

Top five most popular rentals at Gamefly:

1. Borderlands (Xbox 360)
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)
3. Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360)
4. Assassin's Creed II (Xbox 360)
5. Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 roundup... and a disclaimer

2009-11-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

Gaming for me has always been about escapism, so I've never been able to get into ultra-realistic modern military shooters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The last thing I want to do after spending all day editing stories about people dying overseas, terrorism and such, is to go home and play those types of things on my Xbox.

Obviously I'm in the minority: Despite controversy over a gameplay segment that asks you to participate in an airport massacre alongside terrorists, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 shattered records with $310 million in sales in the first 24 hours that it was on store shelves.

A bit of that money will go to a good cause: The game's producer announced just before Veteran's Day that it is donating $1 million to establish a foundation to help out-of-work veterans get jobs.

As for the actual game, here's what the reviewers are saying:

IGN: "For those planning to check out everything Modern Warfare 2 has to offer – online competition, full co-op Spec Ops mode, as well as the campaign – you’re looking at a no-brainer purchase. For the strictly single player crowd, however, Modern Warfare 2 is surprisingly short, and doesn’t live up to the standard set by previous Call of Duty games." - 9.5/10
Read the full review

The Associated Press: "If you're into online combat, "MW2" is a must-buy. I just wish Infinity Ward had taken the time to write a more coherent story for the single-player adventure." - 3/4
Read the full review

Gamespot: "Modern Warfare 2 nails the three pillars of play--campaign, cooperative, and multiplayer--to earn its place in the pantheon of modern shooters." - 9/10
Read the full review

1UP: "It might not have fixed all the problems from the first game, but there's just so much quality content packed into this game that it will almost certainly be one of the most-played games in your library for a long time to come." - A
Read the full review

G4:

Now Playing: Spongebob's Truth or Square

2009-11-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

I have no problem sacrificing for my child. As every gaming parent knows, there comes a time when it's necessary to play a game just because the kid has his heart set on it. (Besides, it's not like anything else came out this week.) Still, sacrifice is one thing... Spongebob's Truth or Square is bordering on cruel and unusual punishment.

The shoestring plot of the game involves series villain Plankton forcing Spongebob to relive some of the more memorable moments from the TV series. But this time there's a twist: Instead of being funny, those scenes are now frustrating.

The interface is built for a kid. It's colorful and nostalgic, with the characters and settings from the TV show very well re-created, and it's fun and easy to explore the world and accept missions.

But the gameplay itself isn't built for a kid - not because it's especially difficult but because it's so poorly designed that it's almost unplayable. The 3D camera hates you, your family, and everything you stand for, and seems to actively try to ruin the game for you by always managing to lock into the worst possible position. That's made even more frustrating by the fact that there's a good bit of platforming in the game, all of which requires surprisingly precise jumps. On top of that, the sequences often require you to finish before a countdown expires, or you'll be forced to start over.

My 6-year-old, who is a huge fan of the show and has no trouble with far more sophisticated video games, gave up on playing it within minutes. There are segments that even I struggled to finish. Eventually, my son asked to stop watching the game because he was so upset by how often Spongebob was dying.

I can't imagine who on earth thought this would be a good game for a kid, but they should be sent to Davy Jones' Locker.

Now Playing: Dragon Age: Origins

2009-11-06T07:44:00.000-08:00

In many ways, playing through Bioware's new Lord of the Rings-style fantasy role playing game feels a lot like the experience of reading an epic novel. The writing is mature and fiercely intelligent, the world lush, the story sweeping, and the characters true-to-life.

The appeal here isn't the kind of hack-and-slash gameplay you might expect from the genre; it's the sense of exploration and discovery, and the fact that the way you play your character shapes the story, the world, and the entire experience. There are no easy answers, no black-and-white morality, and that's what sets it apart.

It's a massive, beautiful world built on an intricate mythos that is revealed through dialogue, overheard conversations, and surprisingly entertaining in-game books that can be read through a menu screen. Choosing and customizing your character - from a human noble to a dwarven pauper to an elven outcast, and lots of variations in-between - is just the beginning. The world itself feels alive, and the experience unique to your chosen character. You won't just have to beat enemies to succeed, but poverty, racism, prostitution, and more. So despite the staggering depth of the game on even a single play-through, you'll likely want to go through it again and again to see the world through the eyes of different people.

After playing through a unique "origin story" for your chosen character, you'll get swept up into a war against a rising tide of demonic creatures. Battle plays out in much the same way as the developer's previous RPGs, like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Baldur's Gate - and that's a good thing. You can sit back and watch the battle play out, essentially leaving characters on autopilot, or you can switch between your party members, giving each a series of commands. Battles are spectacular and gory, with swords and spells flying across the screen.

Sure, the battles are fun, but what makes them so involving is the fact that you care about the characters and the outcome. This isn't just a fun game, it's a great game built on great writing and a lot of imagination - the video game equivalent of a page-turner. If that sounds appealing to you, don't hesitate to pick it up. And then good luck putting it down.

New Reviews, Top Rentals, Deal of the Week

2009-11-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

Here's a look at what some of the top game critics are saying about the latest releases:

Dragon Age: Origins
(PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Gamespot: "Like the best fiction, Dragon Age will sweep you up in its world, so much so that when you're done, you'll want to experience it all over again." - 9.5/10
Read the full review

1UP: "Dragon Age maintains and refines BioWare's moral choices, strong character development, and excellent tactical combat while adding a harsh, dark tone overall." - A
Read the full review

G4: "You’ll come for the sword-fighting and spell-slinging but you’ll stay because of characters you care about and an amazing world that rewards patient exploration." - 5/5
Read the full review

Forza Motorsport 3
(Xbox 360)

Team Xbox: "Everything about this game is great, no doubt, from the leveling system to the ability to buy user-created vinyls, to the quick upgrade system." - 9.5/10
Read the full review

Gamespot: "Turn 10 Studios' latest racer is bigger and better than its superb predecessor in every way." - 9.5/10
Read the full review

Gamespy: "Forza 3 is a brilliantly engineered, if somewhat cold, racing game." - B
Read the full review

DJ Hero
(PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

IGN: "Hopefully you've saved space for one more plastic instrument in your living room, because you're gonna' want to have DJ Hero on hand for your next party." - 9/10
Read the full review

Gametrailers: "DJ Hero is one of the most refreshing, original games we've played in quite a while." - 9.5/10
Read the full review

1UP: "It succeeds, but stumbles along the way." - B
Read the full review

Top five most popular rentals at Gamefly:

1. Borderlands (Xbox 360)
2. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
3. Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360)
4. Brutal Legend (Xbox 360)
5. Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360)

Deal of the Week:

Dollhouse star Dichen Lachman scored some serious geek cred on Halloween by dressing up as the main character from the somewhat obscure first-person action game Mirror's Edge. Have a look:

If you'd like to find out why the game became such a cult favorite, Gamefly currently has Mirror's Edge on sale for $11.69, plus free shipping here.

Hyundai in Forza 3

2009-11-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

Hyundai today released a story about the presence of its Genesis Coupe in the Xbox 360's new Forza Motorsport 3 game.

Here's how it looks in the game:

And here's footage of the actual car:

Here's a link to Hyundai's full story about the car and its inclusion in the game.

The game currently has a 92.6/100 average rating at review compilation site Game Rankings.

Sales figures: It's all a matter of perspective

2009-10-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

Sales of the Nintendo Wii have plummeted over the past six months, to the point that the Wii (and motion-sensing controller) craze is looking more and more like a passing fad.

But don't cry for Nintendo. Wii sales continue to outpace both the Xbox 360 and PS3, and Nintendo's portable DS system, which was released in 2004, has sold close to 115 million units so far. The DS remains the hottest-selling system on the market, not only dwarfing the Xbox 360's 32 million units sold, but closing in on the total sales of the PlayStation 2, which was released four years earlier.

Here's quick look at the top selling games by console over the holiday season so far. The number of weeks the game has been on shelves is in parenthesis.

1. "Wii Sports Resort" - Wii (17 weeks) - 5.5 million
2. "Halo 3: ODST" - Xbox 360 (4 weeks) - 3 million
3. "Pokemon Heart Gold / Soul Silver" - DS (6 weeks) - 2.7 million
4. "FIFA Soccer 10" - PS3 (3 weeks) - 1.3 million
5. "Madden NFL 10" - Xbox 360 (10 weeks) - 1.2 million

Now Playing: Halo 3: ODST

2009-10-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

This side story to the Halo franchise takes you out of the role of the super-soldier hero and drops you into the combat boots of the cannon-fodder space marines that serve as his backup. As such, it's more gritty and somber than the other games in the series, but it still has all of the thrilling edge-of-your-seat action that you'd expect from a Halo game.

If anything, the first-person, run and gun formula is even more compelling here because the acting and storytelling feel more personal. You care about the characters and feel like every battle is important, which gives it more of a sense of urgency, and that wasn't usually the case in the other Halo games.

The unique structure of the story is one of the reasons. You play as a new member of a team of battle-scarred, veteran "Orbital Drop Shock Troopers" who are defending Earth from an alien invasion. An accident separates the team, and you awaken hours later, alone in a ruined city that's controlled by the enemy. You spend the bulk of the game making your way from skirmish to skirmish, trying to piece together what happened to the rest of the squad.

When you find a clue about a team member, the game takes you hours into the past and lets you play through that person's story; before bringing back to the rookie in the present to search for someone else.

If you've ever played a Halo game, you'll feel right at home with the controls and pacing of combat. But ODST works equally well as a standalone title for those who have never played a game in the series. As a single player game, the mix of guns, grenades, and dramatic scripted moments makes for an experience as thrilling as any you'll find this year.

The cooperative multiplayer, in particular, really shines. As compelling as the story is, it can be a bit on the grim and lonely side at times, but playing through it with a buddy - online or splitscreen - adds another layer of fun. Once you're done with the story, there's the series-standard wealth of online and offline action that allows you to compete with or against your friends.

Aside from just being a great game, Halo 3: ODST has some nice little nods to sci-fi fans. The other members of your team include actors Nathan Fillion (Castle), Alan Tudyk (Dollhouse), and Adam Baldwin (Chuck), each in roles very similar to the ones they played on the cult hit TV show "Firefly." Fillion's ex-girlfriend in the game is played by a sci-fi star he dated in real life, Tricia Helfer, the leggy blond cylon Six of "Battlestar Galactica."

Whether you enjoy games with great stories, strong single player games, cooperative games, or just getting together with some pals and shooting each other, Halo 3: ODST is a perfect fit and one of the best games in the series.

Game review roundup

2009-10-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

As the holiday video game release flurry nears a fever pitch, here are a few choice reviews of some of the more recent high-profile titles, including the biggest holiday exclusives for PS3 and Xbox 360:

WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2010
(PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP)

IGN says:
"As someone who has been buying these titles since they debuted on the PSone, I'm thrilled to sit here today and tell you that WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 isn't good -- it's great." - 8.5/10

FIFA Soccer 10
(PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, PC, DS, Wii, PSP)

G4 says:
"After two years of sublime soccer, the EA Canada team deserves to hold a trophy above its collective head. FIFA 10 renders the Beautiful Game more beautifully than ever before." - 5/5

Borderlands
(PS3, PC, Xbox 360)

Gamespot says:
"Fun combat and a steady flow of rewards make this journey a massively enjoyable one, especially with some fellow mercenaries along for the ride." - 8.5/10

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
(PS3)

Gametrailers says:
"Drake's briskly-paced second adventure flexes the PS3's muscles." - 9.3/10

Halo 3: ODST
(Xbox 360)

G4 says:
"Once the confusion subsides and gamers sit down with a controller, they’ll see that ODST is indisputably one of the year’s finest shooters." - 5/5

Gamefly sale

2009-10-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

Video game rental site Gamefly has its end-of-year clearout sale going on right now. If there was a game you played in the past year and enjoyed but didn't want to drop $60 on it, odds are you can get it on the cheap for the next month or two at Gamefly. Here's a sample of some of the prices:

Gears of War 2 - $17.99
Resident Evil 5 - $17.99
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena - $17.99
GRID - $17.99
Guitar Hero: Metallica - $17.99
Left 4 Dead - $17.99
Virtua Tennis 2009 - $17.99
Godfather 2 - $11.69
Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. - $10.79
Bond 007: Quantum of Solace - $8.99
Lord of the Rings: Conquest - $8.99
Mirror's Edge - $8.99

The prices are for members of the site, but you could always sign up for the free trial, buy whichever games you want, and then cancel your membership.

Now Playing: Brutal Legend

2009-10-19T07:26:00.001-07:00

Picture if you will a world of heavy metal-fueled monstrosities and winged nightmares waging war across a flaming horizon. Now picture Jack Black snarking on it all, and you've got Brutal Legend, an umlaut-laden übertribute to metal that's both tongue-in-cheek and worshipfully referential.

The game looks and feels a lot like Guitar Hero meets Fable. As a recently deceased roadie, you roll across the hellscape in a battle car nicknamed The Deuce, hacking and slashing your way through 1980s hair band rejects while using your guitar to literally melt faces. Play a power riff minigame and you can raise shrines to learn more about the hilariously overblown birth of metal; or you can use the riffs to raise an army of headbangers which you can then command around the battlefield to help you turn away the forces of darkness and neon.

The story is overflowing with the wit of Black and designer Tim Schafer (Psychonauts, Grim Fandango), and it's littered with guest appearances from metal gods like Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, and Lita Ford. It doesn't always make a lot of sense aside from being an excuse to get you to the next joke or the next cameo or the next epic album-cover set piece; but you'll probably be enjoying the ride too much to care.

Whether or not you're a fan of the music - which is well-represented by its exhaustive licensed soundtrack, including the song below - the game is imaginative and fun enough that you'll enjoy it on some level, whether for the well-designed hack and slash gameplay or the arockalyptic humor.

Games for Halloween

2009-10-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Dead Rising
Fear factor: 2/5
Play it on: Xbox 360
Price: $20 new at Gamestop

You're a photographer trapped in a mall with a small group of survivors during the zombie apocalypse. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Survive for 24 hours while using any of the items in the abandoned mall to carve your way through the ever expanding throng of zombies.

Bioshock
Fear factor: 4/5
Play it on: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Price: $20-$50 depending on system at Gamestop

Explore an underwater Utopia gone wrong and discover the madness behind the mystery in this heavily stylized and beautifully rendered wet, neon nightmare. Bring ammo.

Resident Evil 5
Fear factor: 3/5
Play it on: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Price: $40 new at Gamestop, or $22.49 at Gamefly

Team up with a friend to battle back mutated masses after a bio-accident. Teamwork is key to making it to the end. Watch your back!

Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Fear factor: 5/5
Play it on: PS3, Xbox 360
Price: $20 new at Gamestop
This ultra-gory first-person action adventure unsettles with its edge-of-sanity blending of real and imagined worlds. The story is a dizzying and dark spiral through one man's descent, told via impalings.

Dead Space
Fear factor: 5/5
Play it on: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Price: $20-$30 new, depending on system, at Gamestop

Considered one of the scariest games ever made, this shooter sees you exploring a derelict spaceship filled with impossibly gruesome monstrosities that never seem to die. Turn out the lights, settle into your seat and then get ready to jump out of it a lot.

Left 4 Dead
Fear factor: 2/5
Play it on: PC, Xbox 360
Price: $30 new at Gamestop

Grab a group of friends and lots of virtual firearms to face a swarm of zombie attacks, or take control of a zombie and seek out tasty tasty brains. Best with buddies.

F.E.A.R.
Fear factor: 3/5
Play it on: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Price: $15-$20 new at Gamestop

The Ring meets Halo in this creepy and challenging first person shooter. Available on the cheap.

Ghostbusters
Fear factor: 1/5
Play it on: DS, PC, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii
Price: $20-$50 new at Gamestop

You won't be afraid of no ghosts, but you'll have a great time bustin' them alongside Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and the gang in this fun and hilarious sequel to the movies.

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

2009-10-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

Eternal sports game adversaries EA and 2K face off again this week as each releases its annual NBA game. EA's NBA Live 10 uses real-life player performance for evolving in-game features, while NBA 2K10 features a laundry list of upgrades to graphics and sound as well as new gameplay modes. Both are among the most realistic-looking sports games of any kind.

Other releases this week range from Bioshock for the Mac to the subtitle fest Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes. You can read the full release list here.

Top five most popular rentals at Gamefly:

1. Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360)
2. Need for Speed: Shift (Xbox 360)
3. Batman Arkham: Asylum (Xbox 360)
4. Wet (Xbox 360)
5. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (Xbox 360)

Comparing the game systems

2009-10-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick comparison of the current generation video game systems, along with some thoughts about which might be the right one for you. Keep in mind that many of the biggest game releases are available for all of these systems.

PS3 Slim

Price: $299

Key exclusive games
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Infamous, MLB09: The Show, Killzone 2, Resistance 2, Little Big Planet, Gran Turismo 5

Key features
Built-in 120GB harddrive, built-in wi-fi, cutting-edge hardware, plays Blu-ray movies

Weaknesses
It's the most advanced tech on the market, but game developers have struggled at times to harness its power. It's simply cheaper, easier, and more profitable for developers to make games for the other systems, which means that its game library could be more impressive. It could be years before we truly see what the PS3 can do, if ever.

Get this if
You want an inexpensive way to watch movies on Blu-ray disc or you're a big fan of the PS3's exclusive games

Wii

Price: $199

Key exclusive games
Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy, Warioware: Smooth Moves, Wii Sports, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Key features
Revolutionary motion control, solid and stable technology, great exclusive games from console-maker Nintendo, easy and fun to play for all ages, can download and play old favorites from earlier Nintendo consoles

Weaknesses
Made mainly for younger players or those who wouldn't normally play video games, the games don't look or sound as good as they do on the other systems, it only plays games - none of this newfangled DVD stuff

Get this if
The system is for a young person, for someone who doesn't usually play games, or a longtime fan of Nintendo's games and characters like Mario

Xbox 360 Elite

Price: $299 ($250 after a $50 rebate, if you purchase by October 4.)

Key exclusive games
Gears of War, Halo 3, Forza Motorsport 2, Perfect Dark Zero, Fable II, Mass Effect

Key features
The largest, most diverse library of games among current consoles; online network offers free access a massive amount of free or for-pay games and Blu-ray quality movies and TV shows for stream or download; a cutting-edge, subscription-based online gaming service

Weaknesses
Had to implement a free mail-in repair policy because of frequent system failures in earlier versions of the console

Get this if
You have broadband internet access, particularly if you have a Netflix account since you can stream movies from Netflix through the console

Lowest prices on the top games

2009-10-01T09:18:00.001-07:00

If you're planning to buy video games for yourself or someone else over the next few months, try signing up for the free trial at Gamefly, the Netflix-style video game rental service. Once you're a member of the site, you can buy previously rented games, often for roughly half the price of places like Best Buy and far less than the price of used games at places like Gamestop, and in much better condition. Plus, shipping from Gamefly is free for members.

Here's a comparison of a few of the current prices, as of about noon on Oct. 1. Gamestop prices are for the used versions of the game, whenever available.

Gamefly: $22.49
Gamestop: $24.99
Best Buy: $29.99

Gamefly: $31.49
Gamestop: $49.99
Best Buy: $59.99

Gamefly: $22.49
Gamestop: $44.99
Best Buy: $59.99

Gamefly: $25.19
Gamestop: $27.99
Best Buy: $39.99

Gamefly: $11.69
Gamestop: $24.99
Best Buy: $29.99

Gamefly: $16.19
Gamestop: $29.99
Best Buy: $29.99

Gamefly: $13.49
Gamestop: $17.99
Best Buy: $19.99

Gamefly: $25.19
Gamestop: $44.99
Best Buy: $59.99

Gamefly: $44.09
Gamestop: $55.99
Best Buy: $59.99

Gamefly: $44.09
Gamestop: $49.99
Best Buy: $59.99

Gamefly: $35.99
Gamestop: $44.99
Best Buy: $49.99

Gamefly: $35.99
Gamestop: $59.99
Best Buy: $59.99

Gamefly: $44.09
Gamestop: $59.99
Best Buy: $59.99

Tokyo Game Show Highlights

2009-09-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

It's a crowded but unremarkable week for new game releases, so in lieu of a look at the list here are a few of the most interesting things to come out of the annual Tokyo Game Show.

Dead Rising 2 impressions
The trailer for the game

Splinter Cell Conviction preview

Final Fantasy XIII update

Crackdown 2 developer walk-through:

Xbox's controller-free motion tech is shown in Japan and Japanese developers discuss its potential

IGN's wrap-up of the show

The Gamespot staff discusses the show

PS3, Xbox 360, Wii price drops and motion tech

2009-09-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

The console makers really want your money this Christmas.

The recent round of price drops have seen the market-leading Nintendo Wii fall to $200, the PS3 fall to $299, and the Xbox 360's top-of-the-line Elite system drop to $250.

Now there are rumors that Microsoft is considering a takeover of software giant Electronic Arts. While the idea of having all EA Sports games and heavyweights like The Sims exclusive to Xbox may seem pretty appealing up in Seattle, the rumor is still just a rumor. ...For now.

In the meantime, it looks as though Sony has turned its attention to playing catchup with the Wii motion controls and the Xbox's extremely well-received Natal tech (see video below).

From The Associated Press today:

NEW YORK — Sony is planning a spring release of its new motion controller for the PlayStation 3 video game console.

The controller, a prototype of which Sony unveiled in June, will work with the existing PlayStation Eye camera, which can track players' voices, faces and body motion. The controller, in turn, has on its end a light-emitting sphere that can be recognized by the PlayStation Eye camera.

Sony did not say how much the controller will cost.

Motion controllers let people play video games without complex buttons and levers. They were popularized by Nintendo Co.'s Wii when the console launched in 2006.

Now Sony Corp. is pushing past that technology, as is Microsoft Corp. with its own motion control device, "Project Natal." Natal, which combines a camera, depth sensor, microphone and processor, eliminates the need for any button-mashing device. Microsoft has not yet set a release date for Natal.

Sony's announcement came in the heels of Nintendo's decision to cut the price of the Wii by $50, to $200 beginning Sunday.

The price cut comes just ahead of big game releases for Nintendo — "Wii Fit-Plus" on Oct. 4 and the multiplayer "New Super Mario Bros." for the Wii on Nov. 15.

Here's the demonstration of the tech

Now Playing: Wet

2009-09-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

The most impressive thing about the new pulp action game Wet is the presentation - from the promo videos to the incredibly imaginative in-game elements. There's a scratchy film filter over everything, images are bright and washed out, and the "film" occassionally melts or comes completely off the reel at the end of a scene. Levels are broken up by drive-in movie theater commercials.

The story revolves around a hired gun named Rubi who specializes in "wetwork" (hands literally "wet with blood"). Think Laura Croft from "Tomb Raider" meets The Bride from "Kill Bill." Eliza Dushku ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Dollhouse"), who plays Rubi, feels like the perfect fit here, and it's obvious that she inspired the concept of the character in both personality and look.

For the most part, the action itself is as tongue-in-cheek pulpy and over the top as you'd expect. You flip and dive around levels in slow motion, raining down a hail of gunfire on nearly neverending waves of hapless, vaguely European foes as driving surf rock bangs away in the background. Dying or failing levels is rarely much of a concern - it's quite easy to advance to the next area and keep progressing through the story. But the focus here is on carving through levels stylishly. You're graded on (and rewarded for) your performance, getting bigger boosts if you pull off a fluid John Woo ballet of death. Doing so takes practice and patience.

Some outrageous set pieces and staged moments break up the splatterfest. You'll find yourself in cinematic old-west style duels with your nemesis, jumping from moving car to moving car during a gunfight in heavy traffic, and shooting at enemies while dodging flaming debris as you fall from an exploding plane. Many of these segments are presented as movies that require you to hit a certain button when prompted, a la Dragon's Lair. It's usually a nice change of pace after the shooting segments and really helps immerse you in the story.

Because the game feels so scripted, there's a lot of emphasis on replaying segments once you know what you're supposed to be doing and where you're supposed to go. The levels are big and open, but the game is linear - requiring you to follow a set path through those levels. That path rarely feels obvious or intuitive the first time you play a level. "Rubi Vision," which highlights all of the ledges, lightpoles, and so on that she can use to bound through the area, helps somewhat. Still, it can be frustrating to have to stop all the slow-motion gunfighting fun while you stand there and try to figure out where the game wants you to go next. Choose the wrong path and you instantly fall to your death and have to replay the level. Note to the developers: Pls keep your platforming game out of my pulp action game. Thx.

Provided you can handle a little frustration, Wet is mindless, bloody fun and has some of the most clever presentation I've ever seen in a game. I could easily see it becoming a franchise and eventually a movie. Here's hoping.

Now Playing: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

2009-09-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

There's a lot to love about this hack and slash role playing game, especially for comic book geeks and action game fans... and there are a few annoying issues. But here's the short version: If you liked the first game, you'll probably love this one. The sequel is essentially the same experience but with a more cohesive story, some streamlining of the interface, and much higher quality graphics and presentation throughout.

The darker, more somber storyline focuses on a civil war between Marvel heroes and forces you to choose sides between the pro-government faction led by Iron Man and a rebel faction led by Captain America. Your choice will change how the story plays out and will limit the heroes you'll be able to use - two excellent reasons to play through the game twice.

The good news is that, whichever path you choose, you'll have access to a terrific roster of stars like the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and the X-Men. You'll also get the chance to play as lesser-known heroes like Songbird or Iron Fist, and even villains like The Green Goblin. Each has a unique set of moves and powers (and one-liners) which reflect their personalities extremely well. Whether you like to play, as a hands-on - or claws-on - brawler or as a room-clearing support character, you're likely to enjoy exploring the different heroes and movesets. It helps that almost anyone can play the game. Simply hammering away on the buttons will get you through most of it, and make you look really cool.

Gameplay is from the same distant, top-down view as the original, but the graphics are a massive improvement here and hold up extremely well during closeups. Some of the outdoor environments are downright gorgeous, as are the new "fusion" attacks, which allow you to combine the power of two superheroes for moves like a level-clearing fire-fueled tornado courtesy of The Human Torch and Storm - and yes, that's just as awesome as it sounds. The levels themselves are more destructible than the original, meaning that environments naturally get ripped apart and even used as weapons during fights, which is very satisfying and make your characters feel that much more powerful.

Sadly, all of this colorful chaos makes it very difficult to keep track of where you are onscreen, especially when more than one person is playing. On top of that, the camera can sometimes lock in an awkward position for no apparent reason and make it impossible to see anything.

The story is more involving than the original game but much shorter as well. You could probably finish it in a weekend. There's more replay value, though, both in the two-path story mode and in the legions of unlockables and side diversions like trivia games and simulator challenge missions.

Still, if you've got a friend or three - online or off - and are up for some super-powered action, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 will keep you blasting away bad guys until your thumbs are sore.

Halo ODST promo

2009-09-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

In the vein of the very creative viral video for Wet, here's another incredible promo for an upcoming game.

It's raining games!

2009-09-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

The blitz of holiday-season game releases has officially started. One look at the crowded list of new releases proves it.

This is the time of year that I really get the most out of the Netflix-style Gamefly rental service - instead of buying games, I end up playing several new titles a week for about $20 a month. At the moment I've got Wet and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, with Halo: ODST shipping out next week. I'll post impressions of each, but for now here's a roundup of some recent reviews of high-profile releases:

Wet

A 1970s pulp-style action game with an emphasis on acrobatic, over-the-top moves and presentation

Team Xbox's Wet review
Gamespot's Wet review
1Up's Wet review
IGN's Wet review
G4's Wet review

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

Four-player comic book beat'em-up with light role playing elements, featuring a roster of Marvel stars from Spider-Man to the Fantastic Four

Gamespot's Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 review (above)

IGN's Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 review
1Up's Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 review
Game Daily's Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 review

Need For Speed Shift

The latest in EA's acclaimed arcade racing series takes a more realistic approach

Gametrailer's Need For Speed Shift review (above)

IGN's Need for Speed Shift review
GameSpy's Need for Speed Shift review
Team Xbox's Need for Speed Shift review

NHL 10

This sequel to last year's groundbreaking sports title has gotten more attention than actual pro hockey

Gametrailers' NHL 10 review (above)

G4's NHL 10 review
IGN's NHL 10 review
Gamespot's NHL 10 review

Dirt 2

Codemasters' all-in-one offroad racing extravaganza

Gamespot's Dirt 2 review (above)

IGN's Dirt 2 review
G4's Dirt 2 review
1Up's Dirt 2 review

The Beatles Rock Band

The Fab Four is introduced to a new generation of fans. Again. But the real star here is the four-part vocal harmonizing

Gamespot's The Beatles Rock Band review (above)

1Up's The Beatles Rock Band review
IGN's The Beatles Rock Band review
GameDaily's The Beatles Rock Band review
G4's The Beatles Rock Band review

Guitar Hero 5

A terrific new setlist and a roster of stars like Kurt Cobain is just the beginning

Gametrailers' Guitar Hero 5 review (above)

Gamespot's Guitar Hero 5 review
IGN's Guitar Hero 5 review
G4's Guitar Hero 5 review
Team Xbox's Guitar Hero 5 review

Demo of the Day: Wet

2009-08-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

A lot of things came to mind when I was trying to decide how best to describe the upcoming action game Wet. Mirror's Edge with weapons. A more polished, agile version of Bloodrayne. Kill Bill, starring Eliza Dushku.

But in any case a demo is now available on Xbox Live, so you can decide for yourself, and if you're at all into action games it's more than worth the download. The demo is broken up into three levels, each of which shows off a different aspect of the gameplay.

The first has you exploring the 1970s pulp-flavored world. And by "exploring," I mean doing slow-motion backflips while unleashing a hail of hot lead on a street full of enemies; wall-running through levels and dismembering bad guys; and running up people's chests, springing into the air, and unloading your dual pistols on them from above. It's almost impossible to be killed, so the emphasis is squarely on performing the moves with as much style as possible, which is a lot of fun.

The second level shows off the main character Rubi's Rage mode, which turns the entire screen into something resembling a really gory ipod commercial. When in Rage mode, you shoot and slash your way through more enemies faster - like some sort of blender of death - with blood and body parts filling the screen until it's almost impossible to see. Which isn't a problem since basically all you have to do when in this mode is mash buttons and watch the destruction unfold.

The final level in the demo lets you play through a car-surfing section, in which Rubi leaps from roof to roof as the automobiles swerve through traffic and enemies take potshots at her from passing cars. It's not nearly as difficult as it sounds: For the most part, it involves sitting perched on a car roof, firing at enemies, until you're prompted to hit a button to jump elsewhere, a la Dragon's Lair. As long as you hit the button in time, it's all good.

I was alread excited about the game, but after playing the demo it's easily one of my most anticipated titles of the year. Wet hits shelves Sept. 15.

Now tired of: Fuzion Frenzy 2

2009-08-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

If you're invited to a party, and someone happens to mention whipping out their copy of Fuzion Frenzy 2 because it's a party game ... well, you better bail on that party quick. Inform them that you just learned that your aunt's second cousin twice removed just died and you must report to the family compound immediately or you'll miss out on your inheritance. Or just leave, fast, without explanation, move and don't leave a forwarding address. Because Fuzion Frenzy is just that awful.

This second installation of the Fuzion Frenzy franchise ensured that there would be no Fuzion Frenzy 3, despite game developers' love of franchise games. It was poorly received by a public expecting a fun, light party game because it stunk on so many levels. Here are some reasons you'd be better served reading "War and Peace" than taking up FF2, (besides a good book being better for your intellect, of course):

Main Quest. I can think of a few good adjectives to describe the Main Quest portion of this game. Unwieldy. Rigid. Sucky. Craptacular. But let's get beyond juvenile namecalling despite the fact that the Main Quest has very little in the way of redeeming values. The fun is just very hard to find here in this insipid pseudo gameshow. For instance, players have very little control of the flow of the tournament, just forced along a very strict path determined largely by the caprice of the emcee and the silly playing card sidegame -- a cheap and unnecessary barrier to success. Players also often find themselves playing some of the lousiest conceived minigames in the game, cursing their luck as well as the developers. Minigames like Ice Sculpture, which involves melting the ice around a sculpture with a water hose, were truly lousy and impossible to conquer, even at the lowest difficulty level. Other minigames like Don't Sink the Boat are just too insipid for me to give a flip.

Also, in order to unlock a couple of the more fun games -- like Sumo Paint -- you must win the Main Quest with all the characters. Like, ugh.
Art style. Gone is the Jet Set Radio Future art style of the first game in favor of some futuristic, planet-hopping theme, with battle armor, all of which just leaves me cold as Icicle, the ice planet. Yep, the developers were really creative on this one.

The Emcee. That voice. Those cheesy remarks, over and over. "Viewers across the universe are glued to this battle." No, they are not. So very not. Luckily, you do get the option to turn down the sound, but still, demerits for him even being in the game with his futuristic clown suit and pink pants. Next time they want an emcee with a futuristic yet flamboyant touch, I'd much prefer the annoying, whiny comedy relief guy from the Fifth Element.

POV. The POV makes the player feel like they are playing this game from a great distance away, so it's hard to get immersed in the game, even if you wanted to. And it's hard to succeed at the minigames because it's hard to see what you're doing at times since you are playing from such a distance away.

Champions Online developer diary

2009-08-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Gamespot has just posted the latest video developer diary for Champions Online, a game in which you create a custom super hero and go online to show off your super powers alongside other player-controlled heroes, World of Warcraft-style.

The game is scheduled to be released simultaneously on PC and Xbox 360 later this year. See more about the game at the official site.

Game Geek Fantasies Are Made Of This

2009-08-24T12:27:00.001-07:00

...And this

Now tired of: Bomberman Live

2009-08-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

Bomberman Live on the Xbox is a fun, family-friendly little game, if you don't mind your children talking about blowing stuff up. But right now I'm suffering from a bit of Bomberman overload because my son loves it so much.

Why it rocks:

Customizable. There's a great deal of character customization in the form of outfits unlockable through gameplay. You can make your bomber a princess, a cheerleader, a punk, a football player, a mage or a superhero Or you can be mental and mix 'em up, creating your own superhero cheerleader mage. Or football player cheerleader punk.

In addition, you have your choice of what powerups you can make available and what type of game you want to play -- including an intense zombie version in which characters are immortal, and whoever owns the most squares wins. Just when you think you have the game in hand -- boom! You die, all your colored squares disappear, and you are resurrected with the added disadvantage of being stripped of all your powers with the time ticking down.
Enjoyable gameplay. This is a direct result of the customization. It's a blast to blast your AI and player opponents in a variety of ways, aided by a variety of powerups, and in a variety of arenas.

It's not Fusion Frenzy 2. Hudson Entertainment, the creators of Bomberman 2, pretty much killed the esteemed Fusion Frenzy franchise by making 2 so incredibly lousy, with a ridiculous tournament mode that included a silly playable card system. But I shouldn't rant about that here. Bomberman Live is luckily not that game, though my son also loves Fusion Frenzy 2. What is it about Hudson Entertainment games that my son loves so much?
Cute art style and ambiance. The arenas and characters are very cartoonish, including a space level and an ice level, with environmental challenges specific to each arena. The experience is rounded out with cartoonish explosions and cartoonish powerups you gather up during the round. Watch out for the fully powered-up dangerous bomb! The fun retro synthy gameplay music adds to the spirit of the game. However, if you stay on the same arena for an extended period of time, the synth music can get stale, much the way it did back in the days of Mario.

What's wrong with it:

Playing it too darn much. After a while, planting bombs and running around like a mouse in a maze over and over and over just gets old. So very, very old. Like reality TV.

Top 25 Games Of All Time (5-1)

2009-08-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Each Wednesday for the past few weeks, I've counted down my favorite 25 titles from throughout the 30 years I've been playing video games. The rankings are more personal than objective - it's not just how well-made, fun, or groundbreaking they were at the time, but also how much nostalgia they inspire for me personally.

Previous entries:

Honorable Mention

Games 25-21

Games 20-16

Games 15-11

Games 10-6

Top 25 Games Of All Time:
Games 5 through 1

5. NCAA Football 2003 (Xbox) - July 2002

At first glance, the first NCAA Football game for Xbox was simply a way to immerse myself into the world of college football like never before. I could stage my own Iron Bowl any time of the day or night, complete with TV-style presentation, chanting fans, fight songs, and play-by-play from ESPN Gameday's commentary team.

I could also play as any 1A school like Troy, plus several of the smaller universities like Alabama State.

Then I got into prep athlete recruiting during the offseason. Everything's a blur after that - a blur of scouting and giving pitches to athletes until the wee hours of the morning, trying to land that one blue chipper who could turn my program around. And then excitedly trying out my new toys on my first opponent of the following season, watching my freshman RB run roughshod over their defense. No experience I've ever had in video games has been as addictive as recruiting in NCAA Foootball 2003.

I forgot what the sun looked like. And my wife.

4. Phantasy Star Online (Dreamcast) - Jan. 2001

As the first online console RPG, everything about this game was magic, from the silky smooth, space-age interface to the trance-inducing background music.

One of my most memorable moments in gaming is the first time I met a longtime friend from high school online and hacked and slashed through the futuristic levels alongside him. There was no voice chatting in the game - only a keyboard interface, emoticons, and shortcuts to quick phrases like "Hi." But that somehow made people's natural personalities come through even more clearly. We met new friends, and shared laughs and adventures. We discovered rare treasures, explored the game world together, and formed bonds.

In the dying days of the Dreamcast, this game introduced the world to the best aspects of the social experience that people would become hooked on years later in games like Everquest and World of Warcraft.

3. Rock Band (Xbox 360) - Nov. 2007

I was skeptical when I read that a music/rhythm game would be released alongside a complete set of instruments - guitar, mic, and drums.

Thirty seconds into the first song I wasn't skeptical anymore. Two years later, not only am I still playing, my whole family plays the game regularly (see embedded video below).

Playing this game with a group almost feels like discovering multiplayer for the first time. It's an entirely new level of interacting with other players and with your favorite songs. You can even fool yourself into thinking you look cool while doing it.

How good is it? It turned us into the Partridge Family.

2. Hardball! (Commodore 64) - 1985

Hardball! for the Commodore 64 was fifteen years ahead of its time in gameplay and presentation when it came out in the mid-1980s.

It featured two full rosters, complete with bench players, that could be mixed and matched. The pitching and hitting interface felt impossibly perfect - better than some baseball games 25 years later - and the gameplay as a whole was perfectly balanced. You could play with a friend or take on the computer, and both were equally satisfying.

Even today I can watch gameplay videos of Hardball! and I desperately want to start playing. No sports game since has come close in terms of capturing my imagination the way this one did.

1. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Xbox) - July 2003

The most well-written story in the history of the Star Wars franchise never appeared on the big screen. It was here, on this game disc.

This sweeping, epic tale of alliances and betrayals, romance and tragedy centered on you, or, specifically, the character you created at the beginning of this action/role-playing game. In the years before The Phantom Menance, you man a Millenium Falcon-type ship and journey across a series of worlds, train to become a Jedi, avoid (or battle... or join with) the Sith, and ultimately decide the course of the galaxy.

Gameplay plays out in cinematic fashion, featuring a revolutionary mix exploration, strategy, and real-time combat that is easy for anyone to pick up and play. You interact with other characters through dialogue choices that can change the story, and that dialogue itself plays out in some of the best ensemble voice acting in gaming history.

But the story is the star, and it features the perfect mix of poignant and moving subplots, truly smart and surprising twists, and hilariously irreverent comedy ("I did it all for the Wookies").

It's a game that's compatible with Xbox 360, and my wife and I are currently playing through again. I've lost count of how many times we've finished it, but I doubt this play-through will be the last.

Family Game Night: Your favorite board games look pretty good in pixels

2009-08-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

My 5-year-old son and I are big Family Game Night fans, playing an assortment of famous board games on our console, much to the chagrin of the traditional gamer of the household, who thinks playing a board game on a video game system is buying a Winnebago and only taking it on short trips to the grocery store.

Boggle, Connect Four and Battleship are the games we’ve purchased so far, but others like Scrabble, Yahtzee and Sorry are also available. A few reasons why this is a popular game option in our household:

Small commitment. Depending on the settings, each game lasts only a few minutes.
No hunting for the games in a crowded bedroom closet. *Insert overly dramatic shots of a frustrated family member searching in vain for something in a closet, only to have an avalanche of books and clothes fall on their heads.* Games like Boggle, Battleship, and Connect Four are conveniently stored on your console’s hard drive if you have the XBOX 360 or on a DVD disc if you have a Wii or PS3.
Remember how the little plastic missiles would always get lost, one by one, in the board game version of Battleship? This was particularly a problem with the travel-sized Battleship board game, because there was a whole in the game that allowed the game pieces to slip out. Not a problem with the video game version.
More adaptability. You can customize the game experience to include different versions of the same game, which gives these classic games new life. For instance, Battleship’s salvo mode allows each player to shoot as many shots as the number of ships he or she has. This speeds up gameplay, enlivening the experience. Add some special Battleship bombs and torpedos, some superpowered chips in Connect Four, and it's not the same old game anymore.
Party mode. My son is a bigger fan of this than I am. Party mode is like a game in itself. It creates several minigames of widely varying quality based on the Family Game Night games you have. I wish we had more control over the kinds of minigames we’re given. For instance, there’s a Battleship minigame where you must match the ship layout given. Unless you're 5 years old, this is lame.
My Room. The My Room feature allows players to earn new furniture and accessories by playing the game, which they then display in their virtual room. While not revolutionary, it is still neat, although a bit buggy at times. The game has locked up quite a few times here. I’ve learned to wait a few second for it to load completely before advancing through the various knick-knacks.
Mr. Potato Head. He adds a bit more life to what could be a screen devoid of anything remotely humanish. Plus, he doesn't have a voice, so he's not like the annoying announcer guy in Fusion Frenzy 2. He does more physical comedy like Harpo Marx, celebrating when you win, falling asleep at various intervals, and looking shocked when something bad happens. And he has a cool bubble jetpack.

My one complaint: The Boggle interface is a little troublesome. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to direct the joystick to the right letters, which costs a little time. But it’s not a bit enough distraction to stop me from playing it --- over and over and over.

Top 25 Games Of All Time (10-6)

2009-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

It feels in a way like a descendant of Wing Commander III, but this more recent sprawling, epic sci-fi RPG was impressive in a different way. The sheer size, depth, and cinematic production quality is just overwhelming. After some time away from the game, it's easy to forget just what an experience it is.

Each time you create a new lead character - male or female, combat or tech focused, "biotic" power-infused or a jack-of-all-trades - it feels like you have an entirely new game ahead of you. The combat mechanics play out in real time from a third-person shooter POV but allow you to pause and set strategies at your own pace, which is unfailingly satisfying.

The production quality and level of immersion create a feel of "role playing" via dialogue choices and how you form (or destroy) relationships. And people. I almost want to create every possible character type and take each one through the game so that I'll have them all on hand, with their own look, background, personality and story, for the sequel. And because this game is just so deep and so involving, I feel like it would be just as fun on the 10th play-through as it was on the second or third.

6. Fallout 3 (Xbox 360) - Oct. 2008

Bethesda followed "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" with this post-apocalyptic, first-person action/RPG.

It's a world full of burnt-out shacks draped in neon and Christmas lights, where mutated humans and animals battle over food and shelter while the remnants of government wage a larger battle for control of the wasteland. Your character roams this collision of 1980s movie concepts, armed to the teeth and ready to dispense justice - or injustice.

The game's wealth of subplots and people and locations and side quests, allow you to shape not just your own character but the future of humanity in ways that are creative and involving. It's a study in contrasts: A setting that is monsterous and twisted but somehow beautiful, stories that can be bleak but can also be surprisingly uplifting.

And it's almost impossible to stop playing.

Coming next Wednesday:
The Five Best Games Of All Time

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

2009-08-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

There are two things coming out this week: Madden 10 and everything else.

Some area stores plan to have midnight sales Thursday night for Madden fans who just can't wait to buy it Friday. What they're buying is a shiny new football title that features (among other things) online co-operative play and a new broadcast-style presentation with things like pregame ceremonies, trophy presentations, and a postgame show.

Not an NFL fan? The good news is we're roughly a month away from the beginning of the holiday release season, when an avalanche of highly anticipated games will start coming out every week across all genres.

Read this week's full release list here.

Top five most popular rentals at Gamefly:

1. Prototype (Xbox 360)
2. Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood (Xbox 360)
3. Ghostbusters (Xbox 360)
4. Red Faction Guerrilla (Xbox 360)

5. Fight Night Round 4 (Xbox 360)

Game Roundup: From Around The Web

2009-08-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

A few highlights from gaming sites this week...

IGN

More Batman: Arkham Asylum News & Previews

-A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Batman: Arkham Asylum (above).

-Hands-on with the hotly anticipated racing game Dirt 2.

-A review of the new downloadable Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game. Spoiler alert: It ain't good.

G4

-A video preview of the next-gen update of the original Nazi shooting game Wolfenstein (above).

-The annual G-Phoria video game awards:

Best Handheld Game
Best Sports Game
Best Online Multiplayer Game
Best Party Game
Best Voice Acting
Best Racing Game
Most Original Game
Best Action Game
Favorite System
Best Strategy Game
Best Role Playing Game
Best Shooter
Best Downloadable Content
Best Graphics
Game of the Year

Gamespot

-A video review of the new GI Joe game (above). Spoiler alert: It ain't good.

-A first look at NBA 2K10, which looks amazing

-A very interesting article about whether or not video games can be a good medium for storytelling.

Top 25 Games Of All Time (15-11)

2009-08-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

Each Wednesday I'll be counting down my favorite 25 titles from throughout the 30 years I've been playing video games. The rankings are more personal than objective - it's not just how well-made, fun, or groundbreaking they were at the time, but also how much nostalgia they inspire for me personally.

Previous entries:

Honorable Mention

Games 25-21

Games 20-16

Top 25 Games Of All Time:
Games 15 through 11

15. California Games (Commodore 64) - 1987

This was the first real party game that I played on a home console, and it showed me just how fun it could be to play with a group of friends.

You and your friends could pick a "sponsor" for your athlete like Ocean Pacific or Santa Cruz, then compete in a series of events like half-pipe skateboarding, surfing, and frisbee. Gameplay was simple but immersive - a great formula for a fun party game - and the colorful presentation was inviting to new players. Sure it was simplistic, but that only inspired us to add our own personal touches in how we played, and invent imaginary signature moves like "The Totally Tubular" or "The Santa Cruz Missile."

As a young teenager in the 1980s, nothing could beat a summer night with a couple of friends, a Dominos pizza, and a copy of California Games.

14. WWF Smackdown (Playstation) - 2000

Let's face it, pro wrestling is basically theater meets video game in real life, particularly when it comes to the WWE, and this was the first video game to really capture that.

It was the first with all of the personality and bigger-than-life feel of the WWE, from the broadcast style to the perfectly captured finishing moves - even the entrances were thrilling. And it happened to be released at the height of "sports entertainment's" popularity, when characters like The Rock and Triple H were still young up-and-comers.

Its neverending season mode let you vie for the belt, win it, and defend it as long as you wanted; and unlike future games in the series, it allowed your imagination to fill in the gaps instead of forcing you down a linear path with overwritten plotlines.

13. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Xbox) - Aug. 2002

Sure, it helps that I was a fan of the show, and this game perfectly replicates the feel and style of its early seasons. But that aside, it's simply one of the best action games I've ever played, seamlessly mixing addictive hand-to-hand and weapon-based combat with Tomb Raider-style exploration. Best of all, it comes wrapped in the TV series' trademark wit and tongue-in-cheek humor.

Presented as a "lost episode" from season 3 of the show, it features voice acting from all of the major actors as well as its spinoff, "Angel," minus Sarah Michelle Gellar (and, honestly, the Buffy voice actor who appears in the game is an upgrade in some ways). Zombie, vampire, and hellhound smackdowns are broken up by scenes in which you can trade hilarious Buffy-style dialogue with the other members of the gang.

Combat is innovative and evolving, allowing you to smash apart a chair and use its leg to stake a vampire, or snatch up a shovel and spin it helicopter-style to decapitate a zombie. That's mixed with some light puzzle-solving and platforming.

On top of that, a secret code allowed you to play through the story mode with up to three friends, who could take control of the enemies in each scene and try to kill the slayer. Few gaming moments come close to the time I used a pole to shishkebab three friend-controled vampires and dust them all at once as Buffy rattled off a one-liner like "Oops! Did I do that?"

Gamespot's Ryan MacDonald has an excellent and comprehensive video review of the game here. The game is backwards compatible, so you can play it on an Xbox 360.

12. Lakers vs. Celtics and the NBA Playoffs (Genesis) - 1991

These days sports gamers take things like accurate player performance and true-to-life rosters for granted. But it all started here.

When Lakers vs. Celtics and the NBA Playoffs was released (originally in 1989 for PCs), the idea of playing as Michael Jordan was still a dream. Not only did this game let you do that, it let you use a Jordan signature dunk as well as signature moves from other NBA players. Some were convincing; others were hilariously overpowered. The Phoenix Suns' Tom Chambers could not only consistently score from anywhere on the court, his signature move was a dunk from the 3-point line. My friends and I quickly banned each other from using him in multiplayer games.

It only included the playoff and all-star teams, but its arcade/sim gameplay, recognizable players, and broadcast-style touches like a halftime show with highlights from other games made this a glimpse of the future of EA Sports.

11. NFL 2K (Dreamcast) - Nov. 1999

One Saturday in late November of 1999, I walked into a local Electronics Boutique. I glanced up and saw that the Patriots and Colts were playing on a TV over the counter. I watched a minute or two then walked over and told the clerk that I didn't know there was a game on today. He said "It's a video game." I left the store with a Dreamcast and a copy of NFL 2K.

In a football game world that was dominated at the time by old-school Madden, it was a total revolution. It featured true broadcast-style presentation with convincing motion-captured animations, groundbreaking graphics, and a very entertaining and convincing commentary team.

The series would continue to break new ground by going online the following year, allowing you to play football against other Dreamcast players over the internet.

The 2K series survived the death of the Dreamcast, and within five years it would become a serious threat to the Madden series on multiple consoles, initiating a price war that led both series to sell for under $40... so Madden publisher Electronic Arts bought the exclusive NFL license, eliminated their competition, and again raised the price of Madden.

It's unfortunate for gamers everywhere that two of the top 25 all-time sports game franchises: NFL 2K and MVP Baseball were killed off by league exclusivity deals, and replaced by competing franchises (Madden and MLB 2K respectively) that were not as good.

Coming next Wednesday:
The Top 25 - Games 10 through 6

Wet viral video

2009-08-02T07:58:00.001-07:00

Here's the viral video that's making the rounds for Wet, the Bethesda (Fallout 3) shooter starring Eliza Dushku. It is quite possibly the greatest thing I have ever seen. (The video, that is. Though the actress is way up on the list too.)

Read more about Wet

Game Roundup: From Around The Web

2009-07-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

A few highlights from gaming sites this week...

Gamespot

-Halo 3: ODST actor Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle, Dr. Horrible) offers a introduction to the game (above).

-Hands-on impressions of the stylized, Mad Max-like "role-playing shooter" Borderlands that comes out in October.

-The weekly Crosshairs video preview show featuring Borderlands, Split/Second, and more.

IGN

Modern Warfare 2 at IGN.com

-A frame-by-frame look at new multiplayer weapons and features in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (above).

-The Batman: Arkham Asylum developer blogs about voice acting in the game.

G4

-A look the wacky costumes and elaborate outfits that attendees wore to ComicCon (above).

-A video review of Wii Sports Resort.

-A review of the eagerly awaited fighting game Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

Top 25 Games Of All Time (20-16)

2009-07-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

Now Replaying: Sid Meier's Pirates!

2009-07-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

Available as a $10 "Xbox Originals" download through Xbox Live, this 2004 remake of the classic PC game is pure, addictive swashbuckling fun that'll have you sailing your way across the 17th century Carribean while laying siege to towns, swordfighting captains, finding long-lost treasure chests, escorting the governor's daughter to high-society balls, and much more.

It's very easy to learn and play. Even young children could play it if they (and you) are not put off by the light cartoon violence. The trade-off is that, despite the sail-anywhere-at-any-time structure of the game and the variety of stuff to do, the game can get repetitive.

Still, if you're like me and in the mood for a little mindless summer gaming fun, this is the one for you. And you'll love the fact that the action is rated "Argh!"

(Sorry for that. I blame the game.)

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

2009-07-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

Gears of War? Bah!

Marvel vs. Capcom? Meh.

Let's be honest here: The Wii's new Sports Resort game is going to dwarf everything else released this year in terms of sales. People who don't know, don't care, and don't play games will buy it. I'm still trying to figure out how Nintendo managed to accomplish that.

That's not to say it's a bad game - quite the contrary: the game itself and the new motion-sensing tech that comes bundled with it have been praised by critics. It includes twice as many sports-themed minigames as the original Wii Sports, and the new game and motion technology will reportedly be bundled with Wii consoles beginning this holiday season, which should provide a nice boost for Nintendo's sales figures without forcing them to resort to the kind of price drop we're likely to see for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Read this week's full release list here.

Top five most popular rentals at Gamefly:

1. Prototype (Xbox 360)
2. Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood (Xbox 360)
3. Ghostbusters (Xbox 360)
4. Fight Night Round 4 (Xbox 360)
5. Red Faction Guerrilla (Xbox 360)

Top 25 Games of All Time (25 - 21)

2009-07-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

Now Playing: NCAA Football 10

2009-07-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Levi Brown scoffs at double coverage

There's more to see and do than ever in this year's edition of EA's NCAA football game, but for the most part it's more of the same thing series veterans have been enjoying for years: Tight, fun on-field gameplay with all the bells and whistles of an ESPN broadcast from a Saturday game day at your favorite school.

Scouting and recruiting new high school players to build your program was once the most addictive part of the series, but it has been buried in layers of stats and micromanaging of late. Even the most hardcore stat lover will have trouble getting a lot of satisfaction out of it. Odds are that most people will just let the computer automate the whole thing, which means it may as well not even exist. Please streamline this next year, EA. I miss it.

On the upside, there are a wealth of types of gameplay with which to tinker.

In one, you create a high school senior at any position, play through the state high school playoffs, sign with a college, then try to make a name for yourself on campus as a player while also attending classes and taking tests. ESPN field reporter Erin Andrews gives updates on your progress, which are presented like a SportsCenter special report, and Kirk Herbstreit offers analysis. Their comments are surprisingly accurate, and it can be a kick to hear them talk about how you're fitting in at your favorite school. Still, you only play one position the entire time and have no control over play calling or any other aspect of the team, which can get pretty dull.

The dynasty mode lets you control everything - from recruiting to scheduling to depth charts - and it can now be played online with other real players competing with you for prospects.

There's a Season Showdown mode in which you earn points for your school in an online power struggle with other players; a wealth of minigames which offer the college football version of things like tug of war or bowling; a family mode that simplifies the controls so that anyone can jump in and play; and a lot more.

The meat and potatoes of the game, though, is still on the field, and that's where the series continues to shine brightest. Controls are more accessible and satisfying than ever, particularly for the running game and on defense.

There isn't really anything groundbreaking here, but it's an improvement for a series that was already one of the best sports games on the market.

Now Playing - Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood

2009-07-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

What we have here is basically Call of Duty: Old West Edition.

The game leads you through a linear spaghetti western story about fugitive cowboys and their quest for gold, love, and redemption. It's a story that's filled with dramatic set pieces, plot twists, and lots of things that go boom in big, pretty ways.

As big as the action is, the story and the immersive world in which it's set is the game's strongest point. You really do get the feeling of playing through an old cowboy movie, one that's well-acted and beautifully visualized.

There's a lot that you get to do along the way, which is both good and bad. The gameplay shifts seamlessly from on-foot shoot outs, to firing a gatling gun or a cannon into waves of soldiers. You'll use a lasso for a quick escape, ride shotgun on a runaway stagecoach, and much more. The tense duels, shown from a cinematic camera angle, are especially compelling.

But there's a good bit of trial and error involved, as the game expects you to know what's coming next and wants you to do it fast. So you'll find yourself dying and restarting at the most recent checkpoint a lot as you learn the script and figure out what you're supposed to be doing when.

I often wish I could "jump the track," get off the linear path I'm being forced down, and explore the world of the game at my own pace. (That's something that's being promised by the upcoming Red Dead Redemption.) And it's mystifying that Bound In Blood focuses on two brothers, allowing you to choose to play as either one, but does not allow two players to go through the story mode together. That's on the same level of wacky as the Fantastic Four game a couple of years ago that didn't allow four players.

Parents should note that the game has some of the most frequent use of profanity I've ever heard, even putting the Grand Theft Auto games to shame. Some might also be put off by the Civil War elements and the way the game handles women and Native Americans, which varies from clumsy to cringe-inducing.

Still, what the game does, it does well. It's a thrilling - if at times frustrating - amusement park ride through a nicely realized old west movie, and if that's what you're after, this is the game for you. It's a sequel to the 2007 title Call of Juarez, but no knowledge of the first game is required to enjoy this one.

Read more reviews of Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood

Top 25 Games of All Time (Honorable Mention)

2009-07-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Each Wednesday I'll be counting down my favorite 25 titles from throughout the 30 years I've been playing video games. The rankings are more personal than objective - it's not just how well-made, fun, or groundbreaking they were at the time, but also how much nostalgia they inspire for me personally.

Just missing the cut
This week's list features games that were each among my favorites, but they didn't quite make it into the top 25. In no particular order...

Football (Atari 2600)
Its blocky players and total lack of details look impossibly primitive by today's standards, but at the time the idea of playing football on a TV screen almost felt like science fiction.

Double Dragon (Arcade)
This side-scrolling beat'em-up with the trappings of classic 1980s action films is the first that really captured the appeal of working together with a buddy.

Gauntlet (Arcade)
Released at the height of the popularity of the tabletop Dungeons & Dragons game, it allowed four players to work together through the fantasy world, each choosing a different Lord of the Rings-type character. All of that was revolutionary at the time.

Tron Deadly Discs (Intellivision)
The movie was still fresh in kids' minds when this immersive action adventure game came along. The more popular Tron games paled in comparison.

Super Mario Brothers (NES)
I didn't own an NES and didn't like platforming games, and despite that I couldn't help being drawn into the addictive gameplay, sound, and design of this classic when visiting friends who had it.

Punch Out! (Arcade)
The original arcade boxing game was colorful, well-designed, and addictive, and ate a ton of my quarters.

Dr. J vs. Larry Bird: One on One (Commodore 64)
As one of Electronic Arts' first sports games, it was simplistic but already showed flashes of the direction the company was going: allowing you and a friend to compete against each other while playing as the greatest players of the time. Also? You could break the backboard!

Bop'N Wrestle (Commodore 64)
In the glory days of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, this was the best wrestling game around. No real wrestlers appeared in the game, but it had more than enough personality to create its own identity and inspire the imaginations of young wrestling fans.

Streets of Rage (Genesis)
The Double Dragon formula was honed to console perfection in this series of cooperative beat'em ups on the Genesis. Bring on the Mountain Dew and Cheetos.

NHL 94 (Genesis)
The classic 2D hockey gameplay reached its zenith with this detailed, satisfying installment which was among the first to feature details like shattering glass and player fights.

Madden Football 92 (Genesis)
At a time when sports gaming was still in its infancy, this massive football series really started to flex its muscle. The 1992 game had tight gameplay, accurate player performance, a wealth of features, and details like ambulances driving out on the field to pick up injured players.

Way of the Warrior (3D0)
A Mortal Kombat clone, but with much more style. It featured better graphics, more over-the-top moves, and a massive amount of camp. A digitized version of one developer's ex-girlfriend was in the game, and her finishing move was to blow a kiss that made your head explode. It was also one of the first games to feature licensed music, allowing you to play along to perhaps White Zombie's best CD.

Shenmue (Dreamcast)
Maybe it was a bit too ambitious for its time, but it's impossible to deny the influence this had on the gaming world with its real-time weather, free-form exploration, and blending of fighting and puzzle elements.

Jet Set Radio Future (Xbox)
The first cel-shaded game was this heavily stylized action adventure series, and the Xbox sequel to the Dreamcast original was more accessible, gorgeous, and allowed you to listen to a terrific licensed soundtrack as you skated around spray-painting graffiti in a near-future Tokyo.

Halo (Xbox)
I'm not a shooter fan, but this sci-fi epic was so well-designed and immersive that it pulled me in regardless. The spectacular story mode could be played with a friend, and it featured one of the most robust console multiplayer experiences ever. It was a video game party in a box.

Jade Empire (Xbox)
It was a beautiful role-playing romp through a world inspired by Chinese mythology, interspersed with real-time, magic-infused kung fu. As fun as the game was to play, the story was even better - if unrelentingly depressing.

All Star Baseball 2003 (Xbox)
The real highlight here is the list of unlockable special features, which include - among other things - an absolutely enthralling video interview with Negro league star Buck O'Neil, who died shortly afterward. The game is worth owning just for that interview.

Deathrow (Xbox)
I've played a lot of futuristic sports games, and this is the best of the bunch. It allowed a team of four human players to work their way up in the rankings through brutal matches in which you try to throw a ball through your opponent's goal and/or literally beat them into submission. Few titles I've ever played have offered a more fun four-player experience.

James Bond 007: Nightfire (Xbox)
A vastly underrated shooter, this featured a very cool single-player story mode inspired by the Bond movies, and its multiplayer features were on the same level as the Halo series. Just with more gadgets.

NHL 2002 (Xbox)
I was a few games into this fun-enough NHL game before I realized that the commentators appeared to be on drugs. "Irreverent" doesn't begin to describe it. They'll leave the booth for minutes at a time to go get nachos, misunderstand each other and go off on wacky tangeants... it's difficult to pay attention to the game because you're laughing so hard. On top of that, it's a great game of hockey.

Quantum Redshift (Xbox)
This futuristic racer is about one thing: SPEED. The beautifully rendered textures blur as the landscapes fly past, and heaven help you when you hit turbo. Weapons ranged from colorful lasers to nuclear explosions, and the outdoor environments were sharp and immersive. All of it could be played to your own music, streamed from the console's harddrive. It showed off everything the Xbox could do.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (Xbox)
None of this military shooter's excellent sequels have captured what the Xbox original did so well: The feeling of actually being outside, creeping along through trees and brush while watching for snipers.

Call of Duty 2 (Xbox 360)
It's the most cinematic shooter of all time, dropping you into the most epic set pieces of World War II. It's impossible not to gawk the first time you land at Normandy or look down on an army pouring across the ice in Eastern Europe.

Mirror's Edge (Xbox 360)
This freeform running game is probably the most original, inspiring title I've ever played. Only the frustrating trial-and-error difficulty keeps it out of my top 25.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted (Xbox 360)
The open world racing gameplay is extremely well designed on its own, but the impossibly cheesy cutscenes are what make this one truly memorable.

Coming next Wednesday:
The Top 25 - Games 25 through 21

Montgomery crowds line up for midnight sale of NCAA Football 10

2009-07-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

GameStop stores in Montgomery were open late last night for midnight sales of NCAA Football 10, which is always among the top-selling video games of the year in the area.

The Ann Street and East Boulevard locations both reported strong midnight crowds and were open until 1 a.m. selling copies of the game.
The EastChase location reported a good crowd as well, but shoppers went home happy a bit earlier and the store closed at about 12:30.
The Atlanta Highway GameStop only had about 10 people at the midnight sale and closed earlier.

All locations report that they still have copies of the game in stock today.

Troy, Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, ASU Hornets in NCAA Football 10

2009-07-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

Watch the video above to see Troy's stadium in EA's new college football game, which is available Tuesday.

This year, a team from EA spent some time at Troy taking aerial photos of Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium and the surrounding campus, and then building it into the game for the first time. Read more about the process of studying and recreating the stadium here.

As a Troy grad, I think the results are pretty impressive. I just wish it hadn't taken so long to get the stadium into the game. For years, the game actually said the stadium was in Montgomery.

Alabama State once again appears in the game, but their home field is still generic.

Of course, the Crimson Tide is in the game and looks great, as always.

Below is a video of Auburn playing at home against Arkansas in this year's game.

Montgomery GameStop stores in EastChase, on Ann Street, and on East Boulevard will be open at 10 p.m. tonight to sell the game. Many fans have pre-paid for their copy, but most locations expect to have copies available beyond the preorders.

Now Playing: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

2009-07-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

Video Games | Ice Age 3 | Cave Gameplay

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Or, more specifically, my 5-year-old son is now playing Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, and constantly asking me to help him.

The game is primarily a 3D platformer like the Mario games, in which you run a character through through a level inspired by the movie, jumping from place to place while avoiding hazards and fighting off hostile creatures. That's broken up by a few other types of challenges, like cinematic segments in which you're required to very quickly enter a button sequence or command when prompted.

The problem is that the game is far too simple for most adults, but the more complex button sequences and the instant deaths when you miss a jump make it far too demanding on most very young kids who will likely be more frustrated than entertained. But if you've got a 6- to 10-year-old who loved the movie, this could be a hit with them. Xbox Live has a free demo of the game for download.

Read reviews of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Next week on VSCPU

-NCAA Football 10 Launch Coverage
-Top 25 games of all time
-Call of Juarez impressions

Game Roundup: From Around the Web

2009-07-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

-Video reviews of Call of Juarez (above) and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

-A new video preview of the year's biggest role playing games.

Gamespot

-A new edition of the weekly video preview show Crosshairs (above) featuring looks at Splinter Cell Conviction, Assassins Creed 2, and Wii Sports Resort.

-A review of the video game version of the tabletop orc and ogre-powered football game Blood Bowl.

IGN

-Video comparison of two excellent new fighting games, Fight Night Round 4 and UFC: Undisputed

-A handy hints and tips video for Prototype.

-Release dates and prices for this summer's downloadable Xbox Live Arcade games, including the eagerly awaited fighter Marvel Vs. Capcom 2.

Demo of the Day: Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers

2009-07-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

In the years since this collectible card battle game ate geeks' brains and wallets in the 1990s, there have been a lot of video games based on Magic the Gathering. The problem has always been that, in an attempt to spice up the presentation, the addictive quality of the card game was mostly lost.

For the most part, the new downloadable Xbox Live Arcade game benefits from addition through subtraction. You won't find any animated monsters hacking away at each other, just the card game itself - presented with a easy-to-learn interface and some very simple but well-designed visual and sound effects during battles.

There's a single-player campaign mode that's fun to play, online duels with real players, and a co-op campaign in which you and a friend take on the computer. The inability to customize the experience by choosing each card you use for each game makes it easier for beginners but will probably disappoint veterans. Yet the gameplay itself is just as tight and addictive here as it is if you're sitting across the table from a friend with a deck of cards.

Bottom line: If you were one of the geeks that had his or her brain eaten at some point by the card game or if words like "Trained Armadon" make you nostalgic, you'll love this download. If you never played the card game, the tutorial in the free demo will show you why many people did.

Read reviews of Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

2009-07-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Video Games | Elder Scrolls IV | GT Video Review

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

The dog days of summer are officially here, as you can tell by looking at this week's desolate release schedule.

On the upside, you'll be able to pick up a bundle that includes two games that have each won multiple game of the year awards: atmospheric, undersea survival horror shooter Bioshock and massive role playing masterpiece The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, both of which are still among the best games I've ever played.

On the downside, a bundle of a couple of two- and three-year-old games is the highlight of a release schedule that also features the multiplatform, NBA Jam-style arcade baseball game The Bigs 2 and an episodic Monkey Island adventure game for the PC and Wii.

Top five most popular rentals at Gamefly:

1. Prototype (Xbox 360) for the fourth consecutive week
2. Ghostbusters (Xbox 360)
3. Red Faction: Guerrilla (Xbox 360)
4. Fight Night Round 4 (Xbox 360)
5. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360)

Fight Night Round 4 user-created boxers

2009-07-02T14:03:00.001-07:00

EA's new boxing game allows you to create and upload boxers through Xbox Live, or to download boxers that other users have created. Some of the ones that have been made by Xbox 360 gamers that are currently available for download:

Demo of the Day: Peggle Deluxe

2009-07-02T09:03:00.000-07:00

The downloadable Xbox Live version of Peggle has a lot going for it, most of which you'll be able to see and enjoy - likely many, many times - from the free demo version.

It's family friendly, easy to learn and play regardless of whether or not you're a gamer, and is as insanely addictive as Tetris.

At its heart, it's basically a suped-up version of pachenko. You drop, or in this case shoot, a ball down into a series of pegs. As the ball drops and pings off of each peg, the pegs disappear. The objective is to clear all of the pegs before you run out of balls. Like I said - very simple. But as the boards go on, the layout gets more inventive, the gameplay more exciting, and the whole thing just becomes impossible to put down. Don't be surprised if you find yourself yelling in delight or frustration.

Fight Night Round 4's facial capture/replay upload tech

2009-06-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

EA's facial capture tech and replay upload service has made it possible not only for you to see what it would look like to have your ugly mug destroyed by Mike Tyson in Fight Night Round 4, but also to show the world exactly how bad your beating was. (It also works for the Tiger Woods series and several other titles, but that's not nearly as humiliating.) Here's how it works.

1. Start by taking two pictures of yourself with any digital camera, cell phone, etc., and dropping them onto your computer. You'll need a straight-on shot and a profile.

2. Go to EASportsworld, sign in or create an account, and then choose to create a Photo Game Face. The site will walk you through the upload and setup process, which is very simple and takes about 5 minutes.

3. Once you've reached that last screen, you're ready to turn on your game system and log onto, in my case, Xbox Live. In Fight Night Round 4, the Create A Boxer menu gives you the option to "Download a photo". Selecting that will let you access the photo you just uploaded to EA's site. The recognition system isn't flawless, but you can help a lot by moving some indicators around during the boxer creation process to point out where, for instance, your eye or jawline are in the photo.

Your photo will be turned into an animated game character, which you can then tweak as much or as little as you like.

Fight Night also allows you to edit and upload replays from any fight and use them as embedded videos online, which means you can then show the world exactly what it looks like when something like this happens:

EA Sports: tyson1

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

2009-06-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

As any parent or fan of the books probably knows, the latest Harry Potter game launches this week. The game series, under EA's leadership, has been a solid but unexceptional line of adventure games; though it has improved through the years, and the Order of the Phoenix's emphasis on free-roaming exploration of the Hogwarts grounds, sidequests, and unlockable video features of the cast and film was a promising step forward.

Other highlights of a packed release list for this week include the sequel to the entertaining western shooter Call of Juarez, multiplatform film tie-in Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, a Punisher game for PS3, and a downloadable Worms sequel for Xbox Live.

See the full release list here.

Top 5 most popular rentals at Gamefly:

1. Prototype (Xbox 360) - for the third week in a row
2. Red Faction: Guerrilla (Xbox 360)
3. Ghostbusters (Xbox 360)
4. Infamous (PS3)
5. Fight Night Round 4 (Xbox 360)

Now playing: Fight Night Round 4

2009-06-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

First impression: Big George Foreman is a little bit awesome. He intimidates ME, and I'm playing as him. Here's how my first fight ended:

EA Sports: foreman1

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

2009-06-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Among this week's new releases is Fight Night Round 4, which boasts a real-life roster and physics unlike any boxing title before it. It will be shocking if this one isn't the definitive game for the genre. We're talking even better than the top-down Atari 2600 boxing game. Bold words, I know.

Me? I'm all over old-school Foreman.

Top 5 most popular rentals at Gamefly:

1. Prototype (Xbox 360)
2. Red Faction: Guerrilla (Xbox 360)
3. Ghostbusters (Xbox 360)
4. Infamous (PS3)
5. Prototype (PS3)

Demo of the Day: Disney Pixar's Up

2009-06-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

If you have Xbox Live and a kid who is interested in the movie, this is a great opportunity to have some parent-child gaming time. Up the game is a simple to learn but smartly made platforming adventure in the style of Crash Bandicoot, but with an emphasis on co-op, with - fittingly - one player as the kid and one as the elderly man from the film.

The free demo gives you a taste for the feel of the game and its pacing, and unless your child is very young (mine is 5), he or she shouldn't have much trouble with the gameplay with your help. The demo is only about 10 minutes long, but your child will probably want to play through it several times - and then plead for you to rent or by the game. Which is what I'm planning to do today.

Now Replaying: Mass Effect

2009-06-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

The recent announcement that Mass Effect 2 will allow you to reuse the custom character you created in the first game has me replaying the original, sprawling, epic sci-fi RPG. And sure it has some niggling annoyances, like the long elevator rides that conceal level load times, but the sheer size, depth, and cinematic production quality is just overwhelming. After some time away from the game, it's easy to forget just what an experience it is. But that makes it even more nice to rediscover a year later.

The variety to be found in combat from character to character also adds to the replay value. Each time you create a new "Commander Shepherd" - male or female, combat or tech focused, "biotic" power-infused or a jack-of-all-trades - it feels like you have an entirely new game ahead of you. The combat mechanics play out in real time from a third-person shooter POV but allow you to pause and set strategies at your own pace, which is unfailingly satisfying.

The level of production quality and immersion really create a feel of "role playing" via dialogue choices and how you form (or destroy) relationships. And people. I almost want to create every possible character type and take each one through the game so that I'll have them all on hand, with their own look, background, personality and story, for the sequel. And because this game is just so deep and so involving, I feel like it would be just as fun on the 10th play-through as it was on the second or third.

Gamerankings.com average: 90.86/100

This week's releases, top rentals

2009-06-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

The definite highlight of the release schedule this week is Atari's "Ghostbusters" (Multiplatform) which stars and was written by the cast of the films. Busting slimers with Venkman? Yeah, that holds some appeal. I predict a surge in Ray Parker Jr. downloads.

Other big releases this week include Guitar Hero: Smash Hits (Multiplatform), which is essentially a series track compilation that's compatible with the newly added instruments, and the latest in the well-received America's Army shooter series (PC).

Read the full release list here.

Top 5 most popular rentals at Gamefly:

1. Prototype (Xbox 360)
2. Infamous (PS3)
3. Red Faction: Guerrilla (Xbox 360)
4. UFC 2009: Undisputed (Xbox 360)
5. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Uncaged Edition (Xbox 360)

Now playing: UFC Undisputed 2009

2009-06-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'm just getting old - OK, I'm definitely getting old - but this is the first time I can remember thinking "Wow this is a great game, aside from all of these buttons and dials and switches I have to hit to play it."

Sure the graphics are so realistic-looking that they can fool people who are walking by into thinking it's an actual broadcast, and knocking people out never gets old. But there are just so many situations - standing, on the ground, different positions - and the controls change for each.

I'm pretty sure to block a knee strike in a standing clinch you have to hold down the left bumper, the right trigger, make a gentle 75-degree sweeping motion with the right stick, do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. And when you have dozens of contextual blocks and counters like that to learn for each situation, and have to execute each with split-second timing, that quickly becomes, er, what it's all about. Which kind of ruins the experience for someone like me who's not a hardcore fan of the sport or the genre.

It also means that if you ever find yourself in this position, just sit the controller down and walk away because the fight's already over:

Gamerankings.com average: 83.83/100

E3 Top 10

2009-06-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

As seen through the eyes of an action, RPG, and sports game-centric Xbox 360 owner.

10. Wet (PS3/Xbox360)
A gun ballet from Bethesda (Oblivion, etc.) starring Eliza Dushku. There is no part of that I don't love.

9. Halo: ODST (Xbox360)
It looks and feels like Halo, both in terms of gameplay and storytelling, and the idea of playing as someone who is a bit less of a super-soldier has its own kind of appeal.

8. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (Multiplatform)
I loved the original, a hack-and-slash cooperative RPG featuring almost all of the big Marvel heroes and villains; and this looks dramatically improved in every way, but most dramatically in terms of visuals.

7. Alan Wake (Xbox360)
Presented as episodes of a TV show: A novelist comes to a small town, his wife disappears, and the events of his supernatural horror book start coming true.

6. Check and update Facebook and Twitter from your Xbox
I'm sure it's just a matter of time before I'm reading and posting to every social networking site from my Xbox. The new Xbox Live upgrade also includes streaming HD movies and TV shows with no wait and no downloading, plus LastFM integration.

5. Brutal Legend (Multiplatform)
Jack Black and Ozzy Osborne star in this heavy-metal-album-cover-come-to-life action RPG/comedy. Use a guitar to literally melt faces. Looks like a tongue-in-cheek version of Fable, and anything from Tim Schafer (Grim Fandango, Psychonauts) deserves a look.

4. Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)
World of Warcraft-style MMO from the creators of Knights of the Old Republic. Sure, all we saw was a (amazing-looking) prerendered movie, but the game itself was apparently shown behind closed doors.

3. Mass Effect 2 (Xbox360, PC)
The first Mass Effect was probably the most immersive, epic RPG I've ever played, and if I could only pick one Xbox game to play in the next year, this one would be it. Plans are for a trilogy in this space opera universe.

2. Heavy Rain (PS3)
Easily the coolest looking game I saw on any system at E3. The way in which the story is told is extremely clever.

1. Natal (Xbox360)
The Xbox's new image, motion, and voice recognition software. I haven't decided if this is cool, frightening, or both. But it's the first time I've thought about interactive games in the sense of futuristic, Blade Runner-style interactivity and moral dilemmas.

Just missing the cut:

Borderlands (Multiplatform)
A post-apocalyptic role-playing shooter with a really cool art style.

Final Fantasy XIII (Multiplatform)
As pretty as the presentation looks, everything else about the series just looks so antiquated when compared to something like Mass Effect.

Split/Second (Multiplatform)
You're a contestant on a racing reality show. Absolutely gorgeous, and you can trigger explosions that make the track and structures collapse as you race around them.

Fight Night Round 4 (Multiplatform)
Only misses the cut here because I had seen it before. The physics looks truly groundbreaking.

Dragon Age Origins (Multiplatform)
Sure, it looks great and it's from Bioware (The Old Republic, Mass Effect), but aside from that I just can't tell how it's better than the 17,000 other fantasy hack and slashers released every year.

Splinter Cell Conviction (Xbox360, PC)
Looks like a massive upgrade for the series, with some terrific storytelling incorporated into the game in very clever ways.

Top-rated game of the month

2008-12-19T13:40:00.000-08:00

Are you sitting down? According to game review clearinghouse Game Rankings, the highest-rated game of the past month across all major critics is the downloadable Street Fighter game for Xbox 360 and PS3.

Gamespot: Godfather II hands-on

2008-12-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

Finally, we have to make a special mention of the fire and explosion effects
that are in the game. Toss one Molotov and watch it go up in a blinding,
white-hot flash of blasting fire, and you'll be hooked. Now put those firebombs
in the hands of 15 other friends and foes, and you've got a recipe for fiery
chaos.

Read the full impressions here.

Did anyone actually play the first game?

vs CPU

Project Natal video from CES

The most overrated games of 2009

AP's top video games of 2009

Video game watchdog group closes doors

Dear Spike TV: Stop helping

Mass Effect 2 voice cast is a TV geek's dream

Now Playing: Smackdown vs. Raw 2010

Dragon Age broke my hand

Still Playing: Dragon Age: Origins

You're a guest on my Xbox. Act like it.

The Red Ring of Overreaction?

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 roundup... and a disclaimer

Now Playing: Spongebob's Truth or Square

Top 10 video game commercials of 2009

Now Playing: Dragon Age: Origins

New Reviews, Top Rentals, Deal of the Week

Hyundai in Forza 3

Sales figures: It's all a matter of perspective

Now Playing: Halo 3: ODST

Game review roundup

Gamefly sale

Now Playing: Brutal Legend

Games for Halloween

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

Comparing the game systems

Lowest prices on the top games

Tokyo Game Show Highlights

PS3, Xbox 360, Wii price drops and motion tech

Now Playing: Wet

Now Playing: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

Halo ODST promo

It's raining games!

Demo of the Day: Wet

Now tired of: Fuzion Frenzy 2

Champions Online developer diary

Game Geek Fantasies Are Made Of This

Now tired of: Bomberman Live

Top 25 Games Of All Time (5-1)

Family Game Night: Your favorite board games look pretty good in pixels

Top 25 Games Of All Time (10-6)

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

Game Roundup: From Around The Web

Top 25 Games Of All Time (15-11)

Wet viral video

Game Roundup: From Around The Web

Top 25 Games Of All Time (20-16)

Now Replaying: Sid Meier's Pirates!

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

Top 25 Games of All Time (25 - 21)

Now Playing: NCAA Football 10

Now Playing - Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood

Top 25 Games of All Time (Honorable Mention)

Montgomery crowds line up for midnight sale of NCAA Football 10

Troy, Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, ASU Hornets in NCAA Football 10

Now Playing: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Game Roundup: From Around the Web

Demo of the Day: Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

Fight Night Round 4 user-created boxers

Demo of the Day: Peggle Deluxe

Fight Night Round 4's facial capture/replay upload tech

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

Now playing: Fight Night Round 4

This Week's Releases, Top Rentals

Demo of the Day: Disney Pixar's Up

Now Replaying: Mass Effect

This week's releases, top rentals

Now playing: UFC Undisputed 2009

E3 Top 10

Top-rated game of the month

Gamespot: Godfather II hands-on