Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover
SONY PSP
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From: Electronic Arts Price: $39.99
Want to win the heart of uber-babe Carmen Electra ant to controlthe New York City underworld and don’t mind busting open some skulls to do it? Welcome to the world of Def Jam, where a good roundhouse kick in a back alley can earn respect, bling, women and territory. This savage street brawler features some of the best fighting controls in gaming–along with an excellent tutorial that teaches the basics. Complex moves can be assigned to the PSP’s directional pad, making it simple to carry out spine-snapping combos. The heart of the game is story mode, where a custom fighter is created. Along the way, you’ll brush shoulders or scrap with hip-hop legends Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Flavor Flav, Ghostface and Ice T, among others. The game’s soundtrack is excellent, of course, so use headphones. The game’s Achilles’ heel? No online play. Otherwise, Takeover scores a knockout.
RATING: 4 GHOSTS
Saint’s Row
XBOX 360
From: THQ
Price: $59.99
Saint’s Row is a devilishly good game that encourages gamers to recruit hookers, protect drug dealers, assassinate strangers, carjack innocents and use cops for target practice–all in an attempt to make their gang top dog in Stillwater, a mythical, crime-laden city. The plot is standard fare: Your gang–denizens of the worst area of town, known as Saint’s Row–must fight for control of the city by slaughtering three other gangs. Missions are activated by earning street “respect,” which can only be gained by successfully completing the aforementioned thug activities. Though clearly a ripoff of the famed Grand Theft Auto series, there are too many improvements to diss this game. For example, auto-aiming has been replaced with free targeting; frequent saves are allowed; weapons are not lost when restarting missions; and there’s an online mode. Adult gamers shouldn’t miss this diamond from a rough neighborhood.
RATING: 4 GHOSTS
NHL 2K7
XBOX 360
Price: $59.99
From: 2K Games
NHL 2K7 has a sophisticated online experience, including multiplayer seasons, 30-team leagues and complete stat tracking, that offers almost unlimited replay value. Unlike last year’s title, the full power of the 360 has been utilized to create a fast, fantastic and smooth game experience. A new, optional mode–dubbed Cinemotion–ditches tired play-by-play commentary for dramatic musical scores and varying camera angles. Franchise mode is deep; custom players can be created, real players can be traded, and future players can be drafted–as long as you stay under the salary cap. Another plus: The team chemistry system rewards complimentary players more than stellar individual stats. An array of sliders make the game infinitely customizable, and the dynamic rival system is interesting. If a star player (e.g. Dany Heatley) is lost at contract time, a new rivalry is formed. Somewhere, a Canadian is smiling.
RATING: 3 GHOSTS
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IN STORES NEXT WEEK
– Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe DVD – Battlefield 2142 – Bully – Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 – Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania