Star Wars: Lethal Alliance has a similar feel to Star Wars: Battlefront for the PSP, with the exception of the former being more stealthy and less run and gun.
Star Wars: Lethal Alliance
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: PSP, Nintendo DS
Rating: T – Teen
Game type: Adventure
**** (out of 5)
• What’s the premise?
Lethal Alliance lets you control both mercenary Rianna Saren and her droid Zeeo as they attempt to steal the infamous Death Star plans and deliver them to Princess Leia in a prequel adventure to the original 1977 Star Wars film.
• This game is most similar to…?
It’s got a similar feel to Star Wars: Battlefront for the PSP, just a lot more stealthy and less run and gun.
• Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
Rianna and Zeeo do kill a lot of folks, but in the Star Wars Universe nary a drop of blood is spilt. It also helps that on a PSP or DS screen you can’t exactly depict the anguished faces of the deceased — so sure, let ’em play.
• One player or more?
There’s some interesting multiplayer co-op stuff if you and your pals each have the same game and system, but more often than not you’re on your own — and that’s not such a bad thing.
• The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Learn to love your droid. Rianna and Zeeo have some cool combo moves that are key to making it through some of the tougher levels. Simply jumping around and shooting as Rianna wears thin pretty fast.
• What’s missing?
Hmmm… let’s see: Boba Fett? Check. Darth Vader? Check. No friggin’ Ewoks or Gungans? Check. Actually it’s pretty complete.
• And in the end?
The first Star Wars game developed exclusively for handheld systems is good fun, with a nice blend of blaster action and some high-flying hijinks mixed in to keep you on your toes.
NBA 2K7 offers hardcourt action — NBA style.
NBA 2K7
Publisher: 2K Sports
Platforms: PlayStation 3
Rating: E — Everyone
Game type: Sports
*** 1/2
• What’s the premise?
Boom-shackalaka! It’s hardcourt action — NBA style.
• This game is most similar to…?
It’s a next-gen platform, but most of the gameplay is just NBA 2K6.
• Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
For sure, as long as he doesn’t mind getting posterized by his NBA heroes from time to time.
• One player or more?
Going head-to-head is great, but frankly with awesome solo features like The Association — an incredibly in-depth franchise mode — and 24/7: Next — where you rise from street ball all the way up to NBA glory — you might prefer this one on your own.
• The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Master your free throws. The PS3 version of this game takes advantage of the motion-sensitive Sixaxis controller and makes you actually shoot your free throws by raising it up and tilting your wrists. If you stink at the line, teams will keep sending you there at a Shaq-esque pace.
• What’s missing?
This game plays really well, but doesn’t look nearly as sharp as you’d like to see after shelling out big bucks for your PS3.
• And in the end?
There’s lots to love here, but 2K8 promises to be much better.
