Resistance: Fall Of Man
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 3
Rating: M — Mature 17+
Game type: First-person shooter
Rating: ***** (out of five)
• What’s the premise?
First Russia fell to the might of the mysterious Chimera, then continental Europe and now the United Kingdom. In an alternate-universe 1950s, you take control of Sgt. Nathan Hale, the lone survivor of a U.S. task force into occupied territory and guide him through a series of dangerous solo missions and epic battles to uncover the Chimerans’ deadly secrets.
• This game is most similar to…?
If Call Of Duty and Halo had a baby it would be Resistance.
• Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
You shouldn’t even let them look at the box or they’ll have nightmares.
• One player or more?
The co-op campaign mode is pretty fun and the multiplayer choices are plentiful, but since Sgt. Hale walks alone, so should you.
• The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Use your head. No game has ever had the level of sophistication that Resistance does in its artificial intelligence. If you stand still too long, the Chimera will find you. If you try and run and gun, they’ll mow you down and if you can see them, they can see you.
• And in the end?
Do yourself a favour: Before you pick up Resistance, call in to work and book a week off because you’re not going to want to do anything else. With its amazing array of weapons and missions, an utterly compelling storyline and graphics that are unmatched in console gaming, Resistance alone is justification for everyone who lined up and shelled out for their PS3s.
Excite Truck
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii
Rating: E — Everyone
Game type: Racing
Rating: **** 1/2 (out of five)
• What’s the premise?
Grab on to your Wii-mote and go! The fun is back in this long-awaited semi-sequel to the classic NES title, Excite Bike.
• This game is most similar to…?
Thanks to the innovative use of the Wii-mote as a steering wheel this one stands alone.
• Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
Abso-freakin-lutely! My three-year-old loved the game, although he did feel the need to rename it “Xavier’s Truck Crash Game”.
• One player or more?
Unfortunately only two players can play at a time, so get in line.
• The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Find the balance. The turbo button is your friend, but leaning too heavily on it will blow your engine and leave you in the dust.
• And in the end?
The sensor technology that allows you to actually steer your truck by turning your Wii-mote left or right is amazing. Finally all that body English can be put to good use. Excite Truck is a perfect example of what has made the Wii such a white-hot gaming system.
WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007
Publisher: THQ
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP
Rating: T — Teen
Game type: Fighting
Rating: **** (out of five)
• What’s the premise?
Finally, the world of pro wrestling catches up with the next generation of gaming (but only if you own an Xbox 360). This highly successful franchise makes the leap to 360 in impressive fashion with the usual long list of WWE superstars to choose from, a bevy of different match types and now superior graphics. It’s also back in fine form for PS2 and PSP.
• This game is most similar to…?
This the eighth installment of the Smackdown/Smackdown Vs. Raw series. You figure it out.
• Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
As long as you choose your match types wisely — some feature a little too much blood for the wee ones — it should be OK. The rule of thumb is if they’re smart enough to know wrestling is scripted, they’ll be fine.
• One player or more?
As always, WWE games excel in multi-player modes (personally, I can’t get enough of the Royal Rumble). Up to four players can battle it out at the same time on 360 (six on the PS2) though it does make you hope for full 30-player online mayhem in future editions.
• The (not-so) secret to success is…?
The new control scheme for the Xbox makes this game really easy to pick up and score some pinfalls after just a few brief tutorials. But to get the most out of it, you’ve got to avoid the incessant button mashing and repetition and let your inner WWE superstar run wild by learning some advanced tricks.
• And in the end?
If you’ve got a 360, you’ve got it made. WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007 is the coolest looking, best balanced wrestling game on the market by far and will no doubt be so until next year’s edition.
