Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: Gearbox Software

PUBLISHER: UbiSoft

SYSTEM: Windows XP/Vista (Xbox 360, PS3)

PRICE: $19.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

Last holiday season, UbiSoft released "Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway," which is the third installment in the series but the first on current consoles. I didn't review it due to the plethora of games that spew forth during those months, but now that the price has dropped to $20, it's a perfect time to highlight this excellent World War II game.

Players control Sgt. Matt Baker, who is the hero from the first BiA game, as he leads up to three squads of soldiers during the infamous defeat known as Operation Market Garden. But he doesn't face the horrors of war alone, as other familiar members of the 101st Airborne Division, such as "Red" Harstock and Sam Corrion also make a welcome appearance in the complex storyline.

Commanding up to three squads is rather effortless thanks to the intuitive control scheme. All budding squad leaders have to do is hold the command button, point at an object and then release, and the chosen squad will take the appropriate action. For example, pointing at a spot on the ground tells your squad to move to that location, and pointing at the enemy tells them to open fire on that position. Unfortunately, your squads will sometimes take the wrong path to their location and walk directly into enemy gunfire.

Fighting the Nazis is very realistic and tough in this game because the enemy uses the same basic fighting mechanic that was used in WWII. Machine gun teams lay down suppressing fire while assault teams flank the enemy and create crossfire. Players are pretty much required to use the same strategy if they want to be successful.

Hiding from the enemy using the new cover system makes it easy to issue orders from a safe location. But be careful, as most cover can now be destroyed. On the other hand, it's really fun to destroy a nefarious nest of Nazis by using the new Bazooka squad. It's even more fun to destroy them with a mighty tank, which is available on a few levels.

An interesting squad-based multiplayer mode helps to extend the replay value of "Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway," but the single-player mode is well worth the new low price.

Fun is MIA in 'G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra'

DEVELOPER: EA

PUBLISHER: EA

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3, Wii)

PRICE: $49.99

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 2 stars (out of 5)

I was a fan of G.I.

Joe as a kid, but the illusion of the series was shattered when I realized that it was little more than a marketing ploy. For this reason, I don't expect much from the new movie, but G.I. Joe certainly has the potential to be a fun game, right? It already has colorful characters, a deep back-story and warehouses full of advanced weaponry, so what could possibly go wrong? Who knew the answer was everything?

Based on the movie of the same name, "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" tosses players in the combat boots of several of the JOE team as they fight the nefarious forces of Cobra. Apparently, a secret weapon has been developed that threatens the world, and only G.I. Joe can save the day. Not only is this plot completely outdated, but enemies are also referred to as 'bad guys.' Can I get some extra cheese on my sloppy Joe?

The game play reminds me of a 3-D version of "Contra," minus the fun. Joe wannabes run through bland, linear levels blasting everything in sight while unlimited ammunition keeps the action going nonstop. Too bad it also eliminates the need for any strategy or restraint. Just like "Contra," the third-person viewpoint is stuck in a fixed position so aspiring soldiers can't even pan the camera around to see the action. This leads to many frustrating instances of being shot and/or killed by off-screen enemies.

One would think that the developers of a modern $50 game would at least try to make up for outdated game play with excellent visuals, but I've seen downloadable games that look much better. Even the weapon effects and explosions are lackluster!

Rounding out my complaints are unimpressive sound effects, limited soldier abilities, no available upgrades and lame vehicle controls. As a result, "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" isn't even worth renting.

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Pretty Good

3 stars = Above Average

2 stars = Bargain Bin

1 star = Don't Bother

RATINGS KEY

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: Everyone

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

T: Teen (13 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)

To find out more about Jeb Haught and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM.