Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: Freestyle Games

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3, Wii)

PRICE: $119.99 (game and peripheral)

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

 

A few years ago, "Guitar Hero" helped turn the act of playing air guitar into something productive, and now "DJ Hero" is here to give purpose to air scratching. I wasn't expecting much from a music game that requires a fake plastic turntable and mixer, but the result is actually pretty fun. Too bad the set list is filled with superficial top-40 mixes.

In order to imitate the act of mixing records, most of the tracks consist of two songs by two different artists, and the game switches between them on its own. Budding DJs must slide the Crossfader left and right to switch between the songs when prompted, and leave it in the middle to have them both play at once. There is also an effects dial that lets players choose from preset samples that are played by tapping the red button on the plastic turntable.

Blue and green buttons on the turntable are used to tap along to the melody and to initiate "scratching." "DJ Hero" has a heavy emphasis on scratching, which is done by holding down the appropriate button and moving the turntable back and forth, just like in real life. However, it is much easier in the game because the player doesn't have to actually find the right part of the song to scratch. The game is further simplified by automatic beatmixing and song selection, which makes it easier but also severely limits the freedom.

This is where my major complaint lies, as I would rather listen to fingernails grinding on a chalkboard than many of the included songs. Would any self-respecting DJ really play Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" or "Poison" from Bel Biv Devoe? I think not! In addition, there's hardly any underground techno, but I do appreciate the old school hip-hop from artists like Cypress Hill and the Beastie Boys.

"DJ Hero" is a great party game, but much of the music doesn't suit real turntablism.

 

Liberate Paris from the Nazis in 'The Saboteur'

 

DEVELOPER: Pandemic Studios

PUBLISHER: EA Games

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3, PC)

PRICE: $49.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 3.5 stars (out of 5)

 

The difference between good and evil can be subjective, especially during war.

If someone uses unsavory means to attain a righteous result, are they considered admirable or wicked? If no one stops them, how far will they go? That's why I like playing "The Saboteur," because it lets me become a true inglorious bastard while fighting Nazis during World War II.

This open-world action game features a unique artistic style that displays Nazi-controlled territories in black and while. Once these areas of the city are liberated from the Germans, they return to their natural colorful state. Liberating areas also makes the inhabitants friendlier to the player and lessens the number of enemy soldiers in the area.

As a former mechanic and race driver, Sean Devlin is one Italian who really hates Nazis! He arrives in Paris after losing a friend to a crazed German, and he quickly teams up with the local underground to drive the German War Machine out of the city. Along the way, he helps himself to several pints of the local refreshments and many half-naked courtesans, which helps to earn the game its mature rating.

One of the highlights of "The Saboteur" is the mission diversity. Sure there are the usual side missions that consist of blowing stuff up and racing, but main missions range from driving cross-country to stealing a bottle of wine to killing a despised general. Such a wide variety helps keep the game interesting.

I also appreciate the handy cover system as well as the in-depth hand-to-hand combat. Players can punch and kick enemies or grab them and toss them around. Switching between weapons and hand-to-hand combat is also quick and easy, but using the stealth mechanic is average at best. It never really feels like I'm hard to see when using stealth, and hiding behind cover doesn't always work.

Overall, "The Saboteur" is a slightly flawed game that provides an exciting new take on WWII games.

 

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Very 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.

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