Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: UTV Ignition Games

PUBLISHER: UTV Ignition Games

SYSTEM: MSN download (PSN)

PRICE: $5

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 3.5 stars (out of 5)

UTV Ignition Games sets out to prove that science can be fun with their download-only, physics-based puzzle game, "Mercury Hg." Although the basic game-play premise is simplistic, this enjoyable title proves to be rather challenging at later levels. I also really like the unique presentation that simulates the periodic table of elements.

More than 60 small levels are available to challenge the players' control of their own liquid blobs of mercury. Instead of actually moving the blob, players tilt each floating level using the analog stick, and the realistic physics engine takes over to guide the mercury in the appropriate direction. It's up to the player to navigate every obstacle, pick up atom bonuses and finish the level within the time limit.

Performance is also judged based on the amount of mercury left at the end of each level. You see, it's possible for the blob to separate into smaller blobs by hitting a corner or partially falling off the side of a level. Smaller blobs still in the level can be absorbed back into the main blob by simply holding down a button, but doing so makes time pass quicker.

Additional challenges are created by the ability to change the blob's color, as well as separating the blob to absorb different primary colors and then reassembling it to create a secondary color. Some levels require a certain colored blob to finish while others have various switches that require a certain color to activate. Even more variety is added through the use of magnetrons that attract or repel the metallic blob.

It's possible to replay a level to acquire any of the four challenges that were previously missed, but I wish that all four had to be met at the same time to completely finish a level. The challenge is dramatically decreased when I must only complete the ones that were missed.

Nevertheless, "Mercury Hg" is great for short gaming sessions.

'Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat'

DEVELOPER: Griptonite

PUBLISHER: THQ

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3) (uDraw required)

PRICE: $39.99

ESRB RATING: E10+

REVIEW RATING: 3.0 stars (out of 5)

I've never been very good at drawing, but that didn't stop me from doodling on notebooks in my youth and wishing the drawings would come to life.

Well, now that wish has come true (sort of) in the form of "Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat," which requires the uDraw peripheral.

"What is the uDraw?" you ask. Well, it's basically a stylish touch-screen that connects to a home console and lets players draw and interact with games similar to the Nintendo DS. The main advantage is the fact that games can be more complex than the DS and have vastly superior visuals.

"Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat" is based on the animated TV series of the same name and follows iconic Marvel heroes as they battle Dr. Doom and his minions. Infinitely less serious than their comic-book counterparts, each hero has a stunted appearance and contributes to the humor in his or her own way.

This top-down action game follows the typical beat-'em-up template but adds fun controls to the mix. Tap an area on the uDraw, and characters will move to that spot. Tap on enemies or the environment, and the heroes will immediately move to that location and attack. Hold down the stylus to initiate a more powerful charge attack, or draw a line around the area, and the heroes will follow that path with an even more complex assault. It's also possible to activate special moves, like earthquakes, bombs and time rifts!

Too bad the entire game is so short that it can be beaten in only a few hours. I also wish that my heroes didn't randomly run off on their own and get vaporized by lasers that are normally easy to avoid.

Kids will enjoy playing "Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat," but the fun will be quickly forgotten.

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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