Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: EA Canada

PUBLISHER: EA

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3 (Xbox 360)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: E10-plus

REVIEW RATING: stars 4 (out of 5)

Unless you happen to be talking about soccer, I'm usually not interested in team sports. However, the older I get, the less patience I have, so I'm not entirely against the idea of sanctioned violence. That's where "NHL 10" comes in. Now I can enjoy all the fun of beating strangers up without the messy jail time. Forget crab fishing, because hockey is the most dangerous job on the planet!

EA has been delivering hard-hitting hockey games to fans for years, and last year's version won a dozen awards. "NHL 10" takes the great game play from last year and adds some welcome bells and whistles. Too bad the franchise mode is not the least bit user-friendly. It's as if the developers assumed that everyone playing this game is already a hockey wiz.

Fortunately, the actual game controls are just as fine-tuned as they are in past versions. Since I'm not fighting the controller, I can enjoy the game's fine detail, like watching a puck realistically bounce off of a player's skate during a pass. Speaking of which, the new Precision passing feature lets players perform manual passes if they desire more accuracy.

Also new to this version is the ability to use game-play slider presets, called Game Styles, to change the way the game is played. Four different modes ranging from Casual to Hardcore ensure that players will have a blast in the virtual rink. If that still isn't suitable, each slider can be adjusted after a Game Style is chosen for even deeper customization.

Scrapping is now much more in-depth, complete with dodging, blocking and even power punches. Opposing players will sometimes pick fights if you give them a late hit, which then leads to a satisfying frosty beat-down. Add in the cool new first-person view during combat, and hockey has never been more brutal!

From puck-slapping half-rink shots to bone-jarring body checks, every hit in "NHL 10" feels like a reason to increase your health insurance.

'Muramasa: The Demon Blade' Oozes With Style Instead Of Blood

DEVELOPER: Vanillaware

PUBLISHER: Ignition Entertainment

SYSTEM: Nintendo Wii

PRICE: $49.99

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: stars 3.5 (out of 5)

Since many Wii-owners are new to the gaming industry and don't know what titles are worth getting, they tend to overlook the entrance of a new series.

Missing out on Vanillaware's 2D action/RPG title, "Muramasa: The Demon Blade," would be unfortunate because the hand-drawn visuals look more like a work of art than a traditional video game.

Students of the virtual blade may control the tough ninja Kisuke or the nimble princess Momohime as they embark on separate adventures within the same realm. Momohime struggles with her demonic possession, while they both battle various supernatural creatures in their individual quests for the Demon Blades.

From the moment this game is fired up, the obvious ... err ... draw is the excellent visuals. Each level looks so fantastic that it's easy to forget the limitations of playing a side-scrolling game. Not surprisingly, the ultra-stylish visual effects during combat actually make the game look even better!

Fighting against enemies is rather simplistic and easy enough for anyone to pick up and play. The trouble is that combat never gets very complex, so the game ends up being a button masher. It also seems odd that a Wii-exclusive game doesn't use motion controls or the laser pointer. That just seems like a missed opportunity.

On the other hand, I do like the opportunity to forge new blades and carry three of them at a time. If one breaks, it's easy to switch to another one and unleash a new set of attack maneuvers. When the adventure gets rough, I can even cook up savory dishes to enhance my character's stats.

In the end, "Muramasa: The Demon Blade" is a fun yet slightly flawed visual feast that should be experienced by all.

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)

Experience more of the violence and intensity of hockey in "NHL 10." Photo courtesy of EA Canada. (end image)

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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