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'Starhawk' Isn't Your Average Shooter
DEVELOPER: Sony
PUBLISHER: Sony
SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3
PRICE: $59.99
ESRB RATING: Teen
REVIEW RATING: 4.0 stars (out of 5)
I didn't expect to become addicted to the multiplayer game, "Warhawk," when it was released, but unexpected …Read more.
Create Your Own World in 'Minecraft'
DEVELOPER: 4J Studios/ Mojang AB
PUBLISHER: Microsoft
SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360
PRICE: $20 (XBLA download)
ESRB RATING: E10+
REVIEW RATING: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
"Minecraft" on the PC was an unexpected indie game that turned out to …Read more.
SSX Is More Extreme than Mountain Dew
DEVELOPER: EA Canada
PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts
SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3)
PRICE: $59.99
ESRB RATING: Teen
REVIEW RATING: 4.0 stars (out of 5)
Extreme sports games used to be all the rage. Oddly enough, the genre has lost popularity in the …Read more.
Let There Be Light!
Lighting is the element in interior design to which the least attention is paid. Sometimes it is outright ignored by homeowners — and even by well-known interior designers. There are subtleties to lighting, and when done correctly, the right …Read more.
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'Oil Rush' Is a Surprise HitDEVELOPER: Unigine Corp. Great games usually have extensive marketing, so why didn't I hear of real-time strategy/tower-defense hybrid "Oil Rush" before its release? Probably because the developers invested their limited resources in crafting a powerful game engine instead of simply creating hype! Post-apocalyptic scenarios are a popular theme for video games, and in "Oil Rush," Earth's land masses have been swallowed by the ocean. As a result, oil has become so precious that the world has turned into one large battlefield ... err ... battle-sea , as various factions fight for control of the remaining "black gold." Players take on the role of a new recruit as he strives to gain naval supremacy of this new water-world. Platforms that constantly pump oil for whomever controls them are found on most maps, and budding oil barons must send their forces to destroy the enemy and overtake their oil platforms. This isn't easy, though, because players don't have direct control over their vehicles. Instead, units constantly circle the platform they're protecting until players send them to a new platform. In order to maintain control of the map, players combine units into groups to attack and defend. Unit-producing platforms are also invaluable, as units are easily destroyed and must be regularly recreated. Thankfully, these platforms can also have up to five turrets apiece to protect them from attack. Three different types of turrets are available to deal with various land and air forces, and they can be upgraded to provide extra firepower. Additional upgrades, such as stronger shields for units or faster unit production, are also available once enough enemies have been eliminated. For a $20 game, "Oil Rush" sports gorgeous visuals superior to many games that cost more than twice as much. When you add fun and intriguing game play, it just proves that sometimes oil and water do mix! 'Resident Evil: Revelations' DEVELOPER: Capcom The "Resident Evil" series has a long and rich history that, in my opinion, is partly responsible for the odd popularity of zombies these days.
"Revelations" takes place between the events of "Resident Evil" 4 and 5 and showcases popular BSAA agents Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they search for each other. Most of the action takes place on a confined cruise ship, and several new playable characters are also introduced — so many, in fact, that it's hard to really care about any of them as they embark on a highly convoluted journey. This dangerous yet eerily scenic luxury liner reminds me of early "Resident Evil" games that heighten tension though subtle audio and visual cues. Sure, there are some intense action sequences and boss fights that detract from the scary vibe, but most of the game play will keep players on edge. New to the series is the Genesis scanner, which provides useful information on combating enemies and also uncovers hidden objects in the world. Use it enough on live enemies, and it rewards you with a handy green herb that replenishes your character's health without giving him the munchies. Not surprisingly, this title offers the most robust visuals found in any 3DS game to date, and the 3-D effect elevates the experience even more! I'm also pleasantly surprised that the excellent visuals don't take a downturn when playing online co-op or the new Raid mode. Some of the streamlined aspects of the game leave much to be desired, but "Resident Evil: Revelations" still shines as one of the best 3DS games available. REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM 5 stars = Must-Have RATINGS KEY Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) 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 2012 CREATORS.COM  
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