'Prototype' Antihero Can't Remember Why He's Wanted by Jeb Haught on Creators.com

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'Prototype' Antihero Can't Remember Why He's Wanted

DEVELOPER: Radical Entertainment

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3, PC)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

Open-world games are all the rage, especially when the protagonist has access to superhuman powers. With the release of the intensely violent action game, "Prototype," Activision proves that even bad guys deserve a little compassion,

Alex Mercer is one angry antihero, but you would be too if you awoke with no memories to find that the military wants you dead at any cost. Only Mercer can unravel the mystery that surrounds his relationship with the Blackwatch Military Special Forces and discover why he has access to extraordinary abilities.

To be honest, the word "extraordinary" is an understatement because Mercer not only shape-shifts his arms into lethal weapons, but he also consumes enemies and uses their appearance as a disguise. The latter ability is very useful for infiltrating enemy strongholds without drawing attention, and also lets him access the victim's memories.

With nary a thought, Alex can genetically modify his arms into razor-sharp claws, mighty battering rams, or a giant lethal blade. Unleashing these devastating weapons upon various enemies, as well as the citizens of New York, is enough to send limbs and severed torsos flying in all directions. When enemy helicopters and tanks are called in for reinforcements, the devastation reaches nearly apocalyptic dimensions as players can either hijack or destroy them.

Like most sandbox games, missions that further the storyline are mixed in with various other missions to tackle at the player's discretion. Most of the story missions are pretty fun, but some of the side missions show no imagination. If I have access to all these superpowers, why would I try to rush through floating waypoints? Why aren't some of the side missions more suited to my new abilities? Lastly, why doesn't it matter if I rack up collateral damage during my brutal rampages?

"Prototype" is a great introduction to a new series, but I hope the developers make the inevitable sequel a bit more polished.

'Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Council 4' Should be Terminated

DEVELOPER: Aspect

PUBLISHER: TOMY

SYSTEM: Nintendo DS

PRICE: $29.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 2 stars (out of 5)

With a well-written manga series, several movies and a popular anime series under his black belt, Naruto is still going strong after seven years in the spotlight.

One would think that his popularity would be waning by now, but no less than three publishers still crank out Naruto games. The latest, titled "Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Council 4," reminds me of the "Terminator 3" movie. They both never should have been made.

This title follows the first portion of the Shippuden story arc, but provides little more than a reason to fight the boss character at the end of each stage. Yes, nearly every single stage has the same basic lackluster design. Fight a bunch of brain-dead enemies while you hop and jump your way to fight the strong dude at the end.

Actually, calling these enemies brain-dead is an insult to zombies everywhere. They will often run past or away from your character, and it's even possible to avoid most of them. Of course, there's no escaping the random bottomless pits and other irritating "features" this game offers, such as the horrid control scheme.

Why, oh why, aren't the attack and jump buttons next to each other? It wouldn't be so bad if I could change the control scheme, but that isn't possible. Adding insult to injury, I have to tap certain areas of the touch screen in the middle of combat to activate the special Jutsu powers, which is very awkward.

Sure, "Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Council 4" looks great for a DS game, but poor game play and frustrating controls ruin the experience.

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.