Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: Ubisoft

PUBLISHER: Ubisoft

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3 (Xbox 360, Wii)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: E10+

REVIEW RATING: 4.5 stars (out of 5)

 

Mario has ruled the platforming genre of video games ever since the Super NES was introduced, but he eventually moved on to more complicated 3-D adventures. With the release of "Rayman Origins," however, the new king of 2-D platforming has been crowned! Not only is this happy-go-lucky game full of memorable characters, but it's also extremely well-crafted.

Anyone who isn't familiar with the series will get a crash-course in craziness within the first few minutes of the opening cinematic. Apparently, Rayman and his pals snore too loudly for the witchy old woman of the underworld. Instead of complaining to the landlord of the Glade of Dreams, she sends an army of nasty creatures to kidnap the electoons and nymphs found there. Now Rayman and his crazy cohorts must save the captives to save the day.

It's difficult not to smile when playing this whimsical 2-D platformer, thanks to the freakish art style that seems to blend the "Ren & Stimpy" TV show with the "Viewtiful Joe" game series. Where else are you going to find a main character with no arms and no legs who's supposed to hop, skip, jump and punch his way through each level? Good thing he has hands and feet ... wait ... what ... how? It's best not to think too hard about it.

Even though this enjoyable game is presented in old-school 2-D, it packs plenty of challenge and fun into both dimensions. This is due to excellent level design that is as varied as it is wacky. I also like the fun abilities Rayman and his cohorts gain as the game progresses; they range from simple attack combos to using hair to levitate.

Up to four players can team up for local cooperative play, which makes "Rayman Origins" the perfect game for both young and old gamers to experience together.

 

Explosions Abound in 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3'

 

DEVELOPER: Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Studios

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PC, PS3, Wii)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4.0 stars (out of 5)

 

Even though the "Call of Duty" series is one of the most popular gaming franchises ever created, I find it to be stagnant in its current form.

Ever since the setting changed from WWII to modern day, very little has improved. If the next game follows the same path as "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3," then anyone with a normal attention span will probably seek a different first-person shooter.

The single-player campaign begins where "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" ends, and it tells the story of several soldiers trying to thwart a dastardly Russian dead-set on starting World War 3. As the tale progresses, players end up globetrotting and blasting their way through perilous situation after perilous situation, but the game-play formula still stays the same.

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of having action sequences that begin as extraordinary and then progress to insanity around every turn. While the events of the first two "Call of Duty" games were far-fetched, yet believable, the MW series seems like a continuous action scene from the movie "Transformers 2."

It's a good thing the online multiplayer mode is so finely tuned or else I would definitely get tired of seeing so many different shades of gray! Perhaps the biggest addition is the ability to choose from different kill-streak packages that offer various rewards for different styles of play. My favorite is the Specialist package, aimed at experienced players, but I also appreciate the Support Streak package that lets players keep their kill streaks even after re-spawning.

Despite the sublime gunplay, excellent controls, high-def visuals and the ability to improve both characters and weapons, I still think the multiplayer is too fast-paced and confining. I'm more of a strategist than a twitch-based fighter, and I can't stand having enemies spawning on all sides during matches.

Nevertheless, "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" will surely please fans of the series.

 

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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