Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: Naughty Dog

PUBLISHER: Sony

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 5 stars (out of 5)

Naughty Dog's action adventure game, "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune," had the potential to start a great new franchise, but few people expected it to become one of the PS3's best-selling titles. Apparently, every single complaint about the original has been addressed because "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" is as flawless as the precious gem that Nathan Drake is seeking.

While the original title had a campy 1940s fortune-hunter vibe, the sequel is more gritty and realistic. Not surprisingly, Nathan is in over his head as he competes with numerous seedy characters to obtain the sunken treasure of Marco Polo. He plans on double-crossing one of his partners but soon finds himself in a world of hurt. From then on, he doesn't know whom to trust.

Navigating the environment is just as simple and intuitive as before, but now cyber-spelunkers aren't confined to exotic jungle settings. A massive war-torn version of Tibet is available to explore from top to bottom. Featuring impressive amounts of detail and an insanely long-view distance, this is easily one of the most gorgeous levels to ever grace a video game. I'm surprised that the game runs so smoothly when the bullets start flying and explosions spew debris in all directions.

Thankfully, the shooting mechanics have been tightened up and the excellent cover system has been upgraded to allow for more advanced maneuvers like swinging around corners. Using stealth tactics is optional in most encounters, but it rewards those who prefer a silent approach. I like to silently take out as many enemies as possible and then let the bullets fly if I'm detected.

While the original title lacked any multiplayer components, "Uncharted 2" offers both online co-op and a robust competitive multiplayer mode. Add in the awesome single player adventure, and the result is a title that no PS3 owner should be without.

Players Become Guitar Gods In 'Brutal Legend'

DEVELOPER: Double Fine

PUBLISHER: EA

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360, PS3

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4.0 stars (out of 5)

"Brutal Legend" is a dream come true for metal heads.

What other game lets players lead a mighty army of roadies, headbangers and groupies against a flaxen-haired pretty-boy while jamming to a classic metal soundtrack and melting faces with their guitar? Every metalhead I know has wanted to do that since the first time they heard Black Sabbath.

It seems fitting that Jack Black provides the voice for the protagonist, Eddie Riggs, a seasoned roadie who is transported to a nightmarish land by the mighty Fire God, Ormagoden. Now he must band with the native metalheads to fulfill an ancient prophecy and defeat the evil that plagues their land.

This open-world title lets players perform optional (and boring) side-quests to earn money that is used to purchase new moves, guitar strings, and vehicle enhancements. That's right, Eddie can summon a custom hotrod by playing one of the many guitar solos hidden throughout the land. Slap some mines and homing rockets on this mean machine and you become hell on wheels!

Players can also use guitar solos during combat to literally melt the faces of enemies or control friendly troops. Combat starts budding super-roadies out with a giant metal axe and a powerful guitar to fight enemies. In this supernatural realm, Eddie's guitar can electrocute enemies and even set them on fire so it is handy to use both axes during combat.

Eventually, players engage in large-scale battles that resemble a real-time strategy game where they must crush the enemy's army with their own. Some people will find this mode to be overwhelming, but it isn't very complicated. In fact, I would like to have more control over my units during battle.

Assorted metal-Gods like Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Halford make cameo appearances in "Brutal Legend," and the massive soundtrack is filled with a wide variety of new and classic metal. Yes, headbangers will love this uniquely stylish game, but their neighbors surely won't.

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.

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