Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: Raven Studios

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PC, PS3)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

Thanks to awesome movies like "The Matrix," many shooters now come packed with some sort of slow motion effect to heighten the gaming experience. Raven Studios decided to expand on this concept by letting players actually manipulate time while playing their new shooter, "Singularity." While this concept makes for some great game play sequences, the rest of the title is rather generic.

In an alternate timeline, Russia discovered an incredibly powerful energy source during the Cold War that they dubbed Element 99 (E99). However, it is highly unstable and the research facility on the island of Katorga-12 was destroyed during research. Nearly 50 years later, a U.S. Special Forces team is sent to investigate disturbances in the area and is shot down by enemy forces. Now, it's up to Captain Nathaniel Renko to uncover the conspiracy.

Game play consists of the standard shooter fare in the beginning. Sure the action and gunplay are done well, but none of the regular weapons are particularly memorable. It's only until a bit later in the game that the player gains access to out-of-this-world weaponry, such as the E99 Seeker and AutoCannon. What really shines, however, is the ability to control time with the TMD (Time Manipulation Device). This handy gadget lets the player age and renew objects, stop time and control gravity. As a result, inventive combos like using telekinesis to toss a cryo tank into a pack of enemies and then shattering it with the TMD Pulse Wave are possible. I laughed the first time I renewed an enemy into infancy and also enjoyed aging them into piles of dust.

The TMD really adds a new layer to game play, but I can't help but feel as if it could have been explored more. My biggest gripe is that the time puzzles become too simplistic. In addition, boss battles are also not very inventive as players are taxed with exploiting classic weaknesses.

Still, "Singularity" has solid game play and some fun online multiplayer modes to keep players fascinated with time.

'ARMA 2: Combined Operations' is all About Realism

DEVELOPER: Bohemia Interactive

PUBLISHER: Meridian4

SYSTEM: Windows XP/Vista/7

PRICE: $39.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

Modern warfare titles are all the rage in the gaming realm, but very few of them are actually realistic.

Bohemia Interactive responds to this shortage by offering the original "ARMA 2" and the new "ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead" in one bundle called "ARMA 2: Combined Operations." Just like real life, this massive game rewards patience and slow methodical game play. And also just like real life, some parts of the military are simply maddening!

While this game has an entirely different story line from the original "ARMA 2," players only need to know that they are fighting a hostile enemy in a fictional country. This sets the backdrop for starting out as infantry and working your way up to controlling and eventually commanding entire groups of vehicles and soldiers.

Unlike most modern shooters, lone wolves need not apply because teamwork is not only helpful, but it's also essential for victory. With enemies sniping players from hundreds of yards away and coordinated attacks on the player, they will need all the help they can get. Fortunately, a wide variety of realistic military vehicles, ranging from ATVs to attack helicopters, are at the player's disposal.

It's just too bad that the A.I. controlling everything is spotty at best. Watch in disbelief as you order a group of tanks to an area and they bump into each other like they're in a pinball game. Also, how can some soldiers engage in heavy combat while others a few feet away seem oblivious to what's going on?

I'm very impressed with this game's visuals, but players need a really beefy computer if they want a smooth experience. The frame rate becomes choppy in single player, coop and online multiplayer when several units are in close proximity. This is very frustrating because the game focuses on large-scale battles.

Core gamers looking for a realistic combat experience should definitely enlist with "ARMA 2: Combined Operations."

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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