Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: Rocksteady Studios

PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive/ Eidos Interactive

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3 (Xbox 360, PC)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 4.5 stars (out of 5)

Last year, "The Dark Knight" ruled the box office, and now Batman claims cyberspace as his dominion. While the new superhero title, "Batman: Arkham Asylum," has little to do with the aforementioned movie, it is still darkly brilliant in its own right. In fact, this is easily the best superhero game ever made!

The story begins as Batman helps escort The Joker into his luxurious new surroundings, better known as Arkham Asylum. Not surprisingly, The Joker has an elaborate escape plan that involves leading Batman throughout the aging building to his ultimate doom. Survival is possible only by employing the caped crusader's advanced detective skills along with his pugilistic prowess.

Some clues easily escape the naked eye, so it's a good thing that Mr. Wayne can afford to insert the world's most advanced optical computer into his cowl. With the press of a button, a cool filter effect alters the view making clues instantly become visible. This can help Batman perform fingerprint and X-ray scans as well as solve puzzles and find hidden areas.

Combat introduces a very satisfying "FreeFlow" system where players create combo attacks that seamlessly move from one enemy to another. Powerful counters and takedowns can also be performed in a FreeFlow manner, which makes the Dark Knight seem as powerful in the game as he is in the comics.

Of course, Batman can also use his Grapnel gun to zip up to a high perch and stealthily take his enemies out from above. Leaving no witnesses can make enemies become so scared that they shoot at the shadows, which is extremely humorous.

Featuring gorgeous visuals, excellent game play, top-notch voice acting and tons of style, "Batman: Arkham Asylum" is so good that it would even make the brooding Dark Knight smile.

'Wolfenstein' Melds The Supernatural With WWII Combat

DEVELOPER: Raven Software

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3, PC)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 3.5 stars (out of 5)

Some fans of First-Person Shooters (FPS) love WWII games while others hate them, but none will argue the fact that "Wolfenstein 3D" was the original FPS. Now the third installment, simply titled "Wolfenstein," is available a whopping 16 years after the original game was released to the public.

This version follows the same hero from past installments, BJ Blazkowicz, as he is sent to investigate the Third Reich's involvement with a supernatural power known as the Black Sun.

Along the way, he will meet with and help members of the local resistance as well as obtain new weapons to use against the impending Nazi threat.

"Wolfenstein" uses what I like to call a "simulated open-world" mission system. What this means is that players occasionally follow linear missions, but are free to choose which missions to attempt when they reach a "mission hub." Most of these missions have to be completed in order to advance, so it isn't a true "open-world" experience, but I enjoy this system more than traditional linear games.

Without a doubt, this title retains the excellent run and gun game play that has made the series so popular. However, players now have the option of using Veil Powers, which consist of slowing down time, erecting a temporary shield or drastically increasing firepower. Even uber-soldiers with Black Sun powers don't stand a chance against this lethal combination of devastating weaponry and otherworldly powers.

I always enjoy improving my virtual equipment when gaming, so I was thrilled to find out that every weapon, from the bolt action Kar98 to the TeslaCannon, can be upgraded. Simply find enough gold hidden throughout each level and then purchase scopes, silencers, additional ammo capacity and much more from the Black Market.

Fighting the Third Reich isn't perfect, however, as the enemy A.I. can be ridiculously dumb at times. In addition, the online multiplayer component is extremely disappointing, especially when compared to the revolutionary game play found in "Return to Castle Wolfenstein."

"Wolfenstein" is an enjoyable FPS with fast-paced combat, but it offers little replay value after the campaign is completed.

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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