Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: SEGA

PUBLISHER: SEGA

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 4.5 stars (out of 5)

Turn-based Strategy Role-Playing Games are extremely popular on handheld systems, but I want to play one that is designed for an HD console with surround sound. Luckily, I stumbled upon SEGA's awesome SRPG title, "Valkyria Chronicles," and the addictive game play, stylish visuals, and excellent level design have definitely spoiled me. So much so, in fact, that it may be hard to return to playing traditional SRPGs.

Not to be confused with Square Enix's "Valkyrie Profile" series, "Valkyria Chronicles" takes place during a fictional world war in 1930s Europa. Players assume the identity of Lt. Welkin Gunther as he gathers a squad of up to 20 soldiers to take into battle. By building friendships and introducing new allies, the story focuses on the intricacies of interpersonal relationships during war.

Unlike most SRPGs, this title lets players actually control each unit in real-time when they are selected. Because it is turn-based, players can't unload all their ammo at every enemy they see. But players can move about freely, take cover, and initiate one action, such as firing at an enemy or healing themselves. When shooting, the game incorporates real-time factors like distance from target and firing angle with a traditional "roll of the dice" to determine the outcome.

Players guide Welkin's heavily armored tank along with soldiers selected from five different classes during each mission. Experience is earned through combat and can be used to upgrade each class separately. New abilities become available when players reach elite status. In addition, players can upgrade Welkin's tank as well as each soldier's weapons and give offensive and defensive stat-enhancing orders.

Add a cool, comic book visual style to this innovative SRPG, and "Valkyria Chronicles" becomes one of the best PS3 games available!

Secret Agent Stalks Nazis in 'Velvet Assassin'

DEVELOPER: Replay Studios

PUBLISHER: SouthPeak Games

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PC)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 3 stars (out of 5)

Stealth-action games don't appeal to all gamers, mostly due to the tremendous patience and forethought required to play them properly.

Game characters Sam Fischer and Solid Snake might dominate modern-day stealth titles, but they rely too much on high-tech gadgets. British secret agent Violette Summer, on the other hand, enters every mission with only her trusty knife by her side, thus transforming into the "Velvet Assassin."

Set behind German lines during World War II, this game is loosely based on real-life events experienced by WWII British agent Violette Azabo. In a unique twist, each mission is told through flashbacks while Violette slips in and out of a severe fever in a German hospital. Obviously, she survived her escapades, but it's up to the player to determine if she makes it through the game alive.

Similar to the "Tenchu" series, "Velvet Assassin" is a low-tech stealth/action game where careful planning takes precedence over technology. Violette must procure most of her weapons on site as well as figure out her best approach on the fly. Due to the mediocre shooting mechanics, performing stealth kills are the most reliable route to dispatching enemies. Normally, I would complain about the scarcity of ammunition, but I didn't enjoy using the guns so why bother?

Violette has several moves that she can perform under cover of darkness, and her stealth mechanics are implemented pretty well. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the enemy's detection of the crouching killer. Sometimes they will see Violette in the pitch black when she's hiding behind a barrel, and other times they can't even see her when she's squatting beside them. This inconsistency leads to countless unexpected deaths and frustrating replays of the same area.

While Velvet Assassin" does feature great lighting effects, nice visuals and some truly brutal stealth kills, the game play will only appeal to diehard stealth fans.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.