'Heavenly' an apt label

Game: ''Heavenly Sword''

Publisher: Sony

System: Sony PlayStation 3

Cost: $60

ESRB rating: T

Review rating: 3 stars

Alone on the battlefield, Nariko feels a sense of hopelessness. Dozens of armed guards block the path to her captured father. Ignoring the deadly curse of the "Heavenly Sword," the femme fatale unsheathes the sacred blade and begins to hack her way through the crowd. As the mighty cutting edge sings a song of severance, the enemy is introduced to fear. Her father may be safe for now, but at what price?

So begins the saga of Sony's latest action game, "Heavenly Sword." This intense title features excellent visuals, fluid game play and a deep combat system. In addition, the ability to play as a secondary character named Kai adds a needed boost of variety to this undeniably short, linear adventure.

Throughout most of the game, players control a nimble female fighter named Nariko who can use three different stances in battle. Each stance offers a completely new set of combat maneuvers, and the player can switch between them at any time to create a wide variety of combinations. On top of that, Superstyle moves can be performed when the appropriate meter is filled, and objects can be picked up and tossed at the enemy.

Playing as Nariko's oddball friend, Kai, is just as entertaining. She has access to a unique gun that fires lethal darts, and each one can be manually controlled. By holding down the fire button, the player can tilt the six-axis controller and the dart turns in that direction. This adds a whole new dimension of enjoyment to simply firing projectiles.

While "Heavenly Sword" may not be a contender for game of the year, it does provide hours of Hollywood blockbuster-style entertainment.

Game: "Dewy's Adventure"

Publisher: Konami

System: Nintendo Wii

Cost: $50

ESRB rating: E

Review rating: 2 1/2 stars

From the developers who created the quirky game, "Elebits," comes an odd title that follows the exploits of a drop of water out to save his world from the Black Rain menace. It's just too bad that the most interesting aspect of the game, i.e. the unusual control scheme, is also the most annoying.

Rather than actually moving the main character, the player tilts the Wiimote controller, which in turn tilts the game world in the same direction. Dewy then slides downhill just like a drop of water should, and the player must manipulate Dewy around each level in this fashion. Although it is usually very fun, sometimes just moving around is fraught with frustration. One slight tilt of the controller in the wrong direction, and Dewy runs directly into an enemy or swan dives off a precipice into oblivion. Ugh!

On the other hand, the ability to raise and lower the atmosphere's temperature in order to transform Dewy's shape into mist or ice is a cool addition. In mist form, Dewy can zap foes with lightening, and he can perform spin attacks as well as inflict additional damage in ice form. However, he can only rescue captives in water form. The key to success is combining these attacks in various different ways to eliminate enemies and save the defenseless Eau race.

Players who can't get enough of the game can create their own levels and share them with others via Nintendo's Online service, called WiiConnect24. While the terrain may be pre-determined, various objects, items, and gimmicks can be placed throughout each level. This means that new, player-created levels can always be found online.

Older gamers will surely find "Dewy's Adventure" to be overly cute. Heck, even Pikachu rolls his eyes at the mere mention of the game. However, younger gamers who can master the tricky controls will find that playing in the water has never been more fun.

RATING KEY

4 stars - Must have

3 stars - Pretty good

2 stars - So-so

1 star - Don't waste your time

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: Everyone

T: Teen (13 and older)

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)