Publisher: Capcom System
System: Nintendo Wii
Cost: $40
Review rating: 3 stars
If you are like me, the thought of playing another collection of puzzle games on the Wii is about as exciting as watching a Uwe Boll flick.
Fortunately, the puzzles in Capcom's latest Wii title, "Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure," are not tedious or simple, and they are all linked by an interesting story line.
Rather than having boring puzzle boards, the player is free to move Zack around small two-D levels and interact with various objects. Since locating and opening the treasure chest on each level is the ultimate goal, traveling from one point to another is no easy feat. Every level presents Zack with different challenges to impede his progress, ranging from traversing giant gaps and fire traps to finding keys and objects.
However, down the line, the player will have to avoid enemies while figuring out challenging riddles that contain multiple steps.
Even when I'm not playing "Zack & Wiki," my thoughts usually drift to the latest brainteaser. If a puzzle game can appeal this much to a die-hard action fan, then it has the potential to charm just about anyone.
Publisher: Sony
System: Sony PlayStation 3
Cost: $60
ESRB rating: T
Review rating: 3 1/2 stars
Facing stiff competition from both the Xbox 360 and the Wii, Sony needs top-notch exclusive titles to draw gamers to the PS3. Fortunately, "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" swings to the rescue.
By combining elements from "Tomb Raider" games and Indiana Jones movies, Crash Bandicoot developers Naughty Dog has created a thrilling 1930s pulp action-style adventure where the player is the hero.
Throughout his voyage, Nathan will have to traverse various types of terrain, so it's fortunate that he is especially skilled at climbing and jumping. In fact, he can even swing on ropes, pilot a jet ski and fire his pistol while hanging on a ledge. Since Nathan usually engages in gunfights with multiple enemies, the ability to take cover behind objects and return fire is very welcome.
In addition, an in-depth hand-to-hand combat system lets players dispatch enemies within an arm's reach, and it is also possible to perform stealth kills on unsuspecting enemies. I just wish that most firefights didn't have multiple 'waves' of enemies that magically appear out of thin air.
Nevertheless, "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" is an exciting adventure that features fun game play, gorgeous graphics and a captivating story line.
