Playstation Move

CHICAGO – “House of the Dead: Overkill” is not unlike “Grindhouse” for shooter fans. Remember the total chaos of Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror”? Imagine that insane, B-movie violence, gore, and ridiculous dialogue in video game form. Much to the surprise of those of us who had written off any chance of adult-driven games on the Nintendo Wii, the “House of the Dead” game hit the platform in 2009 and was a fun ride.

CHICAGO – Games don’t get much weirder than “No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise.” This import of the Nintendo Wii hit that has now been repurposed for both the standard wireless controller and the Playstation Move is such a unique, bizarre game that it almost warrants playing it purely for the copious personality on display. It’s too bad that said personality can’t overcome frustrating gameplay and repetitive action but this is a modest success that could work for the right player.

CHICAGO – I love at least two-thirds of the central characters in the anticipated Sony adventure “PlayStation Move Heroes” having spent hours with the Ratchet & Clank and Jak & Daxter video games (I’m not as familiar with Sly Cooper, the final third of this all-star team). Perhaps it is because I’m a fan of the clever writing and complex platforming that usually accompanies these heroes that this feels like a lackluster offering, the kind of awkward title that only works for little ones and their friends.

CHICAGO – If you’re looking for subtlety, don’t go anywhere near the incredibly intense and borderline chaotic “Killzone 3,” a remarkably accomplished game that offers an impressive single-player campaign, deep multi-player action, and the next step in motion control in modern shooters.

CHICAGO – If you play games as a way to relax and unwind after a long day at work or school, “Dead Space 2” might not be for you. It is the opposite of relaxing. Rarely have I literally felt my heart rate increase or my hands become a little shakier than my average caffeine buzz as when I was playing this riveting, terrifying, great game, a must-own for single-player fans held back only slightly by a few minor disappointments in the multi-player realm.

CHICAGO – With the verdict still out on the market relevance and popularity of the Sony Playstation Move, one wonders how we should approach the “phase one” titles that try to take advantage of this new technology. Should we be a little soft and consider the growing pains involved in anything new? Or be extra hard as these are the titles meant to justify the purchase price of the new tech? “Time Crisis: Razing Storm” only works if you take the former approach.