Video Game Review

CHICAGO – When the representative who sent me a copy of the newest Square Enix RPG “Nier” suggested that I needed to give the game time to impress me, I was immediately concerned. Modern gamers don’t like to wait for their entertainment. And, more often than not, “wait, it gets better” is a false promise. But not in the case of “Nier”.

Video Game Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – With a consistently intriguing story, excellent voice work, and perfectly-paced gameplay, the Microsoft Xbox 360 game “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction” is a surprisingly accomplished title, one that will suck you in for hours on end and nearly make you feel like a superspy yourself.

Video Game Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Those of us that are wildly addicted to “Bejeweled Blitz” and played through “Puzzle Quest” like a gleeful toddler with a new toy were pretty psyched that the developers of the latter, spectacular Nintendo DS title were releasing a DLC game called “Puzzle Chronicles”. Once again, our puzzle-loving persona could meld with the kid inside us who misses the days when he played Dungeons and Dragons in his basement. Sadly, “Puzzle Chronicles” only barely delivers.

CHICAGO – Movie tie-in games have a reputation for being subpar at best and sometimes downright horrendous but the legacy of the blockbuster companion is nothing compared to the cavalcade of gaming crap that has come with our favorite TV shows. Games based on great shows like “The X-Files,” “Lost,” “24,” and “The Sopranos” have been absolute disasters. We can now add “Prison Break” to that list.

CHICAGO – DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon” is one of the best movies of the year to date; a remarkably enjoyable experience that works for children and adults and deserves to be doing even better at the box office. Don’t miss it while you still have the chance. The game that ties in with it? You can miss that.

CHICAGO – With elements of “Grand Theft Auto IV,” “Far Cry 2,” and “Red Faction Guerilla,” the excellent “Just Cause 2” delivers for gamers looking for an extensive, explosive open world experience. Incredibly detailed and filled with a variety of mission types, “Just Cause 2” consistently entertains despite a few notable flaws.

CHICAGO – The PS3 version of “MLB 10: The Show” is a beautifully rendered sports simulation that has received nearly universal acclaim (including in our review) and Sony was nice enough to send over a PSP version for us to contrast and compare for our readers considering taking their team on the road. Unsurprisingly, Sony delivers for their handheld version as well, connecting with a solid hit that has only a few notable flaws.

Video Game Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Very few games have been as divisive as “Final Fantasy XIII”. The highly anticipated game hit stores recently and message boards have been flooded with nearly equal parts praise and disgust. Rarely have you been able to find such a diversity of opinion on one game but “Final Fantasy” fans have always been a passionate group.

Video Game Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Sony’s “Heavy Rain” has become the most controversial game of the year with many players realizing the importance of the most influential game in a very long time with others being turned off by the title’s very unique style.

CHICAGO – Like the New York Yankees last season, the Bronx Bombers of the baseball video game world have put together another championship enterprise, a video game remarkable in its depth, bar-setting in its visual presentation, and simply must-own for baseball fans. “MLB 10: The Show” is not quite yet that “perfect baseball game” we all hope will someday come but it’s the closest to it yet.