Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

Lego Indiana Jones

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, PS2, PSP, DS

Genre: Action

Publisher: LucasArts

ESRB Rating: E, for Everyone

4 stars (out of 5)

Leaving the friendly confines of the "Star Wars" franchise, the Lego brand has entered another familiar landscape with a game whose release coincides with that of the new film, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." The gameplay in "Lego Indiana Jones" more or less encapsulates plots from the first three movies. Among other things, you'll run in panic from a giant Lego boulder. Best of all, the classic Indy humour is in full tilt, making this game excellent for both young gamers and nostalgic adults.

With his trusty whip at your disposal, Indy and his friends must go about this game solving puzzles, as in the "Star Wars" games. Playing with a friend will make it much more rewarding. The visuals are fun, the environments and levels teem with winks and nods to the Indy films and "Star Wars" games, and the catchy cut scenes tie things together nicely.

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Genre: Action

Publisher: Sierra Entertainment

ESRB Rating: T, for Teen

3.5 stars

It is hard to consider "The Bourne Conspiracy" a movie tie-in game. While its plot resembles the first "Bourne" film's, it otherwise is more like a freestanding game. There's no Matt Damon featured as the title character he made famous.

Hand-to-hand combat is the main thrill here, as it should be. Unlike James Bond and all his gadgets, what Bourne brings to the table is sheer brutality. The game's controls are a little dicey to learn at first, but once you stop button-mashing and start wisely executing combos, you'll be thrilled when you chuck a foe into a neon sign or bash his head repeatedly into a desk. It's not gruesome or bloody, just bloody effective.

The fights are among the most thrilling sequences. The environments are strewn with nice urban touches, though the textures and colours are sometimes too drab. The big letdown is the gunplay. These sequences feel forced and lack the intensity and fluidity of other shooters. However, you won't be disappointed.

Grid

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, DS

Genre: Racing

Publisher: Codemasters

ESRB Rating: E, for Everyone

3 stars

"Grid" toes the line between simulation and arcade racing games. This poses a big frustration if you prefer either one. You'll probably enjoy "Grid" -- but only to a point, because you'll hit a wall no matter how you approach it.

Arcade race fans will find plenty of fun options. The most intriguing is a flashback feature, which allows you to pause a race, rewind and potentially take that curve a little better or avoid that wreck. The risk-reward system pays off well.

Simulation fans will enjoy the smart-driver AI and the variety of race modes and locations, all of which test your ability to adapt to different styles. This way you can excel in different disciplines -- such as drafting in Japan or street racing in the United States -- and earn lots of cash for new rides.

The online component is pretty weak, and there are limitations to both the arcade and sim elements. Sim fans will wish it had more customization and features.