Wet
3 stars
If Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” movies had been
made into a game, it might have looked something like “Wet.”
Gun-for-hire Rubi Malone carries a sword and is definitely on a roaring
rampage. But she also uses guns, firing them while running along walls, leaping
through the air or sliding along the ground.
The action switches to slow-mo when Rubi pulls off an
acrobatic move, allowing the player to target multiple enemies for quick kills.
Extra points are awarded for mixing up Rubi’s moves while taking down hordes of
henchmen.
The visuals are impressive; a graphical filter overlays the
action, lending the look of scratched film and projector flicker to the
proceedings.
Microsoft Xbox 360, also for Sony PlayStation 3; $59.99
Age rating: Mature
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes
2 1/2 stars
Set within the timeline of the “Clone Wars”
computer- animated series, “Republic Heroes” offers a few flavors of
“Star Wars” action for two players.
“Republic Heroes” switches between Jedi-focused
and clone trooper-focused levels. In the former, players control Anakin, his
apprentice Ahsoka, and other Jedi as they make their way through levels full of
enemy droids and obstacles. Jedi attack up close with lightsabers and hurl
waves of Force energy, and they’re agile. They can also hop onto and take
control of certain droids.
In trooper stages, players control heavily armed soldiers as
they run and gun through the level, picking up weapon boosts, such as thermal
detonators, along the way.
The game is fun, though easy. The controls are generally
responsive, though precision jumping and taking cover can present problems at
times.
Nintendo Wii, also for Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP,
PC; $49.99 ($29.99 to $49.99 for other versions)
Age rating: Teen
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Dragon Quest Wars
2 1/2 stars
A light strategy game starring monsters from the
“Dragon Quest” series, “Dragon Quest Monsters” is an
entertaining spinoff. On the player’s turn, the stylus is used to move monsters
and select their actions. Then the actions are executed and the other side goes
through the same process.
There’s a training mode to familiarize new players with the
game’s concepts; after that, players can customize their own battle setups.
There’s quite a bit of strategy involved in setting up a solid offense and
defense with the various monsters and their powers, and with only four units
per side, each move counts.
Nintendo DSi (DSiWare download); $5 (500 Nintendo Points)
Age rating: 10-plus
