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Video game reviews

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 11, 2006

Saints Row

Price: $59.99

Platform: Xbox 360

Company: THQ

Mothers beware: Saints Row is a devilishly good game that encourages gamers to recruit hookers, protect drug dealers, assassinate strangers, carjack innocents and use cops for target practice - all in an attempt to make their gang top dog in Stillwater, a mythical, crime-laden city. The plot is standard fare: Your gang - denizens of the worst area of town, known as Saints Row - must fight for control of the city by slaughtering three other gangs. Missions are activated by earning street "respect," gained only by successfully completing the thug activities. Though clearly a ripoff of the famed Grand Theft Auto series (Grand Theft Video Game would have been an apt title), there are too many improvements to diss this game. For example, auto-aiming has been replaced with free targeting; frequent saves are allowed; weapons are not lost when restarting missions; and there's an online mode.

George Mathis, Cox News Service

Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover

Price: $39.99

Platform: Sony PSP

Company: Electronic Arts

Want to win the heart of uber-babe Carmen Electra? Want to control the New York City underworld, and don't mind busting open some skulls to do it? Welcome to the world of Def Jam, where a good roundhouse kick in a back alley can earn respect, bling, women and territory. The Takeover is the first PSP version, and this savage street brawler features some of the best fighting controls in gaming - along with an excellent tutorial. Complex moves can be assigned to the PSP's directional pad, making it simple to carry out spine-snapping combos. The heart of the game is Story Mode, where a custom fighter is created. You choose fighting style, such as kickboxing, martial arts, wrestling and street fighting. Up to three can be combined to create a unique style of punishment. Inside your crib, e-mails offer updates on missions for gaining control of the streets. Corrupt cops and rival gangs are the usual victims as you build up a gang. Along the way, you'll brush shoulders or scrap with such hip-hop legends as Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Flavor Flav, Ghostface and Ice T. The game's soundtrack is excellent, so use headphones.

NHL 2K7

Price: $59.99

Platform: Xbox 360

Company: 2K Games

Two major sports titles drop the puck this season, NHL 2K7 and NHL '07 - and 2K Games wins the faceoff. NHL 2K7 has a sophisticated online experience, including multiplayer seasons, 30-team leagues and complete stat tracking, that offers almost unlimited replay value. Unlike last year's title, the full power of the 360 has been utilized to create a fast, fantastic and smooth game experience. A new, optional mode, dubbed Cinemotion, ditches tired play-by-play commentary for dramatic musical scores and varying camera angles. Franchise mode is deep; custom players can be created, real players can be traded and future players can be drafted, as long as you stay under the salary cap. Another plus: The team chemistry system rewards complimentary players more than stellar individual stats.

[Last modified December 10, 2006, 20:01:37]