DEVELOPER: Vogster Entertainment

PUBLISHER: THQ

SYSTEM: Windows XP/Vista

PRICE: $29.95 plus optional monthly fee

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 3 stars (out of 5)

With the release of the already immensely popular "Call of Duty: Modern Combat 2" around the corner, competitors need to offer something new to draw attention. "CrimeCraft" bills itself as a "persistent shooter," meaning it features some of the elements found in a traditional MMO. Players can gain levels, craft items, obtain upgraded gear and customize some of their abilities, but the real draw of this game is the intense third-person combat!

Actually, it's the only draw because nearly everything else, especially the interface, is awkward and unintuitive. For starters, both of my characters have reached level 13 and half of their gear consists of the same clothing they started with. Clothing drops are extremely rare, and the costs are outrageous both in the auction house and from regular vendors. If I want to craft clothes, I'm stuck with hoping that I obtain drops from endlessly grinding through PvE levels.

This consists of entering instanced levels and killing A.I. controlled enemies that shoot more accurately than Navy Seals! Other players are also in the level, so you have to compete against them for kills and respawns while dodging enemy bullets. When it's over, players are returned to one of three main areas where they can pick up new jobs, craft items or interact with others. No combat is allowed in these zones, which makes them rather boring.

Thank goodness the combat is fast and fluid or this game would have no redeeming features. Players can obtain a vast array of weaponry and upgrade it with improved scopes, triggers, barrels and more. In addition, various boosts that enhance damage output, health or even offer invisibility are also available. I just wonder why my gimped level-13 characters have to compete against higher-level players with advanced gear. I'm not talking about just a few levels here, but a 10 to 20 level difference! It makes the game incredibly frustrating.

A large content update will be released later this month, and it's sorely needed because in its current form, "CrimeCraft" is very bland.

'NHL 2K10' Heats up the Rink but Waters Down the Realism

DEVELOPER: 2K Sports

PUBLISHER: 2K Sports

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3, Wii)

PRICE: $49.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 3 stars (out of 5)

Strap on some skates and fire up the Zamboni because it's time for organized violence on pristine surfaces, or what we like to call "hockey." "NHL 2K10" improves upon last year's version with a cleaner presentation and better visuals, but it still suffers a debilitating injury when matched up against EA's "NHL 10."

Right off the bat ... err ... stick, players will notice the improved visuals. Everything from the player's jersey to the stands to the in-game action has received a much-needed face-lift. This title also features a very smooth frame rate, unlike its rival. I also like the look of the new animations, but they have to completely finish before the player can start another move. This may sound trivial, but in a game of split-second timing, every move is vital.

Despite the clean look of the ice, it feels like my team is skating through dirt. Sure there is a "turbo" button, but who wants to mash down on an extra button for the entire match just to feel like they are moving at a normal pace? And how do opposing players keep control of the puck when I body-check them to their knees? These are but a few of the unrealistic "features" found in this game.

On the other hand, I do like the ability to invite friends to play against me no matter what mode I am currently playing. This system is simple and intuitive, so why is it so difficult to start a team-based multiplayer game? For some reason, people seem to just hang around their own lobby, waiting on others to join.

With more emphasis on visuals than game play, "NHL 2K10" seems to be geared more for the casual sports fan rather than die-hard enthusiasts.

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Pretty Good

3 stars = Above Average

2 stars = Bargain Bin

1 star = Don't Bother

RATINGS KEY

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: Everyone

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

T: Teen (13 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)

To find out more about Jeb Haught and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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