games: Highly playable basketball simulation is bang on target

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Dec 14, 2007

TITLE: NBA 2K8

PLATFORM: PS3

PRICE: pounds 39.99

This extremely playable basketball sim trumps the competition in almost every department, giving B-ball fans the game they've been crying out for. Great graphics and realistic differing player animations are only one part of the big picture. The controls work seamlessly behind the character models and a host of tinkered features, including the Dunk Contest, ensure that even those still hooked on 2K7 will be convinced to trade up. And so they should - this is the best basketball has ever been on a console.

*****

TITLE: Blacksite

PLATFORM: Xbox 360

PRICE: pounds 49.99

This alien invasion conspiracy-theory shooter promises much, but sadly fails to deliver. In light of the host of exquisite shooters that have hit the shelves in recent months - most notably Bioshock, Halo 3 and Gears of War - Blacksite falls some way short in almost all departments, from controls to enemy Al and especially in the graphics department. If this had been released around 18 months aao, we might be writing a different story, but ultimately this has arrived a little too late to make a real impact in the shooter world.

*****

TITLE: Oblivion: Game Of The Year Edition

PLATFORM: PS3

Price: pounds 49.99

If you're going to buy a game for a loved one this Christmas, make sure it's a good one. And let Oblivion be that one.

Firmly established as one of the best-ever RPGs available on any console, if you haven't already experienced the delights of the realm of Tamrield, this special edition will be right up your street.

It's a completely unique role-playing game that perfectly combines free-form gameplay, true next-gen graphics and cutting-edge AI. The world truly is your oyster, as you choose to unravel the epic narrative at your own pace or explore the vast world in search of your own unique challenges. Picking faults in a game where everything is so right seems unfair, so let's not. Suffice to say that this game will suck away weeks of the new year, but the new role you will uncover will more than make up for it.

*****

TITLE: Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey

PLATFORM: Wii

PRICE: pounds 24.99

Disney's out to get the girl-gaming market this festive season and Disney Princess doesn't shy away from the saccharine-saturated enchantment it has created in cartoons.

You can play as your own customised heroine, taking part in an adventure in which you must help the Disney Princesses restore order in their kingdoms. You can exercise your creativity by choosing your character's name as well as customising her look.

And there's a fair few fun-filled levels to flit around throughout a story that won't win any Oscars for originality but certainly doesn't court controversy, as other console titles may do.

It's cute, it's overtly targeted at young girls, and it will keep them more than happy for a week or two.

*****

CAPTION(S):

VARYING SUCCESS - Blacksite fails to excite, while NBA 2K8 is excellent