Our good friend Ian Lynch does a book report on Snooki’s latest masterpiece called Confessions Of A Guidette. Not only does this book warrant a childlike examination it was also written at an elementary reading level. Yet again, Nicole has impressed us with her insight and wit.

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With 2011 – 2012 the NBA season looking more and more unlikely every day, I felt I needed to get my basketball fix somehow.  If I can’t watch the best players in the world play, why not take control of them in a video game?  The NBA 2K series has recently set the standard for National Basketball Association (NBA) video games.  While EA dominates the hockey video game market, 2K is the absolute leader for basketball simulation.  Last year’s NBA 2k11 was absolutely phenomenal.  It brought Michael Jordan back into the equation, allowing players to use him in the game to bring back those dominant Bulls teams.   The graphics, controls, and overall experience were heads above the competition.  It was so good in fact, that EA didn’t even bother releasing their NBA Elite game.  2K keeps upping the ante with NBA 2K12.  It takes everything that made 11 so good, and improves upon it.

The graphics in this game are beautiful.  Each player clearly resembles their real life counterpart.  The arenas are all gorgeous, from the glean off the buffed floors, to the logos on the court floors, it all looks and feels real.   It looks so good, my dad walked in while I was playing the game and thought I was watching a real life basketball game.  He obviously wasn’t aware of the looming lockout.

The sound and music are equally incredible.  The announcing is some of the best I’ve heard in a video game.  In some cities, depending on who they have on the microphones, it may actually be an improvement over their real life announcers.  I liked the soundtrack a lot too, which is usually good in 2K games.

After the successful introduction of Michael Jordan last year, 2K has added a ton of other greats to the game this year.  You can use vintage Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, and more. There are 15 total “Legends” whose terrific careers can be recreated within the game in great detail.  Relive the Larry Bird – Magic Johnson rivalries and much more.

One of the most popular features in the 2K series is the ability to create your own player to see how they stack up in the big leagues.  2K sports has built upon this and made the “My Player” functionality that much better.  You can now hear Commissioner David Stern call your name on draft night for your favorite team.  Enter yourself into the rookie skills competition, earn huge endorsement deals, pad your stats, and ultimately get your name on a huge franchise player contract.

Most of the modes are back, my favorite being Association mode.  Take your team from worst to first and watch the fans pack your arena to cheer you on.  You can now even take your association mode online to play against your buddies and see how you stack up in the online community.  The Playstation Network integration is seamless and a lot of fun.

Overall, this game is fantastic.  It takes what made the old NBA 2K games and builds upon it in every way.  The graphics, sound, presentation and game play are all the best around for basketball video games, and set the bar extremely high.  If EA wants to reclaim the top spot in the basketball video game market, they certainly have their work cut out for them.

For more game reviews check out ubethecritic.com.

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If you’re looking for another heartthrob-worthy performance from Ryan Gosling, you won’t be getting much of that in Drive.

But nevertheless, you won’t be able to keep your eyes off him.

In Drive, Gosling is mysterious and riveting and the only name available for his character is Driver.

A Hollywood stunt driver and mechanic by day, Driver serves as a wheelman for night time heists.

In early scenes of the movie, he’s helped by his boss and mentor Shannon (played by Malcolm in the Middle’s Bryan Cranston) who gives him a Chevy Impala to  drive his clientele around to do their dirty deeds.

All goes well until he gets involved with his neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son Benicio. When her  husband Standard (Oscar Isaac) is released from prison, Irene and Benicio’s safety is at risk.

Gosling’s ‘Driver’ tries to save the situation by helping Standard steal money from a pawn shop.  But when the heist goes awry, it’s up to ‘Driver’ to take things in his own hands.

Fresh from Nicolas Winding Refn’s Best Director win at the Cannes Film Festival, Drive is an excellent action-drama thriller packed with violence and exciting car chases. Much like the style of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Pulp Fiction, the film is filled with blood and gore.  Though the movie lacks dialogue,  Refn somehow makes it work through the film’s characters’ actions and expressions.

While Gosling is supported by a talented cast that includes the likes of Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, Mulligan and Cranston, he holds his own playing the violent and badass Driver. And while there isn’t much that can be learned about the Driver, you’ll somehow still be swooning over him as he tries to save the day in order to protect the girl he’s fallen for.

Drive may not be for everyone due to its violence and gore, but it’s definitely a film worth watching. With a retro ’80s-inspired score and beautiful shots of the Los Angeles streets and skylines, it will keep the audience  jumping in their seats from all the adrenaline and tension that arises from the film.

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Careful what you wish for, because if it’s a fairy-tale you seek, then a fairy-tale you get. And although it might not seem it on the outside, this week’s sure-to-be box-office hit, Friends with Benefits, is just that.

Having just been selected by head-hunter Jamie (Mila Kunis) as the new Art Director for GQ Magazine, Dylan (Justin Timberlake) leaves his hometown of Los Angeles and relocates to the bright lights and loud noise that is New York City. A handful of witty banter, a trip to a Manhattan rooftop, and one sappy romance film later, Jamie and Dylan find themselves swearing over an iPad Bible App to take their friendship to the next level – the one with benefits and no emotions. And it works, until both start questioning whether they unknowingly let emotions slip into the relationship after all.

With just the right balance between innocent and seductive, Kunis and Timberlake are extremely endearing as the pair of leads. It’s clear that Writer-Director Will Gluck tried hard to keep the nudity down to a bare minimum, giving the movie a tasteful air which is enjoyable for a vast audience.  Although the rom-com does have that fairy-tale ambience to it, the clever writing and engaging, although somewhat predictable, plot can appeal to a male audience as well while filling the void of every girl’s prince charming fantasy.

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We respect the editorial opinion of Pitckfork.com, but we respectfully think they got it wrong. They hate them. Seriously? Anyways we spoke with Mikel Jollett about writing, recording, and the digital era of music.

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I know what you’re thinking.

‘Oh great, here’s another one of those bridal movies where the main character falls for some unrealistic knight-in-shining-armour, while her best friend gets married provoking hilarious wedding planning conflicts and mild laughter.’

Well you’re wrong, deeply wrong. This is no cliched fairytale wedding movie, no no no. It’s much more than that.

Let’s get the plot out of the way. The film follows Annie, played by the hilarious Kristen Wiig, who is picked as her best friend’s maid of honour, played by the equally funny Maya Rudolph. Completely broke and unprepared, Annie looks to bluff her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals of being a bridesmaid with an oddball group of other bridesmaids as well.

What saves this movie right off the bat from being a cliched comedy is the actors themselves. Each creating a unique, interesting character, all the bridesmaids and bride alike make the film interesting because of their line delivery or physical comedy. For example, a drunken Annie on the plane could be painfully unfunny, but Wiig’s dead-on physical comedy makes it that much more hysterical.

Another way the film saves itself from disaster is how it satires romantic comedy cliches instead of enforcing them. It touches on female competitiveness, dating, marriage and outlandish character types, but twists it so far that you know it’s really poking fun at itself. The bridal shower scene will literally have you peeing your pants – I did.

That’s what I loved about the film – it’s nature to never hold back. Think of it like the female version of ‘The Hangover,’ except not as risky and more subtle in its comedy. SNL veterans Rudolph and Wiig are perfect in achieving this, using their subtle comedy timing to make the film engaging throughout. But yes ladies, bring your guys, they will find it funny too – lots of farts and injuries to sustain them.

Now, I’m not saying the movie is perfect. Parts were dragged out a little too long, and cliches were still used (yes, sorry to break it to you, the main character does indeed find love in the end,) but they were all portrayed very realistically that it didn’t bother me.

So my final verdict is a 4 out of 5 stars. For what its worth, it’s a fun lighthearted comedy that shouldn’t be taken too seriously at all. With unique comedy and a packed, roaring audience, I’m pretty sure plenty will enjoy it as well.

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When I think of the word ‘superhero’ Seth Rogen—the awkward fella that starred in Knocked Up or The 40-Year-Old Virgin—isn’t the first person to pop into my mind. If you compare him to other conventional fictional characters, he lacks many of the stereotypical superhero qualities. Just think of Hugh Jackman’s masculine physique in X-Men Origins: Wolverine or Christian Bale’s innate bad-boy Batman persona inThe Dark Knight and, well, you’ll know how Rogen doesn’t quite fit.

But director’s Michel Gondry’s (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Be Kind Rewind) The Green Hornet isn’t meant to be ordinary. Based on the 1936 radio series, the film details the life of Rogen’s character Britt Reid.  Reid’s bachelor lifestyle of wild shenanigans and partying are rattled following the death of his father.  As an heir to his father’s large company, by day Reid reigns over as a newspaper publisher and owner. At night, the masked vigilante fights crime with his father’s assistant Kato. Starring Jay Chou, Kato is best described as a “human Swiss Army Knife.”  Chou’s fighting abilities are beyond impressive and outshine Rogen’s. Along with his writing partner Evan Goldberg, Rogen co-wrote the script to seamlessly match and adhere to his inability to convincingly play a typical and over-the-top superhero. And it works.

The twosome protect citizens by breaking the law in Los Angeles, the city where people think the duo are villains rather than heroes.  With the help of Reid’s new secretary Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), the pair work toward hunting down the city’s surprisingly witty underworld leader Benjamin Chudnofsky, played by Christopher Waltz. While Waltz easily mesmerized audiences with his daunting portrayal of the Schutzstaffel in Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 Inglourious Basterds, as a villain he fails—quite purposely—to entice a similar fear from his audience.

With its action-packed 3-D scenes, good humour and lightheartedness, The Green Hornet will take you on an enjoyable ride where—if you’re up to it—you can put that fly swatter you brought with you away.

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Didn’t Jeff Bridges win the coveted Oscar for best male lead last year for playing a washed up alcoholic musician? Well, he essentially plays the same character, minus the dramatic love story with a woman 20 years his junior, in the Coen Brother’s newest film, True Grit. Bridges stars as Rooster Cogburn, stubborn US Marshall who sets out to help an overtly precocious 14 year-old-girl, Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld), find the man who murdered her father, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). The dynamic duo is also aided by another bounty hunter, LaBeouf (Matt Damon) who is after the same man.

The film is a remake of a 1969 John Wayne film of the same name. Wayne won his sole Oscar for his performance in the film. Although I have not seen it, it seems that Bridges does not do Wayne justice. The role of a drunken fool is too easily played by Bridges as he doesn’t add anything illuminating to the character. However, the audience can almost smell the whisky seeping from his breath even through the screen.

I had high hopes for this film because it is the Coen Brothers. I was expecting something more akin to No Country for Old Men but the film bares no resemblance. Instead, True Grit is a true western film in the classic Americana sense. Its an entertaining film from a passive standpoint. Lest the gore, it would be a holiday family film. I feel like I needed to get a glass of milk and some Oreos. It’s a predictable nostalgic ride to the simpler times of the 50s and 60s

Why did the Coen Brothers decide to regurgitate a hackneyed dated plot with stereotypical roles? It seems like an odd choice for the brothers who usually bring the quirkiest characters to the screen. It really doesn’t bare the mark of Coen. Altogether, the film is not bad, it is just disappointing if you are going into it expecting a Coen Brothers film.

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Heartbeats, Xavier Dolan’s second feature film, is a realistic glance into the lives of wandering twenty-somethings. The twenty-one-year-old Quebec born actor turned filmmaker entered the scene in 2009 with the French language feature I killed My Mother. Heartbeats, also French language, falls short of his first film however, the technical aspects of his filmmaking have greatly improved.

Heartbeats chronicles the seemingly complex bisexual love triangle between three friends, Marie (Monia Chokri), Francis (Xavier Dolan), and Nicolas (Niels Schneider who looks almost exactly like French actor, Louis Garrel). While at a party, Marie and Frankie (Francis) notice Nicolas, a youthful traveler who is a dead ringer for a Greek Adonis. Marie and Frankie soon develop a suggestive relationship with Nicolas which threatens their own friendship as each of them become completely infatuated with him. The three of them share a bed together, but Marie and Frankie’s sexual desire for  Nicolas is never satisfied. The film delves deeply into the notions of jealousy and centers on the cliche, “three is a crowd”.

The actors have a natural chemistry that reads well through the screen. Marie is beautiful and dresses akin to Anna Karina and other New Wave women (a possible homage to Godard). Frankie’s outward presentation is bold but he is shy and introverted. Nicolas is tan and beautiful. His demeanor is warm and yet he seems completely ignorant of the fact that he is the central object of desire for the other two characters. It is uncertain whether his coyness is intentional or simply a part of the dynamic of his friendship with Marie and Frankie. This leads to sexual ambiguity of his character which lies at the core of the narrative and if nothing else is its strength.

The film takes frequent breaks from the main narrative to shift into talking head interviews that  detail  failed relationships and unrequited love. This technique is perhaps another homage to Godard, especially in his late 1960s era with 2 or 3 Things I know About Her.  The discourse of the subjects in the interviews foreshadow the failure of the relationship between Marie, Frankie, and Nicolas. Despite the creative intention, the technique is disappointing as the dialogue proves to be nothing but trivial and shallow.

Although the characters and dialogue are naive, it works for the purpose of the film. The images are relatable for those who are in the midst of the coffee and cigarette culture, aimlessly searching for themselves. The vintage stores and cafes are familiar settings for brooding and pondering about the dilemmas of life and love.

In spite of the fact that the dialogue and narrative themselves appear without meaning and emotional depth, the camera work and cinematic tropes stand on their own. Dolan uses primary colored filters and slow motion filming to illustrate  individual despondent sex scenes between Marie and Francis and their prospective partners none of whom are Nicolas. Dolan primarily uses close ups for the duration of the film to highlight the male/female body and draw attention to the character’s facial features and expressions. The majority of the filming is handheld which furthers the realism of the film.

Apart from the camera work, the soundtrack of the film is also very well done. The soundtrack is amplified during  slow motion scenes of the characters walking through the streets and preparing for their outings with a Italian version of the Nancy Sintra hit, “Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”. There is a notable party scene in which Marie and Francis obsessively gaze at a drunk Nicolas flailing his arms around to “Pass this On” by The Knife. Their sullen faces are drowned out by the flashing strobe light and the song. This creates a certain ambiance that develops the disheartening nature of the film.

Though the narrative of Heartbeats is a bit rudimentary it is worth seeing for stylistic purposes. Dolan is lucky to have begun making features early in his life. There is always room for improvement and hopefully we will see good things from him in the future.

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Ben Stiller has played nearly a hundred different characters throughout his career.

Anyone who’s seen one of his movies knows many of Stiller’s films are comedies featuring slapstick humour (just take a look at the first 10 minutes of “There’s Something About Mary”). There’s no such humour in “Greenberg.” In fact, it’s barely a comedy at all compared to Stiller’s previous projects.

The film tells the story of Roger Greenberg (played by Stiller), a 40-something musician-turned-carpenter who’s recovering from a serious breakdown. Roger has a talent few people possess: writing crafty letters of complaint about minor issues.

Some people go out of their way to do something. Roger goes out of his way to do nothing (or so he claims).

He returns to Los Angeles after spending 15 years in New York to take care of his brother’s lavish hillside house while he’s on vacation with his family. During his time in L.A., Roger starts working on a dog house for his brother’s pet, contacts some old friends and starts a romance with Florence Marr (Greta Gerwig), his brother’s personal assistant who’s almost 20 years his senior.

Their relationship is unconventional to say the least and just like their bond, it’s difficult to pinpoint this movie. It switches from comedy to drama in a matter of minutes, but this back and fourth only makes it interesting.

Oscar-nominee Noah Baumbach (“Margot at the Wedding,” “The Squid and the Whale”) knows how to tell a refreshing story. He definitely got Stiller out of his comfort zone. There’s no slapstick comedy or “blue steel” poses in “Greenberg.”

Few films capture friendship like this one. Roger’s friendship with old pal Ivan Schrank (Rhys Ifans) has depth. Their dynamic is completely different from bromances in films like “I love You, Man.”

The cinematography by Harris Savides is refreshing as well. He captures a more realistic, unglamorous version of L.A. – smog and all – and still manages to maker the city appealing to the eye.

Warts and all, Roger offers some great insights into the world. At a gathering with old childhood friends he says, “All the men out here dress like children.” It’s these little gems that make “Greenberg” worth while.

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There’s a reason why action movies are rarely paired up with romantic comedies. Could you imagine Jason Statham and Meg Ryan sharing the same silver screen? Probably not.

“The Bounty Hunter” tells the story of Milo Boyd (Gerard Butler), a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter who lands an ideal job that allows him to chase his bail-jumping ex-wife, Nicole (Jennifer Aniston). What Milo originally deems an easy way to make $5000 bucks ends up turning into one of his toughest hunts when Nicole, a daily news reporter, has something of her own to chase: a lead on a murder cover-up.

For those expecting a romantic comedy a la “The Ugly Truth,” you’re out of luck. While both films feature Bulter in all his rugged, spit-on-the-street glory, “The Bounty Hunter” fails to charm. It’s not exactly a romantic comedy (or a great action film for that matter).

On the positive side, the movie assembled quite a diverse cast. “Saturday Night Live’s” Jason Sudeikis plays a co-worker whose obsession with Nicole knows no bounds. Christine Baranski (“Mamma Mia!”) plays Aniston’s martini-gulping mother and Jeff Garlin plays Butler’s boss. Unfortunately, the film features way too many characters and way too little character development.

For lack of a better cliche, Aniston is like an ageless wine that only gets better with time. The former “Friends” star has undeniable screen presence and adds an abundance of feistiness to the role. However, that alone isn’t able to hold the film. Since we never find out what drew Nicole and Milo together and what caused them to drift apart, it’s hard to care if they’ll ever reunite.

The movie is being marketed as a comedy, but the first 15 minutes are joke-free. With the exception of a tumbling here, a quirky one liner there, it fails to bring in the laugh-out-loud moments featured in comedies like “The Proposal”.

That being said , the film does have some mildly interesting plot twists. But it seems like these twists arrive when the movie’s already an hour in.

Director Andy Tennant (“Hitch,” “Sweet Home Alabama”) has seen some highs and lows directing cute romantic comedies and some not so cute romantic movies (a.k.a. “Fool’s Gold”). Let’s just say “The Bounty Hunter” won’t be one of his high points.

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Finally: a movie where Michael Cera doesn’t play Michael Cera. Well, sort of. In “Youth in Revolt,” he still plays his signature awkward-to-the-max character — only this time, a bad-ass is added to the mix. And that bad-ass just so happens to be played by Cera.

Based on the cult-classic novel by C.D. Payne, the film directed by Miguel Arteta (“The Good Girl,” “Chuck and Buck”) tells the story of Nick Twisp (a.k.a. Cera), a self-lamenting high schooler who sees everyone around him getting some action but fails to lose his virginity.

Nick isn’t your stereotypical teen. His playlist includes songs by Frank Sinatra and he enjoys classic prose. Nick meets the girl of his wet dreams, the beautiful Sheeni Saunders (played by Portia Doubleday), during a “family vacation” (it’s less glamorous than it sounds — you’ll understand once you see the movie).

However, Sheeni has a stuck-up poetry-writing prick of a boyfriend and in order to win her over, Nick has to get in touch with his dark side. You see, Sheeni likes her men bad and we’re not talking high school bully bad, we’re talking brash French playboy bad, and that’s exactly what Cera becomes. He adopts a mustache-baring, Euro-pant wearing, smoker alter-ego who goes by the name of François Dillinger.

Troublemaker would be an understatement when describing François. He convinces Nick to do the most unrealistic things involving cars (I won’t ruin the surprise). But more importantly, Cera himself is relatively convincing as François. He’s mastered the nebbish teen character in movies like “Juno,” “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playist,” and “Superbad,” but François may very well be his ticket to varying roles. The scenes involving Nick and François are by far the funniest ones. Still, the movie counts with a talented supporting cast who help keep the ball rolling.

Three-time Emmy-winner Jean Smart plays Nick’s promiscuous mother, “The Hangover’s” Zach Galifianakis plays her boyfriend, Justin Long plays a druggy, Steve Buscemi is Nick’s father, Ari Graynor appears in “Youth in Revolt” as well (she previously co-starred with Cera in “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” as Norah’s very funny drunk friend) — and the list goes on. Newcomer Portia Doubleday is charming as Sheeni and holds her own with Cera.

While entertaining, “Youth in Revolt” isn’t a movie that will renovate its genre. However, Cera fans will have plenty of awkward moments to rejoice and for those of you who aren’t Cera fans, well he may just win you over with François. One thing is for sure: we can definitely forgive him for starring in “Year One.”

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Tom Ford brings style to his new movie and it’s not just in the wardrobe. The  former creative director for Gucci who now fronts his own fashion line makes his directorial debut with “A Single Man”.

Loosely based on the famed novel by Christopher Isherwood, the film follows a single day in the single life of a gay English professor who teaches in L.A. during the ‘60s. After losing his longtime partner Jim (played by Matthew Goode), George Falconer (Colin Firth) plans his suicide in order to end his suffering. However, George has a few things to settle before taking his own life.

The great thing about this film is that audiences can feel the suffering regardless of whether they’ve lost a loved one or not. That’s partly due to Ford’s directing and also to Firth’s impeccable performance.

Whenever George reminisces about his life with Jim, Ford uses black and white, a strong contrast from the vivid, colourful scenes that take place in the present. These colours come to life whenever George meets with his fellow British friend Charley (Julianne Moore) or with Kenny (“About a Boy’s” Nicholas Hoult), a student whose interest in George is more than academic. It’s clear that Ford — who also co-wrote and produced the film — knows how to use light and texture to his advantage.

And it should come to no surprise that he also has an unfailing eye for detail. Everything from the suits to Charley’s accessories (including a pink cigar) hint to his obsession with detail. Whether it be a conscious decision or not, Ford makes many of the scenes resemble advertisements, perhaps due to his fashion background. This could be a turn off to some while others will praise the cinematography.

The production team behind the set of “A Single Man” is that of the hit TV show “Mad Men,” so be sure to count on an equally authentic set. But at the end of the day, a film isn’t complete without a talented cast and this one has an abundance of talented actors.

Firth delivers one of his best performances yet. He’s already won an award related to the movie at the Venice Film Festival and he’ll undoubtedly continue to garner nominations for the role. Moore is radiant as Charley and provides some much needed comic relief. Audiences will be surprised to see “About a Boy’s” Hoult all grown up. And audiences will also be pleasantly surprised at what a fashion-designer-turned-director can bring to a movie.

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I am not the audience for this movie.

I did not see the original Twilight. I read the novel and was horrified; how many teenage girls truly believe that men like Edward Cullen exist? (Fewer, probably, than the number of boys men who expect to meet a gorgeous independent woman who caters to their every whim and is miraculously attracted to slovenly underachievers, but that’s a rant for another film.) In real life a man who stalks protects a woman the way Edward does will continue to do so whether her life’s in danger or not. Perhaps the majority of Twilight fans recognize this, and treat the stories as wish fulfillment, much as this reviewer does with good romantic comedies (though not, it must be said, The Ugly Truth, which peddled a similar adolescent fantasy).

On that level, New Moon delivers. It reproduces the central appeal of the books: a man who’s faster, stronger, more romantic, better at playing baseball and musical instruments alike and more beautiful than anyone you could possibly imagine falls for Bella Swan, an ordinary, unremarkable-looking girl, and continually professes not only that he loves her, but that he cannot live without her. So protective is he that when his otherworldly urges place her in danger he actually abandons her to protect her.

This is the basest sort of adolescent fantasy, the kind any writer who’s attended university could dream up, and yet it would be undone by a sense of manufactured cynicism if author Stephenie Meyer didn’t wholeheartedly believe in it. She does, and it would appear a wide cross-section of the western world does too.

The audience I saw New Moon with cheered when Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner entered, gasped when Bella was attacked by a vampire and cheered when a pack of werewolves defended her. Director Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass) provides plenty of eye candy, and even throws in a flourish or two (I enjoyed the way he depicted three months passing). With two exceptions – one of the worst-looking CG werewolves I’ve ever seen (only one, thankfully, not the entire pack, and only for one shot) and a flash-forward near the end that I doubt was intended to elicit hearty laughter from the audience but did – he gets the job done.

My problem with the movie lies completely with the source material. I hate Bella; she’s a wallflower, reacting to (instead of acting upon) events around her by screaming, moping and becoming recklessly suicidal when Edward leaves, yet suddenly protective of (and willing to die for) him if he’s in the room and in danger. Fans of Edward will be less than pleased that he’s off-screen for more than half the movie, appearing sporadically in a series of visions. And we all know the central conflict in Twilight is a metaphor for sex, with vampirism standing in for the horrid corruption that awaits Bella should she (gasp!) consummate her relationship with Edward without tying the knot first. To phrase it diplomatically, I do not share Meyer’s Mormon beliefs.

On the other hand, how is an adolescent girl’s desire to meet someone as protective as Edward any different from the hope that your True Love is out there, somewhere, and you could meet them, which forms the backbone of all romantic comedies?

I was completely and utterly indifferent to New Moon. Its fans will lap it up.

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Well folks, it looks like we’ve only got two years to live.With that in mind, are you sure you want to spend the last bit of your precious time watching your terrifying fate on the big screen? If your answer to that question is an enthusiastic and energetic YES, then 2012 is just the movie for you.

Directed by Roland Emmerich, 2012 is about the human race’s greatest fear: the end of the world. According to the Mayan calendar, the world is set to undergo a series of large-scale natural disasters on Dec. 12, 2012, that humans will not be able to survive. The film takes us on the two journeys. The first is with an intelligent but unpopular writer, played by John Cusack. He’s divorced, and has two kids who prefer their mom (Amanda Peet)’s new boyfriend to their real father. Pretty typical, right? Still, if anyone can wiggle back into a child’s heart, it’s Cusack.The second journey follows a geologist (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who works for the White House. He helps the government prepare by giving estimated times for each disaster to hit.

As for the special effects, let’s be honest: they look like a video game. Albeit trying to capture volcanoes the size of cities and earth cracks the size of supermarkets is difficult, it’s no secret that digitalization played a huge role in this film. And there’s no question that 2012 is melodramatic. It’s basically just one horrid natural disaster after the next. The fact that Cusack narrowly escapes death by two seconds on numerous occasions is a bit much.

The film’s most compelling aspect is its underlying moral dilemma: when it comes down to survival, is it every man for himself or every man united? When survival instincts first kick in, panic ensues and individual survival becomes primary. But does that make it right? The movie seems to ask, if you were in the position of these characters, what would you do?

Still, one major problem arises. Is it really a good idea to make this movie now? The world supposedly has only two years left of existence – not exactly a comforting thought. Do we really want mass amounts of people to see such disaster, knowing that some people believe it to be our fate? The film is frightening in that way. You see families get torn apart, witness parents and children saying goodbye for the last time. It makes you think: if this actually happens, where will your loved ones be? Will you get the chance to say goodbye?

This seems like the type of film that should be made after the fact – you know, maybe in 2014, when we are long past this dreaded day and can look back and laugh about how scared we once were. The fact that this date is coming our way so soon is rather unsettling.

Still, 2012 is sure to keep you entertained. It’s action-packed and in-your-face. And hey, it would make for a wicked video game. Let’s just wait a few years before we make it, shall we?

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I live near a hill where the forest is still lush and green.
Yes, the best time to be a gamer, Fall – Winter 2009 brings forth so many amazing games.
Game on! I mean Video Game on.. not that gambling game on. Trust me gambling is not cool.

As always click on the image for full sized goodness.

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The Play offs have started.

The last hockey game I bought for full price was Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey for the N64, since then I haven’t really fallen in love with any new hockey games. Sure, I’ve played my share but nothing has captured the frenzy of the old hockey games and has left me wondering if maybe my expectations are a bit too high.  No, I haven’t been under a rock or anything, I’ve played and kept up to date on the newer NHL games but nothing has really stood out enough for me to merit a purchase.

When talks were brewing about NHL 2K10 utilizing the Wii Motion Plus accessory I was really excited to see how evolutionary this title might turn out to be. This excitement was due to the fact that the last sports title I played that utilized the Motion Plus was the excellent Tiger Woods 10. In the end it’s the actual utilization of this little gizmo that will either make or break this title.

So does NHL 2k10 have what it takes?

Gameplay
I’m rather glad that we have this healthy competition going for NHL games. When two or more developers take on a sport you really get to see the creativity come out in each iteration. Where I would call the “other developer” one that goes to fine tuning the gameplay experience, I will give 2K the edge in providing sheer value. Bonus points for 2K for being first to bring hockey to the Wii. What clearly separates the 2K series in the end is its pick up and play arcade-like feel, where as I find the other hockey game out there has become more of a hockey simulator. Now don’t get me wrong, if you feel that the sim approach is what you love then you can certainly replicate that here. One of the features is the ability to tweak every aspect of the game (the 2k sliders) which makes the 2K10 a more robust offering.

Score!!!

In terms of modes you have your normal assortments- starting with season mode, franchise, mini rink, play offs, online, and pond hockey. With the option of having a no hassle quick match online or off, things are kept simple for those of us who might be overwhelmed with the options. There is even a mode to have your Mii become a seasoned hockey player. The actual bevy of play modes are sure to keep the fans of the sport hooked. The game does a great job of offering an auto sign in option the moment the disc is booted but despite all its intentions I found match making to be a frustrating waiting game almost any time of the day. I suppose the real blame lies in the fact that a large majority of Wii owners are not online nor divulging their attention to other fine games on the platform. Elaborating on the Mii integration the title offers themed motion controlled games that focus on the actual play mechanics of hockey. Modes that showcase goalie skills, shoot outs, passing, and dekeing get their own motion controlled challenge. I hate to call any of these mini games since they are far from a party offering; the reason being most of these motion controls are not as simple to grasp and master as you would want for a mini game. Add in also the fact that really there are just 5 different types of games that don’t beckon multiple replays. I know we all hate mini games as a stand alone concept but I believe almost any sports game on the Wii could benefit from a couple of light party style mini games thrown for variety online or off. Online wise there is nothing better than having a league match where you control just one player. Having ten people play with you is a rare achievement in online hockey. It’s a shame though that the Wii Speak isn’t being bundled with this game since most people online are mute.

What this title lacks in the game play department is a true identity, it begins as an arcady experience that tries to dive into sim territory with somewhat fair motion controls. It’s a decent effort but nothing really revolutionary let alone evolutionary. The real drawback is that the package is almost identical to the other consoles offerings save for the small Mii features and that just won’t do.

The controls require the use of a nunchuck as expected with the alternate option going to the classic controller. New this year is the Wii Motion Plus which technically should offer added precision and take this game to exciting heights.
The key word there was “should” since the application of the Motion Plus peripheral is a mixed bag. Flicking the controller to pass is horrendously inaccurate and trying to poke check and tackle someone by thrusting the controller feels ridiculous. What they did manage to nail is the goalie controls that have you face the Wiimote and nunchuck at each other to stop some speedy shots. Granted it’s not as fast of a reaction time as I would have wanted but does the job well. Taking a shot however feels amazing, the further you draw back the remote the more power you can expect to utilize. It is very subtle but just enough to make you appreciate it.

Another good application is the slight stick control you achieve by holding down on the D-pad and using the Wiimote to move your stick to evade incoming attackers. This creates a type of dekeing that is unrivaled on any console. No longer are you limited to idiotic button presses, now your control of the puck is all in your wrists. These applications are far from excellent but do lay out the framework which should help create a more immersible experience next year. The rest of the controls are fairly well laid out with movement allocated to the control stick while shooting and passing respectively being kept to the A and B buttons; finally turbo and backward skating are assigned to Z and C. With respects to passing and shooting you still have to hold the button down and flick the Wiimote to complete the move, honestly I would recommend you turn on pointer passing for your offline sessions since it feels more like an evolution than the motion controls.

At the end of the day it seems like the game really can be played with the same level of immersion without the Motion Plus however the dekeing controls are just so delightful that you might as well try it for yourself.

Now motion plus enhanced.

For the next iteration they should focus on the soccer control blue print ala the fine Winning Eleven series. There are small elements of that here such as pointer passes but unless they treat this sport for what it is (fast paced strategic game play) these problems may repeat year after year.

I will warn you about the Wii Speak utilization, the peripheral is tied to a 16 digit code so go ahead and invest in it. Chatting during a game is smooth and the Wii Speak channel gives you all that in-game access. You’re never really disconnected at any point during team selection to the moment the puck drops. The best moment seems to be when you’re in an online 10 player league match and then are sent to the box to chat with your rival for fighting. Online hockey deserves voice chat! It’s a shame that the peripheral is tied so strongly to a serial code.

Graphics
Things are kept really simple here which is somewhat sad. I find it amusing where other sports titles go out of there way to push the graphical limits of the console, the only game that truly lacks behind is hockey. I’m not just speaking just of the Wii offering, I’m talking about all the console versions. We have seen football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and countless other sports improve drastically each year but the hockey games just seem to get a better reflection mapping on the ice.

Who has a Wii here and is Online??

The Wii version seems to have horrendous cut out crowds and horrible reflection maps. Players do look like the real life counter parts albeit some stiff facial animation. Moving on the positive side of things the shadow works and player animations are very impressive. In fact all those gripes are forgiven once you see and entire arena in motion. For what it’s worth the animation saves this title from looking truly last gen. Still this is a bare minimum and things need to be stepped up drastically next year.

Sound
The standard array of sound effects you’d hear in any hockey game are here. With decent crowd reactions and fairly well done commentating. I found it impressive that they do a recap at the end of each period, despite sounding a tad bit vague it’s definably an extra effort that is appreciated on the Wii. The sound effects are sharp and well done except for the post ricochet which ends up sounding a bit too loud and fake. Musically the game has a decent selection of tracks that are catchy and mainstream. Nothing like hearing Lupe Fiascos’ Superstar the moment you score the first goal.

There should be a drinking minigame in every hockey game

Replay
The sheer amount  of things to do will keep you occupied for some time, with tons of modes designed to test your hockey skills. Obviously creating a well rounded online experience with leader boards insure this is an exceptional offering on the Wii. I only wish there were creative Motion Plus themed mini games designed outside the constructs of the game that were more geared towards a party expierence (I can’t believe I just wrote that). Maybe I just expected a bit too much but a good example was how Tiger Woods 10 handeled these options. It’s just about the quality of the offerings.
Another mention to the spectacular online mode despite its horrendous match making option. If you know 10 people who own a Wii (by now we all know at least 50) get them to buy this game and play as a league, I believe this is the greatest online experience on the Wii since Smash Bros. Brawl.

Verdict
NHL 2K10 is a hockey game without an identity. It dances around the fine line of arcade vs. sim without leaning to any one side. It’s a big deal they broke ground on the Wii with a more than decent effort but things need to improve as far as controls and graphics. The list of options and production values won’t win any awards but do deliver a good hockey game. If you own just a Wii and are a hockey fan then this is a must buy; however if you own any other console you might want to rent and see if the 2K series is right for you.  Either way give this game some of your attention.

Gameplay          3/5
Graphics        2.5/5
Sound                  3/5
Replay                 3/5

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andPOP got the opportunity to try out 2K Sports’ latest hockey title, NHL 2K10. We had the chance to play the game and talk with the developers.

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Primed Perfection

Developer Retro Studios has my heart, what they have managed to create over the last 7 years is nothing short of the most influential and loved series to ever grace any console.
On my list of favorite games 2002’s Metroid Prime for the GameCube ranks the highest, simply put I love this title.

Till this day I am astonished at how a once unknown developer has taken such a beloved franchise and moved it into the third dimension whilst maintaining the classic series feel and essence. Very few games can match the sheer mood and ambiance that the Metroid Prime series is known for.
When I found out that the entire Prime series was coming to the Wii on one disc I just couldn’t believe Retro studios was going jam pack all that awesome sauce into one piece of media.

So what we get in Metroid Prime Trilogy is the excellent GameCube games, Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, and the Wii’s Metroid Prime 3 Corruption on a single disc with significant control and graphical enhancements for the GameCube originals plus a clever achievement system that ties all three titles into a seamless gaming experience. It has been a tremendous joy revisiting this entire series conveniently packaged into a metal collector’s edition case with an art pamphlet.  You couldn’t ask for a better deal on the Wii.

Yes this is a Wii game

Seriously, three tremendous gems packaged for around $59.99 is a steal!

Gameplay
The Prime series at first glance may look like a first person shooter but actually takes the more appropriate title of First Person Adventure.  They employ a lot of exploration, tons of back tracking, zany morph ball puzzles, some delightful first person platforming, and clever battles.  In fact each one of the sub genres within the series could very well be a game on its own; yet only in this series do we see such elements blend in a harmonious manner to create an unparalleled gaming experience.

All three titles focused on exploration of alien lands and trying to piece together a story of a greater threat. In the case of Prime 1 you’ll find yourself organically navigating the land to finally confront the final boss. This traversing and exploration aspect feels so natural and that by the end you begin to realize the true magic of the games script and level design. Having locations that were once unreachable quickly become accessible throughout the adventure and uncovering secrets and weapon upgrades never felt more satisfying. On the topic of upgrades expect to see a typical Metroid stereotype of losing your suit powers during the beginning sequence. This is forgivable for Prime 1 but by Prime 2 you feel slightly cheated and a tad bit sad that you’d have to go around and reclaim the upgrades that were yours to begin with again, thankfully this mechanic is tossed away for Prime 3. What all three games do well is create a layered world that beckons to be explored with the various weapons upgrades and insanely cool visors.

Control wise the first two games of the series get a much needed boost as these were original GameCube titles. By applying the same blueprint from Prime 3 the controls (thanks to the IR sensor) are smooth and refreshingly accurate. In fact I went back to the original Cube titles and found the controls very limiting. You visors and beam selection is smartly given to the plus and minus buttons that now overlay the screen and let you freely select the visor or weapon of you choice. Movement is set to the nunchuck and shooting and jumping is set to A and B on your Wiimote. The lock on ability is given to the Z trigger on your nunchuck and finally missiles are now selectable by pressing down on the D-Pad.  It is a smart utilization of the Wiimote and nunchuk and feels as intuitive as it is natural. I would strongly recommend that you select advanced controls in the options to get the best results. In advanced, the dead zone of your targeting is minimized giving you a sharper turning radius and faster left and right movement. Trust me it’s worth it.

Prime 1
The gameplay focus is on what wiped out the Chozo of Talon IV with different regions on the planet that need to be explored to solve this mystery. You’ll find yourself going from desert ruins to scenic glaciers to underground mining labs in some of the most diverse landscapes in any of the Metroid series. You begin to unravel the space pirates (your enemies) research and find the missing link to this poison that plagues Talon IV. Along the way expect tons of morphball puzzles and some very interesting story telling thanks in part to your scan visor. Very ambient with tons of cool weapons and memorable boss encounters. Prime 1 ranks as one of the best in this trilogy set.

Prime 2
Often compared to Majora’s Mask from the Zelda series, this iteration has the same gameplay mechanics as its predecessor but with the inclusion of light and dark worlds. Samus answers a distress signal to a planet and finds herself in a conflict between the Luminoth and the dark world menaces known as the Ing. Utilizing ammunition for her beam cannons you are thrust into a world which houses both a light side and a dark side that can be traversed by going through portals. With a lot more boss fights and tons of cool cinematic moments you soon realize the same poison from talon IV has had a hand in the disruptions on this new planet and face off against a new but somewhat familiar foe.
What begins as a side story soon ensues a deep quest to restore Luminous to its normal state.
With tons of secrets and some fine vistas to explore your objective is all about restoring light to the dark and collecting mystical keys to the Ing Hideout. Echoes was less about natural flow and more about objectives based gameplay which to some extent needed to be there since Luminous is dauntingly large and equally complex.

One of the gigantic boss encounters you'll face

Prime 3
Heralded as a return to the series roots while wrapping up the dark Samus/Phazon story arc, Prime 3 was developed for the Wii  and released almost a year ago. Weapon upgrades are handled in traditional Metroid fashion with each upgrades replacing your old one. A greater focus is laid on story telling and small investigative work in uncovering where the home planet of Phazon is located. With the most gorgeous levels  in the series you are not limited to just one planet and traverse to different parts of the galaxy.  Now mixed into the gameplay is an overdrive mode that runs on Phazon and players must use this hyper mode cautiously at the risk of Samus’ health.  Adding to that for the first time in Metriod history you get to use your Gunship in some really clever puzzles. Prime 3 showcases some of the finest boss fights and immersive story telling yet.
Since it was a Wii title the motion control implementation is natural and many of the motion interactive moments feel genuine and well thought out.

Graphics
On the visual front things are looking stellar as all three titles have received visual upgrades of which Prime 1 and 2 get the most out of it since they were last generation titles. The entire set runs at 480p and thankfully in widescreen mode. Prime 1 gets a lighting and texture overhaul with environments now looking crisper and more vibrant than ever before. This truly is evident in some dynamic lit rooms and when looking at enemy characters up close.  Prime 2 utilized a different rendering tech and so the upgrades may not be as apparent as in the first but they are definitely there. Visually Prime 2 does lag a bit behind but it’s still an upgrade when compared to the GameCube release. I find the reason may be in its design of the dark world and some dreary locations that really can’t benefit from slight visual upgrades. But don’t let that fool you as the game does look stunning for a Wii title. It’s rather sad that games that were released last generation with a small visual upgrade can stand as the best looking Wii games but then again I believe it’s a testament to Retro and their artistic ability.

Prime 3 was developed for the Wii as mentioned before, and its visual fidelity is noticeable right from the beginning; even though the game is a year old it still stands at the top tier of  Wii titles. Really they didn’t have to but Retro went in and actually did some minor visual work in Prime 3.  All three games are oozing with lush environments that cause you to stand there and stare. With dynamic lighting, tons of level geometry, and some awesome hand drawn textures  no two areas look alike. Just try and marvel at the lattice work on each corridor in Elysia and then be stunned as you traverse the high tech solitude of Sanctuary Fortress.

I should tell you that during my review word got out that some effects work was missing from Prime 1, namely slight water dynamics and some gun effects. This seems to be true and a questionable omission on Retro’s part. By no means does it affect the entire games visual scope nor does it hamper on any of the ambiance but its removal does prove odd for the fans who own the original. Above all let me stress that this is very very very minor and I guarantee 90 percent of people won’t even notice this. Still the original had some slight water dynamics and subtle effects like your gun freezing over when loading an ice beam.

I should also let you know that since all three games are selectable from the main menu there was no need to implement each titles personal menu and load out screen, a minor sadness to those of us who have seen the stellar load screens of Prime 1. Seriously it was the best menu load out I had ever seen. In the end the menu and selection screens are well done and follow the trilogy set’s own art style.

Sound
Someone go give Kenji Yamamoto an award! Prime Trilogy houses some of the best work he has ever done. All the music is eerily beautiful, almost like a galactic opera that fuses all sorts of electronic music into one harmonious symphony.  Some of the best ambient music is here and a fair amount of it is remixed/ re-imaginations of the original 2D soundtracks. But it’s not just the beautiful music that will catch you ear, a lot of smart effects sounds and ambient location noises complete the entire audio package. Whether it’s the beautiful chorus harmony of Elysia complimented with the turbulent sounds of airborne engine thrusters or the isolated ruins of Chozo and its echoing hallways which compliment the down tempo electronic music; it’s clear that a balance is created in each location through ambient sounds and awesome musical accompaniment.

Power up

Prime 3 takes it a step further with tons of dialog and well acted moments between you and the other bounty hunters. The voice work is top notch and while our heroine remains silent everyone around her certainly has a lot to say.
Turn up the volume on your surround sound set since it does run the standard Dolby Prologic II and defiantly ranks as one of the Wiis finest audio experiences.

Replay
You have three stellar games each taking about 20 hours or so on your fist go to complete .
Add to that hours of replay with an achievement system that is taken from prime 3 and now implemented for the entire trilogy. You collect prime Credits that can be exchanged for items like story boards, music, art, diorama sets, and small cosmetic upgrades ala a new skin for you armor or a virtual bobble head for your ship.  Combine the fact tat you can send friend credits and receive them via Wifi and you have an achievements system that rivals the trophies set on PSN. It’s sad that other games on Wii don’t do this.

Add to the whole list is a reworked version of Prime 2′s multiplayer now fully reworked to take advantage of IR motion controls and viola! A perfectly good time waster with you buddies; just don’t expect to play them online since it’s all local here.
Easily clocking at 80 hours I found myself completely in love with the tons of unlockables on this disc.
It’s a title that you’ll come back to again and again. The single player story alone will take up most of your time and should you dive deeper and complete 100 percent, you’ll definitely be treated to more than just an extended ending.

Verdict
The finest trilogy in gaming has come back as a stellar value package. There is no finer example of modern gaming than the Prime series. The innovations, style, music, and game play mechanics have stood the test of time. This is A MUST BUY FOR ALL WII OWNERS.

There are no excuses anymore if you own a Wii. Go out now and get this.
Just like Ocarina of time and Mario 64 before it, the Prime series is the crowning achievement of a classic franchise revived for next gen gaming. I can guarantee that there is no other gaming experience like this.

Gameplay  5/5
Graphics    4.5/5
Sound          5/5
Replay         5/5

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Elementary my dear. After almost a year and then some we finally get another Layton game in our grubby little hands. It’s sort of funny as I mentioned in the preview that Japan is on its 4th title and the series is fairly popular there and here is hoping it catches steam in North America. The title is developed by Level 5 who have been handling this small franchise called DRAGON QUEST. The thing that strikes me about The Professor Layton series is how it can be called a true successor to old-school point and click adventure games. Almost every artistic scenery is littered with interactive madness, whether it’s coins that need to be uncovered, a scene to be analyzed or your traditional brain teaser that needs to be solved. Combine the fact that the game follows a very well told story which runs at a decent 12 hours with over 150 puzzles and you have a solid title that is a must buy for gamers of any age group but especially those nostalgic for the old school adventure games.

I've got two tickets to paradise..

Hint 1 – Gameplay I’m going to assume you have a vague idea of what the original title was all about, for the sake of not explaining the mechanics and minute details of the original so I’ll try and keep it more concise and short. The game hasn’t changed much from the original, actually it hasn’t changed any of the mechanics at all from the original. But that’s not really such a bad thing considering the original title was stellar. So for the sequel small refinements will suffice. The meat of the gameplay is the actual point and click story driven puzzle madness of an adventure. You’re taken to a couple of different locations where you uncover coins that you’ll use for hints (since the professor won’t give hints to freeloaders) and carefully follow an intriguing mystery that will have you mulling over countless brain teasers/puzzles. These puzzles are the real star of the show here, they’re genuine, intriguing, and just fascinating to solve. The control and navigation is simple and intuitive. You really feel like a detective at times when whipping out the stylus to solve a devious puzzle. I do like the trace paper option for those puzzles that require you to draw a fair amount; basically you can apply a tracing paper layer over the puzzle area and draw away or note down your thoughts. A nice touch that surely heightens the gameplay. It’s so refreshing to refer back to your working notes on some of the later more tough puzzles in the game. The game has you traversing some interesting places that range from an express train and its frequent stop overs to a quaint European village, a museum and even a castle. Each location has tons of areas to explore. Layton runs at a fairly brisk pace and things never seem to let up or get too intense, I must say it’s an enjoyable ride that will keep your brain active and sharp. Lastly the small inclusion of a “pet” you recieve early on in the game is a nice touch that by the  adventure’s end becomes one of the longest running puzzles- no pun intended for those who know. Hint  2 – Graphics I love the look and feel of this title. There aren’t many titles that utilize such beautiful 2D art and have such wonderfully crafted locations. The art style is very reminiscent of European animation with a good dose of Japanese anime injected into it. The characters are drawn with so much personality and detail that it’s often hard not to just observe a location and its bystanders just because of how it all comes together. Just like the previous title, I was blown away by the quality of the animated (and fully voice acted) cartoon sequences thrown in to tell the tale. I wish there were more of these but I do realize the DS Cart has its limitations. Overall the presentation seems like it was given a good polish and shines the entire game. This is an adventure game with brain teasers so you cant expect a robust 3D engine to be running things, so having a talented 2D art team really suits this title and makes it one of those stylistically gorgeous DS titles. Hint 3 – Sound The fully voice acted bits are truly amazing to view and listen to on your DS, the voice acting is done well and makes you wish you wouldn’t have to read dialog boxes for the majority of the title. In terms of ambiant sound the game does its fair share with decent bits like ambiant train noises, sliding doors, etc. anyhing to compliment the tone of the game and create that special ambiance. The music for the puzzles remains almost the same chime tune. It’s definatly complimentary for those puzzles but can get on your nerves if your just hearing it and not playing the game. The other musical selections are fairly well done and have an almost french accordian feel to it, very appropriate and soothing.

Hint 4 -  Replay This is the only area where the title might not fully deliver. That’s not to say the adventure is not satisfying nor is it not worth revisiting but essentially once you are done a puzzle and the solution is understood you can’t really have the same level of challenge doing it again can you? So despite the fact that there are a few puzzles with multiple answers, the game is certainly fun but once finished you aren’t going to run into any new reasons to replay it. Granted you could pull this title out after a few months and still be left guessing since you’ve long forgotten the solution but that’s the nature of almost every adventure/ brain teaser title. What you do get that will keep you hooked for a good few months is the DS puzzle of the week. Every week you can connect the game online and download to your Cart a brand new puzzle to solve. I adore this feature since some of the puzzles are quite challenging and will have you scratching your head. Granted you won’t have this feature for the entire year, but while it lasts its something to praise and enjoy. SO GO GET THIS ASAP – lest you want to miss out on this feature. Solution SO without typing too much I’ll summarize what we have. This is a definite buy to all you adventure nuts and  brain teaser fans. If you are someone who is into mad casual games and prefers playing brain age or big brain academy let yourself graduate to this title and get a bit more entertainment out of your DS. It is a great ride and has tons of interesting teasers that once solved (without any outside help) give you that RARE sense of accomplishment. I did not feel a single minute was wasted during the 12 hour adventure, it was challenging and very satisfying. GO GET THIS. Gameplay  4.5 /5 Graphics     3.5 /5 Sound           3.5 /5 Replay             3  /5

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