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Games
This month’s best games – played by Keri Allan
PREVIEW!!!!!
TRANSFORMERS: THE GAME
Activision, £49.99 on PS3 and X360, £39.99 on PS2 and Wii, £34.99 on PSP, £29.99 on PC and DS,
PS3, X360, Wii, PS2, PSP, DS, PC, Out July 20th
Rating: TBC
 This game is pure action fun - amazing graphics, great gameplay and of course the joy of destroying everything in your path using giant robots-in-disguise!
You can choose to protect or destroy Earth as you can play as either the Autobots or the Decepticons and although when in missions the game is very linear, it does offer a good level of free roaming in between. The environment is fully destructable and you can also pick up almost everything you can see to throw and fight with; you’ve even got mini-tasks that’ll score you for how far you can throw signs, cars, even trees!
 The robots themselves look amazing; in the design process the CGI model designs from the film were taken from ILM and used to recreate them in-game so they are spot on in the looks department. Plus each robot has its own combat skills, meaning that when you are fighting bosses or just destroying everything in your path, you’ll have a great selection of weapons and special moves to choose from.
The film is going to be an action and explosion-fest, and so is the game. For gamers that get a kick from blowing stuff up, exploring, and fighting with giant robots, this is a must have!
REVIEWS
SHREK THE THIRD
Activision, £39.99 on Wii and X360, £34.99 on PSP, PC and PS2, £29.99 on DS, £19.99 on GBA
DS, GBA, PC, PS2, PSP, Wii, X360, Out Now
Rating: PG
Although the Shrek films are great for all ages, this game is aimed more at younger readers as it’s very simple to pick up and play. The game follows the main story from the Shrek 3 movie (see Films) where the gang go on an epic quest through the many lands of Far Far Away in an attempt to stop the bumbling Prince Charming from becoming king. But in the game the plot is expanded.
 You get to play as many of the characters including Puss-in-Boots, Fiona, Donkey and of course Shrek, and although simplistic in its gameplay style - fighting and collecting – it’s quite enjoyable with its funny little cut scenes, and funky special moves you learn.
As well as a single player mode the game has some multiplayer mini-games which are probably much more fun to take on as you can play with your mates and have a laugh. Ships Ahoy where you have to aim your cannon at the attacking ships is great fun, and some can be quite challenging, like Shrekleboard; like shuffleboard but ‘Shrekier’!
If you’re a Shrek fan or have kid siblings this is worth checking out, but hardcore gamers might find this a bit too simplistic for their liking.
We reckon…
***
HOUR OF VICTORY
Midway, £44.99
X360, Out now
Rating: 16+
 With summer comes a great selection of action games, and Hour of Victory steps away from the true-life historical settings to bring a war game with more of a gung-ho feel, and a chance to be the hero, rather than a cog in the war ‘wheel’.
Set during WW2, you can play as three very different characters; commando, covert op and ranger, swapping between them mid-level if you wish, to work your way through the bad guys and win the battles.  Each offers a different type of gameplay from big gun shooter, to sniper and sneaker - meaning you can take advantage of each of the skills whenever you need them in a level.
With dramatic action music and Nazis everywhere and the ability to jump in and out of vehicles as and when you choose, you’ll feel a bit like Indiana Jones. If you prefer action heroes over soldiers, then this is definitely worth checking out.
We reckon…
****
FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER
Take-Two, £39.99 on PS3, and X360, £34.99 on Wii, £29.99 DS, £24.99 on PS2, DS, PS2, PS3, X360, Wii, DS, Out now
Rating: PG
It’s not that this is a bad game – it’s just, well pretty average and unoriginal.
 The game is basically a four-way fighter that sees you working your way through levels controlling one of the team, whilst your PC controls the other players. You can swap between them at will in order to use their individual skills; i.e. the Human Torch can fly and use fire, Mr Fantastic can use his bendy skills to dodge obstacles etc,  but it’s really not that taxing – even the puzzles are easy. The only way you can lose the game is say if all your characters are knocked out. It does have a few redeeming features like its ability to play four player co-op on the 360 version we reviewed.
For something simple to pick up and play it can be enjoyable, but probably not the best movie-tie in game of the summer…
We reckon…
***
ELITE BEAT AGENTS
Nintendo, £29.99
DS, Out July 13th
Rating: TBC
 This game totally rocks! Elite Beat Agents is weird and wacky in all the right ways. You play the agents themselves who are sent across the world to answer cries of help by performing songs and dances.
To help each person in need you have to keep the beat to a song and follow the on-screen pointers keeping your skill high up or you’ll fail as secret agents. Stories include helping a babysitter woo the school heartthrob, getting a taxi driver to the hospital on time and helping stop a director’s movie become a flop; and depending on how well you perform, you can  watch the story get progressively better or worse across the top screen as it plays out in a very comic book-esque format.
Even better there are co-op and versus modes which you can play with up to three mates wirelessly. The best rhythm game to come out for a long time - this game is seriously worth buying a DS for!!
We reckon…
*****
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