Verdict: Running around stabbing dudes is funner than ever!

In a Nutshell: Top-notch third-person exploration and stealth, wrapped up in an interesting story with a ton of varied side missions to keep you busy for hours on end.

(from the game’s website)

Assassin’s Creed 2 is an epic story of family, vengeance and conspiracy set in the pristine, yet brutal, backdrop of a Renaissance Italy. Ezio befriends Leonardo da Vinci, takes on Florence’s most powerful families and ventures throughout the canals of Venice where he learns to become a master assassin.

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Verdict: An amusing distraction that can get a little monotonous after a while.

In a Nutshell: Capture the flag with a silly, bloody cartoon shell.

(from the game’s website)

Rescue your beloved princess through teamwork in this comic medieval battle royale. There’s a catch, though—the other team has been feeding her magical cake, making her harder to escort back to your castle. Choose from five distinct character classes and switch at any time to best help your team. Charge head first into battle, heal teammates as they break through enemy lines, and upgrade your team and the castle defenses as you work with your team to save your princess.

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Verdict: Twisted.

In a Nutshell: A bizarre yet enjoyable puzzle-platformer with a unique twist: not only do you control your character, but you must also rotate the the world around you complete each increasingly insane level.

(from the game’s website)

“And Yet It Moves is a puzzle-platformer, set in a unique world, made of ripped paper. Within the paper collage, you can jump, run and last but certainly not least: rotate the world. Learn how to apply the physical consequences of rotation to master the many tricky situations you may encounter.”

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Verdict: Groovy!

In a Nutshell: Jump, hop, and splat to the groovy beat as you bring a glorious array of color to a series of drab gray cityscapes.

(from the game’s website)

“A mischievous and unlikely hero, only de Blob can flip, bounce, and smash his way past the all-powerful I.N.K.T. Corporation to launch a revolution and save Chroma City from a future without color. Battle against massive tank battalions, speedy I.N.K.T. racers and elite Inky soldiers on your quest to free the citizens of Chroma City.”

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Verdict: adorable

In a Nutshell: The Maw is a third-person perspective action game about an alien and his side-kick who eats everything possible.

(from the game’s website)

“The pinnacle of alien evolution, Maw is a cowardly fat blob concerned mostly with snacking and lounging. He can, however, absorb the traits of anything he eats, is virtually indestructible, and can grow to unlimited size. If he wasn’t a danger to all life in the universe, he’d make the perfect pet. In this action/adventure game, he’s the best friend of our hero Frank, and only by working together can Maw eat their way to freedom. The Maw was honored with the Audience Choice Award in the 2008 PAX-10 showcase of independent games, and is a finalist at this year’s Independent Games Festival for Technical Excellence.”

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Verdict: Arcade-tastic!

In a Nutshell: Schiziod is a “gobble-em-up” classic and needs to be in a stand up machine in your local arcade or convenience store where you and your friend can vie for top co-op place with Slushies at your side.

(from the game’s website)

“Schizoid, the most co-op game ever, is an action game for 1 or 2 players, who must cooperate to protect each other from barrages of glowing enemies.”

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Verdict: My brain hurts—in a good way.

In a Nutshell: Third-person adventure/action game with a strong emphasis on puzzle-solving. Explore the vast world of Hyrule, go on quests, and watch the storyline unfold.

(from the game’s website)

“When an evil darkness enshrouds the land of Hyrule, a young farm boy named Link must awaken the hero – and the animal – within. When Link travels to the Twilight Realm, he transforms into a wolf and must scour the land with the help of a mysterious girl named Midna.”

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Verdict: So much to explore!

In a Nutshell: In this third-person action/adventure game exploration is the name of the game. With a huge level of interactivity with the environment, the game can at times be quite engrossing.

(from the game’s website)

“The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart. You are an elite Assassin sent to stop the hostilities by suppressing the powers on both the Crusader and Saracen sides. But as you carry out your missions, a conspiracy begins to unfold. You find yourself tangled up in a conflict that threatens not only the Holy Land, but the entire world.”

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Game:

• Verdict: ick
• Fun Rating: Not Much Fun
• Players/Mode: Single-Player/Campaign
• Game Duration: n/a (demo)
• System: PS2, PSP
• Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment America
• Website: http://www.us.playstation.com/syphonfilterdarkmirror/

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