VIDEO GAME REVIEW: BEE MOVIE GAME (Xbox 360, Nintendo DS/Wii, PS2, PC)

I’m a fan of Jerry Seinfeld and I plan on seeing “Bee Movie.” So, being a gamer, it’s only natural that I had an interest in Activision’s appropriately titled Bee Movie Game.

First and foremost, it needs to be pointed out that Seinfeld was secured to provide the audio for the game’s main character, Barry B. Benson. This is the same character the comedian voices in the movie. Without him on board, gamers would have been left asking (as part of a bad Seinfeld impersonation), “a ‘Bee Movie’ game without Jerry, what’s the deal with that?”

The game follows a pretty simple storyline. Barry spends the early part of his existence going through the repetitive activities of life in New Hive City. After going through the monotonous daily grind, he decides to check out life on the other side, New York City. Being that I haven’t seen the movie yet, I can’t tell you how closely the events follow the film. But, based on some in-game interviews of Barry done by a bee reporter, it seems like the game may focus on post-movie life for our buzzing hero.

The gameplay is not complex and it’s pretty easy to get right in and play. While in the hive, Barry has the option of walking, flying or driving. It’s pretty easy to maneuver in each mode and switching between them is also a painless task. Triple-B wanders around the bee city completing various tasks and jobs, collecting honeycombs and interacting with other bees. He can access several areas including his house, the Honex company, an arcade where you can unlock and play in-game video games, a car dealership, etc. Barry will even have the opportunity to purchase his own beehicle, I mean, vehicle.

After he makes his way into the Big Apple, Barry has to defend himself against humans, other insects and various elements of nature. He will also have to perform tasks such as removing pollen from healthy plants and injecting it into flowers that aren’t doing so well. This requires the use of the pollinator and is a pretty easy task. The pollinator will also be used to battle other insects that present a threat to Barry. My personal favorites when in NYC is when you are required to buzz in the face of humans will the sole purpose of agitating them and trying to get them to swat at you. I was also impressed by the Bee Reflex option which, in theory, allows you to move so quickly it appears that time has slowed down. This function lets you dodge rain drops (who knew they could be so deadly?), obstacles and strikes from humans.

Obviously there are more features in the game (a clothing store, street races, photos and wax statues to view in a museum), but the guts revolve around Barry completing tasks in New Hive City and doing the same, while also trying to stay alive, in New York City.

Bee Movie Game is a cute title that has some very enjoyable moments, but it never offers anything exceptional. Of course, it probably offers plenty when it comes to satisfying the younger gamers. So, for adults interested in playing this, do so as a rental. But, if you have little ones, the cartoon nature and non-stop movement of Bee Movie Game should make it worth a purchase.


GAMEPLAY: The game is smooth, although you will encounter an occasional frame-rate issue (but it really doesn’t detract from the game). Controls are easy to use, which is a good thing for the younger crowd. This isn’t the most challenging title you’ll play, but it does offer a relaxing alternative to the high-intensity games (shooters, sports games) that saturate the market. Plus, kids should love it.

GRAPHICS: New Hive City is cartoonish compared to many of the ultra-realistic graphics we see in many of the new games, but it probably wouldn’t be authentic if it wasn’t. It has the look of the movie and, to be fair, that’s what people getting this game will want. Who buys Bee Movie Game and expects to see real bees flying around?

SOUND: Very well done. The soundtrack fits the game and the inclusion of Seinfeld’s voice is huge.

EXTRAS: Races, minigames, and on-line leaderboards add a little to this title, but they won’t make it a “can’t take it out of my console” game.

GRADE: 72%


This game is rated "E" for Everyone (mild cartoon violence) and should be good for even the youngest gamers. I don't recall anything that would be objectionable, although I'm sure some may feel Barry B. Benson shooting other insects with his pollenator is too violent.

DVD REVIEW: Chinatown - Special Collector's Edition

If you look at a list of the greatest movies of all time, you’re sure to find titles like “Citizen Kane,” “The Godfather,” “Schindler’s List” and “Casablanca.” Another film that tends to make appearances when listing the best of the best is “Chinatown.” But, oddly, it seems many people haven’t seen it and I’m not sure why.

Jake Gittes, played by Jack Nicholson, is a private investigator hired to investigate an extramarital affair. Of course, like most detective stories, it can’t be that simple (it would probably be pretty boring if it was). While working on the case, Gittes uncovers discrepancies involving L.A.’s water system and soon after finds himself in a world of violence and deception.

During his investigation, Gittes encounters many of the usual elements of a private eye story, including the love interest. That role is played brilliantly by Faye as Evelyn Cross Mulwray. He also must deal with the typical character that obviously has something to hide. John Huston handles that task in convincing fashion, giving life to Noah Cross, a wealthy business man with ties to the water supply.

It’s interesting to note that Cross always mispronounces Jake’s last name. This wasn’t something planned, but was born out of Huston’s normal mispronunciation of “Gittes.” The creators felt it added something to the character and didn’t attempt to correct it.

The film continues to follow many of the same twists and turns that other P.I. movies have taken, but it always seems to be a little better at it. Perhaps it’s the depth of the screenplay, for which Robert Towne won an Academy Award. Maybe it’s the non-stop display of talent in the performances by the cast. Whatever it is, it’s something special and “Chinatown” has it.

Once the movie ends, the extras included provide excellent insight to things that went on behind the scenes. For example, in one of the bonus features the story is told about how Nicholson and producer Robert Evans got into a very public argument on the set. Nothing special about that, except for the fact that Evans smashed the TV in Nicholson’s trailer so he couldn’t watch Lakers games and, adding a comic element to the incident, Jack was in his underwear.

Viewers also learn about how the musical score was changed after a preview of the film and how director Roman Polanski influenced the ending of the movie.


GRADE: 9/10
This movie is often lumped in with the best ever for good reason. All the elements – acting, writing, directing, etc. – are excellent and come together in a way that translates perfectly into to the film. Add in a set of extras that are more than just filler and it makes for a dvd that any movie fan should check out.


Rated: R

EXTRAS:
Chinatown: The Beginning and the End (19 1/2 min.)

Chinatown: Filming (25 1/2 min.)

Chinatown: The Legacy (9 min.)

Theatrical Trailer

AVAILABLE NOW

DVD REVIEW: LED ZEPPELIN - THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME

I’ll be honest. I received my copy of Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same and figured it would be the typical concert dvd. I know, there were claims that it wasn’t the same, but that’s what all promotional items say. “A mesmerizing movie” featuring Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. Mesmerizing? I was skeptical but it deserved a chance.

The film started with what might be the oddest collection of scenes I have ever seen. Naked children playing in a stream while the parents watch from the bank, a father telling stories to his children…a group of guys ambushing a back room and lighting it up with gunfire. One guy has his head blown off only to have streams of colors shoot out of his neck. Huh?? I was baffled by what I was seeing, although I was intrigued as well. Call it my sick side.

Apparently these scenes were part of the band’s fantasy sequences and shouldn’t be subject to much over-analyzing. Just take them for what they are, an added element to break up the monotony of the usual concert film.

A few minutes after the scenes from The Godfather in Oz, I was taken to the band members exiting a plane and heading toward their destination, Madison Square Garden. That’s when the fun began.

I’m not someone who would be considered a big Led Zeppelin fan, but I do enjoy the music and appreciate the group’s place in history. The band helped change the face of rock and continues to influence today’s musicians. So, to watch this group of talented men perform in 1973, amidst tons of hype and electricity, should be considered a gift.

The performances include many of the expected songs, the first being “Bron-Yr-Aur.” As the journey continues with “Rock and Roll,” “Black Dog,” and “Since I’ve Been Loving You,” video clips (including more of the band member fantasies) are inserted and provide viewers with something more than watching four guys on stage. This is the general flow of the film and, at some point, I started to feel like it might be losing its entertainment value.

That’s when “Stairway to Heaven” kicked in. Unless you have been locked in a cave for about 40 years, you’ve heard this one. I have talked to numerous people who believe it might be the best rock song ever, without question one of the top ten. But the version in the film is different than the one always pumped over the radio. This time it’s live and there are added dimensions of feeling, entertainment, showmanship, etc. It’s a different, exciting twist on a classic and was surely going to be my favorite part of the movie. At least that’s what I thought.

When “Stairway” ended, Plant called attention to Bonham on drums and introduced the song “Moby Dick.” That’s when the drummer went on an impressive solo show that had me on the edge of my seat. I was especially entertained when he put down the sticks and started playing with his hands. Now, this may be something that other drummers do, but seeing a legend like Bonham do it provided a special quality. Seeing his intensity and focus only added to the experience. During his solo, video clips once again appear, so viewers don’t have to just stare at a man behind a drum set. The clips were somewhat sad to me, leaving me wondering what would have happened had he not passed as a result of alcohol poisoning.

When the rest of the band came back out, apparently going backstage during the drum solo, Plant summed up the performance by saying, “John Bonham, 130 pounds of glory.” Perfect.

Two songs, “Heartbreaker” and “Whole Lotta Love,” finish out the concert footage. The film then follows the band as it boards a plane and heads off. The more familiar version of “Stairway to Heaven” plays as they take flight, continues through the end of the credits and then plays on over black. It was a fitting end to this surprisingly entertaining film.

Even though, after almost two hours of concert video, it seems like I may have had enough, I still felt the urge to pop in Disc 2. It’s full of standard “extras,” from the BBC interview of Plant and Peter Grant (while boating on the Thames) to the added concert footage, including the never-before-released “Over the Hills and Far Away” and a cutting copy of “Celebration Day.”

As a member of the media, I was fond of the Tampa News Report (from PULSE in Tampa, includes airplane footage of the band’s arrival) and the news report about the band being robbed while on tour. While my interest in those to features comes from being in news, those outside of the business should also enjoy them simply because they are a look at elements of an exciting time in music history.

Also included are the original film trailer and a unique radio profile by Cameron Crowe (who also has a printed commentary in the booklet included with the 2-cd set).

(For fans looking for more, a Limited Collector's Edition is also being released and includes: Exclusive T-shirt with Album Artwork Design • Collectible Lobby Cards • Clippings and reproductions of Original Premiere Invitations • Original Tour Schedule • Press Memorabilia • Mail-in Poster Offer.)

GRADE: 8.5/10
Obviously, for fans of Led Zeppelin, this is an item they must have and it’s probably already on their wishlists. But, what about those who aren’t diehards? If you’re a fan of music, I highly recommend it. It’s a chance to see a band that holds a key place in music history as it approaches its peak. It’s an opportunity, in today’s world of lip syncs and choreographed dance shows, to actually see what an old fashioned rock and roll show was all about. And Plant, Page, Bonham and Jones definitely knew how to entertain. This type of performance is what helped create a spot in the Rock Hall for Led Zeppelin and why that name still carries weight today. Add in the fact that it’s just plain great music and you have a top-shelf concert video. If you are a fan of music, look into this title.

Rated: PG

Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same (Warner Home Video)
Disc One Performances
- Bron-Yr-Aur
- Rock and Roll
- Black Dog
- Since I’ve Been Loving You
- No Quarter
- The Song Remains the Same
- The Rain Song
- Dazed and Confused
- Stairway to Heaven
- Moby Dick
- Heartbreaker
- Whole Lotta Love

Disc Two
- Tampa News Report
- “Over the Hills and Far Away” (never-before-released)
- Boating Down the Thames (BBC interview with Plant/Grant)
- “Celebration Day” (cutting copy; never-before-released)
- The Robbery
- “Misty Mountain Hop”
- Original film trailer
- “The Ocean”Radio profile spotlight by Cameron Crowe

AVAILABLE NOW (HD DVD and Blu-ray available December 11th)

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: BLACKSITE - AREA 51

Have we all had enough of video games based on war, first-person shooters and alien attacks? Ok, probably not. And that's a good thing because they're not going to stop appearing on store shelves. One of the titles you can currently drop some cash for is Blacksite: Area 51 and it fits into the war/first-person/alien genre perfectly.

Honestly, it's becoming difficult to talk about many of these games because the premise is usually the same: you're a soldier fighting against an invader, alien or otherwise, and you need to save the world or universe. The same holds true for Blacksite, although it has a nice twist to it. It isn't immediately stated that aliens have attacked and you need to kill them. Obviously you know the idea when you get the game, but the gameplay doesn't start out that way. Instead, you're participating in the fighting in the Middle East and your character, Aeran Pierce, is focused on taking out the normal, human enemies.

While over in the land of sand, you eventually encounter some lifeforms that a fellow soldier explains as mutations due to powerful chemicals. Sounds good enough given the history of chemical warfare in that region. But, oh, how things change when you get back home to the states.

You are almost immediately sent on a quest to save Rachel and Area 51. At this point you know you're battling aliens. They walk, they crawl, they pop out of the ground...and they're all deadly. The foundation of the story has been set and it is pretty much business as usual for the game.

Being that the majority of storylines are similar, graphics and gameplay are the two things that make or break games in the current war/1st-person/alien arena. Of course, isn't that the way it should be?

Blacksite's controls are simple, well placed and easy to master. The same goes for the times you need to drive a vehicle. The Midway development team didn't get carried away with too many special moves, weapons, gadgets, etc. While it can be a slight negative, it seems to help by not bogging the user down with 8,000 things to worry about. The game is about the nuts and bolts and does a good job with it.

But that doesn't mean there are no extra features to be found. The game employs a "morale" feature which can mean life or death for your character. When your squad's morale is high, they will fight like the elite team they are supposed to be. You'll do your share of fighting, but your mates will do their share of the heavy lifting. However, if morale is low, they'll back down like Arnold Jackson when confronted by the Gooch (apologies for the "Diff'rent Strokes" reference). At that point it's all on your shoulders. Be sure to find cover and be smart about how you attack. Eventually your team's morale will increase and you won't be alone in the fight.

Visually the game scores. Do some games look better? Without a doubt. But Blacksite is no slouch. Hey, if I ran a baseball team I would obviously want a hitter like Albert Pujols. But I wouldn't scoff at a stick like Justin Morneau. Consider Blacksite to be Morneau...maybe not elite, but plenty good.

One drawback to the environment is the inconsistent interaction you will have. At times it seems like you'll be able to move or shoot anything around you. In fact, the ability to destroy many of the barricades and various forms of cover is a great part of this title. But it's a little disappointing to turn and then not be able to shoot out a light pole. It's a minor issue, but it's enough to mess with the continuity of the game.

Add to the basic mission a list of extra games that can be played on-line from 2-10 players. The usual options are there: Capture the Flag, Abduction, Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch. Nothing carrying the WOW factor, but a solid group of time killers.

In today's flooded video game market it's tough for games to stand out. And, when compared to the likes of Halo 3 and Call of Duty, this title doesn't. But don't totally overlook Blacksite: Area 51. It's fun, entertaining, fast paced and looks good. When you're looking for a game and don't want to go with the old stand-by titles, give this one a look.


GAMEPLAY: Simple and easy to use controls make this one that you can jump right into. The "morale" based play is a Jekyll and Hyde feature but is still decent.

GRAPHICS: Very nice, allows gamers to feel like they're part of the environment. Inconsistent interaction with the surroundings is a slight setback.

SOUND: It is what it is. Quality war sounds: explosions, gunfire, voices of squad mates and enemies. Soundtrack is decent but didn't leave a lasting impression.

EXTRAS: Capture the Flag, Abduction, Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch all make for a nice complement to the main feature.

GRADE: 84%

Blacksite: Area 51 is rated "T" for Teen so it should go without saying that this is not a game for young children. The core of the title is violence, as is the nature of a first-person shooter.

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: SCENE IT (Xbox 360)

Crossing board games over to the video game world hasn’t always been the recipe for success. Sure, it can sometimes provide a serviceable game, but it usually produces a rather bland product that doesn’t provide the same fun, exciting atmosphere of a real board game. Plus it tries to eliminate the place where all the important action takes place, the board. Luckily, Scene It: Lights, Camera, Action is far more successful than its predecessors in making the conversion.

OK, the reason Scene It has made the transition is pretty simple. It never was a true board game as the guts of the game were on the television. People played this game for the movie clips, not necessarily to see who could get across the board first.

For those concerned with winning the game, it now uses a scoring system. Points are earned for correct answers (and sometimes deducted for incorrect ones) based on the amount of time the user takes to answer. Less time means more points. You can also earn bonus points at the end of a round for achievements such as quickest correct answer, three correct answers in a row, running a category, etc.

There are three playing options: short play, long play and party play. In short play, contestants play three rounds, with three puzzle types per round. In long play, the rounds expand to five puzzle types. In each format, a final round (appropriately called “Final Cut”) wraps things up, kind of like Final Jeopardy without the wagers. Party Play is basically a non-stop series of movie trivia that doesn’t stop until you return to the menu screen.

There are many puzzle types and all are simple and easy to play:

Anagrams – Unscramble the movie titles.
Child’s Play – Figure out movie titles from a childlike drawing of a famous scene.
Credit Roll – Name the movie based on selected credits from that title.
Distorted Reality – Photo of an actor, actress or movie slowly forms.
Invisibles – Guess a movie by looking at a photo of a scene where the actors have been erased.
Montages – Watch a montage of footage and guess the movie.
Movie Clip – Watch a film clip, then answer questions about it.
Now Playing – Guess a movie by identifying its gradually forming poster.
Pictograms – Figure out the movie or actor by putting together the clues.
Pop Culture – Answer questions about the subject.
Props – Guess a movie title by looking at a prop from the film.
Quotables – Fill in the blanks to finish a movie quote.
Rising Stars – Identify the actor/actress shown in the pictures.
Sequentials – Arrange the movie titles in order of release.
Sketches – A sketch representing a movie gradually appears.
Songs, Slogans, and Sayings – Name the film associated with the song, slogan or saying.
Soundclips – Listen to a clip from a movie, and then answer the questions.
Star Trailers – Guess the actor or character based on provided clues.
Take 3 – Guess the movie, actor or character based on three clues.
Visual Puzzlers – Look at four movie photos and guess the title.
What’s Missing? – Figure out what has been removed from the picture.

In order to answer questions about the categories, participants will use one of four buzzers that come with the game. Sure, you can also use regular controllers, but why? Each buzzer has the A, B, X and Y buttons lined up in a row on the base of the controller. They also have the standard Xbox Guide, Select and Start buttons. But, more importantly, each comes with a big button at the top, leading to the name “Big Button Pad.” Some questions allow for all teams to answer, while others require teams to buzz in first in order to have a chance to answer.

Is Scene It perfect? No, it has its flaws. Screenlife could have spent more time tending to things like not having the option to disable things like the bonus points, questions that can be tough to read and the overused “You Don’t Know Jack” commentator approach. But, in the whole scheme of things, these are minor detractors and don’t eliminate the fun from the game. One major issue is the number of questions. With only 1,800 currently available in the game, the need for expansion packs is evident. Otherwise the snazzy new controllers will wind up as paperweights.


GAMEPLAY: The game has a quick pace and provides the excitement of the original Scene It games. 1,800 seem like a lot, but are a relatively small number for those big on movie trivia. Without future trivia expansion packs, the longevity of this game will be very limited. The Big Button Pad is a nice addition and adds to the enjoyment of the game.

GRAPHICS: Adequate, but do they really need to be great? The majority of clues use authentic clips or pictures, so graphics don’t really play a big role. When they do, they are done well enough to not be a drawback. It does need to be noted that some of the questions can be difficult to read. Main Menu has an option for adjusting video.

SOUND: It might be time for trivia games to lose the “You Don’t Know Jack” approach, or at least alter it enough so you don’t feel like you’re playing “YDKJ.” Otherwise, the audio is just fine. The Main Menu has an option for tweaking audio.

EXTRAS: No Live support, inability to adjust rules or other main gameplay options…really no extras to speak of.

GRADE: 79% (Future expansion packs could boost this rating.)

This title has a Teen rating, but seems suitable for most gamers. Parents may take issue with a clip or two, for whatever reason, so they should supervise and make decisions based on each family's preferences.

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: CALL OF DUTY 4

I have never been one to kid myself into thinking I could handle the struggles of war. I couldn’t do it and have great admiration for the men and women in uniform protecting our country. I imagine many others feel the same way and that contributes to the popularity of first-person shooter video games. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is such a game.

The game comes with the usual options of playing solo (you’ll play as a U.S. Marine and British S.A.S.) or multiplayer campaigns. The easiest thing to do is to jump into a single player game and that exactly what I did.

It doesn’t take long to get the feeling that this game isn’t going to be like anything you’ve played before. Sure, it’s a Call of Duty game, but there’s something different. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re no longer in a WWII setting. Maybe it’s the graphics that take you to another level. Whatever it is, you know right away you’re going for one heck of a ride.

After an initial training session, which is more enjoyable than most in-game tutorials, you start your mission on a ship in the middle of the Bering Strait. Going from compartment to compartment you explore the entire vessel in an attempt to overtake it. Once you do, your mission changes to getting out alive as you race to a higher point while the ship begins to take on water. This is done surprisingly well as you get the sense that you are fighting to keep your balance as the floor’s angle shifts beneath your feet.

I won’t go into too many details because I think being surprised is important in games. Why would anyone want to know all the details before playing? But I do have to say that two elements are extremely fascinating. First, as you start the second level, you see things through the eyes of a kidnapped Middle East leader. You are helpless in the backseat of a car as the kidnappers driver you through the streets of a dirty, crime-ridden town. You are walked to the center of what has the feel of a bull-fighting arena and you are the main attraction. The only problem is you aren’t facing a bull, but a gun that is pointed straight at your head. Click…

Honestly, it’s one of the creepiest things I have ever experienced in a video game. But I’m glad it was in there. I won’t be dumb enough to say it gives a gamer the real feeling of being in the shoes of someone about to be executed, but it does provide a different perspective than most would have without it.

Another thing that I found amazing was being the gunner in a helicopter over a town in the Middle East. I’m not talking about the typical “shoot out of the side as you fly quickly by the targets” mode either, although that’s in the game too. No, I mean you’re literally hovering above the town and your sole purpose is basically to blow up anything that moves (except your allies, of course). Having the ability to chase the enemy out of buildings and to track them as the run across fields or down a road…it’s intense. (See the picture above for an idea of what you’ll see.)

There’s a third level and, in all, expect to spend anywhere from 4-10 hours on the game, depending on setting you’re on and your familiarity with shooters. For experienced gamers playing at Normal difficulty, it will probably take five or six hours. Yes, that is short. But it’s action-packed and just about every second of the game will be intense, so it’s a very good 5-6 hours.

Once the campaign is over, an arcade mode is unlocked, as well as some cheats. Again, I won’t spoil it by telling you what you’ll find, but you can probably guess just from the fact that there’s an arcade mode. That equals CoD with added fun.

For those looking for multiplayer action, you’ll get the same stuff, only you’ll have the added element of other humans helping with the campaigns instead of characters controlled by AI. You’ll also access 55 multiplayer ranks and six different classes. You’ll also have unlockable gadgets, weapons and special abilities (called perks).

To be honest, only an extremely lengthy review, with descriptions of all the bells and whistles, will do justice to this game. But, getting to the point, it’s an unbelievable experience with outstanding graphics, terrific audio, amazing environments and heart-pounding action. I never thought of myself as a fan of first-person shooters, but Halo 3 made me re-thing that. Now, with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare in my machine, I know I’m a fan. Well, at least I’m a fan of incredibly good shooters!


GAMEPLAY: The controls are responsive and I had no problems controlling my travels and actions. The game moves fast, but it’s never out of control to the point that it’s not enjoyable. Yes, it’s on the short side, but it’s one of the most action-packed titles I have ever played…right there with Halo 3. Oh, the storyline is top-notch too.

GRAPHICS: Very good. The details, the movements, the environments…they’re all about as realistic as you could hope for. I’ll put the interaction with the environment a notch below Halo 3, but that’s still pretty good.

SOUND: Everything is there to provide you with a great gaming experience. The war sound effects are perfect (at least as far as I know!) and the soundtrack helps move the game along. The voices of the other characters are understandable and convey their emotions well. Some games seem to just track some actors and stick the voices in the game, but that’s not the case here. None of the audio seems out of place.

EXTRAS: Multiplayer, arcade mode, cheats, etc. CoD gives you everything you could expect (Halo 3’s map editor and replay feature went above and beyond).

GRADE: 93% (Same as Halo 3, being that there's some give-and-take in a few areas; ultimately it all evens out and they're both unbelievably good.)


NOTE: Just like Halo 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare carries a Mature (17+) rating that should not be ignored. It’s a brutal game, full of violence, and really is not suitable for the younger crowd. Obviously some parents may feel their kids are mature enough to handle this game, but that’s an individual choice. As a general rule, this isn’t a title for the little ones.

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: NBA 2K8 (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2)

OK, I admit it, I’m a sports junkie. I watch the games, join fantasy leagues and, of course, play the video games. That’s why I was excited by the arrival of NBA 2K8. Perhaps I could make up for the Cavs’ poor showing in last season’s Finals by leading LeBron and company to a ring.

As soon as I started the game, I decided to skip single games or a single season and jumped into the Association mode. That’s really just 2K’s fancy name for its franchise option. As with most sports titles these days, you have the choice of starting with the standard rosters or participating in a fantasy draft. You can also adjust the usual options such as computer trading, trade deadline, etc. My first order of business was to add David West to my team via trade. However, it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Thanks to salary cap restrictions, I had to tinker with the trade offer in order to make things work. In the end, I was able to find a suitable offer (Drew Gooden and a 1st Round Draft pick were part of it) and the pride of Xavier University was my new starter at the Power Forward spot (and Morris Peterson my new Point Guard). If I wanted, I could have tried to make things happen by performing a three-team trade, a very nice feature of 2K8. Now it was gametime.

I won the opening tip, and then it was brick city. It’s not that the gameplay is that difficult, but the instruction manual doesn’t give a great idea how to use the features. You have the choice of using the “X” button to shoot or you can utilize the shot stick. But, how does the shot stick work? The manual doesn’t really tell you and, like many games these days, you have to use tutorials loaded into the game. Of course I probably could have practiced before jumping into a franchise, but who wants to do that? Eventually I got the hang of things and started winning some games (including my first “W” in a buzzer-beating three by Peterson). I do have to say, though, that I may have done a little better early on if I didn’t miss so many inside shots. But, after talking with some others, the inside inconsistency is a common complaint. Luckily it’s not so bad that it ruins the experience.

During the season you can change the roles of your players. Starter? Role player? Sixth man? Bench warmer? You decide who gets the minutes and how many. But be careful. Players who aren’t happy with their role can affect the team chemistry. Scheduling practices is another in-season feature.

You also have the option to scout players from the college game. This is done by either using players created by the game or by importing a draft class from College Hoops 2K8. Being that the college version hasn’t hit shelves yet, I went with the created version. Either way, it’s something that adds to the experience and is well done. You also jump into free agency after the season and have a chance to improve your team by throwing big money at players who can help your team. You even have “No Trade” clauses at your disposal.

If you are getting a little bored with using the same team all the time, you can mix things up by entering a three-point shootout or a slam dunk competition. When I first saw the dunk option, I was skeptical. But 2K did a nice job with it and it’s a plus for the game. Just be sure to practice before you jump into action.

The usual on-line options are there, as well as leagues utilizing a fantasy draft. Log on and try to take your favorite players to a title.

Truth be told, I didn’t take my Cavs to a title. But with some off-season tinkering and an improved post game, all courtesy of the franchise mode, I’ll have another chance…and another…and another…and another. Hey, in Cleveland we’re use to the “wait ‘til next year” line.

GAMEPLAY: The game is smooth and provides a quality sim. The controls function well, although it would have been nice to have a more descriptive instruction manual. The inside game could use a little tweaking, as could the shot stick, but both are minor issues.

GRAPHICS: Well done. Players' faces are, for the most part, recognizable during the games and the sizes for the players is pretty representative of what you’ll see in a real game. The courts/arenas are good, although the crowds are nothing special.

SOUND: Announcers are about what you would expect. Nothing great, but they do add to the game – until the get repetitive.

EXTRAS: Slam Dunk Contest, Three Point Shootout, Amateur Draft, Fantasy Draft, Free Agency…it’s all here. Unless you want to scout grade school kids, NBA 2K8 has about all the features you could ask for.

GRADE: 89%

This title should be good for anyone old enough to play it. I didn’t come across anything obscene or mature in nature while playing. It’s just good, old basketball.