Set in 1964, Lily (played by Dakota Fanning) longs to know more about her dead mother and relies solely on only a few of her mother’s possessions since her father refuses to indulge her curiosity. Among these belongings was a picture of a Black Madonna with an inscription that said, “Tiburon SC.” This picture led Lily on a journey that would soon teach her a multitude of lessons about her life and the times she lived in.

This movie touches the heart in many ways. I was glued to the screen the entire time and wished that I had first read the book. The meaning behind the story is very easy to understand but is also quite entertaining to watch in film. With a cast, featuring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, and Dakota Fanning, you can’t go wrong.

• The Secret Life of Bees (DVD)
• Gran Torino (DVD)
• Push (DVD)
• The Wrestler (DVD)
• Bridge to Terabithia (DVD)

Written by David Johannson & Nick Schenk, the story starts off with a couple of sons who mock their grumpy father, Walt Kowalski, at their mother’s funeral. And as you continue watching, you get some sort of understanding as to why they mocked him and why he’s such a grouch.

Apparently, Kowalski’s Korean war experience fed his prejudice about Hispanics, Blacks, and especially Asians. Unfortunately for him, he was probably one of the last few white people left in his neighborhood, which over the years grew to be occupied by several Hmong immigrants–whom he otherwise referred to as “Gooks.”

A twist of events somehow transforms Kowalski’s mentality and brings him to befriend his next-door neighbors, Thao (Bee Vang) and Sue (Ahney Her), who happen to be Hmong. The friendship somehow grows into a kinship that leads the characters to paths of unexpected changes.

A must-see for those who dig a little deeper and are interested in what’s going on beyond your front door, this movie is quite touching and intriguing.

• The Secret Life of Bees (DVD)
• The Wrestler (DVD)
• Changeling (DVD)
• Bridge to Terabithia (DVD)
• The Pursuit of Happyness (DVD)

GRAPHICS (8/10)

There is nothing wrong with the graphics. Most of the polygons are smooth and the character models are fairly detailed. That being said, I feel that the graphics haven’t changed very much since the last incarnation. Unfortunately the last game was released for the PS2. While the graphics are definitely smoother than the last game, there isn’t the huge graphical improvement one would expect when making the jump from a previous gen console to the current gen. Even though the characters look good for the most part, there are certain angles which could use more anti aliasing and less jaggies. I may be nitpicking a bit, but seeing how smoothly Soul Caliber (produced by the same Namco family) looks and runs, I expected Tekken to look better than it does.

The fighting arenas are actually pretty gorgeous.  There are a few stages that are sub-par, but for the most part the environments are all very crisp and brimming with details. This is where the game’s graphics truly shine. While the character models may not be the greatest, the environments are pretty enough that you may wind up getting kicked in the face while zoning out on how nice everything in the background looks.

STORY (7/10)

The story is just as confusing as ever. I’m not even sure what the hell is going on to be honest. It centers again around the Mishima bloodline. As usual, all of the members of that family are fueding over who retains power and control of the empire. In a nutshell, another King of Iron Fist Tournament is held and there is some supernatural being at the end (isn’t there always??) and a ton of confusion leading up to that point.  To be perfectly honest, when did we ever need a reason to kick ass?  While the story isn’t that great, it doesn’t detract from the game much. Add to the fact that there are 40+ characters each with their own unique ending. I’m sure if you really pay attention and you unlock the endings for every character you should be able to piece together most of what is going on with the plot.

GAMEPLAY (9/10)

The gameplay hasn’t changed much from the last game or the game before that.  It seems that they have pretty much perfected their fighting engine and have taken the Madden route of adding minimal changes to an already successful formula. While the gameplay is very responsive and intricately deep, the gameplay is starting to show its age a bit. I guess its the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, just repackage it and charge 60 bucks for it.”

Even without much change, the game is still a blast to play.  Tekken freaks will be able to pick up and play this one right where they left off. The game boasts 40+ characters to choose from right off the bat. Unlike most other fighting games, no two fighters are alike. They all have unique move sets and abilities that will take a great deal of time to truly master. On the flip side, Tekken newbs will be able to pick this one up and jam right away. The controls are fairly easy to pick up, however in order to be truly good you need to invest some time to learn all of the little details of each fighter. Button mashing will only get you so far, as veterans of the series no doubt have their combos ready to counter any attack thrown at them.

Perhaps what is most interesting about this series is that is has a rabid following like no other fighting game. Tekken fanatics study the frames per second (FPS) rate of each move so they know which is faster and what moves can be used to cancel out other moves. If you allow yourself to get sucked into the deep gameplay experience, you can easily get wrapped up in this game for a while. I remember with Tekken 3, aruguably the best and deepest game of the series, I was a fanatic, studying every fighter’s move list and how to counter them. While I didn’t feel the same level of immersion with this game, its good to know that most of my knowledge and timing from previous games still holds true with this latest one.

MULTIPLAYER (6/10)

I have not tried the 360 version of this game, but my experiences so far with the online modes have been garbage. It takes forever to find a match and when you do, it is laggy to the point it is almost unplayable. I’ve read online that they may be releasing some type of patch to try and fix this, but the real question is: why release a game that isn’t ready yet?? Those looking to pick this game up with the hopes of kicking ass internationally will be sorely disappointed.

While the online is lackluster, the real gem of the series is fighting someone one on one, mano y mano. It is best fighting someone in your own living room, as it is priceless to see their face as they watch the replay of their character getting KTFO. While this may seem a bit old school, it is still just as fun as it was with the previous games, and at the moment, it is the ONLY saving grace of the multiplayer.

OVERALL (8/10)

Seeing as how the game came out yesterday morning and I’ve been pretty much jamming it almost non-stop, I haven’t gotten as in depth with some of the modes as I would like. Tekken has tons of goodies to offer even the most rabid fans of the series.There are a number of cool modes in this newest game, yet they are all things we’ve seen in the series before. Tekken Force mode (the game’s version of a “campaing” mode) weasels its way into this game also, and it is just as horrible as it was before. Honestly, besides all of the gimmicky modes tacked on, the real focus here is the arcade mode.  Arcade mode definitely delivers.

It seems like for everything the game does wrong, it manages to do something right. The gameplay is as tight and fluid as ever, even if it hasn’t changed much. If you are new to the Tekken series, this game is worth picking up as everything will seem fresh. If you are a casual fan of the series looking to pick this game up and relive some of the glory of past games, you may wind up a bit dissappointed. If you are a Tekken fanatic, you will like this game no matter what anyone says. Personally, I enjoyed this game a ton, but not nearly as much as I thought I would. Maybe my tastes have evolved a bit since the last few games in this series.  Bottom line- this is one of the best, if not THE best, 3-d fighting games on the market right now. If you have an urge to throw down, you should definitely give this one a try.

• Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360, PS3)
• Brutal Legend (PS3, Xbox360)
• Halo 3: ODST
• Prototype (Xbox 360, PS3)
• Best Game titles of 2008

GRAPHICS (9/10)

The graphics in this game are awesome. while they may not feature the texture detail and grittiness of some of the more visually arresting games this generation, they are definitely beautiful. The backgrounds are insane, as if dreamworks decided to create a cartoon version of Salvador Dali’s works.  The character models also look awesome. All of the characters look and move very smoothly without any rough edges. The art style of the characters is a bit reminiscent of  “The Boondocks” or the animation found in the Guitar Hero series. The bottom line is that everything looks great and its easy to become immersed in this fantasy world based solely on graphics alone.

STORY (8/10)

The single player experience is rather short. The story is actually quite good, with a few twists along the way. In a nutshell, you assume the role of Eddie Riggs, a roadie for a rock/pop/metal band. In the middle of one of their concerts, the monter on Eddie’s pendant awakes and kills all the band members. eddie himself is then transported to an alternate Rock universe in which everything looks like it was plucked straight from an album cover. He finds himself caught up in the midst of a civil was between ‘real’ rockers against every other incarnation of metal heads (glam rock, hair rock, emo rock, they’re all here).  What ensues is an original journey that takes you from one end of this surreal rock world to the other.  The game is often times hilarious as they poke fun at just about every type of rock except for the hardcore.

GAMEPLAY (7/10)

The gameplay is a bit of a mixed bag in this game. For those of you who have played the demo, let me just say that the final game is not much like the demo at all. The demo featured a combination of driving and hack and slash gameplay that seemed to have a nice flow to it all, in addition to some pretty slick visuals. The demo takes place in the very beginning of the game. As you progress, you meet different kinds of rockers: headbangers, rocker chicks, biker dudes, etc. Each group has different strengths and weaknesses. You wind up not only controlling the main character, Eddie Riggs, but also controlling the different groups of rockers you will come upon. The result is a combination of hack and slash gameplay mixed with some simple Real time Strategy (RTS) elements.

While the groups of rockers are pretty cool and very funny at times, this style of gameplay got old to me pretty fast. You are commanding these groups to either stay and defend or go forward and attack. At the same time, you are battling the same baddies that the squads are going against. Not only do you have to fight your way through the enemies, at the same time you ahve to instruct the various squads on what they need to do in order to be successful. I am not a fan of RTS games at all. To be quite honest, I felt this was an amazing game up until the point where the RTS elements became more and more forced upon you.   While the RTS elements seem to work fairly well, I just don’t like those types of games and I had no idea this type of gameplay comprised so much of Brutal Legend.

SOUND (8/10)

The sound for this game is excellent. Jack Black offers some of the best voice acting seen in a long time. Its refreshing to see such a big celebrity lend his voice and likeness to a project like this.   Every yell, wisecrack, and scream by Black all serve to bring the character of Eddie to life.  The sound effects are great also, as every collision, crash, and guitar riff really seem to stand out with crisp detail. Another huge sound bonus is the killer soundtrack. While I wasn’t familiar with some of the songgs on the soundtrack, I found myself humming them after nearly every play session. Black definitely knows what rocks and what doesn’t, and you can be assured that only the choicest rock cuts have made the soundtrack list.

REPLYABILITY (7/10)

The single player campaing is very short. Once you are done with it, there is not much incentive to go back and playthrough, unless you really enjoyed it the first time around. The multiplayer is comprised mainly of RTS gameplay, with you pitting armies of rockers against another. While I’m sure there are people out there who will dig this game, there will be an equal number who will hate this game due to the inclusion of RTS elements. I played through the game once, and afterward I had no desire to try it again right away. The multiplayer portion doesnt get much love from me either, as I really can’t get into RTS games, no matter how well made they are. 

OVERALL (8/10)

While I don’t care for the RTS elements, even though they are a huge part of this game, I can certainly appreciate the level of polish and creativity that went into this title. If there is one thing to be said about this game, it is definitely a unique experience. Fans of Jack Black, or just metal in general, will find somthing to gravitate to with this game. The RTS elements are handled perfectly, and while I dont care for the genre, I must admit that the controls they have implemented are very smooth and responsive. With the X-mas gaming season upon us, I can think of a number of other games that offfer a more engaging experience. However, I can’t think of one that is as freash and original as this one.  For those looking to try something new, this may be the game for you.

• Tekken 6 (PS3, Xbox360)
• Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360, PS3)
• Prototype (Xbox 360, PS3)
• Halo 3: ODST
• Madden 10 (Xbox360, PS3)

Both Jamie Foxx and Gerald Butler were excellent in their casted roles. In fact, during the entire film I was actually uncertain as to who I would cheer for. Foxx takes on the role of prosecution attorney Nick Rice, who’s client Clyde Shelton (Gerald Butler), just lost his entire family in a robbery gone bad. Rice’s decision to short change Shelton becomes a life changing one, and as the film progresses, the decision made directly affects Rice’s life and the lives of everyone around him.

Gerald Butler was great in 300, fantastic in RocknRolla, and a devil in Dracula 2000. Yet despite all his creditable roles, this was perhaps his finest performance of his career thus far. Although he was portrayed as a loving father and husband at the films opening, the changes made by the loss of family and the betrayal of his country transforms him into this beast of a man, who will stop it nothing until his vision of final justice is realized. Yet, despite his extremely cruel and deliberate acts of violence, the hints of pain and anguish he experiences is enough to sympathize for his character when you put yourself in his shoes even for a few moments.

The film was not free from flaws however. Although well casted and fairly intelligent, there was much to be desired at its climax and ending. I’m really not sure if I can elaborate without giving too much away, but I will say that the mystery shrouding Butlers character was erased almost immediately in the last thirty minutes or so.

Overall, this film was an enjoyable one. Despite its mediocre ending which lowered its value on my five star ranking, I’d still recommend it to anyone into action/thriller type films. It will not disappoint.

• Bruno (Theaters)
• Land of the Lost (Theaters)
• Drag Me to Hell (Theaters)
• Star Trek (Theaters)
• X-men Origins : Wolverine (Theaters)

This movie is depressing, somewhat morbid, and a little intimidating for children. The book had me thinking that Max was sort of forced into another world by his own imagination after being unruly and for misbehaving towards his mother. The movie tends to dig a lot deeper into emotional and psychological realms where little kids may have a tough time receiving the message or the point of the story.

In one scene, Max sees a pile of bones and asks the Wild Things, “Were those other kings”?

He certainly supposed that other naughty children had come to this strange new land, but the thought of them being killed and eaten by the monsters was way off my preconceived notion about the movie. I thought that scene was a little too bizarre for my son to understand.

Quite the contrast from what I concluded about the book, this movie takes at least 3 stars for its costumery, its characters, and its sets. But I wouldn’t bet on children (younger than 10) enjoying it very much. I do, however, love the soundtrack.

• GI Joe : The Rise of Cobra (Theaters)
• Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Theaters)
• Year One (Theaters)
• Terminator Salvation (Theaters)
• The Spirit (DVD)

• Entertainment Wrap #20
• Entertainment Wrap #19
• Entertainment Wrap #18
• Entertainment Wrap #17
• Entertainment Wrap #16

GRAPHICS (10/10)

Flat out- this is the most gorgeous console game I have ever seen. On top of all that, the game runs smoothly without any glitching or freezing. Nathan Drake, the game’s protagonist, traverses the ends of the earth with each landscape looking more breathtaking than the previous one. Everything from the snow covered Himalayan mountains to the lush green jungles just glisten with detail.  It is safe to say that the game’s environments are just as integral to the story as the characters. Simply put, this game’s graphics are a true testament to the PS3’s capabilities. The game runs in a native 720p, which can be upscaled all the way to 1080p.

The character models look incredible. Usually when characters faces are shown up close in games, they become a bit distorted or have an almost “Simpson”ized quality to them. Not with this game. All the characters look, move, and behave like they are real people. Everything from the facial expressions to the clothing details are all perfectly rendered here. This is one of those few games that is almost as fun to watch as it is to play, and the graphics are a huge reason why.

We’ve all seen beautiful graphics in other games, but not only do UC2’s have more detail, they also utilize a broad color palette. Not only is this one of the most graphically detailed games, it’s also one of the brightest and most colorful I’ve seen in a while. The graphics are truly eye-popping. If I had to nit pick the graphics, I would say that theonly problem is that they are practically too good. It’s very difficult to play any other game after playing this one, as the graphical inadequacies of whatever other game you are playing will really stick out even more to you. If it seems like I’m hyping up the graphics, believe me, my descriptions don’t even do them justice.

SOUND (9/10)

If I had to nitpick, I would say that some of the sound effects aren’t quite upto par with the level of the other aspects of the game. This is most evident with gunshots. The guns in this game have a bit of a toned down effect and lack the audio firepower of say a Call of Duty game. As a result, some of the firefights seems a bit less intense than they could be with richer sound.  Regardless, the game still sounds good, but with the shooting effects from other games being so much more intense I expected a bit more “bang” for my buck in this department.

Aside from the shooting sound effects, everything else is definitely top notch. The voice acting is the best I’ve heard in any game- period. The characters are all amazingly voiced and their dialogue helps to move the story along while at the same time revealing what amazing characters they truly are. This game has quotable lines galore. There are so many great quotes I’d be hard pressed to think of my favorite. Simply put, the voice acting is on par, if not better, than most of the movies to have come out in theaters in recent years.

STORY (9/10)

Like nearly everything else in this game, the story is also well thought out with a special attention to detail. The plot is like a non-stop roller coaster ride with various twists and turns along the way. Just when I thought I was able to predict what was going on with the story, it would throw me in a completely different direction.  I could easily see the plot from this game being ported directly to a movie. I think most of the story elements will transition well to a film. 

There were a few parts of the story that I didn’t really like, but as a whole, the story works extremely well. While some parts may seem a bit far fetched, they all seem consistent with the universe and the characters that are established in this game.  This game really captures that fun adventurous spirit from the best Indiana Jones films. The blend of comedy and action adventure is damn perfect. It makes me wonder why George Lucas didn’t get these guys to write the script for the latest Indy movie. I guarantee it would’ve been way more entertaining than what we wound up with. The bottom line is, the story is just another amazing component of this masterful game.

GAMEPLAY (10/10)

The gameplay is damn near perfect. While there are some minor camera issues when you have close combat in really tight corners, it was very minimal and not enough to really take away from the gaming experience. When you look at the game, it doesn’t really bring any new elements to the table in terms of gameplay. What it does do however, is it takes familiar mechanics we’ve seen before, perfects them, and blends them together into this amazing hybrid of a game that is firing on all cylinders.

The game takes some of the best platforming elements from games like ‘Prince of Persia’ and combines them with the cover and shoot gunplay of ‘Gears of War’. If those two games met, got drunk and had a baby together, Uncharted 2 is a good indication of what the kid would be like. Even though it borrows elements found in these other games, what is so great about UC2 is that it makes these elements its own. Rather than simply recycling the play mechanics of other games, it incorporates them into the game in a way that is unique. While you can compare the cover system and 3PS shooting style to Gears, the way the game plays and moves is unique only to UC2. So while describing it, they may sound similar, when you play the actual game you soon see that it is an entirely different animal in execution.

Perhaps one of the most impressive things about UC2 is its use of “physics within physics.” So you can be fighting and shooting it out with enemies moving in and out of cover, while the entire time you are on top of a moving train that on the verge of veering out of control. There are just so many little details to describe that it is difficult to put into words what is unfolding through the gameplay. The action sequences set up in the game will put most hollywood blockbusters to shame. They are just that intense.

MULTIPLAYER (9/10)

I’ve been waiting for a solid multiplayer experience on the PS3 for a long time. Killzone 2 had decent multiplayer, but it just seems that whatever online offerings the PS3 has come up with so far just pale in comparison to what can be found on the green monster that is Xbox 360. Uncharted 2 seems to have finally gotten it right. The game’s multiplayer is as solid as it gets. The action is fast paced and the platforming elements seem to add a new dimension to how you play online shooters. You can’t just walk around a corner and be ready to rush someone since they can be hanging from a ledge waiting to shoot at you or throw you over. The ability to climb and hang from nearly everything in the game adds a vertical component to the mix that I haven’t experienced in any other game.

 Shooters these days are a dime a dozen. UC2 manages to add something new and refreshing to the genre. The addition of the veritcal element combined with some solid hit detection and well balanced gunplay make for one of the most engaging online experiences this year. While I love FPS like Halo and COD, UC2 is breathing new life into a genre that has become all too repetitive.  As this is their first experiment with multiplayer, I’m excited to see what improvements a 3rd installment will bring.

OVERALL (9.5/10)

I can’t give this game a perfect 10, but it is really really really damn close. This game is one of the best single player experiences I have ever had. It’s definitely in my top 5 of all time, which is saying a lot since there are some pretty mind blowing games out there that didnt make that cut.  All in all, this is one of the best buys for your gaming dollar that you will ever come across. Uncharted 2 has so many extras and replay incentives to keep you glued to the single player. Then you have the multiplayer, which  is its own bag of addiction entirely.  Games like this make me want to do a triple axle out of joy from having a PS3. This is the game that could be a system seller for Sony and definitely pull them out of the rut they seem to be in. It would be a shame if this game goes anything less than double platinum. The production values and overall quality alone are leaps and bounds above anything else out right now. For those of you with PS3s, go out and grab this game immediately. For those who don’t have one yet, this may be the game to convince you to pick one up. It is that good.

• Tekken 6 (PS3, Xbox360)
• Brutal Legend (PS3, Xbox360)
• Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360, PS3)
• Prototype (Xbox 360, PS3)
• Entertainment Wrap #14

The story follows nervous phobic nerd Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), one of the few survivors of a world wide zombie outbreak. On his way to his hometown of Ohio, he runs into Tallahasse (played by an amazing Woody Harrelson), another survivor with a talent for bad-assery and zombie killing.  The odd couple meet up with sisters, Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little-Rock (Abigail Breslin).  They decide to head to an amusement park in Los Angeles that is rumored to be the last “zombie free” zone.  If it sounds simple, it’s because that is the best spoiler free summary I can give, the rest of the movie should be seen for yourself.  I will say that there is a cameo appearance that is one of the funniest scenes in any movie…ever.  

The cast is all around excellent. While previously I wasn’t a huge fan of the lead actor, Jesse Eisenberg, I think this is the film that has won me over. His portrayal of the neurotic and yet chickenly brave Columbus is great, capturing the vibe of the everyman while creating someone who is so unique at the same time. Emma Stone (who most people will recognize as the fat guy’s love interest in ‘Superbad’) is perfect as the tough survivalist Wichita, who must remain strong in order to protect her younger sister.  The younger sister is no slouch herself, as portrayed by Little Miss Sunshine’s Abigail Breslin.  While most kid actors seem to get lost in the transition from kid to teen to adult, Breslin seems well suited to make the shift. Unlike Dakota Fanning, who still seems to be carrying the stigma of being a child actor, Breslin seems to have made the jump almost seamlessly. I was really impressed with her performance, as child turned tween actors often come across as irritating to me, but if this movie is any indication of her talent, she will have a long career ahead of her.

Finally, we have Woody Harrelson as Tallahasse. This is the role he has been born to play.  The character is very similar to his Mickey Knox character from Natural Born Killers, except that Tallahasse is one of the good guys. Imagine all of Knox’s merciless and unrelenting killing abilities being unleashed on horde’s of undead zombies. Harrellson is so undeniably bad ass in this movie that if there were an actual zombie apocalypse, I can’t really think of anyone else I’d rather be fighting alongside.   Factor in the fact that he has the best lines in the movie and you’ve got a character that people will be quoting and emulating for some time to come.  Simply put, Woody owns this movie.

When I said this movie was the best movie I’ve seen all year, I was serious. I love zombie movies. I love action. I love comedies. This movie combines all of these elements to perfection. The zombies maintain the chaos and intensity levels of the 28 days/weeks films. The comedy generates laughs on the levels of Apatow’s funniest flicks, and the action sequences are just plain brutal. Each scene is not only impeccably shot, but you can tell that a great deal of thought went into setting up how each sequence plays out.  The attention to detail in this film is just phenomenal. I’m sure not everyone will enjoy this movie as much as I did, but if you go see this I guarantee that you will be in for a non stop hilarious thrill ride that entertains from start to finish.

• Inglourious Basterds (Theaters)
• District 9 (Theaters)
• Funny People (Theaters)
• Pixar’s UP 3-D (Theaters)
• Star Trek (Theaters)

STORY (8/10)

The story this time around is different than the previous games. While they all take place in the same universe, the same war, and essentially the same timeline, ODST shifts its focus from everyone’s favorite Masterchief to the perspective of a unit of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST). You immediately assume the role of the Rookie, a nameless, faceless, non-speaking, armor clad soldier (sound familiar?) who is a member of the elite ODST squad. The squad is preparing to drop onto a covenant ship that is hovering over the Earth city of New Mombasa. Something goes haywire as the ship teleports right out from under you, leaving you and the entire squad plummetting for the earth below.  Six hours later, you awake to find yourself alone in a city inhabited by covenant soldiers with no sign of your other squadmates. your mission is to locate their last known whereabouts and try to figure out what has happened.

GRAPHICS (8/10)

The graphics on Halo 3 were not horrible, but compare to the level of graphic excellence they were able to acheive with the original xbox hardware, I expected their transition to the current gen to be simply eye popping. Sadly, the game wound up only looking a few notches better than Halo 2. This isn’t bad at all, considering how great H2 looked for its time, however I really expected so much more from Bungie. ODST utilizes the exact same graphics as Halo 3.  The perspective is changed a bit through the use of the VISR, which is essentially just night vision, but not enough to really improve the game’s overall graphics. One big improvement, especially for all of you videophiles and HD freaks out there, is that the game runs all the way up to 1080 p. To the trained eye, this is a big step up visually.

There are some stages that just look awesome. They may not be as detailed as Gears of War, but the environments and the color palettes used just look great. One of the stages has you playing on a type of wildlife preserve, and the outdoor environments really come to life. There are a couple of other stages that stand out graphics wise, but overall the graphics are almost identical to Halo 3 (with the exception of it being in HD this time around)

SOUND (9/10)

To really appreciate the sound in this game, you definitely need a decent surround sound set up or some solid headphones. The convenant weapons have sound effects like none other. From a crushing Spartan Laser blast to the tinkling of little needles flying out of the business end of the Needler, everything sounds great.  All of the little details and sound effects that you’ve grown familiar with from this series over the years really come alive. 

ODST also features some solid voice acting. Firefly fans will notice that the character Buck not only resembles actor Nathan Fillion, but also he is voiced by him.  The game has solid voice acting across the board, and the marines still throw out some of the funniest lines, usually during the heat of battle.

GAMEPLAY (9/10)

This is where the game truly shines. Since you are using an ODST trooper and not some Spartan super soldier, you are definitely more vulnerable. ODST troopers have recharging shields, but they also have a health meter that decreases whenever they take damage with their shields depleted. You must find health packs to stay alive. This adds a greater element of strategy to how you approach battles. In some cases it is better to sneak by enemies using stealth or if you dont have a choice you can simply just run for your life.

I enjoy this type of gameplay more, as I often use a Rambo type strategy in most games. ODST forces me to stop and think about how to approach a given situation rather than just rushing in with guns blazing. The health system reminds me of Halo:CE, and the combat in this game is equally intense as you are definitely more vulnerable than in the previous two games.

There is also a new game mode called firefight. This is essentially the Halo verison of Gears of War’s ‘horde’ mode in which you have to defend a map from waves upon waves of enemies with each wave increasing in difficulty from the previous one.  It may sound cheap and copied at first, but after playing a couple of rounds of firefight, it is one of the most intense gaming experiences one can have, especially when playing with a couple of partners.  Ammo is limited, health packs are limmited, even lives are limited and so strategy and teamwork are an absolute must in this game mode.

MULTIPLAYER (9/10)

There are three types of multiplayer featured in ODST. The first is the traditional campaing co-op mode. While this mode has been done many times before in many other games, ODST co-op is a blast to play. Before playing the game, I read on another website that suggested you play through the campaign first on solo in order to really experience the abandoned vibe that the game is going for. Having played through it solo and on co-op, I feel that this is true, but it is a hell of a lot more fun playing through it with a friend..or two or three.  Plus with the acheivements for the campaign, people will be playing this for a while trying to scoop them all up.

Firefight multiplayer is a must. Playing this mode solo is fun for a while, but soon you will start to feel overwhelmed, and rightfully so as this mode is meant for more than one player. There are enough maps in firefight to keep people busy for a long time. In fact the only thing preventing me from giving this a perfect 10 for multiplayer is the fact that neither firefight or campaign co-op utilize matchmaking. If you want to play with someone else, you’ll have to play with a friend or invite some random person as the game doesn’t set you up with other parties looking to play.

Then there is the 2nd ODST disk which features all of the Halo 3 maps ever released along with 3 new maps exclusively released with ODST.  Perhaps the highlight of this entire map pack is the recreation of the insanely popular ‘Midship’ multiplayer map from Halo 2. Despite no real changes  the Halo 3 multiplayer has help up very well over time and with all of the new maps emerging from this release, expect Halo 3 to remain near the top of the list of most played xbox live games for some time to come.

OVERALL (9/10)

Halo 3: ODST is an excellent game. Despite the campaing being a bit on the short side, there is so much to come back and do. Firefight, multiplayer, and acheivements are all huge reasons to revisit ODST after completing the campaign. This game is definitely a must have for Halo fans. For anyone looking for a new take on the Halo experience, you will not be dissappointed by ODST. The game boasts one of the best campaigns since the first Halo, all new firefight mode, and the intense multiplayer goodness of Halo 3 including all new maps exclusive to this game.

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