Become part of 'Resistance' in PS3's first must-have title

Video Games Review Game: "Resistance: Fall of Man"

Publisher: Sony

System: Sony PlayStation 3

Cost: $59.99

ESRB Rating: M

Review rating: 4 stars

With the recent release of the PS3, those lucky few who scored one at launch now have to decide what games to buy for the new system.
Unquestionably, the most promising launch title is Sony's first-person shooter, "Resistance: Fall of Man." Developed by Insomniac Studios (of "Ratchet and Clank" fame), "Resistance" throws players into an alternate reality where WWII never occurred.

Instead, a menacing plague has struck Europe and threatens to wipe out mankind. Those who are infected eventually transform into frightening alien creatures. These beings join the fight against humanity, and it's up to you to stop them with an exotic array of weaponry.

Every armament has a useful secondary fire mode, most of which have never been seen before. Take the auger assault rifle, for example. Its projectiles can fire through most objects, while the secondary mode erects a temporary floating energy shield. Players can hide behind this shield and easily fire through it.

Such unusual weaponry lets the player develop strategies for single and online multiplayer. "Resistance" is one of the few PS3 launch games to offer online game play. This is no bare-bones online offering. It's the first next-generation game to support up to 40 players. In addition, games run with little to no lag.

The game offers intense online combat with enough maps and modes to satisfy almost any gamer. When you add gorgeous, high-resolution graphics, advanced physics, excellent audio and nonstop action to the mix, the result is the PS3's first must-have title.

Game: "Guitar Hero II"

Publisher: Red Octane

System: Sony PlayStation 2

Cost: $49.99 (with guitar controller)

ESRB Rating: T

Review rating: 3 stars

Rockers of the world unite. It's time to put your air-guitar skills to good use with Red Octane's "Guitar Hero II." This sequel to the wildly popular "Guitar Hero" is packed with new features: new songs, multiplayer modes and the ability to play three guitar tracks per song.

Using a special plastic, guitar-shaped controller, players must strum while pressing the appropriate fret button to create a note. When two notes are created simultaneously, the result is a chord.

On screen, notes and chords stream by and must be played at the correct moment to be heard. Missed notes create noticeable silences and audible disapproval from the audience. However, hitting consecutive notes creates crowd-pleasing combos that increase the player's score.

Unfortunately, there's no online play, but three fun, offline multiplayer modes are available. First, there's Face Off, where players alternate on the same song in an attempt to achieve the high score. Then there's Pro Face Off, which is the same as above but players compete side by side using two guitar controllers. Lastly, Cooperative mode lets players work together to blaze through a song and create high scores.

Adding to the fun are humorous life lessons, like having a mini-fridge close by is more important than having a bassist. "Guitar Hero II" is a great party game. It can help players learn the basics of playing a guitar and make you feel like a rock star. Groupies not included.

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RATING KEY

4 stars - Must have

3 stars - Pretty good

2 stars - So-so

1 star - Don't waste your time

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Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: Everyone

T: Teen (13 and older)

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)