Customize your ninja moves with 'Tenchu Z'

Video Game Reviews Game: "Tenchu Z"

Publisher: Microsoft

System: Microsoft Xbox 360

Cost: $60

ESRB rating: M

Review rating: 3 stars

When it comes to stealth games, "Splinter Cell" and "Metal Gear Solid" may hog the spotlight, but "Tenchu" was the original of the genre.

Set in feudal Japan, this series forgoes high-tech gadgetry and weapons in favor of simple but effective shurikens, blow darts and a razor-sharp katana.

The latest installment, "Tenchu Z," adds in-depth customization to skills and outfits while retaining the core game play from previous installments. Players can purchase a wide variety of martial arts skills such as attack combos and the ability to crawl on ceilings. Would-be ninjas aren't locked into one build. Instead, they can swap skills before each mission.

In addition to custom skills, it's nice to be able to buy clothes and items to customize my nimble ninja. While my real-life closet may be full of 5-year-old garments, my cyber-assassin has all the latest threads. In another nice touch, my customized fighter appears in the cut scenes rather than predetermined character.

Unfortunately, nearly everything else screams "last generation." There are only about 10 real levels - these get recycled, filled with different enemies and passed off as "new" levels. I'm sorry, but that's just lazy programming.

Lastly, why doesn't "Tenchu Z" make use of any advanced graphics effects such as bump mapping or advanced particle effects?

Fortunately, there's a four-player online co-op mode for agile ninjas to talk about their hatred of pirates while tackling any single-player level. The game's strengths make up for its shortcomings. "Tenchu Z" is sure to satisfy any budding swordsman.

Game: "Pocket Pool"

Publisher: Eidos

System: Sony PSP

Cost: $30

ESRB rating: M

Review rating: 1/2 stars

Mix together a roomful of adolescents, raging hormones, some unknown models and a pool table and what do you get? The absolute worst game ever released on a handheld, that's what.

"Pocket Pool," where skilled game play is rewarded with photos of scantily clad models, must have been thought up during the same brainstorming session that created the movie "Beerfest."

Let's start with the premise that earning images of models is some sort of incentive. Perhaps the developers weren't aware that the Internet is full of photos of barely clothed - and unclothed - women.

So, then, you'd hope the pool game would be pretty good. Nope - not at all.

Apparently, realism isn't something the developers were shooting for. Instead, it's more like bumper pool with invisible bumpers. Don't be surprised to see your ball travel in a straight line, only to be knocked askew by some dense patch of thin air.

Players who can endure the single-player modes can also play online. But I doubt many people will buy "Pocket Pool." And I doubt that those who do will risk letting anyone know by playing online.

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)