No need to puzzle over whether you will like 'Zack & Wiki'

Video Game Reviews 12/26 Game: "Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure"

Publisher: Capcom System

System: Nintendo Wii

Cost: $40

ESRB rating: E

Review rating: 3 stars 

If you are like me, the thought of playing another collection of puzzle games on the Wii is about as exciting as watching a Uwe Boll flick.

Fortunately, the puzzles in Capcom's latest Wii title, "Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure," are not tedious or simple, and they are all linked by an interesting story line.

Rather than having boring puzzle boards, the player is free to move Zack around small two-D levels and interact with various objects. Since locating and opening the treasure chest on each level is the ultimate goal, traveling from one point to another is no easy feat. Every level presents Zack with different challenges to impede his progress, ranging from traversing giant gaps and fire traps to finding keys and objects.

While the game is presented in two-D, it is possible to walk toward and away from the screen in order to go up stairs or maneuver around small areas. In addition, several different themes, such as jungle, ice castle and volcanic caves, govern the backdrop for each set of levels, and they become progressively harder to figure out. Early levels consist of not much more than a few puzzles, like cutting down trees to create bridges or turning cranks to make statues change shape.

However, down the line, the player will have to avoid enemies while figuring out challenging riddles that contain multiple steps.

Even when I'm not playing "Zack & Wiki," my thoughts usually drift to the latest brainteaser. If a puzzle game can appeal this much to a die-hard action fan, then it has the potential to charm just about anyone.

Game: "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune"

Publisher: Sony

System: Sony PlayStation 3

Cost: $60

ESRB rating: T

Review rating: 3 1/2 stars

Facing stiff competition from both the Xbox 360 and the Wii, Sony needs top-notch exclusive titles to draw gamers to the PS3. Fortunately, "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" swings to the rescue.

By combining elements from "Tomb Raider" games and Indiana Jones movies, Crash Bandicoot developers Naughty Dog has created a thrilling 1930s pulp action-style adventure where the player is the hero.

However, the main character, Nathan Drake, is not imbued with super powers, and he doesn't fight demons or possess supernatural shooting abilities. He's just an ordinary treasure hunter seeking fame and fortune. So you can imagine the excitement when Nathan unearths an ancient clue that begins a hazardous journey to locate the mythical treasure of El Dorado.

Throughout his voyage, Nathan will have to traverse various types of terrain, so it's fortunate that he is especially skilled at climbing and jumping. In fact, he can even swing on ropes, pilot a jet ski and fire his pistol while hanging on a ledge. Since Nathan usually engages in gunfights with multiple enemies, the ability to take cover behind objects and return fire is very welcome.

In addition, an in-depth hand-to-hand combat system lets players dispatch enemies within an arm's reach, and it is also possible to perform stealth kills on unsuspecting enemies. I just wish that most firefights didn't have multiple 'waves' of enemies that magically appear out of thin air.