'Call of Duty: World at War' is Old-School Fun

DEVELOPER: Treyarch

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4 (out of 5 stars)
Last year, the CoD franchise was reinvented as a modern military shooter with a strong emphasis on multiplayer, and it quickly became the most popular version to date. This year, Treyarch takes over where Infinity Ward left off by using the same game engine with "Call of Duty: World at War," but the combat has been reverted back to World War II. Fortunately, this title retains the same excellent online offerings as its predecessor, and also adds an excellent online four-player co-op mode.

This isn't the same CoD that fans are used to. No, "CoD: WaW" is much more gritty and realistic. Displaying everything from a brief torture scene to a German soldier casually shooting fallen Russians to ensure their demise, there is no attempt to tone down the brutality of war. Players take on the roles of both a Russian sniper in Europe and an American GI in the Pacific as they try to survive the deadliest war the world has ever seen.

Similar to previous iterations, "CoD: WaW" thrusts players into chaotic battles with artificial intelligence-controlled comrades at the player's side through much of the conflict. Also like past versions, these soldiers are mostly there for aesthetic value and can't be relied on to shoot the broad side of a barn. That's where the new co-op mode makes its impact, as having real soldiers at your side significantly improves the experience.

Playing co-op is fun, but adversarial online matches are top-notch! Players can create their own soldiers, complete with weapons and perks (beneficial enhancements such as inflicting more damage or shooting through walls) and play a wide variety of modes. In addition, some levels offer tanks to those who like to destroy everything. Speaking of which, the multiplayer level design in this game is simply outstanding!

Some fans of the series may not like the WWII setting, but I find "Call of Duty: World at War" to be an enjoyable departure from modern shooters.

Leap With Faith in 'Mirror's Edge'

DEVELOPER: DICE

PUBLISHER: EA

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3 (Xbox 360)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 4 (out of 5 stars)

Parkour, otherwise known as free running, is becoming more and more popular every day. Perhaps you have seen slender youths in TV ads running, jumping, diving, and otherwise manipulating their body around the environment in an effort to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Add in political intrigue and an attractive protagonist, and the result is the first parkour game in existence, aptly named "Mirror's Edge."

Set in a city where most people blindly go about their daily lives (sound familiar?) this game follows the adventures of a runner named Faith. Runners are couriers of special information that is too important to be delivered electronically, and they mostly travel over rooftops. When her sister is framed for murder, Faith must help to absolve her of the crime while also eluding the city's militaristic police force.

With no maps or arrows to point toward the correct path, Faith relies on red colored objects to guide her along the skyline. While the path is mostly linear, players are free to move around the rooftops however they see fit. I try to jump over fences and between buildings, duck under pipes, and dash on walls in one smooth graceful run whenever possible. This not only gives me a great sense of accomplishment, but also really looks cool because the game is presented in a realistic first-person view.

With most of the police armed, dodging bullets while also running with style can be very challenging. Fortunately, Faith has some cool melee attacks and can even disarm enemies. What I don't understand, however, is why she can pick up guns and start ducking behind objects to shoot enemies. This completely breaks the nature of parkour.

"Mirror's Edge" might have a few minor flaws, but the overall experience is like nothing you have ever played. Are you ready to take a leap of Faith?

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Pretty Good

3 stars = Above Average

2 stars = Bargain Bin

1 star = Don't Bother

RATINGS KEY

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: Everyone

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

T: Teen (13 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)

(set image) jha120508-visual1.jpg (end image) (set caption) "Call of Duty: World at War" takes the action back to World War II. Photo courtesy of Treyarch. (end caption)

(set image) jha120508-visual2.jpg (end image) (set caption) "Mirror's Edge" is the first video game to include "art du deplacement," French for the art of movement. Called parkour, it involves running, jumping and diving to get the from point A to point B. Photo courtesy of DICE. (end caption)