DEVELOPER: Visual Concepts

PUBLISHER: 2K Sports

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 3.5 (out of 5 stars)

Ever since the 1990s, EA Sports and 2K Sports have been bitter rivals when it comes to making sports games. While the National Football League sold their rights to the highest bidder, the National Hockey League still lets more than one company make official NHL games.

Strangely enough, 2K Sports latest, uh, goal was to make "NHL 2K9" more accessible to a larger audience. While they were successful, the move also conceded the hockey simulation title to EA.

That's not to say that the game is a dumbed-down version of hockey, it's just easier to control and not quite as authentic as previous incarnations. Think over-the-top hockey like that found in the 1977 movie "Slap Shot," and you get the idea. In fact, the in-game officials miss more fouls in one game than you usually see in an entire season.

It also seems like the speed of the game has been increased, as it's too easy to break away and attack a rival goalie one on one. Rather than wait for defenders and play the passing game, players can rely on the ability to score nearly every time they get the puck. This might satisfy newcomers, but knowledgeable hockey fans will find it too simplistic.

Not everything has been diluted in a bad way, however, as the controls are not nearly as intricate as before. Players won't have to press several buttons at once just to achieve a single move. Also, controlling the player with the left analog while directing the hockey stick with the right has a natural feel. In addition, there are three control schemes to choose from so everyone should be able to find one that makes them happy.

"NHL 2K9" is still a solid hockey title. It's just more suited for sports admirers than diehard fanatics.

Difficulty Factor Too High in 'Commando: Steel Disaster'

DEVELOPER: XS Games

PUBLISHER: XS Games

SYSTEM: Nintendo DS

PRICE: $19.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 2.5 (out of 5 stars)

We all know that imitation is a form of flattery, but too much emulation is in poor taste. I like to see games adopt great features from other games, but "Commando: Steel Disaster" is little more than a overly difficult version of the hit series "Metal Slug."

Players take on the role of an elite commando named Storm who must battle the dastardly Rattlesnake and his seemingly endless onslaught of high-tech henchmen. Most games in the side-scrolling shooter genre don't need a storyline because they are about one thing: mow down all enemies.

Unfortunately, the story found in this title is not only unnecessary, but it is also told through horrid, low-quality still shots of characters spewing boring text. Talk about wasted resources. Most gamers will simply skip through it to get to the action.

However, it only takes a few minutes of combat to realize that this game was made for only the most hardcore players. Its brutal level of difficulty, even in normal mode, will force players to replay every scenario several times. If you're lucky enough to make it to the end of a level, the boss enemy will bombard you with more projectiles than Bill O'Reilly would receive at a Democratic National Convention.

Controlling the action is easy and intuitive, but I don't agree with some of the design decisions. For example, why can't all weapons shoot diagonally? Also, why can't I change the control layout until after the first level? Lastly, why do I have to hit the brakes on vehicles to shoot up in the air? My enjoyment of this game was severely hampered by these unnecessary limitations.

Sure, the action found in "Commando: Steel Disaster" is fast and frenetic, but it makes me want to throw my DS out the window every few minutes.

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)

To find out more about Jeb Haught and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.