DEVELOPER: EA

PUBLISHER: EA

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4.5 (out of 5 stars)

Capcom and Konami have always been major contributors to the survival horror genre, but I'm definitely not a fan of games that create tension by making the control scheme complicated. The lack of this "feature" is one reason why I really enjoy EA's latest title, "Dead Space." That, and the awesome visuals, interesting storyline, unique ambiance, cool weapons, challenging enemies, realistic physics, and overall creepiness.

Set centuries in the future, "Dead Space" tosses players into the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who is part of a maintenance crew dispatched to investigate the space hulk known as the Ishimura. Contact with all residents of this once lively space ship has been mysteriously cut off, and it's up to Isaac's crew to find out what happened.

Almost immediately after arriving on the Ishimura, the crew is attacked by deadly mutated monsters. This is where the game's "strategic dismemberment" factor kicks in, as the only vulnerable spots on these hideous enemies are their limbs and head. Fortunately, the player has several makeshift weapons at his or her disposal, most of which are actually futuristic engineering tools. On top of that, handy psychic abilities like slowing time and kinesis help players in their frantic fight for survival.

From the ability to walk on certain walls using magnetic boots to the holographic projections for each menu, this game emits coolness around every corner. I also love how the developers chose to display the life gauge on Isaac's space suit in order to completely eliminate the traditional game HUD. This helps to immerse players in the frightening virtual world that surrounds them.

My only real complaint is the linear game play. There is no branching off to do alternative objectives or even to explore the ship. Instead, players are limited to following the current objective or twiddling their thumbs.

Still, "Dead Space" is a fantastic foray into interstellar horror that is sure to thrill anyone who dares to play.

'Golden Axe: Beast Rider' Plays Like a Bad Remake

DEVELOPER: Secret Level

PUBLISHER: SEGA

SYSTEM: Sony

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 1.5 (out of 5 stars)

Hollywood has resurrected so many old movies and TV shows recently that pretty soon they'll have to start on a third wave. Now it seems like the video game industry is following suit, and some companies feel the need to "reinvent" popular franchises, which can have both positive and extremely negative results. Unfortunately for SEGA, their new hack-and-slash remake, "Golden Axe: Beast Rider," falls into the latter category.

Instead of having three characters to choose from like all previous Golden Axe titles, players can only assume the role of a female warrior named Tyris who must, yawn, avenge the slaughter of her people. Sure, the overused premise dates back to the same era in which the original game was popular, but it offers little motivation to beat the game.

Not when players have to endure such a dull and uninteresting combat system. Two buttons are used to execute a narrow array of maneuvers and combos that get repetitive after the first fight. It seems like the developers spent more time creating blood and gore effects than they did on combat. Tyris can also hit enemies with magic attacks, but they only serve as a slight diversion to the boring melee combat.

To make matters worse, there is no traditional block button. Players who want to avoid getting hit must pay attention to the color of the attack. Orange attacks are dodged by pressing one button and blue attacks are parried by pressing another. This is annoying enough during combat, but each parry must be timed perfectly to be successful.

One of the "highlights" of this game is the ability to hop on the back of several different mythical beasts and use them to attack enemies, but this gets old fast since each creature's variety of attacks are even more limited than those of its rider.

Just like the Matrix two and three movies, it's best to forget that "Golden Axe: Beast Rider" was ever made.

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.