Picks and Pans: Warhammer: Battle March, Wipeout HD, more
The Xbox 360 version of a lack- luster strategy game from a few years ago, “Warhammer: Battle March” doesn’t improve on the original. Actually, it’s a bit worse, as the precision of mouse and keyboard controls has been lost in the game’s transfer to the console. A serviceable but finger-twisting control scheme has been shoehorned in to work with the Xbox 360 controller, but it doesn’t feel responsive – a common complaint in this genre. At least the “Warhammer” world is interesting, and players can spend hours tweaking and painting their perfect army for online matches.
Players choose from three campaigns – one each for the Empire, the Orcs or the forces of Chaos – and take their prearranged armies into battle, mission by mission. Units that survive a fight can be replenished and strengthened with new items and such, and new squads can be hired, but what players take with them onto the battlefield is generally all they have in a fight.
Microsoft Xbox 360; $59.99
Age rating: Mature
Wipeout HD
3 stars
“Wipeout HD” takes several tracks from the two PlayStation Portable “Wipeout” games, tweaks them and shines them up for the big screen. As such, the game plays very much like it does on the PSP – but everything’s bigger and prettier.
The racing is lightning-fast and flashy; players pilot zippy anti-gravity vehicles through futuristic tracks. Going fast is easy, but turning is tougher. These racers don’t grip the road, so players have to pair their turns with air brakes to make those tight corners.
There are races against other vehicles, solo time trials and speed laps, and some other modes. In multi-vehicle races, players can pick up items while going through the tracks; some are weapons, others are speed boosts or defensive shields.
Sony PlayStation 3 (PlayStation Network download); $19.99
Age rating: 10-plus
World of Goo
3 1/2 stars
In “World of Goo,” players use googly-eyed balls of goo to create semirigid structures leading to an exit pipe – to finish a stage, a certain number of globs must make it into the pipe. It’s a captivating, physics-based puzzle game. The simple graphics adhere to a charming style, and the music ranges from moody to madcap.
The trick is to not run short of goo. The globs themselves form the structure they travel along, and whether they’re permanently stuck that way depends on the level and what kinds of goo are available. There are obstacles such as water and spikes that can take goo globs away, too.
PC (2boy.com download), also for Nintendo Wii (WiiWare download); $20; 1,500 Wii points ($15)
Age rating: Everyone
– Justin Hoeger
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