Game Review: 'Grid', 'Lego Indiana Jones'

Jim Van Slyke - Virginian-Pilot

"Grid"

$60 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3; $40 for PC from Codemasters (reviewed on the Xbox)

Rated Everyone

It seems like a racing game comes out every other week, so it's hard to get excited when another rolls around the track. Everybody has a favorite. Some prefer realism, while others don't mind if the cars flip over 20 times and still make it around the track.

"Grid" races down the middle of that sim/arcade street. It weaves elements of realistic racing games such as "Project Gotham Racing" and forgiving arcade racers such as "Daytona USA." It's an intense experience that has all the ingredients of good racing games - challenge, sense of speed, drama and competition - but gamers won't need to spend hours finding the ideal tire pressure.

Gamers create a character and start racing for the highest bidder. As the cash rolls in, they can create their own team. Gamers can race in the United States, Europe and Japan in track races, mountain road runs, street competitions, endurance races and more. There are only 45 cars, but they're mostly racing powerhouses. Although the cars look and feel realistic, crashes are over-the- top, and the handling has an arcade feel. A Flashback function allows gamers to pause the race, rewind a bit and resume the action.

With fantastic graphics and plenty of variety online and off, "Grid" doesn't go flat after a few laps.

"Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures"

$30 to $50 for multiple systems from LucasArts

Rated Everyone

In "Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures," gamers can wear a fedora and crack a whip like everybody's favorite archaeologist. Even those who haven't seen "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Temple of Doom" and "The Last Crusade" will have fun in these adventures.

The game follows the plot of the films, yet everything is made of Legos. There's quite a bit of humor as well. The game begins with the classic opening sequence from "Raiders," as Indy runs through the jungle, making his way through the booby-trapped ruins, including the massive round boulder that nearly pancakes him.

"Lego Indiana Jones" plays differently than the "Lego Star Wars" series. It emphasizes adventuring and puzzle solving rather than combat. Most of the combat is hand-to-hand because guns quickly run out of ammo. Each of the 60 playable characters has strengths and weaknesses. Indy cowers when snakes are around, but rocks everywhere else.

There is tons of extra content and other things to unlock, which give the game a healthy shelf life. This is a great collection for "Indiana Jones" fans of all ages.

"Ninja Gaiden II"

$60 for Xbox 360 from Microsoft

Rated Mature

Many gamers consider "Ninja Gaiden" on the Xbox to be the greatest action game ever made. The rest of us recognize its genius, even if it made us want to throw our controllers out the window in frustration. "Ninja Gaiden II" is even bloodier than the first.

Ryu Hayabusa is once again the ninja who oddly believes in running straight at opponents instead of silently stalking and killing them without a whisper. Ryu is out to avenge the wrongs perpetrated against his clan and must fight all sorts of unnatural uglies along the way. He leaves a trail of gore throughout the 14 stages, lopping off arms, legs and heads with each swipe of his sword.

The plot makes little sense, but gamers are better off not worrying about it. There are four difficulty levels, two of which must be unlocked. A new regeneration system will help some gamers stay alive, but skills and fast fingers are truly the best defense.

The graphics are mostly superb. Camera trouble that plagued "Ninja Gaiden" is still present, yet not as maddening since less of the game occurs in narrow hallways and small rooms. The emphasis in this fun, if extremely bloody, game is on insanely fast combat and incredible amounts of gore. If that's your thing, sharpen your ninja sword.

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Copyright 2012 by Virginian-Pilot