Batman: Arkham Asylum - 360/PS3

It's fair to say that previous games featuring superheroes haven't exactly set the pulse racing. As a result, titles such as Crackdown and InFamous have filled the void, allowing players to leap over buildings, throw cars into the air and unleash justice on the bad guys.

However, if anyone was going to redress the balance, it was going to be Batman. With his fighting prowess and reliance on gadgets, he's the perfect subject for a videogame hero, and Arkham Asylum is a game which does Gotham's finest proud.

Set in the confines of Gotham City's famous psychiatric hospital, the story opens with Batman escorting The Joker to his cell. Of course the grinning goon manages to escape, Arkham is locked down, and the hunt is on to track the Clown Prince of Crime down before he unleashes chaos.

Arkham Asylum is an amalgamation of genres - with stealth-based sections, environmental puzzle solving, and bouts of good old-fashioned fisticuffs fused coherently together to produce a slick and well-rounded package.

Combat is excellent, with simple button combos unleashing meaty hits and well-placed kicks, while pulling off counter attacks is intuitive and hassle free. At times the combat feels more like a rhythm game, with the player stringing together well-timed flurries with ease.

What Arkham Asylum does better than the majority of superhero games from the past is create an excellent - and slightly uncomfortable - ambiance. The dark, oppressive atmosphere exuding from the asylum's walls brings to mind 2K's BioShock.

And while the asylum isn't an open world for Batman to play about in, the developers have given the player ample opportunity to wander off the beaten track, throwing in a wealth of collectables to discover for those with a sense of adventure.

Chief among these shiny baubles are The Riddler's trophies. The green-clad fiend has scattered hundreds around the asylum, while the criminal mastermind also poses wonderful optional conundrums to solve in most of the levels.

Interview recordings with several high-profile patients are also scattered about, and these audio clips are a definite highlight thanks to the cast's stellar voice acting. Special mention goes to Mark Hamill's portrayal of The Joker. He's voiced the cackling criminal before in Batman's animated series, and his return to the fold adds an incredible amount to the experience. He chatters away over the asylum's speaker system, adding another layer to the game's already excellent atmosphere.

Each new discovery and successful fight rewards the player with experience points, which can be spent on upgrading the Dark Knight and his gadgets.
There is a fair amount of backtracking throughout the game, but usually when making your way across previously explored areas, you'll have a new gadget at your disposal, allowing the player to reach new places. This takes some of the monotony out of trudging across familiar territory, but there's still a bit too much repetition for my liking.

Thankfully, Batman's gadgets are fun to use - from staples such as the Batarang and grappling hook, to more inventive creations such as explosive gel, which blows chunks from walls, revealing hidden alcoves.

Another important feature is Detective Mode, a scanning device which allows Batman to see enemies through walls and reveal clues which are invisible to the human eye. Frequent use of this is vital, as stealthily locating enemies and taking them down quietly is vital.

Failure to take gun-wielding inmates down silently usually results in Batman meeting his end in a volley of machine-gun fire. Luckily, the stealth-based sections are solid, with Batman able to take down foes from behind with a simple button press, before the Caped Crusader returns to the shadows to await his next victim.

All of this would be enough to elevate Arkham Asylum above most of this year's games, but there's plenty more packed on to the disc. Character bios can be unlocked, featuring personal details and back story of some of the comic's most famous characters, including Killer Moth, Mad Hatter, Catwoman and The Penguin. What's more, there's a fine collection of 3D character models to unlock and peruse at your leisure, while a generous selection of challenge rooms adds immensely to the game's replayability.

I finished Arkham Asylum with 73 per cent completion rating - a task which took me a little over 12 hours, so there's plenty of reasons to go back and dig a little deeper.

With its attention to detail, excellent play mechanics, wonderful atmosphere, and engaging storyline twists and turns, Batman: Arkham Asylum is the most polished and enjoyable title I've played all year. Believe the hype, Batman is back.

360 version tested

Endless Ocean 2 - Wii: New video

I've completed Aquanaut's Holiday: Hidden Memories on PS3, and the original Endless Ocean on Wii. But at last, we have a new video of Endless Ocean 2. No, your eyes don't deceive you, this is running on Wii.

It looks gorgeous and I can't wait to play. I'm pretty sure a Western release is due to land next year. Until then, check out this clip.

I'm off to boot up Endless Ocean again...

3D Dot Game Heroes - PS3

FROM Software, the team who brought us the excellent Demon's Souls on PS3, have unveiled their latest title, and it looks wonderful.

Details are still sketchy, but we do know some parts of the story. Following the defeat of an evil demon, the king of the land has decided he's had enough of his flat, 2D realm and has transformed it into eye-popping blocky 3D.

The game is scheduled to launch in Japan in November, and I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on this magnificent looking title.

Here are some screens, and remember to check out the official Japanese website

Okaeri! Chibi Robo! Happy Rich Osouji - DS

While we patiently wait for the Wiimake of Gamecube classic Chibi-Robo to land, Nintendo have released Okaeri! Chibi Robo! Happy Rich Osouji (Welcome Home Chibi-Robo) on DS in Japan.

I'm waiting for my copy to drop through the door, but it definitely looks more like the original game, and less like Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol - which never made it to the UK.

Jenny, the frog-loving girl from the first game returns as a grown up, with a son - Keith - and a dog called Lucky. However, times are tough, and it's up to Chibi to clean the house and help Jenny redecorate.

Chibi can now sift dirt and rubbish to find small nuggets of gold, which can then be used to buy new furniture and wallpaper for the house via a TV shopping channel.

While Chibi can pick up rubbish and use a toothbrush to clean as before, he now has access to a vacuum.

It also looks like the game features another range of off-the-wall characters - although it has its work cut out if it hopes to match the original's brilliant cast.

Judging from the video, it looks as if there's a Poker game buried in the game, a plane for Chibi to fly and a Cooking Mama-style mini game.

Machinarium - PC/Mac

The point and click genre has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity recently, with Monkey Island: Special Edition (PC/360/iPhone), Broken Sword: Director's Cut (Wii/DS) and Sam & Max (PC/360/Wii) being the pick of the bunch.

Now Amanita Design - the team behind indie hits Samorost 1 & 2 - are due to release Machinarium in October. With its beautiful and charming art design, and cracking musical score, this could be a classic.

Of course, point and click adventures live or die by the quality of their puzzles, but hopes are high that Machinarium won't let us down.

Machinarium will be available from the Steam network in a few months time. Until then, here are some screens.



Official website

Wii Sports Resort - Wii

Nintendo's decision to bundle the original Wii Sports with the Wii was an undeniable success. It introduced people to motion-sensing controls and helped launch sales of the console into the stratosphere.

Wii Sports Resort expands upon the original game and gives players more control thanks to the packed-in Wii Motion Plus - a small peripheral which clips on to the Wiimote to give the player a greater degree of accuracy.

With a total of 12 main events set on the sun-kissed Wuhu Island, this heightened degree of control adds a huge amount to the game's playability. Backhand serves and smashes can easily be pulled off in Table Tennis, aiming in Archery is intuitive and responsive, while adding curve to a Frisbee throw is a breeze.

Along with the above events, Wii Sports Resort also features Swordplay, Wakeboarding, Basketball, Power Cruising, Canoeing, Cycling and Air Sports, while old favourites 10-pin Bowling and Golf make a return - the latter now featuring a full 18-hole course.

Playing most of the events unlocks new modes or difficulty levels for the 12 main attractions, such as the wonderful Frisbee Golf or Three-on-Three Basketball.

Wii Sports Resort has a definite focus on multiplayer, although the single player modes are still compelling and fun.

It's easy to initially dismiss events such as Wakeboarding, Cycling and Canoeing as throwaway fluff, but dig a bit deeper and these events begin to shine.

The Air Sports events also deserve a mention. Sky Diving and Free Flight are great activities to relax with, and while shooting at planes in Ariel Dogfighting has its moments, flying at different times of day around Wuhu Island searching for points of interest evokes memories of Nintendo's classic Pilotwings.

While unlocking new modes and improving your scores is at the centre of the game, every event has mini-achievements called Stamps to collect.

These range from simply getting five consecutive shots in basketball, to harder challenges such as getting perfect 10s in every round of archery.

Visually, the game ticks all the right boxes. Wuhu Island's sun-drenched beaches, lush green hills, and brilliant blue skies make the game instantly appealing, while full Mii support means your gaggle of Mii creations can be found scattered across the island.

The only disappointment I have with Wi Sports Resort is a lack of online leaderboards or rewards for collecting Stamps, while some might find the lack of stat tracking a missed opportunity.

Still, despite these minor niggles, Wii Sports Resort is a triumph. It may not be the deepest sports game on the market, but it's certainly the most fun.

Nintendo sent me a copy of the game two weeks ago, and I've played it every night since. It's charming, entertaining and instantly accessible. Go buy it.

Katamari Forever - PS3 - Demo

The demo of Katamari Forever - or Katamari Tribute in Japan - went live this morning on the Japanese PSN store.

The demo features two levels, with the now robotic King of All Cosmos issuing you with more absurd demands.


The first thing you'll notice are the new look visuals. Both levels feature sketchy pastel-shaded graphics which have a similar look to Sega's Valkyria Chronicles. Word is the final retail version will feature various filter effects.

In case you are a Katamari rookie, the aim of the game is very simple. With the help of the Prince, you must guide a large sticky ball - the Katamari - around the levels collecting everyday objects as you go. The more stuff you roll up, the bigger your Katamari becomes.

The first level of the demo tasks you with filling the Katamari with water and turning a nearby desert into a blooming oasis, complete with palm trees, tulips, lions and zebras.

The second is more traditional Katamari Damacy territory. Set in a kitchen - in a level I'm sure I've played before - the Prince rolls up objects such as deep fried prawns, orange segments, sushi rolls, sugar cubes and milk cartons.

Katamari Damacy is known for its brilliant off-the-wall soundtrack, and judging from this demo, Katamari fans will be in for an audio treat when the games hits store shelves in the UK this September.

From jazz influenced beats and Latin grooves to bright and breezy electronica, Katamari Forever sounds wonderful.

I'm sure the demo will make its way to the Euro PSN store in the coming weeks, and I really can't wait for another Katamari fix.

Retro Game Challenge - DS

Retro Game Challenge is based on the bizarre Japanese videogame TV show GameCenter CX, starring videogame masochist Shinya Arino.

In the show, Arino takes a game from the past and attempts to complete it within 24 hours. Arino deliberately tracks down obscure and almost impossible games for his challenges and plays on bravely - occasionally aided by one of his assistants - until he cracks it, or cracks up. It's thoroughly entertaining viewing and genuinely funny.

The game is a spin-off from the show and is a little slice of brilliance. It was released in Japan in late 2007, and a translated version came out in the US back in February. Unfortunately, there is no word on a UK release, which is a real shame. Still, as the DS is region free, I'd urge you to import.

At the start of the game, Arino sends you back in time to the Eighties, where you team up with his younger self to play games of the era and try and beat his challenges.

While all the fully-fleshed out games are fictional, they all bear a striking similarity to games of the era. The first game you'll encounter is called Cosmic Smash, which bears an uncanny resemblance to classic shooter Galaga. Other titles include Robot Ninja Haggle Man, Rally King, while 12+ hour adventure Guadia Quest is a nod to the classic Dragon Quest series.

Once challenges are completed - such as completing a certain stage, getting a certain score, or performing specific actions - the story progresses and new games become available - complete with their own set of unique challenges.

To help you on your way, you can browse game manuals, while new issues of fictional games magazine GameFan become available as you make progress. Each issue can be read cover to cover and feature tips and cheats for certain games.

Along with specific games related info, GameFan also features a good chunk of unrelated stuff to read through, including a section titled Gamer's Voice, where 'readers' send in their questions.

This section is completely off the wall and features questions like: 'Whenever I eat snacks while playing games, my controller gets all sticky.' from Hugh Jass, Florida.

Answer: 'You should practice proper eating etiquette, or eat snacks on sticks like cheese fondue.' Completely unrelated to the game, but the attention to detail is brilliant.

All the games look and sound like their 8-bit counterparts, but all have a certain amount of style and charm.

A second Retro Game Challenge title is currently available in Japan titled GameCenter CX: Arino's Challenge 2, but there is no word of a western release.

It's a brilliant little package and is definitely worth hunting down.

Tales of Vesperia - 360

Despite the success of the 360, there have only been a handful of decent RPGs for the system, with Eternal Sonata, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey being the pick of the bunch.

Tales of Vesperia is the latest Namco Bandai title to appear and it's arguably the best on the system.

Following an attempt to track down a mysterious figure who has stolen a magical artifact from his neighbourhood, rebellious lead Yuri teams up with a gang of diverse characters and finds himself entangled in a much bigger plot.

It's all standard Japanese RPG fare, but where Vesperia excels is in its visuals, story and excellent battle system.

The graphics may not carry as much charm as Eternal Sonata's, but they are still gorgeous. Beautifully cell-shaded, the towns, villages, enemies and surrounding countryside look incredible.

However, it's Vesperia's battle system which is the real star of the show. There are no turn-based battles here, with all fights running in real-time. Although you are only in complete control over one character at a time, your teammates can be commanded into different formations.

They are also adept at healing and getting stuck into fights, which takes a certain amount of pressure off the player.

While a button-mashing tactic sometimes works, victory in battles is easier if you run behind enemies, or flank them from the side.

All the main characters also have access to Artes - special powers which increase their attacks - while certain weapons have unique properties to aid you in battle.

When not roaming the countryside beating up enemies, the player can also synthesise weapons to make powerful items, while learning recipes lets the player cook stat-boosting food for the team.

There are plenty of other distractions away from the main thrust of the game, including a poker game which could net you lots of cash, and a bundle of side quests, all of which add to the game's longevity.

Not that you'll be finishing Tales of Vesperia any time soon. There is so much to see and do, that repeated playthroughs will be needed before you see all the game has to offer. Add to that a 60+ hour adventure, and Vesperia is great value for money.

There are also various difficulty levels, which means that even the most novice player will get maximum enjoyment out of the game.

Namco Bandai have given us a quality role playing experience and if you're looking for a sizeable adventure to get your teeth into, then Tales of Vesperia certainly fits the bill.

Overlord II - 360/PS3

With its tongue firmly in its cheek, the original Overlord proved to be a highly enjoyable romp through the darker side of the fantasy genre. This sequel is a much more polished take on the series, but it's not without its flaws.

Overlord's main inspiration comes from Shigeru Miyamoto's Pikmin series, but rather than controlling spacemen and strange plants, Overlord instead features a horde of cackling minions to do your bidding.

These Gremlin-looking bundles of evil come in four varieties, each one specialising in a particular trait. At first you start out only able to summon Brown minions, who are good all-round fighters. As you progress, you’ll gain access to Reds, who can used ranged fire attacks, Greens can sneak and do stealth-based damage, while the Blues can cross bodies of water and heal others.

Each particular type of minion is introduced individually, giving the player ample opportunity to get used to their nuances. However, once all four have been unlocked, a fair amount of strategy comes into play to get through the levels.

While the original game was set in the heart of a whimsical Tolkien-like world, with lots of fat halflings to kill, Overlord II is set in the realm of the Roman Empire.

While Terry Pratchett-inspired fantasy staples are scattered throughout - including peace-loving elves - the Overlord and his grinning monstrosities can often feel out of place taking on Roman garrisons.

However, at least the Romans prove to be a stiff challenge with their battle formations. Wading into these organised ranks is usually a bad idea, so careful though must be given on where to position your army - Placing fire-throwing reds on an overhanging ledge, while your browns wade into battle is a particularly effective early strategy.

Sweeping your army through ranks of Roman soldiers and plundering their gold is at the heart of the game, and controlling them is familiar ground for old hands.

The right stick is used to guide your army to its target, while the left stick controls the Overlord. Much like the original, this set-up takes a bit of getting used to, and sweeping your army around isn't the smoothest of operations - minions can disappear from view, and sometimes disaster will strike as you accidentally lead them into water.

A much easier way of controlling your mob is to fire them directly at their target, but there are times when you have no choice but to use the right stick.

Although a mini-map has thankfully been included this time - it was sadly lacking in the original 360 version - there is still a general lack of signposting. Not knowing what to do or where to go next is a problem which creeps in occasionally.

When not running riot through scores of enemies, there is plenty of scope to customise your experience.

Back in your tower of evil, new weapons can be forged, spells learned and minions upgraded - you can even redecorate the tower to suit your mistresses tastes! The game also keeps track of your individual army members, and even if your favourite dies in battle, he can be resurrected back at base.

Overlord II is a sizable, great looking, and enjoyable adventure, but there are several frustrating annoyances that really should have been ironed out. It's not a radical departure from the first game, but there's just enough here to tempt people back to the dark side.

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite - PSP

In Japan, the release of a new Monster Hunter game is greeted by mass hysteria, with some restaurants even serving up Monster Hunter-themed meals. Millions of copies have been sold in the land of the Rising Sun, but it's a series which has never really taken off in the West.

Some blame the control system, some don't like the cumbersome weapons, while others are put off by the insane level of customisation and depth at the player's disposal.

So it's great to see developer Capcom throw their weight behind this third PSP game in the series, in a move which is sure to entice more gamers into the gaping jaws of this gem of a game.

Unlike traditional RPGs, there is no overarching story to Monster Hunter. Instead, the player takes on a series of quests to slay wild creatures, using their remains to craft elaborate and effective armour and weapons. This kill, gather and create element is at the core of what makes the game special.

There are thousands of items to craft, and the promise of acquiring a shining new piece of armour or a magnificent-looking Greatsword really spurs the player on.

Monster Hunter has always been known for its hardcore credentials, and getting the most out of the game requires dedication, preparation, patience and skill.

Choosing the right weapon is fundamental to your chances of success, and there are many to choose from. From hefty Greatswords and massive Gunlances, to stout axes and nimble bows, each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses and each takes time to master.

Even when you feel comfortable with your weapon choice, simply wading into battle desperately pressing attack buttons will get you killed quickly. Instead, the player must plan ahead and take useful items with them on their travels.

Whetstones sharpen your weapon, a well-cooked meal boosts your stamina, hot and cold drinks keep your body temperature constant and traps and bombs are used to hinder your enemies.

Taking these beautifully rendered monsters down requires skill and cunning. There's no lock-on mode - something which has irked some in the past - but chastising the game for this would be missing the point entirely.

Monster Hunter is a game of skill, with the player having to study each creature's attack pattern before combat takes place. A lock-on option would only serve to dilute the experience.

Monster Hunter isn't limited to fighting either. The player can mine precious ore, go fishing, plant seeds, cook, forage and catch bugs. These raw materials can then either be fused to create items such as potions, traps and fishing lures or blended with items taken from downed monsters to create bigger and better weapons and armour.

Taking on quests is made considerably easier when there are a few of you playing together. However, while the game caters for multiplayer, it's limited to Ad-Hoc multiplayer, not full online play. It's a glaring omission from Capcom, especially when you consider this is the third game to appear on PSP and online play still hasn't been implemented.

As if to appease single players, Capcom have added a recruitable Felyne companion to accompany you out on the field. These helpful cats can be trained in combat, while others can also be recruited to your kitchen, where they will cook up hearty meals.

Visually, Unite is spectacular. The attention to detail makes the beautiful settings come to life, while some of the monsters are simply jaw-dropping.

The learning curve in Monster Hunter Freedom Unite can be brutal and frustration creeps in as another seemingly impossible monster wipes you out for the sixth time of asking. However, persevere, and you will succeed, which brings with it the most wonderful feeling of satisfaction and elation you'll ever encounter in a videogame.

With thousands of cracking looking items waiting to be discovered, visuals to die for and hundreds of hours playtime, Unite is one of the finest and most addictive games on the PSP.

I have had a promo copy for the last three weeks, and already I am 50+ hours in. So whether you are an Monster Hunter veteran, or a rookie hunter, Unite is an essential purchase.

The Sims 3 - PC/Mac

Since The Sims franchise first rolled out in 2000, it has split gamers' opinions. Some hardcore players look down their noses at it due to its broad appeal and heavy emphasis on home decoration, job seeking and meal making, while others have fully embraced the series, delighting in watching their Sims find life-long happiness.

I have always been intrigued by the series, but never immersed myself fully, mainly due to the excessive amount of micro-management needed for even the simplest of tasks. Thankfully, The Sims 3 is a more streamlined take on the hugely popular virtual life simulator and is all the better for it.

Creating a Sim - or a family of Sims if you wish - you get to control the destiny of your creations, leading them through life and love, while helping them to achieve their personal goals before they eventually get old and die. However, if the thought of losing your favourites is too traumatic - and you can get strangely attached to your creations - you can halt the ageing process and have as much fun as you want.

Starting with a wide choice of clothes to wear - from snakeskin jackets to funky t-shirts - the player then chooses five personality traits to bestow upon your newly-created Sim. These govern how your Sim behaves in society. There are 62 traits to choose from, including clumsy, artistic, hopeless romantic, flirty, over-emotional and friendly. However, if you want to really mix things up around town, you can create an insane, anti-social kleptomaniac - the choice is completely up to you.

One major change this time around is there is now a whole neighbourhood for your Sims to explore. To add a sense of community, computer controlled citizens go about their daily routines from dawn till dusk.

This is a huge step up from previous games, where the gameworld tended to feel a little claustrophobic. The whole town buzzes with life and wandering around, knocking on doors and chatting to locals is always fun and an essential element to character progression. Depending on how you get on with others, new chat options open up, which adds to the almost limitless social options.

Initially, The Sims 3 can be incredibly overwhelming. There is so much to see and do that my advice is just to play, have fun and learn from your mistakes.

Throughout the course of your Sims life, you'll forge friendships, fall in love, get married, have kids, go fishing, take guitar lessons, read the daily paper, attend cooking classes, make meals, get a job, get promoted, get fired, pay bills, chill out in front of the TV, play videogames, throw parties, read books, plant seeds, water plants, clean the house, take showers, play chess, study paintings, take part in hot dog eating competitions and party until dawn - and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

As the days go by, you'll discover Moodlets. Fulfilling these boosts your Sim's mood and can range from phoning in pizza to buying a laptop. Keeping on top of these is no easy task, and can be expensive, but seeing your Sim happy is always reward enough.

Aside from the fabulous open world for your Sim to explore, the frustrating micro management which soured my enjoyment of the first two games has all but gone. Sure, you still have to make sure your Sim can cook, clean, wash and tidy up, but the fact your Sim doesn't need to use the bathroom every 10 minutes is a real bonus.

While not painting the town red at weekends, the player can buy new items for their Sims. From kitchen appliances and lawn ornaments, to new sofas, cars and flat-screen TVs, there are scores of tempting objects to buy. Of course, to pay for all the latest house-hold gadgets you'll need to find a job, while the bills still have to be paid and the weekly shopping bought.

Aside from the main game, The Sims 3 is lovingly looked after by a vibrant and friendly community. Via the game's website, players can share pictures, video clips, create new patterns, objects, houses and items to share with other players.

Many people play The Sims for this reason alone, while others never bother with this side of things. And that is the beauty of The Sims 3. You can be as involved or as hands off as you like.

The website also has an online store, where you can use real money to buy in-game items. When you register your copy of the game, the team at EA give you 1000 free SimPoints to spend - my first purchase was a lovely PlasmaTron TV for 100 points.

There is no real storyline in The Sims 3, but why would you need one? It's like having your own soap opera in your PC, with every day bringing new and exciting stories to share.

It's not all perfect, though. While your Sim is at work, you never see what they are up to, and although there are many buildings scattered around town, you are only able to properly explore the interiors of a few. I'm sure the future gaggle of expansions will remedy these niggles, but it's a disappointment nonetheless.

The Sims 3 is one of those magical experiences that every gamer should investigate further. It sold 1.4million copies in its first week, so why not join the party and see what The Sims 3 has to offer? Just be warned, when everything clicks into place, it's one of the most addictive games you'll ever play.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game - PS3

With Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd in charge of the script and plenty of quality source material to rummage through, Ghostbusters should be a highly polished, well-crafted, all-action romp.

While it largely succeeds in delivering the goods, this European PS3 exclusive title is far from the finished article, with a series of niggles preventing it from achieving greatness.

Set a few years after the second Ghostbusters film, you are cast in the shoes of a wet behind the ears, ghost bustin' rookie. You join proton pack-wearing favourites Venkman, Spengler, Stantz and Zeddemore just as another cross dimensional rift opens up in New York City.

Essentially a third-person shooter, the player is led from one point of interest to the next, encountering and trapping ghosts in areas which tingle the old nostalgia senses, such as The Hotel Sedgewick and the New York Public Library.

The ghost trapping element is at the core of the game and it works well for the most part. Choosing between one of four modes of fire, the player targets the specter, depleting it of energy, before guiding it into the the golden light of an awaiting portable ghost trap.

Other hulking trans-dimentional foes - hello Mr Stay Puft - simply require the player to chip away at their health until destroyed.

While this pattern repeats throughout the course of the game, it never feels repetitive due to the variety of ghosts, the variying locations and the quality of the banter between your fellow ghostbusters.

Ramis, Akroyd and Bill Murray all feature here, and their witty, tongue in cheek narrative keeps the story flowing.

The player is usually accompanied by at least one comrade while searching for Full-Roaming Phantoms or Class V Telekinetic Animators, and their one-liners really help immerse the player in the game world.

However, it's this game world which is also one of Ghostbusters weaker points. While the locations can be impressive - especially when the player crosses dimentions and enters the crumbling ghost world - the sloppy textures on display are a sorry sight.

While I don't expect every surface and object to be fabulously rendered, I do expect a PS3 game to look better than what is essentially an upscaled Wii game.

Another niggle is also the game length - it took me roughly six hours to see the end credits, which is incredibly short for a single player experience. However, the player can go back and uncover hidden objects, while there are plenty of optional ghosts to scan and catalogue.

Unfortunately, the multiplayer servers weren't up when I was playing my review copy, but hopefully this will add some much-needed longevity to the game.

Ghostbusters might not be perfect, but it is certainly one of the best movie-based games I've experienced. With a bit more love and attention on the visuals, a few more chapters, and a little less lineararity, Ghostbusters could have been outstanding. As is stands, it's still a fun way to spend a couple of evenings.

Klonoa - Wii

Despite the fact the Klonoa series offers colourful, solid and brilliant platform fun, our long-eared cat-like chum has been criminally overlooked by large sections of the gaming public in the past.

Now, 12 years after Klonoa made his debut on PS1, Namco have resurrected his original adventure and brought it to Wii.

Despite being more than a decade old, Klonoa puts the majority of recent platform games to shame, with games such as the recent Sonic titles failing to come close to matching Klonoa's brilliance.

The game is played across pseudo 3D levels, which twist and turn, giving the game a real sense of depth. Although Klonoa can travel 'into' the screen from time to time, most of the action plays out like a familiar left to right platformer.

The one thing which sets the series apart from games such as Mario and Sonic, is Klonoa's ability to grab enemies to either use as projectiles, or to launch himself high into the air.

Although the game is a strict platform romp, the ability to use enemies to aid Klonoa adds a strategic element to the game. Nothing is ever too taxing, but sometimes you'll have to engage the old grey matter when tackling some sections.

Visually, the game is beautiful. Namco have lavished a lot of love on Klonoa and by incorporating progressive scan and widescreen features, the game looks simply gorgeous running on a HD TV.

Sweeping pastoral levels, giant clockwork treehouses, spooky ruins, ice caverns and rusting temples are all gloriously rendered, with a depth of field filter used to make foreground objects look even sharper. Special mention goes to the lovely water effects, especially in level 2-2, Over the Rising Waterfall.

Aside from Klonoa's traditional run and jump gameplay, other elements creep in occasionally, and riding a wooden mine cart and being swept down a river make a nice change of pace.

The one downside to the plethora of platform fun is the length of the game. Klonoa isn't the longest or the most challenging game on the Wii, although it does have its moments - the last few levels are tricky - but with optional collectables peppered throughout every level, there's plenty of reason to go back and explore.

Namco have also included the option to just use the Wiimote to control Klonoa, although adding the nunchuk is advisable for the tricky leaps towards the end of the game, while Gamecube pad support is also included.

All in all, Klonoa is a top notch game. It's packed with charm, good looks, a memorable soundtrack and is a title that all platform fans should check out. It might not be quite as good as Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil on PlayStation 2, but with a price point around £20, there's enough here to keep platform fans more than happy.