"I Love Sherpa"

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4th of July is 'round the corner (...) and the anticipation of cramming the entire family into the car for the weekend somewhere hangs heavy in the air. I remember that around this time, my family and I would be getting ready for a long summer weekend up at our cottage in good old Northport, MI.

Going "Up North" for vacation is a sacred tradition for all Michigan families, and ours was no different. What would normally be a 5 hour drive past Traverse City to the tip of the Leelanau peninsula would take about 7-8 depending on the holiday traffic, which is why my father would insist on us getting up before dawn to get on the road to "make good time." It also meant that we would be up to the cottage by the time most normal people were waking up for their holiday weekend. In a way, it was the equivalent of teleporting for me- my disorientation from the early hour meant that I only remembered waking up briefly at home, falling back asleep to the hum of the engine, and re-waking at the cottage. Like I was living my own 8 year old version of Donnie Darko, but with no Patrick Swayze.

Cheap Games for Under $20

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I would have loved to have featured more games for under $20, but you know, Live TV and airtime. I had Katamari Damacy there to play, but unfortunately didn't get around to it. (incidentally, if you own a PS2 and you don't own "Katmari," shame on you)

$50 is a hefty sum to ask someone to pay to play a game. I'm not saying it's too much, but it certainly means that you should be wise to which games deserve your hard-earned Grant. If you're not a hardcore gamer and can wait, some of the best games will drop down to chump change, especially if a sequel is imminently in the works.

So stay frugal! Just because a game is cheap, doesn't mean it's a cheap game...

Unless that game is "Narc."

The Game Guy- Serious News Journalism

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On my way out the door to do my 7am spot on "cheap games," I hear "GDS" tease that there's a new controversial game that's out there and they're going to have a game expert come in during the 8am hour to report/commentate on it.

Naturally, I feel a little slighted. Things have been going so well with me and the whole "GDS" gig, that I would have liked to have been the "game expert" they were plugging. But I also respected the fact that I'm relatively new in this TV gig, and they would probably want to go with a more established reporter or commentator.

So I walk into the studio this morning at about 6:45. They give me my time for the 7am spot, and I'm about to go set up and grab some coffee when the executive producer of the show comes up to me. He tells me they just got some news off the wire about this New York senator who's up in arms about this game that hasn't been released yet, and can I cover the story and commentate on it?

Holy Crap. Hell yea, I'll report all over that.

And so begins my first foray into "breaking news" and news reporting. I've got to give myself a pat on the ol' back for being able to pull out the name of Singleton's game "Fear & Respect" out of nowhere. I'm not kidding you people, I had no idea I was going to be covering this story and had about 20 minutes to get enough knowledge to run with it. All in all, it came out pretty good.

As for the actual "controversy." Like "Grand Theft Auto" and "Mortal Kombat" before it, this is going to be the game politicians rant about when they cite reasons for the downfall of our American society. Are games like "25 to Life" murder simulators, or do they encourage violence against police? My vote is a big "no," but that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be scrutinized.

The whole "Urban" genre is so tired and run its course that I believe it'll eventually collapse under its own popularity. (Of course the same can, and has been, said about the rap genre.) The popularity is currently at an all-time high, but I really believe it jumped the shark with "GTA: Vice City." Arguably, "Vice City" isn't an "urban" game, and more of a satirical period crime title. Still, "Vice City's" popularity gave birth to "GTA: San Andreas," which, though impressive in scope, isn't as original as "Vice City."

Ultimately, the "Urban Action" genre is a cash-cow industry right now, but it comes at a price of being racist, misogynistic, degrading, and glorifying illegal activity. It's more of a moral question of whether these types of game should be encouraged to be produced, rather than whether they actually encourage violence. Unfortunately, big business does not translate to moral business (see, Philip Morris.), and so as long as there's an interest in these games, there'll be money, and as long as there is money, there'll be more "poor black kid from the 'hood earns his way out with guns and drugs" storylines. What there won't be more of- is creativity.

A ban on violent, realistic, crime-glorifying games? No. A moral boycott by consumers to get more original and less insulting games? I'll sign that petition.

Batman Begins: Add Bale, Remove Nipples

So I did my pre/review of the Batman Begins game which launched on the same day as the movie. Unfortunately, our DirecTV went out earlier that week, so I couldn't get a clip . Which sucks because I think it's pretty darn funny. Until I'm able to secure a clip for FourGhosts.com, you can check it out (temporarily) on the "Good Day Sacramento" website at www.upn31.com

All in all, I think it went well. And thanks to my friends at EA who hooked me up with the game as soon as it launched.

Richie Rich's Father's Day Guide

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So here's my enormously-priced Father's Day Buyers Guide segment. Let's put it this way, if you've got $1800 to blow on your father- you're doing pretty well. Chances are, if you've got that much to spend, you're probably not watching the 7am hour of "Good Day Sacramento." You're probably off buying a small country for its rich mineral source. But, high-end items are often overlooked in this most sacred of holidays, and I'm just there to fill in the cracks.

Was it just an excuse to get a bitchin' computer for a few days and get my East Coast Best Friend/Hermano's cheeky mug on TV? You be the judge.

Note to Self: Never wear that sweater on TV again.
Another Note to Self: Have personality if you're going to be a TV personality.

Un-Jaded About "Empire"

Jade Empire (Xbox; $49.99; Rated M for Blood/Gore/Violence; http://www.bioware.com/)

(Four stars)

Bioware knew how to play their cards right. Already known for making fantastic role playing games, they solidified their place in the annals of gaming with the release of “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” which won Game of the Year in 2003.

What does Bioware do with their newfound respect? Nope, not “KOTOR 2.” Instead, they sink all of their resources and talent into a brand new Intellectual Property, developing an entirely original title and improving upon the gameplay they established in the original “KOTOR.”

“Empire” allows players to create and lead a martial arts prodigy through the mystical world of the Jade Empire, a world inspired by myths and legends from ancient China, but developed with its own mythology.

Like “KOTOR,” players will be given branching story paths that allow them to explore the moral alignment of their character. How non-player characters interact with the protagonist will be dependent upon the reputation that precedes them based on their nobility or tyranny.

Unlike “KOTOR’s” turn-based action, “Empire” has real-time combat- allowing the player to control how their character and his (or her) entourage fight. Initially trained only in two martial arts forms, players can learn dozens of fighting styles to include hand-to-hand, melee weapon based, as well as spectacular magical attacks. And as with any RPG worth its weight in experience points, victory enables our hero to level up- honing skills and acquiring new ones.

The story is immersive and well-developed, the environments are beautiful, and though the fighting engine swims at the shallow end of the pool, Xbox owners would do themselves a disservice to not explore this exclusive title which will undoubtedly be in the running for RPG of the year on any system.

Ok, I Get it. I'm Scared. Now What?

Doom 3 (Xbox; $49.99; Rated M for Blood/Gore/Intense Violence; www.doom3.com)

(three and a half stars)

The Grandpappy of all Shooters returns to the fanfare of wannabe space marines, dying to take another trip back to Hell.

Though PC owners have had “Doom 3” in their hands for months now, most have had to take out a home equity loan in order to purchase the hardware needed to get the title running with the amazingly beautiful graphics it has. Now Xbox owners can join in the fun for a fraction of the cost.

Even though the Xbox version of the game doesn’t have the same visual punch that the PC does, and even if some sections of hallways and levels had to be cropped down in order to optimize console experience, it is hard not to admit that this is still one frickin’ beautiful game.

At least as beautiful as rotting corpses and Hell-demons can be.

Aside from the dank and dark hallways of the Mars colonization players will start out, “Doom 3” makes beautiful work of the Xbox’s 5.1 digital sound capabilities. The hissing of machinery (or was that the hissing of something crawling around in the vents) make for some truly anxiety-provoking 360 degree sound. Considering that everything jumps out at you in this game, cranking the sound and turning off the lights is really the only way to play this title.

Unfortunately, the criticisms that the PC release encountered, are revisited on the Xbox. Zombies, Demons, and other Beasties’ appearances are triggered upon the player reaching certain points. Even if a player moves through a room and makes sure it is clear of any enemies, crossing an invisible line on the floor means that a gun-toting zombie pops out from the dark corner you just investigated. Cheap shots are never appreciated, no matter how pretty the game is.

And, come on! We have state of the art weaponry that can fire a million rounds a minute, but between the Department of Defense and Smith & Wesson, nobody thought to put a flashlight on any of the weapons? I realize that having to make the choice between being armed and in darkness or defenseless and lit is great horror. It’s nervous fun to turn a corner with only a flashlight, running into a missile-toting skeleton and have to switch to a gun with only muzzle fire lighting the action. But really- if we can colonize Mars, we can duct tape a flashlight onto a gun.

Sure online cooperative play makes up some of “Doom 3’s” shortcomings. Being able to blast away at all the madness with a buddy across the country certainly gets plus points. But with frag-fest multiplayer limited to only four players, and a general lack of any strategy other than “kill anything that moves,” “Doom 3” just doesn’t live up to the intelligent game that it has the potential to be.

A giant step forward graphically, but gameplay ultimately still feels the same as the shareware version of “Doom” I played in 1993. Nevertheless, hardcore shooter fans can’t go wrong- it’s no “Halo,” but it’s still “Doom.”

Still not that Strong with the Force

Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (Xbox, PS2; $49.99; Rated T for Violence; http://www.lucasarts.com/)

(three stars)

Taking a page out of the “Lord of the Rings” playbook, “RotS” does a great job with integrating film footage into gameplay stages. Although this title lacks the amount of polish in the transitions between film and game that the “Lord of the Rings” games had, it’s always nice to see Lucasarts working closely with Lucasfilm, especially now that they’re living under one roof in George’s new San Francisco compound.

“Borrowing” another page from the successful “Lord of the Rings” games, “RotS” allows players to accumulate experience points based on how Jedi-like their skills are. Points can be spent at the end of each level to increase the skills of either protagonist Obi-Wan Kenobi or Anakin Skywalker. As Kenobi’s skills increase, his adeptness with the Light Side of Force powers increase as well- Force Pushing further, healing quicker. Conversely, as Anakin descends closer to the Dark Side, so do his Sith powers of Force Lightning and trademark Force Choke. Just don’t upgrade little Ani too quickly, you’ll have to face him in the final stage as Obi Wan.

Although the animations of Jedi acrobatics are fun to play with and experiment, ultimately this game is a typical hack-and-slash affair through the seminal moments of Episode III. All of the back flipping and fancy lightsabering is neat, except for when your character is getting pummeled by blaster fire because he won’t stop his little dance to actually slice some enemy limbs off!

Static camera angles add to the frustration of off-camera enemies having their way with our heroes, to which the only defense is to deflect blaster fire. This does prove to be a problem when surrounded on (and off) camera. Gameplay is artificially lengthened by “ray shields” which won’t allow players to proceed until defeating all the enemies in a section; and I find it hard to believe that the Trade Federation would put so many ray shields in one room- it feels more like the Dark Hand of tired developers.

Most enjoyable are the unlockable Jedi to duel with in the multiplayer mode, which includes Yoda and Old Ben Kenobi, as well as asthmatic Darth Vader. That, and the ability to replay the final climactic battle as Anakin, to see what would happen if Kenobi didn’t leave him on Mustafar as a Jedi filet.

Building Blocks & Midichlorians

LEGO Star Wars (Xbox, PS2; $39.99; Rated E; www.legostarwarsthevideogame.com)

(four stars)

For a cheaper and more enjoyable “Star Wars” experience than the "Episode III" game, Padawans should really save their ten bucks and pick up “LEGO Star Wars” instead.

Uncle George, never wanting to stop the colossal marketing machine that is “A Galaxy Far, Far Away,” licenses the prequels to LEGO and results in this adorable and extremely fun title.

Playing through all of the… ahem… timeless moments of Episodes I, II, and III is far more enjoyable than watching “Phantom Menace” or “Attack of the Clones” again. Not anywhere close to taking itself seriously, the game proceeds without any voiceovers or dialogue; instead substituting comedic timing and animated violence for a Loony-Toons-meets-Lightsaber experience.

Trust me. Once you see how cute little Darth Maul looks when he fires up his double-bladed lightsaber with his fingerless LEGO hands, you’ll wonder why you ever played one of those “serious” “Star Wars” games.

As an added bonus, all three movies can be played through with any of the thirty unlockable characters. If you’ve ever wanted to see how Jar-Jar and R2 would fare against legions of Clone Troopers- well, now is your chance.

Sure it’s a kiddy game, but damn if it’s not one of the best “Star Wars” games to come out since the prequels started in ’99.