Recently in Action/Adventure Category

BBC's time traveling Doctor has his own, free-to-play browser MMO that's undergoing a bit of a preview. It's certainly different from any other traditional MMO and it's not because of the quirky Doctor.

The 2D art style and the puzzle-based gameplay set it apart from some of the more combat hungry F2P titles out there making it something of a mental game than a twitch based one. Though when you're trying to solve things while on the clock, you might be twitching anyway from trying to beat it.

Right now, the only thing you need to sign up for it is an email address. Once that's punched in, you're briefed by Doctor in the TARDIS on what has to be done to keep space-time from unraveling, all presumably leading up to a spectacular climax.

I made it to the second mission where I was promptly mauled by living mannequins when my AI controlled teammates couldn't unlock a door in time. One can always team up with other living people, though, for a better chance at survival.

And everything is puzzle based from rewiring cables, unlocking doors, to combat which is handled through a Tetris-like mechanic. There are also levels earned to grow your character and even a bit of crafting to build new toys. It also looks like the game will use micro-transactions to purchase special "Chronos" points for in-game goodies like clothing or upgrades.

The points slowly generate themselves over time - think glacially slowly - making it tempting to splurge a few bucks to get a slight boost providing a look at how the game may finance itself in the long run. Or you can just stick to what it gives you for free and earn things the old fashioned way as you save the universe.

Sonic Generations is an amazing gut punch to the malaise that the Blue Bomber's career has been in lately. Not quite a knockout blow, but longtime fans might not care as they race through two decades of Hedgehog history.

Star Fox 64 3D is a decent remake that like Nintendo's remake of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, offers cleaner graphics and few tweaked controls to a popular Nintendo 64 title.

In the case of Star Fox 64, the new Nintendo 3DS version features gyroscopic controls that let players control their star fighter by moving their 3DS handheld itself instead of using traditional controls. Otherwise, the game is basically the same as the original version, and ace pilot Star Fox is still teamed up with a rabbit, falcon and toad who fly at his side in an interplanetary war.

And yes, Slippy Toad will still advise Fox to "do a barrel roll." The Internet is eternally grateful for that line.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Nintendo Wii is a worthy addition to the beloved Zelda franchise. In some in some ways, especially its emphasis on motion controls, release is one of 2011's most ambitious games, although other elements of the title show Nintendo is not keeping up with current trends in game design.

The game's positive aspects far outweigh its minor disappointments. At its best, Skyward Sword is a triumph of visual design and a game that delivers the most visceral combat experiences of any Zelda title. What causes the game to fall just short of greatness, at least in its early parts, are moments of outdated gameplay and occasional frustrations with the Nintendo Wii's motion controls.

This review covers the experience of playing the opening stages of Skyward Sword. This reviewer will write a second review after completing the storyline.

War in the North takes players back to Middle Earth to fight evil while Frodo and company head to Mordor to destroy the One Ring. Taking place in the North, would-be adventurers will play their part in stemming the tide of darkness waiting to erupt from the cold, wintry holds there.

The Inquisitor looked at me expectantly, hoping to see what nugget of information I would pry loose from the victim strapped to the table. The man coolly went about his business while my prey writhed in fear of what was to come. But after a few words of calm and a promise of help, his will melted before this unexpected kindness. And I kept my word, seeing that he would leave Korriban's tombs and its Academy politic far behind him.

Rocksteady's Arkham Asylum was heralded by many as the most definitive Batman game ever made up to 2009. It garnered accolades from many and even from the Guinness Book of World Records as "The Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever". Even with its flaws, it was an enjoyable romp as one of DC Comics' most iconic characters, though the incredible hype machine had also cast a shadow over the sequel.

Stringing up bad guys on rafters and beating everyone down with the Bat's martial expertise in a game soaked with as much respect for the source material as it was from the animated series was great fun in Asylum, so getting a sequel was almost a foregone conclusion especially given the ending. Two years later, here we are with Arkham City. And the good news is that it's polished with the lessons Rocksteady had learned from the first game.