Historically, RPGs have skimped on their fighting sequences in favor of offering the deepest, most complex storylines in video games. What other game genre would dare to represent combat by having you stand across from your adversary and take turns whacking him while you casually choose attacks from a menu like cheap appetizers? But Tales of Legendia offers a real-time combat system that's more akin to a 2D fighting game, complete with combos and a chargeable power meter. The fighting is uncharacteristically exciting, and a high random-encounter rate will ensure that's what you're doing most of the time, thus distracting you from an uncharacteristically weak story.
Unfortunately, what begins as a promising narrative quickly boils down to a young boy striving to be a man so he can recruit the usual band of RPG stereotypes to assist him in rescuing his sister, who has secret powers that can (get this) save the world. It's a story we've seen a million times, but if you want to see what it's like without politely taking turns with bad guys, Tales of Legendia is for you.
ARENA FOOTBALL by EA Sports (2.5 stars)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox.
Rated: E10+
This game is like a squirrel that stops in oncoming traffic because it can't decide whether to keep crossing the road or turn back. It's not a bad game, but it doesn't quite re-create the realism of Madden or capture the over-the-top arcade feel of Blitz. I guess what I'm saying is it might be most fun to run over this game with your car.
WORLD SOCCER by Konami (4.5 stars)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox.
Rated: E.
Thank God for the next generation of consoles, because the only other way Konami's high-scoring franchise could be more realistic is if it were to penalize gamers for using their hands. Winning Eleven 8 was the Pele of soccer sims, and all 9 can do is add online play. Until it's upgraded to a fancier field, this is as good as virtual soccer can get.
THE RUB RABBITS by Sega (3.5 stars)
Platform: Nintendo DS.
Rated: T.
This sequel to the DS launch title, Feel the Magic, complicates the already bizarre and subtly risqué mini-games with a love triangle. Now you'll have to fend off your own suitor while pursuing the girl of your dreams. The designers have a lot of vaguely naughty fun with hardware that comes with unique controls like "touch," "rub," and "blow."
Matthew Scott Hunter has been known to mumble, "Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start" in his sleep. E-mail him at
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