Namco Bandai

Say what you will about the Ridge Racer games (and we've all heard the various complaints), it's hard to deny they're fun. They're almost an anachronism in a gaming world where innovation and style are generally viewed more important than enjoyment (even if the innovative game sucks it still gets critical praise for being different in most cases). And yet, Namco keeps churning out sequels and variations on the theme. Ridge Racer 6 is no different.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Violence

Game Description: Set on a futuristic Earth, Rebelstar: Tactical Command is a turn-based strategy game and you too can join in the fight against an evil empire in single-player mode. There is also the option to take on a friend in multiplayer mode. The year is 2117 and the evil Arelian Empire has been in control of planet Earth for the last 70 years. When the Arelians first came, they brought with them peace and prosperity to a world ravaged by war, disease and ecological devastation. Later they abducted people when they turned 30 and controlled Earth's inhabitants through fear using their henchmen, the Zorn. Now, a band of rebels rises up to fight against the Arelians and a new recruit, Jorel, quickly advances through the ranks and becomes their leaders. He organizes the rebel forces and builds a powerful global army, challenging the Arelian Empire for control of planet Earth.

In the early days of the first PlayStation, a quirky PC strategy game was ported onto the console and immediately secured a place on my all-time favorites list. That game was called X-Com: UFO Defense, and to this day I have fond memories of hours spent positioning operatives and planning strategies down to the smallest detail in order to eradicate invading bug-eyed aliens from Mother Earth. Rebelstar Tactical Command may not be a directly related, but the family resemblance is impossible to ignore.

Xenosaga Episode II is chronologically the Jan Brady of its series: the bright, gangly and well-meaning middle child that must live up to its bigger sibling's legacy, which is rarely an easy task. Can this game hold its own when compared to its predecessor?

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes

You know, I'm really starting to hate the Game Boy Advance. Every time I get it packed up and put away, I hear about some new game sneaking in under the radar that I have to play. Every time I think that its library has officially run dry, there seems to be just one more thing for me to check out.

Game Description:  In Sigma Star Saga, humanity is struggling to survive against an onslaught by ruthless aliens. Under constant attack, Allied Earth Federation intercepts a Krill communication that singles out six planets in the galaxy that the invaders have taken particular interest in. Sent in as a double agent, players must discover the mystery of the six planets and help defeat the Krill before time runs out for humanity.