Sony

In fact, I almost feel guilty for writing this review. But, even the mightiest developer needs to slow down from the breakneck pace of game making once in awhile, and that's basically what I see Ratchet: Deadlocked as—Insomniac taking a break.

Starting at the most basic level of design, The Con eschews tradition and goes with an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective somewhat similar to the classic Punch-Out boxing titles found on the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super Nintendo. This view lends a very up-close feel that never materializes in most fighters, the standard side-view or distanced third-person preventing players from really getting it on in a visceral way. Here, it definitely felt personal.

Game Description: The Con is a unique fighting game where the underground world of gambling plays center stage. Customize your fighter with five different brawling styles, programmable fighting combos and an insanely deep create-a-character mode. Place your bet to increase your rewards. Finally, pull off a con and rig the fight by working the crowd to increase your odds and get paid off (win or lose). How you work the CON is up to you.

Game Description: Pursuit Force lets you become a police officer who'll take the fight to the criminals! You're tracking down some of the most violent gangs in the state. Patrol five different districts as you clean up the streets.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Alcohol Reference, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Violence

For those whose should-know-better stubbornness can go round for round with that of the game's level designers, amazingly and in spite of its crudities and failings, Pursuit Force's pull factor never really wanes.

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

According to ESRB, this game contains: Language, Violence

Is there a technology-based virus infecting development houses that prevents perfectly good ideas from coming together? An Eastern-themed third-person Action-RPG, Kingdom of Paradise should have been a much-needed killer app for the PSP, but instead amounts to about three days of boredom and repetition.

Game Description: 300 years ago, 5 martial clans peacefully ruled Ohka, the center of the known world. In an attempt to gain total supremacy, the Kirin clan brutally attacked the 4 other martial clans to secure the Divine Swords, the symbols of absolute power. A young warrior named Shinbu, along with a girl named Suirin, are the only survivors of their clan. Set in a vast, living world, players will learn to master five styles of martial arts * explore active environments in a crusade to defeat an evil clan. Kingdom of Paradise features more than 150 styles of programmable sword fighting, 15 types of Qigong martial arts, wireless multiplayer connectivity via ad hoc mode and more than 20 hours of gameplay set in a fantastical world. Also download content via infrastructure mode.