'Inversion'

Namco Bandai

Microsoft Xbox 360 (PC, PS3)

$59.99

ESRB rating: Mature

Review rating: 2.5 stars

Some people complain when game developers 'steal' ideas from other games, but I don't mind as long as they take the good ones. In fact, it's the really innovative ideas that eventually become expected in every game. Namco Bandai's latest shooter, "Inversion," incorporates many features from other titles, but it's the gravity manipulation that makes the game fall flat on its face!

Once trusted to police the futuristic Vanguard City, Davis Russell instantly became a slave after a surprise invasion by an unknown enemy called the Lutadore (No, they don't wear spandex masks!). After escaping captivity, his only goal is to find his daughter and pay back the enemy, with plenty of interest!

This cover-based shooter has many features found in the "Gears of War" series but tries to differentiate itself by offering the ability to manipulate gravity. Using the Gravlink device, players can increase or decrease gravity to gain both offensive and defensive advantages. For instance, it's possible to 'lift' enemies out from behind cover and then blast them with rocks or slam them to the ground. One of the cooler moves is to throw larger pieces of debris into open areas and then use it for cover.

Too bad that defeating most enemies requires little more than popping out from behind cover to blast them with a gun, which makes the special powers unnecessary. Later in the game, the inconsistent gravity controls become more of a hindrance than a benefit.

It doesn't help that this co-op-enabled game forces players to endure such a repetitive chatterbox sidekick. He's so annoying that I wish friendly fire were enabled! Speaking of annoying, who's bright idea was it to force players to fight the same boss over and over again?

"Inversion" has some good ideas, but I'd much rather play "Gears of War" instead.

'Lollipop Chainsaw'

Warner Bros Interactive

Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3)

$59.99

ESRB rating: Mature

Review rating: 1.0 star

Video games have blasted their way to the top of the media business because they transport players to alternate realms. Some are more surreal than others, but the main focus is to have a great time. However, it isn't much fun when an absurd premise is taken to the extreme at the expense of game play. Such is the case with the hyper-action title, "Lollipop Chainsaw."

This is the game that every parent dreads because it's little more than an over-the-top exploration of exploitation! Players take on the role of a sparkly blonde high-school cheerleader named Juliet Starling who's armed to the pom-poms with deadly weapons that slice, dice and splatter zombies everywhere. Profanity and sexual innuendo spew forth even more than the copious amounts of blood, and the camera seems to have a knack for focusing on Juliet's ample ... ahem ... assets!

Even if I found the ridiculous concoction of intentionally shocking ideas to be appealing, the experience is completely ruined by outdated game play that is both tedious and boring! Juliet is limited to only a few basic attack moves at first but can eventually unlock various combos and rainbow-covered special moves.

Unfortunately, she's forced to fight wave after wave of brain-dead zombies in tight corridors with very little variety. Even the boss fights are predictable and force players to adhere to worn-out strategies to emerge successful. Perhaps the only surprising aspect is that she doesn't text friends during combat! Apparently, the designers knew that players need a break from combat because they also incorporated several mini-games that end up being just as lame as the combat. Only the rocking soundtrack has any real value. Everything else is a waste of zeros and ones.

Believe it or not, "Lollipop Chainsaw" could be the impetus that kills the modern fascination with zombies!