Capcom

Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3)

$59.99

ESRB rating: Mature

Review rating: 2.0 stars

Ever since I played the original "Resident Evil" game, I've wanted more control over my character. Tension was heightened by not being able to move while shooting, but I wanted controls similar to an action game. Sadly, that wish has been granted but at the expense of the series. Much like the mutated creatures in the game, "Resident Evil 6" is only a shadow of its former self.

Fans looking for an abundance of "Resident Evil" history won't be disappointed, as there are three initial storylines that intersect at different points. Each storyline features two famous characters from the series, meaning four players intersect for important boss fights and other critical events. One cool feature is that each story can be played cooperatively online, making for some interesting banter back and forth between players.

Unfortunately, I don't like much else. For starters, the game's pace is more sluggish than the meandering zombies from the original game. At several points in one story, my character was unable to run for no apparent reason. Other times I had limited control, couldn't fire my weapons and story points interrupted the action too often. I hate losing control so often, especially since I was also inundated with countless boring QuickTime events.

Combat feels unpolished and bad camera angles frequently make the game unnecessarily discouraging. I appreciate the handy new dive move that lets me attack enemies and/or quickly avoid incoming attacks, but why do I have to press two buttons to take cover? It's cool that the new enemies, called J'avo, can use hand weapons, but why is ammunition so scarce? This oversight only adds frustration, not tension!

The only scary thing about "Resident Evil 6" is that the developers thought fans would prefer playing an inferior "Call of Duty" zombie mode instead of an actual survival horror game!

"Worms Revolution"

Microsoft Xbox 360 (PC, PS3)

$15 download

ESRB rating: Teen

Review rating: 4.5 stars

I have worms, and I'm proud to admit it! Who could have known that the developers of the long-lasting "Worms" series, Team 17 Software, would be making sequels for 17 years? Worshipers of Nostramadus may think it's another retroactive fortune-telling miracle, but I think it's just a coincidence. Whatever the case, the newly released "Worms Revolution" is the best version to date.

Not everyone ... err ... digs turn-based strategy games, but the "Worms" series seems to convert nearly everyone who plays. Maybe it's because these games follow the "easy to play, hard to master" mantra or maybe it's because people love seeing the adorable little buggers blow the heck out of each other. I think it's a combination of both, plus the ability to dispatch invertebrates in creative ways.

The options are already seemingly unlimited when you combine classic weapons like grenades, rocket launchers, shotguns and banana bombs with handy gadgets like ninja ropes and jetpacks. New to the series is the ability to telepathically move objects around, and some of these objects can be blown up with devastating results. Additional creativity is shown by the ability to wash enemies away with water or even drown them.

Also new is a class system that lets players cast each of their squad members as one of four unique classes. Scouts move very quickly and jump far while Heavies move slowly and have extra health. Soldiers are a good all-around player and take less damage during falls. Lastly, the Scientist gets extra power in his defensive weapons and also adds five points to each teammate's health per turn. Effective use of each class can easily change the outcome of a match.

Anyone who has been afraid to get worms in the past can't do much better than playing "Worms Revolution."