DEVELOPER: Camelot

PUBLISHER: Capcom

SYSTEM: Nintendo Wii

PRICE: $49.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 3.5 (out of 5 stars)

OK, I'll admit it; the golf portion of "Wii Sports" is still one of my favorite games to play on the little white console. Unfortunately, it is rather shallow, so I have been yearning for a more complete golf game on the Wii. While the Tiger Woods series offers a true golfing simulation, Capcom's latest title, "We Love Golf!," is more reminiscent of Sony's Hot Shots series, which makes it accessible to everyone.

Hitting the ball accurately seems complex at first, but eventually becomes easier. Rather than simply swinging the Wiimote back and then forward like a golf club, players must do so while closely watching the on-screen meters and pressing buttons. This can be awkward because the natural reaction is to look sideways while swinging instead of forward. Truth be told, the best way to play the game is to hold the Wiimote sideways with both hands and flick it instead of swinging.

Players eager to hit the cyber-links begin with only a handful of courses and must unlock more by progressing through the single-player Tournament mode. Like most golf games, new characters are unlocked by defeating them in one-on-one play. Two to four players can duke it out from the same couch with multiplayer modes that include stroke and match play. In addition, this is the first golf game on the Wii to offer online play.

Signature Capcom bonuses like the ability to unlock Street Fighter outfits for golfers add a nice touch for Capcom fans. In addition, budding golfers can further customize their game by using existing Mii characters that they create on the Wii.

In the end, "We Love Golf!" is a fun golf game that offers something for everyone. I'm just surprised that it isn't called "Wii Love Golf!."

The Action Gets Repetitive for 'Secret Agent Clank'

DEVELOPER: High Impact Games

PUBLISHER: Sony

SYSTEM: Sony PSP

PRICE: $ 39.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 3.0 stars (out of 5)

What is one to do if they are forced to remain in the shadows while their partner hogs the limelight? Become a super secret agent and save the day, that's what! In the PSP exclusive title, "Secret Agent Clank," the loveable bucket of bolts finally gets his chance to shine without interruption from the limber Lombax.

When Ratchet is falsely accused of stealing the precious Eye of Infinity from a local museum, he ends up in a maximum-security prison. Not surprisingly, his faithful sidekick Clank is the only one that believes his story, so he goes undercover in order to prove Ratchet's innocence.

Agent 007 has nothing on Clank, as he is adept at stealthy maneuvers as well as using oddball gadgets like the Tie-A-Rang and Cufflink bombs. Lucky for him, Clank doesn't need a bulletproof vest because ... well ... he is a bulletproof vest, or rather, a bulletproof tuxedo. But no amount of paint can stop him from decimating enemies with the ancient martial art known as Clank-fu.

The action doesn't stop there, as Clank tails bad guys by driving speedboats, sports cars and even a snowboard. Players also get to control the bumbling Captain Quark, Ratchet, and gadgebots later in the adventure.

Unfortunately, playing as other characters breaks up the flow of the game because Clank is encouraged to use stealth while the other characters either run-and-gun or don't engage in combat at all. Oddly enough, Ratchet's missions are the least interesting of the lot, and the seemingly endless waves of enemies he encounters are simply annoying. Toward the end of the game, even Clank's missions become repetitive.

"Secret Agent Clank" is not bad for his first foray into the realm of solo secret-agent shenanigans, but let's hope that the sequel focuses more on the metallic marvel.

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Pretty Good

3 stars = Above Average

2 stars = Bargain Bin

1 star = Don't Bother

RATINGS KEY

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: Everyone

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

T: Teen (13 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)

To find out more about Jeb Haught and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.