DEVELOPER: Namco Bandai

PUBLISHER: Namco Bandai

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 4.5 (out of 5 stars)

Ever since the popularity of fighting games started to dwindle in the early 2000s, several different series' have gotten the axe. Fortunately, "Soul Calibur" isn't one of them because the developers constantly push themselves to create an innovative combat experience. As the first weapons-based fighting game on current-generation systems, "Soul Calibur 4" provides intense action, gorgeous visuals, and tons of features.

More than 30 high-resolution characters make up the roster, with favorites like Kilik, Voldo, and Sophitia making a welcome return. Newcomers include Hilde, Algol, and Yoda. Yes, you read that correctly. Yoda's combat moves mimic his fast and furious combat from the recent Star Wars movies. I can't help but crack a smile every time the pint-sized pugilist uses the force to bounce around while carving enemies with his trusty light saber. "Severely Pwnd, you shall be."

As if that isn't enough, "Soul Calibur 4" introduces an in-depth character creation mode to let players design their own customized combatant. Everything from the character's appearance to their fighting style to their actual move set can be modified. This feature is easy to use, but players can easily spend hours creating the fighter of their dreams, or even re-creating their favorite video game character.

New combat features include the ability to break opponents' armor, which makes them take more damage when hit in that area, and the critical finish, which is an instant-win move only performed under certain conditions. In addition, tag-team battles are also available, letting players switch between two characters during combat.

Perhaps the most important new feature is the ability to play online. Now cyber-warriors can take on adversaries from around the world from the safety of their Lazy Boy. Some matches suffer from lag, but most of them are a blast to play.

With so many features, "Soul Calibur 4" will surely please both newcomers and old-school fans.

The Price is Right for 'Exteel'

DEVELOPER: NCsoft

PUBLISHER: NCsoft

SYSTEM: Windows ME/XP

PRICE: Free (optional micro-transactions)

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 3.5 (out of 5 stars)

Like most boys, gigantic robots fascinated me as a child. However, unlike most adults, I never lost my interest in heavily armed mechanical giants, or Mechs. Nowadays I prefer to actually build and control Mechs instead of simply reading about them, which is why I was thrilled to find out about the free online PC Mech combat game "Exteel."

This exciting title thrusts players into the role of an agile Mech that can be completely customized from its metallic head to its steel-toed boots. Anyone who has played the "Armored Core" series will appreciate the freedom to build a Mech from the ground up. The selection of parts and weapons is vast, and this means that all sorts of lethal, steel humanoids sporting different play styles will be prowling the streets.

Players can equip their Mechs with two sets of weapons that can be switched on the fly during combat. This ability is actually necessary because all projectile weapons overheat with use; so switching to the alternate set of weapons while the first set cools down is an effective strategy. Sporting a plasma sword and shield is also popular because swords deal high damage and never overheat.

This title's fast and furious combat reminds me of the graceful 'bullet ballet' found in Asian action movies. Players can use their Mech's jet pack to slide around on the ground and even elevate them for short bursts of airborne gunplay. Special moves can be purchased that unleash devastating firepower upon the enemy when used.

Because this is an online-only title, several modes are available such as: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Territory Control, and Last Stand. While the first two are self-explanatory, Territory Control is similar to the popular Conquest Mode, and Last Stand lets up to eight players eradicate waves of NPCs, or non-player characters.

"Exteel" offers deep customization and fast-paced action at no cost, so why not give it a try?

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.