Χ-Play (2003)

SWAT 4, Brothers in Arms, Yoshi Touch & Go and more! (3x39)

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On tonight's episode of X-Play, we review SWAT 4. While well-meaning legislators continue to decry Rockstar’s ho-beating extravaganza as an accurate, all-encompassing representation of video games, Sierra quietly releases SWAT 4, a tense, realistic, and very violent tactical shooter. It’s too bad a game that portrays the police as professional, caring human beings instead of corrupt scumbags will go unnoticed by our elected officials. SWAT 4 also rewards careful and appropriate use of force, and punishes wanton recklessness with failure. But don’t expect that little tidbit to make the 6 o’clock news. Bah. Ok, I’m getting off my soapbox now. You probably just want to know if SWAT 4 is worth a purchase. The answer is yes. If the Nintendo DS is going to be a worthy successor to the Game Boy line instead of a gimmick platform (i.e., Virtual Boy, e-Reader), its software has to deliver compelling gameplay. This is typically the area where Nintendo shines brightest, especially regarding the company’s character-driven properties. And the Nintendo DS is on the right track, already having a Mario game, a Wario game, an upcoming Princess game, and now a Yoshi game. Yoshi: Touch & Go shows off the Nintendo DS, but it isn’t the meaty platformer most would expect. While the vibrant color, cheerful sound, and whimsical theme are classic Nintendo, the title’s surprisingly narrow scope will make you wonder if Touch & Go was originally supposed to be a minigame for another title. Forget the bloodless kills of Medal of Honor--Brothers in Arms is a shooter that doesn’t shy away from any of the aspects of wartime. Bloody corpses, the shell shock of having a grenade go off a few feet from your boots, and the frightening openness of the battlefield constantly remind you that this game is never timid about authenticity. A sobering look at World War II, it’s effective and affecting, and makes it mean something that your squad is in your hands. While the idea of