By Matthew Scott Hunter
A step back in time
2D game is a hack-n’-slash winner
‘Muramasa: The Demon Blade’ (T)
****1/2
Ignition Entertainment
Wii
Back in the ‘90s, technological advances allowed video games to shift from 2D to 3D, and virtually every game designer took advantage. In recent years, games like “Viewtiful Joe” and “New Super Mario Bros.” have given us a glimpse of what games would’ve been like if all of this new technology had continued to serve the 2D format. But no modern 2D game is quite as breathtaking as “Muramasa.”
This is an old-fashioned hack-n’-slash sidescroller. You can only move left, right, up and down. The controls consist of two buttons and a D-pad. Yet, this is the most gorgeous game since “Bioshock.” The hand-drawn fight animations are mesmerizing. The backdrops are like living paintings, and you’ll frequently find yourself pausing after each frantic battle just to admire them. Both the platforming and the combat will probably strike modern gamers as a bit simplistic, but it never gets boring or repetitive. The boss designs are insane, and their fights feel epic. Each slain boss contributes to your assortment of demon blades, and one by one, these swords wear down and break, making the onslaught of enemies feel that much more relentless and making each victory that much more awesome. Interactive entertainment is a medium bogged down in far too many sequels. But I already can’t wait to play “Muramasa 2.”
‘Marvel: The Ultimate Alliance 2’ (T)
***1/2
Activision
Xbox 360
It appears that even superheroes can succumb to bipartisan politics. The Marvel Civil War comic book series is the primary inspiration behind this RPG/brawler sequel. This means that, at some point, you’ll have to decide whether you’re for or against superhero registration. No matter what you choose, you’ll have half the Marvel roster to help you fight for your cause. This provides ample incentive to play through twice, and since the gameplay has barely changed since the first “Ultimate Alliance,” that means twice as much button-mashing fun for comic book fans.
‘Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story’ (E)
****1/2
Nintendo Nintendo DS
Leave it to Nintendo to turn a wicked case of indigestion into an odd but outstanding RPG. “Super Mario” supervillain Bowser grows to enormous size and eats some bad Italian — specifically Mario and Luigi — and the insanity begins. As with the first two installments in the series, you’ll spend a lot of time controlling the fraternal platforming pros simultaneously through turn-based battles. But as the Mario bros. see what Bowser’s really made of, you’ll spend even more time controlling the Koopa King himself. It’s about time that guy did something other than kidnapping the princess.
‘Il-2 Sturkmovik: Birds of Prey’ (T)
****
505 Games
Xbox 360
Not only is this a terrific flight simulator for fans of vintage aircraft — this is probably the best flight sim to train novices to use other flight sims. Your tutorial is very arcade-style, giving you unlimited ammo and negating some of the more annoying physics of realistic flight, so you can bomb and dogfight to your heart’s content. Eventually, “Sturmovik” weans you off the training wheels, teaches you how to fly a real plane and makes you feel like an ace fighter pilot, capable of gunning down anyone dumb enough to fly in your sky.
