Spin Moves

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Publisher: LucasArts
Platforms: PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii
File under “because they can.” This eye-opening home-theater showpiece—designed to highlight next-gen consoles’ technical chops as much as pad George Lucas’ pockets—emphasizes the use of acrobatic swordplay and, more importantly, stunning magical powers. As a certain deep-breathing helmet-head’s evil apprentice, hunt doomed Jedi between Episodes III and IV while flinging TIE fighters about, hurling adversaries into the air or charging objects with lightning to create impromptu grenades. From chokeholds to telekinesis, it’s space-age stuff.

B-Boy
Publisher: SouthPeak Games
Platforms: PS3, PSP
As hip-hop heads know, there are four essential elements to the culture: emceeing, DJ’ing, graffiti and breakdancing, the last finally represented by this unexpectedly trill ode to virtual footwork. Oddly, the simple rhythm-based action (powered by timed button taps/joystick balances) actually plays like a brawler sans physical contact as you contort like a human pretzel. A few rough edges (i.e. repetitious play, last-gen visuals/load times) aside, it’s still worth a tip of the old Kangol.

Soul Calibur IV
Publisher: Namco
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Might makes right in most one-on-one scrappers, but it’s strategy that pays off greatest here, as the king of medieval weapons-based showdowns goes HD (plus adds armor-smashing options and game-changing super-moves) with stunning results. After years of waiting, dazzle opponents online using grouchy samurai and female knights’ killer kung-fu, or employ light-trailing blades and spears to slice the message home. Cameos by Darth Vader (PS3) and Yoda (Xbox 360) prove a ludicrous, but welcome addition.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
The City of Angels becomes the Devil’s playground as you whiz through miles of stunningly rendered streets on bikes, muscle cars, tuners and exotics. No license required to drive these thoroughfares: Just hit the gas on whips like Lamborghinis and Mustangs and watch the scenery—much like rivals’ chances of beating you in illegal races—melt into a shapeless blur. Realistic day/night cycles, sick damage effects and an open-ended approach to burning rubber promise tire-smoking thrills aplenty.

From the Sept/Oct 2008 issue