Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13

         Revered competition on an iconic 18-hole course doesn't even compare to this year's fundamental gutting of the series' most important mechanic: the swing. As deeply troubled as Tiger 13 is, EA Tiburon's strong improvements to the swing of a club will change the way at-home golfers play Tiger from here on out.
 
         Total Swing Control is far and away the most meaningful addition to the PGA Tour series since it joined this generation of consoles. Left stick movement dictates 100% of how a shot behaves. Pre-set shot types and shot meters don't exist anymore. Every subtle gesture during a swing affects where the ball goes, so the how and why of each shot falls square on the player's shoulders.

        In past years, accounting for the lean of the green and smacking the ball as hard as instructed guaranteed a perfect putt. Tiger Woods 13 demands much more on the green, fairway, or tee. A handy white arc around the golfer indicates the ideal backswing form. Pulling straight down on the stick puts the player's club along that track. Simple enough, but this is where things get complicated.

NHL 12 Review

The heart of NHL 12 is nearly identical to that of its predecessor. Controls involve the same precise mix of analog sticks and buttons. They remain a great balance of pure arcade twitch reactions and a simulation of hockey because you can pull off some nifty moves with the right stick yet still play a formidable game by keeping to the basics. All of the main modes of play have been brought into the new game with few changes. You can still get into quickie solo matches and play-off runs for the Stanley Cup; create a rookie in Be a Pro and skate him to stardom from the juniors to the big leagues; go online for lag-free one-off games and full seasons; head into the front office with Be a GM; mess around with the oddly compelling Hockey Ultimate Team and its card-driven game mechanics; and so forth. EA held the line here on new features. Core elements of the game are right where they were last fall, so you don't need to even glance at the manual.

Army of Two: The 40th Day Review

               Army of Two: The 40th Day is a third-person shooter in which your objective is simple: get out of Dodge. Or more accurately, Shanghai, a city that is being torn apart by missiles for no discernable reason. Why is this happening? Who is behind it? Who cares! You can paint skulls on your shotgun and then shove it through your enemy's brain! The 40th Day is light on plot and heavy on action, a balance that suits the game well. It's great fun to team up with a buddy and blast your way through hordes of enemies using your lovingly customized weapons. The gunplay and movement mechanics are solid and satisfying, despite some awkwardness, and the game encourages you to use teamwork with light, yet engaging, tactical elements. There is some strange mucking about with morality during the short campaign, but this is largely overshadowed by the brash, brutal action. And though the lively online multiplayer is hampered by lag, Army of Two: The 40th Day offers enough entertainment to make a strong case for your time and money.