Lego Star Wars created a world of Jedi Knights animated to look as though it was made from the children’s plastic bricks. An instant bestseller when it was released last year, the game was set during the three latest movies of the sci-fi epic and left enraptured fans calling for a Lego treatment of the original classic Star Wars film trilogy.
Star Wars II grants that wish and improves on its predecessor in every way. The Lego style of this virtual universe is no mere visual gimmick — it is an essential gameplay hook providing the basis for highly imaginative block-building puzzles. Infinite lives keep the blaster-heavy action light and frothy, making this a game that five and 45-year-olds can play together without either getting left behind or bored.
Of course, no game is without its dark side, and in this respect Lego Star Wars II still suffers from unhelpful camera angles, while certain levels tend to drag. But who can resist learning how stormtroopers relax after a hard day crushing rebel scum, or watching pudgy Gamorrean guards rock out to the imperial march. Never missing a chance to poke fun at its inspiration, this sequel is stuffed with wit and charm. SA
Dead Rising
Four stars
Xbox360. £49.99. Age 18
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You might think that visiting Bluewater or the Arndale Centre on Christmas Eve is the ultimate in shopping mall hell, but you probably haven’t yet visited Willamette Parkview Mall where flesh-eating zombies and murderous psychopaths stalk the floors. This magnificent homage to Romero’s film classic, Dawn of the Dead, opens with you as a seedy photo-journalist covering the carnage with your camera. You must discover the causes of this outbreak, while dispatching the stiffs in the most grisly ways imaginable — brandishing weapons from golf clubs to lawnmowers and shower heads. A rich vein of black humour runs through the game, though the excitement is marred by dozy survivors who seem keen to become zombie-chow, and a ridiculous single-slot save system. Otherwise this gore-splattered feast is too tasty to miss. SA
Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales
Four stars
PC. £29.99. Age 12+
Be you ready for swashbuckling adventure? Starting with a pocket full of dubloons, an inexperienced crew and a boat the size of a bathtub, Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales sees you in Errol Flynn mode, exploring, trading and waving your cutlass around the West Indies.
You can progress to buying bigger ships and employing a larger crew, and you can either be allied or at war with England, France, Spain and Holland, not to mention with smugglers.
Fans of Sid Meier’s Pirates will see similarities, but this game is visually superior, from the sunlight reflecting off waves to the smoke and flame of a close-range broadside. The controls aren’t always intuitive (too many keys, not enough fingers), but once you get below decks, you’ll discover an addictive and fun game worthy of the saltiest sea dog. DE
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Star ratings
Five stars KO
Four stars A-OK
Three stars OK
Two stars So-so
One star No-no