VideoGamer.com Plays

The games we've been playing this week.

Tom Orry, Editor - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, 3DS

The 3DS finally has a game worth getting excited about, although you may well have played it before - potentially numerous times. Ocarina of Time certainly feels like it has aged slightly, but it also manages to belie its original 1998 release date with gameplay mechanics that are still used today. It's also a great fit for the 3DS, looking wonderful in 3D and letting you pause anywhere by closing the lid. I'm not sure if a new generation of gamers will love it quite as much as everyone did back in the day, but the fact that Nintendo's title as held up so well is testament to just how much of an achievement the N64 original was. Oh, and once you hear the classic music, memories will likely come rushing back.

Neon Kelly, Deputy Editor - Duke Nukem Forever, PC, PS3, Xbox 360

I finally got around to playing Duke Nukem Forever on Thursday, and lord almighty do I wish I hadn't. Now, it's been a fair while since I've extensively dabbled with Duke 3D, but I certainly don't remember a 30-minute gap between starting the game and actually getting into the action. Here's the difference:

1996: "Those alien b*stards are going to pay for shooting up my ride!" Followed by awesome violence in the street and a nearby porn cinema.

2011: "Those alien b*stards are going to pay for shooting up my ride!" Followed by a trip to the toilet, a brief boss battle… and then half an hour's worth of farting about in Duke's house, in a TV studio, and a load of air vents, with lengthy loading screens scattered throughout.

Seriously, it's ridiculous. Duke Nukem Forever has no shortage of problems, but the fact that the developers began a parodic FPS game with a massive chunk of dull exposition… well, it shows that they simply didn't have a clue. And don't get me started about how dire things get once the game starts for real.

Martin Gaston, Previews Editor - Pursuit Force, PSP

"Welcome Back", says Sony. "Sorry we lost all your personal information and made it so you couldn't play Portal 2 in co-op for, like, an entire month. Here's a free copy of Pursuit Force!" If only all things in life worked like this; when the banks lost loads of money in 2008 I would have least been given a couple of free yacht rides and a haircut.

Pursuit Force has a novel concept but sadly controls like a dog. You're driving nippy sports cars that steer like monster trucks, but it's validated by the fact you can jump from car to car as you rid the city of automobile-related crime. The concept alone redeems it for a few hours, but after a while things like the wonky handling start to crop up and knock away some of the lustre. Still, it's a nice little bit of fun and works well as a handheld game. Plus it was free - and all I had to do was have my personal details compromised!

Emily Gera, Staff Writer - Dungeon Siege III, PC, PS3, Xbox 360

I'm edging my way over the half-way point of Dungeon Siege III at the moment. You can expect a review of the thing next week, but here’s a teaser: If you’ve been clamouring for a fantasy world that is fuelled largely by cleavage but can’t be bothered with Dragon Age II, then Dungeon Siege III is the logical alternative. Even the ghosts in this make the DA II cast look like pre-pubescent Russian gymnasts. Your disarmingly flirtatious half-sister is also given the ol' Page 3 makeover, just in case you weren’t already feeling slightly over-dressed. Video games!

Jamin Smith, Staff Writer – Shadows of the DamnedPS3, Xbox 360

I can't really talk about Shadows of the Damned just yet - the embargo doesn't lift until Tuesday - but I'll say this: it's properly mental. I suppose I can direct your attention towards this boss battle video, which shows demon hunter Garcia Hotspur going toe-to-toe with a giant bird-demon-thing. In order to down said beastie, you have shoot its swollen red testicles until one of the grim reaper sisters cuts its head off with a scythe. This is probably one of the more sedate moments in the game. More on Tuesday.