Games review roundup: Shift 2: Unleashed; PES 2011 3D; Okamiden; Super Monkey Ball 3D

Shift 2: Unleashed

Price: £29.99-£49.99
Format: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Publisher: EA

Though owing its origins to Need for Speed, Shift 2 is big departure from EA’s arcade-style racer, leaning much further toward the hardcore sims of Gran Turismo and Forza. That’s not to say this isn’t exhilarating, tearing up the tarmac in first-person with dirt and grit hitting your windshield is thrilling; Slightly Mad Studios going all out with blur, and shuddering effects as you slam into side-hoardings for example. The Autolog system, which tracks lap times and compares them to those of your friends, works well too meaning you’re never just racing the aggressive AI, even in single-player mode.

****

PES 2011 3D

Price: £39.99
Format: 3DS
Publisher: Konami

Uniquely without a FIFA game, the 3DS presents Konami with perhaps their greatest chance of stamping their authority of all things football on any given console. PES 2011 3D kicks off with a solid simulator whose playing style and visuals are heavily based upon PES on PSP. Expect tactical midfield manoeuvres and plenty of last man defending, while the vertical wide viewing angle, as if standing in the crowd behind the goal, lends itself perfectly to the 3DS’ depth. Functional presentation and a lack of online play does disappoint however.

***

Okamiden

Price: £29.99
Format: DS
Publisher: Capcom

The sequel to Okami has finally arrived on the DS, but you’re likely to be left feeling a sense of déjà vu if you were a fan of the former. Playing as wolf puppy Chibiterasu, you must restore life and peace to the land, using the celestial brush to control the elements and defeat enemies. The main appeal is feeling like you’ve entered a cartoon, but a major drawback is that you’re not challenged enough with combat and initial tasks especially lacking nuance. Nonetheless, Okamiden is a vibrant game, well worth persevering with.

***
By Laura Davis

Super Monkey Ball 3D

Price: £39.99
Format: 3DS
Publisher: Sega

AiAi, MeeMee, and the rest of the Monkey Ball bunch are once more forced into hamster balls in a bid the navigate courses and collect bananas; Monkey Ball 3D is however lacking in both content and execution. Controlled via the analogue stick it’s almost too easy to complete, while using tilt controls the 3D is too difficult to focus on. Meanwhile, party games have been curtailed to just racing and fighting leaving a shortfall of variation in a title which has previously been all about diversity. A lack of online too detracts from what appears to be a rushed for launch day title.

**

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• stonedwolf

  Sounds like you played each game for at least half an hour…