‘Starhawk’ soars, but it’s a rough flight

By Lou Kesten | May 16, 2012 - 6:54pm

Here’s the problem with science fiction video games: At some point, you know you’re going to run into some alien race that wants to crush humanity.

‘Star Wars,' Pixar characters boost Kinect

By Ron Harris | May 9, 2012 - 7:16pm

George Lucas’ sprawling “Star Wars” universe has always lent itself to games – even if they were as simple as pretend light saber duels in your backyard.

'Witcher 2' casts spell on Xbox

By John Kosik | May 2, 2012 - 5:44pm

There’s always an element within any role-playing game that fans of the genre will gripe about.

Trio of games builds mystery

By Lou Kesten | April 25, 2012 - 6:08pm

The goals in video games usually are well-defined: Kill the bad guys. Rescue the princess. Knock the pigs off their pedestals.

‘Xenoblade’ pierces Wii role-playing void

By Lou Kesten | April 18, 2012 - 5:39pm

In most game-playing households, Nintendo’s Wii is the console that gets powered up when the whole family wants to play, whether engaging in the lighthearted antics of “Mario Kart” or “Wii Sports” or the more exhausting physical activity of “Just Dance” or “Wii Fit.

‘PGA Tour 13’ makes the cut

By Ron Harris | April 11, 2012 - 6:32pm

Video game golf has made some of the greatest strides of all sports titles over the years.

‘The Show’ swings for the fence

By Lou Kesten | March 28, 2012 - 8:29pm

No video game can duplicate the drama of the end of the 2011 Major League Baseball season. You remember: The historic collapse of the Red Sox.

‘Kid Icarus’ spreads wings too far

By Derrik J. Lang | March 21, 2012 - 7:30pm

After years of heaping attention on Mario, Link, Donkey Kong, Samus Aran and even that fat blob Kirby, Nintendo is finally turning the spotlight back on Pit, the spunky angelic protagonist who wowed players of the original Nintendo system in 1986 in “Kid Icarus,” the beloved platforming adventure that never gained the same acclaim as other Nintendo tales.

Stellar finish for ‘Mass Effect’ trilogy

By Lou Kesten | March 14, 2012 - 6:32pm

A stellar finish to ‘Mass Effect’ trilogy Science fiction fans love their galactic empires.

PlayStation Vita: Sony delivers on-the-road gaming

By Lou Kesten | February 29, 2012 - 8:50pm

PlayStation Vita: Sony delivers on-the-road gaming The PlayStation Vita won’t replace your smartphone.

‘Twisted Metal’ stuck in gridlock

By Lou Kesten | February 22, 2012 - 7:32pm

I work in Washington, which has some of the worst traffic in the United States.

‘The Darkness II’ fades to black

By Derrik J. Lang | February 15, 2012 - 6:14pm

When the demonic first-person game “The Darkness” was released in 2007, it was a twisted breath of fresh air among all the war simulators and space-marine romps.

Square Enix puts ‘Final Fantasy’ on track

By Lou Kesten | February 8, 2012 - 8:40pm

The “Final Fantasy” franchise, now in its 25th year, has one of the most enthusiastic fan bases in all of video games.

Fresh stories propel ‘Old Republic’

By Alex Veiga | February 1, 2012 - 3:52pm

How do you make that familiar galaxy far, far away fresh again? Take it back to an even longer time ago. Way back.

'W.E.L.D.E.R.' leads parade of iPad games

By Lou Kesten | January 4, 2012 - 6:25pm

So you just got an iPad for Christmas. You already have all the essentials loaded – Facebook, Twitter, iBooks, whatever news app you prefer.

‘Rocksmith’ rocks out with real guitars

By Ron Harris | December 28, 2011 - 8:53pm

If “Guitar Hero” was the spunky teenager who made music gaming fun, “Rocksmith” is his older, cooler brother in a distressed leather jacket.

‘Portal 2,’ ‘Skyrim’ top gaming year

By Lou Kesten | December 21, 2011 - 8:40pm

It’s a good time to be a gamer, as studios continue to release thrilling adventures with clever stories, tight gameplay and spectacular production values.

Mario leads pack of new 3DS titles

By Ron Harris | December 14, 2011 - 8:35pm

Nintendo’s 3DS system continues to depend on some tried-and-true franchise titles for its best offerings.

Xbox ‘Kinects’ with kids

By Ron Harris | December 7, 2011 - 6:26pm

Microsoft and some third-party companies rolled out some nifty Xbox 360 titles in 2011, with a few new ones for the holidays that will test your wits and stamina as you lunge around the living room, angling for high scores.

Players can get lost in ‘Skyrim’

By SETH SCHIESEL | November 30, 2011 - 8:15pm

Want to get lost? Play “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.” I mean lost in the best possible sense.

‘Sword’ takes ‘Zelda’ to new heights

November 23, 2011 - 7:59pm

LOS ANGELES – Link is getting a workout.

‘Saints Row’ scores in third title

By Dirk Lammers | November 16, 2011 - 6:36pm

Though the original “Saints Row” was thought by many to be riding the epic crime coattails of “Grand Theft Auto,” the video game’s 2008 sequel did an admirable job of beginning to develop its own over-the-top identity.

Developer battled to launch ‘Modern Warfare 3’

By Derrik J. Lang | November 9, 2011 - 7:08pm

LOS ANGELES – Behind a pair of nondescript black doors on the second floor of an angular office building is the headquarters for “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” developer Infinity Ward.

‘Uncharted 3’ shows way to fun

By Derrik J. Lang | November 2, 2011 - 6:09pm

It was somewhere around the sixth rooftop that I leapt from during a rollicking foot chase above the streets of Yemen that I realized “Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception” (Sony; PlayStation 3; $59.99; ESRB rating: T) is one of the best games I’ve played this year – and maybe ever.

'Forza 4' shifts into overdrive

By Lou Kesten | October 26, 2011 - 6:03pm

I’m not what you’d call a “car guy.” I’ve been driving the same set of wheels for more than 10 years.