VIDEO GAME REVIEWS

'TABLE TENNIS'
For Xbox 360 (sports genre);
Rockstar Games.
Rating: E.
Grade: A
People may tell you they don't enjoy playing ping pong, but you can see through that -- you know they like it. Seriously, as weird as it sounds it's worth asking: Who doesn't like playing pingpong?
Rockstar has pounced on this simple indoor activity -- more formally known as table tennis-- and created an easy game with an instant endearing quality to it.
But instead of as basic graphic presentation, Rockstar has released one of the best looking 360 games to date. The gameplay may wear out its welcome eventually, but it's hard to argue that this game is anything but fun to play.
A condensed version of tennis, table tennis features paddles and a smaller playing surface. You have four types of spin and each of the players have specific traits (stronger server, better with spin, powerful forehand, etc.) that affect the gameplay.
The best moments come when you get into a lengthy rally, because the tension ramps up considerably and you get the sensation a real-life game provides.
What is amazing is how sharp and fluid the player movements are; 2K Sports was just scratching the surface with its NBA and NHL games for the Xbox 360. Rockstar has definitely pushed the envelope forward as the sweat, facial ticks and clothing movements all look dynamic and realistic.
If there are any complaints, it is that there is no create-a-player mode, or any kind of career mode to track your progress and improve a player. What you see is what you get, and besides unlocking some new outfits to wear there's not much depth to the game.
Clearly all the R & amp;D went into making the best player models possible and there was some short-siding on the playing options, which could hurt its long-term playability.
No matter, you've got to hand it to Rockstar for doing a 180 from its more known forte (open-ended action games) and delivering a fantastic game from an activity nearly everyone has done at least once in their life.
-- Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard
'ACE COMBAT ZERO:THE BELKAN WAR'
For PlayStation 2 (flying simulation);
Namco.
Rating: T.
Grade: A
Everyone loves a good dogfight. No, not the ones between your Lab and your neighbor's Weimaraner, but between fighter jets. "Ace Combat" has always served up some fluid aerial battles wrapped up with a nicely written story, and "The Belkan War" is another in the series that succeeds at entertaining.
For those who have followed the franchise, this iteration takes place before the events of "Ace Combat 5." You follow the story of Pixy and Cipher, two ace pilots who over the course of time turn to not like each other very much ... the odd couple gone bad. Anyhow, there are about 20 missions in all to play through, and "Ace Combat" is known for its stories -- because instead of just filling time with useless cutscenes, you actually feel as if there's a point to it all.
As in previous games, the controls are about as easy to learn as any game you'll find. There's no punishment for absurd flying techniques, so just keep the plane in the air and fire away. And fire you must, often, for there are a multitude of bogies to have to take down. Namco has never been shy about making you an overwhelmed pilot and "Belkan War" is more of the same.
Graphically the game mirrors the controls, in that not much seems to have changed over the years. This is not a concern since it's a successful formula, and some improvements have been made in some of the gameplay, such as more command controls over the other members of your squadron.
There's no reason to pass up "Ace Combat Zero" if you are a fan of dogfights and have a love for the franchise. Even if you take a chance at renting it for a test spin there's little doubt you'll get hooked quickly.
-- Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard