Overlord
Platform: Xbox 360, PC
Developer: Triumph Studios
Publisher: Codemasters
Release: 6/26
ESRB: T

Remember the Furby?  It was a cute little electronic toy that looked a lot like Gizmo from the Gremlins movies.  It looked so much like Gizmo that the manufacturer got sued by Warner Brothers at one time.  The guys at Codemasters may want to be worried about this because the evil little minions in Overlord look a lot like the gremlins that Gizmo's Mogwai brethren morph into when they've been fed after midnight (and isn't it ALWAYS after midnight somewhere?).  Until the game is pulled for this form of copyright infringement, however, we can have some fun being totally evil. 

Overlord puts the player in the role of a resurrected evil overlord (hence the name) who commands an ever growing army of minions who do his evil bidding.  Blending RPG, RTS, and puzzle game elements in a manner we've never seen before, Overlord plays like Pikmin meets Diablo.  Most interesting is the way that the pitiful humans and other races will respond to your evil deeds.  Kill a few in cold blood and they'll cower from you in fear. 

Kill a lot of them and you'll start finding the village virgins tied to stakes as sacrifices to you.  The only downside is that the game's T rating prevents you from truly enjoying your evil to its fullest possible extent.  This game could have been Manhunt evil, but the limited blood and guts makes it just quasi-evil.  It's still fun to command all those little minions, however, and killing Halflings feels a lot like killing Hobbits.  Who hasn't wanted to do that?

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Platform: PS3
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release: 6/26
ESRB: M

This game rocked our socks off on the Xbox 360.  Why should it be any different on the PS3?  It is different; it's better.  The visuals are better on the PS3 and the content is better because this version includes content that cost extra for 360 players.  Sixaxis motion-sensing controls are included, but they're pretty annoying and forgettable.  The meat of this game is the same as it was on the 360: excellent squad based gameplay mixed with a realistic cover mechanic and enemy AI that will have you trying to out maneuver and outshoot terrorists that work like skilled teams of professional soldiers. 

Firefights set against the backdrop of Sin City (the casino names are changed, but the city really looks like the real Vegas) are exciting and immersive and you'll have your work cut out for you as you try to take back the city from the terrorists who have overrun it.  Real life Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was up in arms before the 360 version of the game was released, so he must be thrilled to the gills that it's now available on yet another platform.  His frustration is PS3 gamers' gain as RSV represents a much needed compelling title for the system.

Game of the Month

The Darkness

While there were a lot of interesting titles up for consideration (last) month, The Darkness gets Game of the Month honors for presenting a totally new form of FPS gameplay and a faithful adaptation of the comic book from Top Cow.  The story of Jackie Estacado is tragic, exciting, gory, and compelling all at once.  And there's that whole eating hearts thing.  Talk about a finishing move!