Game Central

I've decided to take a more in-depth approach to my gaming column. Instead of dividing my attention briefly but equally among as many games as I can include, I'll devote most of the column to the four or five most compelling titles of the previous two months. I'll also include briefer reviews of a few additional titles that are still worth looking at. You'll also notice that I'm now assigning a letter grade to each game, giving you a quick-and-dirty way of viewing my assessment of each title. Of course, these changes mean I'm going to be more selective in what I decide to include, which is getting more difficult as more quality titles are released.

Finally, a game column ought to be more than a list of my favorite games, so I'm adding a news section. It will include hardware and software announcements, hints and tips, new game-related Web sites, and more. Let me know what you think about the new format--drop me a line at allen@PocketPCmag.com . I'm also interested in receiving any news bits you might have.

From Xen Games, publisher of the popular real-time strategy (RTS) game Strategic Assault, comes a highly anticipated action-shooter by the name of Interstellar Flames. Sort of a cross between Zaxxon and Terminal Velocity, this game pits you against asteroid belts, hostile ships, and waves of enemy fighters,. It's also a bit like the Pocket PC game Metalion, but instead of flying over a flat landscape, you're flying over layered ships with turrets and rocket launchers intent on blowing you away.

Interstellar Flames is a great shooter and a graphical treat

Although the layered, 3D design of the levels is interesting, the levels are long and a bit monotonous. Also, the game often falls into the trap of giving the player too many power-ups. You can almost sit back and watch the enemy ships get destroyed. Still, Interstellar Flames is probably the best, most interactive action game I've played for Pocket PC. It has really nice 3D graphics, great controls, and terrific sound. Numerous power-ups and a "resume later" feature keep the game easy to play.

For more information about Interstellar Flames, visit the Xen Games Web site (www.xengames.com/productsif.htm). Interstellar Flames supports all iPAQs and Pocket PC 2002 devices. A free demo is available and the full version can be purchased for $6.99.

Sometimes the best computer games are based on athletic events that don't actually exist. One example is Speedball 2, distributed by Portable Games. I'm told this title is based on an old Amiga game from the early 90s, and that seems accurate judging from the style of graphics and game play. I'd bet that the Amiga game was one of the influences behind Rebound, an overhead scroller-pinball crossover I mentioned in the November 2002 issue.

Even if you didn't play the original, Speedball 2 is a great team sports game with a sci-fi twist.

Speedball 2 is a team-based sport along the lines of hockey or soccer. The difference here is that players fight over a large pinball that bounces off the sides of the futuristic "rink." You'll find plenty of pinball-like traps and bonuses. The action is a lot faster and more demanding than other sports games, but good fun once you get the hang of it.