Game On: 'Metroid: Other M' is a must-own

"Metroid: Other M"

Platform: Wii

Genre: Action

Publisher: Nintendo

ESRB Rating: T, for Teen

Grade: 4 stars (out of 5)

It's odd hearing Samus' voice for the first time ever in the long-running "Metroid" franchise. It's odder still having this game be so heavily focused on massive shootouts and battles with tons of enemies at once, instead of the more traditional hunting and puzzle-solving adventure.

But it all adds up to one of the best "Metroid" games ever.

The action is unrelenting, and that is not necessarily bad. But longtime "Metroid"fans like myself will raise an eyebrow or two over some of the choices — like being required to let loose a torrent of missiles and other weapons at foes.

Another major twist is that the game is much more linear than previous outings. The map guides you where you need to go, and there are still puzzles to solve and plenty of opportunities to roll into a ball and lay bombs and so forth. The space station's environments are varied and great to look at, and excellent boss fights hearken back to the original release.

Of all the new tweaks, it's the heavy reliance on story and vocals that will be the most difficult for fans to wrap their heads around. Samus, who's been around for two decades, has the voice of a 22-year-old. It is just as jarring to hear her as it is to see her porcelain face. Many gamers have always imagined her being just a little more edgy and not so pristine and cut from the same cloth as a "Final Fantasy" character. With so many cutscenes and so much narrative, this sometimes feels choppy and less like a "Metroid"game, but the high-intensity action makes up for it.

Sometimes even the best franchises can use a shot in the arm to make fans get out of their comfort zone and, equally, give first-time gamers a chance to fall in love with a classic franchise. "Other M" toes this line wonderfully. This is a must-own for Wii and "Metroid" fans alike.

"Ys Seven"

Platform: PSP

Genre: Role-playing

Publisher: Xseed Games

ESRB Rating: T, for Teen

Grade: 3 stars

"Ys" is a long-running series that has featured Adol and his companions. In "Ys Seven," Adol and longtime pal Dogi have arrived in a new port village, and soon are whisked off to investigate troubles in the land. That is seriously about as much back story are you are given, as "Ys Seven" is light on story and heavy on action.

The game features a steady mix of minor monsters, with some larger, more daunting bosses to confront at key times. It's a healthy pace and allows you to jump around playing as one character or another.

"Ys Seven" is best enjoyed when you dive deep into all the quests and explore as many dungeons as possible. Sure, the game can seem shallow at times, but PSP fans can certainly find joy here. It's a button-mashing, hack-and-slash venture with lots of monsters to keep you entertained.

Follow Chris Campbell at twitter.com/campbler or e-mail him at game_on_games@mac.com.