Sneakman

The graphics and atmosphere look great, but I'm not sure how I feel about Konami turning Silent Hill into Resident Evil 4. Not only did they swipe the over-the-shoulder camera, they've even got the laser-guided aiming! But I loved RE4, and I generally enjoy the Silent Hill titles, so I'll definitely give this a shot.

The original PSP Ridge Racers was also "more of the same" (ie. all of its tracks came from earlier titles in the series), but I think that was forgiven due to the fact that a) it was a launch game, and b) its graphics were new and impressive at the time.

Ridge Racers 2 doesn't have either luxury, so I agree that it does look a bit too familiar now. Online multiplayer could be a big differentiating point, but I'm doubtful that Namco can pull it off considering that so few PSP titles have done so to this point. Some new modes of play might help; the World Tour got dull after a while in the original.

Oh well, the graphics are slick and I'm sure it'll be fun for a bit. And hey, the intro features Reiko Nagase leaping barefoot through outer space, so it can't be all bad.

I loved the original Ridge Racers, I played it to death when it launched with the PSP. Sadly, this game looks almost exactly the same, although it's really tough to tell from the scant amount of footage in that commercial. I'll only purchase it if Reiko Nagase appears barefoot in the opening and/or ending movie.

All the preview material I've read states that Tomb Raider: Legend ditches the clumsy controls of the prior games in favor of fluid analog movement like most modern 3D games. I'm eager to give it a try if that's the case.

I like the new Lara model, even though she's still a bit cartoony. Her face looks much more believable than the Lara of old, and her proportions, while keeping her squarely in "fantasy babe" status, are at least a little less insulting.

I'm also psyched that Lara will get to prance around in her bare feet. Sexy.