‘LARA CROFT AND THE GUARDIAN OF LIGHT’
??? 1/2
Lara Croft’s newest adventure drops the “Tomb Raider” title — the first in her series to do so. It also has a new look — the viewpoint is isometric, like dungeon-crawlers “Diablo” and “Torchlight,” rather than the typical behind-the-shoulder view of the series.

Lara quests through Central American ruins to defeat an evil spirit named Xolotl, who was released by greedy treasure hunters. She’s aided, eventually, by Totec, the Guardian of Light, whose task it is to seal Xolotl away again.

Totec gives Lara a mystical spear that can be thrown over and over, and has the handy ability to provide her footholds when thrown into walls. Combined with her unlimited supply of explosive charges and several other weapons — as well as artifacts and relics that grant powerful benefits — she is agile and powerful.

The game focuses on combat as well as puzzles, and a second player can control Totec throughout the journey.
Sony PlayStation 3 (also for Microsoft Xbox 360, PC); $15.
Age rating: Teen.

‘THE SIMS 3’
???

<!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>

First released for PC and Mac last year, “The Sims 3” is now on every major gaming platform (save the Wii, but that version is coming in November), and a few minor ones.

While things are scaled down somewhat, the main elements are here — the DS version is an impressive translation of the PC original.

Players can choose a Sim or family thereof, or create their own, then go about the business of directing daily life for them, from work to relationships — though it can be tedious to make sure Sims go to the bathroom, eat meals and go to sleep on time.

Sims have wishes and life goals based on their personalities, and it is up to the player to fulfill them and provide happiness by getting them the jobs they want, the things they desire, the training they need and so on. But there’s no set path in the game players can do with their little people as they wish.

Nintendo DS, also for Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, PC; $29.99 ($49.99 to $59.99 for other systems).
Age rating: Everyone (other versions rated T for Teen).
— McClatchy Newspapers