Video game review by ERIK LEIJON

A year too late, and with graphics even further behind, Delta Force: Black Hawk Down (PS2, Xbox/Novalogic, Rebellion) on the surface doesn't appear to have much going for it. This is the same game you've played countless times before, but perhaps I have become so weary of complaining (to no one it seems) about the inundation of copycat war sims over the past couple of years, that I let my guard down and had a bit of fun.

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down is a first-person shooter that promises the usual squad-based, online kill-fest with some tactical elements tossed in. The game lacks polish both graphically and gameplay-wise compared to the best of the genre, such as Rainbow Six (Ubisoft), yet succeeds by not becoming too complicated. Commanding your troops can be executed with only one button, and the missions are nothing more than going from point A to point B, killing anyone in your way who looks like an evildoer. And, true to its namesake, you get an opportunity to shoot people from a flying Black Hawk helicopter, which is as fun as it is dizzying.

The game takes place in Mogadishu, Somalia (or "the Mog"), revisiting the UN's involvement there in 1993. Surprisingly enough, the game tries to be educational; the instruction manual (which has an astonishing 44 colour pages) actually gives a short Wikipedia-esque history of Somalia. Of course, the actual game may as well take place in any barren third-world country, since it looks no different than the recent war shooters that take place in the Middle East. There's also a fair amount of America love happening (especially from the helpless Somalis, who have a nasty habit of running into open fire), but they who design games can write history any way they desire. You might get a chuckle when your mission briefings involve "handing out food and medical supplies" but in actuality you're ordered to shoot people and destroy bridges.

Novalogic offers both split-screen and online multiplayer modes. On the PS2 version you can play up to 32 players, and the Xbox version can hold up to 50 characters. With that many people in one game, Delta Force: Black Hawk Down has something to offer that most of its competition can't. The multiplayer mode offers a world ranking system and the standard assortment of gameplay and co-op modes.

Does this mean you'll be putting down your copy of Rainbow Six or Battlefield 2 (EA)? Likely not, but Delta Force's stripped down tactics system and simple missions might serve as an introduction to those intimidated by the stereotypically complicated war sim genre. On the other hand, those who have had their fill of this type of game will find it to be only a temporary diversion.

Drop the puck

With excitement brewing nation-wide over the introduction of the post-lockout NHL, now is as good a time as any to release the latest iterations of the popular hockey video game franchises. Due in stores at the start of September, NHL 2K6 is 2K Games' latest. Hopefully Kush Games has solved the glitchy online mode and random handing out of penalties. I do look forward to the return of icon passing, which became inexplicably unpopular after the NHL Breakaway (Acclaim) series.

EA Sports' NHL 2006 will be released a few weeks after. The last couple of years has seen the series shift to arcade-style action, but the new momentum-based skating could spell an end to skaters stopping and turning on a dime.

Now playing: Madden 06 (Xbox, PS2, GC) Wishlist: NHL 2K6 (Xbox, PS2), NHL 2006 (Xbox, PS2, GC) HISTORY 0101: Delta Force