50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)

One of the world's hottest rap stars is back -- inside a video game. Following the success of 2006's 50 Cent: Bulletproof, THQ's 50 CENT: BLOOD ON THE SAND once again lets players take command of "Fiddy" in an over-the-top action game, this time battling enemies in a war-torn middle-eastern country. The story is quite ridiculous, however, as the rapper performs to a sold-out crowd in this fictitious country, only to find his payment -- a diamond-encrusted skull -- has been stolen by a local crime lord (a former CIA operative, no less). And so you and your trusty G-Unit group must battle baddies to collect your payday and teach this ruthless thief a lesson.

Played from a third-person perspective, gamers -- as 50 Cent -- must run and gun through dangerous locations, find cover, and take down enemies with automatic guns or by using close-quarter knife kills. The "Mature"-rated action isn't for young eyes as enemies are slaughtered up close, with plenty of bloody scenes, and it's not for young ears either because of strong language, racy lyrics, and drug references.

If you don't mind (or even enjoy) this kind of violent game, and can get past the silly premise, you'll find 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand a better game than its predecessor thanks to tight controls, vehicle-based levels (including a helicopter ride), optional co-op multiplayer, upgradeable weapons, and more than 40 hip-hop tracks (18 of which are exclusive, plus the disc also has nine classic music videos). Mature "Fiddy" fans with a yen for this kind of gun play will find this game a good all-around pick.