GI Joe: Operation Blackout

Sentimentality for the franchise aside, gamers won't likely get much from this lackluster shooter, which is unimaginative, repetitive and lacks depth across the board. Sure, fans of the G.I. Joe universe will like the frenetic action in G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout since you get to play as both sides -- which is one positive feature this game has going for it. But despite the differences in abilities per character, everyone can use all the weapons, so it doesn't really matter who you're playing. Plus, controlling the characters and weapons doesn't feel great. You can have auto-aim lock on, but it doesn't always choose who you want to fight, and manual aim can be cumbersome. Because shooting is very important here, the developers should've worked more on the controls and enemy A.I. (artificial intelligence).

Local co-op proved to be more fun, but after a few minutes, the wave-after-wave attacks of enemies grows tiresome. Sure, there's some minor tactics and strategy required, and the unrelenting fast pace is great, but the novelty wears off quickly. Vehicles like tanks can be entertaining also -- even if you're on rails -- but it, too, gets dull. What's more, there are no character upgrades, plot twists, or surprises that would have made the game more memorable. Visually, the cartoon-like game isn't impressive, but true to the animated series' look, and G.I. Joe fans may like the familiar characters (with voice acting), locations, and storylines. But despite it's nostalgia, accessibility and low price tag, G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout just isn't worth your time or money.