Previews Blowout

Empire Earth 3 - PC

After the success of the original, Empire Earth returns for another glorified slice of world-conquering action. The futuristic RTS has improved light years in terms of graphics, leaving us as a heap of drooling mess after just five minutes ofogling. One of the most notable new features is the era-spanning gameplay. No longer are you held down by the constraints of one period of history: why not rule the past, present and future instead?

SWAT: Target Liberty - PSP

It’s nice to see Sierra fight back against Rainbow Six: Vegas with this pleasant little third-person tactical number that recalls Killzone: Liberation. Infiltrate some supremely gritty, super-detailed locales and hunt down the terrorist threat that’s rocking the city.

Shrek the Third - Multi-platform

Shrek and friends are back in a mission to save Far Far Away from extinction. Play as six of the film’s characters, battling fairytale bosses, saving friends from peril and fighting to save the kingdom. Okay, so it’s nothing we haven’t heard before, but with some fantastic-looking fairytale levels to bash through, this’ll be a donkey-lover’s dream come true. Possibly.

Surf’s Up - Multi-platform

Penguins may be crap at flying, but give them a board and a big wave and they’re unstoppable. Based on the recently released film, Surf’s Up plunges you into the world of penguin surfing (think Tony Hawk meets Happy Feet) as you glide your way through witha huge arsenal of surf tricks, taking on the best that the feathered world has to offer.

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - DS

This is a great fit for theDS. It’s got the sweet Final Fantasy III character style too, with some brilliantly detailed backdrops. The icing on the cake, though, is the Wi-Fi play for four players.