Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

GameCube, £39.99 Nintendo *****
Released in 1998 for the N64, Zelda: Ocarina of Time is widely regarded as the greatest videogame. Its fabulous mix of 3D exploration, devious puzzles and epic storyline made it a benchmark title.

So there is a lot riding on Wind Waker, the first Zelda game for the GameCube. Luckily for Nintendo, Wind Waker is an absolute treat. Unlike the land-locked titles of yore, this latest adventure sees the hero, Link, traversing the seas, island hopping his way to becoming world saviour.

As with all Zelda games, it starts off slowly. Whimsical encounters on sandy beaches, chasing piglets and eavesdropping on old ladies are just some of the early exchanges. It's these sub-plots and mini-games that give this series its unique atmosphere. But it isn't too long before the adventure starts, with plenty of trademark dungeons to be explored.

The conundrums are always logical, but challenging. The graphics are the most controversial aspect. The cel-shaded look gives this a cartoon feel that has disappointed some fans. But while this makes for a lighter atmosphere, it allows for excellent facial characterisation. The dust clouds, smoke and fire all look impressive.

There's no debate over the combat, though, which has been radically improved by the ability to use opponents' weapons. A surprisingly disappointing camera is the only real niggle, although the over-reliance on sea travel can grate. But Zelda: Wind Waker lives up to its predecessors and is the game of the year so far.

SB

Devastation

PC, 34.99 Arush/Novalogic, ***
Given its popularity, the first person shoot-'em-up (FPS) has been relatively stagnant for years, so attempts to broaden the genre are always welcome. Devastation promises to do just this; cramming in team-based and deathmatch-style levels in an effort to make it more than just another Unreal-powered blaster. So how does it fare?

Not that well. With 20 missions and two playing modes (arcade and simulation), there may be plenty to get on with, but pretty soon, you can predict the themes a mile off.

You have plenty of firepower - 30-plus weapons - as well as the ability to use chairs, planks of wood or just about anything you can get your hands on, but this illusion of freedom only works in theory.

No one, for instance, will risk approaching an armed guard with a bottle unless he is out of ammo (which happens more often than you might expect) and the bizarre physics model has you knocking over things when you were trying to be stealthy.

Later, you can be assisted by up to eight teammates - who supposedly obey four basic commands -stop/ follow/attack/defend - although their suicidal tendencies ensure they are best left behind until you can clear the path ahead, somewhat defeating the point of their presence.

Devastation is a collection of good ideas, slapped together by a team clearly still coming to grips with the engine. Potential for a sequel perhaps, but right now there are far better FPSs on the shelves.

MA

Casino Inc

PC, £29.99 Hothouse/Konami, ***

Considering the less-than-mainstream subject matter that has formed the basis of sim games in the past - several games, for example, have put you in charge of road and rail transport networks - it seems bizarre that Casino Inc is the first in which you can run a casino, or indeed a chain of casinos.

Casino Inc was created by Hothouse, the outfit behind Gangsters, which tried so hard to innovate that it proved hard to play. Unsurprisingly, then, Casino Inc conforms strictly to the tried-and-tested sim game format.

You start with one empty casino, which you must fill up with roulette tables, bars, one-armed bandits and so on. Following a meticulous tutorial and gentle learning curve, the fun starts when your casino achieves a measure of success and the scammers move in. You can exert satisfying control over your security staff, even gratuitously ejecting punters for the fun of it. And you can send out teams of low-lives to rip off rivals.

The skill mainly consists of shaping your casino to attract the right sorts of customers (high rollers, for example, are keener on baccarat than pinball), and augmenting your income by building extra floors and offering Las Vegas-style accommodation. Casino Inc's quirky, adult-oriented demeanour (you can bribe brothels to send prostitutes to rival establishments in the hope that the police will close them down) helps it rise above the general morass of sim games which, inevitably, live in the shadow of the mighty Sim City. While Casino Inc does not break new ground, it will satisfy all but the most po-faced enthusiasts.

SB