Prince of Persia Forgotten Sands (Wii)

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is a direct sequel to the superb 2003 release The Sands of Time, but this latest adventure does not focus on the intriguing time mechanic that served as the backbone for that game. Rather, the prince now has the ability to create handholds, airlifts, and other tools to help him move around the environment, and these abilities open the door for unique obstacles that evolve throughout the course of the game. Unfortunately, the shallow combat pulls you away from the free-flowing platforming. These dull duels force you to swing your arms frantically to dish out damage, and it's a chore to dispose of your attackers so you can get back to the fun moments. It's a shame the battles are so boring, but the clever level design and strong artistic direction make The Forgotten Sands another good entry in the long-running franchise.