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If you’ve kept up with the Ben 10 video game series, you’ve probably found them to be average games. D3 Publisher’s latest release of Ben 10: Alien Force Vilgax Attacks actually takes a giant leap beyond the realm of mediocrity and into the dimension of “good quality.” The title is available on Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS. This review covers all releases but the Nintendo DS version of the game.

Presentation
Being a fan of the show is not a requirement when playing this game; it’s an action/adventure title with 10+ hours of gameplay and is loaded with an intuitive combat system, challenging platorming sequences, and well-thought out puzzle-solving scenarios. As Ben, you travel across the galaxy and alternate dimensions to prevent the evil Vilgax from taking over planet Earth. Vilgax Attacks is the first game in the series to offer 10 alien forms to play with at one time. Each alien is designed with unique abilities that help in overcoming enemies and obstacles in the environment. The story itself fits with the TV series for several reasons; light-hearted humor, appearance by all the main characters, and it was written by one of the show’s writers. The original cast from the animated series have lent their voices throughout the game, so from a branding standpoint the game is rock solid. The game looks the best on the Xbox 360, and if you’re playing it on the other platforms (excluding the DS), it’s the exact same game. The game’s developer, Papaya Studio, did a fantastic job of getting the game to perform nicely on several platforms with varying technical specs.

Gameplay
Vilgax Attacks is evenly divided between puzzle solving, platforming, and combat. Every level also ends with a boss battle, which get better with each passing level. Fighting enemies is very easy to manage as the combo system is designed around 3 buttons: doesn’t matter how old you are, you’ll be able to fight and perform great-looking attacks. New combos can be earned as Ben gains experience throughout gameplay. Puzzle-solving is made up of multi-layered solutions, similar to the God of War series. Some puzzles are solved with a simple pull of a switch, where others involve numerous steps and creative thinking through the use of several alien forms. Platforming is fun, and never over-challenging or unfair. Characters like Spidermonkey, Big Chill, and Jetray are great to traverse difficult platforming setups. With plenty of great puzzles, enemy encounters, and platform jumping spread throughout the game, fans of God of War and Prince of Persia will like what they see in Vilgax Attacks.

Conclusion
This is a no-brainer if you like the Ben 10 series; just go out and get the game. If you’re not familiar with Ben, Gwen, Kevin, and Grandpa Max, then allow Ben 10: Alien Force Vilgax Attacks to introduce you to Cartoon Network’s number TV show, and enjoy a solid gaming experience in the process.

Final Score: 8.8/10

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In previous AI seasons, there comes the inevitable “surprise” elimination where one contestant, who many believed could win, is asked to leave. Jennifer Hudson, Michael Johns, and Chris Daughtry fell victim to a lack of votes from viewers, resulting in their premature dismissal. It appears that a new rule is set to protect against such eliminations, which gives the American Idol judges the power to make a one-time unanimous veto against viewer voting results. When the veto is executed, no contestant goes home, but in the following week two singers are given their walking papers. The ‘Save Rule’ can be used at any time beginning tonight and up until five contestants remain. Is this a good or bad thing?

It’s a good thing when a contestant happens to be from a part of the country where AI viewers are low in numbers. As a result, their hometown support just doesn’t match up to another singer from a large metropolitan area. The rule also protects against the short term memory loss of the American Idol viewer. Some contestants have rock solid performances all throughout the season, but because of one missed note lose their place in the contest. The save rule allows the judges to save the contestant from being punished for that one missed note. The public also tends to forget that American Idol is a singing competition. There are times where one contestant is clearly not the best singer, but remains in the running due to their quirky personality or appearance (Sanjaya). Meanwhile, better singers are given the boot because they didn’t wear a silly Mohawk, or because they didn’t make a fan with down’s syndrome cry on national television. In these cases, the judges’ veto power is relevant and acceptable.

But why institute a veto rule when half the show’s success is based on the American voter? AI is popular not only because it finds diamonds in the rough, but because every home viewer can shape the evolution of each season. Also, it would be strange to see the judges save a contestant when the night before that same contestant was given poor feedback for their performance. The veto rule seems to be very contradictory to many of the show’s foundational procedures.

The rule has already been used in the French version of Idol, and apparently it works. It’s going to be a love-hate event when it happens in the land of the free.