The "Grand Theft Auto" gaming genre has seen many entries during the last console generation. Nearly all of them played about the same way and elicited the same reaction from gamers. At this point it takes something special to be noticed in the genre, so it's surprising to see Electronic Arts step up to the plate and take a swing a such a game. The Godfather: Blackhand Edition takes last year's The Godfather and adds some impressive and enticing control enhancements that make this Nintendo Wii title an offer that cannot be refused.

Features

• Rise through the ranks of the Corleone family in New York City circa 1945-1955


• Extort, blackmail, and shoot your way into power


• New Blackhand Control system allows players to swing the remote to throw punches and more


• Includes additional contract hit missions and compounds to explore not found on other consoles

Accept This As A Favor
Blackhand Edition is essentially an update on last year's The Godfather for competing consoles. The major edition to this Wii version is the Blackhand Control system that uses the Wii remote and nunchuk's motion sensor capabilities to provide players with a more hands-on experience while climbing the Corleone family ladder. Other versions of the game rely on buttons to deliver punches, but with the Blackhand system players need only swing the remote and nunchuk to deliver right and left hooks. Shove either one forward to punch a foe straight on. For example, suppose a rival family's enforcer decided to start a fight. One need only lock on to the target by holding down the Z button and then start swinging the remote and nunchuk to pound on him with professional fists of fury. Foes will learn attack patterns and fight back, so it's best to mix up one's pummeling strategies. Hold down Down on the control pad to charge up a wicked right-handed power punch before swinging and most enemies won't get up for a rematch.

The Blackhand Control system goes beyond just punches, however. Hold down the B button while locked on to an enemy to grab him by the collar. Now one can pull the remote and nunchuk towards oneself to perform a headbutt or swing the remote and nunchuk to the side to slam foes against nearby tables or walls. Up high on top of a building? Drag the enemy to the edge and flick the remote and nunchuk away to "accidentally" fling the hapless fellow over the side and down to the cold hard asphalt below. Need to dispatch someone quietly? Move the remote and nunchuk towards and away from each other several times to choke the life out of the enemy (ending with a sickening crunch of a neck snapping).

And who says criminals only fight hand-to-hand? Equip one of the many types of guns, bombs, or blunt objects with the C button, then lock onto the target with the Z button. Using the remote one can target different spots of the body just by pointing, then hit the B button to open fire or swing the club/bat/pipe/wrench/etc. Hitting someone in the shoulder will cause him to drop his weapon, while targeting the knee drops him to the ground so he cannot run away. Aim for the chest to inflict (pardon the overused joke) massive damage, or just shoot the target in the head for an instant kill. Of course, be aware that enemies will be using these same tactics on the player. They too will be aiming for the shoulder, knee, chest, and head, so it pays to keep moving when under fire.

Rounding out the controls are the motions required to drive cars through the city streets. Just commandeer any car that catches one's fancy by pressing the A button, then hold down the B button to accelerate and use the Z button to brake and move in reverse while using the control stick to steer. Slam on the C button to activate the handbrake, allowing one to swing and swerve around corners. Give the nunchuk a shake to honk the horn (just for fun).



Take The Cannoli
As mentioned earlier, The Godfather follows the player's mob character through the ranks from Outsider to Don. The player makes progress through the game by completing various missions, some of which move the main story along and others that merely provide sweet rewards. Missions are accepted by simply talking to certain individuals who make themselves known as the game progresses. Each mission is divided into several objectives. Once an objective is completed it need not be repeated if the next objective is failed. For example, one of the game's missions plays through the memorable horse's head left in bed scene from the original film. After a bit of story to set the stage the player is turned loose at the estate of a film magnate that has crossed Don Corleone. Working with a CPU-controlled partner one must sneak onto the property and creep into the stables without being seen by the guards. Once at the stables the player must stand guard while the partner decapitates the infamous horse (off screen). A guard approaches during this sequence and the player must quietly incapacitate him before he can alert anyone. Fail to do so and the game restarts at the guard objective and not the initial sneaking objective. Once the horse head is obtained the player must lead the partner (who carries the head) into the house and upstairs again without being seen. Finally the player must stand guard one more time while the head is deposited between the sheets, after which the mission is complete.