What do people do when they hit the video game store? They look at box art, that's what. That's why we started shallowly judging games by their covers to help box art designers do their jobs right. Here goes...
"Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" (PS3)
What the Box Tells Us: Snake ain't the young whipper-snapper he used to be. The graphical power of the PS3 is to longtime game characters as HD television is to actors over 40. No time for Botox or facelifts here. "Metal Gear" is finally here, and it holds nothing back... including gray hairs, crow's feet and under-eye bags. Simple and to the point, this cover shows that the old codger is ready to fight to the bitter end.
Love It or Leave It: Love it.
"BlastWorks: Build, Trade, Destroy" (Wii)
What the Box Tells Us: "Build. Trade. Destroy," says the game box. Spend hours trying to build the perfect vehicle that will no doubt impress. Trade said vehicle with your friends. Then... destroy those creations by blasting them to smithereens? Sounds a bit counter-productive, if you ask me.
Love It or Leave It: Leave it.
"Snood Deluxe" (PC)
What the Box Tells Us: Children these days will not be frightened by the scary clowns of generations past. No, they will be frightened by Mr. Snood. His big blue face, red dimples, straightened eyebrows and devilish smirk represent the evil of clowns in the digital age. Not to mention hours of lost work in cubicles across the world. (Pure evil.)
Love It or Leave It: Leave it.
"NASCAR 09" (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2)
What the Box Tells Us: The main colors here are red, white and blue -- symbolic of patriotism, perhaps? What's more obvious to me is that Jeff Gordon is standing in the middle of the road as two cars are speeding towards him. And all that whiteness around him? Don't walk into the light, Jeff!
Love It or Leave It: Leave it.
"Insecticide" (PC)
What the Box Tells Us: I'm one who tends to think that bugs are gross and should be murdered with the nearest shoe or rolled-up newspaper. But this here cover shows that bugs can be sexy (at least the lady ones). Maybe next time I'll think twice about squishing that fly with my swatter. (Nah, probably not.)
Love It or Leave It: Love it.
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