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This week we've got releases big and small, but do their covers measure up to our standards of clarity, originality and amusement? Read on as we judge "Skate 2," "SimAnimals" and more by their box art.
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"Skate 2" (Xbox 360, PS3)
What the Box Tells Us: The box shows us two skate decks with various scrapes and scratches.
Pros: It's simple, and the dual boards with the "2" on it is a more original way of saying "sequel." And the wear and tear implies there are street skaters who've done it all.
Cons: The banged-up boards may also imply that your player character is going to get hurt. A lot.
Love It or Leave It: Love it.
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"Star Ocean: Second Evolution" (PSP)
What the Box Tells Us: There's the earth in space.
Pros: "Star Ocean" is another way of saying "outer space," so it works.
Cons: It's exactly like the other PSP "Star Ocean" cover for "First Departure," only the earth is on the left side instead of the right. Lazy! (And boring.)
Love It or Leave It: Leave it.
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"SimAnimals" (Wii, DS)
What the Box Tells Us: All kinds of animals -- bears, skunks, deer, bunnies and more -- peacefully co-exist in the forest. That is, until a disembodied hand reaches out from the sky and plucks them from the earth.
Cons: There's a creepy gloved hand taking the animals God-knows-where to do God-knows-what.
Pros: Since it's a "Sims" game, logic dictates that you're God. Plus, I like the composition of the cute, confused bear in the foreground and the sinister hand doings its deeds in the background.
Love It or Leave It: Love it.
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"Ultimate Shooting Collection" (Wii)
What the Box Tells Us: Planes soar through the air, shoot missiles at each other and, sometimes, explode.
Pros: Mid-air explosions. Check.
Cons: But nothing about this says "ultimate," "shooting" or "collection" to me. I'm confused.
Love It or Leave It: Leave it.
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"Deer Drive" (Wii)
What the Box Tells Us: Two hunters, one armed with a rifle and the other holding binoculars and pointing, are about to be run over by a deer being chased by a bear. In the background, ducks fly erratically and a cougar (?) chases another deer.
Pros: This cover has everything. The animal kingdom is running wild, and hapless humans don't know what to do (it kind of reminds me of "Cabela's Dangeous Hunts 2009").
Cons: I don't know anything about hunting, but I'm pretty sure if a deer or other wild animal gets that close, you should've been shooting at it already (and not just pointing at it). Bewildered hunters not necessary.
Love It or Leave It: Love it.
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Read my other Box Art Reviews, published every Tuesday here at MTV Multiplayer.
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