America’s Army: Rise of a Soldier

Xbox

At least somebody in America believes that violent video games lead to violent actions—or so the U.S. Army hopes. Upgradeable stats and a very loose story lend a role-play flavor to this Army-sponsored first-person shooter for the Xbox. Conspiracy theorists can sit through a waking wet dream as they play through the latest Army propaganda, with actual strategic techniques and realistic weapons training. And while the game prides itself on realism, it is this pride that delivers the fatal headshot to a gamer’s enjoyment. All that unavoidable—and bug-filled—training will have you packing your duffel for the bus back to Ghost Recon. If the Army was hoping to turn gamers into soldiers, it should have offered better graphics and game play.