Lego Battles: Why aren't the kids playing with real Lego?

LEGO Battles (DS) is a decent little strategy game that transposes those childhood Lego clashes into video-game form, with uneven results.

The arrangement is a bit like the Command & Conquer series with the corners planed off. Choosing between the Castle, Pirates and Space Lego sets, you build a barracks, send your Lego soldiers out to explore and fight, claim more territory, upgrade your units and hardware, and uncover terrain, treasures and secrets.

It’s fun in short bursts, but let down by dodgy AI and confusing graphics that make it hard to see what’s ­going on. There’s also the feeling that kids should be getting their real Lego out.

The only first-person shooter in town is the latest Call of Duty update, Modern Warfare (see the blistering trailer on YouTube). Problem: it isn’t out until November.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (360, PS3) should fill the void, though. It’s a more action-based sequel to 2007’s original Old West shooter with a Civil War setting, ultra-violent shootouts, one-on-one duels and a surprisingly decent story (a grizzled gunslinger on the trail of an ancient Mexican treasure).

The cover system’s ropey and there’s no co-op, but the weapons are satisfying, the script is sharp and, well, it’s pretty much Grand Theft Auto: Wild West Edition.

Quick shout for Another Code: R (Wii) – the most soothing/boring game we’ve played. You’re a young girl called to a summer camp by your estranged father. Maybe he’s about to explain the strange circumstances surrounding your mum’s death.

Maybe. But not before you’ve spent a long time having long conversations. We’re currently about to have a barbecue with some guy – but he wants to talk a lot first. So uneventful, it’s practically ambient. Big in Japan, mind.