Pirates: The Legend of Black Kat

Ahoy, landlubbers—there be quality gaming ahead! Figuratively thrust into the boots of sultry seafarer Katarina, La-Z-Boy buccaneers can swashbuckle through an adventure sure to bring a contented “Arrrr” to their lips. When you’re not “liberating” fortresses or plundering graveyards, you’ll be dropping your loot on ship repairs, upgrades, and buying ale for your wenches during shore leave. The mix of action and strategy sails smoothly from showdowns with giant crabs to advancing armadas, and, of course, the graphics and audio are shipshape. Even if a pirate tale doesn’t shiver your timbers, the Lara Croft–like design of Kat will surely raise your mast.