+'s
-nearly everything is improved from the original
-well written campaign story
-'s
-Midway stays true to form (see my MK vs. DC Universe review). Is anyone truly curious why the company is in trouble?
-generic graphics and sound (did I play this on my 360 or my PS2?)
-very repetitive gameplay
Neutral
-Upgrade system doesn't seem to make much difference to the gameplay
Overall, it was a bit of a struggle for me to finish the campaign mode. There are tons of much better games out there, but I can see this being a good rental for some.
Score: 7.0/10
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Review: MK vs. DC Universe
+'s
-similar to classic MK games
-very good implementation of "Klose Kombat", "Test your might", and "Freefall"
-good character models
-strong online competition
-'s
-Story Mode is not very strong
-horrible motion acting and voice acting (I'm a bit embarassed for Midway)
-very little replay value if you don't enjoy online competition
-feels very "Midway" (classic "violence is more important than gameplay or presentation" attitude throughout) and is not a very polished game by today's standards
Neutral
-The T for Teen rating (I really didn't care about the less violent nature of the game)
Overall, the game gives me hope that Ed Boon and team haven't completely forgotten what Mortal Kombat should be about, but it still isn't as fun as it should be. Not a recommended purchase and only fighting game fans should even rent this.
Score: 7.0/10
-similar to classic MK games
-very good implementation of "Klose Kombat", "Test your might", and "Freefall"
-good character models
-strong online competition
-'s
-Story Mode is not very strong
-horrible motion acting and voice acting (I'm a bit embarassed for Midway)
-very little replay value if you don't enjoy online competition
-feels very "Midway" (classic "violence is more important than gameplay or presentation" attitude throughout) and is not a very polished game by today's standards
Neutral
-The T for Teen rating (I really didn't care about the less violent nature of the game)
Overall, the game gives me hope that Ed Boon and team haven't completely forgotten what Mortal Kombat should be about, but it still isn't as fun as it should be. Not a recommended purchase and only fighting game fans should even rent this.
Score: 7.0/10
Review: Fable 2
+'s
-top-notch presentation (graphics, sound, voice-work, story elements--all are incredible)
-incredibly difficult to put down
-simple, yet satisfying combat
-intuitive leveling structure
-intricate attention to detail (very little, if anything, was overlooked in making this game. It was obviously a labor of love for all involved)
-'s
-this game will suck hours of your life (but if you're like me you will enjoy every minute of it). I'd really advise playing this while on vacation
-cumbersome inventory usage (you must go back to your inventory, scroll through the options, and select each potion, food item, etc. each time you want to use one)
Netural
-two penalties for dying: facial scarring of your character and loss of experience points
Overall, this game is simply outstanding. I played the main game through it's entirety, bought the DLC, and still wanted to continue playing. I will buy any additional DLC that is released. This is simply one of the best games of the year, and one of my favorite action RPG's of all time.
Score: 9.5/10
-top-notch presentation (graphics, sound, voice-work, story elements--all are incredible)
-incredibly difficult to put down
-simple, yet satisfying combat
-intuitive leveling structure
-intricate attention to detail (very little, if anything, was overlooked in making this game. It was obviously a labor of love for all involved)
-'s
-this game will suck hours of your life (but if you're like me you will enjoy every minute of it). I'd really advise playing this while on vacation
-cumbersome inventory usage (you must go back to your inventory, scroll through the options, and select each potion, food item, etc. each time you want to use one)
Netural
-two penalties for dying: facial scarring of your character and loss of experience points
Overall, this game is simply outstanding. I played the main game through it's entirety, bought the DLC, and still wanted to continue playing. I will buy any additional DLC that is released. This is simply one of the best games of the year, and one of my favorite action RPG's of all time.
Score: 9.5/10
Monday, January 26, 2009
Review: Left 4 Dead (360)
+'s
-incredibly atmospheric (captures the "zombie-apocalyse" theme perfectly)
-fantastic integration of co-op, multiplayer, and single-player play (this is where the game is truly inovative)
-outstanding AI: both friendly and non-friendly
-sneaky-good graphics (much more detailed than they first appear)
-outstanding use of sound effects and music
-'s
-limited content (only 4 short campaigns, although this is somewhat mitigated by the fact that a campaign will never play exactly the same)
-a bit overpriced at $60, although DLC is said to be on the way (and it better be free!)
Neutral
-limited weapon selection
Left 4 Dead is a game that must be played with friends over Xbox Live at least once. Don't cheat yourself of playing as both the survivors and one of the infected. I have a hard time recommending a purchase before renting, but everyone should play this.
Score: 9.0/10
-incredibly atmospheric (captures the "zombie-apocalyse" theme perfectly)
-fantastic integration of co-op, multiplayer, and single-player play (this is where the game is truly inovative)
-outstanding AI: both friendly and non-friendly
-sneaky-good graphics (much more detailed than they first appear)
-outstanding use of sound effects and music
-'s
-limited content (only 4 short campaigns, although this is somewhat mitigated by the fact that a campaign will never play exactly the same)
-a bit overpriced at $60, although DLC is said to be on the way (and it better be free!)
Neutral
-limited weapon selection
Left 4 Dead is a game that must be played with friends over Xbox Live at least once. Don't cheat yourself of playing as both the survivors and one of the infected. I have a hard time recommending a purchase before renting, but everyone should play this.
Score: 9.0/10
Friday, January 23, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Review: Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts
+'s
-great visuals (very vibrant colors in the classic Rare style)
-witty dialogue
-simple but very well done vehicle creation/modification
-very good value (probably 40 hours of gamplay or finishing everything for $40)
-one of the first and best ways to implement user generated content into actual gameplay
-'s
-controls are frustrating at times
-multiplayer is not worth playing (and very few are online)
-limited replay value
Neutrals
-most achievements are achieved through the course of normal gameplay
Overall, if you don' t like Rare's "it's for kids, but we're trying to be gaming's version of Pixar" style then this won't change your mind. Some might purchase, but most will think a rental is a better value.
Score: 8.0/10
-great visuals (very vibrant colors in the classic Rare style)
-witty dialogue
-simple but very well done vehicle creation/modification
-very good value (probably 40 hours of gamplay or finishing everything for $40)
-one of the first and best ways to implement user generated content into actual gameplay
-'s
-controls are frustrating at times
-multiplayer is not worth playing (and very few are online)
-limited replay value
Neutrals
-most achievements are achieved through the course of normal gameplay
Overall, if you don' t like Rare's "it's for kids, but we're trying to be gaming's version of Pixar" style then this won't change your mind. Some might purchase, but most will think a rental is a better value.
Score: 8.0/10
Review: Call of Duty: World at War
+'s
-same engine as COD4 (graphics and sound are very well done)
-first COD game with campaign co-op
-multiplayer is based on COD4 with some interesting tweaks (new perks, vehicles, etc.)
-fantastic voice acting (Keifer Sutherland is good, but the Russian Sargeant is outstanding)
-possibly the best WWII FPS (certainly the best I've ever played)
-Nazi Zombie mode is a blast
-'s
-yet another WW2 shooter
-COD4 already did nearly everything better
-horrible game for achievement points (Veteran seemed even harder than previous COD's)
-Why not just play the best FPS ever made instead (since most of us bought it a year ago)?
Neutrals
-WWII era weapons (they actually worked out fine both in campaign and multiplayer play)
Overall, COD:WAW manages to include most of what made COD4 great while adding a few new twists and additions. It is not as good as COD4, but it still should be played by every FPS fan.
Score: 9.0/10
-same engine as COD4 (graphics and sound are very well done)
-first COD game with campaign co-op
-multiplayer is based on COD4 with some interesting tweaks (new perks, vehicles, etc.)
-fantastic voice acting (Keifer Sutherland is good, but the Russian Sargeant is outstanding)
-possibly the best WWII FPS (certainly the best I've ever played)
-Nazi Zombie mode is a blast
-'s
-yet another WW2 shooter
-COD4 already did nearly everything better
-horrible game for achievement points (Veteran seemed even harder than previous COD's)
-Why not just play the best FPS ever made instead (since most of us bought it a year ago)?
Neutrals
-WWII era weapons (they actually worked out fine both in campaign and multiplayer play)
Overall, COD:WAW manages to include most of what made COD4 great while adding a few new twists and additions. It is not as good as COD4, but it still should be played by every FPS fan.
Score: 9.0/10
Review: Fallout 3
+'s
-Immense world (the 100 hours of gameplay probably isn't an exageration)
-good graphics
-good sound
-very good storytelling
-good RPG style leveling
-very good dialogue options and voice acting
-'s
-extremely poor combat (VATS is boring and real time is just a huge frustration. Including both made neither very good and was a mistake)
-first 10 hours feels like a job (with exceptions here and there I had to force myself to play through some very boring missions and tasks. This could be me tiring with the RPG genre though as I haven't seen this opinion stated elsewhere)
-only time I really REALLY enjoyed the game was the last two "Main Story" missions (they are outsanding)
-horrible NPC AI (jogging at 100 miles an hour in 2008 is ridiculous, but it happens frequently in this game with NPC's)
-horrible lock picking mechanic (I tasted bile every time I had to pick a lock). To be fair, this might be improved with an instruction manual or guide (neither of which I had).
-horrible Inventory management system (another thing that made the game feel like a chore at times)
Neutral's
-the side missions (sure they are more gameplay, but they really aren't that fun)
Overall, only diehard western RPG fans should buy this one. It's a decent rental option for everyone else after finishing the holiday season's must-play titles.
Score: 8.0/10
-Immense world (the 100 hours of gameplay probably isn't an exageration)
-good graphics
-good sound
-very good storytelling
-good RPG style leveling
-very good dialogue options and voice acting
-'s
-extremely poor combat (VATS is boring and real time is just a huge frustration. Including both made neither very good and was a mistake)
-first 10 hours feels like a job (with exceptions here and there I had to force myself to play through some very boring missions and tasks. This could be me tiring with the RPG genre though as I haven't seen this opinion stated elsewhere)
-only time I really REALLY enjoyed the game was the last two "Main Story" missions (they are outsanding)
-horrible NPC AI (jogging at 100 miles an hour in 2008 is ridiculous, but it happens frequently in this game with NPC's)
-horrible lock picking mechanic (I tasted bile every time I had to pick a lock). To be fair, this might be improved with an instruction manual or guide (neither of which I had).
-horrible Inventory management system (another thing that made the game feel like a chore at times)
Neutral's
-the side missions (sure they are more gameplay, but they really aren't that fun)
Overall, only diehard western RPG fans should buy this one. It's a decent rental option for everyone else after finishing the holiday season's must-play titles.
Score: 8.0/10
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Points Addict: 23,000
Tonight I passed 23,000 by playing Banjo-Kazooie Nuts and Bolts and Crackdown.
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