Posts filed under 'Game Reviews'
Mirrors Edge has a fair amount of innovativeness. The perspective is first person and the visual style is clean and crisp. This is a modern day iteration of an old time game. Mirrors Edge needs speed. When you can synchronize your play you become a true master of the game. There is a deep thrill in playing Mirrors Edge.
The game’s protagonist is Faith. The setting is a fictitious oppressed society. In this society are a number of runners, who courier important documents. Faith is a runner. Faith’s sister is a cop who is charged with the murder of a mayoral candidate. Now Faith must clear her sister’s name and uncover the conspiracy behind the murder.
As you run across rooftops, through train stations and along walls, your coordination and speed increases. You get immersed in the action and the game is enjoyable on the whole. There are a number of tools that are interesting and helpful like Runner vision. There are armed enemies and the best thing to do is run past them.
The visuals are great and so is the audio. This game comes recommended for $59.99.
November 18th, 2008
If you are a PS3 owner who has been thirsting for a big RPG, then maybe the Valkyria Chronicles may quench your thirst. This visual treat features pretty watercolor graphics as well as gameplay that will leave you satiated. The battle system is turn based and is dubbed “blitz”. Sega Game Studios, Japan developed the new CANVAS engine in Japan.
The story setting is like 1935 Europe, but fictional. Warring superpowers are after a resource called ragnite that is found in Gallia and this is what the story centers around. Welkin and Alicia are two of the main characters and the story revolves around them. It is similar to tactical RPG’s but different in that you can roam the area and are not limited to the chessboard style movements.
The battles can be challenging, however the levels can be finished in just a couple of turns. The battles involve tanks and multiple enemy units. The units involved in the fighting are tanks, scouts, snipers, stormtroopers, lancers and engineers. Every type of unit has special abilities.
This is one RPG that PS3 owners should not miss.
November 2nd, 2008
Silent Hill, Konami’s horror video game is on the PS3 and Xbox 360 for the first time. This game is really unsettling. The intro is creepy and the look of the game is enough to make you want to crap. It is enjoyably scary horror. You see through the eyes of the protagonist as he is strapped down in a stretcher and being led through a medical center. Looking around you see people being tortured
Soon you are in the operating room while a strange creature waits outside. As you escape from the stretcher, you can explore the world of Silent hill. With a bit of inspiration from Resident Evil, you find that the main character moves fast. The controls are nimble and responsive. The combat is frenetic and some of the nurses are killed by grabbing and stabbing them.
The way the blood sprays all over the place is realistic and is going to be a hit with horror fans. There are interesting puzzles in this game. As you enter the toilets you encounter a grimy alternate universe.
The new look of this game will stop you in your tracks. The graphics, including shadows, realistic looking medical equipment will make you marvel at the makers of this game. The griminess will not be admired by all, but those who do admire it will admire it a lot. This game can be yours for $56.99.
October 12th, 2008
FPS fans have an avenue to release their hot bloodedness. So do WW2 fans. And you don’t have to do two things. All you have to do is get a copy of Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway. This interesting take on World War 2 battle is also very different in that the makers vouch for it’s historical accuracy. The game glamorizes the war while honoring the veterans.
If you shoot a German in the head in this game, here is how the incredible graphics are likely to pan out. As you fire, the camera moves from the shooters viewpoint to a third persons viewpoint. Then the scene slows down as you see every little detail of the scene. If you are witness to grenade damage on level 2 then you will see the scene with every little gory detail intact.
The cinematics are brilliant and if you are worried about the cover based combat system of the game and it’s steep learning curve, do not fear, the tutorial mission lets you smoothly go into the heat of the battle. The cover in the game is destructible, and you know when you are in trouble when the screen goes red.
The theme of the game goes adult as far as the verbiage goes now and then. Impressive graphics, and detailed character models add on to make the game visually impressive. Get set to rock the World in War with Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway at $56.99.
September 26th, 2008
If slam bang boom violence is your thing then you will like Mercenaries 2. If it isn’t you won’t. You can cause tremendous destruction with dozens of unique vehicles. There are a number of attacks and a huge open space to do the stuff. However there are also game crippling bugs, really bad AI and gunplay that is unsatisfying. In addition a lousy story and repetitiveness plague this game.
Although you may enjoy the senseless violence a bit and online co-op play is fun, overall this is not a game that comes highly recommended. You can choose to be one of three mercenaries. The game is about a quest for vengeance. All this poor dude did was hire you and not pay. This one is a third person shooter.
You will enjoy the first few contracts and will like the mechanics as long as they are fresh. After the first hour you will find the weapons week and the damage done inconsistent. The storyline is tedious and uninspiring. If you want to enjoy this game the only way is co-op online play. With inconsistent visuals and the bugs and glitches earlier mentioned this is not the best way to spend Sunday afternoon.
There are many better open world action games and mindless destruction can only be enjoyable upto a point. This game is unfinished in the callousness of its make and I advise you spend your money elsewhere.
September 14th, 2008
Ferrari Challenge seems like a game from another time. Modern racing games mostly have a large number of cars in their roster. However Ferrari fans are going to love this one. The race physics of this game are awesome and the racing tracks are quite a few. However, it is difficult to say whether the focus on Ferraris is the best or worst aspect of the game. There is an effort to make it real, but the lack of variety in vehicles makes this difficult.
The main single player mode in the game is the F340 Challenge. It is a replication of real life meets across different racing tracks. It will take you about 4 hours to complete a season of racing. There are three available seasons.
More that 50 models of Ferraris are available in this game. Both modern ones as well as classics are featured. There is also a minitournament in Ferrari Challenge’s Trophy mode. This is definitely not an arcade racer game, but neither is it as realistic as recent games like Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.
There is some level of customization possible in this game, but not much. What I really liked about this game were the cars. The other graphics in the game are poor.
This is one game to buy if you are a hardcore Ferrari fan, however if you want more than just Ferrari, then your $59.99 are better spent elsewhere.
August 31st, 2008
Monster Madness: Grave Danger has been developed exclusively for the PS3. It is a redone version of the Xbox/PC – Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia. In the earlier version there were some problems with the game control system as well as some camera issues. These problems are addressed in the new version. In addition fresh new content makes a debut in Monster Madness: Grave Danger.
Up to four players can play this game at one time. The control system is different in that you don’t attack with the shoulder mounted trigger buttons. Instead you have to point the right analog stick in the direction you want to fire. The challenges include killing things in a time limit etc.
Four characters can be chosen and there are 18 levels in the adventure mode. Design has been tweaked resulting in an overall improvement. The weapons include, shotguns, miniguns, grenade launchers…the usual. Weapons can be upgraded. 25 characters can be unlocked as you go on. Priced at $39.99 this is one game action aficionados will like to have a shot at.
August 16th, 2008
Soulcalibur is back. With it comes the same fantastic system of fighting and an online mode as well. I would definitely recommend this game by Namco Bandai. Priced at $59.99, it is well worth every cent. Smooth hassle free online play with a wealth of characters makes this one great playable game. That is not all, this game is created for both newcomers or veterans and is playable by all.
The original Soulcalibur raised the bar for all games in the fantasy action genre. This one does that all over again. The characters are familiar and you can unlock new ones as you go along. Customize the characters as you please - the power is in your hands.
This game does not rely on lengthy combo attacks but rather the emphasis is on timing. The idea is to defeat the opponent by either knocking them out of the ring or depleting their health. Let’s go to online play. Lag free and quick moving action makes your adrenalin rush through the body.
If you are playing single-player mode then the Tower of Lost Souls will appeal to you. There is a lack of style in this game, though. Yoda is exclusive to the 360 version and Vader to the PS3 version. Load time between fights is shorter in the PS3 version through an optional install. Whether you own an Xbox 360 or a PS3, this is one game you shouldn’t miss
August 2nd, 2008
On July 8th Developers, Firaxis and Publishers 2K Games released their latest historic, turn-based strategy game for the PS3- Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution. Sid Meier’s Civilization has been considered as one of the finest civilization simulations in the long history of video gaming. In its new form as Civilization Revolution, it aims to rule over all gaming consoles.
The premise of the game has been skillfully translated to a PS3 format by Firaxis and 2K Games. The game has been extremely simplified for the next-generation consoles and can be played by just about anybody above the age of 10! In the multiplayer mode there are matches, LAN party and Friend options etc. In the single player mode you can leap into the open-world campaign or play a set-condition scenario amongst other things.
Being a turn-based game, every time you research something in the game, a turn amount will get tagged onto it. The player can decide which age he or she wants to play in-Stone, Medevial, Industrial or Modern. Every civilization has a pre-decided figurehead, such as, Catherine the Great, Abraham Lincoln, Mao Tse-tung and Alexander the Great. Various other options make this game a highly interesting and captivating experience.
But there are certain flaws in the game too. The easiest level which is a sort of guided tour has a professor who’s instructions sound like gibberish with extremely annoying tonal quality. That makes you immediately regret your decision of having bought the game but despair not because it gets better from here. The musical sound track and accompanied narration are quite pleasant.
The game is priced at $59.99 and is definitely worth the money.
July 20th, 2008
Published by Codemasters and developed by Triumph Studios, ‘Overlord: Raising Hell’ is a fantasy action-adventure game. The violence and language in the game has earned it a ‘Teen’ rating from ESRB. It was released for the Xbox 360 in mid 2007 and now twelve months down the line it is here in its PS3 version.
While you may think that in these 12 months, the game’s makers would have smoothened out its flaws to give a better upgraded version of the game, the answer is No! The Overlord for the PS3 ends up as a disappointing experience even though the original game’s downloadable content has been repackaged into a single-player campaign along with other minor additions.
Set against a fantasy backdrop, Overlord is a third-person action adventure game that is infused with a liberal helping of puzzles. You wake up one fine morning to realize that your reputation and position as Overlord is in ruins with complete annihilation of your tower. The game is an effort to rebuild your empire. To re-establish your lost glory, you will have to control a group of compliant gremlin like underlings as you wander in the countryside, hindering or helping out the locals. In your journey you will acquire life-force energy and gold etc. These assist you in your battles against unicorns, Halflings, hostile environment and other obstacles that you can overcome by selecting the apt minion unit.
Sufficiently interesting, this version of the game is best for those who are yet to give this game a try. Priced at $59.99, the game does lack quality in its PS3 incarnation but that is something PS3 players will have to compromise on.
July 5th, 2008
Hoping to alleviate last years disappointment with the 08 version, EA’s NASCAR 09 offers a lot of promise. The 09 version is definitely an upgrade from the 08 version and is well packaged. In this format of the game, the focus is mainly on you-the gamer.
Everything you do, right from typing in your desired name and other trivial details to create your in-game persona, influences your ‘Rep’. Rep being the currency which helps you climb up the success ladder in career mode.
The game like its predecessors has loads of modes ands features. At times, navigating through these never-seeming-to-end interfaces and menus becomes quite cumbersome. But the tutorial by Jeff Gordon helps new players ease into the game. Not to forget, there is special attention given to your choice of wheels. Players can customize their vehicles with paint jobs and logos etc. Once done, you are ready to zoom off into career mode.
As an attempt to keep the gamers hooked, unlike the career mode in last years version where all there was were silly mini-game challenges; this version of NASCAR charms you in with racing contracts and signing sponsors. How is that for interactive! Here again your Rep matters.Hence, the faster you race, the faster you climb the success ladder. The career mode offers you three options - Sprint, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck. Also available are Driver challenges to help you gain better control and to also push up your rep.
This game will cost you $59.99 on Amazon.com. Overall, the game has solid features, some solid racing and good solid graphics. A true blue solid choice for racing car aficionados.
June 21st, 2008
While Po the Panda might feel that the game Kung Fu Panda developed by Luxoflux Corp. is “totally awesome”, reality begs to differ. Published by Activision, the game with its fantasy violence and mild language has been rated by the ESRB as being suitable for everyone over the age of ten years.
As it is the movie Kung Fu Panda that has been translated into a game here, the challenges for the team at Luxoflux to keep up with the release date of the film must have been enormous. However they do manage to deliver a good if not a great product. The game’s graphics are crystal clear and sharp, the production values are high and there is even a certain amount of depth in the action of the game.
Kung Fu Panda follows the beaten-to-death story of a young character with big dreams and the odds against him. So there you have Po the Panda hurtling across thirteen brief stages in a brave attempt to rescue the world from the evil Tai Lung and become the great Dragon Warrior. Po makes use of his natural endowments, mainly his balloon sized belly to perform some impressive stunts like pounding with his belly, rolling around like a beach ball and bouncing off his enemies.
To upgrade these moves, gamers can spend coins and can even assume control of other characters for brief periods of time. The biggest set-back to this game is its duration. Paying $49.99 for a game that lasts for only three to four hours but costs about five times more than watching its movie counterpart does not seem such a great option.
June 13th, 2008
Grid is available for the PS3 from Codemasters at a price of $59.99. It is in one sense a continuation of the Race Driver series from Codemasters. With emphasis on racing and traveling the world as a perk this is a game that is not to be missed by car racing junkies.
There are many racing disciplines and international venues for this game. As you don the shoes of an ace racing driver in career mode, you also freelance as a driver, get to negotiate contracts and create your own team.
The 12 player online mode is a highlight of this game. The weather is non adjustable and there is no split screen multiplayer, but the freshness of this game hands it a thumbs up from most racing genre enthusiasts. With racing split across Japan, the US and Europe, you get to race in different cars in every location.
In Grid World mode, you try to earn money to buy new vehicles. I would describe Grid as similar to arcade games rather than sims. With good controls you get to enjoy the edge of the seat maneouvers. The racing disciplines include standard GT, demolition derby and winding Japanese circuits.
The visuals in Grid are impressive and the pace is frantic. The only issue is the audio which could be better. This is one racing game that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Recommended.
June 6th, 2008
If you want to play football better than any other football game on the Xbox or the PS3 then check out UEFA Euro 2008. This game by Electronic Arts is priced at $49.99.
The number of teams in the fray is smaller than FIFA 08. The football is fast, with smooth animations and you can control how the players celebrate after scoring. In the single player modes you can play the finals right away or play through the qualifying round.
There are two play modes, the Captain Your Country mode and the Be A Pro mode. In the former mode you aim is to become captain by the time you reach the finals. This interesting mode has you competing against 3 players who are also trying to be captain.
The football is akin to FIFA 08. There are many scenarios other than regular matches and competitions. The weather has a big role to play in the game as well. Rain makes the ball skid, for instance.
I loved the multiplayer mode as well. Although Euro 2008 is smaller in scope than FIFA 08, the drama is alive and kicking. A must have for football fans.
May 30th, 2008
If you like dark tales woven around warfare and sorcery, you are likely to enjoy “Conan”. This game by THQ is available for a price of $29.99. Inspired by the “God of War”, you get to play the iconic adventurer in this offering. Although not as large in terms of experiential grandeur, Conan does offer you it’s share of enjoyment.
I would have liked Conan to sound a little more Barbaric, except then I might not have understood much of the voiceovers. The game begins around a remote island and a search for a valuable gemstone. Conan accidentally sets a dark sorcerer named Graven free from his grave. Conan is left for dead by Graven.
Chance takes Conan to another island where he meets a gutsy warrior queen who wants to find Graven and recover Conan’s armor. The two team up as they fight enemies ranging from pirates, the Stygian army, beasts of all kinds, supernatural forces and an elephant demon cult.
Set in Hyboria, this game should be yours if you want a good fight. The game progresses through a series of such fights with many weapons, both offensive and defensive. If you like boss fights you will find plenty of enjoyment in this game. In the nature of the backdrop, the fights are truly barbaric. The game is interspersed with light puzzle solving, though.
The only issue I had with this game was the briefness - at just about 6 hours it ends pretty quick. But if you are a sucker for senseless violence, you won’t mind it at all.
May 24th, 2008
Haze is available for the PS3 through UBI Soft at a price of $59.99. In line with tradition, the multi-player mode is well balanced and addictive. “Swamp” is a dark marshland complete with fog and visibility issues. You get to wade through marshes, reeds and fallen trees.
You can play as a Mantel trooper and avail of Nectar which makes enemies more visible. You have florescent yellow patches on your uniform which make you fairly visible as well.
The scenario played in is the future where national armies are privatized. Mantel is one such private company which doses its troops with a drug called nectar. The single player campaign features you playing both as a Mantel trooper and a rebel.
Troopers cannot see dead bodies and this gives rebels an advantage. They can play dead. Another game scenario is the team assault on the Land Carrier map. There is a short video briefing before each map.
The PS3 needed a FPS like haze. This is amongst only a small handful of third party FPS’ on the PS3. The storyline is unique with a number of abilites and white knuckle action. Not to be missed if you own a PS3 and are an FPS fan.
May 17th, 2008
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is due for release through Lucas Arts Entertainment at a price of $49.99 on June 3, 2008. The timing is on dot with the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull being released in a few weeks. With this game the content of the first three films is broken down into six episodes per film.
In these games, it is possible to switch control between characters as you proceed. In the game co-operation between characters is essential to success. Each character is important as you solve puzzles and defeat enemies. On street level, Indy and Willie are joined by Short Round who can crawl into small spaces, which proves handy.
In the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade section, you are joined by Marcus Brody and Elsa. They have the ability to decode tablets that unlock certain doors. After initial action on Venice’ streets, you move inside a large library before heading underground. The feel of Lego Indiana Jones is much like that of the Lego Star Wars series. With more than 60 playable characters in this game, this is one adventure you should not miss.
May 11th, 2008
Ridge Racer 7 is available for the PS3 from Namco at a price of $29.99. Ridge Racer is back on a non Sony platform for the second time. Arcade style, and wildly exciting gameplay is what you can expect here. There are new customization options for cars and slipstream speed boosts.
Arcade style racing has attained a great degree of popularity in the last 10 years. The same appeal is available in Ridge Racer 7. There is a fair bit of correcting you need to do to your cars direction. You need a lot of timing and some strategy to keep your car moving at a high speed.
The car designs are cool as usual. There are cars from a number of fictional characters to choose from. Each maker has different makes to choose from. You need to establish relationships with the parts maker to upgrade the cars.
The main mode is the Ridge State Grand Prix. Very good fun. Online support for up to 14 players exists. All the HD modes for the PS3 upto 1080p are supported. With sharp graphics and an amazing sense of speed, this is one racing game that is not to be missed.
March 23rd, 2008
Clive Barker’s Jericho is a release by Warner Bros for the PS3 and is available for a price of $28.62. Although the atmosphere is enthralling at times, the design is irritating and so is the gameplay. There is an incredible backdrop of a Roman gladiator battle as well as other enthralling sequences but for every such sequence there are moments of irritation. This is why some parts of the game are to be loved and others hated.
There is a sense of impending doom to this game. It is set in many era’s from WW2 to Sumeria. In every setting there is a certain blackness that envelops the environ. The design of the setting works to that purpose as well. This is a dark, eerie, gothic game that does not make you jump out of the seat, though.
There are some hokey one liners in this one. Also I did not like the ending - it left too many questions in my mind. You have a fair degree of freedom, being able to change between members of the Jericho squad. Every character has some important skills that you can use.
I found the demons annoying. With good design elements that are not well synthesized this game fails to entertain. The game is not given room to breathe. The versions on all the different consoles are practically the same. This game is both an entertainer in parts and a non entertainer.
March 22nd, 2008
MLB 08: The Show is available for the PS3 from Sony Computer Entertainment at a price of $59.99 on Amazon.com. This series has been the best sports series by Sony. The road-to-the-show mode has been redone and there is more feedback on the player progression.
You get to create your player. You can fast forward to the next appearance or go to the next play. You are kept busy. The game is quite interactive. You need to stay on your toes. It takes a quick reaction time to get to stay in the game.
The guess-the-pitch feature is tempting when you are batting. You need to press the R2 button and choose the type of pitch. The analog stick can help you guess the type of pitch.
You get to customize a pitcher as well as name him. You can then give him a try for an existing team. Each customized character will have a stamina and pitch counts. You also get to negotiate with organizations.
The game is good all round fun really. Recommended for baseball fans.
March 16th, 2008
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