Posts filed under 'Game Reviews'
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
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is available for the Xbox 360 though Konami at a price of $49.99. This series has been stagnating for a while and unfortunately Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 brings nothing new to the table. There is a bit of the tweaking in the gameplay, some of which is for the better and some of which is for the worse.
The teamvision AI system is the biggest upgrade in the game. There is nothing revolutionary in the latest version, though it flows smoother. This game will definitely be enjoyable for people who have never touched the series, but offers little new to those who have experienced it.
The pace of this game is very fast and reminiscent of arcade games. Lag is a problem. In the single player mode, the Master League mode is the most challenging. This game is not the strongest as far as presentation is concerned. With a poor menu system and soundtrack Pro Evolution scores low here.
One of the issues with this series is the success achieved by earlier versions in the series which is difficult to match. Recommended for those who are unfamiliar with the series, but not for people who have already experienced a pro evolution soccer game.
March 15th, 2008
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is scheduled for release on March 18, 2008 and is available for preorder. It is a release from Sony Computer Entertainment and is priced at $59.99. The game features both single player as well as multiplayer online mode.
This game can be enjoyed by up to 8 players online. Tournament matches can be played as well. Initially you need to customize your avatar. Pressing the triangle button brings up the menu and you can then reserve a spot in upcoming tournaments. You can customize a great deal.
After you unlock a golfer in the single player game, you can choose him for the tournaments. Also choose your clubs and ball type. Everyone plays simultaneously on the golf course. So many golf balls flying around can be distracting.
Holes often go quickly with everybody playing at the same time. If you want there can be a time limit set on individual holes. This is not the most enjoyable way to play due to time outs. The quality of your shot also wins you awards or cost you penalties.
A full powered shot has the club head flashing red, while a half powered one has it flashing yellow. The social aspect of Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is well met with the online features. Recommended for golf enthusiasts.
March 14th, 2008
Need For Speed: Prostreet is available for the PS3 through Electronic Arts at a price of $59.99. Unlike the earlier games in this series, it is not set around an underground street racer but around the legal career of Ryan Cooper. Cutscenes are used to add story. The voice acting and characters could have been much better though.
This game takes a long time to go through. You have to go past many race days each consisting of many events. The track action is perhaps not the best there is. In the initial races you will race slow pedestrian vehicles. By dominating more race days you can unlock new events. There is a bit of customization you can do with your cars. The PS3 is the best console to play this game on since you can play online as well.
This game is just an ordinary racing game with a bit of a story, some cop chases and some other additions. The online mode on the 360 and PS3 is a face saver. The amount of advertising on this game makes it completely soulless. This is one game recommended only to those who have money to burn or to those who have a need for speed that can’t be quenched by all the other great racing games out there.
March 1st, 2008
F1: Formula One Championship Edition For The PS3 is available through Sony Computer Entertainment at a price of $59.99. This game in the Formula One series has come after a long gap. The game does justice to the PS3 with good visuals and great gameplay.
This game is set in the 2006 FIA Formula One Championships. The drivers at the start of this season as well as all the official tracks are included. The drivers include Michael Schumacher for Ferrari and Juan Montoya for Mclaren. Super Aguri is driven by Yuji Idle.
If you do not have too much of knowledge of F1 racing, you can still enjoy this game with the way it has been set up. With simple and responsive control, this game is very enjoyable to play. The Sixaxis tilt controls can be used to steer. The analog control works better though.
The game modes are quick race, time trial, grand prix weekend, online, world championship and career. Up to 11 people can play at the same time in online mode. In career mode, you can create the driver and go on a five year career. Both beginners and veterans can enjoy this mode.
When you finally get to the races you realize that they are extremely fast, extremely tense and extremely challenging. There is a great need for precision even on the medium difficulty level. The sense of speed is captured quite realistically.
If you like F1 and own a PS3 this is not a game to be missed. Recommended.
February 28th, 2008
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions is available for the PS3 from UBI Soft at a price of $39.99. If you like games set against WW2, you might like this one. It does not stick with facts though and goes into fantasy. The story and characters from the first game no longer remain.
As captain Robinson you get together with some wingmen and form an elite squad going where few pilots have gone before. The scenarios include tracking down a special weapons division of the Germans. You also need to protect civilian targets and bomb bases. You also have to destroy enemy airfields, steal prototype planes etc.
There are 18 missions and soon into the campaign you start getting rockets and other secondary weapons. Homing rockets make you adept at blowing off enemy planes. One issue with the game is that it is not challenging enough. As you upgrade your planes using mission points, you get better gun sights, machine guns, armor et al.
I liked the single player campaign more than the multiplyers. Connections with lag are a problem in the multiplayer campaigns. The visuals of BA 2 are better than the first installment. If you want a simple WW2 game with plenty of excitement up in the air, then this is the game for you.
February 24th, 2008
Lost: Via Domus is available for the PS3 through UBI Soft at a price of $59.99. With season four on the horizon, this is a welcome offering for the TV show’s fans. This game is played in the background of the first two seasons of Lost. In this adventure game you get to roleplay a new character among the other well known cast of the show. As Elliott, a passenger from a crashed flight on the island, you suffer from (no prizes for guessing) amnesia. You are hated by the only person who knows you there.
As you piece together your past, you begin to realize that you were a photojournalist. This game isn’t a shooter at all, but an adventure story game that relies on an excellent storyline. Among the rare bits of action in this game is a scene where you are chases by a black cloud of smoke. Vincent, a dog helps you find the beach at the start of season one. You help Jack, the doctor to save lives.
You have many interesting tasks during the game including dealing with a fuel leak from the plane. Of course your main objective is to get back home. The environments are breathtaking, many of them partially new. The story borrows heavily on the elements that made the TV show such a success. This is a no-miss game for fans of the Lost series. If you are not a fan, you might not enjoy it as much. Recommended for fans of the series.
February 23rd, 2008
Conflict Denied Ops is available for the PS3 through Eidos at a price of $49.99. This is the fifth game in the series. In this game you get to pull the strings of Lang and Graves. These guys are SAD agents. Not depressed, but Special Activities Division. They are among the best there are in secretive offense. In this game you get to control a character, order a team mate, and if you choose, you can switch characters. The basics are covered by the command system.
You face objectives like protecting and escorting, blowing up enemy artillery and such other missions. Lang uses a Light Machine Gun while Graves wields a sniper rifle. The game’s artificial intelligence is brilliant. You can enjoy this game along with friends. There is online co-op play in campaign mode. The single player mode is enjoyable as well, however when two players play together, it is very enjoyable.
You get to carry unlimited ammo, so that is not an issue to be worried about. There are also ammo supply boxes across the levels letting you refresh your ammo. Without much of a backstory, you are dropped into Venezuela. here you need to protect the country from nuclear weapons that might be in the wrong hands.
There are three mission choices in different locations after completing the first mission. You start the second mission with weapons upgrades. Conflict: Denied Ops is an enjoyable game that combines fun both in single player and online co-op mode.
February 22nd, 2008
The Godfather The Don’s Edition is available for the Nintendo Wii through Electronic Arts at a price of $28.99. If you have enjoyed the Godfather, the movie like countless fans this is a game to own. It is fun to act out scenes from the movie. You can do all the Godfather things like calling a “hit squad” to help you out. Do favors for people and garner goodwill. Your existing goodwill also allows you to do certain things.
You can have drivers on hand to take you from safe house to safe house remarkably fast. This is one of the changes in the PS3 version of the game. You can extort businesses, buy out rackets or destroy families – in short live the Godfather lifestyle without worrying about cops at your door in real life.
If you have played the PS2 version, there is probably not an extremely high replay value for you though. In this game you can start all over from the beginning. There is no carry over. You have to do everything again. This game involves many playing hours – long game. While playing there are a myriad ways to keep occupied. This game keeps me thinking about it even when I am not playing it!
This game is a must buy if you haven’t played any version of the Godfather. The price makes it more than worth it. Recommended.
February 17th, 2008
Stranglehold Collectors Edition which includes the classic movie – Hard Boiled is available for the PS3 from Midwayps3 at a price of $29.99. This pack would be worth it just for the movie in Blu-ray. Action lovers have loved this movie since it has been a classic. However there are issues with the quality of the movie – no HD quality at all. The game is a different ball game – a lot of fun to play.
What I liked was the voice acting of Chow Yun Fat. Also the background of Hong Kong and Chicago is enticing. The environment is a lot of fun to play in. The problems are with using the analog stick to aim which is irritating. There is also no manual save. You have to restart from the checkpoint if you screw up.
Another issue with this game is the absence of a map. This game is fun otherwise, you feel like coming back for more. In a way the game does justice to the movie. If you like to do your killing the hard boiled way, this is the game for you.
To recap, the movie quality is really poor, but the game is enjoyable apart from some minor issues. If you are a Chow Yun Fat fan get this one for your collection.
February 15th, 2008
Dynasty Warriors is to be released on Feb 19, 2008. It is published by KOEI Corp and is available for preorder on Amazon at a price of $59.99. The game still contains the central theme of one hero battling thousands of enemies. There are certain differences in the Dynasty Warriors for the PS3 and Xbox 360.
With the powerful consoles of today more enemies can be featured onscreen at any given moment. The main heroes have new and interesting weapons. The game was created through motion capture of the moves of real martial artists.
In Dynasty Warriors 6 you can extend attack combos infinitely. You can also build up renbu energy or defeat enemies with musou attacks. You get to choose your battle horse who gains experience and better attributes as the battle progresses.
You evolve by gaining special skills. You can also unlock new characters by winning battles. There are new animations and redesigned characters in Dynasty Warriors 6 and the strategy part of the game is something new.
DW6 involves outthinking opponents. The levels are open and the players can decide where the hero is sent. There are a few other changes in this game – like the way the hero gets to the next battle is different. The levels are not strictly linear and players have more choices in DW6. Dynasty Warriors is a promising game. Recommended.
February 9th, 2008
The BIGS is available for the PS3 through 2K sports for a price of $29.99. Baseball games have gotten better as time has flown by. However they have also grown increasingly complicated. Many people long for the old games that could be finished in a quarter hour. If you are one of them, the the BIGS was made for you.
This game moves quick with many home runs and dirty pitches. You need a fair degree of skill and timing to throw pitches right. Every pitch gets a rating. If your pitch is hit very hard, it is rated as less effective and this affects your pitching ability.
Hitting is as much fun as pitching on this game. Timing is the most important element that determines how you hit. The only points where this game is weak is the fielding and base running. Base running is slightly complicated and this takes away from some of the fun.
This game comes without a traditional season mode. There is the rookie challenge instead. You can’t customize your player much. It starts with spring training after which comes the league. You may play full games or get into a game after it has begun. I found the rookie challenge great fun but the enjoyment is over in a few hours, since there is not too much on offer.
I liked home run pinball which let me damage taxi cabs, neon signs and televisions on Times Square. Fun without the pain. There is online mode in this game but lag and hiccups plague this making offline more fun. The gameplay is simple but exciting, if you want arcade style baseball, this is the game to own.
February 7th, 2008
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