Videogames a'la Snerts

Top 5 Games of 2011

2012-01-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

Starting 2012 by looking back at 2011. Here are my top 5 games of last year. Remember this is my top 5. Check that nerd rage at the door.

5) LA Noire

Set in post World War II Los Angeles, LA Noire tells the story of Detective Phelps. Atypical gameplay mechanics have players finding clues and integrating people in addition to the traditional driving and shooting. State of the art video capturing, and excellent acting from numerous celebrities also made this tittle stand out from the rest. Rockstar continues to prove that the Grand Theft Auto formula can be tweaked to create new, yet familiar, experiences.

4) Modern Warfare 3

The good stuff keeps on getting better. The single player comes to a satisfying conclusion. Spec Ops adds a new game mode called Survivor, and Multiplayer sees some welcome changes. All the while it maintains the level of excellence fans have come to expect from Call of Duty.

3) Deadspace 2

This action packed survivor horror started 2011 off right. Issac Clark's nightmare continues, but this time he's on a space colony. The larger environment compliments the deeper story--thanks in part to Issac finding his voice. Improved gameplay mechanics and edge of your seat encounters are also sure to please horror and shooter fans alike.

2) Portal 2

The most creative game of the year. Valve took the ideas from the first Portal to new heights. Expanding on the story behind Aperture Labs, players are treated to another round of puzzles and sarcastic robots. Co-op adds another delicious layer to this already awesome cake. My only gripe is the low replay value. The game looses its charm when you know all the answers.

1) Batman: Arkham City

Surprise surprise. My top pick is Batman: Arkham City. Rocksteady took everything that made the first game great and made it even better. A larger sandbox dilutes the narrative, but the sheer volume of content makes up for it. New game plus and the challenges will keep me playing this game for years to come.

Cha Ching!

2011-12-31T14:20:00.000-08:00

Game: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3)

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii

Release: November 2011

Here we go again. Another installment of the popular Call of Duty franchise. The last game made by the original creators of Modern Warfare; due to legal disputes with Activision. The tittle forge by three studios--Treyarch (Wii), Infinity Ward, and Sledge Hammer--with support of the new Call of Duty Elite by Beachhead Studios. Can the latest tittle keep the money train running?

Of course it can. This isn't their first rodeo. MW3 offers the tired and true formula with a few minor tweaks to multiplayer and the long drawn out conclusion to the adventures of Captain Price and pals. Spec Ops also makes a triumph return with new missions and a survivor mode. The gameplay is still smooth. The action just as intense and exciting. The story just as ridiculous as ever. It's everything I could have hoped for.

Multiplayer is given the largest overhaul. Players can now create classes with customized kill streaks. There are three categories Assault, Support, and Specialization. Assault is a heavily offensive strike package that is very similar to previous CoD titles. Support keeps your kill streak going after death, and offers more defensive options like SAM turrets and ballistic vests. Finally Specialist classes can unlock additional perks in lieu of strike packages, and after a certain amount of kills, all perks are granted. This can really tare through enemies, and all three categories are a great addition to the multiplayer formula.

Maps and weapons are your standard lot for any Call of Duty. Each map has three major paths. Some favor close range fighting others are more open for snipers. The same old weapon categories exist with a few pristine selections in each. My particular favorites are the PP90M1, Type 95, Striker, and FMG-9 akimbo. This time around weapons have a separate experience bar. Each new level opens additional attachments, color schemes, and weapon perks. The perks offer a variety of new bonuses to the gun that range from increased bullet damage to reduced recoil. Nothing new to the franchise, but presented in a different fashion.

The same could be said about the single player. The campaign is intense, and the conclusion is satisfying. Visiting major cities like New York, Paris, and London is awesome. MW3 doesn't shy away from destroying national landmarks either. There are more AC-130, sniper, and rail gun segments. The Americas are still fighting the large battles while the British find the evil ring leaders. Russia continues to supply a seemingly endless supply of soldiers to shoot. (Seriously who has the man power to invade the United States and all of Europe.) The developers also do a decent job connecting the events of the first two games to the third.

Finally there is Spec Ops. Players can team up to take on a series of missions like MW2, or they can try their luck at the Survival mode. The missions loosely tie into the main plot which is a nice touch. The survival maps offer a good variety of difficulty, and can be quite enjoyable in both split and full screen versions. Overall a nice update to a previously successful game type.

Odds are you have made up your mind to purchase or avoid the latest Modern Warfare 3. Die hard fans have made this franchise the most successful FPS in console history. The multiplayer formula sees minor adjustments that have big results in game. The story comes to an end--for now--and the Spec Ops mode keeps on truck'n. Add to this CoD: Elite, a separate paid subscription service that offers a variety of downloadable content, and you have a game beaming with replay value. Snerts Snazzy Score is Full Price!

Love that Batman!

2011-12-31T11:40:00.000-08:00

Game: Batman Arkham City

System: PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Release: October 2011

Batman Arkham Asylum is one of my favorite games of all time. The developers at Rocksteady finally produced a game where the player feels like Batman. A masterful blend of stealth and beat 'em up combat infused with gadgets and a strong narrative. With the release of Arkham City, Rocksteady expands the sandbox and enhances the already awesome formula. Check out the official trailer.

As you can see Batman has left the isolated island, and is now patrolling the much larger, more urban, Arkham City. This fenced of section of Gotham imprisons just about every villain, thug, and jay walker the city has ever seen. Hugo Strange is the mastermind behind the project, and claims to have a very big secret. He knows the true identity of...wait for it...a little bit longer...just one more dot dot dot...Batman!

The main narrative is shorter then the previous tittle. Sure there are plenty of twists and turns, but if a player ignores the side missions the game ends rather quickly. This isn't bad, and the voice acting is still top notch. The game is simply less narrative driven, and more focused on expanding the sandbox. This is accomplished by about a dozen side missions and easter eggs sprinkled throughout Arkham City.

Bat Punch!

When I first started playing I felt like I had attention deficit disorder. Go here. Beat up this guy. Go there find a clue. Hold on, call incoming from the Joker. The sheer number of characters is staggering: Two-Face, Riddler, Catwoman, Bane, Hush, Mr. Freeze, Penguin, Joker, Harley Quinn, Ra's & Talia al Ghul, Clayface, Robin, Deadshot, Zasz, etc. etc. etc. Batman has a full nights work ahead of him, and fans of the franchise will appreciate the level of detail that went into the game world.

Moving about is easy and fun thanks to tweaks to the gliding and grappling hook functions. The combat has also been improved with a wider range of enemies and attacks. Batman, for example, can now break weapons, and thugs will wield car doors. Stealth sections present high tech enemies with signal jammers, mines, and night-vision goggles. Luckily you're Batman, and can handle such minor annoyances.

Fabulous as always.

Those who purchase the game new, or buys the dlc, will be able to play as Catwoman. Adding a new character to the mix was a great idea. The gameplay is familiar yet different. She doesn't move about like Batman bringing her own flair to Arkham City. She has her signature whip, but lacks some of the cooler gadgets Batman wields. Catwoman is also available in the Challenge Maps.

That's right! The Challenges are back and better then ever. Play as Robin (dlc), Nightwing (dlc), Batman, or Catwoman in a variety of stealth and/or brawler maps. These maps are unlocked by finding Riddler trophies in the story mode. The replay value is extremely high, and the dlc additions have been very fun. There is also a Campaign mode where you take on a set of three maps with various handicaps/power ups. Playing a map with low health or increased speed are just a couple of examples.

If the Challenges don't keep your attention, then try out the new game plus. Something I was craving from the first tittle makes it to the sequel. Players will start off with all the Riddler trophies, and upgrades from their first play through, but will face tougher enemies. Also, like the Hard difficultly of old, enemies will not have the squiggly lines above their heads when they are about to attack. This feature is a huge factor in regards to the games replay-ability.

Is this a sick joke? Ha ha ha

Rocksteady, my friends, don't ever change. The developers are 2 for 2 on the Batman front creating a franchise that feels remarkably fresh in a market full of clones. Snerts Snazzy Score is Full Price! Go out and support their talent. You won't be disappointed.

Nerd Rage a'la Videogames

2011-11-10T19:22:00.001-08:00

An aspect of life is competition. Economics, politics, mother nature, and sports are just a few examples that readily illustrate this concept. It should be no surprise that competition flourishes amongst the videogame industry and its community.

Below are a handful of my favorite rivalries--the brother of competition.

PC & Console

Mario (SNES) & Sonic (Genesis)

Half-Life 2 & Halo 2

Activison & Electronic Arts

All of the above have seen its fair share of senseless shit talk. A couple decades ago I would argue with friends--the fleshy non-Facebook type--about the merits of owning a Sega Genesis console over the Super NES. I would brag about the systems line up, and how the graphics were obviously superior. As I grew older I began to realize that everyone has different tastes, and such discussions are rarely relevant to the grand scheme of things. Still, I'd find myself sucked into the occasional pointless discussion about which game/system is "better."

As the years went by the arguments evolved, and with the aide of the internet they rapidly expanded. Now anyone and everyone, including me, will lay down their side of the argument without the repercussions of face to face interactions. This wouldn't be an issue if internet comments were overwhelmingly level headed, well thought out, tidbits of communication. Unfortunately the opposite seems to be more prevalent. (Of course I'm an exception to this trend.)

The most recent example in the videogame community can be found on the website Metacritic. The average Metacritic score for Modern Warfare 3 is 89 out of 100, and the user score is 3.1 out of 10. A couple days ago it was 90 and 2.3 respectively. Now check out Battlefield 3, and you'll notice a similarity. Each franchise shows a dedicated fan base that seems hell bent on verbally sabotaging the other.

Reading the user review comments are simultaneously enlightening and disturbing. By the time my tolerance gave out a few interesting observations came to mind. Gamers still love rivalries and competition, and will go to great lengths to prove their personal tastes are the best thing ever. Their cyberspace rants can be fantastically ridiculous. At the same time I find it sadly pathetic that a number of people would rather read/write internet comments then actually research the topic at hand.

Hawthrone wrote, "Accuracy is the twin brother of honesty; inaccuracy, of dishonesty." Contributions to a discussion, that you find important, should never boil down to irrelevant dribble. Such rhetoric cheapens an already poor discussion. Yet in so many segments of our lives this ends up being the case.

Battlefield...Fuck Ya!

2011-11-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

Game: Battlefield 3

System: PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Release: October 2011

Battlefield 3 is an excellent single player experience. I'd write about the multiplayer and co-op, but EA denies free access to this content if you do not purchase a new copy. I sincerely hope this policy backfires on EA. Odds are if you rent or buy used, you don't have a ton of cash to be spending on games. How likely is the consumer to purchase on-line access to one game? Especially when Modern Warfare 3 is about to be released.

Gamefly, however, appears to be working on the issue and is offering free on-line passes. According to an email I received the code should be arriving within the week.

Any who, as I was saying, BF3 is a great single player experience. The games plot feels like a blend of Black Ops and Modern Warfare, but the gameplay is a more realistic approach not found in Call of Duty. The franchise continues to provide insane combat scenarios featuring a variety of vehicles. There is a fighter jet and tank segment that are like nothing I've ever seen in a first-person shooter. The graphics are top notch, and the gameplay is much smoother then the Bad Company games. EA and DICE vividly illustrate that Call of Duty is not the only military shooter worth playing.

The main protagonist is a Sgt. Blackburn, but players will take on the roles of other characters throughout the campaign. B.burn is introduced to us under arrest which sets up the basic flashback plot device--see Black Ops. As he's interrogated the pieces slowly come together. Nukes end up missing, commands are questioned, unlikely allies are made, and it all ends on a train to Time Square.

Warning Spoilers Ahead....

BF3 has many impressive cinematic moments that build upon the classic Modern Warfare death scene. A solider from the tank campaign is captured and executed. Players witness the atrocity from the perspective of the captive. The bright light blinds you from behind the camera as your head is forced back before the knife slits your throat. Later B.burn comes across the room where the US soldier was executed. The whole sequence of events is very entertaining, and more detailed then what I've seen in the Call of Duty franchise.

The other two segments worth mentioning are the levels set in France and New York. Playing as a Russian you storm through the streets of Paris in an attempt to find a bomb. The level weaves you around populated streets, and the action is very intense. The developers did an excellent job capturing the thrill of the chase. Sure having a nuke go off is cliche at this point, but it was well done and made since within the game.

The same can be said in regards to the New York level. You are chasing the villains starting on foot, then on a train, and finally in a car. Fantastic! This time around the cliche is saving the day--looks like Paris is the only city to be nuked. Add to these cinematic moments the vehicles segments, and you have the top of line military shooter. (Of course that all can change next week with the release of Modern Warfare 3.)

BF3 has everything you could possibly want from a first person shooter. There are awesome vehicles, intense battles, a great single player, and a host of multiplayer modes. Snerts Snazzy Score is Full Price! for fans of the series, and On Sale! for shooter aficionados.

Don't Be Scared...Again

2011-11-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

Game: F.E.A.R. 3

System: PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Release: June 2011

The F.E.A.R. saga strikes again with more bullet time, more armor segments, and a bit of telepathic debauchery. The third installment adds co-op to the mix, and continues to offer multiplayer modes that I don't care about. The overall story arch, spanning across three games, also comes to a close...or does it?

F3AR, that's F.E.A.R. 3, is the conclusion to Alma' s story. The experiment gone wrong, always getting pregnant, mental case finds herself knocked up again. Who's the father? Good ole Becket from the second game. Surprise! That hallucination at the end of the last title was really a rape scene. I suppose that's what you get for fighting Alma.

Alma's other kids, Point Man and Fettel, find themselves locked up in some prison. They are the two playable characters--more on that later. For some reason Fettel is a "ghost" and needs to work with his brother so they both can reach mommy dearest. Fettel was shot in the head by Point Man in the first F.E.A.R. Having them grudgingly work together is a nice touch for fans of the series. Along the way the brothers will run into Becket, and the final fight is with their estranged father. Ah family.

I'd try to explain the story further, but honestly I find it all a bit confusing. The developers use the term psychic like Michael Bay uses all spark. It's that magical plaster that holds the plot together and covers up any nasty holes. Suffice to say that a lot of crazy shit happens because of the all powerful psychic Alma is giving birth, and the endings vary depending on which brother accumulates the most points throughout the campaign.

The brothers gameplay varies significantly. Point Man is the same old beast from the first game. He uses bullet time to dispatch enemies, and other then that he is a typical FPS protagonist. Fettel gets the crazy mental powers. He can shoot mind bullets from his hand, and posses meat bags i.e. humans. You have to posses someone if you want to use weapons and mech armor. Combining the brothers abilities is a blast. One player can run around possessing enemies while the other uses bullet time to dispatch the rest.

Co-op is a strong focus of the game, but for those who lack friends both brothers can be used individually. The catch is you have to complete the game with Point Man to unlock Fettel. This was quite annoying, and I don't understand why both were not available from the get go.

The encounters are what you would expect from a F.E.A.R. game. You have your spooky segments where chairs move across rooms and the lights flicker. There are the mech armor areas, which are still quite enjoyable. Then there are the waves after waves of foot soldiers, zombies, and the occasional combination of the two. Finally there is the oddball spooky boss battle to wrap things up.

Everything in F3AR was top notch in terms of graphics and gameplay. There was little to no lag, and all the controls felt responsive and smooth. The mech armor segments are still awesome, and the co-op feature is fantastic. The story was a bit odd and confusing, but I'm sure the few fans of this series appreciated all the tie-ins from previous titles.

If you have a friend, and the two of you were looking for a solid co-op experience, then this is the game for you. Snerts Snazzy Score is On Sale! for fans of the series and for those who enjoy co-op gaming. For the rest of us rent it, play it, and move on.

Cake for Two

2011-10-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

Game: Portal 2

System: PC, Xbox 360, PS3

Release: April 2011

Portal 2, and the original, brings thinking to the first person shooter. A puzzle game at heart that succeeds where others have failed--I'm looking at you Mirror's Edge. The run n' gun formula is set aside, but Valve keeps the Half-Life universe. Players are given a portal gun. It fires two connected way-points that are used to solve various puzzles and eventually escape your prison aka Aperture Laboratories.

Portal 1 was a quick side project that was tossed out to the masses. A two hour jog through a series of test chambers guided by a sadistically sarcastic AI named GLaDOS. It was an excellent experience that I highly recommend. The game is currently free on Steam and was apart of the Orange Box package on Xbox 360.

The sequel expands the lore and offers a co-op experience like no other. The campaign continues the story of the human Chell--destroyer of GLaDOS. She awakes to Wheatly the robot ball instructing her not to die. He wants to replace the rebooted GLaDOS, and does so with the help of Chell. Of course Wheatly is a dumb-ass and betrays you. Thrown into a vent you and GLaDOS--now hooked up to a potato--discover the original Aperture Laboratories.

J.K. Simmons--aka awesome actor--plays Cave Johnson the founder of all this crazy shit. His recorded instructions lead you through the old school facility with some hilarity. Eventually you return to Wheatly, kick his ass via lunar shenanigans, and return GLaDOS to her former self. Ya ya nerd purest. I left some details out. Can't spoil everything after all.

Gameplay is enhanced with goo. Specifically goo that increases your speed, is bouncy, or smears surfaces white for portal usage. There is also gravity tread mills and light bridges that can act like shields. Add to this the portal gun, and you have a fantastic variety of puzzle based entertainment.

Not impressed? Well how about co-op! That's right. P-body and Atlas are on the case. They do GLaDOS's biding, solve puzzles, and annoy said GLaDOS with human mannerisms. To enjoy this feature I highly recommend starting with a rookie from the get go. Nothing worse then being dragged through a game by someone who's been there before.

Portal 2 is an excellent game. All signs point to Full Price! Yet I'm hesitant to recommend such a purchase. Yes free DLC is on the way, but the puzzles loose their entertainment value quickly. Already knowing the answer to the test hinders the joy found in the journey. Snerts Snazzy Score is On Sale!

Detect This!

2011-09-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

Game: L.A. Noire

System: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Release: May 2011

Rockstar's claim to fame is the Grand Theft Auto series. It generated the buzz and the bucks that transforms a studio into something legendary. Recently the developer has stepped out from their safety bubble with hits like Red Dead Redemption and more recently L.A. Noire. Fans have gone from the wild west to the wild--geez that's fucked up--streets of post WWII Los Angeles.

L.A. Noire is a unique game. Do not expect the typical experience, but anticipate Rockstar's uncanny ability to tell a good story. Some gameplay features are of the cut and paste variety. Players will run, gun, drive, and take cover. The meat of the game, however, lies in its interrogation system.

Colen Phelps (fans of Mad Men will recognize the actor Aaron Station) spends most of his time gathering clues and interviewing P.O.I's (people of interest). During questioning the player often has to decide if a character is lying, in doubt, or telling the truth. To illustrate their intent Rockstar has developed a fantastic motion capture system that portrays the actors expressions vividly. Liars will dart their eyes back and forth. If they're a pro, then their tell will be more subtle like the biting of a lip. It's an effective original system that is both fun and challenging.

Too bad the same can' t be said for finding clues. Ever play Zelda: Ocarina of Time? Of course you have. Recall the groundbreaking rumble pack? Why wouldn't you? Remember the feature where secrets would make said rumble pack do its thing? Uh, maybe? If the answer is yes, then you have already experienced the clue discovery system of L.A. Noire. Walk around the crime scene and wait for that sweet sweet vibration. Then if you aren't too tuckered out press the A button (or X for those PS3 chaps) and move the analog stick around and around. Volia you have just found a clue.

Rockstar also provides the typical open world filler. There are secret cars and landmarks to discover, and random acts of violence that must be stopped. After all street crime must be kept to a minimal. Some of the crime scenarios and secret cars are fun. They weren't, however, worth going out of your way for.

I can really appreciate Rockstar's first attempt at the detective thriller. The writing and acting were solid. The game was fun and original. I really enjoyed the combination of run & gun with interrogation. I'd also be lying if I didn't mention my appreciation for the setting and attention to detail. Snerts Snazzy Score is On Sale! Find the game on the cheap so you can afford the DLC content. I'm personally jealous of anyone who's gone through Refer Madness.

Welcome to CoD Land

2011-09-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Activision threw the first ever public Call of Duty event on September 2nd and 3rd, 2011. Call of Duty XP The Event drew in thousands of people to experience multiplayer tournaments, a host of CoD themed attractions, and live musical performance by Drop Kick Murphy and Kanye West.

Arriving at about 10:30am on Friday I noticed a familiar sight--long lines. This would be a theme frequently found throughout the two day event. Luckily I got to wait in the shorter line because my employer advertises for Activision. After an hour an a half delay I was in the door, and listening to the keynote opening speech.

Things kicked off into high gear after some words from our sponsor and a handful of videos illustrating how Call of Duty is awesome. The massive crowd fanned out to explore the two large hangers and outdoor areas. One hanger was the main stage used for press interviews, panel discussions, tournament finalist, and the closing musical acts.

The other hanger was the gaming hub of the venue. Large fenced off sections had various Call of Duty MP games to play. Visitors could experience the new MW3 multiplayer, and/or Zombie DLC Resurrection. There were also MW2 and Black Ops areas for those wanting to play the classics. Each area was well organized with plenty of attentive staff to corral the lines, and ensure everyone got a chance to play. For those not willing to wait in line there were plenty of televisions to display the digital action.

Smack dab in the middle of the second hanger was the Sumo ring. This was one of many Call of Duty themed attractions. Participants would dress up in a sumo suite that mimicked the juggernaut outfits found in the game. The goal was to pin your opponent, or knock them out of the ring. Like many of the attractions at the event I enjoyed watching, but didn't feel the need/desire to wait in a two to three hour line. Besides more lines awaited outside.

Behind the two hangers was the outdoor attractions which included paint ball and off-road courses, a zip line, and an overpriced Burger Town. For those who aren't fans of Call of Duty Burger Town is the fictional fast food chain found in MW2. The prices were ridiculous, $12 for a burger meal and $17 for a double patty. The food quality was the equivalent of a cheap theme park. Beer was $7, and your choices were between cheap canned bear and cheap beer in plastic bottles.

Luckily the recreational activities were top notch. Scrapyard and The Pit, based off MW2 areas, were recreated for paintball. The former was for team games, and the latter was a one-man course. Once again I didn't feel like waiting in line for three hours so I decided to watch a few matches and move on. Same can be said for the off-road course. It looked like a lot of fun. Good steep climbs and even a little river to go through. Perhaps I will be more patient the next time around, and go to the event from open to close. This way I could wait in line more, and actually experience the action first hand.

The one thing I did wait around for was the zip line. Even with a fear of heights the ride was fun. The top platform gave a nice view of the entire area, and until I started spinning I felt super bad ass. Worse part was the stop---sorry groin. FYI: The video below is not me on the zip line--seriously.

After zipping about I headed inside to meet up with some old Activision co-workers, and to watch Kanye West perform. I would have seen Drop Kick Murphy's on Friday, but I had a previous engagement watching the great Andy C perform quality drum n' bass at the Music Box. From what I've read DKM did an excellent job, and brought a ton of energy to the crowd. West had a bigger turn out. You could easily tell who was there to see the game, and who was there to see Kayne. The biggest hint was the clothes. People came dressed up in club wear to a concert in a hanger. It was an odd fit. After two hours of solid entertainment, and lackluster sound, the event came to a close.

There was plenty of merchandise to remember the good ole days of Call of Duty XP The Event. T-shirts, hats, patches, and more were for sale. Those who waited in the gift bag line got a free copy of the hardened edition of Modern Warfare 3, which comes with a free year subscription to the recently announced Call of Duty Elite service. (Incidentally I waited in that line.) Other interesting areas that I didn't check out included the CoD museum, and the "Pros vs GI Joes" section that allowed attendees to play games with veterans. I would have liked to do the latter, but they were shutdown by the time I was off the zip line. All in all it was a great time, and I thank my employer for their generosity--e.g. getting me in the door.

Dragon Effect II

2011-08-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

Game: Dragon Age II

System: PC, Xbox 360, PS3

Release: March 2011

Dragon Age Origins was a fantastic game that brought the classic fantasy setting to gamers everywhere. This was especially welcomed by console owners looking for something besides Elder Scrolls. DAO, however, was full of bugs and really seemed like a rough draft for something greater.

Enter Dragon Age II. Bioware tightened up the animations and combat, and added features seen in the studios other successful franchise Mass Effect. The end result was another epic RPG with plenty of combat. The lore of Dragon Age was also expanded upon, and sets up the franchise for another sequel.

Because the sequel was very similar to the original I am not going to waste too much time on the basics. The most notable change was made to combat. Despite the complaints of "dumbing down" the game I feel the changes were for the better. Enemies weren't as glitchy, there were more combat encounters, and the spell/talent trees have been simplified. The same classic strategy of healer, tank, DPS is still running strong, and this franchise is still the closest thing to World of Warcraft that isn't an MMO.

Art bugs and level of detail issues also saw a touch up from the original. Collars actually stayed on shirts, swords hit enemies, lips moved when people talk, mountains did not disappear, etc. Everything from character models to environments also saw a welcomed increase in detail. Only on a few occasions was the suspension of disbelief disrupted because of art issues. Overall the game ran, in combat and out, much smoother then the previous tittle.

The most jarring change to Dragon Age II came from the studios infusion of Mass Effect features. The main character can only be human, and the last name will always be Hawke. Gone are the multiple race background stories. This, however, allows the main playable character to have a speaking role which enhances the games story telling ability. The dialogue tree found in Mass Effect is also present.

Like Mass Effect 2, players can import their saved data from Dragon Age Origins. This will effect their experiences in Dragon Age II, and dictate certain events found throughout the game. A particularly awesome moment, for example, will occur if you sent Alistar into exile during the first game.

Finally, the events in Dragon Age II--like Mass Effect 2--leads to an inevitable sequel. This ploy really bugged me when Halo 2 came out, but by now I've come to expect such shenanigans from game developers. I am really interested to see how all the events in Dragon Age II play out, which is music to Bioware/EA's ears.

In the end Dragon Age II was another outstanding RPG from Bioware. The annoyances--repetitious level design and tons of load screens--were few, and did not hinder the overall experience. Cleaning up the art and combat was a huge plus, and the infusion of Mass Effect features was a smart move. I'm really looking forward to the next Dragon Age tittle, and the conclusion to this epic franchise. Snerts Snazzy Score is On Sale! for the average gamer, and Full Price! for fans of Bioware and/or classic fantasy RPGs.

Flawless Victory!

2011-08-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Game: Mortal Kombat

System: Xbox 360, PS3

Release: April 2011

Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter II are the fighting games of my childhood. Sure there are others, but these two series captured the largest share of my attention. Street Fighter has denoted consistent quality over the years, but the same cannot be said for Mortal Kombat.

The ninth tittle in the series returns Mortal Kombat to its roots. Focusing on the lore of the first three games the developers tighten up some of the loose ends, provide entertaining game modes, and a solid overall presentation.

The most engaging segment in Mortal Kombat is the story mode. The segways are all live-action cinematics, which is a welcome change of pace from storyboard method found in BlazBlue. The player experiences an alternate history that covers the first three games. It all reminded me of a B movie. There is action, cheesy dialogue, and just a touch of drama. Different playable characters are assigned to each chapter--Johnny Cage is Chapter 1, Sonya is Chapter 2, etc.--which helps with the pacing. By the end, players will use many of the characters, and experience a tale that formerly spanned three games.

A plethora of other modes are available for those not interested in plot. The standards of the series are all present: Arcade Mode, Test Your Might, Versus, On-line play, etc. There is also a challenge mode that pits the player against a slew of unique fights and mini-games. One moment you'll be in a tag match with Johnny Cage and his director. The next you'll be fighting off zombies by rapidly performing projectile attacks. It's a nice add-on to your typical fighter. Of course, all of the above are for unlockables that range from concept art and alternate costumes to additional finishing moves.

All of the above is presented in gut wrenching graphics and goosebump producing sound. In the first Mortal Kombat a fatality ripping out the heart was blurry at best. A red circle that came out of someones chest. The most recent addition to the franchise depicts how far graphics have developed. The heart Kano rips out is now beating with detailed segments of the heart. Add to this detailed sound depicting each action, and you have good reason to prevent young children from playing this violent game. Environments all share a great level of detail. Sometimes the background action is just as intense as the main fight, and I often found myself being pleasantly distracted.

Solid presentation, multiple entertaining game modes, and a decent plot. Pinch me people because I think I'm dreaming. Fans of the series will be in bloody heaven, and fighter veterans will enjoy the variety--MK doesn't feel like another Street Fighter clone. Snerts Snazzy Score grants Mortal Kombat the rating On Sale!--upgraded to Full Price for die hard fans.

Attack of the Clones!!!

2011-06-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

I started writing a review for Homefront, but then fell into a rant. Enjoy.

Homefront has everything that a solid FPS should have. Dynamic characters, solid gameplay, and well done cinematography. Despite having all this I will inevitably don the score of Gamefly--rent, play, move on. Why? Because I'm bored.

Yes bored.

I am tired of the tedious clones and other crap that graces the current console generation.

There are a plethora of great shooter franchises to pick from, and I seldom find the new comers (Bulletstorm, Homefront, Borderlands) worth the full price of admission. The genre is overloaded with gimmicky copy cats. They add one or two neat ideas that often fail to hold interest over the coarse of the game. Bullet-time in FEAR. The leash in Bulletstorm. The nano suite in Crysis. All were fun at first, but didn't add enough to the basic formula. Shoot, run, shoot, find cover, reload/heal, repeat. The best I can hope for is a decent story that encourages me to finish the game.

I find myself buying sequel after sequel. I have five Halo's, three Call of Duty's, two Left 4 Dead's, and one Bioshock. Each of the sequels offered something new, and often have the multiplayer community to warrant the purchase. Still I doubt Halo 4 and MW3 will offer anything substantially different. Yet I, and millions of others, will probably buy the next sequel because it's better then the clones.

Hack n' slash games fair no better. God of War and Ninja Gaiden were games that broke barriers. The sequels were fantastic additions to each of the franchises, but it was more of the same. A few new comers pop up hear and there. Bayonetta was decent, and so was Heavenly Sword. I also enjoyed Force Unleashed and Afro Samurai. None had the same impact as the first God of War. None were as challenging as Ninja Gaiden.

Next up on the chopping block is Bioware. I've thoroughly enjoyed most of their games, but I'm no fool. I can see a pattern that started with Knights of the Old Republic on Xbox. Moral choices, elite secret organizations, wacky friends, love affairs, and deep conversation trees; all while touring world/galaxy. This is in every title since KOTOR, and I doubt Mass Effect 3 will be any different.

Similar statements can be made about the Fable and Fallout franchises. The first Fable and Fallout 3 were fantastic, but the sequels tended to be more of the same. A young child has something traumatic occur that leads him/her on a life long path to redemption...or revenge! Along the way they have to perform a bunch of tasks to become famous...or infamous! You make allies, gain abilities, and complete quests in the same world over and over again. RPG developers are also notorious for bugs, which is pretty sad considering the lifespan of the current console generation.

Genres I'm unfamiliar with will only lead to speculation. So here we go!

Open world titles are series of already known mini games spread across a vast area. New sports games, and fighters, offer roster updates and a few new moves. Racers are the same old tired franchises. JRPG's seem to be stuck in a rut, and RTS games still suck on consoles. Music inspired games is a dead genre beaten by Activision and slightly kicked by EA. Finally, since 2004, the MMORPG genre continues to be equated with World of Warcraft. Everywhere you go it's clones and sequels (or expansion packs and dlc).

I want a new and amazing videogame. I want that same feeling I got playing Splinter Cell, Shadows of the Colossus, or Halo for the first time. I want to play a game over and over again because it's that good. Something that hasn't happened since Batman: Arkham Asylum.

One day my Gamefly account will be used for something besides sequels and clones. I'll be patient, and save money. I don't have any fantastic ideas after all....just complaints. Perhaps it's just me, or maybe developers need start coming up with better material to earn my money. Either way I'm bored. Time to take up some new hobbies, and catch up on that reading list; in between the drum n' bass events and pool parties.

Potty-mouth

2011-06-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

Game: Bulletstrom

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Release: February 2011

Warning: The following contains an obscene amount of curse words. Previously, I've typed the occasional fuck, but for fucks sake this is a lot of fucking curse words. I apologize to any of my loyal readers who may be offended--fucking wankers.

Dick, shit, cock, fuck, ass, balls pretty much sums up Bulletstorm. It's an homage to my childhood days of immature jokes and hours of first-peni...errr...person shooters.

Epic roles out a game reaming with ridiculous kills and Big Fucking Gun's. Every gun has an alt fire overkill mode which adds some flair to your standard arsenal. My favorite toy was the Flail Gun. Take two grenades and connect them with a chain. Load into the launcher, aim, and fire. Before you know bad guys are hopping mad before they go boom. Another weapon is a drill-spear gun that impales foes with ease and twirls them round and round like a fucking ferris wheel.

If guns don't do it for ya, then try kicking grunts into cacti, or using the whip mechanic to throw them off a ledge. All the death variety serves a purpose. You score points for doing unique kills that unlock additional upgrades. The list was pretty long, and the gaming lords know I won't finish it. Still, I'm sure some completionist out there has. So kudos to that prick.

Driving the carnage is your stereotypical revenge/bromance. Mike...er..Gray Hunt and Ishi Sato are the last of their crew after a suicide attack by the former. He gave the orders to attack a really big ship because he was pissed drunk and pissed off. Apparently General Sarrano is a big asshole, and Gray is just the dick to fuck him for good. Ishi gets to become a border line psychotic cyborg, and the female role played by Trishka cements the fact that no one is gay--despite the copious use of the word "dick." Things go wrong, then right, then back to wrong, and before you know it everything is dead. Throw on a teaser for the next game and call it a day.

Multiplayer sucks ass because EA hates renters. Those who want to experience Buletstorms MP must buy the game new to obtain a code. If you don't have this code, then you must pay to play. Honestly with so many quality FPS games out there--Halo Reach, Black Ops, MW2, L4D2, Battlefield--I hardly see the need to fork over more money.

All things considered Bulletstorm is a fun game. I enjoyed the guns and the killing reward system. The plot wasn't the worse thing I've ever witnessed, nor was it amazing. The environments were dam gorgeous, but the enemies were boring bitches. The immature characters and dialog doesn't help the game either (nor does it help this review). It's just another additional to the FPS genre that few will probably care to play. Snerts Snazzy Score is Gamefly--especially for shooter fans. Rent, play, and get all those penis puns out of your system.

Nickeled and Dimed

2011-06-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

The source of my rant:

EA is attempting to make some extra cash from the used-game market. Customers are required to enter a one time code to access multiplayer content. For those who don't have the code they must pay to play. Why does this bug me? I rent. Specifically I rent from Gamefly. I happen to enjoy their services, and have had no major issues. I was most displeased when I discovered Bulletstorm's MP was not accessible. I pay for Xbox Live (well not lately I've been using up the free passes from old games). I pay for Gamefly, and all the other items necessary to play games. Why do I have to pay for multiplayer in EA tittles?

I continue to find the overall cost of games rising steadily. Buy new hardware to experience motion controls, 3D, and music like gaming. These new features can sky rocket the price of modern home entertainment system, but they are only the big ticket items.

DLC content continues to change the landscape of released tittles. Map packs in FPS tittles take precedent in on-line play, and divide the have's from the have-not's. Ranging from $10 to $15 per DLC the cost of a game can go up to $100 fast. For RPG's, story arcs are expanded, and players are encouraged to buy expansion packs. If they don't, then they'll be behind once the next full game is released. These additions can cost up to $40, and this doesn't include any in-game items you choose to buy. All of this must have merchandise does add/enhance the gaming experience, but the price of admission is often not worth it.

If studios and publishers are so desperate for cash, then why don't they look towards advertising. There is vast amounts of empty space in games that can be utilized for ads. Load screens are the easy example. Do you really need the hints? Especially for long running franchises like Halo and Call of Duty--grenades kill, cover protects, bad guys die from taking damage etc. etc. etc. Throw up a quick 7-11 or McDonald's logo next to the hints, or go all the way with a quick commercial. Load screens are usually fifteen to thirty seconds long, which is plenty of time for a fast word from our sponsors. Tittle updates can replace the commercials if needed. This idea can also be applied to intro and tittle screens.

Games are already seeing advertisements slip into certain genres. Billboards in racing games are a great reference for expanding ads in other areas. The key is to make the ads noticeable, but not overbearing. Gamers will be hesitant to accept advertisements and it is important not to distract from the entertainment factor. Ads should be in areas that do not inhibit gameplay, or ruin a cinematic moment. This is why I suggest load screens, or other areas that are not in-game.

Will there be backlash? Yes of course there will. People also dislike ads in movies and television, yet they still exist. People will not stop buying games because of advertisement. Just like they won't stop buying games because of the price of DLC or multiplayer.

Ideally I would love to see two options develop--ads or bills. Gamers can be billed and see no ads like many internet subscriptions. Or they can tolerate advertisements in their games. Both are granted full access to a game, which after-all is what this rant was originally all about.

A Short Trip Through the Dark Side

2011-05-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Game: Force Unleashed II

System: Everything

Release: October 2010

Force Unleashed provided hours of entertainment as the quintessential ass kicking Jedi video game. Players took on the role of Starkiller, Darth Vader's secret apprentice, and experienced a well executed Star Wars adventure. Such success is bound to bring a sequel, and unfortunately it failed to deliver.

My first gripe with Force Unleashed II is the length. The main character visits three planets, and only fights on two of them. Dagobah is a drawn out cut scene with some rock moving for power ups. Kamino is used twice, and is arguably the most fun. There is a decent space ship level, and Starkiller visits a barbaric planet that is obsessed with a gladiator arena. A stage that felt like a God of War clone. There are two bosses and six levels in all that took me six hours to complete.

Next up on the shit list is the story. None of the characters were new with the exception of a disgruntle baron. The plot itself is boring. Vader clones Starkiller, and tries to make an army of Jedi clones. Big whoop. The writers also tell the origins of the Rebel Alliance by making Juno a key leader. Of course Clonekiller is still in love so he does all sorts of stupid things to be with her again. All the while he's questioning if his existence even matters because he's a clone. Is he a puppet of the Dark Lord, or will he find true love? The first game had you hunting down old Jedi for Vader following the creation of the Empire. There was murder, betrayal, and love. Much more entertaining then the hog wash of a sequel.

Last but not least is gameplay. Actually, I got nothing really bad to say here. There are a few new Jedi powers. The most fun being Mind Trick. Enemies will either commit suicide by jumping off ledges, or fight their allies to the death. The targeting system is better, and the presentation is top notch. Lightsabers finally dismember and decapitate. The music is still John Williams, and there is still plenty of environmental interaction. All of this makes the game fun, and worth experiencing.

Force Unleashed II has tons of awesome little things. The joy of using force grip on a storm trooper and hurling him through the air is magnificent. Taking down larger then life creatures is always fun, and there is even a bit of Boba Fett for the fans. If only the game had some new characters, a better story, and another six levels. Then it may have even been worth the full price of admission. Snerts Snazzy Score gives this title a solid Gamefly. Rent, play, and move on to the next title in your que.

Crazy Engineers and Space Zombies

2011-03-08T21:27:00.000-08:00

Game: Dead Space 2

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Release: January 2011

In Barack Obama's State of the Union, he urged Americans to praise the nerdy kids. Why? Because they're the ones who are going to grow up and solve all the worlds problems. So give more credit to those geeky engineers and scientists. Well Mr. President, Dead Space 2 took your message to heart.

Issac Clark is the most badass engineer I have ever seen. Not since Gordon Freeman has a dork endured so much action. Dragged through tunnels and hurled into space? No problem. Drill through a mine so you can crash into the sealed-off government section? Cinch! Impale a necromorph onto a glass window so it shatters and decompresses the room? Achievement unlocked!

Ok ok enough of the silly protagonist praising. Issac Clark returns in another adventure more fucked up then the last. He survived the events on the Ishimura just to wind up in a straitjacket. Instead of a ship he is trapped on the Sprawl, a densely populated metropolis built on a shard of Titan, one of Saturn's moons. Once again he has to differentiate between those who want to manipulate him and those who just want to get out alive. Once again the religious zealots are going nuts and trying to bring about a space zombie apocalypse. And once again it's up to Issac to destroy the Marker--source of all the bad juju.

Yes the plot follows the same pattern of the first game. This does not mean that the game is boring and repetitive. New characters and setting are more then enough to freshen things up. This cookie cutter plot is also well done thanks in part to Issac finding his voice, and well performed acting by non-playable characters.

The new gameplay mechanics are also rock solid. Kenesis returns from the first game with a new twist. The technique can be used to impale enemies with rods, spikes, or claws. New weapons also add to the carnage, but I found myself sticking to the Ripper and Plasma Cutter. The later has a new special ability that adds fire damage--sweet! The best change, however, is Issac no longer has to lunge in zero gravity. He now has thrusters that can easily move him around in any direction. This is truly a delight because the controls are so smooth, and the level design is well thought out.

Dead Space 2 is one of those games I can play again and again. The action is so intense that it literally leaves me on the edge of my seat. The story is not original, but it is very well executed. The added improvements to gameplay are awesome, and there is even a multiplayer that I haven't had a desire to play. I'm having too much fun with the single player. Snerts Snazzy Score grants Dead Space 2 the top honors--Full Price!

The Good, The Bad, and The Undead

2011-02-14T19:41:00.000-08:00

Game: Undead Nightmare (Red Dead Redemption Expansion)

System: Xbox 360, PS3

Release: November 2010

Saddle up partners it's time to hit the trails. There's a trouble a foot. Some dam fool has risen the dead. Now they walk the earth, and only you...what's that? You've heard this one before. Oh...

Undead Nightmares is a decent run of the mill zombie experience. John Marston watches his family turn into zombies, but manages to avoid getting harmed. He locks them in a room, and sets off to solve the mystery. Along the way he visits everything and everyone from the main game. Only now there's zombies, the four horses of the apocalypse, and some new guns for shits and giggles. Eventually some random mystical character finds John and helps him save the day.

Gameplay is the main reason for more Red Dead, and things have been altered slightly to fit the zombie motif. There are new weapons, horses, and side quests. The most interesting weapons are the torch, explosive rifle (think cannon balls from a boom stick), and the deadly blunderbuss that shoots body parts. Finding and taming the four horses of the apocalypse is a neat touch, and picking flowers now provide upgrades like phosphorous bullets. The other side quests are predictable fetch like crap (more on that later) that I mostly ignored.

Luckily the AI and combat can be extremely intense compared to the main game. There are different classes of zombies that will seem oh so familiar to Left for Dead veterans. There are chargers, spitting zombies, and fast moving crawlers that move around on all fours. Enemies will surround you quickly if you stand still, and ammo is scare until the later half of the game. Zombies will also pull you off your horse, and the undead wildlife will relentlessly chase you. The gameplay and AI are hands down the best feature of the Undead Nightmares.

Missions on the other hand are repetitive and predictable. Go to this town and help the survivors. Go here and find a clue. Go there for some flowers. Oh now go back to that town because they're being attacked again. Each town you save unlocks a new gun, and provides a new save point with some ammo crates. You can also only fast travel between towns you save making this feature key to completing this game. There are probably six-ish quests that relate to the main story, and the ending seems abrupt. Call me picky, but I wanted a little something more like that one locomotive mission to Mexico.

Undead Nightmares is a fun experience, but it's nothing special. Playing more Red Dead Redemption is always welcomed, and this was probably the games saving grace. The new gameplay features were neat, but the missions were boring. The story was cookie cutter zombie horror in a cookie cutter western setting. Snerts says Gamefly this bad boy. No need to buy, but it's sure fun to try.

I'm Not Impressed!

2011-02-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

Gamefly is a glorious creation. For a monthly fee (around $18 in the States), you get delivery rental service. One game can be out at a time for the basic package. Awesome. No longer going to the local Blockbuster and praying they have the game you want. No longer returning a game when more play time is warranted. No longer waiting in lines. Gamefly allows you to experience the hits and the misses.

The hits have been reviewed and posted. Faithful readers--haha I can dream--will know them well. This piece will be dedicated to the misses.The games I didn't even bother to complete.

Prototype and Crackdown 2:

Both these games feature a super powered main character who is unleashed into an open world environment. Scale buildings, throw vehicles, and generally kick a lot of ass. What's not to like? Plenty.

Prototype pushes a lame duck story that fails to capture my attention. The action is fun, but very repetitive. Go here kill that person. Sneak here. Kill these people. Add to this frustrating long boss fights, and you have yourself a game that I will never finish.

Crackdown 2 reminded me too much of Mercenaries 2. After testing an open world game for the better part of a year I must be thoroughly entertained before bothering with such things. Sure you are a super powered bad ass--instead of a non-super powered bad ass--but that changed little. Another open world game with a shitty plot, and repetitive gameplay. Next please.

Alan Wake:

What the fuck is this game? Something based on a Stephen King novel. Boring. I never did enjoy games that were mostly cut scenes. At least Bayonetta allowed some T & A (tits and action).

So I'm supposed to be impressed with the deep story about a writer on vacation. Oh he looses his wife to a freak accident that doesn't quite check in with reality. Shadow people are out to get him, but he is determined to find his sweet heart. Here's a tip for you dip shit. Call up Scooby and the gang. Those meddling kids are sure to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Fallout New Vegas:

This was the most disappointing game of all. Mostly because I loved Fallout 3. The problem here is mostly personal. I dislike buggy games, and I enjoy history more then gambling. New Vegas is almost unplayable. It crashes and lags all the time.The scenery consistently pops with different levels of detail, and to top it off, almost nothing has changed gameplay wise.

My other complaint solely resides in the setting. DC was fun because I'm a history major who studied the United States. Seeing a post apocalyptic interpretation was enthralling, and encouraged me to explore. New Vegas seemed like a mini mall on the way to the real deal. Not very impressive at all.

Perhaps I'll rent New Vegas again, but it won't be anytime soon. Next up is Red Dead Redemption: Undead something or other. Will this expansion fail? Or will I find another awesome cowboy adventure. Stayed tuned true believers...

It's Good to Be the Monarch

2011-01-11T22:30:00.000-08:00

Game: Fable III

System: PC & Xbox 360

Release: October 2010

Fable is a franchise I love to hate. The first game featured a brilliant blend of Zelda action/adventure with casual The Sims like NPC encounters. Magic was plentiful, moral systems were excitingly new, and customization was greatly encouraged. Go ahead hero. Be the money grub'n, lady lov'n, real estate kingpin you've always wanted to be.

Fable II was disappointing. The game went less RPG and more causal adventure. The Sims aspect was greatly expanded at the cost of magic and combat. Co-op was a joke, and the DLC support seemed extremely lack luster compared to the competition aka Bioware.

Now there is Fable III. A game where you lead a revolution to become king or queen. After which you must rule your kingdom and prepare for an on-coming invasion. I'd be lying if I said the game wasn't fun. I played through it twice on each moral path. Both times presented hours of entertainment. I simply have to get over the fact that Fable is not a RPG. It is an action adventure game.

Lionhead, like other studios, consistently produce games with the same bugs. Characters and backgrounds consistently lose their detail. The frame rate dips frequently, and certain animations look horrible. A new hand holding system is a neat idea, but companions are often hung up on various environmental hazards like crates or corners. Finally the menu system is still ridiculously tedious. How many menus must I go through to repair houses or change clothes? Sure the Sanctuary and butler were a nice touch. Changing gear in a dressing room makes sense, but it doesn't cut down on my time spent in the pause menus. If the studio streamed lined combat and magic, then they can stream line the time spent managing the little things.

Fortunately Fable III also continues the series strong points. The Sims aspect is once again greatly enhanced. Each NPC can give the player a relationship quest. This is how you woo a potential spouse, or set fear into the hearts of your subjects. The real estate game is once again vital to collecting wealth, and a ton of fun. Families, whores, and chickens. What else could you want from Fable?

Combat and leveling up is dumb down to the lowest possible level. No more stats to manage. Players go to the Road to Rule and unlock magical chests. They contain combat moves (magic, melee, range) and NPC interactions (including buying homes and businesses). Chests are unlocked by spending Guild Seals earned from quests and combat.

Melee and Range attacks are pretty much the same as Fable II. The legendary weapons do have an interesting upgrade system. The player must perform specific tasks to power up the weapons. These range from dragging people to work, to getting a certain amount of kills during the day. The upgrades also provide incentive to mix the combat up, which is a good thing for this franchise.

Magic spells have once again been diminished. You can no longer cast a spell to summon creatures or slow time--you use potions. There is no longer a confusion spell nor is there any new magic to the series. What little witchcraft you know can be mixed with a new feature called Weaving. The combination are very fun, but I found myself sticking with lightening powered fire balls during both play throughs. This game really could have used some more magic not less.

So what makes Fable III different from Fable II? The plot. Taking over a kingdom and ruling the land is a ton of fun. The story is corny cookie cutter crap, but I enjoyed it. The action was well paced, and the game didn't suddenly end. The connection with the previous title also strengthens Fable III. Playing as the offspring of the hero from Fable II was a great idea. The presence of your father was a neat touch while exploring the lands of Albion. Finally the character development for allies was well done. I truly wanted to help these interesting stereotypes out.

Fable III is a fun game. It has all the cheers and jeers you would expect from the franchise. Not much has changed in Albion, but what there have been some improvements. Snerts Snazzy Score is GameFly!--rent it, play it, forget about it. The game almost made it to the rank of On Sale!, but failed to deliver that extra magical something.

Hot Wars and Zombies

2011-01-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

Game: Call of Duty Black Ops

System: PC, Wii, Xbox 360, PS3

Release: November 2010

The Cold War turns hot in another solid Call of Duty experience. Seven videogames later and this series is still delivering top notch entertainment. The campaign presents a decent fictional story that takes players across the world. Multiplayer returns with new features, maps, and weapons. Zombies also make a come back in a variety of forms. There is even a kick ass commercial made by the good folks at TBWA\Chiat\Day (my employer).

Overall Black Ops was more enjoyable then Modern Warfare 2. Zombies is way better than the co-op missions of old. After finishing the campaign players are treated to a wonderful video featuring Castro, Nixon, and JFK. The three men are talking business when zombies invade. A few awesome one liners are spoken and the game begins. Brilliant! There is also a top down arcade version of Zombies, and all of the above can be played by your lonesome or with a friend. This game mode as sure come a long way from its roots as a pet lunch project.

Multiplayer really feels different thanks to the gambling system. Players can use digital dollars to literally put their money where their mouth is. The cash is earned by performing well during multiplayer matches, and can be used to purchase new items. Other then that, the MP is what you would expect from the franchise. Robust player population. Fun gameplay. Addictive leveling system. etc. etc. etc.

Black Ops' plot was reminiscent of the first Modern Warfare. The usual two main character formula was set aside for something...gasp...new. Now things are focused on one guy, although, you do play multiple people.OK that's not very new, but it's something different for the franchise. The knowledge this man possess can prevent the next major war, but he's fucked up from all the brainwashing. Things get complicated and progressively more entertaining--especially the helicopter segments. Some torture scenes here, a flash back there, and a dash of split personality sets thing right by the end. How? By shooting shit of course.

Call of Duty continues to dominate the FPS console market. Black Ops is jam packed with gamer goodness. My friends and former colleagues at Treyarch should be proud. Fans of first-person shooters will have no problem paying Full Price! There is plenty of bang for your buck, but if you're like me the franchise may be wearing thin. Snerts Snazzy Score is On Sale! You will enjoy this game, but it is another Call of Duty. How many mountains, jungles, deserts, and towns can your M16 run through? Save some cash. Wait for that sale, or used game price drop.

Cowboys Rule

2010-12-05T19:22:00.000-08:00

Game: Red Dead Redemption

System: Xbox 360, PS3

Release: May 2010

Red Dead Redemption is one of the best games I have played this year. Rockstar's team in San Diego does an excellent job. Their presentation of the dieing American West is unique and surprisingly accurate. The influences from older Western movies is obvious, but the solid writing, character development, and visuals set this game apart. There is also great multiplayer action, and zombie DLC to add on more hours of fun

Multiplayer is a blast. Players begin in a Free Roam session with a mule and a six shooter. Team up with other players, by making a posse, to take on objective missions. There are also team based games, but if you want to be a dick, you can just shoot anyone who looks at you funny. Collect money to unlock better equipment and other goodies. I didn't play as much MP as I did SP, but what I did experience was very reminiscent to Diablo II. Meet up and kill enemy AI. Just no loot or wizards.

Single player was dominated by strong writing, beautiful landscapes, and the lasso. The writing developed fascinating characters, and the plot was unique to the video game industry. Players take on the role of John Marston. He used to be a Robin Hood of sorts. A member of a gang that supposedly robbed from the rich to give to the poor. Well some of the other members went crazy. John tried to run away and start anew, but that darn pesky no good Federal Government decided to make a reunion of sorts. They kidnapped his family, and blackmailed him into killing his former gang. Now John does what these bastards ask, but in the end...well I don't want to spoil it.

Gameplay is what you would expect from a Rockstar game. The cover system works very similar to that of GTA IV. Horses handle different then cars, and there are fun things like bullet time and lassos. The former is overpowered. There is so much time to line up dozens of shots in bullet time that it almost seems unfair to the poor stupid AI. The lasso is my favorite weapon. Run up to anyone you want. On foot or on horse lasso that mofo and drag them through the streets. Hogtie criminals that rob stores to watch the owners kick the crap out of them. The lasso put more smiles on this face then any other aspect of Red Dead.

The last thing worth mentioning are the eye popping visuals. The character models are not much better then the GTA's, but the landscape is fantastic. Huge vast spaces to explore. Mountains, rivers, plants, animals, the stars, and the moon will keep you wandering around this game world for hours. There were some minor visual issues with level of detail popping and the occasional horse impersonating an ostrich. Unfortunately with a game this large it appears such issues are an industry norm.

Many have dubbed this epic cowboy adventure as a mere GTA clone. They are absolutely positively correct. The brilliant part is the game feels different then any of the GTA games. Horses, lassos, and an bullet time ad just enough gameplay elements to make it few new. The fantastic writing and change in scenery produce an entire different world to explore that seems vastly larger then any city. Red Dead Redemption will keep you entertained for months on end. Multiplyaer, DLC, and a solid 15 hour single player campaign is worth the Full Price of admission. Now go on out there partner and rustle up some fun.

MOH

2010-11-12T14:57:00.000-08:00

Game: Medal Of Honor

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Release: October 2010

I have played through the campaign on normal, and attempted two levels of Tier 1 (a hardcore SP mode). I have also played some multiplayer, but not enough to make a valid critique.

Medal of Honor. A series that sparked the World War II craze in the first person shooter genre. A franchise that started with such promise yet fell far behind the giants: Call of Duty and Halo. Now EA is attempting to reboot the series by telling the story of a modern conflict. The developers at EALA are very proud of the campaign story (MP was done by DICE studios), and the realistic depiction of the current war in Afghanistan. Did they succeed? Will this title be the rebirth of Medal of Honor, or will it become the final nail in the coffin?

The single player experience is well done. The graphics are at times breathtaking. The action is intense, and the narrative illustrates the inter-dependencies of different military units in the field. Players will take the role of Army Rangers, Special Ops, and Apache Helicopter pilots through a two day battle. The environment is historical deadly with many invading armies failing to survive the local resistance. There is the classic ignorant and brash General in D.C. barking orders that endanger the lives of soldiers on the ground. Lives are lost on both sides, but in the end the Americans seem to have won the day. The story of these soldiers was believable and executed with respect for the men who serve (there were no women in this story). This was a welcomed alternative to the over the top Cold War wet dream of Russia invading the United States.

Gameplay has it's ups and downs. I enjoyed the ability to slide into cover, but the “peak” button was particularly useless. It is very difficult to hold down the left trigger (Iron Sight) and left bumper (Peak) at the same time. Peak also halted all movement, which makes you a sitting duck during a gun fight. All of the weapons worked well, but none of them stood out. I loved the helicopter level, but driving around on a four wheeler felt like boring filler. I never felt like I wouldn't make it, or that the enemy was truly overwhelming. Many areas felt like a carnival shooting gallery. Just keep killing the ducks and targets then press on to the next area.

I enjoyed the overall experience of Medal of Honor. The story was entertaining, and the gameplay was decent. If you like realistic military shooters--I'm looking at you Tom Clancy fans--then check it out. Under the new Snazzy Snerts System, Medal of Honor falls under the category of Gamefly! Rent it. Play it. Forget about it.

New Rating System

2010-11-12T14:06:00.000-08:00

I'm feed up with numbers. Let's be honest. Snerts Snazzy Score does nothing to inform the reader if the game is worth purchasing. The remedy? A new rating system with words and definitions. Behold the new Snazzy Snerts System!

Full Price!--A game is so awesome it is worth the release day price (currently $60 American).

On Sale!--Only purchase this game if it is on sale. Games are usually pretty awesome but lack the same level of polish as the Full Price! tittles. You could rent the game, but it always makes you sad when you have to return it.

Gamefly!--Rent it. Play it. Forget about it.

Gutter Games!--If you happen to find it in the gutter, then clean it up and give it a playthrough. Do not waste too much valuable time playing with garbage.

There it is folks! Enjoy!

A Decade of Bungie

2010-09-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

Game: Halo: Reach

System: Xbox 360

Release: September 2009

EPIC!

Halo: Reach is the last game in the franchise developed by Bungie. In 2001, one of the best independent studios released Halo: Combat Evolved. Since then there has been Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo: ODST. Each successor added new features and a new story, but they all felt very similar. Halo Reach, however, is an entirely new experience unlike any FPS on the market. Bungie utilized the best from games like Unreal Tournament, Tribes, Call of Duty, and of course older Halo's. The end product is a well polished game with hours upon hours of fun content.

Halo Reach is divided up into three game modes: Campaign, Firefight, and Multiplayer. All three can be played on or off line. They also come with a ton of options to customize your experience as you see fit.

Snerts in action!

The Campaign tells the story of Noble Team a group of Spartans on Reach. Any fan of the Halo universe knows Reach is a doomed planet. The Covenant destroys Reach and leaves few survivors as they make their way towards Earth. Knowing that the ending wouldn't be happy gave the game an Empire's Strikes Back feeling. The colors are more subtle with less bloom effects. The characters display a sense of desperation as the invading aliens decimate their planet. By the end just about everyone you have met dies. Bungie also does a great job of tying Noble's story to the events in Halo 1-3. Finally they break up the FPS action with a few turret rail gun segments, and a outer space dog fight mission that is reminiscent of the N64 game Rogue Squadron.

Like previous Campaigns, there are dozens of options to keep things fresh. Skulls from Halo 3 make a return, and so does Scoring Mode. These features, however, are nothing compared to what Firefight has to offer. (Firefight is a cooperative game mode where a team fights wave after wave of enemy AI.) You can customize just about everything for this cooperative game type. You can tweak: damage output, shields, health, weapons, infinite ammo, what enemies appear each wave, how the enemies appear, AI damage and shields, etc. etc. etc. I literally spent an hour just thumbing through all the options. I also enjoyed the different Firefight modes like Gruntpocalypse--all Grunts all the time. Firefight as sure come a long way since ODST.

Multiplayer is also full of new features. Most notably Invasion. This game mode pits Elites vs. Spartans. The objective is defense for the later, and offense for the former. There are three sections per round, and completing a section unlocks more load outs, weapons, and vehicles. The game ends when time runs out, or the Elites have completed all three objectives. This game mode is unlike anything I've seen before. It has all the chaos of a Big Team Battle with a hint of Assault and King of the Hill.

As I mentioned in my review of Halo Reach Beta, there are other new game modes like Headhunter and Stockpile. So far the additions have been very enjoyable, and supplement the traditional game modes nicely. The armor abilities, however, are what really distinguish Reach from other Halo's. Being able to sprint, use a jet back, become invisible or invincible, etc. adds a new layer to the tasty gameplay cake. Check out my Beta review for more details about armor abilities.

Rocket Hog FTW!

Do you think I'm done writing about new features? Well guess again buddy. Reach also has a leveling system that unlocks new armor for your Spartan. The system is cumulative, and is very similar to the recent Call of Duty tittles. The unlockables are for functionality and aesthetics. Some pieces will allow you to carry more ammo, health, or grenades. In addition to armor you can unlock character voices for Firefight, and other surprises that I won't ruin in this review.

Halo: Reach is what fans of Halo: Combat Evolved have been waiting for. A truly new experience that feels more complete then the rehashes of Halo 2, 3, and ODST. Bungie has stepped their game up, and illustrated why they are one of the best FPS developers in the business. Reach has more game modes, features, and options then any other title on the market. Snerts Snazzy Score is a 6 out of 5---yes it's that good! So go ahead and buy yourself a copy. Then say goodbye to all non-gamer friends and family.

Xbox Live Turns 60

2010-08-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

Sixty dollars American that is.

Today Microsoft announced the Xbox Live Gold membership will be seeing a price increase November 1st.

Why the hike? According to an email I was sent. "Over the past seven years, Xbox LIVE has evolved from an online gaming platform to an all-in-one gaming and entertainment service."

Old Xbox Live UI

Xbox Live has come a long way since the days of Return to Castle Wolfenstein and MechAssault. The service really didn't get much attention until Halo 2. Since then Netflixs, LasFM, Facebook, Twitter, and Xbox Live Arcade have been added to the Gold Member subscription. This is in addition to exclusive previews, demos, and access to on-line multiplayer. I cannot ding Microsoft for increasing the yearly price by ten dollars. That's not ridiculous from a business perspective. (Besides you can get the subscription at a reduce price via Newegg.com and Amazon.com.)

From a consumer point of view I have one concern. Advertising. Recently I became employed because of an ad firm. The ads on Xbox Live employees someone, and in this economy more jobs can't hurt. On the flip side I don't want to be bothered or bombarded with ads if I'm paying for a yearly subscription. I've seen a significant increase in advertisements, and I can easily imagine a Facebook like ad interface on Xbox Live.

Even Earthworm Jim likes Xbox Live.

The easy pipe dream solution. Allow for a free, or at least cheaper, Gold membership that plays commercials each time the system starts. Hell even throw it before the game boots. The ad revenue will supplement the subscription fee, and maybe even exceeded it.

I know one thing is for sure. I will end up paying for a Gold membership because I enjoy multiplayer. It's kinda of like a tax on each game I purchase, but it's worth it.

Call of Battlefield: Bad Duty 2

2010-08-12T10:04:00.000-07:00

Game: Battlefield Bad Company 2

System: PC, Xbox 360, PS3

Release: March 2010

The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! Hide for the hills because the Russians are coming!

Here we go again. A rag tag team of misfits take on a special ops mission that can turn the tide of the Russian Invasion. Along the way they are double crossed (bum bum baaaaa), and some friends are lost (nooooooo not the hippie). In the end, however, they save the day by watching each others back and making the player do all the work. The U.S. General comes out of left field (literally), and tells you "The Russians are coming. Through Alaska." Looks like we'll get another Bad Company game (shockingly disappointed).

The single player experience is pretty much the same as the first game. The characters fulfill their stereotypes. Some cool action occurs. A few areas will kill you over and over again. Nothing too exciting here, but a decent FPS experience.

Multiplayer is the bread and butter for the Battlefield series. There is everything you would expect. A limited number of maps, but each one is gigantic. Vehicles with horrible handling. Sniping and explosions. Oh and a melee systems that is unresponsive. Add to this mix destructible environments and you have a very unique package. There is also a leveling system that is used to unlock new weapons and equipment. Halo and CoD do not have destructible environments, and I believe that is one of the reasons this game has an on-line following.

The Battlefield series has been around for along time. It is known for large maps, vehicles, and sniping. The Bad Company series added destructible environments to the mix. There is a decent on-line following, but don't expect to be in full games on the five maps. The single player is action packed, and contains some humor. It is also boring, filled with cheap deaths, and the plot just keeps getting stupider. I'm not thrilled with the gameplay either. Everything feels clunky. This is yet another game I enjoyed only because I rented it from Gamefly. Snerts Snazzy Score grants Bad Company 2 a 4 out of 5.

Don't Be Scared!

2010-08-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

Game: F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Release: February 2009

On the surface F.E.A.R. appears to be an excellent FPS franchise. There is bullet time, crazy guns, and spooky stuff. The gameplay is solid. The graphics are polished. The AI acts intelligent, and there is some environmental damage for shits and giggles. Yet whenever I play through a F.E.A.R. game I'm overcome with a sense of indifference. I'm knee deep in blood as some mystical bitch tears apart my squad and I just don't care. Some geek I've been tracking down gets his head ripped off, and I barely bat an eye. The ending cinematic for the sequel brought about a sense of joy because I could get the next title from my Gamefly account.

The single player game is fun. I enjoy the overpowered bullet time. The nail gun is back in all it's glory, and there is even an awesome disintegration gun. The armored mech segments are a good idea, and some of the scary moments gave me chills. Especially during the ghost sections where it is unclear who is a threat. The majority of plot points, however, are your typical set up. Teammates do something stupid. They die, and you have to push on despite the "tragic" losses. Some chick keeps barking orders, and in the end you impregnate a telekinetic super being? At least I think that's what the ending is all about.

Multiplayer....well I didn't even bother. Why waste my time on low population games when I still enjoy fantastic franchises like Halo, Call of Duty, and Left 4 Dead? DLC content keeps the big three fresh enough for me.

Should you play F.E.A.R.? Only if your a die hard FPS fan, or your in need of something a bit different during the summer lull. There really isn't anything special. Snerts Snazzy Score is a 3 out of 5.

I'm a Jumper Not a Fighter

2010-07-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

Game: Prince of Persia

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Release: December 2008

Prince of Persia is a franchise that dates back to 1989. A successful reboot of the series was accomplished by Ubisoft in 2003 with Sands of Time. That fantastic game is one of the best experiences available on the original Xbox, and Ubisoft has been attempting to capture that magic with a slew of crappy sequels.

Each Prince of Persia has the same set up. The main character is a prince with amazing acrobatic abilities. This triple AAA protagonist always seems to find himself in deadly scenarios that may or may not involve a female side kick, time manipulation, and magical villains. He will generally jump, skip, and stab his way through each adventure. The plot will either be brilliant yet generic or simply ridiculous.

The 2008 Prince of Persia (there has been a more recent release and movie earlier this year) attempts to reboot the series once more. The Prince finds himself lost in a desert. Surprise surprise a damsel in distress appears named Elika. He rescues her from some attackers, and discovers that she has magical powers. Elika pleads her case and seeks aide in restoring her kingdom that has been taken over by “the corruption.” A handful of jumps, skips, and stabs later the game ends.

I could go on about the crappy plot. How you never really care about anything, and just push on to jump and skip (stabbing is boring) to the next piece of beautiful landscape. Or how Elika shows a range of emotion akin to a fourteen year old drama queen. Or how I have never seen anything remotely close to Persian culture in regards to the characters. I could go on about all that, but that would just be silly.

Gameplay is where the fun is for Prince of Persia. Like Sands of Time the Prince performs a variety of acrobatic moves to navigate through deadly traps. Instead of time manipulation Elika provides a magical safety net to ensure the Prince never dies. This allows players to continue playing. A novel concept for video games. The designers knew that people would fail to make a particular jump so they put in a system to instantly warp them to a checkpoint. No load screens is a huge plus for any game, but especially for a tittle that is dependent on a smooth constant tempo.

Level design is what I would expect from the franchise. The Prince goes up. He goes down. He slides, dives, wall runs, and swings his way about. The graphical presentation is eye popping in a gorgeous cell shaded style. Levels are a bit more repetitive then other Prince of Persia games because of the overall path design. Players can go to any area from the start, which results in a bland difficulty curve. Rising action/challenge would have suited this game better.

Combat is not the strongest point for any Prince of Persia game, and the 2008 addition manages to be even more bland then past releases. You cannot die so no enemy is ever threatening. The combos are entertaining at first, but get old fast. Low level enemies have too little health, and boss fights drag on too long. Fighting is the most boring aspect of this game. Hardcore fans of the hack/slash genre are sure to be disappointed.

Prince of Persia is not a bad game, but does fall under that “Thank Goodness for Gamefly” category. Fans of the series and platforming will enjoy another adventure with the prince of jumps, skips, and ~~stabs~~--even if the stabs are lackluster. Combat is boring, and the story stinks. Yet the presentations is stylistic and beautiful. The pacing is excellent thanks to the absence of load screens, and exploring this fantasy world is it’s own reward. Snerts Snazzy Score grants the 2008 Prince of Persia a 3.5 out of 5.

Late to the Fallout 3 Party

2010-07-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

Game: Fallout 3

System: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Release: October 2008

Fallout 3 is a great video game. Anyone who is a fan of the FPS or RPG genre will enjoy themselves. The game has been out for about two years. It has won many awards, and there are a ton of DLC packs. I'm not going to bother typing out words to praise the game further. Snerts Snazzy Score is a 5 out of 5, but I do have one complaint.

*Spoiler Alert:

Two of the best features Fallout 3 has to offer are story and immersion. You start off in your mothers womb, and finish following in your fathers footsteps (for those goodie goodies out there). The game world is huge, and I spent countless hours just exploring. In the end you have the cliche choice to sacrifice yourself, or convince someone else to do the deathly deed.

To purify post apocalyptic D.C.'s toxic water supply, save the lives of your comrades, and be an all round good dude you must enter a room containing lethal amounts of radiation. No matter what you do this act will kill you. I wouldn't have a problem with this deed if I wasn't traveling with a companion who could have withstood the radiation.
A few missions prior an intelligent Super Mutant named Fawkes aides you in a primary quest. The player is later given the option to have Fawkes accompany you on your journey. Fawkes is immune to radiation. If you do not have the DLC pack Brotherhood Steel, then you will not be able to convince Fawke to enter the radiated room.

This did not make sense, and ruined the ending of an otherwise fantastic story.

Doing What Vikings Do Best...Conquer!

2010-07-19T13:24:00.000-07:00

Game: Viking Battle for Asgard

System: Xbox 360, PS3

Release: March 2008

Viking: Battle for Asgard is a game found in bargain bins priced under twenty bucks American. It did not sell well, and probably flew under the radar for many gamers. Now during the summer lull is a perfect time to revisit this open world hack n' slash game. It's cheap, and there is plenty of fun to be had.

Viking embraces Norse mythology for the setting and plot. The gods of Asgard are bickering, and of course mortals have to pay. The goddess Hel is pissed about her banishment. She raises an army of demons, and threatens to unleash the ancient god Fenrir. Why Fenrir? Cause he will bring about the apocalypse, or Ragnarok, that destroys Asgard.

Freya, the goddess of war, selects the main character Skarin as her mortal champion. Skarin's only desire is to be allowed entrance into Valhalla. (SPOILER) He defeats the Hel and her armies saving both mortal and god. Freya still denies his wish so Skarin unleashes Fenrir. Don't fuck with Skarin.

Ya I know. The story sounds as exciting as a moose pissing against the wind. The pacing and gameplay are what keeps this game going. Skarin must free three islands from the clutches of Hel. Each island follows a similar pattern. Build an army by freeing viking warriors at key locations. Along the way you collect gold, learn new abilities, and summon a dragon. In addition to raising an army each island has a stealth section, a tower to capture, and a large patrol to ambush.

When the army is ready you invade a fortified location. During this segment players charge into battle to take out key enemies and capture objective points. The dragons act as artillery fire, and can be used after collecting dragon ruins. Ruins are rewarded when the player kills giants or completes objectives. Once all the forts are conquered Skarin moves onto the next island.

Skarin controls like a bulky buff viking. He makes strong blows that hack off limbs. He has combos, counters, and magic. Special melee moves take a certain amount of stars to activate. Stars are unlocked by successfully hitting any enemy. The magic consists of fire, lightening, and ice. Just like every other game fire burns, lightening shocks, and ice freezes. Skarin can also share his magic with near by soldiers, which can be devastating during the large army campaigns.
Viking is nothing like the top hack/slash tittles (God of War, Ninja Gaiden, Bayonetta). The quick time events lack polish animation and suffers from camera jitters. I saw too often axes slamming into thin air instead of the flesh of my enemies. The sound quality is terrible. The frame rate suffers during large battles. Skarin is slow to block, and the dodge/counter move may suffer depending on the topography. The timing for combos is wonky at best, and the auto lock jumps from target to target way to easily. These annoyances, are just that, annoying. You'll find yourself displeased, but the fun factor is not diminished significantly.

Viking: Battle for Asgard is a great rental or cheap buy. It's everything that Yahtzee wanted Brutal Legend to be. An open world hack n' slash game with large armies and great visuals with no RTS features. The gameplay isn't perfect, but it's fun enough to tolerate. Same could be said for the story. There are crazy vikings, huge battles, magic, and dragons. That spells fun to Snerts, and my Snazzy Score is 3.8 out of 5.

Aliens, Predators, and Marines = Trifecta of Lame

2010-06-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

Game: Aliens vs. Predator

System: PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Release: February 2010

Two movies captured the hearts and minds of sci-fi lovers everywhere in the 1980s without using light sabers, time travel, or Klingons. Yes I'm talking about Aliens (the second one of course) and Predator. Both these movies were very entertaining and successful, which lead to a host of crappy sequels. Eventually both series were so desperate for more films they combined the franchises into Predator vs. Aliens. This would then lead to crappy video games.

AvP has three main groups. Marines, Predators, and Aliens. Each have intertwining stories, and each have their own unique gameplay. The Marines are your typical soldier from any FPS. You are the rookie. Everyone tells you what to do, and for some reason your the only one capable of getting it done. Inserts evil corporation, guns from the Alien movies, and the usual dialogue “Oh Shit their everywhere!” to complete the package.

The Predator campaign presents the most options aka tools of destruction. All the famous weapons are present along with stealth abilities. I defiantly felt like a Predator throughout the campaign. Fighting both Aliens and Marines is remarkably different compared to the repetitive nature of the Marine and Alien sections. You also get the cool finishing moves as a Predator that reminded me of Mortal Kombat fatalities.

Story wise nothing really made sense. The Predator character is a rookie—sigh—who plays archaeologists on earth. Like all Predators they enter an area kill all life. Then to be sure everything is dead they detonate a WMD. Who needs a motive? Not Mr. Predator.

The Alien campaign is the shortest. The plot is pretty straight forward and boring. You are an Alien branded with the #6—oooooohhhhhhh. You escape. Gasp! And are contacted by your queen so she can give you objectives! Shocker! Eventually the queen dies and you replace her. The cycle of life continues!

The Alien gameplay experience is disorienting yet fun. You can cling to any surface. Swing the Aliens deadly tale, and you climb through vents like a pro. Like the Predator you get cool fatalities and plenty of Marines to disembowel. Unfortunately there are no upgrades to your abilities and objectives are simplistic. This campaign gets boring and repetitive fast.

Whenever I hear the term Predator I think of two things. Corny Arnold impersonations by drunken friends, and bad ass aliens who's only purpose in life is to “hunt” things. Apparently “hunt” is Predator slang for disembowel, dismember, or decapitate. When I hear “Alien” a host of thoughts occur because everything is a fucking alien. Just ask the folks in Arizona. Aliens vs. Predator brings about memories of crappy plot and not enough space sentient action.

The most recent video game continues that trend flawlessly. Fans of the series will enjoy the game. The rest of us will experience a mediocre FPS that fails to improve upon a ten year old system. AvP is a renter at best, and it's popularity is apparent by its lack of any significant MP community. Snerts Snazzy Score grants Aliens vs. Predator a 3.8 out of 5.

Reaching for a New Halo

2010-06-09T13:14:00.000-07:00

Game: Halo Reach (MP Beta)

System: Xbox 360

Release: Finished Game is due Nov. 2010.

Halo has stuck to the same formula over four games. Minor adjustments and additions have occurred with each release, but the thirty seconds of fun remains the same. All Halo games consist of the following.

Grenades and melee supplement standard gunfire.
Shields regenerate.
Vehicles a plenty.
Aliens aka Covenant.
Space zombies aka Flood.
Space marines.
Campaign supports co-op, but story is meh.
Multiplayer is fun with a variety of game types.

Recently Bungie and Microsoft launched a beta multiplayer test for Halo: Reach. I have never experienced a Halo like Reach. The controls have been changed for the better. No longer will you have to remove your thumb from the right analog stick to melee. Right bumper is melee. “X” is finally reload/use. Left bumper activates armor abilities—more on that later. “B” changes grenade type, and everything else is unchanged. This minor tweak does wonders for the gameplay, and is a welcomed change to the traditional, and outdated, control scheme. Armor abilities are the most exciting addition to gameplay. Players can select between various load outs before spawning in. This dictates your weapon selection and armor ability. Four different armor abilities exist for Spartans, and two options are given to Elites. The later can utilize invisibility and a handy dodge move. The former is given sprint, armor lock, jet pack, and invisibility. Armor lock temporary makes the Spartan invincible and releases a EMP shock wave. The others are self explanatory. These new moves really spice up the battlefield, and create an extra layer of strategy to an already fantastic franchise. New moves are not the only add on for Halo Reach. Players will get to experience a variety of fresh game modes. Headhunter, for example, puts a new spin on King of the Hill and Deathmatch. Kill an opponent so they drop a skull. Turn the collected skull(s) into the nearest objective point before someone kills you. Stockpile is a capture the flag (CTF) game. Three or more flags spawn across the map. Gather up the flags and return them to your base. Keep the flags in your base until the count down is over. Rinse and repeat.

The most original Halo game type is Invasion. Spartans defend key objectives as Elites attempt to capture said objectives. Three separate zones provides different armor abilities and weapon load outs. Vehicles come into play, and up to twelve players can participate. Fans of Big Team Battles will love this new mode. ODST had me worried that Bungie's day in the sun were over. The Reach Beta has decimated those concerns. New game modes. New abilities. New maps. New weapons and more that I didn't even mention in this post. I am officially excited about Halo Reach, and if your a fan of MP FPS action so should you.

Ubisoft Puts the "Ass" in Assassin

2010-06-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

Game: Assassins Creed II

Systems: Xbox 360, PC, PS3

Release: March 2010

Assassins Creed was one of the most boring games I have ever played. The controls were awkward. The setting was bland. The plot was down right silly. After a few hours of play I set down the controls and returned the game. More recently I got a hold of the sequel. The controls got a bit better, and the setting of 15th century Italy is more interesting. The plot, however, is still silly, and I doubt I'll ever have a desire to play the game again.

The entire premise for this series is down right dumb. In the not so distant future an evil group called the Templars are attempting to find a secret weapon that can do all sorts of stuff. The problem is no one knows where this weapon is, and the only way to find it is to look into the past. Books and ancient records, however, are not enough. To truly find the information people are hooked up to a machine called the Animus. This device allows people to scan the memories of their ancestors, and the main character Desmond just so happens to have a butt load of ancestors with knowledge of this secret weapon.

The first game had Desmond going through the memories of Altair during the crusades. Desmond also found out the corporation that runs the Animus is connected to the Templars. The sequel begins with Desmond being freed by the female "hero" Lucy. She takes him to a rag tag rebellious group that is also searching for the secret weapon.The key is to follow the memories of Ezio an assassin from Renaissance Italy. By the end of the game SPOILER Desmond discovers the truth. Aliens created the world and gave a dire warning of some future catastrophe. This is all explained in a pathetic ending monologue that struggles to cover up all the crappy plot holes.

So the story is dog poop on a stick, but that isn't anything new to video games. Gameplay and graphics will give some form of entertainment. The environment engine is truly fantastic. I really felt like I was running through 15th century Italy. Giant church steeples punch through the sky line. Venice is truly a labyrinth of water ways. Art is everywhere, and the carnival brought some color into the otherwise brown/red motif. As a student of history I had a blast roaming old school Italy. Unfortunately with all the graphical power going to environments character models suffer. Everyone runs around with giant fish mouths, their hair physics are rigid, and their eyes bulge outward.

Gameplay denotes improvement from the previous game, but still feels awkward. Combat is all about countering and dodging. This creates situations where you simply hold down block and wait for someone to attack. Running away is still more fun then fighting in Ass Creed II--unless you get the drop on someone.

Leonardo da Vinci is your gadget man, and he does make some cool toys. The famous hidden blade is now doubled so players can assassinate two people at once. A poisoned hidden blade is ridiculously fun. Pick a victim. Prick with poison, and watch as they throw their arms/weapons around while they slowly die. Ezio even gets a gun, which is extremely over powered in a land of arrows and swords. What about the flying machine you ask? Meh. Ubisoft over hyped the famous da Vinci glider, and the game is fun despite its pathetic weak-sauce.

Assassins Creed II is not a bad game, but it is far from anything spectacular. Fans of the first will enjoy the second. The rest of us will probably rent the game, play it once, and move on. Exploring Italian cities and poisoning people are the most entertaining parts of the game. The plot, character models, and combat still need improvement. Snerts Snazzy Score is a 4 out of 5.

God of Epic Action

2010-05-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

Franchise: God of War I, II, & III

Systems: PS2 & PS3

Releases: 2005, 2007, 2010

God of War is synonymous with action, sex, gore, and epic gameplay experiences. The folks at Sony's Santa Monica Studios have defined a genre. Numerous games have attempted to mimic their success. Some are carbon copies like Dante's Inferno. The rest attempt to capture the magic of quick time events and other game mechanics first seen in God of War. No game in this genre can hold a candle to Kratos (the main character). His badassery knows no bounds. Every God of War game will have fantastic combat, plot, and a larger then life presentation.

Fighting is what Kratos does best. The controls are typical for the genre, but the execution is what counts. Combat is fluid and I never felt like the game screwed me. If I died it was because I made a mistake. All encounters follow a basic pattern. Wear down the enemy with basic combos and magic, then finish them off with a quick time event. QTEs add an extra layer to the basic combo button smashing. Whenever a QTE is initiated Kratos performs an epic kill. This may include ripping the head off a Medusa like creature, beating to death Poseidon, or gutting a centaur. Each QTE is epic and successful execution makes you feel like a bad ass.

Some platforming is also performed with QTE's. Once again these are moments where the basic control scheme will not work. This allows developers to create numerous situations, which helps the game stay fresh.
Kratos is fun to control, but what about his story. Is this another series where I frantically skip cut scenes to get back to the fun? HADES NO! *Spoiler Alerts* By the end of the third game Kratos has seen and destroyed all of mythological Greece. He starts with Ares the God of War, and ends with Zeus. In between he kills heroes like Hercules and Theseus, titans like Kronos and Gaia, and thousands of gorgons, harpies, and minotors. Top notch graphics bring to life classic environments like Pandora's temple, mount Olympus, and the Steeds of Time. The icing on the cake is an epic sound track fitting for such an EPIC adventure.
The God of War franchise does everything right. The developers utilize a setting ripe for action and adventure to create their own story. Each game sets the bar for action, graphics, and epicness. The fact that other developers continue to copy Santa Monica Studios speaks volumes. Snerts Snazzy Score grants God of War I, II, & III, a 5 out of 5.

Fisher is Back!

2010-04-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

Game: Splinter Cell Conviction

System: Xbox 360

Release: April 2010

Sam Fisher is back and he is pissed. Some assholes have been fucking with his life and he won't stand for it. His daughter is dead, and he killed his best friend on a bupkus mission that failed to produce a mole in Third Echelon. Now after three years on the run Grimsdottir contacts Sam. She has information about his daughter's killer, and warns him of a hit squad out to get him. This starts a wild roller coaster ride filled with conspiracy, action, and lots of death.

Like most Tom Clancy games, Splinter Cell Conviction's presentation is top notch. Michael Ironside and friends did a great job with the voice acting. The plot is well done with plenty of twists and turns. The graphics are sweet, and the new projection tech used to illustrate objectives is the coolest HUD idea since Dead Space. Environments are detailed, and like previous Splinter Cell games Sam can take full advantage of pipes, ledges, shadows, cover, and whatever else is around. There are some frame rate issues, and a few progression stoppers, but these minor mishaps are few and far between.

The biggest change to the series is the gameplay. The old slow and steady pace has been speed up significantly. Traditional Splinter cell mechanics have bit the dust. There is no dead body management, hacking, or lock picking. Many of the old gadgets are gone, but the famous Sticky Camera remains. Everything has been streamlined and simplified. Melee strikes are a guaranteed kill that trigger the Execute ability. This allows the player to mark up to four enemies for a quick kill. This seems like an “I win” button, but in the midst of chaos marking targets is not easy.

All movement is quick paced and the animations are reminiscent of Assassins Creed. The cover system is the best I've ever seen. Pressing the left trigger will dash your character to the nearest cover. Holding the button will keep you under cover, and pressing A will dart you to the next spot. At any time you release the left trigger and tada you are away from cover. I never felt stuck to a wall, and that is a first. Interrogations have also seen an improvement. Click the video below. Sam makes water boarding look like a bad day at the beach.
Sam's adventure is just one piece of the delicious pie. The single player game takes five to six hours to complete. The co-op story is about the same length, and is a ton fun.The two game modes have interwoven plots that really create a well rounded universe. Other game modes include Hunter, Last Stand, Face Off, and Infiltration. Hunter and Infiltration are simple kill everyone missions. Last Stand is a survivor mode that forces players to protect a EMP from waves of enemies. Face Off pits spy vs. spy. Players have to rack up points to win. Killing NPC's grants one point, but killing the other human player rewards five. Dieing subtracts three. Whoever has the most points at the end of the round wins. With the exception of Face Off, each game mode can be played alone or with a friend. Ubisoft took a big risk rebooting the Splinter Cell series but it payed off. Stealth action has been born. The fast gameplay is fun and rewarding. The story, graphics, and hud are polished and entertaining. The various game modes provides hours of content, and co-op improves the replay value. The non-story based sections are also wide open for future DLC packs. Conviction is a new type of shooter that is a welcomed refreshing experience. Some veterans of the series will be turned off by all the changes, but the rest of us will enjoy a great video game. Snerts Snazzy Score grants Splinter Cell Conviction a 4.9 out of 5.

Who You Gonna Call?

2010-04-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

Game: Ghostbusters (Single Player)

System: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Release: June 2009

Ghostbusters the game could have easily been the third movie. The original cast shows up for another slime filled adventure through New York City. Players take on the role of silent rookie who gets to test all the new experimental equipment. The story is your typical Ghostbusters tale. Ghosts appear. Jokes are made. Gadgets are used. Government agencies get pissy. Ghostbusters are called to save the day. The designers did a great job of capturing the essences of the movie and incorporating it throughout the game. The games presentation matches the writing and voice acting. The graphics are very smooth with plenty of lighting, damage, and ghost effects. The HUD is primarily on the proton backpack, and each level is full of destructible assets. There are a number of diverse enemies that complement the environment. You face Civil War ghosts in the museum, and the infamous librarian at the New York Public library. There is also an early level where you take on the Marshmallow Man. Just about everything from the movies is either experienced or mentioned in the game.

Gameplay is the weakest part of Ghostbusters. The dodging mechanic is slow. Your teammates are consistently incapacitated, and require your assistance to continue fighting. Only two of the four weapons are useful, and the main character takes up most the screen. The vision impairment hinders your ability to fight multiple foes, which is always necessary because your AI teammates suck.

It's not all bad. The designers made a wonderful game that combines lazers, slime, and fishing. Ghost fights come in two flavors. One is the standard, “There coming right for us! SHOOT till there dead!” The other is classic Ghostbuster. You wear down the ghost with your proton beam. Once thier health is low you can capture them with your beam and slam them a round. To slam the ghost you move the analog stick back and forth like in a fishing game. Throw down a trap and guide the ghost to it's new home. Tada you just bagged your first ghost, and it was th--------is big.
Ghostbusters is a solid B movie—err I mean game. The story and voice acting is top notch, but the level design and gameplay are subpar. The friendly AI is terrible. I don't like the main characters mime act. Where is my smart ass comebacks to all the crappy orders I have to follow? Dodging is the only defensive maneuver and it sucks. Still the graphics are pretty, and if you pay attention to the dialogue you might even laugh. I also give the developers credit for making a fishing mechanic exciting. This is an excellent game to rent or borrow from a Ghostbusters fan boy. Snerts Snazzy Score is 3.8 out of 5.

Blocking Blues

2010-04-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

Hack n’ slash and fighters have utilized blocking mechanics since the beginning of time—err video games. Typically the character will put his/her forearm or weapon in a defense posture. Incoming damage will be minimized or avoided all together. Good games add more defensive abilities to keep things interested. This usually involves a counter and/or dodge feature. Enemies will also be given moves that are unblockable. These mechanics are used to avoid one of the worst features in hack n’ slash and fighter. I would like to dub this idea Mortal Kombat Syndrome (MKS).

In the first MK a player could hold down the block button while their enemy rapidly punched.The animation would show the defender in the same animation until they either let go or their opponent ceased their assault. This wasn’t a big deal a couple decades ago, but the same idea is illustrated in countless video games today. Afrosamuari, Ninja Gaiden, God of War, Force Unleashed, Wolverine, BlazBlue, Street Fighter, and Castle Crashers are just a few examples. These are all great games, and they have plenty of other features to overcome their MKS. Yet there are still moments where you put up your defensive animation and watch attacks bounce off.

Recently I have completed Bayonetta. This action packed game has no block button. Dodging is the basic defensive mechanic. This makes combat fluid and for lack of a better term more realistic. Whenever I personally witness a fight blocking will only go so far. Dodging and countering—using your opponent’s momentum against them—seem more effective and is generally more entertaining. Batman: Arkham Asylum is another game that ditches the block button. The Dark Knight can stun, dodge, or counter incoming blows. The lack of MKS blocking is one reason the combat feels fresh and original. I hope developers look at these two successful tittles and adopt their defensive mechanics.

I have yet to find a fighter that utilizes the no blocking mentality. I also rarely play anything besides Blazblue and Street Fighter IV. These two popular titles may have a character that specializes in counters, but there is no universal move. Dead or Alive 3 is the only game I’ve played where each character has a basic counter, but there is also blocking. I think it would be interesting to have a fighter where blocking wasn’t an option. A counter mechanic would be the basic defensive ability. I can imagine skilled players countering each other for minutes at a time before someone finally slips up and gets beaten.

MKS is not a series issue for many games. God of War III has very few moments where you can simply hold down the block button. If you only hold down block in Ninja Gaiden II you will be destroyed. In Blazblue or Street Fighter blocking too much will bring on the throws. The characters in Castle Crashers are holding shields so their defensive prowess makes sense. Yet in all of these a clever eye will notice MKS. The main character will stay put in that same animation to block everything from blades to bullets. I hope more games ditch the stiff blocking pose and follow the examples of Batman: AA and Bayonetta. To end on a cliché…sometimes less is more.

All Action Tits to Toes

2010-04-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

Game: Bayonetta

System: Xbox 360 & P-cursed-S3

Release: January 2010 NA

Bayonetta is a sexualized witch who is constantly under attack by the forces of heaven. What do I mean by “sexualized?” The cinematography is straight out of a soft core porn flick with numerous T&A shots. Her finishing moves trigger animation segments where her clothes fly off and morph into some demonic creature to finish off a boss. Sex, action, and gameplay drive this wild ride. The story is dragged behind desperately screaming as it clings to whatever it can. Does a video game need anything besides great graphics and solid gameplay? Bayonetta’s high Metacritic score says “No!”

There is little point in explaining the games story. The experience was reminiscent of Matrix Reloaded. Here is this amazing action that keeps on building with little to no real plot foundation. Then some guy in a white suite fills up the screen and attempts to monologue the stories way into something epically important. The games character and plot development are so shallow I didn’t care what this Sage guy had to say. Bayonetta would just wink and say something stupid like “You’re an ugly one.” An explosion would occur followed by another cut scene. Then there will be another cut scene to show off Bayonetta’s “moves.” Finally after one more cut scene the game moves on to the fun part—combat.

The gameplay is brilliant. The frame rate, camera, and graphical presentation enhance a robust combo/weapon system. Like Batman: AA there is no blocking. Bayonetta dodges to survive, and this has a chance to trigger bullet time. Dodging also refills the magic meter that is crucial in performing finishing or torture moves. Torture moves engage a quick time event that is visual pleasing to say the very least. This extra layer of strategy makes the game stand out in a crowd of copy cats. The majority of weapons can be placed on the feet or hands producing a number of effective combinations. My personal favorite was the samurai sword and ice skates. I would glide around enemies hacking and slashing all the way. The unique claw set was also fun. Players can switch between fire and electric claws with one simple move. The projectile weapons, however, could have been better. The shotguns and rocket launchers are too slow for the amount of damage they produce. Still the weapons felt original and fun, which is rare for game in this genre.

Enemies and level design completes Bayonetta’s combat pie. The art style is fantastic and the graphical presentation is top notch. Each enemy feels and looks different, but are arranged in the typical grunt to boss difficulty. There is a new enemy for each level which is a great way to keep things fresh. The levels themselves range from bland to ridiculous. The very surrounding often adds to the intense action feel this game produces. At one point I was running up the side of a clock tower as the town was engulfed in lava. Another moment had me cruising down a highway on a motorcycle dodging obstacles and killing enemies along the way. By the end you are literally blasted into orbit to fight a god like figure. All of this is delivered in jaw dropping visuals, crappy music, and cheesy dialogue.

Bayonetta is designed for multiple playthroughs. There are tons of hidden treasures and medals to unlock. The levels, however, don’t change. Players still are stuck skipping a thousand cut scenes filled with the same garbage. The music is terrible and repetitive. The lame story and insufferable number of combat interruptions hinder the games overall enjoyment. When you actually get to play the game is fantastic, but even those segments get old fast. Snerts Snazzy Score for Bayonetta is 4.2 out of 5.

@2K Would You Kindly Stop Making Bioshock games?

2010-03-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

Game: Bioshock 2

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Release: February 2010

Bioshock was one of the best console FPS experiences of 2007. The perfect blend of atmosphere, gameplay, and story warranted numerous Game of the Year awards. Unfortunately the high critical acclaim and sales comes with a price. 2K is cashing in on the one franchise not under attack from EA sports. This means a number of sequels for a game that didn’t need any. Bioshock 2 is not a bad game. It just doesn’t have the same zesty zing of the first.

Let’s start with what 2K got right—combat and gameplay. The first game required radial menu navigation to switch between plasmids and weapons, and everything was performed with one of the character’s hands. The new streamlined combat has plasmids assigned to the left trigger/bumper and weapons are on the right. This results in faster paced action and strengthens the immersion. Hacking is also less cumbersome. The pipes mini-game is replaced with a quick time event. Players must observe a gage and press a button while the dial is over a green or blue square. Landing on a red square triggers an alarm, and no colors results in an electric shock. I did miss the pipe mini-game, but the new system makes hacking a room full of turrets, cameras, and bots faster. Like the changes to combat, this keeps the immersion factor high. Rapture is such a fascinating setting and the developers did an excellent job of keeping players in the city and out of menus.

Weapons and plasmids have seen only minor adjustments in Bioshock 2. There are very few new powers, and each of the old abilities has a new twist. Lightening, for example, can be charged at level two for chain lightening and a longer shock. At the max level a constant stream of lightening can be deployed from the hand. Because the main character is a Big Daddy, more on that later, weapons like the Rivet gun and Power Drill have been added to the arsenal. These additions make sense, but I didn’t utilize them as much as the shotgun or spear gun. The best new weapon was actually not really a weapon at all. The Hacking gun allows you to…yep you guessed it…remotely hack items.

Just about everything else in Bioshock 2, except multiplayer, is copied from the first. The plot is a different shade of dystopia. The setting is Rapture about ten years later. The villain is a communist version of Fontaine and Ryan. The main character is a Big Daddy, and that does not change the interaction with Little Sisters. These angels of ADAM are back, and just like the end of the first game players must escort them as they collect ADAM from corpses. After harvesting a few bodies you get the same old choice to save or kill the Little Sister. Basically they took the most boring part of the first game, and smeared it all over the second like too much butter over toast. The developers seemed afraid to branch out into the new and this creates a dull experience for Bioshock veterans.

A few gamers have argued the new main character is an improvement. The new weapons are awesome—agreed—and the idea of the Bid Daddy searching for his one and only Little Sister is daring or edgy—disagree. The relationship between father and daughter is not developed to the point where I felt anything for the later.For all I know she is just another controlling psycho from Rapture. The brief moments of mental spam didn’t thrill me in games like FEAR or Halo 3, and fails to elicit anything but annoyance in Bioshock 2. Another issue I have concerns plot holes. If you didn’t collect all the audio logs, then the connections between the two games can be lost. Even with all the tapes many questions were only answered with ADAM. How does Rapture, an underwater city, remain inhabitable after a decade of disrepair? ADAM that’s how! Why would anyone attempt to take over Rapture? ADAM is the shit yo! Why didn’t the first Bioshock mention anything about Lamb—someone who seriously threatened Ryan’s power? Dude, the ADAM made me forget to mention her. Sorry about that.

One thing that ADAM did improve was multiplayer. Taking place during the New Years Eve war between Atlas and Ryan players can choose between a number of different characters. Each has their own unique back story denoted through personal audio logs and advertisements from Sinclair Solutions. They also have custom weapons and outfits. The house wife, Betty Johnson, uses a frying pan for melee and fights in a 50’s style dress. The old southern bourbon salesman runs around in a suite wielding a golf club. The shit talking is hilarious, and the amount of detail given to each character is really impressive. Gameplay is also well done. Turrets and vending machines can be hacked to lay traps. Weapons and plasmids are unlocked as player’s level up—that’s also how you unlock more audio logs to complete each characters story. Everyone starts with the basics: fire, electric bolt, shotgun, and pistol. Eventually the entire stock of Sinclair Solutions is at your disposal: grenade launchers, bees, and traps oh my! The multiplayer experience is unlike anything on the market today, and 2K should be proud of what they accomplished. Bioshock 2 is a great game all by itself. The combat is smooth and streamlined. The story is excellent—especially if you ignore the first Bioshock—and the multiplayer is a great addition to the franchise. I can’t help but feel that if Bioshock 1 never existed Bioshock 2 would get a perfect score. The shaky connection between games and unanswered questions, however, are readily apparent and this hinders the experience. I also felt the story, when compared to the first, was lacking that something special. The zing, pow, zap, or whatever word you want to use from ADAM West’s Batman. As a result Bioshock 2 gets a respectable 4.8 out of 5.

Cowboy Space Opera 2

2010-03-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

Game: Mass Effect 2

System: Xbox 360 & PC

Release: January 2010

Commander Shepard is back in action for another epic Bioware RPG adventure. The second in a trilogy, Mass Effect 2 begins a few years after the events of the first. Human colonies are disappearing on the out skirts of Citadel Space, and the Normandy is mysteriously attacked on a routine mission by an unidentified species. More could be said, but this is one of the few games where I won’t spoil the story. Besides it’s Bioware so you know the game will have good writing, voice acting, and forty plus hours of RPG action.My two biggest critiques of Mass Effect 1 were mediocre combat and boring planet exploration. The sequel suffers from the later, but enhanced the gunplay significantly. Let us start with the crap. The galaxy map is back and remains the ships navigational hub. Explore various star clusters filled with space stations, moons, planets, and massive stars. Instead of landing on a planet for resources the Normandy scans the surface from orbit. The scanning mini game makes players hold down the Left Trigger to activate the radar. A graph denotes when minerals are detected. Pressing the Right Trigger will launch a probe to collect the goodness.

Occasionally a mission based on the scan will necessitate a landing party. Piling into a shuttle Shpeard’s party lands and the side quest begins. This means there are no more lego vehicle sections and crappy cut n’ paste planets. Now players get cut n’ paste bases and a few oddball exceptions. The side quests offer nothing worthwhile, which is a mix blessing. For those not interested in exploring every corner of the universe not needing anything from the side quests is a blessing. For the rest of us it feels like a waste of time. Where’s my super bad ass reward for being a completionist?

Combat has seen a significant overall, and many of the RPG elements have been stripped away. The sequel is more akin to an action game like Gears of War.It is easier to get behind cover, return fire, and give squad commands. Powers can be set to a hotkey which minimizes the need to pause the action and access menus. The powers themselves are more effective, and a variety of heavy weaponry—rocket launcher, mini nuke, laser beams—are available to help take out larger enemies. Loot is limited to upgrades of existing weapons, armor, and abilities. Veterans of Mass Effect and new comers will find this new streamlined combat RPG a welcomed change from the usual bloated menu system and unsatisfying action segments.

Speaking of veterans, if you have completed the first Mass Effect your character and deeds will be transferred to the sequel. This is a fantastic feature that PC gamers may be familiar with, but the poor console folk rarely see. Bioware does an excellent job incorporating Shepards past actions. Major events like deaths and romantic involvements are an obvious must, but it’s the smaller touches that really enhance the experience. All of a sudden an NPC will come up to Shepard and praise/scold him for his past deeds. My personal favorite is the return of Conrad Verner. The single greatest achievement of this series is the continual development of this fictional galaxy. I can’t wait to see how my actions will affect the final installment.

As mentioned above the main plot, character growth, and writing reflect the quality you would expect from a Bioware game. I am, however, getting a little tired of the same old formula. The majority of quests involve gathering an elite team to take on a threat and save the galaxy. Each team member has a rich past that can be explored through various dialogue segments and one side mission critical to the teammate’s survival. In Mass Effect 2 the main hub for the beginning the quest is the Normandy. There are four levels each with their own load screen. If these issues are so dam important to the crew then why aren’t they coming up to the Capitan’s quarters? I don’t mind doing these quests, but this was the majority of the game. After gathering a team in the last dozen Bioware games it would be nice to have one ready to go with no side issues/quests. Just an open galaxy with various missions that aren’t necessarily related to anyone aboard the Normandy.

Mass Effect 2 is another great Bioware game with all the usual features. This is also one of their most polished games. Importing your character from the first game is simply awesome and enriches the fictional universe. Fans will be enthralled with the new combat system, but saddened by another round of boring planet exploration. Bioware veterans may also be getting sick of the same old formula, but let’s not kid ourselves. Until some other company comes up with something better Bioware will continue to sell and score well. Snerts Snazzy Score for Mass Effect 2 is a 4.8 out of 5.

Down Down Down the Ring of Fire

2010-03-02T09:08:00.000-08:00

Game: Dante’s Inferno

System: Xbox 360 & PS3

Release: January 2010

Dante’s Inferno is a God of War clone and proud of it. God of War is an action adventure hack/slash. Kratos is the main character, and his travels take us through all the major sites of Greek mythology. The combat helped to define a genre by including quick time events during cinematics and a solid combo system. Besides his main weapon Kratos uses magic, and he would have to solve the occasional puzzle. Replace Kratos with Dante, and Greek myth with Christian myth and you have Dante’s Inferno.

Dante’s Inferno (DI) is loosely based on the historic poem of the same name, and follows Dante’s decent into hell to save his dearest Beatrice. Unlike the poem Dante is an Italian crusader returning from the third crusades lead by Richard the Lionheart. Richard is the king that Robin Hood loves, but that is an entirely different story. Dante was a bad boy during his tour in the holy land. To show off his sins he made a tapestry and stitched the fabric to his chest. Unfortunately his wife and father wouldn’t be able to see his new found body art. They were murdered in their home, and the killer finished the job by stabbing Dante in the back.

Anyone who has played video games knows death is a joke, and DI takes that concept to heart. Apparently Dante is a super bad ass. He steals the infamous Scythe and kills Death. Not sure how a universe is suppose to go on without death, but who am I to judge? Armed with an unholy weapon Dante begins his decent into hell to save Beatrice who apparently made a deal with the devil. She bet her soul that Dante would be a good Christian during the Crusade—hahaha stupid girl. Nine circles of hell, and some obvious sequel foreshadowing, Dante absolves his sins to save his love.

Combat in DI is very similar to God of War. Dante wields the scythe mentioned above and a holy cross from his beloved Beatrice. The cross is a projectile attack, and the scythe can perform light, heavy, and throw moves. Magic is discovered in the game world—just like in GoW—or can be learned by gaining experience to purchase upgrades. Four spells can be equipped at one time, and are crucial to surviving the more difficult encounters. Dante will also find relics that enhance a wide variety of abilities. There are so many good relics that players can really customize a play through by focusing more on magic, defensive, or offensive combat.

DI has another unique feature that is not found in God of War. The upgrade system is divided into two groups unholy and holy. To level up Dante can either Punish or Absolve enemies and famous historical figures found in hell. I did enjoy absolving Atilla the Hun and damming the Queen of Troy. Unfortunately there is little incentive to punish anyone after unlocking all the unholy moves. You get more experience from absolving via a minigame, and these xp hubs do not affect the main story.
The last few things worth mentioning about DI are the art design and frame rate. The entire game runs at an average of 60fps. That is fantastic for this genre and creates smooth combat experiences. The art design is also well done. The environments are detailed and eye catching. You will never forget that you are in hell, yet each level has a distinct theme. The gluttony level has Dante traveling through demonic digestive system with vicious worms and hungry fat asses that try to eat you. The greed area has liquid hot gold to torture the damned. Visually the average enemies are nothing too special, but the numerous bosses are a hoot. The boss in the Circle of Lust has tongues for nipples, and Lucifer has cock and balls. Oh and encase you cared Satan’s package has physics.

The main campaign will take about eight hours. After completing the game a new mode called the Gates of Hell is unlocked. This is a series of challenges that were previewed in the games demo. For people who do not own a PS3, and will never own God of War III, Dante’s Inferno may be a good buy. There is plenty of fun to be had, and the art design is very appealing. I am also a history major and I thought the game captured the brutality of the crusades well. For Xbox 360 owners I’d recommend buying the game but don’t pay full price. PS3 peeps should just wait for God of War III, which is coming out in March. Snerts Snazzy Score grants Dante’s Inferno a 4 out of 5.

Co-Op ala Snerts

2010-01-11T18:36:00.000-08:00

Three of the most basic labels for a video game are single player, multiplayer (or versus), and co-op. In this post I will explore the evolution of cooperative gameplay through my own experiences. As a result the majority of the information will be focused on console gaming. To be clear, I am only referring to video games where two or more players take on AI opponents and challenges. Examples range from old school brawlers like Double Dragon, to sports games, to modern day first-person shooters like Left 4 Dead.

A unique human experience is produced when friends, or even strangers, work together to accomplish a common goal. Single player modes attempt to replicate the sensation with AI teammates. Rarely do these computer comrades generate the sensation mentioned above. Perhaps AI will eventually improve to the point where players can’t tell the difference, but currently this is not the case. Versus game modes often have teams, and can produce many of the same sensations as co-op. There is, however, something different when a team takes on human intelligence, and this is not the focus of the post.

During the 1980’s side scrollers were everywhere, and many of them supported two or more players. In the arcades, games like The Simpsons, X-Men, Metal Slug, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles drained my allowance each week. I would usually go to the local mall or 7-11 with my younger brother. We had fun playing fighters, racers, and other solo/versus games. Yet we always spent more on the games we could play together. Today those titles are the ones we reminiscent about. Playing as a team was more fun, and competing against enemy AI often allowed us to experience more of the game. This last point is crucial to understanding why cooperative gaming is so popular. The learning curve of a title is significantly diminished when there are two individuals instead of one, and the games opponents are not humans with greater experience/skill. This promotes accessibility, which among other things introduces unlikely or new individuals to video games.

The Sterns brothers gaming preferences swayed little when we got our first console—the Sega Genesis. Streets of Rage 2, Double Dragon, and more Ninja Turtles filled hundreds of hours with good times. Even Sonic 2 had an odd form of co-op, where the second player controls Tails. Although my brother found this situation less then ideal we often took advantage of the feature. Sonic 2 also illustrates another important factor in creating an engaging co-op experience. Each player has to feel needed. Tails had no camera control, and would frequently die if the player failed to keep up with Sonic. This is not an ideal situation in co-op gameplay.

The next few generations of consoles saw improvements to single player and versus game modes, but little innovation for co-op. From what I understand this was a result of technological limitations. I’ve seen the difficulties of a co-op mode in development while testing Mercenaries 2: World in Flames. The number of scenarios two humans can create within a game world is mind boggling. Combine this with the increased system demands of 3D games, and it’s easy to understand why late 1990’s and early 2000’s had few co-op titles.

Of course there are exceptions to every trend. Sports games have featured co-op gameplay for as long as I can remember. Of the top of my head the only team sports title I’ve played not supporting co-op was USSR v USA Hockey on the Commodore 64. It’s sadly ironic that I love co-op yet dislike the majority of sports games. PC also enjoyed some co-op action unknown to the console world. Diablo II featured some of the best social gaming the industry had to offer. I’m sure there were other co-op PC titles, but I was not fortunate enough to have a gaming PC at that point in history. So please leave a comment about your favorite co-op experience from a PC or sports game.

Console systems did not catch up to PC’s and sports titles until the release of Halo. Finally a console game that supports co-op, and it wasn’t a side scrolling brawler! It was a first person shooter. Play through after play through my brother and I marched our Spartans through waves of Covenant and Flood. Friends would come over to experience the sensation first hand, and most importantly fun was had by all. The game empowered both players, and encourage team work through a variety of scenarios. My favorite moments were driving the Warthog as my brother blasted away hostiles with the vehicles turret. Halo had other qualities that cemented its place in history, but co-op was the feature that extended its replay value—especially with no Xbox Live versus. After the release of Halo, the FPS genre became the kings of action co-op. The occasional exception pushed through, like Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory or X-men Legends, but for the most part console co-op was synonymous with FPS.

Chaos Theory deserves special recognition for it's revolutionary addition to the co-op genre. The stealth experience is unique and ridiculously fun. The fantastic level design demanded team work, and the vast array of gameplay mechanics increased the replay value significantly. My brother and I could go "balls to the walls" racking up four alarms and numerous kills in a matter of minutes. On the flip side we could be "sneaky," using stealth in a more defensive manner. I can't wait to play the latest addition to this game mode when Splinter Cell: Conviction is released.

The birth of a new console generation has led to a greater diversity in cooperative gameplay. Fable II is a non D&D RPG with co-op. I was utterly disappointed by its execution, but it did have the feature. The New Super Mario Bros Wii, and to a lesser extent The Simpsons Game, both feature platforming co-op. NSBW is a blast, and it's accessibility has drawn in a plethora of new gamers. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 will release with a two player mode. I’m very jealous of all those PS3 owners who get to experience the modern day take on the old school brawler. I do, however, have Castle Crashers. The Xbox Arcade game is an excellent tribute to the older arcade sensations that captured the essence of the co-op brawler. Even previously exclusive PC genres have made their impact on consoles. Borderlands is a Diablo II like party/loot RPG/FPS (woooh lots of slashes), and Army of Two borrows agro mechanics seen in MMORPG’s like World of Warcraft.

First-person shooters are still top dog of the co-op genre. Games like Halo 3/ODST, Modern Warfare 2, World at War, and Left 4 Dead continue to produce excellent co-op experiences. Left 4 Dead is especially important because it is a successful game that heavily focused on cooperative play. Nipping at the heels of FPS'ers are third person shooters. Gears of War 1 & 2, Mercenaries 2, and the upcoming Lost Planet sequel illustrate the lucrative vitality of co-op gaming.

As technology continues to improve cooperative gameplay will expand into previously unexplored territory. Four player, or more, shooters will become the standard not the exception. Brawlers will hopefully make a comeback—Batman and Robin: Arkham Asylum anyone—and sports/PC games will continue their consistent roles in cooperative gameplay. PC’s will undoubtedly be the most innovative especially with the growth of social games on networks like Facebook. All in all the future looks bright for one of the Sterns brothers favorite past times.

This post is a Featured Blog on Gamasutra.

A Blatant Cure for Hardcore Motion Sickness

2010-01-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

E3 2009 cemented motion technology as the new evolutionary step in video games. Nintendo was the first to realize the new products potential on the Wii, and is continually attempting to release innovative games. Tittles like Wii Sports and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 have helped nurture the previously small casual group into the biggest potential market in the industries history. The system is fantastic family or party entertainment that just about anyone can enjoy—well almost anyone.

For the most part, hardcore gamers have ignored the Wii and motion technology. When you go past all the internet noise, and look at the root of the issue, hardcore gamers simply haven’t found that fun title. The hook that guarantees a games place in history, and makes nerds everywhere cheer. The classic example is Goldeneye and Halo’s effect on console first-person shooters. Now Microsoft and Sony are entering the motion controller era to claim their piece of the pie. Will Sony’s wands or Project Natal create that key game to usher in the hardcore market? Maybe even merge casual with hardcore like the music game phenomenon Rock Band or Guitar Hero.

To accomplish the mythical goal I just made up developers need to successfully transfer established genres over to motion tech. With Sony and Microsoft entering the market more developers should be brainstorming. Unlike Nintendo, the hardcore consoles know how to utilize third party companies. The fact that Valve is interested in developing games for Natal is a good sign for FPS. EA’s accomplishments in sports games will hopefully continue with innovative new releases on the 360 and PS3 (something more then roster updates). Action and hack/slash titles are another natural fit for motion tech. The Force Unleashed was a blast on Wii, but there always can be improvements. I would love to see Team Ninja or Ninja Theory take on a hack and slash title. Any fan of a specific genre should be able to imagine a game using motion technology. Project Natal doesn’t even use a controller! How cool would it be to play and RTS with verbal and physical commands?

The hardcore market will eventually submit as more and more companies experiment with motion technology. People will still complain, especially on the internet, but a small chunk of that noise is stubbornness. You can teach an old dog a new trick, but it takes time. As more open minded gamers discover the yet to be produced mega hit motion technology will become another established genre in its own right. I’m not suggesting the traditional game pad will disappear. I’m merely talking about an exciting new chapter in the history of video games.

2D Mario is My Kind of Mario

2010-01-08T22:23:00.000-08:00

Games: New Super Mario Bros

Systems: DS & Wii

Release: May 2006 (DS) November 2009 (Wii)

Who doesn’t have a soft spot for Mario? The little red plumber saved the video game industry back in the 1980’s, and the simplistically profound gameplay continues to entertain people across the world. I’m personally not a fan of many of the 3D Mario games, but that is my own overly biased opinion—like most things on this blog. The 2D adventures, however, always seem to scratch my platforming itch. This post will attempt to compare and contrast the DS and Wii versions of New Super Mario Bros.

What they have in common?

To state the obvious both versions feature a classic 2Dish Mario adventure. I say 2Dish because art style is semi 3D, but all the gameplay feels 2D. The result is small yet satisfying upgrade to the SNES or NES version. Addictive music complements the improved graphical presentation. The music even affects the in-game world. Items and enemies will dance to the beat, and occasionally throw your perfect jump off target—with deadly consequences.

Like every other Mario game the Princess is captured, and the protagonist must travel through eight magical worlds to save her. The standard order—grass fields, desert, snow, water, forest, mountain/bullet bill, cloud, lava—applies to both games, but each provide unique level designs that fit the different game mechanics. Both rely on the classic power ups like Star, Fire Flower, and Mushroom. They also have the Mini Mushroom, which shrinks Mario to a microscopic size. This allows him to run on water, moon jump, and enter small pipes that often lead to secret areas. Regular sized Mario has also learned some new moves. The wall jump and butt slam mechanic allow designers to put new spins on classic Mario levels.

Wii

I’m starting with the Wii for one simple reason. It has the most features. This is a result of the superior tech power of a console over a handheld. There is also a three year difference in release dates. I wouldn’t hesitate to call the Wii version a sequel of the DS game. The most notorious and news worthy addition is four player co-op. Four people on one screen can play any level at the same time. When I first heard this it sounded like a boat load of fun, but be warned. Team work is a must. Collision is abundant, meaning each player can jump of the other. Imagine leaping over a gap only to have your “teammate” bonk you on the head—with deadly consequences. Players can also pick up, eat, and injure teammates with shell like projectiles. Things aren’t all bad. The A button is a virtual safety net. If you press it your character is put in a bubble. As long as one player is not bubbled the game will continue. Overall this mode is ridiculously fun to play with friends.

Each Mario game has a unique power up. Amazingly the most simplistic idea seems the most brilliant. The opposite of fire is frost. Give Mario a frost flower to freeze enemies and extinguish fire. That’s not good enough. Fine, try a Penguin suite. Now Mario can slide on his belly to take out enemies too. Both these mechanics are as fun as a midget clown fighting a monkey on a trampoline. Of course Mario has to have a flying feature, and the Helicopter Helm fills that role. Shaking the Wii controller will result in an upward twirl. It’s no raccoon tail but it will do.

The final three elements that make the Wii version unique are Yoshi, Koopalings, and mini games. I love Yoshi and he is not present in the DS game. This makes me a sad gamer. Mini games, however, are present in both games, but the Wii version is completely in-game. Players/teams can go into mushroom huts to gain power ups and 1ups. The power ups can be applied on the map screen before entering a level. This is a great feature that allows Mario to start a difficult level properly equipped. Finally there are many villains on the Wii. Browser is accompanied by the Koopalings from Mario 3, and an oddball witch who really makes the last boss fight interesting.

Ok I lied. There are two more secrets worth mentioning. If you complete the first eight worlds a ninth opens up. To play the levels on the special secret Star World you have to collect all the Star Coins from each world. I have only unlocked the first level, and man is it crazy fun. I can only imagine at this point what the other levels have in store. If you can’t complete the game, then don’t fret. There are in-game video guides to illustrate the proper path. This is a great addition to aide the casual gamer through harsh terrain.

DS

There isn’t much to report at this point in the post. The DS version offers one significant power up not found on the Wii. This is the Giant Mushroom. Mario turns into Godzilla, or shall I say Marzilla, destroying everything in his path. The more devastation distributed the more lives awarded at the end of the rampage. Good times. Another unique feature is the power up system. Any extra power up collected can be stored on the bottom screen to be distributed at any moment during a level. The last element worth mention is the DS lacks many of the mini-games found in the Wii version, but offers a series of casual games unrelated to the main campaign.

Conclusion

Don’t let the small DS section fool you. Both of the New Super Mario Bros are excellent games. I haven’t had this much fun with Mario since the 80’s. An outstanding 5 out of 5 is Snerts Snazzy Score. May Nintendo never run out of creative juices.

Zombie Brians with Grits and Sweet Tea

2010-01-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

Game: Left 4 Dead 2

System: Xbox 360 & PC

Release: November 2009

Left 4 Dead was a nice change of pace for the FPS genre. It introduced a frantically fun experience centered on four player co-op. Players were even allowed the opportunity to take on the role of a zombie (aka infected) in a revolutionary versus mode. In short L4D was an awesome unique experience that any fan of zombies or first person shooters could appreciate. Check out my previous review for more details about the first game.

When Valve announced a sequel many fans became angry and went to their ultimate source of venting—the internet. Some even went so far as to start/organize a boycott. I don’t agree with the boycott on principle, but I do understand where the hate is coming from. L4D was light on content, and many believed Valve would continue to release new DLC packs. This wasn’t some imaginary assumption made by a nerd in some basement back east. No. This was what Valve stated, and many (including myself) felt ripped off. This feeling was intensified for console gamers, which lacks the supportive community found on the PC. In hind sight, I should not have purchased L4D and saved my money for the complete experience that is L4D2.

The sequel has everything the original had and more. New weapons, characters, maps, enemies, and equipment create a similar yet different experience. The most obvious difference for weapons is the inclusion of melee. Wield everything from an electric guitar to a katana, and slice n’ dice your way to safety. This new feature is ridiculously fun adding an extra layer of combat to the already solid formula. Guns have also seen an improvement with both selection and performance. The same types—shotgun, smg, assault rifle, hunting rifle, and pistol—exist throughout the game, but there is a greater variety. Pistols, for example, include the traditional 9mm along with the new magnum. Assault rifles include AK47, a three round burst rifle, and the old school M16. The final addition to weapons is special ammo. Incendiary and frag bullets add some extra punch to help players survive this zombie apocalypse. Speaking of survivors, there are four new characters to choose from. Just like the first game, each character fulfils a stereotype. There is little to no developed back story. The only window into their personalities is the various one liners stated throughout the game. At first I was sad not to see the original cast, but they simply didn’t fit the setting. The game takes place in the southern United States and including characters from that region helps develop the atmosphere. Another aspect that improves the immersion factor is continuality between campaigns. The first game had four separate stories with no connection between them other then the characters. The sequel denotes a steady progression from Savannah to New Orleans. Each opening connects to the previous campaign events to their current situation. This seems very small on paper, but is vital to creating an engaging believable world.

The South seems to have had a peculiar effect on the infected. They’ve evolved again into three new types: Charger, Jockey, and Spitter. The first infected mentioned should be pretty self explanatory. Chargers charge grabbing one survivor to pummel while knocking the rest back like bowling pins. Jockey’s are the little brother of hunters. They leap onto survivors, but instead of pinning them, they take control of their movements. This is quite deadly especially near ledges and witches. The final new infected is also self describing. Spitters spit a coercive green goop that spreads across the ground on contact. Killing the Spitter will result in a smaller pool of acid spilling from the corpse. All three new infected throw any L4D vet a curve ball, and really supports the idea of a true sequel. For fans of the first game don’t fret. The original infected squad is still present. Players simply get more zombie action with the sequel.

L4D2—and no that’s not an older model of R2D2—include new game modes like Survival, Scavenge, and Realism. Survival was seen in the DLC content of the first game, but was absent from my previous review. Like Halo: ODST’s firefight, or Gears of Wars horde mode, players will face infinite waves of zombies. The game ends when all the survivors are dead. Scavenge takes the first campaigns finally and turns into a separate game type. Like versus mode, players group up into two teams—infected and survivors. The later attempts to collect gas cans for a get away vehicle while the former attempts to eat their brains. This mode is short yet sweet, and allows players to get the versus experience without going through an hour plus campaign. The final new mode is Realism. This limits the games HUD, decreases body damage against infected, and players use the new defibrillator to revive teammates. This mode can be played on any difficulty, and adds a bit of variety to a repetitious game.

Even if you doubted Valve’s ability to make a genuine sequel, and not an over budget expansion pack, you should give Left 4 Dead 2 a chance. The major changes listed above are just the tip of the ice berg. Many smaller features like improved death animations for infected, day time events, and weather effects are akin to frosting on a cake—it makes a good thing that much better. If you are lucky enough to have a choice, then pick this game up for PC. It will be cheaper, and have more support from the community and developers then the Xbox 360. Regardless, any gamer who enjoyed the original will love the sequel. Snerts Snazzy Score grants this title a reputable 4.8 out of 5. Just like their advertisements say L4D2 has, “New Friends. More Zombies. Better Apocalypse.”

Call of Duty 6: Return of the Cold War

2009-12-16T19:36:00.000-08:00

Game: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Release: November 2009

The Call of Duty (COD) series is arguably the biggest franchise in FPS history. On the console systems alone, there have been six iterations with a seventh in development. The series is getting so big that they ditched the traditional numbering system. COD: Modern Warfare 2 is technically Call of Duty 6, but the plot is continued from COD 4: Modern Warfare 1. COD: World at War, also known as COD 5, deals with the traditional subject matter of the series (World War II), and thankfully doesn’t attempt some sort of Assassin Creed like time traveling to connect the two eras. So it appears that COD tittles that don’t deal with WWII get their own numbering system and we should all go cover up the “4” on our old copy of Modern Warfare 1. If any of that made any sense, then odds are you’re a gamer who follows the news. For the rest of you, just know that there are a lot of Call of Duty games, and Activision is having a hard time numbering them all.

Despite the numerically challenged publisher the series has out-shined the competition since 2003—with the exception of the bastard middle child COD3. Everything about the game screams quality, and the Metacritc average score is always in the 80s or 90s. Modern Warfare 2 continues this trend with intense action, solid gameplay, and a robust multiplayer. The title has everything from the first Modern Warfare. So re-read my review if you want to get the basic details. I’m moving on to the sexy new features.

One of my biggest complaints regarding Modern Warfare was the lack of coop. This time around Infinity Ward (IW) gives us a coop mode called Special Ops, but it is separate from the main story. The game mode is basically a series of challenges that can be completed with another person. Each mission is unique with a nice blend of objectives ranging from stealth to all out assault. Special Ops is a blast, but it is far from the awesome coop experience seen in other series like Halo. So once again IW, where is my four player coop?

Perhaps the developers thought the fantastic multiplayer experience would make up for the lacking coop. They’re probably right. The leveling system returns in Modern Warfare 2, and it’s better then ever. New kill streak rewards have been added like Predator Missiles, EMP blast, and the game winning Tactical Nuke. Players can even take the gunner seat as their attack helicopter circles around the battlefield. These rewards are unlocked as you level, and only three can be equipped at a time. For those gamers who suck there are also death streak rewards. This is a nice addition for a popular game that will surely have a large handful of unskilled players named Rubber 008 needing a boost. Think we are done with the new multiplayer stuff, well think again. Modern Warfare 2 adds personal customization to more then just weapons. Players can unlock and select a title and emblem. The title has a catch phrase like “Mad Bomber” with a matching background, and the emblem is the equivalent of an avatar picture. This cosmetic addition seems minor, but adds that extra layer of depth that keeps a game interesting.

The final additions worth mentioning are the boat load of new perks, challenges, attachments, weapons, and equipment. I could go on listing them all, but that would be tediously boring. Suffice to say there are enough additions to warrant mentioning them, and IW did more then copy and paste what worked from the first Modern Warfare.

One would assume with the addition of a coop mode, and the enhancement of an already fantastic multiplayer, Modern Warfare 2’s campaign would follow suit and be bigger and better then before. Well not exactly. The first Modern Warfare had many compelling events not seen in the traditional FPS. Modern Warfare 2 does offer plenty of scenarios where you are not shooting, but only the action scenes are fun. The story driven moments are lack luster. During the opening credits of Modern Warfare 1 you take on the POV of the overthrown president as he is being escorted to his execution. This was a fantastic and original scene that created a unique experience. I felt powerless to stop what was happening, and seeing the country in ruins added to the sensation that something horrible was about to happen. The new game offers a controversial level as a CIA spy who infiltrates a terrorist group. You walk amongst the bad guys as they massacre a Russian airport, and at the end you are shot dead by the terrorist leader. Big whoop-de-do. Killing civilians has been around since Grand Theft Auto, and unless they are personalized no one will care outside the ravenous mainstream media. Another great moment from the first game was the nuke scene. I thought it was original and the surprise of the situation made it engaging. In Modern Warfare 2 the nuke scene is recreated from a different perspective. The player takes control of an astronaut who sees a nuke go off and then is destroyed with the space station. The astronaut isn’t even named, and there is nothing to make his/her death meaningful.

The first game also had a story that could easily fit into current events. Modern Warfare 2 attempts to recreate this excellent feature, but sometimes trying is the first step towards failure. I was going along fine with the plot until the war between the USA and Russia kicked off. There is no *beeping* way that Russia would invade the United States without some series back up. I could see a joint invasion with China, Japan, India, and maybe some other countries, but one nation simply doesn’t have enough resources to take the USA down alone.I am also curious as to how Russia got all their equipment over two oceans undetected and how they came up with the military power to fight a two front war. Even if an invasion landed there would be a local resistance from the citizens of the USA. This country has more police, gangs, and guns then any other nation on the planet. Why wasn’t there a scenario where you interact with local resistance to take back Washington D.C.? Then there is the issue of race and gender. How hard would it have been to include women and Asian-Americans? They don’t have to be playable characters, but going around a military base and only seeing male whites, blacks, and Hispanics is pathetic. Finally the rest of the world wouldn’t allow a war between the USA and Russia due to the economic interdependence of the modern world. NATO and other allies were completely ignored in Modern Warfare 2. Infinity Ward should have taken notes from Tom Clancy, and whoever has the hard on for Cold War conflicts should wake up—the 80s are over. If the title of your game has the word “modern,” then it would be nice to have a plot and characters based on events that have taken place within the last five years.

Do not be dismayed from the above rant. Modern Warfare 2 is a fantastic game worth every penny. The fact that I spent most this review nitpicking the plot instead of the game denotes how awesome it really is. This is one of those games that define a genre. As of this article, over six million copies have been sold. Can six million players really be wrong? Snerts Snazzy Score grants Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 an outstanding 4.9 out of 5. The campaign needed to be longer with a better plot, and the Special Ops would have been even more awesome with four players. These complaints, however, are overshadowed by the best FPS multiplayer experience of 2009.

I’m Too Sexy for My Game

2009-11-29T15:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Kotaku posted the article Their Bodies Our Games. The subject of the piece is Massively’s Seraphina Brennan opinion on gender physique in video games. She mentions how the most common complaint denotes the representation of women but not men. She questions why there are not more complaints about the shallow muscle bound heroes who apparently insult men everywhere. Apparently there are not enough Mario’s in the video game world.

“While our interactive media may have started with a slightly overweight plumber as the titular hero, we've certainly turned to making sure all of our character models feature strong, burly, and oversexed men who's muscles can give a woman's breasts a run for their money. I mean, look at World of Warcraft, for example — a game that we normally don't consider sexually charged. How realistic is their depiction of men compared to the average guy?”
So I guess most guys don’t have buns of steel and more abdominal definition then Superman. Is this something to be upset about? Should men start lobbying developers to include more variety? Maybe, but I have my doubts. The stereotypical hero has been around since dawn of written history. Giligamesh is not depicted as a skinny boy or fat guy. That is not to say protagonists aren’t as thin as Jesus, or lack the jolly gut of Santa Clause. It simply indicates that the popular depiction of men as muscle bound handsome heroes has withstood the powerful test of time. Do not expect such a force to lose its appeal with the creation of new entertainment medians.

To be clear, I am not stating that all males should fit a stereotypical physique in video games. Variety is the spice of life, and there have been a handful of very successful characters that break the mold. The easiest examples are fighting games like Street Fighter—E. Honda and Dalsiem. The same can not be said for women. I am hard press to come up with any video game women who are not sexy in some way. Even female monsters have a strange appeal. If anyone knows a game with a less sexualized women, besides Fat Princess, then please let me know.

Sex, however, is not the only trait female protagonist represents. According to Brennan, “While VG women certainly may have overblown proportions and tight clothing, many of them aren’t exactly weak or stupid.” This I agree with completely and I would like to dub this idea the Wonder Women Scenario. Women in video games have taken up a cornucopia of roles that depict power. In Dragon Age: Origins, for example, they are depicted as high priests, queens who rule without kings, powerful mages, and skilled combatants. That doesn’t mean the disgust some women feel is nullified. All the women in Dragon Age have an hourglass figure—even the dwarves—and all female demons are topless with nipple jewelry. Until video games start producing a broader representation of the female form there will continue to be valid criticisms from various parties.

The big question going forward is will games illustrating non-traditional gender physique sell? Unfortunately I don’t think many studios will give the idea a decent college try. The industry is notorious for sticking to what makes money. The likely hood of a dramatic change diminishes with the majority of gamers—both consumer and developer—being males between the ages of 17-35. There is also the recession factor. A more likely scenario is gradual change as more women start playing and developing video games. Things will move even more slowly for the representation of men. I can’t think of any “masculinists” out there willing to fight the good fight. Regardless it will be interesting to observe the continual evolution of fictional entertainment in western society.

Bioware Has Done It Again

2009-11-27T17:04:00.000-08:00

Game: Dragon Age Origins

System: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Release: November 2009

Dragon Age: Origins is another fantastic rpg from Bioware. This time the development team has set aside the far reaches of space and returned to the land of Tolkein like fantasy. So if you’re looking for another KOTOR forget, and if you want another adventure with Commander Shepard then you best wait to next year. If, however, you want an epic fantasy that will suck you in for hundreds of hours, then look no further.

One of the first things players will notice about Dragon Age is the vast selection of origin stories. There are a total of six starting zones that differ significantly and affect certain scenarios throughout the game. Players can choose their gender, race, background, and class. The races are as basic as it gets with the human, dwarf, and elf trio. In this fantasy land called Ferelden humans rule all, and they are their usual greedy arrogant selves. They are also very religious following their Christian like belief via the Chantry. There is only one background story for the human race involving nobility, but I have yet to play through that opening. Dwarves have their own kingdom, but are constantly warring with themselves and the Darkspawn—evil orc like creatures. There are two starting areas for dwarfs that resemble the classic tale The Prince and the Pauper. The elves are the least prosperous of the races. They are either ex-slaves trying to get by in the city slums, or nomadic Dalish elves who attempt to bring back the glory days. Each of these lifestyles represents the starting areas for elves. The final background story is not dictated by race, but by class. All mages begin at the Circle of the Magi; a school/penitentiary for all law abiding mages.

The other two classes in Dragon Age are Warrior and Rogue. Some may criticize Bioware for being so generic, but I personally found the common terminology a relief. I’ve memorized enough useless information in my life, and the last thing I need is another term for armored badass who swings giant weapons to kill things. Anyone familiar with Dungeons and Dragons or World of Warcraft will quickly realize the proper roles for each class. Mages and Rogues are support and damage classes while the Warrior is an agro hogging meat shield. There is no all powerful class, and each has its own unique advantages/experiences. The combat is set around a squad of four so pick your favorite class for the main character. By the time you finish up the first segment of the game you will have a rogue, warrior, and mage to party up with.
Customization is the name of the game in Dragon Age. After selecting their gender, race, background, and class players get to shape their hero to their liking. The same facial customization features used from Mass Effect are found in Dragon Age. Now players can create ugly dwarfs and elves in addition to humans. There are also voice options that dictate basic battle chatter for your main character. This is a great feature, but sadly pales in comparison to Mass Effect which has voice acting for the main character—something rarely seen in rpgs of this nature. In addition to basic looks and class talents players are allowed to customize characters with specializations. There are four for each class, and they have to be unlocked through quests and in-game books. Once a specialization is discovered it becomes available across all playthroughs. Each build plays differently and unlocks unique abilities. Rogues, for example, can become Duelists/Assassins who focus on melee combat, or Bards/Rangers that better compliment an archery build. This extra layer of customization improves replay value, and overall enjoyment of the game.

Sticking to the fundamentals is the middle name of the game for Dragon Age. Like other Bioware titles the writing and gameplay are familiar and solid. Every bit of dialogue or text is entertaining to absorb. The plot is generic but it works. There are also dozens of hard choices and adult scenarios throughout the game. Sometimes you’ll be stuck with a bad or worse decision. SPOILER START—During one quest you get to pick between the life of the mother or child.—END SPOILER These aren’t your cookie cutter good or bad scenario. You’ll be forced to make tough decisions that may not sit well with your high morals—if that’s the type of role playing you enjoy. Your companions will also judge your actions harshly, and if they disapprove significantly they’ll leave. When I went through the game as a big jerk I ended up with only six out of nine teammates.

Gameplay is very similar to Mass Effect and KOTOR. Combat is in real time, but can be paused at any moment to dictate a characters next move. It is essential to figure out proper tactics for each class. The default AI is pretty dumb, but can be molded into a brilliant fighter. As mentioned early each class has their own role or style of play. Melee Rogues should always attempt to backstab opponents. Mages work best from a distance, and warriors charge into battle. There isn’t anything new to combat in Dragon Age, but everything is done well.

Bioware manages to uphold their awesome reputation for great writing and solid gameplay. They also, unfortunately, continue to release games full of bugs. So I guess you can say, shipping a game with numerous bugs is the last name of the game. Throughout your adventures in Ferelden an observant player will notice numerous art issues. Clothing textures disappear frequently around the neck and shoulder. Fingers lack collision and magically phase through forearms. The level of detail, or LOD, is also sporadic with backgrounds suddenly popping in and out. In addition, cut scenes will repeat themselves if a player interacts with a NPC before the proper script is triggered. The quest helping the templar in the Alienage orphanage being the worst offender. Audio bugs are also an issue. There is more then one occasion where the dialogue cuts out, and with no subtitles on you tend to miss important information. Finally each playthrough has resulted in at least one progression stopper. These issues are not enough to discourage purchasing this game, but they are an unwelcome distraction.

Hundreds upon hundreds of hours can be spent playing this game. There are numerous possibilities for each scenario, and character customization is gynormous. The combat is solid and the writing fantastic. Bioware has released the quintessential fantasy rpg for this generation of consoles. Take away the bugs and this game receives a perfect score. Unfortunately I can’t simply ignore so many small issues, and as a result Snerts Snazzy Score grants Dragon Age Origins a respectable 4.6 out of 5.

Tell Me A Story...

2009-10-31T13:23:00.000-07:00

Throughout the history of this blog I have been diligent with my video game reviews. There has been, however, a severe shortage of previews and opinion pieces. Sure there have been a couple posts—see “Tope Five Most Wanted 2008” and “The Overly Biased Top Five Favorite Multiplayer Oldschool Brawlers”—but nothing substantial. It’s time to stop this trend and get on with some opinions. Maybe I’ll even go that extra mile and scrounge up some previews. Maybe.

Stories and games go hand in hand. Duh what about Tetris? Yes. There are exceptions smart ass, but the majority of games attempt to tell a story. How the plot is presented has been a popular discussion amongst the gaming community for both developers and consumers. Reading various articles from Gamasutra.com, and to a lesser extent sites like Kotaku, IGN, and 1UP, I’ve seen two popular sides emerge. On one end of the table is the traditional cut-scene. These usually occur before or after a major event in the story or level. The player looses control of their character(s), and the game swings into a presentation that mimics film. These scenes are often enhanced with improved graphics, and scenarios that can not be experienced through normal gameplay. Examples of games with cut scenes are numerous: Ninja Gaiden, God of War, Halo, Red Alert, Final Fantasy, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Mario, Zelda—the list goes on and on.

Sitting on the opposite end of the table are those in favor of in-game-story-telling. This method delivers all dialogue and major events in game. The player usually has some control of their character(s) the entire time. A popular example of this mechanic is Half-Life 2. Other games that employ this technique are Bioshock, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, L4D, COD: Modern Warfare, and Splinter Cell. In-game dialogue has gained popularity for a good reason. The presentation style rarely impedes the players’ interaction with the game world. This often improves the immersion factor, and strengthens character development. For some studios this technique can also be a money saver by eliminating the need to hire an outside business to create a cut scene.

So what’s better in-game-story-telling or cut scenes? Like many issues people fall on all sides. I personally land somewhere in the middle. Both of these techniques have valid pros and cons. Cut scenes can provide beautiful animated moments that get me pumped and ready to play. I still get goose bumps when I watch the Blizzard cinematic for World of Warcraft or Diablo II. Even a game with a horrible plot like Ninja Gaiden can employ cut scenes as a nice visual pleasing break form the intense action. If, however, cut scenes are executed poorly gamers will find themselves frantically pressing buttons to pass by the garbage and get back to having fun. The same theory of poor execution can be tied to in-game-story-telling. When done right this technique improves player immersion and character development. I don’t believe any of the games that I mentioned early would have had the same impact without in-game-story-telling.

When done properly both presentation methods can deliver fantastic stories and experiences. Combine the two and get the best of both worlds. Most recently, but not exclusively, I experienced this with Batman Arkham Asylum. Right from the start the game blends cut scenes with in-game-story-telling brilliantly. The game begins with a visual rich short video consisting of Batman driving the Joker to Arkham. Once they arrive the interaction kicks in. Players must escort Joker to his cell. While moving the Batman about players are treated with tons of visual and audio moments. This blended style of cut scene and in-game-story-telling continues throughout the game. So can’t we gamers have our cake and eat it too?

Even with my preference of a blended presentation I understand the need to evaluate these methods on a game by game basis. There is also the other side of the puzzle—good writing and cinematic direction. If these factors are lacking in quality, then overall presentation will be monotonous despite the technique employed. That correlation, however, is another topic for another time.

This post is a Featured Blog on Gamasutra.

Batman Arkham Asylum

2009-10-24T14:04:00.001-07:00

Game: Batman Arkham Asylum

System: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Release: August 2009

Batman Arkham Asylum is the best Batman game in existence. Much like the Wolverine title I reviewed, this game succeeds in making the player feel like one of the worlds most famous superheroes. Batman has gadgets, he kicks ass in a fist fight, and he can lurk in the shadows to surprise enemies. What more could a fan ask for? How about having the voiceovers performed by the same cast who did the 1990’s animated series? That’s right my friends Mark Hamill is back as the Joker! This time the fight is not on the streets of Gotham. Arkham Asylum has been taken over by the Clown Prince of Crime and only Batman can stop him. Joker, however, is not alone. He has recruited some of the top super villains at Arkham. The Cape Crusader will have to deal with the likes of Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Bane, and of course Harley Quinn. Does Batman have what it takes to save the day? Sure he does…he’s Batman! The journey, however, is the real adventure. I’m not going to spoil this plot, but trust me it fits like a glove.

To complement the fantastic story, and beautiful graphical presentation, Batman Arkham Asylum offers four major gameplay features. First up is brawling. When facing unarmed thugs Batman can throw together counters and punches for brutal combos. Land enough sequential hits and he does critical damage/special moves. The combat is very smooth and satisfying. It also gets better with more enemies. Taking on twenty guys at once is enthralling—not to mention badass!

The second major gameplay feature is stealth. Batman can’t take a bullet to the dome so when the thugs are armed he goes silent. Swinging from gargoyle to gargoyle Batman can isolate his enemies and take them out one by one. A great move is the vertical take down. Batman hangs from a gargoyle until a thug is underneath him. With the press of a button he zips down grabbing the thug. He then wraps a rope around his leg and lets him hang. There are a host of other toys/moves that help Batman isolate enemies and navigate through Arkham.

The final two features are exploration and detective work. The Riddler has hidden numerous secrets across the island. Batman will have to use all his gadgets—Batclaw, Grappling Hook, Explosive gel, etc.—to solve these riddles. To help himself out he can also turn on detective mode which highlights objects he can interact with. It also illustrates all enemies in the area, and points out vital clues to main objectives. If it wasn’t for the top notch graphical presentation I would have left detective mode on for the entire game.

What’s that? Not convinced that this is the best Batman game ever. Well Mr. you have some nerve. Ok fine. What if I tell you about challenge mode? That’s right. If you are bored with the main campaign you can take on stealth or brawler challenges. Complete them with the highest score (brawler) or fastest time (stealth) and post your victory on the leaderboards for all to see. I am hooked on the brawler challenge that sends infinite waves of thugs to take Batman down.

Batman Arkham Asylum is everything I could ask for in a Batman game. The story is just about perfect, the gameplay is smooth, and most importantly fun. The presentation is top of the line, and the challenge modes will keep on coming thanks to DLC packs. Snerts Snazzy Score grants this game a perfect score: 5 out of 5.

Brutal Legend

2009-10-24T11:57:00.001-07:00

Game: Brutal Legend

System: Xbox 360, PS3

Release: ROCKtober 2009

Brutal Legend is a tough game to categorize. On the one hand it is an open world action/adventure game. Players drive around a huge expansive landscape while fending off attacks from enemy factions or wild panthers with laser beam eyes. (That’s right. There are panthers that shoot lasers from their eyeballs!) On the other hand Brutal Legend is an RTS. During “Stage Battles” players summon and command a small army to victory. So I guess the game can be categorized as an Action/Adventure/Open World/RTS. Wow that’s a few more slashes then usual.

Originally all the categories made me nervous. So many games attempt to be a jack of all trades, but end up being a master of none. Thankfully this is not the case with Brutal Legend. The Scrum production process employed by Double Fine—and should be used by all developers—ensured that each section of the game got the attention it needed. The action moves are solid, driving around the open world is fantastic, and the stage battles are fun and easy to manage. There is even an excellent story to tie all theses features together.

Players take on the role of Eddie Riggs. He is the ultimate roadie who is disgusted with what has happened to Heavy Metal. He dislikes the Linkin Park like state of rock, but he still does his job—to ensure the fans get a good show from the group on stage. During a show the stage collapses on him spilling blood into his belt buckle. This so happens to be a magical belt buckle that awakens an ancient god who teleports Eddie to a Land of Metal.

As soon as Eddie wakes up there are dudes out to kill him. So in self defense he picks up a giant axe and magical guitar. This also introduces players to the basic action segments of the game. Wielding the axe allows Eddie to hack, slash, and block his way to victory. When playing the guitar Eddie can attack using lightening and fire. He can also perform bitchin solos that produce a variety of results. Solos can summon a burning zeppelin that crashes to the ground, or melt the faces off your enemies. They also interact with environments and help Eddie command his army during stage battles.

The first solo in the game summons the Deuce. This is the car Eddie uses to travel about this fantasy land of Heavy Metal. He uses the car to escape the army of bad guys who have been trying to kill him since he arrived. With the help of the female protagonist—Ophelia—Eddie is filled in on all the latest gossip. Apparently humans are slaves, and demons control everything. There is, however, some hope. Eddie’s love of Heavy Metal has given him the knowledge and ability to unlock this lands secret magical power. Combine this with an army, and humans have a fighting chance.

The first handful of missions involves recruiting an army. Eddie finds head banging dudes, gun touting chicks, and a gang of healing bassist. Each mission is heavy on the action adventure, and also opens up the world for exploration and side quests. The unlockables discovered throughout the world will either power up Eddie, or tell an interesting tale detailing the history of this fantasy land. The handful of side quests are fun, but can get a bit tedious by the end of the game. Eddie either shoots, ambushes, races, hunts, or marks targets for mortar fire. My personal favorites were the races and hunting missions. I found the rewards very useful and fun.

Once players have completed some side quests and recruited some soldiers the RTS side of the game kicks in. Stage Battles pit band against band. The goal is to recruit enough fans to build an army, capture key points, and destroy the enemy’s stage. To capture a point players must destroy all near by enemies, and Eddie performs a solo to build a merchandise booth—fans like T-shirts! Each merch booth increases the accumulation of fans. The more fans you have the faster you can build an army to capture more merch booths and destroy the other bands stage.

During these battles players control Eddie. He still has all his usual moves, which can be utilized to help his summoned army. Melting the faces off of the enemy infantry can really turn the tide. Solo’s are also used to buff and dictate orders to units. To facilitate controlling your army Eddie is given the power of flight. This allows him to zip across the battle field and command numerous squads. Eddie is defiantly the most powerful during Stage Battles.

After completing the first Stage Battle against a boss the game settles into a rinse and repeat pattern. This isn’t bad because each repeat is in a different area with new recruits and enemies. Oh how I loved the Kiss Army recruits. Sexy Amazon Kiss girls that ride large fire breathing beasts are always welcomed. The new areas also introduce more of the same side quests and unlockables. Eventually Eddie and his crew fight there way to the doorstep of the evil emperor Doviculus for a final show down.

The story for Brutal Legend works well with the universe and has an all star cast. Jack Black voices Eddie, and he is joined by Ozzy Osbourne, Tim Curry, Kyle Gass, David Cross, Steve Agee, Brian Posehn, and more. The plot is cliché and predictable, but it is done well. The characters are well developed, the writing is good, and there are plenty of twists and funny moments. The world is also engrossing with outstanding visuals and a nice variety of environments. Finally Brutal Legend delivers numerous games into one package. It is rare to find one game where you can race, shoot, hack/slash, explore, and control an army. There is even an RTS multiplayer mode. Take on human opponents in a Stage Battle to find out who has the best Rock crew. All in all Brutal Legend is a fantastic game with few faults and tons of content. Snerts Snazzy Score grants this video game an impressive 4.8 out of 5.

Halo: ODST

2009-10-07T00:35:00.000-07:00

Game: Halo 3 ODST

System: Xbox 360

Release: September 2009

Halo: ODST is the latest FPS game from Bungie and Microsoft. This game package includes a new campaign, new co-op multiplayer mode called Firefight, and a separate disc containing all the maps and modes from the traditional Halo 3 multiplayer. The Halo 3 MP disc also contains three new levels with my personal favorite Heretic—a remake of the Halo 2 map Midship.

Unlike other Halo games, and as the title implies, users do not play as the Master Chief. Instead of the juiced up cyborg fans can take on the role of the hardcore Orbital Drop Shock Trooper. The plot takes place during Halo 2, and literally begins during the slip space jump the Prophet Regret and Master Chief take to Delta Halo. During the orbital drop the shockwave from the space cruisers knocks the Rookie off course separating the new protagonist from his squad. After the intense opening cinematic the game falls into a routine of open city and flashbacks.

The main objective for the Rookie is to link up with his squad. Roaming the dark streets of New Mombassa players can engage or sneak past Covenant patrols searching for clues. Each clue triggers a flashback event that illustrates a teammate’s predicament. These events are more akin to the traditional run and gun of pervious Halo titles where as the Rookie segments can incorporate some stealth—if you want. Along the way audio logs can be collected that denote a separate B story that is intriguing, and really helps set the tone of the city. Eventually the flashbacks and open city routine lead to a climax more satisfying then Halo 2.

The gameplay for ODST is different then Halo 3. The Shock Troopers are not Spartans. They do not have overshields, special equipment, or an AI construct in their brain. They also cannot duel wield, and lack the moon bounce jump. This alters the gameplay and encourages less Rambo and more Tom Clancy—well aggressive Tom Clancy tactics. To further support this concept the SMG and Magnum have been equipped with a scope and silencer. Players are also equipped with a special visor that highlights enemies, pick ups, objectives, and teammates. The new toys, open world campaign, and more human less Spartan like gameplay separates ODST from other Halo games. Despite these changes players familiar with the series will still recognize and fell comfortable with ODST.

The new multiplayer comes in the co-op mode Firefight. Here up to four players can face off against wave after wave of Brute led Covenant. There are ten different maps that provide unique terrain, weapons, and challenges. My personal favorite is the Lost Platoon level with the Warthog. There are old and new medals to earn with the traditional post game carnage report detailing every kill. The classic announcer voice also echoes your victory. It is a blast hearing Untouchable as you blow through fifty enemies.

Unfortunately time is your greatest foe with Firefight. After playing for two hours straight I needed a break. I’m not going to play this game on a toilet next to a cooler full of sandwiches and beer. It would have been nice to have a pause mechanic, or a save feature, to pick up where your team left off. There is also a disappointing lack of four player split screen. Finally there is no custom game mechanic or matchmaking. This makes it difficult to find pick up games, and shortens the replay value of the game mode. Don’t be mistaken. Firefight is a fantastically fun experience. There just could have been more features for a full priced game.

Bungie has defiantly done some research and borrowed heavily from other games to ensure ODST is not just a Halo clone. The audio logs are a nice touch, and are reminiscent of games like Bioshock. The gameplay changes without the Master Chief’s special abilities and can easily be dubbed Call of Halo. Even the new co-op multiplayer mode, Firefight, is part of a new trend started by Gears of War 2 and L4D. Another feature employed from Gears and L4D is the achievement trackers that pop up during gameplay. All of these ideas are altered to fit Halo, and add some nice changes to the old formula. Some critics will condemn these new features as blatant rip off’s, but if you take away the entertainment industries ability to copy old ideas where are all the new ones going to come from?

If you have not purchased Halo 3, and enjoy great FPS multiplayer, then Halo: ODST is a great purchase. The separate disc for Halo 3 MP with all 24 maps is an excellent bonus for anyone who hasn’t bought the maps already. The new campaign, co-op mode, and gameplay are a nice change of pace for a series I thought ended two years ago. Snerts Snazzy Score grants Halo: ODST a 4.7 out of 5. With a few more features on Firefight, and a longer campaign this game would have received a perfect score.

Not convinced by my review? Well then take a look at some good old fashion marketing.

BlazBlue

2009-09-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

Game: BlazBlue

System: PS3, Xbox 360, Arcade

Release: Arcade November 2008, Console June 2009

Blazblue is a 2D fighting game by Arc System Works. Their previous work on the Guilty Gear series gave me high expectations for this new game and I was not disappointed. Blazblue takes the core gameplay of Guilty Gear, and adds new mechanics, new characters, new…well new everything. Players familiar with Guilty Gear will find welcomed similarities between them, but each title is its own beast.

Blazblue offers numerous game modes for both on and offline play. Arcade, Versus, Training, Score Attack, and Online Play are all pretty standard game types that can be found in any fighter. The new Story mode, however, attempts to give players a little more background into each character. The cut scenes have limited animation, and offer the occasional choice that dictates your next destination. The style is reminiscent of old JRPGS. In between all the dialogue is the occasional one round fight. The result of the fight also affects the plot. To complete the entire story for one character players have to win and lose against the entire roster. This doesn’t sound so bad until you’ve watched the same opening for the umpteenth time. Fortunately the traditional game modes are less tedious and more awesome.

Arc has once again produced a well balanced and polished 2D fighting experience. Each round is presented with a solid frame rate and little to no lag for online play. No one fighter dominates the roster, and each character has a unique attack that defines their play style. Carl, for example, has an android that players can control with a press of a button. Rachel can summon powerful gusts of wind that will push or pull her enemies, and Jin can freeze his opponents. These “drive” abilities help distinguish Blazblue from other fighters—including Guilty Gear—and produce intense combat encounters. Adding to the overall presentation are the beautiful 3D levels. I would, however, have liked to seen more player interaction in each stage. One thing I like about Street Fighter IV was the various reactions from the crowd watching the brawl.

Like most fighting games Blazblue is at its best when two humans pick up the sticks. The single player Arcade and Score Attack can be fun, but after so many fights against AI things get predictable. I’ve spent most of my time playing Versus with friends, and Online Play with those creepy talented internet strangers. Even when I’m getting my ass kicked this game is fun. I don’t have the knowledge to give the in-depth nerdy details, but trust me…Blazblue is better then Street Fighter IV. There I said it.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, fighting games is not my forte. I enjoy the action, competition, and even the occasional adrenalin rush. I rarely win against anyone with a smidgen of talent, but I always have fun. Those with “mad skills” can produce an amazing spectacle, and really show the full potential of a game. An example of this is the video below. The grand finals at the Arcade Infinity Blazblue Tournament put Mike Z (Iron Tager) against Goryus (V13). I’ve talked with and played against Mike Z a couple of times. His lightening reflexes, and in depth knowledge of fighting games makes him a dangerous opponent. Can he pull off another victory?

A part of me was sad when Mike Z lost. He is a really nice guy, and was a pleasure to work with on LOTR:Conquest. Another part of me was happy to see him loose. This was the angry bitter side that couldn’t get his health below half when playing against him. Annnnyyyyy whhhooooo Snerts Snazy Score for BlazBlue is a solid 4.8 out of 5. It would have been a perfect if it wasn’t for that dam story mode.

Xbox 360 = Fail

2009-09-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

Well it’s finally happened. My Xbox 360 flashed the dreaded red ring of death earlier this week. Was it the copious amounts of gaming that drove my system to error? Unlikely. Did my morning movie, Indian Jones: Temple of Doom…DOOM…my console to the grave? I doubt it. In the end it was probably just a matter of time. After all the first generation 360’s have a 47% fail rate.

What this means for my ever popular blog is a delay. I still haven’t finished Prototype, which means I won’t be able to write up a review. BlazBlue is also a work in progress, but it will get more attention now that I’m unemployed. Finally, my lack of work will inevitably inhibit my purchasing power. Donations will gladly be accepted to fuel the production of future posts. Money is not a necessity, but video games are. So if you are sick of Batman: Arkham Asylum send it my way. In the meantime I’ll be playing Diablo 2, and waiting for my new 360.

Gears of War Series

2009-08-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

Series: Gears of War

System: Xbox 360

Release Date: 2006 & 2008

The Gears of War series is the most recent original third person shooter on the console market. I am no expert on video games, and I sure has hell haven’t played every game in existence. I do know, however, that I haven’t had this much fun with a cover based shooter since Winback on the N64.

The fist Gears of War game felt like a demo to me, but I did have the opportunity to play both games back to back. There is a two year gap between titles, and a lot of kinks can be worked out during that time.

The original introduces the basic gameplay mechanics. As an all star member of the Coalition of Ordered Governments or COG you can duck behind cover, blind fire, and of course reload. The A button does all the dashes and special movement. This gets a bit awkward when you want to maneuver through an area. I found myself dashing when I wanted to get under cover and vice versa. Players have to keep a sharp eye on the HUD to ensure they are about to perform the desired move. While under cover players can blind fire with the RT, or perform a more accurate shot by aiming with the LT. The blind fire is effective against close or charging enemies, and generally keeps you safe behind cover. Reloading is given a sexy twist in Gears of War. With a properly timed “active” reload players can reload faster and/or receive a temporary damage boost. These gameplay mechanics are rounded out by more basic shooter elements that generate intense fire fights throughout the game.

COG soldiers carry four weapons at a time—primary, secondary, pistol, and grenades. Many of the weapons are very unique and fun. The Hammer of Dawn is mankind’s most powerful weapon. The device feeds a single to a satellite that produces a powerful beam incinerating anything in its path. Another great weapon is the Torque Bow. The bow fires arrows with timed explosives. When the string is pulled far enough back it can stick into enemies for a one shot kill. Last but not least is the Lancer. This is your basic assault rifle with a chainsaw bayonet that can pull off a devastating and enthralling instant kill. There are also plenty of other solid weapons that take on the traditional roles—sniper, shotgun, magnum, frag grenade, etc—and in Gears of War 2 there is a mini gun, flamethrower, and mortar launcher.

For the majority of the game players will be moving between cover and killing enemies. There are, however, a few segments when you have to man a turret or operate a vehicle. In the first game these segments are annoying at best. The most blatant offender forces players to alternate between moving and attacking. I felt like I was playing Resident Evil with an APC. Also most turret events are predictably unoriginal. This isn’t a bad thing, but it doesn’t significantly add to the overall experience. Luckily the sequel makes up for the originals lackluster performance.

One of the first events in Gears of War 2 involves escorting an Assault Derrick to a strategic position. You are riding on one of many as part of a large invasion force. Throughout the event you will have to avoid incoming mortars, fend off enemy borders, and destroy hostile vehicles. None of the vehicle/turret events in Gears 1 had this epic scale. By the end of Gears 2 you are literally using the enemy’s weapon against them. Players will get to control the giant Brumak for a very satisfying conclusion to an awesome game.

So, is there a plot to complement this fantastic gameplay? Surprisingly yes! The human race is locked in a devastating war with a species called the Locus. This sci-fi enemy isn’t your typical space invader. They actually come from the depth of the earth. Apparently they have existed beneath the earth’s crust for centuries, and they have a passionate hatred for humans. The first game takes place fourteen years after Emergence Day when the Locus first appeared. Mankind is getting desperate for troops so they release the protagonist Marcus Fenix from prison. He joins up with Delta Squad, and his old friend Dominic Santiago. Together they fight for the survival of mankind while attempting to bring about an end to the war—usually by blowing up a lot of bad guys.
The Gears franchise is what I consider a mindless action adventure with just enough plot to keep things going. There isn’t anything new in regards to story telling, but everything is done well. Key dramatic events are peppered between the action producing an excellent pace for the game. I was pretty shocked by Tai’s suicide, and the love story with Dominic seemed real thanks to great voice acting. It is nice to see this level of detail in the plot of an action shooter.

Speaking of details, have I mentioned the fantastic multiplayer? Gears 2 (I didn’t bother with Gears 1 MP) features ten player combat in seven different modes. My experience with each mode is limited, but I have a blast every time I play. Each game type puts a unique twist on the traditional rules. Submission, for example, is a capture the flag game that uses a bot as the flag. Players have to down the AI, and drag him back to their base for points. If competitive multiplayer isn’t your cup of tea, then try out the two co-op modes. Players can team up together to face the various challenges of the main game or take their chances at Horde mode. The later is a round event that sends wave after wave of Locus at up to five players. There is an outstanding fifty rounds in Horde mode that gradually become more and more ridiculous—even on easy.

Gears of War is one of those franchises that will be sticking around for a while. Epic once again has created an impressive blockbuster experience, but should we expect any less from the creators of Unreal? Satisfying gameplay, solid plot, and additive multiplayer scores the Gears of War series an impressive 5 out of 5. If, however, you had to pick between Gears 1 and 2, then go with the later. Gears 2 has everything that Gears 1 has and more.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

2009-07-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

Game: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen

System: PS3, Xbox 360

Release: June 2009

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is the only Transformer game I have ever played. When I was hired onto the project I wasn’t sure what to expect. Luxoflux created a game where you can play over a dozen characters from the movie in a variety of environments from across the globe. By the time the game shipped I was pleasantly surprised at the robust multiplayer and explosive single player.
The single player campaign loosely follows the movie. Players can pick between Autobots and Decepticons. Each faction has a similar yet different experience. The Autobots tend to have more escort and protection missions where as the Decepticons have more destructive objectives. Unfortunately the only faction that experiences a Devastator boss fight is the Autobots. A medal is rewarded based on the speed at which a level is completed, and Energon points are earned to upgrade abilities. There are also a number of unlockables that range from alternative character skins to original episodes of the Transformers cartoon.

Combat in single player ultimately feels like the multiplayer only with bots. Everyone has a unique primary and secondary weapon in addition to the special and melee moves. Each weapon has an overheat meter that increases with each shot fired. If the player overheats there guns they will have to wait for extended amount of
time before firing again. In this scenario your best bet is melee combat. There are a number of unique melee moves that add another layer of depth to the fighting system. The specials are unique to each character and have various cool downs. Some of the more impressive specials are given to the main stars of the series. Optimus Prime has a shield that will make him immune to death as long as it’s activated. It also increases melee damage significantly. Megatron has a “doom” cannon that will instantly kill anyone it hits. Bumblebee has an aoe stun effect, and Starscream’s special increases his dps and slows enemies. As you can see this game does have plenty of variety between characters.

Unfortunately the single player missions are repetitive, simplistic, and at times pointless. If a player completes all the missions in a given area they are rewarded with a free roam mode. This allows the player to experience the map devoid of bots and objectives. Why bother? The one saving grace for single player is the explosive nature of each mission. Unlike multiplayer, there are plenty of cars, trucks, fuel tanks, and other items to destroy. There is no building destruction, but there is plenty of fire.

Multiplayer is a completely different robot. Adding the human beyond the machine really adds to the fun factor of this game. There are five modes and maps. Some of my particular favorites are One Shall Stand, Control Points, and Team Deathmatch. One Shall Stand is a kill the leader objective game. An Optimus Prime and Megatron will each spawn on their respective teams. The goal is to kill the enemy’s leader while keeping yours alive. Control Points and Team Deathmatch are just what you would expect from any fps multiplayer. Each character is well balanced, and can fill numerous roles. Longhaul is a wrecking machine in Control Points with his healing ability, high health, and good close range abilities. Protectobot is a sneaky little guy who can easily get the drop on people with his hellfire missiles. The only downside to such diversity is the learning curve. There are plenty tricks of the trade that many players may not discover without some dedication.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a fun game, and like the recent Wolverine game, it is better then the movie. Fans of the series will have a blast playing the vast number of Autobots and Decepticons. Multiplayer fans will discover a surprisingly entertaining alternative to traditional fps and third person shooters. At the very least rent this game. It is leaps and bounds beyond the previous Transformers game, and the dlc content will enhance the already impressive multiplayer. Snerts Snazzy Score for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is 3 out of 5.

Summer Lull

2009-07-16T15:43:00.000-07:00

Hello true believers. Another lull in the video game blog has occurred but don’t fear. Snerts is on the case. Sooner than later readers will get opinion pieces and reviews about: Gears of War, BlazBlue, Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, and Prototype.

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen MP Video

2009-06-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a look at what I have been working on this year. The video was released yesterday at http://www.gametrailers.com.

The multiplayer is surprisingly deep, well balanced, and fun. Fans of Transformers and giant robots in general should defiantly give it a shot. In the video look for the gamertag Jabba the Hoff, playing as the Autobot Ratchet, to see me in action.

Video Games | Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | Exclusive MP Walkthrough

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

2009-06-07T00:45:00.000-07:00

Game: X-men Origins: Wolverine

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Release: May 2009

Wolverine is no stranger to the digital world. He has been in just about every X-men game released since the dawn of comic based games. Unfortunately he hasn’t been in a good one since Marvel vs. Capcom 2. This all changes with X-men Origins. Raven has created a fun experience that provides a more robust plot then the movie. They also released a title full of bugs, repetitive gameplay, and poor pacing.

Starting with what they did right, this is the first game that actually treats
Wolverine like a killing machine. Players will immediately notice the generous amount of blood and guts. It’s about dam time Wolverine is sharing traits with Ryu Hyabusa and Kratos. Wolverine will slash off arms, decapitate foes, impale enemies on environmental objects, and throw bad guys off mountain tops. There is even a finishing move that brutally destroys whoever Wolverine is holding. The combat is smooth, effective, and fun. Raven also utilizes Wolverines famous healing ability to the extreme. Logan can be blown up to the bare bones and players will literally see him regenerate lost tissue. Finally, there is a Feral Sense that will guide players through the level and illustrate various assets to interact with. These range from pick ups to level objectives. All of these features vividly illustrate Wolverines abilities while creating an entertaining experience.

The other strong point for X-men Origins is the story itself. The game contains a majority of the movie dialogue, but takes the plot further into the Marvel universe. Wolverine will eventually visit a research facility that is developing the very first Sentinel. For fans of the comics this is a real treat. By the end of the level players are fighting a larger then life Sentinel as they plummet to the Earth. Wolverine will also face off against the Blob, Gambit, and off course Sabertooth. Interestingly enough Wolverine can even fight himself. Finding collectible figurines in the game will unlock alternative costumes. To earn the right to wear the costumes you have to fight your alter ego in the Danger Room. These fights are challenging because the cloned Wolverine has all the same moves as the player, and is a nice bonus along side the solid story.

Now that the praise is over let’s bring on the pain—err criticisms. This game relies on a crutch move. While targeting an enemy Wolverine can lunge across the screen and impale them with his claws head on. This mechanic is fun, but ultimately used way too often. Each boss fight requires you to lunge at the enemy. The only difference is what you do before you lunge. Players will also frequently lunge to distant enemies for various platforming segments. It would have been nice to have more situations where others moves were utilized.

Another issue with this game involves the pacing of the story. The flashback mechanic is employed way too often. After Wolverine gets his admantium skeleton the game will flashback to Africa. Whenever he meets a new character the game will time warp to Africa. The overall length of the game is good, and the story is delivered just fine. Hell even the poor facial mechanics and bad acting are excusable. The flashbacks, however, are just too much.

Finally we come to the bugs. Wolverine suffers from collision problems, a handful of debatable art issues, and a few progression stoppers. When fighting giant enemies Wolverine can be picked up and thrown. The animation usually plays out smooth, but occasionally Wolverine will just magically appear on the floor. He may not match up with the giant’s hand either, and the camera will frequently go through environmental assets to reveal untextured areas. These issues are not game breaking, but they don’t help the overall experience.

Wolverine’s healing ability is the debatable art issue. For some reason it insists on regenerating his clothes as well as his flesh. Now I’m not really interested in seeing a naked Wolverine throughout the game, but the shirt could have stayed off. The healing ability also fails to match Wolverines health bar. You can be at full health and still remain a bloody mess. Again this is nothing game breaking. More polish, however, would have helped create a solid visual presentation.

Last but not least are the progression stoppers. I ran into two during my first play through. One was during the fight with Gambit. I knocked him off a platform to the floor below. This wouldn’t be an issue if I could have joined him on the lower floor. Instead I had to restart from the last check point. The second progression stopper occurred during a load screen—probably during a flashback to Africa.

X-men Origins: Wolverine is a fun yet flawed game. The combat is solid, but the lunge move is abused. The story is better then the movie, but has too many flashbacks that disrupt the pace. Players can use all of Wolverines powers for probably the first time in a video game. Unfortunately the adventure is littered with bugs. Fans of Wolverine will love this game. Fans of hack and slash games will enjoy a solid renter. The rest will play something else. Snerts Snazzy Score grants X-men Origins: Wolverine a 3.5 out of 5.

Afro Samurai

2009-06-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Game: Afro Samurai

System: Xbox 360, PS3

Released: January 2009

Afro Samurai is a hack and slash adventure game based on the popular anime mini-series staring Samuel Jackson. The game features a beautiful cell shaped art style and a simplistic yet satisfying combat system. The focus ability is fun, and the soundtrack is fantastic. Unfortunately the story feels chopped and incomplete, and I am on the fence about the games short length due to its repetitive nature.

Let us begin with the plot. The game takes Afro on a journey of redemption and revenge in his pursuit for the Number One Headband. Apparently there is a number system in this universe that depicts how badass you are. They say that whoever wears the Number One Headband will become a god. The reason for Afro wanting this headband is very personal. At a young age he saw his father die at the hands of Justice (the main antagonist). He was pursuing the Number One who just so happened to be Afro Sr. Of course Justice told the young Afro Jr. that he could challenge him one day when he was ready.

Afro grows up and gets trained in the ways of the badass samurai. He plays killer detective while slaughtering his friends and foes. He acquires the Number Two Headband, and then kills some more friends and foes. Finally he finds a dead Justice on top of a vast mountain. Faced now with only his inner demons Afro must clear his conscious, which will eventually lead to the destruction of the two headbands.

This story isn’t bad, but I can understand why fans of the series were disappointed. The game does not follow key plot points of the anime. I don’t want to go into detail, but a quick look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro_Samurai_(video_game) will satisfy your curiosity. The modified story, however, does work for the video game.

Enough with this story stuff. Let us move on to gameplay. Afro is granted the basic hack and slash moves. There is a light and heavy attack, kick, block, dodge, and jump. All can be thrown together in a variety of combos. Players can also counter an enemies attack and then perform a gloriously satisfying instant kill. The one unique ability in this game is the focus attack. Engaging focus will turn the screen black and white, and slow down everything around Afro. While in this state Afro can perform a precise vertical or horizontal slash as well as a host of acrobatic maneuvers. Landing a successful sword swing will slice of limbs, heads, feet, and can even deflect bullets.

What makes this combat so satisfying is the visual presentation and audio soundtrack. Each focus attack will send limbs and blood everywhere. When an enemy is cut in half you will see their gory insides and slowing down time is a blast. This all blends beautifully with the music. The cell shaped environments and characters also meld well together. Previous games seem to create bold outlines for character models that detach them from their environment but not Afro Samurai. The sheer excellence of this games presentation warrants at least one play through.

Afro Samurai is a good game. There isn’t anything truly great, but it is fun. Some will be turned off by the repetitive gameplay and butchered story. Others will enjoy a solid hack and slash adventure with stunning style. Snerts Snazzy Score grants this title a 3.5 out of 5.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

2009-05-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

Game: Star Wars The Force Unleashed

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii

Released: September 2008

This is just a friendly reminder that all of my reviews have some sort of spoilers. SO BE WARNED!!!

Star Wars games have definitely had their share of hits and misses. Fortunately the hits have lately been pretty frequent. The last generation of consoles saw great games like Knights of the Old Republic and Jedi Outcast. The current generation of consoles continues this trend with The Force Unleashed. The developers at Lucas Arts have created a brilliant game with solid gameplay, fantastic visuals, and an excellent story. The latest Star Wars game takes place during that lovely era of Empirical domination. The Rebel Alliance has yet to be made, and the Emperor is simply wrapping up the loose ends from the Clone Wars. The game begins with players taking the role of the powerful Darth Vadar as he quells the latest Wookie uprising. During this prologue players can unleash the full power of the dark side. With the push of a button a Wookie is choked. Push another button, and the Wookie is thrown into the distance where they smash against a tree. That tree is then splintered and smashed. Right away the game shows off its bloody brilliant gameplay and wonderfully interactive environment. At the end of the level Vadar finds the main character, and another great Star Wars adventure begins.

So who is this nifty new character that is worthy of a video game? Well his Sith name is Starkiller, and apparently he is Darth Vadar's secret apprentice. At the end of his battle on Kashyyk, Darth Vadar discovers the son of a Jedi who--of course--is strong in the force. Sensing a great destiny within the child he takes him on as his secret apprentice. Now here is where I go geek, and why this games story is fantastic.

At first Vadar seems to want to use Starkiller to take down the Emperor, and continue the cycle of betrayal associated with the Sith ways. Vadar convinces Starkiller that they will both kill the Emperor, and then betrays Starkiller before they strike. This obviously pisses off Starkiller, but Vadar convinces him that his betrayal was only an elaborate ruse. With the Emperor believing that he is dead Starkiller is now free to do some real damage. Vadar tells Starkiller to raise an army. With the Emperor distracted by rebels he will be weak and vulnerable. So, like the patsy he is, Starkiller helps create a rebel army by contacting powerful Senators like Bail Organa. During the first genuine meeting of this newly formed Rebel Alliance Vadar strikes. Starkiller is once again betrayed by Vadar. He discovers that he was simply a tool of the Empire all along. Broken and beaten Vadar throws Starkiller off a cliff and escorts the rebellious prisoners to the newly created Death Star for execution. Luckily along the way Starkiller had discovered the ultimate motivator--a woman. She convinces him that it's not too late. Desperate they go to the Death Star where Starkiller can face his enemies, free the prisoners, and complete his destiny.

This awesome story has two fantastic endings, and the solid gameplay makes this ride worth the price of admission. Starkiller wields a single lightsaber and is a master of the dark side. Throughout his adventure his powers will continue to grow. He can slice up a storm trooper with grace and finesse. Lightening will shoot from his finger tips. Force grab can pick up and throw just about anything--including a Star Destroyer! There are also two types of Force Push. One is a 360 push, and the other is more direct. None of the force powers or abilities are original, but the scope and intensity of each ability is refreshingly fantastic.

The solid gameplay and excellent story is further enhanced by the engaging art and music. Players will travel through the junk yards of Raxus Prime and see old Trade Federation ships from the Clone Wars. Felucia is a lush world full of exotic flora and fauna. Even the traditional Death Star is illustrated from a fairly unique angle. The artistic detail of this game continues to add depth to an already vivid Star Wars universe, and is rightfully accompanied by John Williams original score.

Hmmmm. So much praise. Can this be the perfect Star Wars game? Oh heeeeelllll nnnnnoooooo! As fun as this game is, the plethora of bugs and a lack of multiplayer is a real drag. The bugs range from small art issues to progression stoppers. No multiplayer is also a real disappointment after the success of Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy. These critiques, however, should not prevent any Star Wars fan from enjoying The Force Unleashed. This is a fun game that scores a respectable 4.7 out of 5.

Uhmmmmmm Arcade Games

2009-05-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

There aren’t too many Xbox Live Arcade games that I have actually been excited about. The games I play/buy from XBLA are old school favorites like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game or the original Xbox game Fable. This isn’t due to a lack of high quality arcade games. Braid, for example, has received praise from numerous fans and critics. The time mechanics are unique. The gameplay is solid. Yet I have no desire to play. Of course there are exceptions to every trend. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 and Castle Crashers are two addictive games that deserve some attention.

Castle Crashers is a 2D cell shaped rpg brawler. The story is simplistic yet satisfying. Some evil magician has attacked your Kings castle stealing women and shiny crystals. It is your job to kill legions of bad guys, save the girls, and return the sparkly crystal to the King. This goal is accomplished by navigating the games map which is very similar to a Mario game. Players go zone to zone collecting various items and kicking lots of ass. Each area is unique and it is rare to go more then four levels without a boss fight. By the end of the game you will have braved dark forests, raging oceans, dry deserts, ice caverns, and volcanic wastelands.

Players initially take on the role of four differently colored knights, but can eventually unlock over a dozen playable characters. As the player progresses they will gain experience and level up. The major stats are defense, strength, agility, and magic. Each knight has a different magic ability. Red is lightening. Blue is ice. Orange is fire, and Green is poison. Each magic type has a different perk. Ice can freeze, lightening can shock, etc. In addition to magic players utilize a melee weapon, shield, boomerang, and bow and arrow. The melee weapon can be upgraded frequently by finding new weapons throughout the game world. These range from awesomely deadly fire-sword to the ridiculous lobster club. Yes, a lobster club is an odd weapon, but it fits this games brilliant style.

Castle Crashers is a fun game. The combat is fluid. Each area offers a variety of gameplay experiences and is full of visual eye candy. The music is epic. There is tons of replay value with unlockable characters, online multiplayer with up to four people, and a hardcore mode for players who have beaten the game. Unfortunately online multiplayer is unreliable and unlocking characters is a pain. Overall the game is worth the fifteen bucks and scores a 4.5 out of 5.

Geometry Wars is a whole other beast that is closer to old school arcade games like Tetris and Asteroids. The controls are simplistic. The left analog controls movement and the right analog directs fire. Triggers will set off bombs if they are available. Enemies vary in color, geometrical shape, and behavior. The goal of the game is to last as long as possible without colliding with an enemy. The first Geometry Wars: Evolved only had one game mode, but the second has a whopping six. Each offers a unique twist to the original game, and increase the replay value significantly. Adding another delicious icing to this awesome cake is multiplayer and a solid sound track. Geometry Wars: Evolved 2 receives a score of 4.8 out of 5.

Well those are my two favorite “arcade” games. What arcade games do you play off of the Playstation Network or Xbox Live Arcade?

Heavenly Sword

2009-04-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

Heavenly Sword is the perfect game to play if you love God of War I & II, and need something new to play before God of War III. The combat is smooth and fairly unique. The cinematic visual quality is fantastic. Acting is top notch, and the story isn’t half bad. In fact I’m going to get the negatives out of the way early so I can just keep on praising this game. Playing through the game takes about six hours, and the enemies are not challenging or diverse.

Players take on the role of Nariko. She is the daughter of Shen—the leader of the clan that protects the Heavenly Sword. There clan is under attack by King Bohan. He is the evil king overlord who has conquered all of the other clans in the region. Nariko doesn’t want dear old daddy, or her lovable adopted sister Kai to become slaves of Bohan. During the final siege she becomes desperate and wields the Heavenly Sword. This sword grants her the power of the gods, but kills her in about five days. The game begins at this moment where Nariko first kills with the Heavenly Sword and ends with her death.

So what makes a sword heavenly? Is it a relic of some ancient deity who performed amazing feats of valor? Did Kratos get with Nariko, and decided she was worthy of a parting gift? Is it just really really shiny? The Heavenly Sword is three weapons in one. The light attacks turn the weapon into chains with blades on the ends. This produces a whirl wind like effect that can easily hit multiple enemies at once. The medium attacks utilize two halves of the sword that combine into a large single blade for the heavy attacks. Switching between weapons is simple and allows players to easily pull off combos using all three forms of the Heavenly Sword. It was very satisfying to charge an army of people, stun the immediate circle with a quick light attack, and then target a few weaklings with a devastating heavy attack.

The combat gets even deeper with finishing moves, aerial attacks, counters, and a slew of objects to throw at enemies. When Nariko scores enough kills she can perform a devastating finishing move that can instantly kill numerous enemies. These moves have three levels of intensity and vary between light, medium, and heavy attacks. Aerial attacks are not as destructive as the finishing moves, but they add nice variety to the games combat. The counter system is simplistic yet effective. Nariko blocks when she is not on the offensive, and players can counter enemies by pressing an attack button immediately after blocking an attack. The mini-cut scenes that ensue are very appealing and differ between the three forms of the Heavenly Sword.

Throughout her journey Nariko will kill many men. Luckily it was all in self defense, and every one who does die at her hands leaves a present. Nariko can pick up fallen weapons, bodies, shields, and hats. Hell she can even fire large cannons and crossbows. Why would she want to do this? Well it turns out she has a wicked arm, and when ever Nariko (or Kai) uses a projectile they can slow down time to accurately aim the death device. This feature is utilized in numerous segments that range from simple puzzles to defending a castle under siege by Bohan’s armies. This feature is annoying at first because it relies on the six-axis controller feature of the PS3, but once that feature is deactivated players can use the analog sticks for better precision.

So after reviewing the fantastic depth and variety of the combat system I have concluded that a sword is heavenly if it makes you a super bad ass. Supreme power, however, is not the only thing that Heavenly Sword offers. In her quest Nariko will travel through snowy mountains, lush forests, and sprawling cities. The visuals are gorgeously epic. The story is also well done. Voice attacking by such talent as Andy Serkis (King Bohan) and Anna Tov (Nariko), combined with amazing motion capture cinematics, make each cut scene engaging as well as appealing. Finally, the boss encounters are unique and entertaining. This is really surprising given the lack of variety for the average solider. Each boss fight is a combination of quick time events and open combat. They all end differently, and I was especially pleased with the ending of the Flying Fox.

Heavenly Sword has everything that a gamer could want in an action packed hack and slash adventure. There are beautiful women and environments. Boss fights are extremely satisfying, and is complimented by a well thought out, diverse, and fluid combat system. The story is presented through high quality cut scenes, and great voice acting. The game is epically fun. If it was only a bit longer, then it would have received a perfect score. A 4.8 out of 5, however, is nothing to be ashamed of.

A Look At What's To Come

2009-04-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

Hello geeks, gals, and gamers of all kind. It feels like it’s been a long time since my fingers have graced the keyboard for my little corner of cyberspace. Working on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (the game based on the movie based on the ‘80s cartoon show) has left little time for the finer things in life. Hopefully before the end of the month this blog will see a review of Heavenly Sword, Castle Crashers, and/or Geometry Wars. Until then take a look at my other blog to get your Snert fix.

Fable I vs. Fable II: Battle over Albion

2009-02-21T10:02:00.000-08:00

Fable is one of my favorite original Xbox games. Lionhead Studios presents an excellent action RPG that fuses together the gameplay of Zelda and the interactions of The Sims. Naturally when Fable II was announced I was excited. The hype machine of Peter Molyneux promised improvements to the original formula and awesome new features like coop. The end result was a game almost totally different from the first. Were the changes for the better?

Fable 1

Likes

-The combat system is simplistic yet fun. Melee, range, and a multitude of magic attacks could be combined and executed with ease. There are over a dozen magic spells, and the legendary weapons are spectacular.
-The appearance and growth of your character is unique to Fable. As the player grows old from the use of magic they will acquire scars, tattoos, haircuts, and a host of outfits. The moral choices you make also effect your appearance. Good boys will look like darling angels, and naughty lads will resemble horned devils.
-Interacting with non-playable characters (NPCs) is a real hoot. Go on a murdering rampage in a local town, and future inhabitants will run in fear. Slay the bandits and save the day to be praised by the masses. Pass out booze, be the life of the party, and stop by the local brothel. Find a girl, or guy, and get married. It’s like a stripped down awesome version of the Sims in a fantasy setting.
-The ability to buy, upgrade, and/or sell property was a blast. Yes real estate in Albion is fun.
-The music and graphical presentation is top notch. Fable is one of the most beautiful games available for the Xbox.

Dislikes:

-The targeting system has a real nasty habit of highlighting friendly targets during combat. This is especially annoying for escort quests.
-The overall game is short, and the story is bland. Jack of Blades is boring, and saving Albion never seems that important—especially when I spend most the game ravaging the country side.
-Completing the main story practically ends the game. Sure you can go around and collect everything, or buy every single piece of property, but that’s boring. A handful of repeatable quests would have gone a long way.
-The menu system is cumbersome, and it is a little too easy to accidentally use items.
-The multitude of slow load screens, and generally small areas, break up the pace of the game.

Likes:

-Interaction with NPC’s is brought to new heights. Dozens of enhanced expressions denote your intentions to the world. Unprotected sex will lead to children, and an unhealthy diet will result in an unfit appearance. There is also a safety mode that will guarantee no fatal accidents occur while entertaining the local populace. Fable II improves the already solid NPC interaction from Fable I.
-Fable II introduces the dog. This faithful companion will help you in combat, dig up secrets, and add another layer of NPC interaction. The dog mainly acts as a quasi HUD, and is a great addition to this franchise.
-Range combat gets an upgrade. Players can upgrade their skill to the point where they can target individual body parts. This adds another layer of depth to the old range system.
-The villain is more effective in Fable II. Players will likely feel resentful towards the antagonist straight from the get go. This enhances the main story significantly.
-Loading times are improved. Travel time is cut town with a teleportation system, and quests objectives are easy to find with the golden trail. In addition, each area is generally larger adding to the epic scope of Fable II.
-Unlike Fable I, the sequel packs in plenty of repeatable quests. Jobs and secondary quests will keep people playing once the main story is completed.
-The real estate system is bigger and better then ever. Castles, rent control, and an automatic rent collection system make buying property fun.

Dislikes:

-Melee and magic are strikingly different from Fable I. Less then a dozen spells are available, and stringing together range, melee, and magic combos is considerably harder. The magic charge up/cast system in Fable II is vastly limited in comparison to Fable I. Melee is restricted because of the numerous range encounters, and feels underpowered in comparison to the original.
-There is no epic boss fight in Fable II. The story is a tad bit better then Fable I, but that doesn’t excuse the absence of an action packed finale.
-There is no Hook Coast or Knothold Glade in Fable II. This dramatically shrinks the size of Albion. It also leaves an empty feeling inside for fans of the original game. Sure the dlc adds Knothold Glade, but that adds another ten bucks to the overall cost. To be fair, readers should know that I have not played the dlc. For all I know Knothold Glade is worth the price of admission.
-Fable II’s menu system is still a pain in the butt. Hours will go buy navigating the many menus in order to take potions, change clothes, or do just about anything.
-Co-op is a travesty. Players are forced to share a camera, and clients cannot bring their unique hero to a host’s world. Any time the menu system is accessed the game is paused. Co-op in Fable II is simply not fun, and will be mostly utilized for achievements.
-Items in general are less impressive in Fable II. Legendary weapons are weaker then weapons purchased from a blacksmith. There are only a handful of unique guns, and the amount of clothes is surprisingly limited. Tattoos are not as vivid. Only celery makes you thin…etc. etc. etc.

I really enjoy both Fable I and II. Each game provides an entertaining experience that any action RPG fan can enjoy. The first game did many amazing things, but had some significant issues. Initially Fable II appeared to deliver some improvements and new features. In reality the sequel enhanced some of the older features, butchered others, and introduced a dog. Both games suffer from poor menu systems and uneventful stories or finales. The change to melee and magic in Fable II fails in comparison to Fable I. Conversely the range combat, repeatable quests, and NPC interaction is top notch in Fable II. In the end, each game is fun but for different reasons.

Many sequels, like Gears of War 2 or Halo 3, attempt to solidify the existing formula. They may add some new bells and whistles, but nothing radically different. The Fable franchise appears to reinvent the wheel with each release. This results in brilliant new features, but can hurt the games overall quality. Hopefully by Fable III, Peter Molyneux will figure out what he wants to do and focus on a solid execution.

Dead Space

2009-02-17T16:56:00.001-08:00

Game: Dead Space

System: Xbox360, PS3, PC

Release: October 2008

Electronic Arts has taken numerous risks during 2008 on new intellectual properties (IP). One of these original games, Mirror’s Edge, received an impressive 4 out of 5. It provided an entertaining change of pace that attempted to bring acrobatic plat-forming to the first person perspective. Another new IP was Army of Two which failed miserably to deliver a new spin on the third person shooter. Sure the game had some strong points, but it can’t hold a candle to Gears of War. The last new IP, that I had a chance to play, was Dead Space; a solid survivor horror game that has won numerous awards for its sound and atmosphere. Out of all the new IP’s mentioned, Dead Space is arguably the most successful.

Dead Space provides an awesome single player experience despite having a rudimentary plot. The main character is a silent engineer named Isaac Clarke. He is on a repair mission with a small crew to help the USG Ishimura. This large mining ship “cracks” planets for precious metals, but has mysteriously fallen silent—much like the protagonist. To add a personal touch Isaac’s significant other is on the beleaguered ship. Of course the docking procedure goes horribly wrong, nasty alien creatures attack, and the fight for survival begins.
The story is just strong enough to push you through to the next level. The gameplay and atmosphere, however, are solid. Isaac’s slow movements match his somewhat heavy appearance. Conversely the enemies are fast and vicious. This sets an awesome tone for the overall feel of the game. There are also numerous sections where you are in a total vacuum, and the change in sound creates an extremely believable experience. Other areas have no gravity, and players get to jump from wall to wall to complete objectives. Even one of the epic boss fights takes place in zero gravity creating an intense and memorable experience. This game goes out of its way to ensure that players will never forget that they are on a cursed space ship.

To maintain the immersion the UI is presented through a series of in-game holograms. The visual appeal of this interface is fantastic, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it employed in other games. Weapons are diverse, and like most survival horror games supplies are limited. Adding to the suspense, and utilizing the alt fire feature, is the use of severing limbs to quickly take down enemies. Throw in a telekinesis ability for moving objects, and a stasis technique for some crowd control, and you have Dead Space’s gameplay in a nutshell.

Dead Space does an excellent job providing an intense sci-fi horror experience. The plot is generic, but the overall presentation is spectacular. The boss fights are epic, the zero gravity and vacuum sections are a blast, and UI is simply wonderful. Replay value is driven with second play-throughs where players keep power ups from a previously completed game. Snerts Snazzy Score grants Dead Space 4.9 out of 5.

Xbox Live Gamertag

2009-01-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

Behold the awesome power of my Gamertag.

Put your gamertag here too.

If you read this blog, then hit me up for some Xbox Live action.