Rating: Teen (Blood, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence)
Platform Reviewed: 3DS
Monster Hunter is a fairly well known series by this point. It has seen 12 releases across six different platforms, and a 13th game is on the way. Even Japan's "Samurai Blue" Soccer Team played Monster Hunter in their downtime before their big win over Australia to take the Asian Cup in 2011. So it's a pretty well known and well established franchise. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate came out in time to be a part of the Wii U launch lineup, and included a release for its handheld sibling, the 3DS. But how does it hold up in the realm of giant monsters?
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U(release date to be announced)
Platform Reviewed on: Xbox 360
Now, I was a late comer to the Aliens franchise. I admit it. I used to hate scary movies. Now that that's not the case, I love what Ridley Scott did in 1979, and James Cameron expounded upon 1986. Those movies did more for science fiction than anything else out there. I wish I could say the same about Aliens: Colonial Marines...
Back in February, I posted a "wish list" of what should come back in Tony Hawk HD and what shouldn't. After sitting down in the career mode for five hours straight last Friday, I can safely say that there's at least a few people within Activision who share my sentiments. Turn it up! Bring the noise!
Rating: Mature (Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Alcohol)
Back when the Xbox 360 launched, Dead Rising was one of the titles first available. Zombies and shopping malls and a lawsuit from George Romero? Sign me up!
Rating: Mature (Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence)
Players: 1
Reviewed on: Xbox 360
Metro 2033 literally flew under the radar of most of the gaming communities when it came out in 2010. It's based on a Russian novel by Dimitry Glukhovsky, and set in a post-apocalyptic Moscow. After playing it, I really wish I'd stumbled upon this game sooner.
Bayonetta was on my radar screen for a while, though I had never taken the time to pick it up and play it. Boy, was that a bad idea! This little gem from Platinum Games deserves a look, if you haven't already.
I had a hard time writing the last Top 5 list, primarily because there are so many awesome games on the Nintendo Gamecube. I had narrowed down a top 10, but the other titles were so awesome that I couldn't just let them get lopped off. For that reason, I'm going to take this week's Top 5 to list numbers 6-10.
Ah, the ever classic movie tie-in. It's the bane of quality video gaming, full of rushed games and frustrating controls. Every now and again, however, a shining gem appears out of nowhere. Here's five of them, epic games based on movies.
System: PC (Steam), Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Indie Games)
Rating: N/A
Reviewed on: 360
Price: 400 MS Points (~$5) / $9.99 (Steam)
Now here's a game that makes me feel like a little kid again. My dad got me started on gaming when I was three years old. We played all the classics: Galaga, Centipede, Pac-Man, Asteroids...
Wait a minute...This game looks a lot like asteroids! What's this? I can use my own music? It's only $5 on XBL? I'm sold!
That was more or less what I first thought when I saw this game. As I sat down and tried it out, I found myself feeling more and more mixed. I had a lot of fun with this game, but not without reservations.
One staple of video games is the bosses. They make for a great end to a level, and they serve to prepare the transition to the next level. But every now and again, you'll run across a boss that makes you scratch your head, say, "what the f***?" and walk away. With that in mind, here's:
I know it's been established that I'm completely and utterly insane. However, this next post might actually put me in the looney bin. I'm going to defend Duke Nukem Forever.
...Why?
Too many people like to rail on the king with "balls of steel," and he doesn't deserve all the bad rap that he gets. For that reason, I'm going to ignore all the bad stuff in DNF and talk only about the good stuff.
(Disclaimer: I have received no compensation by 2K games, 3D Realms, Gearbox Software, or anyone related to the development and publishing of Duke Nukem Forever. I am simply stupid enough to write an article like this for the lulz.)
As long as Japan keeps producing video games and anime, there will be anime tie-ins to video games and vice versa. Like the movie to video game counterparts in the states, there's a lot of crap and a lot of good titles. Here's my...
All joking and limericks aside, it's been an amazing year in gaming. 2011 saw Sony's flagship PlayStation Network get breached, a plethora of huge titles released, and even a few long-awaited reboots. So now, let's take a look at the last 12 months for a Year in Gaming: 2011
Platform: Wii
Rating: M for Mature (Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Sexual Themes, Strong Language)
Players: 1-2
Price: $9.99 new
Now here's a game that feels dramatically out of place on a "family friendly" console. Gratuitous violence, profane language, and silly over-the-top gameplay, all in one package. Put the kids to bed, it's time for the REAL action to start!
So, I spent a good half an hour installing Batman Arkham Asylum on my PC, fully intending to get a head start before running off to work today. What with Arkham City just around the corner, I figured it was worthwhile to brush up on the happenings prior. Well...that didn't exactly happen. Thanks to some wonderful software included with the game called "SecuROM," it's not working for me. I had installed this game over a year ago, and had no issues whatsoever. One system upgrade later, and I'm left in a frustrated heap, rocking back and forth and muttering incoherently. There are right ways to do DRM, and there are wrong ways. Honestly, there must be something better than this.
DISCLAIMER: Before people start accusing me of being anti-DRM, I just want to say
for the record that I'm opposed to DRM which excessively restricts the
games I pay for. I'll elaborate on this later on, but I figured it'd be good to get this out of the way now.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC (Available 11/15)
Rating: Teen (Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence)
Reviewed on: Xbox 360
RockSteady software have built themselves a solid reputation over the years. They basically stepped into the gaming scene with Arkham Asylum, and made a huge splash. Two years later, they release the asylum's sequel, Batman Arkham City. I've spent the past week in this game, and let me say that the Game of the Year options this year are going to be tough to decide.
This is not going to be a final review, just my first impressions from playing the game. I will have a more thorough review when I'm done with the game.
With Assassin's Creed: Revelations on the horizon, I figured I'd go back and review the original. Even better, my girlfriend, Opp1123, has volunteered to write this review for me. So without further ado, take it away, hon!
Publisher: Ubisoft
Rating: Mature
Content: blood, strong language, and violence
System(s) Compatible: Windows PC, Playstation 3, XBox360
I had initially become interested in playing Assassin's Creed when Brotherhood had come out but due to lack of compatible systems I was unable to play. The ease of getting into the controls is makes it a game that can be picked up by just about anyone. It includes a basic tutorial that explains movement which is the perfect length of time and introduces the next abilities as they become available again.
The overall gameplay is excellent, however many of the tasks or quests that are given to the character are repetitive and can get old. What makes up for the repetitive nature of these tasks is the storyline. I have yet to finish the game but I can see a rich storyline being threaded into the gameplay. It contains aspects of character development, plot development, and constructions the scenes of the two stories so that the viewer can understand what is happening.
The most fascinating aspect about this game are the historical aspects that are interwoven into a fictional plot. While purusing the interenet I found quite a few people offended by the fact that people were portrayed in certain ways, such as the fact that the assassin's are middle eastern. What they are missing by pointing this out is that much of what occurred during the crusades include invading towns, plundering them, raping them women, and then leaving them essentially deserted. This may not have happened in Jerusalem and the other cities mentioned but it had happened in other locations. Essentially the clash between the Knights Templar and the Assassin's is over land and a pervasive religious symbol.
Part of the reason the storyline is so rich and successful is that it was created:
"Inspired by historical events and characters. This work of fiction was designed, developed, and produced by a multicultural team of various religious faiths and beliefs."
Note: Video game rating is according to the information posted on the ESRB website; information on crusades was learned in a course on Chaucer
For your Enjoyment: Opening Cinematic The Website
