New Feature! Quick Links to Amazon!

I've set up a widget on the side of my blog, with quick links to all the games I've reviewed.  From here on, I will also include a link in the review.  You may now return with your regularly scheduled life.

Review: MADWORLD

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!

EA's forum ban policy: How much is too much?

EA, what happened to you?

There's an article over on GamePolitics that talks about EA's Origin service and how people banned from the forums are subsequently unable to play the games they paid for.  After reading the comments and linked articles, there's a few sticky topics that I want to pick apart.

Review: Nyko Zoom (Kinect)

I really was not planning on doing review on accessories on this blog, but I really feel compelled to write about this one after personal use and success.  This won't be a regular occurrence, just this once.

E3 Display showing off the box art

Accessory for: Microsoft Kinect (xbox 360)
Maker: Nyko
Cost: $29.99

Back at E3, Nyko announced a fish eye lens attachment for the Kinect called the Nyko Zoom.  Me, being 6'5" (~197cm) and all, knew that if something like this worked, it'd be a must-have add-on for the Kinect.  I pestered my manager at Gamestop about this product for at least a month or so, and I think he was relieved to have me off his case.

GTA 5 to ship 6/12/2012

According to Wal-Mart's product page, Grand Theft Auto Five (supposedly) will ship on June 12, 2012 in the United States.  A quick search of the ESRB website shows no records of a Grand Theft Auto 5, and the US Patent and Trademark Office shows no registered Trademark for the Grand Theft Auto 5 name, either.
I dunno about you, but I'm going to chalk this one up to rumor.

Ooga Booga Booga!

Halloween always gets people in a mood to soil their trousers.  Everybody and their mother tries to capitalize on this season, and game companies are no exception.  The survival horror genre has been around since the original nintendo era, but I feel that the genre as a whole is in need of a spark of life, a la Frankenstein.

Or this guy.  He's scary enough.

Digital Rights Management is ruining my gaming experience

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.

Review: Batman Arkham City

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.

First Impressions: Batman Arkham City

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.

Review: Assassin's Creed

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