The American Colonies, 1775. It’s a time of civil unrest and political upheaval in the Americas. As a Native American assassin fights to protect his land and his people, he will ignite the flames of a young nation’s revolution.
Assassin’s Creed III takes you back to the American Revolutionary War, but not the one you’ve read about in history books.
For the full written review, make sure to head on over to this link.
Miracle Mask brings the professor, his assistant Emmy and his apprentice Luke to the Vegas-esque tourism town of Monte d'Or. It's a town that is under assault by the Masked Gentleman, turning people into stone and such. He's viewed with wonder by some citizens for his daring magical feats, and with contempt and fear by others and the police. Needless to say, he's the source of the town's problems that goes hand-in-hand with the mystery surrounding Monte d'Or. Navigating Monte d'Or is all done with the stylus. You can access Layton's chest, investigate, or navigate the town with simple swipes and presses.
Investigating is done by tapping the magnifying glass with the stylus. You then look around the section of Monte d'Or that you're in. It can take a little getting used to having to move the stylus along the bottom 3DS screen while looking at where you are on the top screen, but By clicking objects, people and buildings, you uncover clues, find hint coins, advance the story and, most importantly, find puzzles! Puzzles are everywhere, which is to be expected in a Professor Layton game. There's over 100 puzzles to solve over the course of the adventure, from solving riddles and untangling balloon strings, to deducing how many people are in a picture from just looking at silhouettes. They increase in difficulty as the game advances, but it's rather forgiving. Re-attempting a puzzle either lowers the amount of Picarats you get or just prolongs the time until Layton points at you with that finger, congratulating you for solving the puzzle.
Even the game's early puzzles are no cakewalk, but it never gets to the point of being frustrating, mainly because the puzzles, look and feel of the game are so charming. In addition to these puzzles, there are mini-games that you access through Layton's chest. There's ones where you guide a robot through different levels filled with obstacles, one where you use rules and logic to stock store shelves a certain way so that customers buy all of the items, and one where you train a rabbit to perform an act for the circus. Oh, and there's also some horse riding in the game. And that's not all, as a new puzzle will be released every day for a year from launch day. Talk about replay value.
Bringing together the whole package is the use of three-dimensional graphics, which is a first for the series. It's one of the first games that I can play with the 3D slider all the way up for extended periods of time — it looks that good! Everything pops, from the hand-painted backgrounds, to the cute animation of the characters, to text boxes. Puzzles look better. Investigating and zooming in on environments look better. Simply put: the 3D makes the game pop and come to life. Add in whimsical music and voice acting that bring the characters to life, and you have quite the charming package.
The adventurous prequel story about Monte d'Or and its mysteries and chaos, as well as a young Professor Layton's friends, are quite captivating — even if it does take a while to ramp up. Combine that with the sheer amount of puzzles and mini-games, you're guaranteed at least 13 hours to complete the main story. For completionists, though, you'll be able to dump a lot more time into the game. The only negative is that at times I felt bogged down by the amount of things I can do, and I constantly felt the need to investiage and re-investigate the same area every time I entered it.
For newcomers and Professor Layton vets alike, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is a remarkable puzzle game with an adventurous story set in a charming world. Everything pops with the 3D, and while changes to world exploration might take a bit to get used to, it doesn't hamper the game in any way. All this comes together to provide one of the best experiences on the 3DS and a must-have for fans of puzzle games.
You can follow Movies and Culture Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. He likes talking sports, video games, and the stupidity of celebrities. Email at LLiebl@GameZone.com
That near-miss of brilliance gave me hope that Silent Hill: Revelation would right the wrongs of the original. After all, it wouldn't take much more than tossing out the script and letting the atmosphere speak for itself. Unfortunately, the creators of Silent Hill: Revelations didn't take fan opinion to heart. Instead, they repeated the same mistakes again with half the adherence to what makes Silent Hill special and twice as much wooden exposition.
The revelation here may be the bit of revisionist history that allows Sharon, the girl from the first film, to return to her father Christopher (Sean Bean). Years later, the two are on the run from cultists. They regularly move to new towns and change their names, giving Revelations an opportunity to name drop characters from Silent Hill 3 (the game). Now known as Heather and Harry, the pair can't outrun the cultists, eventually finding their way back to Silent Hill.
Along for the ride is Jon Snow...er, Vincent (played by Game of Thrones star Kit Harington), a boy from school who offers to help Heather return to Silent Hill. Of course he wouldn't be there without some secrets of his own, and his particular revelation is pretty much the turning point for any hope that this film will be any good.
Once again Silent Hill: Revelation is thick with explanations for all the madness that doesn't need explaining. And once again, the delivery of all this unnecessary info is as stilted as ever. The actors, almost all born outside of the United States, can't even be bothered to keep their accents in check. Sean Bean in particular dips into his native accent off and on throughout his scenes. As the revelations keep coming in the form of actors who seem too good for this film (Malcolm McDowell and Carrie-Anne Moss), it becomes clear that the terrible acting wasn't anyone's fault but those behind the camera.
At it's best, Silent Hill: Revelation is all about the creatures, but even then it falls pitifully short. Pyramid Head makes his return of course, but this time he's less terrifying and more fan service, pitted against another creature in an idiotic battle resembled Voldo and Nightmare duking it out in Soul Calibur. The creepy/sexy nurses also make a return, once again showing the creators' utter failure to understand what Silent Hill was about. After all, the nurses in Silent Hill 2 (the game) were manifestations of the main character's repressed sexual desires (yep), and in Revelations they're kinda just there.
Well before the end you'll probably find yourself fed up with the story and desensitized to the horror elements. That the central conflict of Revelations is solved with little more than an incredibly dramatic hug is just icing on a terrible cake. What I was left with was a very different nightmare than I hoped for: that I was looking at the next game-turned-movie-series to follow in the footsteps of Resident Evil. Now that's some scary stuff.
You play as Weiss, a dude suffering from a nasty case of amnesia after slaying a raging god. Unfortunately, killing such a powerful being comes with a price. The world is pretty much ending at this point, and it's up to Weiss to fix the problem. The story starts off fairly okay, but then it just spirals into a convoluted mess of long-drawn out character interactions and long-winded dialogue sequences. Seriously, there's a lot of spoken dialogue in Agarest War 2 (all of it in Japanese), so be prepared for that. I made the mistake of playing this game late at night a few times, and I had to stand up off my chair so I wouldn't nod off. It's not that the story isn't slightly interesting, because it is at times. The problem is that there's way too much talking and not enough action.
This line of dialogue was preceded and followed by several walls of text.
Where Agarest War 2 shines most is in its battle mechanics. The game takes an interesting approach to tactical RPG gameplay, giving Weiss and the party of characters he meets along the way plenty of methods for attacking enemies. While engaged in battle, you can press one of the four main face buttons to initiate some offense. Before you can really dish out the punishment, you need to break your aggressor's guard. After you do so, you have several options such as continuing the same attack, juggling your enemy in the air, and perform powered up combos. The battle system in Agarest War 2 is definitely engaging and highly satisfying. That's why it's a shame that the story bits get in the way.
Progression consists of traveling between towns and dungeons. Along the way you'll be thrust into several random encounters. A lot of folks have reportedly had an issue with this because all of the randomized battles can become a nuisance. Personally, however, I wasn't bothered too much because I felt that these battles kept my party at a consistently decent level whenever I encountered stronger enemies in dungeons.
When Agarest War 2 isn't talking you to death or providing you with bits of rewarding combat, it tasks you with maintaining relationships. Characters in your party will frequently talk to you, asking you questions along the way that will either improve or hinder your relationships. You can't please everyone, though, and your responses have a direct impact on your bonds with people. Additionally, Agarest War 2 throws some dating sim elements at you. The female characters you encounter on your journey play a major role in the game's story as you're essentially trying to woo them as part of the whole "save humanity" deal.
At least battles are interesting.
It's not all conversations, though. Agarest War 2 features some sexy interactive mini-games. Without spoiling too much, there are sequences where you'll have to give the ladies a massage using various oils (and sometimes even ice cream). You follow that up with cleaning the characters up (cleaning 'em up good!), and you can even use the Move controller if you want. You know, anything to put that blasted peripheral to use.
Agarest War 2 takes place across several generations, which means you get to play as a variety of characters with different personalities. It's fun seeing the world unfold and different character interactions shaping the countless bonds you'll form. Unfortunately, it all goes back to the dialogue, which is constantly overbearing and can get ridiculously tiresome. I almost feel as though the developers should have toned it down on all the talking, because that's seriously the main aspect that kept me from enjoying Agarest War 2 as much as I could have. And while you can skip story sequences, doing so means you're pretty much playing a story-less RPG and missing some pivotal plot details.
Visually, Agarest War 2 is pretty boring. While I can appreciate the anime-esque character models, it bothers me that these games are still relying so heavily on static backgrounds and characters that move ever so slightly while conversing. Damn it, add some more cutscenes to your games, JRPG developers! The overworld and battle screens are equally unimpressive. I definitely dig the stocky, cartoony look that the characters sport during these instances, but their surroundings are just plain drab and absolutely dull to look at.
Hahaha!
As far as sound design is concerned, Agarest 2 is fairly underwhelming in this department, too. There are no grand themes, and the soundtrack is just there to provide you with music to play the game along to. There's nothing that really stands out about it. As previously stated, the game features Japanese language voice-overs, so prepare to do a lot of reading if you don't know the language and want to understand the story. I suppose that's better than having to listen to horribly dubbed English voice work.
Agarest War 2 is a game for JRPG nuts. This title will not appeal to causal fans of the genre because too many flaws hamper the experience. For as interesting as the combat and relationship systems may be, there's an overabundant amount of dialogue that really interferes with the experience. Agarest War 2 is also too messy as far as its presentation is concerned. If you can ignore its glaring flaws, this RPG may provide you with some reasonable entertainment. Just don't expect anything too compelling.
Oh yeah, there's also this. Seriously, what the hell, you guys?!
For a bunch of indie game and burrito talk, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.
First off, the game is visually impressive. In all fighting games, framerate is very important, and I only sparingly experienced a slight hiccup. The animations are all smooth and shifting from one combo into another is visually satisfying. Character models are beautiful for the entire roster of over 50 characters. Stages, which span the world — from the enchanted North Pole with tons of Santas to a creepy swamp of purple goo that covers your fighter — each brings a different atmosphere.
Now that you know the game looks pretty, what are your options for play? Of course there's online and offline, and I spent all of my time offline. As 'Tag' is in the title, the fighting revolves around 2v2 matches that have you swapping between two fighters. Let me tell you, you can pull of some really cool combos and juggle your opponents once you become well-versed in the game. You can also do 2v1, 1v2, and 1v1. These variations are available for play against both human and computer opponents. Four players are also able to play 2v2, which is a welcome bonus when all of your friends are over. There's also the timed attack, survival and practice mode, all of which add some variety.
If you've never played a Tekken game, there are two punch buttons, two kick button, multiple combos and grapples. That's the basic gist of it, but you can unleash so much more than what you think. I'm still discovering new, cool combos and moves with characters, and with 50 characters, there's a lot to learn. For each of the 50 characters, there is an ending movie that you unlock at the end of arcade mode. They're not long, but they're often humorous and each character has their own.
The main problem I find with Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is that it's one of the most exhilarating and fun fighting games when playing with other people, but it gets frustrating when playing solo. I'm basing this off of Arcade mode. I feel like the whole game teaches you to play a certain way. But then you get to the bosses and the game changes drastically. The difficulty ramps up significantly, to the point where I couldn't tell the difference between playing on easy, medium or ultra hard. Bosses start using special moves that feel out of place, with abilities that brings one of your fighters down to no health in one hit. Pro fighters probably fair a lot better, for for gamers like me that hold their own in fighting games, I feel the game just gets out of hand.
I mean, I played against a friend that regularly wins fighting game tournaments, and I won half the games. Yet it took me quite a while to beat the final boss... to the point where I felt like breaking things in the room. I couldn't imagine having to go through this 50 times. This is why I feel Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is an entirely different game when played against humans. I don't know — maybe it's just me.
Lastly, a huge addition to the game is the Fight Lab. Acting as part story mode, part training, it's a great mode for newbies and veterans alike. While teaching you the ins and outs of Tekken's combat, you play as Combot and experience the story around him. There's some sexism and back and forth jokes made between the inventor of Combot and his assistant, which are pretty funny. It adds a nice element to the standard training mode that some fighting games have. And it's all definitely goofy. You also earn money the more you play, which lets you customize Combot with fighting moves from the entire Tekken Tag Tournament 2 roster. You also earn these coins playing other modes, like as you play through Arcade mode. With this, you can also customize the appearance of fighters by buying different hair and articles of clothing. It's just a way to customize the characters to look the way you like. I have a funny feeling that most of the female characters are going to end up barely clothed in a lot of male's games.
After my time with Tekken Tag Tournament 2, I feel that it's a strong fighting game that has the basics down pat and does a ton right. When playing against other people, the fighting is both calculated and ferocious, sure to illicit cheers from people watching. I definitely see how the game will fair in pro play. And while the Fight Lab is great for both story and getting players used to the game, I feel that Arcade mode ends up unbalanced towards the end — which is a bit of a turn off. Even with those problems, this is one of the prime fighting games you can pick up, and I recommend that you do so.
[Reviewed on Xbox 360]
You can follow Movies and Culture Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ
While the aforementioned extras are all nice additions to the multiplayer experience in Max Payne 3, it's the new maps that really make the DLC. Local Justice includes three maps: Imperial Palace, 55th Battalion HQ, and Departure Lounge. These three areas are taken straight from the last few chapters in the game, and they're absolutely incredible. Imperial Palace is a massive rundown hotel. The map consists of crumbling walls and piles of debris. There's plenty of cover to be found and high areas for picking off enemies from a distance.
Easily the most complex map of the three, 55th Battalion HQ is a huge collection of maze-like rooms, twists and turns, open spaces, and walls perfect for getting cover and ambushing your enemies. Combat in this map can drastically vary depending on what area you're in. For example, being in the jail often results in players engaging in melee attacks and close quarters combat. But when you get to the more open areas, there's no option other than letting loose with your best guns. It should be noted that 55th Battalion HQ is the only Local Justice map that supports Gang Wars mode, and it's damn near perfect for the objective-based component.
Last is the sprawling Departure Lounge. This map offers a bit of what the two previous areas feature. There are a lot of tight spaces, high areas, small rooms, and a massive central zone. Departure Lounge is a huge, multi-level map that's just plain fun. There's plenty of cover for high-pressure shootouts and ambush spots for sneakier players.
It's difficult for me to choose a favorite among the three new maps. The fact of the matter is that each new area offers something special and rewarding for fans of Max Payne 3 multiplayer. Imperial Palace, 55th Battalion HQ, and Departure Lounge have some noticeable similarities in terms of their features, but they're vastly different as far as structure and design are concerned.
As much fun as the three new maps may be, it should be noted that there are some hindrances. It's not that the levels themselves are limited, but getting to them can be. During the pre-match voting sequence, almost everyone is still always voting for Branco HQ. It makes sense that people love that map because it's so well designed, but come on, people! Give the new maps a chance, too! I mean, you paid money for them, damn it! Despite that minor gripe, if you really want to engage in some multiplayer fun on the new maps, there's a DLC option that lets you play randomized modes on the downloaded stages, so they're not entirely out of reach.
Local Justice sports a $7.99 price tag. For three maps, an item, and a gun, that can be a bit pricey, so I would highly recommend you shell out the $29.99 for the Rockstar Pass if you intend on sticking with the multiplayer in Max Payne 3 for a long time. At least that way you'll be sure to snag the follow-up content automatically once it launches.
Ultimately, the Local Justice Pack is for people who want more Max Payne 3 multiplayer. For those people, it's definitely one hell of a content boost. While the extra items and faction are good extras, the three new maps are the shining additions and are definitely worth paying money for. Max Payne 3's online multiplayer component just got even more addictive.
[Reviewed on PlayStation 3]
For a bunch of nonsensical gibberish, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.
Dead Island takes place on the island of Banoi, which is suddenly struck with a zombie outbreak. You play as one of four characters who are stranded on the tropical deathtrap. Your character is immune to the virus, so because of that, the other survivors on the island think it's best to just send you out to do their dirty work, run their errands, and scavenge for supplies. Hey, makes sense, right? I know I'd be sending out the guy who won't turn into a zombie if he gets bitten. Unfortunately, the story is largely uninteresting, and the characters aren't very likable. There are a few interesting moments, but overall, you shouldn't go into Dead Island expecting some gripping tale.
The bulk of what you'll be doing on the island of Banoi is looting and, obviously, killing hordes of zombies. Combat is satisfying and brutal, and I can't stress enough how good it felt using a nail hammer to bash a zombie's face in. Weapons are an integral part of survival in Dead Island, and throughout the course of your quest for survival you come across everything from flimsy wooden paddles to powerful machetes. Along your journey you come across different weapon mods, and by combining seemingly useless items you've looted (duct tape, wire) with some of the sturdier weapons you come across, you can create something as impressive as a nail bat or an electric crowbar.
As much as I enjoyed the idea of the crafting system in Dead Island, there were a few times where I would create a powerful weapon only to come across an unaltered mace or machete that was much stronger and more durable than what I had concocted. Speaking of durability, that's one of the elements that shines in Dead Island. You can't just create a weapon of mass destruction and breeze through the game. The more you use a weapon, the more of its durability you expend. You can fix up your items at workbenches, but you need to be mindful of their condition as you go on quests, which is absolutely brilliant because it keeps combat interesting.
The most fun I had in Dead Island was during the first few hours. Collecting weaker weapons and having to dish out punishment to take out zombies was a lot more satisfying than simply severing their heads off with the modified ripper weapon, which features spinning blades and looks really cool. Personally, I like the fight, and having to work for survival was more intense. Aside from that, encountering human antagonists was also remarkable, as these bouts featured some heavy gunplay that required patience and a steady trigger finger. Additionally, the RPG elements that allow you to level up and enhance different skill trees add a nice touch to the experience. And for gamers who want to play alongside others, Dead Island's co-op is still intact here.
The Game of the Year Edition features all of the cool gameplay that was released last year in the main game, warts and all, but it also fixes the glaring bugs and features some neat DLC extras. The aforementioned ripper mod, for example, was originally released as an add-on, and now it comes bundled with this edition of Dead Island. There's also the Bloodbath Arena, which is a new area that allows you to take on hordes of zombies and hack your way up a few levels. It's not the most amazing distraction, but it can be fun when played with others.
The most notable inclusion in the Game of the Year Edition is the Ryder White Campaign. This DLC will take you roughly three hours to get through and offers a different perspective on the tale of Dead Island. That said, because the story in the base game was never that enthralling to begin with, it's hard to care about the plot here. Still, the Ryder White Campaign does feature a lot of awesome shootouts. There were also a few cheap moments where gangs of running zombies ambushed me, and as you can probably guess, those sequences weren't very fun ... unless I had an assault rifle to mow 'em all down.
Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition is a nice package for gamers who want to destroy legions of undead monsters. Is it worthy of the title Game of the Year? That's debatable. But at $30, it's tough to pass this game up. You get a 20-hour main campaign rife with side quests and fun albeit flawed gameplay, a powerful weapon mod, an arena where you can level up and kill even more zombies, and a brief add-on campaign. At the end of the day, Dead Island is a really fun time, and you should definitely check it out if you've got that zombie huntin' itch.
[Reviewed on PlayStation 3]
For a bunch of nonsensical gibberish, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.
Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition follows in the footsteps of other revamped arcade classics, such as Namco’s Galaga Legions DX and Pac-Man Championship Edition, by returning to the classic gameplay many folks grew up with, and adding extra modes that actually serve a purpose, and don’t just serve as décor. While the game’s still missing out on certain things that will make it a party favorite (like online play), there’s undeniably no question it ended up being better than expected.
First off, Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition features the original arcade classic – well, an “inspired” version, anyway – with different settings to choose from, including a retro 8-bit design. There are various other modes you can check out as well, each one using old-school gameplay as its focal point. These include Paint, Twin Frogger (one of our favorites, as you control two frogs at the same time), Frogger Freak Out, Battle Royale, Tile Capture and Lady Frog Rescue. Up to four players can take part in these games, and the more the merrier, as the competition just isn’t the same against AI opponents. Tile Capture and Frogger Freak Out are easily our favorites, thanks to their unpredictable nature. Twin Frogger is worth a try as well – and quite challenging.
Zombie Studios sweetened the deal by letting you choose whatever visual and audio style you want for each round. You can go with classic inspired tunes, which aren’t half bad and a visual grid layout similar to a Tron-like world, or go with the retro 8-bit look with “Froggy’s Lament” – yes, it’s here – in the background. For some odd reason, Konami also added some Castlevania and Contra-inspired sprites and tunes as well, and they mesh better than you might expect.
As a party game, Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition delivers lots of fun, as there isn’t a dull mode in the bunch (save for Paint – could’ve been less predictable), and up to four local players can join in at any time. It’s also fairly balanced, so kids and adults alike stand a chance to win each round. Trophies and Achievements can also be unlocked, and additional backgrounds and tunes are also opened up as you hop along through the game.
While Pac-Man Championship Edition still has the edge with online leaderboards and additional modes, Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition still makes it home without getting squashed. This is easily one of the better games in the series to date, reminding us how excellent the classic game was while, at the same time, coming through with new challenges aplenty. Jump on this game when you get a chance.
[Reviewed on Xbox 360]
The game consists of 40+ activities, all based on the actual Olympic events, though playing through them mostly involves tapping buttons like crazy, holding the analog stick in a certain direction, or completing a quick-time event. While that’s hardly as involving as what EA’s doing with its sports sims, it does make for a strong approach in the casual market, as anyone can literally pick up and play these games. Plus, Sega Australia has put a certain sense of timing into each event. With running, for instance, you have to tap the button enough so that you maintain a certain level of stamina, but you don’t want to mash like crazy, as too much can tire your runner out.
There are some events that truly stand out here. Archery is very well done, giving you not only the trajectory on a shot, but also letting wind play a factor – something we haven’t seen that often in other archery games. Table tennis has an interesting new spin – literally – with analog controls, rather than the usual button-tapping set-up. And there’s even some first person shooting with the pistol events, something you don’t normally see in the Olympics. Though not all the events are home runs, at least Sega made them interesting enough where you won’t automatically skip them.
Sega also outdid itself in the presentation department. While not every athlete looks convincing going for Olympic gold, these athletes actually look closer to realistic than we expected, and their surroundings, based around official Olympic locations in London, are fascinating and life-like. Furthermore, the camera never becomes a problem, as Sega has set up each angle so that it aids the player, rather than holding them back. The sound is authentic too, with crowds and announcers applauding your performance. Could’ve been better music, though.
London 2012 does give you the option to customize your athletes however you see fit, so you can add favorites from the past – or yourself – to your official team. However, Sega cut the roster dramatically short with only 36 of the 200+ of the countries represented, for some inexplicable reason. So if you’re a fan of Cuba or Egypt, we’ve got some bad news.
As for the other options London 2012 provides, they’re pretty good. Motion play is included in the Party Play events, including Kinect and Move support, and though not every event can be played this way, the ones that were selected are moderately fun. The game also comes with online support, so you can compete with other players around the world through leaderboards. We’ll bust those world records yet…
Though London 2012 likely won’t be remembered like a year or so from now, it fares much better than Sega’s usual glut of Olympic-licensed flutter. Though some of the activities are lacking (how do you screw up women’s volleyball?!) and a lot of representing countries are missing, most of the activities are fun with regular and motion play, and the online interaction is better than expected. The presentation is good too, for what it is. If you have to fulfill your fix of Olympic fever and the billion-plus hours of NBC coverage isn’t enough for you, step up to this podium and claim your medals.
[Reviewed on Xbox 360]
In a sport that’s as technical as MMA, Onslaught sets itself apart from other similar titles by ramping up the action and pace. The best way to describe this formula would be to call it a Mortal Kombat meets MMA cross. You’re still setting up moves to counteract your opponent’s movements, but the focus isn’t detracted by complex button sequences. Indeed, most of the time will be spent button mashing to break blocks and to expose takedown opportunities – not pacing around the ring to find that one viable chance to score. This style of play coexists well with the introduction of a stamina bar. Like most fighters, you have your health bar that depletes after every hit, but you also have a stamina bar that keeps strategy vital in Onslaught. As you throw punches, kicks, and takedowns, your stamina bar will drop lower and lower; as it does, you run a greater risk of being knocked-out easier by a “flash KO.” This feature can be used against your opponents, thankfully, and will keep you on your toes throughout your matches.
Whereas some downloadable titles fall short in terms of graphics, Onslaught surprisingly impresses. The game ships with a number of well-known MMA fighters that are detailed from head to toe, or beard to chest hair. Though the game focuses less on surroundings, Onslaught’s slew of fighting locations are detailed enough to satisfy, as your focus won’t be on the setting. Onslaught also captures fighting in all its gory glory. As you and your enemy duke it out through three rounds, gashes become wider and your body more bloody. It’s always satisfying when you land a killer blow on an opponent and it’s then complimented with blood flying from his mouth onto the matt.
Onslaught does have some hindrances that detract from the overall experience, though. Unlike UFC Undisputed 3, Onslaught’s fight presentation is little to none. Apart from a nod to fighting games (Ready, ready, FIGHT!), you won’t be treated with play-by-play commentary or thrilling intros that show the fighters have come to pound each other into a pulp. There are also some hiccups in the fighting engine that makes the action pause for a moment, though some of them are absolutely hilarious. One time we were knocked out and our opponent began jumping and running around our body and pushed it around the ring.
Thankfully, these rough spots can be mostly overlooked thanks to the amount of content within Onslaught. Along with your standard exhibition, ladder, and multiplayer modes, the game features an extensive create-a-fighter mode that’s a breath of fresh air in sports games. You’ll have four spots available to create fighters that can be leveled up to 64, though no one fighter is the “ultimate, unbeatable fighter.” You can make your character as serious or silly as you want and can then level him up through any of the game’s modes. As you rank up, you’ll earn points that are used to improve your fighter’s skills across several horizons: strikes, takedowns, submissions, and technical. 345 Games has also promised future DLC, some free, that’ll extend your play time.
From a normal standpoint, Onslaught may not be much, especially in comparison to similar triple-A titles. The fact of the matter is, though, that the game is a fifteen-dollar downloadable title that offers more playability than any MMA/UFC game on the market. It’s also considerably unique in its gameplay style that is definitely a homage to fighting games. Simply put, 345 Games’ Bellator: MMA Onslaught is a great addition to the ever-growing digital marketplace and compliments the ever-growing sport that is Bellator.
[Reviewed on Xbox 360]
The first thing you’ll notice is the gameplay. The quarterback has some new step-off animations – 20, in fact – that make passing feel a little more fluid. There’s also indicators to let you know how your receivers are positioned, though I felt there were instances where the defense reads them just a little too closely. (Thankfully, the “blind swats” that were such a pain in previous versions are gone – the defender now has to see the ball to take a shot at it.) The running game shows some signs of improvement as well, with better read-outs of hot routes and the ability to change it on the fly if you deem it necessary.
While most of it does lean on the same old stuff we’ve seen in previous years, NCAA 13 as a whole operates like a great sports sim. Very rarely will you find an instance where something didn’t go as planned – save for user error or simply playing as a low-level, stat-drained team. You can adjust sliders however you please in the game, should you feel you need work on your passing game or how you run on the field.
And as always, NCAA 13 packs on the modes for players to try out. The newest of the bunch is Heisman mode, where you can take one of a dozen past winners – including cover star Barry Sanders – and run them through their paces for a superstar season. While lacking in overall innovation, it’s nice to see these achievers get the recognition they deserve in game form. And, hey, you can shut your friends up about who can do more in a Heisman season.
Aside from that, most of the modes from the series make a return. The mascot football mode is a bit ludicrous, but well worth trying out if only to silence your buddies by dominating them with dudes in Air Force Falcon uniforms. Road To Glory is once again back, where you can create a player from scratch and run them through a high school-college career, earning XP and making them a better-rounded player. The addition of extra goals and Reaction Time (a cool little slowdown feature) are nice here. Finally, Online Dynasty lets you make the run for records through either Xbox Live or PlayStation Network, setting up conferences and changing around staff to see if you can perform better in your league.
Though not all the schools made the cut in this game (which is a bit weird, considering it’s the “ultimate” NCAA package), we did see plenty of our favorite universities represented with mascots, authentic fields and player celebrations in the game. And even if actual player names aren’t included (NCAA rules, I guess), it’s still a decent overall experience.
That said, the graphics can lack a bit in certain areas. From a distance, the crowds don’t really look that much different, even if your team is romping and stomping a long-time rival. Also, some of the environmental effects and camera angles don’t change much, even with extreme weather conditions. Just something for EA to keep in mind with next year’s go-around. Otherwise, the game looks marvelous. Especially the menus and the replay system. Talk about ESPN inspired.
As for audio, Brad Nessler and Kirk Herbstreit once again return for audio commentary, and though there are times they sound slightly disjointed (especially when meshed with Erin Andrews’ sideline reports), they offer some good rapport as your team marches forward. The crowd noises are quite enthusiastic and fun to listen to, and the authentic themes for each school are a blast. More cannon fire would’ve been nice, though. (Yes, some schools still use cannons.)
Though not quite as trend-setting as last year’s rendition, NCAA Football 13 is still a good game of pigskin, packed with features and a strong presentation that fans of the sport will happily embrace. At the very least, it’ll tide you over until you see if Madden NFL 13 can make the grade or not. That’s a month and a half of Online Dynasty domination. See you on the field.
[Reviewed on Xbox 360]
That’s because Beenox takes everything that it’s learned from the previous games and applies it into a formula that fans have been wanting for years, ever since the release of Spider-Man 2 – to be able to swing through New York with the kind of exhilarating freedom that Peter Parker has come to appreciate. And though the game isn’t without its objectives to be met, it’s really up to you how all of this is played, whether you just want to collect comic book pages across mid-town or teach baddies like Rhino and Vermin a thing or two.
The story follows the events that occurred in the film, with some slime named Alester Smythe taking over for Curt Connors at Oscorp. He’s trying to shut down the cross-breed project that infected Connors, but to no avail, as several hybrids escape, infecting a number of employees in the process – including Spidey’s main squeeze, Gwen Stacey. If that isn’t enough, Smythe, quick for a cover-up, has unleashed several large robots across the city, ones that are prepared to squash cross-breeds flat. Sadly, this means good ol’ Spider-Man as well. And that’s about all I can give away from the plot. Trying to avoid spoilers, kids.
What I can tell you is that Beenox nails every single aspect of the Spider-Man experience that it possibly could. The game goes all over the place, from swinging across the city to fighting in stylish combat to using your web-crawling stealth to get past rooms of enemies, taking them out one by one silently. (You can feel the Noir Spider-Man vibe here that first came up in Shattered Dimensions.) Let’s break down each one…
Web swinging: For the most part, it works marvelously, as you can use precision to go from place to place, between routine swings and your new Web Rush ability, which zooms into a first-person perspective and lets you choose your landing point. The only downside is it’s not entirely realistic, as Spidey is almost able to swing a web anywhere – even in wide open park areas. But you’ll be too busy being all acrobatic to care.
As for combat, it’s natural, and while not as smooth-flowing as, say, Batman: Arkham City, it works. Webbing up enemies is a good time, and your super techniques, like the web zip, really pay off on enemies at a distance. You can also web retreat if you need to, though zipping from the main combat to a safe spot can be a little disorienting at first. One huge addition is being able to use secondary objects in combat, like dumpsters and oxygen tanks. Boom!
(Note: there are instances where you have to do button-mashing, like taking out the flying robots above, but they're really not as bad as you might think.)
Finally, there’s stealth, using your web abilities to tie up baddies from afar or even using your web to silently track enemies. It’s very cool, though there are times you’ll be a little antsy hiding from folks. Sometimes patience pays off, though.
All of these tie together into a worthwhile gaming experience, one that truly makes you feel like the webhead. Your Spider Sense also helps out as well, as little markers appear when you need to dodge an attack (pressing the Y or triangle button) or step completely out of the picture to heal.
As for how Amazing Spider-Man looks, Beenox went all out with this engine. The New York environment is simply stunning, as you swing through city streets and even high into the air, possibly at the Xtreme Challenge blimp floating around the city. There are times screen tearing and lost details emerge, especially if you’re swinging high above everything, but overall, it’s a wondrous recreation of New York, right down to the Daily Bugle. The indoor stuff looks excellent too, though the close-up camera can pose a problem in certain combat situations. Don’t be afraid to back off and figure out your next move.
Activision also pulled a little surprise with the game’s voicework. Instead of going with the usual cast, it’s called upon newcomers to the Spidey franchise. Naruto’s San Riegel provides a superb take on Spidey, complete with his witty comebacks and believable tone of voice. You can just feel he really cares for Stacey. Backing him up is voice over veteran, Nolan North, who’s quite sinister as Smythe, especially later on. It’s great to hear Claudia Black as well, voicing nosy (but helpful) reporter Whitney Chang. And finally, Bruce Campbell returns as the know-it-all Xtreme Challenge reporter. He’s a blast, like always.
The Amazing Spider-Man gives you plenty to do, between free-roaming crime missions, photography tasks, side stories and helping citizens in peril. But it eventually comes to an end once you 100 percent everything…which, fortunately, will take a while. And once you collect comics, you can actually read them, a nice treat for die-hard fans.
To be honest, aside from some web-swinging physics, small camera issues and a lack of some familiar villains (really, was Venom too busy?!), The Amazing Spider-Man nails down the experience of being the web-slinger, with very few problems getting in the way. It’s a definitive movie-licensed experience, but doesn’t rely too much on the movie itself to fuel it. Beenox did it just the right way – their way – and have produced one of the better Spidey games as a result. Where they go from here is anyone’s guess…but a co-op adventure with Venom certainly wouldn’t be out of the question.
[Reviewed on PlayStation 3]
What starts off as a few moral dilemmas quickly escalates into you second guessing each of your decisions — decisions that at the beginning of the game seem so easy and simple — and rethinking your morals. At the beginning, everything is so clear, but at the end you will not only second guess your decisions, but your sanity as well. Are you a monster? Are you doing what it takes to survive? These are the questions you'll ask yourself as you play Spec Ops: The Line, and ultimately, it's the questions you will be left to answer when the game concludes.
Most of today's shooter games have that macho-man, Americans saving the world mentality. They make war seem fun and exciting, without really exploring the toll it takes on you not just physically, but mentally. Spec Ops: The Line is refreshing, not because of its innovative gameplay, but because of the way it explores war and depicts the mental breakdown of soldiers caught in a situation that goes from bad to worse.
Story is Spec Ops' strongest aspect. Playing as Captain Martin Walker, you are sent in to the ruins of Dubai after a series of cataclysmic sandstorms cut the city off from the rest of the world. Your mission is simple: search the city for Colonel John Konrad and his battalion, The Damned 33rd squadron of the U.S. infantry, and rescue them.
Upon entering the ruins of Dubai, you are soon met with strange radio signals that peak Walker's interest, leading him deeper into the city, and ultimately further into the rabbit hole. Walker, along with his two squadmates Lugo and Adams, soon discover that things in Dubai are not what they seem, and that the very men sent in to keep the region stable has abandoned their duty. It's now just a fight for survival for everyone in the war-torn lands of Dubai. Civilians, CIA, The Damned 33rd, and now the Deltas are all fighting for their lives.
Up until now, I've talked mostly about Spec Ops' story and dilemma. That's because story is where the game truly shines. While many games rely on action gameplay as a crutch to aid the story, Spec Ops does the complete opposite. Rather, Spec Ops' standard third-person gameplay serves as a setup to the next cutscene, where Walker and his squad question the very actions that just took place. Combat is in the game simply to facilitate the narrative.
You won't feel like a hero at the end of each firefight; instead, you will feel like a monster who slaughtered dozens of people just trying to survive. Through these cutscenes, you will watch as Walker and his men quickly deteriorate, questioning their judgment and morality.
This is arcade off-road racing through and through. Think of it as a modified version of Midway’s Off Road Thunder, but with the crazy thrills and mud-filled tracks replaced by more simpler stuff – and for the better. You’ll have the opportunity to take on 20+ racing events in the Career Mode, and challenge others through online multiplayer, with up to seven other people able to join in an event. You can unlock additional arcade modes as well.
On top of modes, Jeremy McGrath’s Offroad also comes with an XP system, where you can upgrade your vehicle for “later events”, according to the man himself, McGrath. However, we didn’t notice too many differences in performance, even with all our stats maxed out. Granted, pro racers shooting to make it all the way through career on the highest difficulty may think otherwise.
The gameplay is vintage arcade racing, as good as a game of this type will get. Each vehicle handles the same, but handles well, as you slide around dirt turns, go flying off jumps and ram into vehicles (without flipping them over) to try and brush past them. There’s a “clutch boost” that supposedly helps you gun better out of a turn, but we tried it and didn’t notice much improvement in the ride. There’s nothing there that the DiRT series didn’t already perfect, but at a smaller price point, Jeremy McGrath’s Offroad is easily more accessible.
The online racing is smooth, though it takes a little bit of time to put together a race, since the lobby is usually a ghost town. Luckily, you can still challenge fellow players through leaderboards, competing with their best times with your souped-up car. And unlocking new ones is a good add-on, though the performance between them hardly differs. You’d think the Monster-licensed truck would have an energetic upgrade over the others. Nope.
Graphically, Jeremy McGrath’s Offroad has plenty to offer. Though there are only six tracks in all, they look very good, running at a fluid 60 frames per second and packing more detail than we expected, especially when we went plowing into signs on the side of the road. There isn’t much variation in the vehicles, though, nor any real time damage. You take the good with the bad, I suppose.
As for audio, the in-game music is okay, but hardly memorable, and McGrath spews out a whole bunch of racing tips in-between each race. He does so with little emotion, but at least he’s somewhat helpful with his advice. The sound effects are good, though all the trucks sound the same.
Jeremy McGrath’s Offroad, more often than not, relies on typical driving conventions, thus guaranteeing it won’t stand out over Sega’s arcade racers or the others we mentioned. However, it’s an entertaining romp that took us by surprise, and for $10, you certainly get your money’s worth when it comes to arcade-powered joy.
