At least one of the trailers I saw for this made me interested in the game. It was like a return to the classic gameplay of the old Metroid games, just in 3D and a few enhancements!
Boy was I disappointed.
I don’t mind them giving Samus a backstory, but when they turn her into a angst-ridden character desperate for the chance to redeem herself from some past mistake, I have problems. I also have problems when she goes into the game with all of her suit’s weapons, but won’t use them because the man she’s trying to seek redemption from (and also happens to be the commander of the mission) won’t let her.
Really? Samus has to seek permission to be the awesome bounty hunter she already is now? I’m sorry, that’s an EPIC FAIL on the developer’s side.
About the only thing this game has going for it is the graphics, which are pretty good (though I still like Prime 3′s better). Other than that, I really couldn’t stand this game.
I have been a fan of the Metroid Prime series since I tried the first one years ago on the GameCube. As I posted then, it was my first real foray into first-person shooters and it was awesome. Then I took on the Ing in Metroid Prime 2:Echoes.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is an awesome final game, and I can say that without having seen the end of it. It builds on the first two and adds in some Wii capabilities that weren’t available in the previous games and it really immerses you in the world of Samus Aran.
At first I was a little annoyed at the “grab the handle, pull, twist, push” sequences to open doors, but I realized later that little things like that that really pull you into the game. It makes it more fully immersive than always shooting the door with the right weapon.
I was also unsure of the talking, but seeing as they kept Samus mute and let the other characters just tell her what to do, it kept up the feel of previous games. In the first two, your suit’s computer would tell you what to do and where to go, but with the addition of these other characters, it seems more realistic to have these other characters explain things and give objectives. It also fits better with the storyline.
The story is that the Federation is finally having some success fighting against Phazon enhanced Space Pirates. Then, Dark Samus (aka Metroid Prime) returns and launches an attack that threatens to stop the Federation cold. Samus, and a few other bounty hunters are dispatched to several different planets in response. Samus is the only one to return.
Anyway, it is an awesome game and definitely worth buying.
This is definitely one of the best RPGs ever made. Engaging plot, multiple endings, and the newer versions (PSX and DS) have a few more extras thrown in as well. Even though it was originally released for the SNES it’s just as much fun to play today as it was then.
I’ve started the game several times in the past, but I only just finished it a couple days ago on my DS. I can honestly say that I love every bit of this game. One of my favorite things is the way your actions in the side quests change things in the throughout the game’s timeline. For example, if you do the quest that helps Fiona plant the forest in the past, the desert in the present becomes a forest. If you defeat Ozzie in the past, the monster town is friendly in the present, instead of hostile.
I also like Magus’ character story alot. When you first meet him, he’s known as the Fiendlord, leading an army of monsters to destroy the humans. As the story progresses, you come to find out that he is a lot more complex. He wasn’t trying to destroy the world, but instead was trying to destroy Lavos, the final boss, who is also responsible for separating him from his family.
Anyway, it’s an awesome game and of you are a fan of RPGs, you should definitely make sure to play this sometime. Even if you’re not an RPG fan, try it and you may like it.
When I first got this, I thought it was going to be basically, an upgraded version of the original Super Mario Bros. I’m glad I was wrong. There’s a lot more to it, and it is an amazing game. One of the best for the DS, that I’ve played.
Here’s the breakdown.
Characters
The characters are the same as always: Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser. Bowser Jr. is also one of the main characters, and actually seems to be the one with the master plan now.
Story
As with the old Mario games, this one has no story beyond rescuing the princess who’s been taken yet again by Bowser Jr.
Music & Sounds
The music is a good mix of remade classics (the underground theme and the castle theme from the original) and the sound effects are par for the course in a Mario game.
Gameplay & Controls
This is where the differences really come to play. In addition to the requisite Starman, Super Mushroom and Fire Flower, there is also a Mega Mushroom, that makes Mario the height of the screen and able to walk through just about anything, the Mini Mushroom, which shrinks Mario to half his small size granting access to small passages and giving him the ability to float further in air, and the Koopa Shell, which gives Mario a koopa shell and allows him to slide across of the floor just like a shell that has been kicked, only you can control how long he slides.
Also, in addition to the regular coins and red coins, there is also 3 star coins in each stage. These can be used to open new paths on the map and at the end of the game to buy some nostalgic backgrounds.
There is also a Mario vs. Luigi mode that I haven’t had the chance to play yet, and a bunch of Mini games as well.
Fun
I would say that this game is definitely one of the most fun Mario games I’ve ever played. It’s not quite as much fun as Super Mario RPG (and seeing as I’m an RPG fanatic nothing may ever be that much fun), but it’s close.
I knew there was a reason I never saw this in the used games sections in the game stores I visited. Now I know why: it’s an awesome game. Be sure to pick it up if you get the chance.
[TechSoC: NOTE: This review has been translated from zombie-like grunts and snarls into living-human readable text. You’re welcome.]
“I have not come this far to die now.” -Nick
Before I played the original Left 4 Dead on my friend’s 360, I thought Resident evil was THE zombie killer series. Well, Resident Evil has, in my book, been knocked off the top. Left 4 Dead was there for a while, but now, the sequel is on top. There is not a better game for killing zombies that I know of.
Here’s the breakdown.
Characters
The survivors in this one are different than the first, but no less diverse. You have Coach, the big softie of the group (though not toward the undead), Ellis, the redneck hick who is loving the fact he gets to shoot his gun more often, Nick, who seems like a mobster type, and Rochelle, an office girl at a local news station. Like the original, they all tease each other about different things, like Nick’s comment in the intro to Coach, who was having trouble running up 30 flights of stairs, about the helicopter possibly being made of chocolate, but even though they just met, they know enough to stick together and survive.
Story
It follows the first game by a week, so it’s now been three weeks since the infection hit. The story follows the four survivors as they work their way toward safety. Zombies try to eat them along the way and they shoot them. Not much here. Though, the argument could be made that this kind of game doesn’t need much of one.
Music & Sounds
The music in this one has a bit more southern twang to it than the original did. It works since this one happens in the south, ranging from Savannah, Georgia to New Orleans, Louisiana. The sound effects on the other hand are what you would expect: gun sounds and zombie sounds. There’s also the banter between the characters. Nothing extraordinary, but nothing bad either.
Gameplay & Controls
It plays like a team-based first-person shooter where you basically kill anything that moves. The fact that the enemies are in random places, huge hordes and have fairly intelligent AI makes it more fun. There’s also the Gauntlet events like the one at the roller coaster in the carnival, where the enemies just keep coming and coming without end. Those are fun.
Fun
I would say that for shooters, there isn’t a more fun game for me. There is something satisfying, for me, watching all those zombies’ heads explode when I fire my shot gun at them. Or literally walking through a horde with the chainsaw, body parts flying everywhere. Or, my personal favorite, taking on a horde with the katana. Melee weapons FTW!
So, obviously, parents should not be letting their little ones see this game. There is a lot of violence and gore and some swearing (though not much on the swearing). There are reasons it is rated M for mature.
A seriously fun game for adults, though. If you have no problems with violence and gore and zombies, be sure to try this game. It’s available on the PC and Xbox 360.
If you know me, you know that I like the MegaMan series, especially the Battle Network series. Well, Battle Network ended a few years ago with the sixth game in the series. With the DS coming out around the end of Battle Network, Capcom decided to start a new MegaMan series on it based on Battle Network. Thus was created MegaMan Star Force.
It was release in three versions: Leo, Pegasus and Dragon. Each one gives you a slightly different game, but they are all essentially the same. Being a fan of the color green (if you couldn’t tell by my blog layout and website colors), I chose Dragon.
Since I was already a big fan of BN, Star Force was not too hard for me to get into. It’s a bit more sci-fi than BN, being that you don’t jack-in to everyday object, but instead fuse with an Alien being who exists as EM waves, and become MegaMan that way, but it works. Combat is a little different as it is now 3D and from a behind MegaMan perspective, instead of from the side.
One of the bigger improvements is the BrotherBand system which allows you to become “brothers” with up to 6 people (3 NPCs and 3 real people). By becoming brothers, you lend your strength to each other in the form of HP, a randomizer battle card that allows you to use one of your brother’s six favorite battle cards and access to their version of the game’s Star Force. If I have Dragon and become brothers with a Leo and a Pegasus owner, I will be able to use all three Star Forces (transformations similar to style changes from BN2 and 3, soul unisons from BN4 and 5 and crosses from BN6). It is also the only way to get the Giga Cards from the other versions.
As for the story, I found it to be done pretty well. It was a good mix of personal conflict for the main characters and saving the world. You actually can see the Geo (main character) and Omega-Xis (alien that fuses with Geo to become MegaMan) grow and learn. That was something that was rarely done in the BN games.
Overall, I really enjoy this game and look forward to the next two in the series. If you’re a fan of MegaMan, Battle Network or both (or neither), be sure to check this out.
I know I’m way behind the times, but I’ve just now finished playing through Half-Life. Not Half-Life 2, but the original one. Yeah. Like I said, behind the times.
Anyway, it was a pretty fun game for a shooter. The story is better than most shooters. The graphics, while nothing special now are still decent for their age. It’s a well put together game and I may actually try to play through it again on a harder level.
I got this game a couple years ago in the Platinum Collection so I have all of the expansions for it as well. I’ll be posting about them as I finish them.
So I finally got this back from my friend when he came up a few weeks ago. W00T! I can finally play something besides Brain Age on my DS!
Anyway, this is the newest of the MegaMan series’ and one of the best, in my opinion. I love the mission based gameplay that merges the wandering around aspect of RPGs with the sidescrolling shoot-em-up that has always been MegaMan’s shtick. I have always like MegaMan Zero’s art style and this game just takes it to the next level.
So the story is that you play one of two characters who unintentionally get caught in a fight between the governing company, Slither Inc. and the Guardians, a group who defend the people from Maverick attacks. You become the chosen one of the Model X Biometal, which is obviously MegaMan X from earlier games. Later on, you merge with Model Z (Zero), becoming Model ZX. As you defeat the enemies, you gather more biometals, which resemble the Guardians from the MegaMan Zero games (Fafnir, Phantom, Harupia, Leviathan). Using your newfound power you decide to join the Guardians and stop Slither from awakening Model W (Wily? Weil (who I always associated with Wily)?)
The storytelling is the best I’ve seen in a MegaMan game, including most of the Battle Network Series. It’s a great game. And those who decry it for being too hard, you just don’t appreciate a good challenge. This game is not too hard. I’d say it’s just right.
Ever since I saw a demo video for this game about a year and a half ago, I’ve been wanting to play it. I found the game that it was based on, Narbacular Drop, and beat it in short order. Now, for Father’s Day, Ashley bought the game Portal so I’ve finally been able to play through it!
Booyah!
The whole idea is that you use the portal gun to create two portals to solve the puzzles in the rooms they put you in. For example, you have to exit a door that is across a pit you can’t jump over. How do you get there? Open one portal on the wall next to you and another on a wall across the pit then walk through the portal. Viola! You win!
Of course, this also means you can do infinite loops. Open one portal in the ceiling and one in the floor, then jump in. You’ll fall forever. This was similar to the idea behind my favorite puzzle, the one with increasingly high platforms in a tall room with acid on the floor. You create a portal on the lowest one and in the floor of the pit next to the entrance area. Jump in the pit and you come flying out of the platform, high enough to open a portal on the next highest platform, so that when you fall back through the portal you just flew out of, you’ll shoot out the new one on the second platform.
That was just pure fun.
Portal is an awesome game and it’s one of the few games I actually liked to watch the credits. This is because of the freakin’ hilarious song that plays in the background. In fact, it was funny enough that VGCats did a flash animation based on it. Check it out.
It’s an extremely fun and challenging game and the gameplay is great for all ages. A few of the things that the computer says are kinda creepy and might not be okay for kids, but it was only creepy, not filthy or raunchy.
A non-roaming, linear, level-by-level Zelda? What the heck?
This was definitely a different game for me. I was not used to the non-Zelda-ness of this Zelda game. However, it’s still a pretty fun game, at least the single player is. I haven’t tried the multi player yet.
You start out watching the six maidens and Zelda getting captured by dark energy (doesn’t sound familiar at all). Shadow link pops out of a hole then back into the hole and you follow him in, and find the resting place of the Four Sword. Your normal sword can’t hurt him so you have to draw the Four Sword. Oops, did we just let th big bad Vaati (how do you pronounce that?) out of his prison? AND get blown away by a whirlwind?
You proceed through seven levels, with three stages each, to stop whatever power is spreading darkness over Hyrule. Along the way you rescue each of the maidens, the royal gems and gather a multitude of Force Gems that power up the Four Sword.
Oh and you actually play four Links. This was actually done a lot better than I thought. Formations make it easy to take on armies of enemies. Four swords really are better than one for most of the game.
It’s a pretty fun game, but it’s also super-easy. It worked well keeping me distracted when not packing for the move.
[TechSoC: NOTE: This review has been translated from zombie-like grunts and snarls into living-human readable text. You’re welcome.]
If you want some zombie killing fun, there’s no better series than the Resident Evil series. Zero is no exception.
This game starts with the team that you are searching for in the original. Of course, they are almost all killed when they are attacked by Zombie dogs and chased onto a train. The zombie-filled train leads to a training facility and church filled with more monsters.
Sure the controls suck as much as the original game, but it is still a great game. The graphics and camera angles make it uber-creepy. I half expected zombies to come around every corner or be in the next camera angle. The bosses were butt-ugly, but then again, what creatures in the RE series have been non-ugly? That’s right.. none.
Anyway, if you’re into this type of game, it’s a great addition to the series. If you scare easily or get grossed out easily, this is most definitely not the game for you.
Third time’s the charm. It took me three tries to beat this game. That means that I started to play, lost interest, came back and started a new game, lost interest again, then finally came back and finished the game.
The story revolves around a Mario look-a-like, called Shadow Mario, who is making a mess of Isle Delfino, site of Princess Peach’s and Mario’s vacation. In doing so, he’s also ruining Mario’s good name. With the help of the FLUDD, Mario is out to set the record straight.
The FLUDD was a good addition to the gameplay. Suddenly, those jumps you normally can’t make are reachable. Enemies can be stunned or pushed off thin walkways from a distance. But it is limited to the water in the tank. The additional nozzles make it really fun, though. Hover, rocket or turbo boost with them.
The reason that I lost interest is because it’s a bit more kiddie than previous Mario platformers. That and the many “Secret” levels. Secret levels are areas where you don’t get your FLUDD and have to run through increasingly difficult levels Mario 64 style. They are fun, but a few are a bit more difficult than they should be.
Anyway, it’s a decent game, but it’s by no means the best Mario game ever. IMO, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars still holds the golden Mario cap for that.
As of right now, my brain age is 24. How do I know this? The DS game Brain Age told me.
Brain Age is a different kind of game. It doesn’t have a plot, or even increasingly hard puzzles to solve (except for sudoku). Instead, you are “training” your brain to think faster and clearer by playing each of the training games for a few minutes each day. Based on your speed and accuracy, it calculates how old your brain is. Brain Age also compares your file to other players’ files on the cartridge and gives you tips on how to train your brain without the game.
It really is an interesting game. I like it a lot. Ashley’s enjoying it too.
I’m a big fan of 24. Sure it’s not realistic how much Jack Bauer does in one day, but it’s a TV show for crying out loud. It doesn’t have to be realistic. Anyway, the game is just shy of being as much fun to play as the show is to watch.
The biggest problem is the camera. The camera is clunky and unwieldy, but it only becomes a problem on occasion. At least it did for me. I do love how it will occasionally show a second view like the show would. IE: When you’re coming up on an important area, the main screen will shrink and move a little making room for a second picture that could be an enemy’s view of the door you’re about to go through or the reading on a heat detection grid or the conversation between a few terrorists that are hunting for you.
The story is pretty cool. It depicts what happened between season 2 and season 3: Jack and Chase meeting and becoming partners, Kim working at CTU, whatever happened to Max (the guy that Mandy called after attacking President Palmer at the end of Season 2).
One of the best things about this game is that all the actors from the show did their characters voices for the game. So Jack is voiced by Keifer, Kim by Elisha, etc. A whole freaking lot better than most TV/Movie games that use wannabe soundalikes.
I beat this game early on in 2007 and I’m going through to unlock all the unlockables now. Overall I think it’s a great game.
NOTE: Parents may not want their kids to play this since it does involve killing people and, less importantly, does include some bad language. It’s just like the show as far as content goes.
Well, I’ve been playing FFXII for a while now, thanks to GameznFlix. I love the game so far, but it is not my favorite Final Fantasy by far. Here’s why.
Battles. I like the new battle system, but I like the old style better. Bring back FFIX’s battle system please!
Viera. Most guys would not list them as a problem, but they seem to have never learned how to put on more than lingerie. As a guy who tries to avoid this, it’s annoying how much I have to look away from the screen while playing this game. Especially, where I’m at in the story.
Quickenings and Summonings. I liked Overdrives and Trances better than these. I mean, why must they become unusable after I’ve cast a single healing spell? Kinda kills my idea for bringing out the big guns for the end of the battle with the boss.
The game’s not all bad. Here’s a few things I like about it.
Ivalice. I loved this FF world from FFTA. It’s so diverse and full of potential.
Maps. I actually love how there is no more Overworld map and Area maps, but, instead, one big map that everything is connected to. If you want to go from Rabanastre to Jahara, you don’t suddenly grow to the size of the town and walk across the world in a few steps, but you actually have to fight your way through the Giza Plains and Ozmone Plain.
Licenses. I really loved the versatility of the spheres in FFX and this just takes it one step further! I love being able to make any of my characters into any class (IE: Black or White Mage, Fighter, etc.).
Right now I’ve just left the Viera village in the Forest by the Ozmone Plain and I’m looking for yet another of the long-eared race. Wish me luck!
Lux is a game for anyone who likes the board game Risk. Lux is a multi-platform, fully customizable, turn-based strategy game based on the classic board game. You can make your own maps, control how the card set values increase, set up a continent bonus increase per round, and even create your own AIs to play against. If all this weren’t enough, you can also download maps and AIs from the the interweb for even more fun (though to do this requires a full version of the game).
You can download the demo at www.sillysoft.net. The full version is only $25 and is very much worth it. I highly recommend this game. It gets a 4.5 out of 5.
NOTE (2011): This was originally part of a duo of posts I called the “Double Shot”. This was “Double Shot Part 2″.
A few months ago, I reserved and paid for a Gamecube copy of Twilight Princess. I picked it up just before Christmas. It’s a freakin’ awesome game. The graphics are as good as I’ve seen on the Gamecube. The story is deep and involving, albeit somewhat predictable (it’s a Zelda game: you go through a bunch of dungeons to save the world from some villian, usually Gannondorf, collecting a crapload of cool stuff on the way). The world itself is huge. Like 10 or 20 times the size of Ocarina of Time or Majora’s Mask and 100 times more detailed (the close-up you get of the Master Sword when you pull it from it’s stone shows just how much). I’m going through it at a leisurely pace trying to enjoy it as much as possible. Sometimes it’s fun to just ride through Hyrule Field on Epona whacking the miscellaneous baddies that are standing around. Other times I run around as the wolf scaring the townfolk of Castle Town just for the heck of it. If you don’t have this game, get it! It’s the best Gamecube game I own!
It really is the best Zelda game out there… at least until Skyward Sword comes out.
I have now beaten Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords. I beat it last Friday. The ending’s a little disappointing, but it’s still a fun game. I went Light Side, dual lightsabers (one silver, one orange). I want to go through it again soon as a Dark Jedi and a single lightsaber. I’ve heard you get massive damage bonuses if you stick with to just one.
And by the way, I knew from the beginning that the old lady was a Sith. Knew it, I tell you!
I’ve been a fan of Sonic ever since I played one of his games on the Genesis (though since I didn’t own it, I didn’t play it all that much). I rented this game once and was hooked.
Basically you take the best of Sonic (speed, winding levels, and awesome gameplay) and you make it 3D, add in a little bit of a storyline and you have Sonic Adventure 2 Battle.
It’s a really fun game to play, especially Sonic’s and Shadow’s levels. I love the new abilities and enhancements you can find along the way, like light shoes, which allow you to hit B and you’ll automatically follow the trail of rings.
If you’re a Sonic fan this is a game to find! And if not, well, try it anyway. You’ll probably like it.
Oy. I’m sorry but this is not Star Fox. Star Fox needs to stay in his arwing and in space. Stop trying to copy Link in Legend of Zelda.
The Good: Well, the graphics, the sound quality, the depth of the story.
The Bad: The ripping-off of Zelda, way to easy enemies, limited moves of Fox.
The Ugly: They made Fox into a jerk who doesn’t care about anyone but himself, they made an annoying little dino follow you around, and Falco’s nowhere to be seen!
My roommate had the following idea about this game: Dinosaur Planet couldn’t afford Samus Aran’s prices so they went for the budget hero, Fox, instead. And that’s pretty much the gist of it too…
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