The Gamer Studio

Devil May Cry 4 (PS3)

Devil May Cry 4 (PS3)
System: PS3
Dev: Capcom
Grade: A

When Devil May Cry was released for the PS2 years ago, it gave action fans everything they could ever want. With action to spare, style unseen in the action genre, cool weapons, and a unique battle system, it was an instant hit. With the release of the 4th game in the series (or the third depending on how you feel about part 2), the Studio is proud to say that kicking demons ass in the name of Sparda is as fun as ever. Even if some things have changed that we have come to know and love.

The biggest change in this entry is the main character. Dante plays a supporting role, and new character Nero is introduced into the DMC universe. When word got around that Dante wasn't the main character, longtime fans were up in arms.  However, I can assure you that Nero is just as badass as Dante. You may still prefer Dante, but this isn't a Raiden/Snake type of situation here. So give Nero and that sweet Devil Bringer a chance, you won't even miss Dante after about 2 missions.

Visually, this game is a stunner. DMC was never known to be a graphical powerhouse, but the current gen entry makes sure it will be from now on. From the lush jungle, to the underground lab, to Fortuna Castle, everything looks fantastic. Nero an Dante move as smooth as butter, and with some nimble fingerwork, your eyes will be treated to some of the best looking combos to date as far as action games go. The cutscenes are still done via in game engine, and they look amazing. Wait until you see Nero and Dante fight, you'll love it!

Sonically, the game doesnt disappoint either. The soundtrack has always been rock/metal influenced in DMC, and part 4 is no exception. The music never lets up during fights, emphasizing the frantic pace that fights tend to have. Voiceovers are done pretty well as far as DMC goes, especially on the villain side of things. Nero and Dante both have one liners galore, and thats great for longtime fans who look forward to those. Surround sound does wonders for this game, whether its the clanging of swords, or the rustle of jungle brush as you run by.

With DMC, it has always been about the combat. That will never change, and Capcom seems to understand that. For DMC4, things are a bit different than you may remember. Nero's weapons are the Red Queen and the Blue Rose. The Red Queen is Nero's sword, which he can "rev" to power up either instantly or methodically. By revving the sword, you can perform more devastating moves with a powered up Red Queen. The Blue Rose is a double barreled pistol. It's slower than Ebony and Ivory (Dante's twin pistols), but packs more of a punch.

As for Dante, he retains his 4 styles from DMC3: Gunslinger, Swordmaster, Trickster, and Royal Guard. You can switch them on the fly with the d-pad, which should enable players to do some truly amazing things. Rebellion (his sword) and Ebony/Ivory (his pistols) are back for more fun. Dante can collect some new weapons this time around also. Among them are Gilgamesh, Lucifer, and the almighty Pandora (which you have to see to believe.) He still retains his Devil Trigger ability as well.

Powering up is done a bit different than you may remember. You now collect Red Orbs and Proud Souls. Red Orbs are used to purchase items, and the Souls are used to purchase more moves and abilities. You can return any move or ability for a full refund, but every move or ability you purchase raises the price on the rest. So a bit of planning, as well as the usual orb/soul farming, will be required to build your powerhouse this go round. The grading system is back for each mission, and it's still ranked from D to S. Your style meter now goes from D all the way to SSS though, so use that imagination and get those button presses down.

Nero is used for most of the game, with Dante's missions not even representing half of the 20 missions. This is a bit disappointing, but Nero is just as fun to pay with which softens the blow. DMC4 now has online leaderboards (broken down by difficulty and mission), as well as the ability to view your friends stats and achievements. Yes, that's right, achievements. Capcom gave PS3 owners the same list of Achievements the 360 players got. There is a one time 20 minute install process the first time you boot up, and during the process you are treated to a cinematic refresher course of the DMC timeline.  It's a 5 GB install, and it improves the load times for the PS3 version.

We all know of the famed difficulty regarding the franchise. The default modes in this version wont be terribly difficult for vets, but newbies will probably get rocked on Devil Hunter mode. There are the obligatory harder modes (Son Of Sparda,  Nero Must Die, Heaven Or Hell) which are unlocked by completing the previous level. As always, they promise to claim the lives of innocent controllers everywhere.

All in all, Capcom kept the ball rolling with DMC4. Not only did they make Nero as great as Dante, they also introduced the franchise into the current gen as they should have. A few personal minor gripes aside (more Dante Missions, a couple more weapons, maybe even an unlockable co-op mode) could have made this game the definitive DMC experience.  But as it stands, Capcom delivered another very enjoyable entry into the franchise. With personality for days, style for weeks, and action for months, the Devil will be crying long after you purchase this game. Happy demon hunting gamers!

Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat

Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat
Systems:PS3/X360/DS/PC
Dev:Infinity Ward
Grade:A

      Sometimes you need to forget about the past. That's what Infinity Ward hoped that people would do after Call of Duty 3 was released. Even though they did not develop the mediocre shooter, the game had left an ugly blemish over a once critically acclaimed franchise. They even hoped we would forget to the point that rumors say Call of Duty 4 was called COD3 within the developers studio. Perhaps it was for the best, because this game surfed under the radar until it turned heads at E3. In the process it surprised everyone who, maybe rightfully so, lost interest in the franchise. The new look of Modern Warfare and the beautiful in game graphics that were presented stole the show. With the pressure back on Infinity Ward, many hoped for this game to be more than pretty. They hoped for a step forward in the console first person shooter.  After playing this gem, it is obvious that their prayers were answered.

      Both single player and multiplayer are top notch, making both routes a must play. The single player's ambiance almost captures you the moment you step in. Splitting your time between the SAS and the USMC, you are given a variety of weapons and toys to play with. Even though your starting equipment is usually suited for your needs, you can toy around with any soldier's weapon. The secondary weapon options such as Grenades and C4 make you feel like you are completely able to conquer any situation. This will be difficult, however, if you don't approach this game with a tactical mindset.  Any sort of Rambo style tactics are sure to have you cut down quicker than you can say first blood, and at the tougher difficulties, one wrong move can turn you from professional soldier to scavenger. It rarely seems unfair, as the soldiers don't magically respawn or seem to ever just stop coming, its just right for those who wish to test their skill. Match that with memorable characters and you have an actual experience and not just a multiplayer boot camp.

      The multiplayer has just as much of a charming {read: Addicting} quality. It is relatively fast to just get in there and start shooting, but the beauty of the system is the fact that it grows with you. The game comes loaded with its own classes which come with standard loadouts, as well as standard game modes such as free for all and team deathmatch. You are continuously graded by military rank and as you get more experience, you find more game modes and weapons available for use. There is also a handy create a class option that allows you to create your own loadout to suit your gaming skills. Add to that the fact that the gameplay online is usually smooth and exciting, and you have an endlessly good time.

      This game is pretty close to flawless. The only problems that seemed to come up were early multiplayer issues, but those have since been cleaned up since. The single player experience is a tad short for some, but you'll still love every second of it. With a captivating single player experience that gives you a dynamic story and action, and an online frenzy that is sure to give other shooters a run for your bandwidth, it is hard to recommend another shooter for you to get your hands on this year. Buy.This.Game.

Mass Effect review

Mass Effect
Developer: Bioware
System Xbox 360
Rating: B+
MSRP: 59.99

Bioware's record for RPG's is phenomenal. From the Baldur's Gate series to the critically acclaimed KOTOR series, Bioware has seldom disappointed. Mass Effect continues this trend, but in it's attempt to be an epic ,Mass Effect loses something critical to any game. What that something is? It's missing its soul. Empty sidequests with no real meaning and bizarre game design decisions hurt the overall experience. But even then, it says something about Mass Effect that while this does affect the game itself, seldom do you care about it.

            

The star of the game is a blank slate, just waiting to be molded into a character you can be proud of. But it isn't like other games where you only change the face. The background of this blank slate is completely up to you and changes the story and even sidequests. If you're a fan of epic stories and amazing dialogue, Mass Effect will charm you. The biggest reason to play by far is to get into a conversation. While every other part of the game is great, they just don't compare to the dialogue system. It's simply amazing and could even be considered revolutionary for what it does. There's a level of connection between you and your character that even Knights of the Old Republic could not achieve. Being able to choose the gist of a sentence without completely knowing what exactly will be said keeps the conversation lively and exciting. The dialogue is amazingly acted as well. Sometimes Shepard might seem like he/she is repeating from a cue card, but the acting from others is extremely good.

What was meant by "soul" is that sometimes the game feels surprisingly empty. For example the main quest, while fantastic on its own, didn't need to be so open. When you know the majority of the worlds you can visit, it sort of takes the surprise away. Some of the planets just don't have a hub as detailed as the citadel itself, which is also disappointing. It's amazing how Bioware goes out of its way to make an epic adventure, yet the cities outside of the citadel are practically dead. However, the experience of just walking through the hubs of the planets is absolutely satisfying as the amount of detail you are subjected to is extremely pleasing. But the sidequests are also mixed themselves; it's amazing that Bioware decided to put up quests where you have to kill enemies at this base or that base and all that comes out of it is experience points, items, and text. That's it. It's disappointing because the main selling point of the game is the dialogue and even a little would have helped. Don't assume that all of the sidequests are like that though.  Even then, sometimes you get lucky and get great sidequests while traversing the galaxy. 

                  

The combat, for all intents, works well in its context. Shooting is not a problem, and tactics are involved from the use of mods to upgrade your current weapon to the precise weapon you'll want to use for certain areas. Although the fact that the squad mates share a cursor, meaning you can't send them to two different locations (which doesn't make sense in this game), brings it all down a notch. The fact is one of the squad mates is going to be useless in this game a lot of times. If luck is on your side they might go to adjacent cover, but don't bet on it. Beyond that though, combat is surprisingly good. The AI of the enemy can go from good to horrific in an instant. Sometimes the enemy will (excuse the language) "moonwalk" behind you while shooting at your back and moving to cover. It is bizarre, but it's not that bad except for the amount of times it happens. Frustrating game design decisions can nearly ruin the experience as well. Why did Bioware not warn the player that the second to last planet you visit in the story will not only force you to go back to the citadel, but even force you to not go back ever again? There should have been a warning, yet none was given. That is just bad game design. It's not even the only mistake either, as the game has a save structure that boggles the mind. Saving requires the player to finish combat, which is fine. The problem is the game sometimes does not know this and will either not let you save or force your character to backtrack for a little while to finally save.

It's quite obvious that Mass Effect is the basic plan to something grand in the future. Mass Effect 2 will most definitely improve on every little problem Mass Effect itself had. And even though Mass Effect has many problems on its own, such as the short storyline, empty sidequests, and shoddy game design decisions, it is the good that rises it above its flaws. But the good just can't raise Mass Effect up high enough to be epic experience that was promised.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Review

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Developer: Naughty Dog
System: PS3
Rating:A
Price: 59.99

Naughty Dog must thrive under pressure. The development team is certainly familiar with success. The Jak and Daxter series was one of the Playstation 2's more recognizable franchises. However, the Playstation 3 has been under intense scrutiny since launch. Critics and gamers alike have waited a whole year to finally see a game that makes the PS3 worth owning. There are a few good exclusives on the system, including Resistance, Warhawk and Heavenly Sword. But none of those felt truly amazing. Well PS3 owners, you owe Naughty Dog your 60 dollars plus tax. With Sony's back against the wall, Naughty Dog never lost faith in what the system could do. So in case it's not clear by now, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is the centerpiece of the PS3's game library.

The story follows our hero, Nathan Drake, on a hunt for what he believes is the same treasure his predecessor Sir Francis Drake was after. Accompanying him are his cigar smoking buddy Sully, and a reporter named Elena. Without giving too much away, a simple treasure hunt becomes more than any of them bargained for. Any fans of Indiana Jones will feel right at home here. The story actually feels summer blockbuster-ish. Every element is there; lots of action, the almost too predictable love between Nate and Elena, the villain that you actually like instead of hate, it's all there. This is not a bad thing though, in fact, it works perfectly.

Graphically, this is easily the best looking PS3 game to date (sorry Ratchet.) The facial animation surpasses that of Heavenly Sword, which was the benchmark on the PS3. The lush jungle is vibrant and full of life. Nate reacts to everything around him, and its a welcome sight. He'll move foliage out of his way, step over even the smallest of obstacles, and even make comments about his situation at the time. Naughty Dog really paid attention to detail and it shows. Little things like Nathan walking sideways down stairs, or commenting on how wet he is after swimming (as well as his clothes actually looking wet), let you know that a lot of care went into the look and feel of Uncharted.

The sound of this game is also exceptional. The voice acting is perfect, from Nathan's quick wit to Sully's general disregard to anything not involving money. The game can be a bit quiet at times, but it works because you tend to pay attention to how it looks while the music isn't on. But when its time for action, you'll know. The soundtrack kicks into high gear as you mow down enemies. Everything you should hear will be heard, from the water splashing as you swim to the rocks that you kick rolling around.

Gameplay is fairly simple, but engaging nonetheless. This game uses a Gears Of War-esque cover system during firefights. It works well, and you should have no trouble picking off foes after a couple of shootouts. Hand to hand combat is fun to look at, but its not a particularly deep system. Nate has a couple of different button combos for melee, but the result will change even though the command is the same. For example, the square, triangle, square combo is called a Brutal combo. Usually it's a left hook, right hook, uppercut combo. But you may also see a hook, followed by a dropkick. Or two hooks, and a face smash on a nearby wall or crate. During the game you will also control some vehicles, such as a truck with a mounted gun and a speedboat. These sections make for a nice change of pace and help give Uncharted that action blockbuster feel.

 

As for the game's AI, it works pretty well. Enemy AI is solid, but could have been better. One flaw of note is that enemies will stop shooting sometimes if you run straight towards them. This only happens in one on one situations though. Enemies will take cover, throw grenades to flush you out, and they also change position quite a lot. The main challenge is the sheer number of foes. They attack in waves, and if you're not careful you will run out of ammo quickly. On the other hand, Elena's AI is great. Not content to let you do all the work, Elena will take cover alongside you and put her pistol to good use.

After a whole year, PS3 owners finally have some solid ground to stand on when defending their console of choice. Nathan's adventure is far from original, but it nails every aspect of an action game. There's an engaging story, characters you care about, lots of action, and it all looks and sounds great. What more do you need? The game takes about 12-15 hours to complete on the Normal setting, but there are 60 treasures to collect and plenty of medals to earn after the initial journey. There's a host of unlockables including making of videos and game options which affect gameplay. All of this adds up to the most complete single player experience on the PS3. Finally, Sony has an exclusive game that others will be envious of.

Blacksite Area 51 Review

BlackSite Area 51

Developer: Midway

Platforms: X360/ PS3

Rating: D       

Seldom is there a gamer out there who doesn’t remember checking out the little arcade machines while waiting for their laundry to wash and dry.  Arcade classics such as Pacman, Donkey Kong, and Galaga were almost always a staple, but some of the best memories remained for Atari’s Area 51, an alien based shooter with a light gun to actually shoot at the screen.

Fast forward to 2005, and Midway redoes the franchise to critical acclaim with a remake of the same name. Now in 2007, follow-up, named BlackSite: Area 51, expected to be a contender claiming its use of the Unreal Engine and on the fly squad based gameplay. These elements, while represented, cannot save this from being two weeks from the bargain bin.

BlackSite: Area 51’s mediocrity flows through every aspect of the gameplay.  The gunfights are just boring, and while the computer AI is serviceable, it’s nothing exciting and nothing to fear. The weapons that are featured in this game are few in far between, with only six guns represented, and half of those are basically useless in a firefight (the pistol features no stopping power, the sniper rifle and the rocket launcher). Just as short as the weapon selection is the games length, even at the hardest level, can be run through in six hours. The multiplayer is not really anything to write home about, featuring standard modes of play such as death match and capture the flag are just as mediocre.

The claim to fame is the on the fly squad based gameplay, which judges you based on your actions, and controls your squad mates AI. The only problem with this is that your squad mates seem to just take up space and the difference between low and high morale is negligible. You’re forced to use them however, because they have to open doors and complete tasks for you, which can get extremely frustrating when they seem to be stuck behind rocks or vehicles.

Even if BlackSite: Area 51 is mired in mediocrity, it is beautiful mediocrity. The Unreal engine shows its legs here, as everything is rendered in eye pleasing fashion. The environments are bright and can even be breathtaking, especially when in a helicopter. Objects such as concrete and boxes break apart when shot, the guns get hot and show heat in a realistic fashion, and the NPC’s and enemies can look menacing. The Havok engine is used well to, as watching enemies fling from grenades can be satisfying. These things, however, only can help so much when swallowing the mediocrity.

It is tough to see a franchise suffer this kind of slap in the face, especially when remembering the over the top fun of the arcade version or the aesthetic of the remake. When there are games such as Kane & Lynch which implement the team aspect much better and Call of Duty covering modern soldier combat in a way better fashion, this game won’t even see the light of day. But fair warning for those who have nostalgia - you're better off looking for a quarter and a light gun... you would be saving yourself 60 bucks and a headache.

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
Developer:Edios Interactive
System:PC/X360/PS3
Rating:C
Price:59.99

 

 

 

Eidos Interactive has a history of bringing third person shooters to the home console, and the most recent Hitman, is even being adapted to the big screen. When the announcement came for a bank robbing shooting sociopath based thriller, named Kane and Lynch : Dead Men, the thought was that a Heat like story and proven mechanics would result in gaming bliss. It is a shame that while the story is interesting, and some mechanics are fun, this game falls flat on its face from glitches and bad AI.

 

Those who love criminal capers featuring falls from grace will find themselves in love with the story right away. The selfish yet efficient Mercenary, Kane, finds himself in Prison on death row writing to his daughter. That very same selfishness lands his family in trouble and partnered with a psychopath by the name Lynch. What ensues is a tale of betrayal that feels like your playing through a film from Scorsese or Mann.

The biggest drawl for those trying to find something different would be the team based and cooperative gameplay. In single player, the first player will always be using the ever strategic Kane, while the computer or a buddy takes control of Lynch, all the while you will be in control of as any as 9 men to help you achieve your objectives. The game is excellent in this regard as your men usually have sense enough to take cover and use their firearms effectively. The multiplayer, named Fragile Alliance, has the players working together to rob a place and get out. It isn’t as simple as running and gunning together however, as at anytime you can find yourself being betrayed by those who are pulling the heist with. It makes you watch the people you work with and makes for an interesting night as you never truly feel safe.

These things though, cannot save what is in fact, a broken and basic game. The glitches really kill the mood you create. The computer seems to be stuck in it’s own rut, as it follows a bee line no matter where you are, meaning if you are in the right spot, no matter what you do, you will not be fired upon, taking the fun out of the game. You can also find yourself falling and stumbling through surfaces that really irritate you during a firefight. This game also doesn’t feel too new, you have played through all before. The game looks to be nextgen, but it is obvious that the developers didn’t take it further than the graphics, and even so, with games such as Halo 3 & Call of Duty 4 around, this game is a level below.

This game has the aesthetics of an AAA title but some mechanics of a budget title, which does nothing but frustrate. The bugs add to the frustration and break a session of action and fun that makes Kane & Lynch ridiculous. For a season that is full of titles that are more deserving of your buck, you should let Kane & Lynch slip through the cracks.

Ace Combat 6 review

Ace Combat 6
Dev: Namco
MSRP: $59.99
Rating: C+










The Ace Combat series has the luck of being the only critically acclaimed Arcade/Realistic Flight Simulator for the Sony Playstation brand. The series hit its climax however, with Ace Combat 4. Ace Combat 6 has been given the chance to shine on the 360, but will this bird live up to the status it has left on the Playstation?



Ace Combat 6 starts off well by using persistent battles in allot of missions. You'll choose one position and then an operation close to that position. The game doesn't force you to stick with that operation to the end; you can easily go to another operation at the other end of the map, allowing for updates on the status of other operations and warning you when they need help. This works well, but sometimes the ingame map is hard to decipher where specifically the enemy is located. For example in one mission, an operation involves stopping bombings from routing a tank battalion, but finding the bombers was almost impossible, even though the game tells you that the enemy is below. Even so, it all works at the end of the day.

The most important part of the game is obviously the combat and it's pretty good. It isn't hard to defend yourself nor is it hard to attack; it's all about making sure that the plane lasts long enough through to the end. You have allies attacking with you and they do their job, although you get chances to direct them to specific targets by using the Allied feature, allowing a personal touch. Frame rate moves at a nice 30 FPS and the control for the regular 360 controller is manageable.  The story of the game is rather uninspired and by all means, skippable. This is compounded by horrendous voice acting that does not do the game justice. While some parts of the story are nice (Mcknight tank crew), some are just borderline silly (Strigon scenes). You could honestly say the story stops a game that is good from
becoming great.



All in all, this game does not live up to the status of Ace Combat 4,it has some enjoyable missions and combat is great, but the control could be a problem for those who don't want to buy the flight stick.And the story, while easily skip able, does sadly have some importance in the missions, leaving you in the dark if you do skip it. But it comes close enough that it should definitely leave a mark on the 360 as one of the better flight games.

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground
Dev: Neversoft/Treyarch
MSRP: $39.99
Rating: C+

 

Your true self emerges when real competition surfaces. The Tony Hawk series has had some competition before, but none of them have had the life and credibility that the critically acclaimed Skate ( EA ) has had. Therefore, the 9^th game in the series, aptly named Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground ( Neversoft/Treyarch)  is a chance for the series to break out of it’s rut and prove itself to be the true king of extreme. It is a shame that it just seems like it cannot do so.

If you know the Tony Hawk series, you know that there will be a skating all star cast to join him. The voice acting is superb, and the real life videos feature pro skaters doing short demos are crisp and clean. Some of the old school favorites are back, as well as some new blood that keeps the game fresh. The mixed soundtrack, filled with Alternative and Hip-Hop sound, is an excellent blend to hold the gritty street mood of the game. The graphical ambiance stays urban as well; as the cities of

Baltimore,Washington, and Philly each have shrunk. Skaters of those cities are also able to recognize that the famous skating spots that are featured. Your personal avatar looks good while he or she skates these spots, as the skater creation got a boost from Tony Hawk Project 8.The mode now features more clothes and accessories that allows the player to create an avatar that ranges from a prep jock to a gothic clown.

It’s disappointing however, that the gameplay didn’t receive that type of enhancement. The games 3 avenues of “growth” are career, rigging, and hardcore, and each goal represented in that section have three levels, amateur, pro, and sick. Even though this is a departure in name from the “old school” Tony Hawk gameplay, it sure doesn’t feel like it. Most goals are things that experienced “pro hawker’s” have accomplished before, which wouldn’t be so bad, if the difficulty hadn’t have been ramped up. For those who are completely inexperienced at how a Tony Hawk game plays, be prepared to find yourself frustrated and confused. Some challenges goals are ambiguous and a few tricks are broken (such as nail the manual), make the challenges tougher (and to be fair, sometimes easier) than what they are supposed to be.

When looking at Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground, it’s obvious that the series has proved nothing except it has gotten used to being the only option. This Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground has the ability to be fun, and at times, even addicting, but its broken nature and boring redundant goals puts this game leagues behind its new competition.

You have been waiting. Super Mario Galaxy Review

Super Mario Galaxy
Dev: Nintendo Tokyo
MSRP: $49.99
Rating: S

It’s no secret that the Super Mario platformer has been a slump lately. The last generation gave us two good games in Luigi’s Mansion and Super Mario Sunshine, but compared to the two before it, Super Mario 64 and Super Mario World, both Luigi’s Mansion and Super Mario Sunshine, perhaps unfairly, are looked on as mediocre games. So when Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo Tokyo) was announced, the Nintendo faithful had gotten their hopes up once again, especially as rumors and previews from those who have played it called it a true successor to Super Mario 64, and easily a game of the year competitor. Does it live up to the hype?

WA-HOO!!! comes to mind.

As the flagship software for the Wii, it was expected that this game would make the console shine, but even with such expectations, Super Mario Galaxy is quite impressive. The graphics produced are just as vibrant as every other Mario game, but never have they looked so polished and pretty. Mario and company are quite fluid in action, maintaining a framerate that makes the game flow. The controls are just as spectacular, as the wiimote is utilized to its max potential, and no control feels loose or out of place. The music really pops, as the orchestral soundtrack pumps adventure through your speakers. The sound feels in place and doesn’t overpower the music, creating a delicate balance that is rarely achieved.

If the ambience and controls are spectacular, the gameplay can be called amazing. The varying attacks and newly found abilities given by special suits powers Mario through the galaxy at a pace of enjoyment. You read correctly, Mario has regained his power to switch his wardrobe, and it really adds a dimension to the gameplay. Combine this with the wacky yet fun environments that exist throughout the game, and you have a fun factor that eclipses the previous entries. From beginning to end, the game rarely has a dull moment that keeps the gamer wanting to play. The story is actually interesting, as even though it’s standard Mario fare, ala Princess Peach is kidnapped and Mario has to save her; the story is presented much better than in the previous games, and isn’t a hindrance at all.

For those who are waiting to find a reason to purchase a Wii, Galaxy has provided one. With the delay of Super Smash Brothers Brawl, the Wii needed something to ensure that the console didn’t collect dust from hardcore gamers, Galaxy has provided an out. Those who haven’t bothered to enjoy a Mario game, come see what the fuss is about, you won’t regret it

Playstation Eye

Playstation Eye
USB Camera + Microphone for the Playstation 3
Dev: Sony Computer Entertainment International
MSRP: $39.99

Rating: C+

Visual interactivity is an experiment that usually fails. Sony tried to change the game with the release of the Playstation 2's Eyetoy, and the results were forgettable at best. Sony has once again visited that visual dimension with the release of the Eyetoy's big brother, the Playstation Eye (Sony Computer Entertainment), hoping to break the barrier they barely dented on their last attempt. While this is an interesting peripheral, quality shortcomings stop the Playstation Eye from breaking through.

The camera boasts a built-in 4 microphone array, the ability to chat with 6 people via video chat, 120fps, enhanced low lighting capabilities, a  2-setting zoom lens (normal and wide angle) with fixed focus, and the downloadable EyeCreate photo/video editing software which is free of charge from the Playstation Store.  This camera is capable of a 640 x 480 resolution at 60 frames per second or 320 x 240.  Getting the camera to work is pretty simple.  Just connect it to one of the USB ports and turn on the Playstation 3.  A bright blue LED indicates that the camera is on, and a bright red LED indicates that its recording.  To configure it go to System Settings > Accessories > Camera and you'll see this...

...a grainy ass picture. The quality of video was disappointing, although the frame rate was extremely smooth. This is a far cry from the promotional video's for the Playstation Eye, which showed pristine quality.  Video quality aside, the microphone works great, as you can be heard quite clearly.

In the future, games like the arcade racing title Burnout Paradise from Criterion Games, will utilize the camera. The game will take a picture called a "mugshot". Losing certain matches will trigger the camera and the winning player can collect those images for bragging rights. Along with Burnout Paradise, there will be other titles that take advantage of this new peripheral.  According to the Playstation Blog, there will be a variety of games and interactive screen savers available on the Playstation Network throughout the coming months such as Aquatopia, Operation: Creature Feature and Trials of Topoq.

Playstation Eye trailer

Overall, the Playstation Eye is an below average product by itself. The microphone works great and is a great alternative if you don't already own a bluetooth headset or a USB headset. The video quality is painfully average at best.  Maybe with a firmware update, the quality can improve and this wont be a glorified microphone. Although it has average video quality, the future is looking up, but for now prepare for this to collect dust.

Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions

Game:  Final Fantasy: War of the Lions
Platform:  Sony Playstation Portable
Dev: Square-Enix
MSRP:  $39.99
Rating:  A

Welcome to Ivalice
Nearly a decade has passed since the original release of Final Fantasy Tactics for the Playstation. Square-Enix has granted the wishes of many with this turn based strategy gem, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions for the PlayStation Portable. Released after Final Fantasy VII in 1998, this title was mostly overlooked because of the massive popularity of Final Fantasy 7. Final Fantasy Tactics was a step away from what Final Fantasy was all about, and this PSP title retains all the charm, elegance, and absorbing gameplay from its predecessor as well as some extras. The game’s graphics hasn’t really improved or anything, but there have been some incredible new animated cut scenes added and some more story elements have been put in and the translation has been redone. I never truly played the first one, this experience is pretty unique to me.

 Diving into this title you’re presented with a tutorial mode which I highly recommend anyone who isn’t familiar with the battle system, and job system. The tutorial is very deep, covering everything from the battle system, job system, and the lore of Ivalice. I don’t recommend passing it up because there’s a wealth of information that’ll help you on your journey. 

 In the beginning, your character starts off as a Squire or Chemist. From there, you can level up these jobs and it’ll branch off into other professions like Knight, Black Mage, and White Mage and so on. Battles take place on a field of tiles of varying height and different terrains, weather also affects skirmishes as well. Each character can move a certain distance and attack a certain distance, kind of like chess or checkers. You’re allowed to have 5 players on the field and a maximum of 24 selectable characters in your arsenal. As you take part in battles, you'll gain job points for your main job, which allow you to buy abilities. Simple, right? Well…it is pretty simple. Fight baddies, use items, gain experience points and job points, rinse and repeat. Ahh, gotta love the RPG grind! In order to achieve the higher jobs, you’ll need to temper and hone your characters as much as possible. Leveling up your jobs unlocks more advanced ones. Believe me, you'll want to put in those hours to unlock those additional jobs. I’m about 24 hours into this title and I’m very satisfied with the curve of difficulty. Final Fantasy Tactics used to intimidate me because of its non traditional battle system.

The plot is concrete and linear; Final Fantasy Tactics isn't a game that allows you to choose your own path, folks. The story is being told to you - sit back and enjoy it, because it doesn't get any better than this. This is a tale of dueling families, friends killing each other and unsuspecting villainy. As the plot progresses, new areas are opened up on the world map. You can travel back to older areas to battle, go to towns to stock up on wares, or you can press ahead to advance the story. An additional feature is the ability to battle friends over local ad-hoc wifi. Multiplayer also adds some hours by letting you team up with a friend for challenges or pit your parties against each other. The thing is its ad-hoc only, so you'll need to find a buddy with a copy of the game around your level.

Overall, Final Fantasy: The War of the Lions is an impressive port to the PSP. This is a solid title is  packed with so much content you'll be busy with your PSP for many hours. If you haven’t had a chance to play the original title, then you cannot pass up this magnificent title.

Eternal Sonata

Game: Eternal Sonata
System: XBOX 360
Dev: Namco Bandai
Price: 59.99
Rating: A

t’s no secret that the Xbox is sorely lacking in the RPG genre and for the few years of the Xbox 360’s life cycle, it seemed like that trend was going to continue. However, in recent months, there has been an attempt to bolster Microsoft’s sore spot with some quality RPG’s, that have met success, even in Japan. One of the most anticipated was Eternal Sonata (Bandai Namco ) and its draw was the music of legendary composer Chopin and a real-time battle system that would shake up the turn-based battles of most Japanese RPG’s. Was the title worth the hype it received? Was it a flagship RPG that could be a sign for things to come? 360 owners can rejoice, as it is all that and more.

 

   

 

The battle system definitely lived up to the hype. Taking its cue from critically acclaimed Lunar, Grandia, and Tales series, Sonata takes the best from them and creates a free roam turn based system that forces strategy and skill with quick thinking, especially as the game wears on. This RPG actually forces you to improve precision and technique by not just increasing the difficulty of the monsters, but also shortening the time for planning and giving you more options at the same time. It leads to creating a twist for those who are used to just simply pressing the same combination of buttons.

 

          

 

Ambiance makes the difference between good RPG’s and great RPG’s, and there aren’t many RPG’s that have as much as Sonata. Between Chopin’s music pumped through your speakers and the beautifully constructed graphics that fit the games theme well, you will have a comfortable time exploring the huge game world. Chopin’s music always seems to match the mood perfectly and oddly never gets old, but classical music is called that for a reason. The graphics are not as sharp as Lost Planet or Gears of War, but anyone would be hard pressed to say that are not as beautiful. The light and bright colors fit the atmosphere perfectly.

 

            

 

If there is a flaw in this game, is it’s the cliché back story. Yes, there are twists, but they feel so predictable that if you play enough RPG’s you will see some elements before they happen. Not that it isn’t entertaining, because it will keep your attention, but it leaves you feeling that they could have worked a bit more on the factor of story telling.

 

            

 

Even after counting that minor flaw, this game is something that any RPG aficionado should have in their collection. Between the great pacing, interesting characters, beautiful graphics, and some bonuses such as a history lesson on the real Fredric Chopin, this game’s sonata between you and the disc may not last forever, but sure will capture your attention as long as you let it.

The Orange Box

Game: The Orange Box
System: XBOX 360
Dev: Valve
Price: 59.99
Rating: A+

The Orange Box, released by Valve, is a collection of 5 games, including Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2:Episode One, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal, and the long-awaited

Team Fortress 2. Originally released as a Windows PC package, it has now being released on gaming consoles, first on the Xbox 360 and subsequently on the Playstation 3. Any of these games are worth the price of admission. Throw in all five spectacular games, and you have a Game of the Year contender that is worth being in everyone’s library.

 

Half-Life 2 , once voted 2004’s Game of the Year, the game’s gripping story, tough characters and challenges have been preserved in the port, and with it are controls that are almost as tight as they are on the PC. Even if you have beaten it before, those perfectionists will be back in City 17 for the achievements that are available.

 

 

Episode One is more of the same, as it doesn’t add to much to the actual gameplay elements ( There are no new weapons and only one more creature), but , it adds a change of pace and makes the story more relatable to the player.  Alyx, now your companion, serves as your backup through the game as you try to escape City 17.As the length of the game isn’t that long, it feels more like a link between Half Life 2 and Episode 2, instead of a full game.

 

 

Episode Two however, is simply a blast. The pace picks up, the graphics are superior, there is a new weapon and a new creature, and more importantly, the skill of Alyx picks up as well. The action engages you and is a breath of fresh air. If you go through the game completely (Half Life 2, Episode One, and Episode Two) you really get to see what Valve has been working on. It makes it that much more satisfying to get to the ending.

 

 

Portal is a complete change of pace from Half Life 2, as it is a First Person Puzzle game instead of a shooter. The first levels are easy, and will give you confidence, until you make your way into the final few, and this is where the game shines. You really have to think as the puzzles begin to tax you mentally, and the joy of completion really makes each experience worth it.

 

 

Team Fortress 2 is where this game earns its bread and butter. Veterans of the previous Team Fortress have an idea on just how fun this can get, with 9 classes of completely different skill sets set in a world based on objectives. The difference between this game and other class based games is the balance that comes with it. All classes push your team to victory, and there is no class that is overpowered. Teamwork is the name of the game as going solo is a quick way to have your team lose. It is definitely a change of pace for console owners who are used to just outclassing the competition using the same guns and tactics. If you can find a group of players and a full map, be prepared for an afternoon of mayhem that will run for hours.

 

 

 

The Orange Box has everything a gamer could want, the controls are tight, the interface is sleek, and the live matches are pretty solid. Critically acclaimed, hood tested, and gamer approved. Each one of these stands alone as great gaming. All five together is gaming ecstacy.

 

Budget Games Don’t Suck...All the Time.

Game: The Red Star
System: Playstation 2
Dev: Acclaim
Price: 19.99
Rating: B+

 

 

Communism! In 2007, this one time terrible force of political nature frightened us all...well...our parents. But now, we have come to a time where Communism can lead to all out battles where you counter shootouts with Pikes. Intrigued? I know I was. And for 19.99, it was all that more intriguing.

When starting the game, your given futuristic sounds styled with techno beats driven into your head. It's like walking into some techno bar. You are given your choice of characters and then you go. It’s like walking out on the battlefield, from that very same techno bar. The tutorial starts and your off and running.

The fighting system is rather simple. One button is for stabbing, one button is for shooting. Shooting hurts some people and Melee hurts some people, it forces you to switch up your tactics. Shooting is rather straightforward; Melee however is where this game shines. You have multiple ways of dispatching your enemy, from stabbing to slashing to throwing. It also allows you to power your special move that unleashes an attack which damages all enemies for mucho damage.

The enemies vary just as much as your ways of dispatching them. Some die in one hit, and some take a good mix of tactics to destroy effectively. They also seem to have some wits about them, as you can find those who have shields against your shot guarding those who don’t while they charge attacks. It keeps you on your toes.

 

 

I found the difficulty great during the game, and this is where a lot of budgeting titles fail. The bosses feel worthwhile when you defeat them, and come at you with varying attacks. You breathe that sigh of relief when you fin d that health pack afterwards or see that clear screen. When you die, the levels are short enough to keep your attention for playing them over again.

 Of course there are upgrades to help speed this along. It makes for interesting decisions as when you upgrade late in the game, the credits seem get shorter. You have to figure out if you want to be the jack of all trades or a specialized fighter. It keeps your interest so you do not feel like your just smashing the buttons for levels on in.

 There are graphic problems, but I honestly didn’t care too much, it just reminds you sometimes that it is a budget title, but I am cool with that. They also are not to hindering, so you can afford to annoy and enjoy.

Quite simply, it plays as standard as your standard beat’em up game can get, don’t expect to be flustered with new innovation ( It is a budget game... ) but be prepared to have fun. Be prepared to slay millions of men with your machine gun only to fire at a million more. Its fast, it makes no excuses, and you get to stab,stab stab stab...I mean, who can ask for more than that.