The 30 second review thread

[Duppin]

Red Faction: Guerrilla (PS3/Xbox 360, June 2009) - 4.5

Excellent open-world game that has gone somewhat "under the radar" due to being up against several other big releases.

Ups the ante on any previous destructible-environment game by using an emulation of real physics to determine the results when buildings are damaged. And, rather than making this an afterthought, the core of an excellent game is built around the concept, focusing you on destroying every building in sight using a variety of excellent tools.

Also has excellent multiplayer modes. The only downside so far is a lack of character customization and somewhat repetitive side-missions. But still, an excellent and underappreciated game.

Worth at least an extended rent, but you won't regret it if you buy it.

[Kaige]

Going down my Steam list:


Beyond Good and Evil - 3.9

3-D action/adventure with colorful graphics, variety of game play, and a unique story. Overall good game that will remind you of the old school Nintendo 64's 3d adventure games. Occasional graphic and camera angle issues may be frustrating at times. Unclear goals at certain peaks in the game may confuse players.


Call of Duty: World at War - 3.9

First person WW2 shooter following in the footsteps of its predecessors. Story mode involves missions for Russian and American forces. Multiplayer mode has a variety of maps and gameplay, including a leveling system and a co-op zombie survival mode. Russian missions are exciting and fun to play, however American missions can often become frustrating. Game design is also based off its predecessor, bringing nothing entirely new to the series other than more missions.


Clive Barker's Jericho - 3.0

First person shooter with leader-controlled team play based in a horror environment. Jericho's story and terrifying graphics help immerse you in the scenery while its variety of game play keep things from becoming monotonous. Jericho's main perk is the ability to switch between different characters on your team who all possess different skills and weaponry to deal with specific situations or just personal preference of play style. Jericho unfortunately suffers from occasional battle issues where you find yourself more a battle resurrection agent instead of an actual participant. Team member AI at times can be flawed and almost incompetent, adding frustration to an already nagging stream of team members consistently telling you what to do on the field of battle.


Doom 3 - 3.6

A redesign of the classic Doom series for the modern market, Doom 3 is a first person sci-fi/horror shooter. Variety of weaponry, enhanced graphics, and the inclusion of an objectives system helps evolve the series to modern day play. While the game attempts to recapture on the horror aspect, the true "nightmare" effect of the game is its need to spawn monsters on or near your person, turning it into less of a scary game and more into a "surprise you're taking damage" twitch fest.


F.E.A.R. - 4.2

A first person shooter with alternating situations of modern-day style tactical combat and horror aspects. FEAR involves a compelling storyline with disturbing or "spooky" moments that bring more terrifying emotions to the player than other games (most of which just use lots of blood and gore, this game is different). FEAR's AI is strong and at times difficult to handle as you find yourself going up against NPCs that cooperate and keep you moving as they try to surround and flank you. Luckily the game gives you a slow-motion "bullet time" ability that can be used to help deal with situations beyond control. Overall a worthwhile game, even though at points it can drag from lack of variety during the tactical combat.


F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin - 4

A first person shooter following in the footsteps of its predecessor by combining elements of tactical combat with moments of fear factor. FEAR 2 brings a lot of the same quality elements of the first game, while including some new situations where a scene may call on you to mount a turret gun or even drive an armored battle suit (lots of fun). FEAR 2 steps up the spooky factor and blends it in between tactical game play well, almost leaving moments of paranoia during certain stages. While a worthwhile game, FEAR 2's seemingly number one flaw may be in its shortness, allowing you to complete the game in nearly half the time of the original.


S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl - 2.5

STALKER is a first person adventure shooter, allowing you to play the game like a typical fps, but including maps and rpg elements (like armor, "quests", money). While an overall fascinating game with some moments of horror (one "dungeon" in particular is pretty fucking spooky), STALKER suffers from an overwhelming amount of bugs and terrible design that can be really frustrating to any player. Sidequests in this game, while interesting, can actually be detrimental as they don't provide enough reward to help sustain equipment that takes a staggering amount of abuse while accomplishing the goal.

[AlexTheDictator]

Prototype - 4.4

Prototype is an open-world sandbox style game. Imagine GTA except you're not a human - you're one of gaming's most powerful characters ever created. In some ways I would compare it to Crackdown, except the amount of upgrades you can get and "events" far surpass what Crackdown had to offer. The story is pretty poor and the cutscenes are extremely lackluster. The animations/graphics also aren't the greatest in gaming (the animation when you destroy buildings is pretty atrocious), but this can be excused due to the sheer amount of content. Prototype's summer release date is appropriate as this game is very similar to a summer blockbuster - high action thrills, a lot of fun and a game you will remember, but it won't make it on anyone's GotY list.

The game gets mad props for helicopter control, too. The control is very simple and intuitive.

[serwal]

Wolfenstein - (PC/Xbox 360/PS 3, August 18, 2009, FPS) - 5.0

Nazis, the occult, and one man to stop them all. This game is much like you would expect from any of the other Wolfenstein titles. It plays like your average FPS with a few added bits such as being able to buy upgrades for guns. It does not redefine the FPS genre but the simplicity in its deliverance and the fact that killing Nazis tends to be fun, in my opinion, means it deserves a 5.0.

[Adam12]

I'll throw a couple of sports games up since they're lacking ITT.

Madden 10 (360/PS3) - 3.5

Same old shit, mostly. New features include: Pro-Tak system, which allows for gang tackling. New features in Madden always need tweeking, and right now it's definitely off, weird shit happens quite often. Gameplay is slowed down so that player speed ratings are more important, and the game overall feels more like a sim. Online play is lag free, but there is nothing to keep people from disconnecting if they're about to lose, so I suggest playing with friends only.


Fight Night Round 4 (360/PS3) - 3.0

Looks great, plays great, but is critically flawed in the career mode. Career mode is basic, no frills, which would be fine but building your stats through the gym is so god awful that you end up gimping your fighter and being at a severe disadvantage as you climb higher through the ranks. A fix for the gym is supposed to be on it's way, and if they can get it right this game could easily become a classic.

[Smocca]

Been playing the hell out of the DS and since there are no DS game reviews up...


Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (NDS) - 4.5 / 5

A direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow for the GBA. It has nearly identical gameplay just with different areas, weapons and to a lesser extent monsters. If you enjoy SOTN clones and/or enjoyed Aria then play this game. If possible, play Aria first for the full story.


Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (NDS) - 3 / 5

Another Castlevania in the style of SOTN. This is supposed to be the "difficult" Castlevania but it is generally just more tedious. Money is scarce, potions are expensive and bosses hit ridiculously hard. "Farming" for rare drops is all but required at times to stay on par with the baddies (and is absolutely required if you want to complete all of the sidequests). The levels are not as diverse and not as well designed as a typical Castlevania game, but the art style is refreshing. Overall I wouldn't recommend it to Castlevania newcomers but veterans should go ahead and pick it up.


Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ (NDS) - 3.5 / 5

The zombie apocalypse has come to Storybookland and Red (or some dude I've never heard of) must fight it off. I don't want to spoil it so I won't name specifics but you'll run into several zombified characters from famous childhood stories. The gameplay is that of a typical scrolling shooter (which uses the stylus for control). Boss battles are where the fun is, but the game is quite short so maybe not worth buying unless you find a good deal.


Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (NDS) - 4.5 / 5

You play as a defense attorney. You have to investigate a crime, gather evidence, interview witnesses and then defend your client in court. The gameplay is most similar to The Secret of Monkey Island and like that game, it relies on witty dialogue and comedy to stay entertaining. I definitely recommend this game and the others in the same series for some mindless entertainment.

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Will do more as I play through them.

[serwal]

Borderlands (PC/360/PS3, FPSRPG) - 4.5

A FPS with RPG elements that is designed for multiplayer co-op both online and local. Has a decent story, good FPS gameplay, a certain level of character customization in regards to abilities. It is much like Diablo in several aspects including loot and having more than one play through. Does have an issue with bugs in it's current state but easy to look past if you can find 3 friends to play the game with.