Guides
Call of Duty 2: Game of the Year 2005 Edition (X360) (June 24, 2008)
I've actually finished CoD2 on Normal difficulty just a short time after I picked it up over a month ago. It is a great game, it wasn't 2005's game of the year for nothing; I personally think that the single player campaign is actually better than CoD4's. It is more intense, more balanced and more challenging with the old-school guns. Next...
Final Fantasy III (DS) (June 24, 2008)
I have played a little over 12 hours into the game and have enjoyed it quite a bit, but after Retro Revival Week, I have picked up so many new titles that I just haven't got back around to it. As for impressions, it seems like a good RPG, it is a little harsh at spots, especially since there are NO SAVE POINTS in dungeons. So you have to make sure (and hope) that you can fight through all the random battles and then beat the boss; if you don't you lose all the progress that you made. They don't make 'em like that anymore.
Kameo: Elements of Power (X360) (June 24, 2008)
I picked Kameo up for $10 not sure really what to expect from the game, I had heard a bit about it, but didn't know how it played. The worst thing that they did was throw you into the deep end with the tutorial level right off the bat, that was not a good design choice. In fact, it actually kind of a tricky area and I died a few times trying to get the handle on the controls. As for passed that part, I haven't played too much passed that first level. I just got the punching plant creature and haven't really been interested in playing it much.
Viva Pinata (X360) (June 24, 2008)
This is an interesting game; I have wanted to play it more, but it has an addicting quality that I want too avoid until I have a good amount of free time. Also you may think that this is a kids game, while it kind of is, you will not be ready for the bombardment of things that happen in real time in you garden. It is actually pretty hardcore. I got up to near level 20, but I think I might have to adjust my garden's specs to keep progressing.
Tales of the Abyss (PS2) (June 27, 2008)
I wanted to check this game when it was released back in 2006, but I could never find a copy. Luckily, I was browsing Blockbuster in hunt for more of those $10 games and they where selling it as a pre-played title. I don't usually like to buy used games, because most people seem to enjoy cleaning DVDs with sandpaper, I find it too risky. But this one isn't too bad, so that is a good thing. As for the game itself, it is a "Tales" game, plain in simple. Though I find it a bit tough and frustrating; mostly because the enemies like to gang up on you and they do a lot of damage. I love Tales of Symphonia on the GameCube, but all the Tales I have played since haven't captured me like Symphonia did. I might have to get a Wii just to play Symphonia 2 and see how that game is.
Blitz: The League (X360) (July 10, 2008)
This is a strange pick up, I was always kind of interested in this game, but I wasn't going to pay full price. I was definitely not going to pay full price for this sort of half assed port. Luckily this game was also $10 at my local Blockbuster so I wasn't too worried if it wasn't my thing. It's not bad, I kind of like it... it's a bit frustrating because of how the "Clash" system works. Arcade sports games usually never work right because of these "magic" powers: on fire, big play meters, clash mode... all these things lead to big scores, automatic homeruns and huge runs on offence and they start to become tiresome after awhile. In the case of Blitz, Clash mode makes you nearly impossible to tackle, leads to big injuries and leads to back-and-forth games. Overall, though it is fun to play.
Sega Rally Revo (X360) (July 10, 2008)
Lookie here another $10 at my local Blockbuster, they are just giving away games and their are more to come. I am starting to love that place. Sega Rally Revo is a pretty enjoyable arcade rally racer, well, just like the older Sega Rally games. You race around curvy tracks and power slide all over the place, all the trying to come in first. The coolest thing about Rally Revo is that the terrain has real-time deformation leading to all kinds of neat effects. In snow for instance, the first lap the deep snow will slow you down, but on later laps if you drive in the compacted snow you will have less grip but be a bit faster. SRR is a pretty fun game, but it the AI cars are pretty cheap, sometimes you blow them away and other times you can barely keep up; It all depends on what mood it is in I guess.
Sonic The Hedgehog (X360) (July 10, 2008)
This game isn't even worth spending $10 on. I did so just to see how bad that the latest Sonic game really was; I had heard terrible things, but this is way worse than I could have ever thought. The gameplay is broken, the animations are glitchy, the camera is a piece of shit and don't even bother playing the game when Sonic is grinding or running through loops, you are just asking to die. A game that you shouldn't try to control is a game that you shouldn't play ever. Even if you are a hardcore Sonic fan you should not play this ever, NEVER. If you want to read more about my experience with the game check out Gamer's Rant #12 @ GameSpot.
Sega Classics Collection (PS2) (July 10, 2008)
Another game not to spend $10 on. Again I actually knew this wasn't very good, but I figured how bad could these remakes of classic SEGA games be? Kids, this is how you urinate on classic games; pretty much every game on this collection is just slightly off or completely butchered in some way. The only good thing about this collection is that you get about 8 games on one disc whereas in Japan each one of these games where released in over 20 volumes with a single game to a disc. Retro DONE WRONG.
BioShock (X360) (July 16, 2008)
I finally bit and got BioShock... annnnd... It is a really great game, with really cool graphics. Back in 2007, I wasn't as into first person shooters as I am now so that killed my interest in the game right there, but yeah, I too have been BioShock'd. As for progress, I just entered Arcadia I think and I have enjoyed every thing so far. I love freezing enemies and then hitting them with the wrench, fun. I will be playing this more soon and I will have a Finished article as soon as I complete it.
Project Gotham Racing 4 (X360) (July 20, 2008)
I had my fun with PGR 3, but also had my problems with it too, though I couldn't refuse buying PGR4 for $10. I haven't played too much really, so many other games to play. See that date? I also picked up 4 other games on that date too. What I have play of the game though, it plays like PGR3, it still can't decide whether it is a Sim or an Arcade racer; especially when riding the bikes.
All-Pro Football 2K8 (X360) (July 20, 2008)
I don't really like football all that much, but that Blockbuster place was selling it new for $8 bucks, so I figured I would give it a shot. It is NFL 2K5, sans most the modes, sans any pros. If all you want to do is play American Football with a bunch of amazing hall-of-fame players then this is the game for you. I mean what other game can you make a team that has both Joe Montana and Walter Payton on it? Though the graphics aren't very good, um, 2K Sports ever heard of Anti-Aliasing?
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (X360) (July 20, 2008)
My feelings on the NFS series have wavered over the years, but the opening cut-scenes alone are worth the price of admission of $15. In fact I loved them so much you can see the game's main bad-boy rival Razor Callahan as my user icon here at Giant Bomb. As for the game, the police chases really make NFS much more interesting and the fact that Callahan screwed you is enough to want to progress through the game.
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (X360) (July 20, 2008)
Such a simple and easy game, worth the $10, but it annoys the heck out of me. This game is so frustrating to play, sure you never die, but as an adult I want to get more out of the game than just playing it without consequence. The problem most of the major challenges are made super annoying by the sin of respawning enemies. Every animation takes a decade to complete, especially when you are building a object or moving something with the Force; the while the respawing enemies are shooting your ass. I personally think that this game was designed as a co-op game first and they just allow for single player because it is almost impossible to just simple things because your AI controlled characters can't actually damage the enemies and therefor cover you while you are doing what you need to. Doesn't help that a majority of the achievements are beat each level without dying. I'll probably just finish the game and be done with it.
So there you have it, I just caught up on a month and a half of impressions in just one blog entry. But damn it took forever to write. I will have even more impressions soon as just yesterday I have picked up Final Fantasy IV (DS) and Space Invaders Extreme (DS) and I want to share my thoughts on those. I have a lot on my plate for games right now, my goal is to finish as many as the games listed above before September rolls around. Anyway I have taken up enough of your time, I am off to play this crap-load of games, later. YOU SPOONY BARD!! Loading Complete!
