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5 (25) 4 (47) 3 (35) 2 (7) 1 (1) 3.8 starsAverage score of 115 user reviews
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Survival of the fittest 0
From the moment I first saw Limbo, I was intrigued. It draws you in with a stunning aesthetic that immediately has you wanting to see more. What I didn't originally realize is how this first impression is pretty emblematic of the game as a whole. Limbo is a game that constantly strives to keep you interested, going to great lengths to make sure every single moment is as polished as possible. It's an exciting ride for sure, and while it may not last quite as long as you might hope, every minute i...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
There are 65 billion cows and pigs in the world! 0
You don't have to play Alan Wake long to realize that the folks at Remedy Entertainment are big fans of novels and TV shows. The game is constantly referencing the likes of Stephen King and Twin Peaks, is narrated like a novel, and is segmented into TV-like episodes. It's interesting to see these approaches applied to a game, and even if the resulting gameplay might be a bit boilerplate for some, the overall package provides a compelling story that will easily keep your attention from start to f...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
There's a zombie on your lawn 0
I've never really liked traditional tower defense games. I've always felt like they lack focus and variety, two components I like in my games. That being said, PopCap Games is not your traditional tower defense developer, and it shows. Plants vs. Zombies is a surprisingly fresh take on the genre, and is a fun, lighthearted game that should be enjoyed by both "casual" and "hardcore" gamers alike. What Plants vs. Zombies shares with tower defense games is its basic structure. That is, your primar...
3 out of 3 found this review helpful. -
The little plumber that could 0
The original Super Mario Galaxy went a long way towards proving that even in this era of high definition graphics and big budget explosions, the core ingredient that makes a great game is how well it plays. And at that, Mario remains one of the best in the business. The original Galaxy was freakishly fun for that very reason, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 continues this tradition, resulting in a game that's easy to recommend to absolutely everyone. Mario has been around for seemingly forever, yet I w...
3 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Old school charm 0
Cave Story is, at first glance, a game we all played sometime around 1990. It certainly evokes the feel of classic 2D action games such as Mega Man, Metroid, or Castlevania, yet Cave Story is very much a product of the new millennium. As such, it combines old school aesthetics with modern gameplay conventions to great effect, and wraps it all together in a cheap, content heavy package. In other words, Cave Story is awesome. At its core, Cave Story is a 2D sidescrolling shooter. You spend the bet...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
From painter to sculptor 0
Picross DS was a fantastic puzzler that presented a great, logic based puzzle game in a slick package that contained a ton of content. Picross 3D attempts to take that basic Picross formula and translate it to 3D, a move that I was initially a bit skeptical of. Fortunately, the risk has paid off, as Picross 3D is a great evolution of one of my favorite puzzle games, and is a great package for anyone with an appreciation for logic puzzles. For those not in the know, Picross is a logic game (simil...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
Growing pains 0
I'll be honest- I've never cared for the Splinter Cell series before. In fact, I've never cared for any game that you could, with any amount of credibility, call a "stealth" game. It's just not my style of game, but when I heard that Splinter Cell: Conviction was taking the series in a more action oriented direction I thought would give it a shot. The result is a mixed one that manages to combine some brilliant ideas with some pretty dumb design choices, all of which ultimately left me feeling p...
1 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Baking all the delicious bits... 0
The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom looks and sounds like it should be a pretentious game that takes itself way too seriously. That couldn't be farther from the truth, as Winterbottom is a silly, lighthearted game about pies- plain and simple. The ensuing product is a clever puzzle game that fans of the genre will undoubtedly love, but those without a penchant for some serious brain teasers would be better served elsewhere. As mentioned, Winterbottom is a game about pies. You play as the titu...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
By the gods 0
The original God of War was an exciting, over the top gore fest that also managed to set a lot of the standards that action games continue to use today. Its legacy is no more apparent than in its own successors, as God of War III follows the original's blueprint to a tee. That means it's chock full of epic fights and cinematic set pieces that are a blast to experience, though some of the gameplay is beginning to feel a bit dated. The good far outweighs the bad, however, making God of War III a s...
6 out of 7 found this review helpful. -
Facing destiny 0
I've had a long, affectionate relationship with the Final Fantasy series, and perhaps the main reason I've stuck with the series for so long is that it takes plenty of risks with reinventing itself whenever it can. Final Fantasy XIII continues this tradition, and produces many fresh, exciting moments on its own right. The unfortunate part, however, is that it takes its sweet time getting there, making it a pretty divisive experience that you'll probably come to either love or hate.First and fore...
17 out of 21 found this review helpful. -
Fresh new baby 0
I'm the kind of guy who tends to put gameplay first. I like good stories and characters in my games, but if it doesn't play well you can just forget it. That's why I was a little wary of Heavy Rain's extreme focus on narrative, as well as the fact that its gameplay is composed entirely of quick time events. But, some technical oddities aside, Heavy Rain does what it sets out to do. The gameplay serves as a direct conduit for its narrative, allowing Heavy Rain to deliver an experience that pushes...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
Daddy's home 0
Being able to explore and discover a place as unique and interesting as Rapture was one of the main things that made BioShock such a fantastic, memorable game. As such, it was all too easy to be skeptical of a direct sequel. Simply put, there's no way to experience Rapture again for the first time, which could cause the whole thing to lose a lot of steam. After playing BioShock 2 for myself, however, I stand corrected. BioShock 2 is indeed a fantastic sequel in practically every way, making the ...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
The Frankenstein of gaming 0
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that's true, then Darksiders is flattering the hell out of some of gaming's biggest names. From The Legend of Zelda to God of War, Darksiders attempts to take the most tried and true gaming conventions around, and combine them all into one big package. This ends up simultaneously being the game's biggest strength and weakness, making Darksiders a game that should be appreciated by those who enjoy more of the same, but anyone looking f...
5 out of 7 found this review helpful. -
Cranberry chocolate sundae! 0
The original No More Heroes was a highly entertaining ride that was bursting with personality. Unfortunately, much of its gameplay was shallow or unrefined, and that's where No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle comes in. It attempts to fix those gameplay gripes that everyone had with the first game, while providing the same bizarre characters and setting as before. And while Desperate Struggle does indeed refine the core gameplay, it's lost a lot of personality in the process. The result is a fa...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
I've got a fever. And the only cure is more dead angels. 0
I never really got into Devil May Cry back in the day. The mix of shooting and swordplay felt a little weird, and the overly melodramatic and edgy tone just didn't sit well with me. That's why I was a bit hesitant to give Bayonetta a try, given all the comparisons that were being drawn between the two. Fortunately for me, Bayonetta avoids the parts of Devil May Cry that I didn't like, making it a totally competent action game that never takes itself too seriously, and is a ton of fun as a result...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Requiescat in pace 0
I had a high appreciation for what Ubisoft sought to accomplish with the original Assassin's Creed, but was one of the many that felt like its gameplay never lived up to its ambition. It was ultimately a shallow, repetitive experience, and I was hopeful that the sequel would make strides to better realize the original concept. The result is double-edged, as the narrative aspects bring a much better flow to proceedings, but that coating does little to hide the lack of evolution in gameplay. Assas...
5 out of 6 found this review helpful. -
Peaks and valleys 0
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is a strange concoction. One one hand, this is a Zelda game through and through, complete with all the things we've come to know and love about the franchise. On the other hand, it has some more subtle things going on that clearly make this game different from the norm. The result is a haphazard collection of ideas that manage to hit all sorts of highs and lows, making this a game that should be enjoyed by the Zelda faithful, but probably won't be a great showc...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
So the world might be mended 0
Demon's Souls is easily one of the most gripping games I've ever played. Every part of the game's design is meant to keep you in the moment, and it provides a stiff challenge that will constantly keep you on the edge of your seat. And yet, with all its intricacies and difficulties, Demon's Souls still manages to be incredibly rewarding. This is a game like no other, making Demon's Souls something special that I feel compelled to recommend to any self respecting fan of RPGs.Demon's Souls has garn...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Two-trick zombie 0
Last year, I wrote that Left 4 Dead was a fun title that was high on quality, but low on quantity. It was a "one-trick pony" that provided a highly exciting four player cooperative experience, but not really enough of anything else to justify its hefty price tag. With Left 4 Dead 2, I was hopeful that we'd get a game that could fill the emptiness left by its predecessor. And while Left 4 Dead 2 does have more content than before, it's simply too little, too late. It feels more like an expansion ...
5 out of 6 found this review helpful. -
Open world action done right 0
I generally don't care too much for open world action games. I tend to feel that what they gain in scope, they lose in focus. In other words, they're kind of a jack of all trades, but master of none. And while inFamous fits this bill for the most part, its tight controls and interesting story are good enough to make it stand out from the pack. As a result, this is one of the better open world action games that I've ever played. That being said, inFamous does complete the requisite checklist of ...
3 out of 3 found this review helpful. -
We're Oscar Mike 0
Reviewing a game like Modern Warfare 2 is a difficult process. It's always tempting to talk about why a game has so much hype surrounding it rather than talk about the game itself. And make no mistake- Modern Warfare 2 has garnered more hype than any other game I can ever remember. However, once you look past all the buzz and evaluate Modern Warfare 2 for what it is, it's pretty easy to see what's going on. This is a must have multiplayer experience, but lackluster single player offerings make t...
6 out of 7 found this review helpful. -
I'm sorry, do you have a plan to go along with that grenade? 0
I loved Uncharted: Drake's Fortune- it was a fun, action packed ride filled with great characters and witty dialogue. I wasn't really expecting Nathan Drake's second outing to be much different, and in short, it isn't- but it also doesn't need to be. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves takes the sound blueprint laid by its predecessor, and tweaks a handful of small problems that needed tweaking. The result is an even better action game, and one that no fan of the genre should hesitate to play.Nathan Drak...
10 out of 10 found this review helpful. -
Fuck this fuckin' shit 0
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is the quintessential middle-of-the-road game. On one end, the gameplay is serviceable but relatively uninteresting. On the other end, the action and dialogue are incredibly over-the-top and hilarious, providing many entertaining moments. The result falls in the middle of these two extremes, making Blood on the Sand a game that's surprisingly hard to recommend one way or the other.50 Cent: Blood on the Sand's gameplay is very similar to other cover based shooters such ...
3 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
There's always room for more loot 0
I never really liked Diablo back in the day. Repeatedly clicking on enemies under the promise of more loot was never really my idea of fun. So when Gearbox stated that Borderlands was "like Diablo with guns", I was a bit hesitant. But after playing Borderlands for myself, I've realized one key difference- this is a first person shooter, and a good one at that. In other words, Borderlands fuels its loot lust with some exciting shooting action, and manages to be a great multiplayer game that a lot...
9 out of 9 found this review helpful. -
A flawed gem 0
We've all played them before. Those rare games that manage to be all of unique, challenging, funny, interesting, rewarding, and endearing, yet still have their glaring issues. You know, the flawed gems of the world. Little King's Story is a textbook example of such a product, as its clever gameplay mechanics and colorful presentation are frequently at odds with some middling design issues. Fortunately, the good far outweighs the bad, making Little King's Story a game that I can easily recommend ...
3 out of 3 found this review helpful. -
You smell very clean 0
I've always felt like the Battlefield franchise was a bit limiting as an online only multiplayer shooter. Sure, its large-scale battles are incredibly fun online, and the basic Battlefield formula holds firm in every iteration of the series that I've played. I guess I'm just greedy, and have always wanted more for my $50-$60. Fortunately, my wish has been granted via Battlefield: Bad Company. Bad Company's online play is about what you'd expect from the franchise, but it throws in a surprisingly...
1 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Snooker loopy 0
The original Condemned was a one-of-the-kind atmospheric thrill ride, and certainly knew how to get your blood going. It had some of the most genuinely intense first person melee combat I've ever seen, and was at times terrifying to boot. I was hopeful that Condemned 2: Bloodshot could fix some of its quirks to deliver a more streamlined package, but the end result is a bit of a mixed bag. A lot of the core mechanics have been improved, but the game's narrative has taken a turn down crazy lane, ...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
I HAVE CHORTLES!!! 2
The Mario and Luigi franchise is one of Nintendo's unsung heroes. It may not find itself in the spotlight as much as the company's other juggernauts, but after playing through the third iteration of the franchise in Bowser's Inside Story, I've come to one irrefutable conclusion- the Mario and Luigi franchise is one of Nintendo's most consistently entertaining ones. And Bowser's Inside Story just may be the best installment yet.Most of what Bowser's Inside Story does well are things that have bee...
3 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Behind its time 0
I like puzzle games. I like platformers. So when I heard that Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure was a puzzle-platformer about a gentlemanly Brit who likes tea and golden pantaloons, I was interested. And for the most part, that is exactly what this game is about. These ideas do lend Henry Hatsworth a fair amount of charm at times, but unfortunately, most everything else suffers from some frustratingly dated design issues. The resulting experience is one that I was ultimately disappointed...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Wanted: Demolitions Expert 0
I really liked the original Red Faction back in the day (let's forget about Red Faction II, shall we?), and was kind of surprised to see that its impressive Geo-mod technology didn't find its way into more games. Blowing up environments to create your own path was as exciting as anything, making it nice to see Red Faction: Guerrilla more or less take the series back to its roots. At the same time, the rest of the game is fairly underwhelming, and all too often frustrating. The result is a middli...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
The best of everything 0
We've all heard enough of the rhetoric already- Batman: Arkham Asylum is not only the best Batman game ever made, but also the best comic book game ever made. While that's all certainly true, it's also selling the game way too short. Batman: Arkham Asylum shouldn't be limited by the mediocre competition provided by past comic book games, as it's good enough to be judged by the same standards as the best games out there. Batman: Arkham Asylum is, simply put, an absolutely fantastic video game by ...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
A true gentleman leaves no puzzle unsolved 0
It's no secret that Professor Layton and the Curious Village was one of my favorite games released last year, so it's only natural that I was excited to see what the good professor would bring to the table this time around. Fortunately, Layton's second outing is just as seamlessly charming as his first, making Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box a solid choice for fans of the original. Everything that made The Curious Village so fun is present and accounted for in The Diabolical Box. The sam...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Updating a classic formula 0
Super Metroid still stands as one of my favorite games ever made, and the 2D exploration style gameplay that is so well associated with this classic has always been one of my favorite sub-genres. Needless to say, when Chair and Epic Games started tossing around words like "Metroidvania" with respect to Shadow Complex I was immediately interested, if not a bit wary of a cheap knock-off. Fortunately, while Shadow Complex has a lot in common with the games that inspired it, the end result is a qual...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
Inventive controls meet bland design 0
Ever since the Wii Remote was first unveiled, I've been saying that it should be a great boon for first person shooters. It just felt like the logical next step past dual analog control, and I had high hopes that The Conduit would be the game to finally take advantage of such technology. And while the control scheme in The Conduit doesn't disappoint, the rest of the game isn't quite as fleshed out as you might want. The result is a mixed bag of ingenuity and staleness, providing a completely up ...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Everybody loves donuts 0
I had fun playing through Twisted Pixel's The Maw earlier this year, and was both surprised and excited when they announced a second game so soon. 'Splosion Man hit Xbox Live Arcade a mere six months after The Maw, though the game clearly didn't suffer any from such a quick turnaround. In fact, 'Splosion Man is not only better than The Maw, it's better than a lot of games. This is a frantically fun game that's full of personality, and is absolutely worth a purchase from anyone who remotely likes...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
I always dream of torpedo attack on dolphin 0
Having never played a Red Alert game before (or really any Command and Conquer game), I decided that the series' third installment would be a good time to dive in and see what the fuss was all about. What I found, however, was a little more crazy than I could have anticipated. Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 functions more or less like your standard RTS, but adds a layer of pure insanity at every turn. The result manages to be both generic and entertaining, making it a solid purchase for fans o...
3 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
Multiplayer mayhem on the cheap 0
I've had a somewhat up and down experience with the Battlefield franchise- I enjoy the basic Battlefield formula, but the games' extreme focus on online multiplayer have always made them feel a bit overpriced to me. However, when Battlefield 1943 burst onto the scene as a small downloadable title, I was instantly sold. It may not contain the quantity of goodies that a full scale game would have, but that doesn't stop Battlefield 1943 from being one of the absolute best multiplayer experiences yo...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Tennis: Confused Edition 0
If you read my Top Spin 3 review, you should have taken at least one thing away from it- I'm a fan of tennis. I play tennis, follow the pros, and am always looking for fun tennis games to play. When EA announced Grand Slam Tennis for the Wii, I was hopeful for a solid tennis game that would make good use of the Wii Motion Plus. Unfortunately, the end result is not as compelling as I had hoped. Grand Slam Tennis makes for an okay academic study, but conflicting design decisions lead to a game tha...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Something for everyone 0
The original Wii Sports may not have been the most engaging game ever made, but it was a fantastic pack-in for Nintendo's then new console. It showed off what the Wii was capable of, and made the experience attractive and accessible to a wide variety of people. Wii Sports Resort is much the same, as it introduces the power of the Wii Motion Plus in a tidy and accessible package, yet remains relatively shallow all the while. It's still a worthy multiplayer experience, however, making Wii Sports R...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Summer blockbuster fun 0
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is by no means a perfect game. It has a large handful of problems, ones that range from small to medium in size. At times they make the game totally frustrating or even unplayable, and almost cause an otherwise good game to be generally unenjoyable. But the crazy thing about Wolverine is that even with all its problems, it still manages to be fun. X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a blast in the simplest of ways, making it a great game for any and all action fans.As mentioned,...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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