If you had a history of disappointment with the Madden series, Madden NFL 11 may not have been the most exciting release in August 2010. Still, after playing through several different Super Bowl XLV match-ups and giving it a couple of weeks, I feel like EA Sports deserves to mark this one down in the “Win” column.
Read about what made this season a championship year for the Madden series after the jump.
This review is a co-project between Josh Krehbiel and Tyler Zehner.
Summer is winding down, and with it the Xbox Summer of Arcade. The promotion is ending very soon (we’re talking hours, it ends at midnight EST), so if you’re sitting at two or four games downloaded so far, then don’t wait, you can’t go wrong with the final offering, Lara Croft: The Guardian of Light. Don’t hold back, go start downloading it right now, and then come back and watch the video review below.
I’ll be honest, I did not have a good first impression with Monday Night Combat. The game opens with a tutorial that introduces you to the basics as well as giving you a in-depth look on everything the Assault class does. It also gives a great impression of the humor and art style of the game. However once I jumped into a game on Xbox LIVE I was quickly disappointed. The complexity of the game took over and left me huddled in the corner crying. I had attempted to try each class but I didn’t have the slightest idea what they could do. I tried to kill some bots and make some turrets but I was constantly being assassinated by enemies I could not see until it was too late. I turned off the trial of the game let down and a little sad.
A couple days later it was time to give it another try. I had heard so many people who were absolutely loving the the game and figured that I must have just had a bad first experience. After all, any multiplayer game can offer a bad session if you get stuck in a group with the wrong type of people or people too good at the game. It turns out that my problem was exactly that. Once I dove into Monday Night Combat and started figuring things out I found that the game was incredibly deep and offered a unique type of gameplay that can literally not be found anywhere else.
Make sure your abilities are upgraded and then hit the jump.
This review is a co-project between Josh Krehbiel and Tyler Zehner.
Xbox Live’s Summer of Arcade is upon us once again, and this time they aren’t going to start off easy on us. First on the block is Limbo, a creepy platformer published by indie developers Playdead Studios. This dark adventure into the unknown will send shivers up your spine, and is available now on the Live Arcade. Check out our review below.
Few games try to aim at being genuinely funny. Great examples exist such as Grim Fandango or Pyschonauts, but usually these games become cult hits that are appreciated by critics but result in low sales. Luckily for us, developers never stop trying to amuse us with their games, and DeathSpank attempts to do just that.
DeathSpank is developed by Hothead Games and comes from the creative mind of Ron Gilbert. Hothead Games is best known from their partnership in developing Penny Arcade Adventures and Ron Gilbert is probably best known for The Secret of Monkey Island series. As you can see there is a history of amusing games in DeathSpank’s past and it definitely brings plenty of lighthearted and sometimes even immature humor.
DeathSpank is a role-playing game and as such a lot of the humor derives directly from poking fun at the genre. Nothing is handled seriously and the game contains constant joking about standard role-playing game tropes. While the game has a good time making fun of these ideas, at the same time it ends up becoming a great addition to the genre itself.
Ever since the release of the original Super Mario Kart companies have been trying to copy the success of Nintendo’s arcade racer. Many have tried and most have been horrendous. Even the best kart racers have never been able to match the fun of Mario Kart. Bizarre Creations is the latest developer to try and copy the Mario Kart formula with Blur.
What sets Blur apart from other copycats is that it takes everything that is good about kart racers but removes the kart. In its place we are given a more “big-boy” world with real cars and real cities to race in. The advertising for Blur has especially pointed out the childish nature of other arcade racers with one really great commercial aimed directly at Mario Kart.
Basically Blur is trying to bring back that charm and fun from Mario Kart but at the same time reach out to those people who are sick of the Mario aesthetic. By using the combination of power-ups and real-world physics, Blur is one of the most unique racers around. The game also ups the ante by bringing a host of multiplayer options and a deep single-player mode to keep gamers fufilled no matter how they want to race.
Does Blur bring in the first place trophy or does it crash and burn? Hit the jump to find out.
Some time in the past there exists a future where the world is different than what it will be later, and all the letter “r’s” are written backwards. In this past future the Russians resolved the Cold War through the discovery of the element E99, a unique substance the study of which allowed them to create a Time Manipulation Device (TMD). As the story of Singularity progresses (and becomes more confusing than the beginning of this review) you will gain the use of this TMD and wreak all sorts of havoc on alternate world history.
Singularity is a first-person shooter helmed by Raven Software, the company whose pedigree most recently includes Wolfenstein (a title to which Singularity bears a strong resemblance at times). With features such as time manipulation, a main character on whose shoulders rests the fate of the world and a system that allows you to find and purchase upgrades for your weapons and powers, Singularity often bears a strong resemblance to many of the more popular shooters in recent memory.
While imitation is said to be the sincerest form of flattery, and it seems like a wise decision to impersonate the best features of top-selling multiplayer titles which offer a choice between several class-based characters and rank increases for completing combat challenges, Singularity doesn’t do much to set itself apart from the rest of the crowd. Despite the fact that the game is certainly fun to play, it’s difficult to make an argument that someone ought to go out and make the purchase, unless for some odd reason you skipped over Call of Duty, Half Life, BioShock, Resistance, Wolfenstein, Metro 2033 and F.E.A.R.
Or maybe you chewed through all those and are still hungry for more, in which case have we got a jump for you…
LEGOs have always held a soft spot for me. Growing up most of the time I spent playing with toys was spent making creations and living out fantasies using those little blocks. I actually still have my big box of LEGOs sitting in an attic just waiting for the next generation to enjoy them. To this day I still have that love for LEGOs that will probably never go away. Luckily for me that’s where Traveler’s Tales comes in.
Back in 2005 children and adults alike were introduced to the first of many LEGO-branded games. That game, of course, was LEGO Star Wars. In that game the Star Wars license was used to create a fun, family-friendly version of the prequels. The game used the LEGO aesthetic to full effect with all objects in the world made out of the tiny blocks and building objects being a key game component. The game received a sequel and then the series branched out to other licenses like Batman, Indiana Jones and even Rock Band. Sadly none of the games after Star Wars intrigued me much. I tried the demos and thought they looked interesting but they just didn’t have enough pull for me. Then along came Harry Potter.
I’m going to admit upfront that I am a big Harry Potter fan. I have read all seven books and I’ve watched all of the movies so far. When I heard that the next LEGO game would be based on Harry Potter, I thought it would be a perfect fit. Little did I know that LEGO Harry Potter would turn out to be what I think is the best of the whole bunch.
Wands at the ready? Hit the jump! (Remember, swish and flick)
Perhaps you were one of the gamers who, back in 2007, took a chance on an unknown IP and invested $60 in Realtime World’s Crackdown, or perhaps you were one who vehemently refused to shell out that much, “just to get into the Halo 3 multiplayer beta.” If you were in the former category you’ll be pleased to know that in the hands of Ruffian Games, Crackdown 2 fixes nearly every complaint a fan had with the original, creating a sequel you’ll certainly enjoy. And if you were in the latter category good news: the Halo Reach beta ended over a month ago, so there’s no irrational fear of bandwagons to keep you from giving this unique shooter a try.
In Crackdown 2 you again play as an Agency super soldier who, with a bit of training, can leap small buildings in a single bound or pick up and throw cars like bowling balls. Tasked with aiding the Agency’s Peace Keepers in cleaning up the streets of Pacific City once again, you’ll need every available weapon to fend off militant activists known as the Cell, who come at you with miniguns, armored battle buses and homing rockets. In case a heavily armed, well organized street gang weren’t trouble enough, when the sun goes down you’ll also have to contend with Freaks (virally mutated former citizens) who come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and levels of lethality.
Set ten years after the ending of the first game, your main goal will be to put an end to the virus, stopping the mutated citizens and dealing with Cell permanently. But there’s more to do in this sandbox than shoot bad guys -- with hundreds of orbs to find and collect, rooftop and car races to participate in, a couple different kinds of stunt hoops to get through and the ability to do it all with three other friends at the same time, Crackdown 2 improves upon the original formula and offers a great excuse to dive in and have some fun.
Upgrade your Agility to level 5 and you may not even need to hit the jump…
James Bond. Jason Bourne. Jack Bauer. Michael Thorton? Thorton is a new hire at the shadowy Alpha Protocol, one of those government agencies that does not officially exist. Thorton leaves his past behind to step deep into the world of espionage which, as usual, is full of guns, lies and tons of secrets. Thorton will travel all across the world and meet dozens of characters ranging from double-agents, leaders and of course many beautiful women. He will infiltrate hidden compounds, thwart assassinations and attempt to save the world. Such is the life of a spy.
Alpha Protocol is the latest game released by Obsidian Entertainment. Obsidian is renowned for making sequels to popular games but this time around they are making their first attempt at an original IP. But even with Alpha Protocol they are treading familiar territory by imitating the latest BioWare property, Mass Effect. They have thrown out all the science fiction stuff and instead created their own unique world and elements set in the present day. Even though you are shooting bullets instead of lasers and you are traveling around the world instead of the galaxy, the Mass Effect influence is still blatantly obvious. With Mass Effect being one of my favorite games of this generation this is in no way a bad thing, and it is nice to see the action-RPG formula taken into a setting not often visited by the genre.
Whether you are aggressive, suave or professional, hit the jump to read more.
Red Dead Redemption is the creation of Rockstar San Diego, and tells the story of former outlaw John Marston. Pressed into service by the U.S. government, Mr. Marston is charged with bringing past associate Bill Williamson to justice, 1911 Western frontier style. Spanning a territory from fictional “New Austin” to Mexico, Rockstar has made every attempt to make the experience of being in a classic Western as authentic and enjoyable as possible. A sandbox game with a truly organic feel has been created through beautifully rendered environments populated with all manner of deadly creatures and (thankfully) painless cacti.
In every aspect this game is phenomenal. Whether it’s the look and feel of the world, the superb voice acting that gives life to each individual character, the convincing ambient sounds of the desert or the satisfying gunplay which enables you to feel like one of the Wild West gun-slinging legends, absolutely everything here screams “quality” from the start. Testament to the strength of how deeply all these elements serve to draw you into this universe is the fact that so many people seem to love this game, despite the fact that it is littered with all sorts of minor bugs and technical glitches heaped on top of a few strange design choices and missed opportunities.
Hop on your horse and speed towards the jump -- don’t bother clicking, your steed knows what to do…
During the early '90s, gamers of the 16-bit era were subject to an onslaught of anthropomorphic mascots in which game companies wanted to cash in on Sonic the Hedgehog's success. This era was the one where all the animal mascots had that 'tude quality, where they did their best to fit in with the Genesis crowd. The Genesis was usually the dumping ground for these types of titles (you know, Aero the Acrobat and, dare I say, Bugsy). One title in particular that developed a huge cult following over the years was Rocket Knight Adventures, starring a rodent named Sparkster.
Now, I won't bore you with any history lessons involving this character, as Sparkster has only been in a few games. In short, Sparkster is an opossum (well, a possum according to the game's instruction manual) that wears ironclad armor, wields a sword, and has a jetpack; and you all know that combination is bound for some success.
Fifteen years after Sparkster's first appearance, Konami and developer Climax Studios have finally resurrected Sparkster in an all-new 2.5-D sequel, Rocket Knight. At first glance, the title shares the same colorful qualities of its Genesis predecessor with adequately animated enemies and well executed attacks provided by Sparkster's jetpack. Although, having never played the original Sparkster games, I'm merely going from the various YouTube speed runs I've watched (seriously, take a gander, as you won't be disappointed). Despite my blind assumptions, Rocket Knight shows why the Sparkster series had such a cult following with its unique platform gameplay, while keeping the formula simple. However, the game's attempt at nostalgia is never quite clear nor does it seem worth the dollar amount as an XBLA title.
Hit the jump to see if Rocket Knight is worthy or just roadkill.
Let me make one thing clear right now. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is NOT a movie tie-in game. I know that there is a movie called Prince of Persia coming out soon but do not dismiss this game as simple movie game trash. The stories are not the same, it does not feel rushed like most movie games and the main character does not look like Jake Gyllenhaal, although for some that might be a downside.
Now that we have that out of the way allow me to re-introduce you to the Prince of Persia. I say re-introduce because Ubisoft is bringing back the “Sands of Time” storyline, doing away with the storyline and the characters of 2008's Prince of Persia. The events in Forgotten Sands fit right into the seven-year gap between Sands of Time and Warrior Within. It features the Prince setting out to visit his brother, Malik, who is ruler of a neighboring kingdom. When the Prince arrives he finds his brother's city being attacked by a foreign army. Malik is on the verge of losing the city and decides to use his last resort and releases the mythical “Solomon's Army” to help repel the attackers. The Prince, having previous experience meddling with magical things, tries to stop him but is unable to convince his brother to halt his plan. The Prince turns out to be right as the sand army not only repels the invading enemy but overruns the entire city, turning its people into sand statues. Using his expert fighting skills and awesome acrobatics, the Prince takes it upon himself to track down his brother and somehow find a way to stop this new threat from taking over the entire world.
So if you're lined up, hit the jump to see the rest of the review. (Don't worry if you miss, you can rewind time and try again.)
Just Cause 2 contains the essence of the entire game in its title, but until you’ve played it yourself it’s difficult to realize. As a sequel to one of the earlier niche titles for the 360, improvements have been made to the original in nearly every way -- the most notable of which is in the visual department. But despite some improvements and the powerhouse of Square-Enix at their backs, this new title still suffers from the original’s two greatest flaws: underwhelming gun play and lack of narrative drive.
Perhaps from the title you’re meant to gather that the main character, Rico, acting as a mercenary tasked with overthrowing the new ruler of Panau, serves some greater moral purpose in causing destruction all across the islands -- that you’re truly fighting for some “just cause.” Really, as you travel around destroying water towers, blowing up gas pumps, finding hidden skulls or drug drops in an effort to complete the estimated 100+ hours of potential game play, invariably you’ll ask yourself after skipping the dozenth horribly voice acted cut scene, “Why the heck am I doing all this?” Then you’ll realize, the only true answer is, “Just ‘cause.”
Fire your grappling hook at the computer, open your parachute mid way and sling shot over the jump…*
The last time we saw Sam Fisher he was a dirty, hairy man on the run and spent most of his time trying to blend into crowds and evade the authorities. This was what Splinter Cell: Conviction looked like back in 2007 and fans reacted strongly against the announcement, wondering why Sam Fisher suddenly looked more like a homeless man than the elite spy we have always known him to be. However Sam Fisher went into hiding shortly after and has since re-emerged from the shadows in a entirely new vision for the game.
The shaggy hair has been tossed aside for a standard buzz cut. Worn out civilian clothes are traded in for a sleek outfit with a fancy shoulder belt with plenty of room for gadgets. That's right, Sam Fisher is back and tougher than ever. Cast aside from the agency he worked at for years he now finds himself a rogue trying to uncover the mystery of his daughter's death. As with most great spy stories, that mystery is just the tip of the iceberg.
While he may look more like the Sam Fisher of old, does this latest iteration continue the spirit of Splinter Cell? Mark your target's and hit Y to execute.
The story of Splinter Cell: Conviction opens with Sam being contacted by agency contact and old friend Anna Grimsdottir, more commonly known as "Grim". She acts as the voice that directs Sam Fisher throughout most of his missions, feeding him information as well as playing an integral part in the story. The first level follows a basic tutorial while Sam takes down a couple of puny hitmen and is followed by the now infamous bathroom interrogation scene. This scene leads Sam to come out of retirement "one last time" in an attempt to track down his daughter's murderer and unveil the reasons behind it.
Re: Game Night Done right on PS3 - fds nucklehead - Wow! Really valid points from both sides. One thing is for certain though, my friends list for both consoles is full of top notch gamers & I owe that to the TAG community.
Re: A shift to the PS3 - fds nucklehead - I compare a Football and Basketball to PS3 and Xbox 360. If all my friends are shooting hoops today, I'm not going to play football by myself. I...
Re: Rate the last movie you watched - fds nucklehead - I just got home from seeing Pirahna 3D. I tweeted that I was only watching it because I've already seen all the GOOD movies out. As predicted, it...
Re: Waz up TAG! - fds nucklehead - Welcome to TAG. See you online!
James Bond. Jason Bourne. Jack Bauer. Michael Thorton? Thorton is a new hire at the shadowy Alpha Protocol, one of those government agencies that does not officially exist. Thorton leaves his past behind to step deep into the world of espionage which, as usual, is full of guns, lies and tons of secrets. Thorton will travel all across the world and meet dozens of characters ranging from double-agents, leaders and of course many beautiful women. He will infiltrate hidden compounds, thwart assassinations and attempt to save the world. Such is the life of a spy.
Red Dead Redemption is the creation of Rockstar San Diego, and tells the story of former outlaw John Marston. Pressed into service by the U.S. government, Mr. Marston is charged with bringing past associate Bill Williamson to justice, 1911 Western frontier style. Spanning a territory from fictional “New Austin” to Mexico, Rockstar has made every attempt to make the experience of being in a classic Western as authentic and enjoyable as possible. A sandbox game with a truly organic feel has been created through beautifully rendered environments populated with all manner of deadly creatures and (thankfully) painless cacti.
During the early '90s, gamers of the 16-bit era were subject to an onslaught of anthropomorphic mascots in which game companies wanted to cash in on Sonic the Hedgehog's success. This era was the one where all the animal mascots had that 'tude quality, where they did their best to fit in with the Genesis crowd. The Genesis was usually the dumping ground for these types of titles (you know, Aero the Acrobat and, dare I say, Bugsy). One title in particular that developed a huge cult following over the years was Rocket Knight Adventures, starring a rodent named Sparkster.
Let me make one thing clear right now. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is NOT a movie tie-in game. I know that there is a movie called Prince of Persia coming out soon but do not dismiss this game as simple movie game trash. The stories are not the same, it does not feel rushed like most movie games and the main character does not look like Jake Gyllenhaal, although for some that might be a downside.
Just Cause 2 contains the essence of the entire game in its title, but until you’ve played it yourself it’s difficult to realize. As a sequel to one of the earlier niche titles for the 360, improvements have been made to the original in nearly every way -- the most notable of which is in the visual department. But despite some improvements and the powerhouse of Square-Enix at their backs, this new title still suffers from the original’s two greatest flaws: underwhelming gun play and lack of narrative drive.
