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Heard Mondays around
7:50 on the 91.7 KAXE Contact:
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The
Video Game Review To save you hours of searching, we listed these in alphabetical order:
This is not the 4th installment in the AC series (no matter what they tell you). So, is this new Mech-game a robot roll call or recall? After 10 years of AC - the graphics are the best we've seen in the series, but they aren't what we considered "next-gen." The intro scene will get you pumped, but then you end up in bland you'll find yourself in the middle of nowhere in the dark, or a sandstorm or some other excuse to have bland environments (there are more colors than brown and gray, right?). Despite the appearance of hugeness, the active battles are in a tiny combat area. And the story left something to be desired. But, now for the good stuff...this game delivers where it should: customizing your Mech and destroying things with it. Once you get to the seek and destroy missions things get better than the beginning missions. The 8-player Xbox Live is good multiplayer - so create your own massive Mech to destroy your friends. For the 10's of hard core Mech warriors, this is what you want. For everyone else, it's another Mech game...
Genre: Simulation
Get ready to step into the shoes of heroes past; the U.S. Navy was called upon to secure victory for the Allies in the Pacific Theater during the last great war. This game allows the option to play from a third-person perspective or an overhead view with God-like control of everything. This game takes us back to WWII with color and surround sound using recreations of actual persons, places and things (you know...all the nouns). Go back to a time when the enemy was easy to identify, a time when America united to get the job done...creating the self-proclaimed "Greatest Generation." If you like complicated control schemes (and you KNOW who you are) and would like to learn a thing or two about WWII...this could be a game for you. But, if you don't play for a while good luck remembering the controls... Genre: Strategy
Put on a mask and pretend your arms are guns...Bionicle Heroes is from the creators of the LEGO Star Wars games - which, to us, isn't a good thing. The Children's Gamers Union of Spring Lake [Local #101] shared with us their save files. Thanks to them we got to experience the uninspired, rather dry, still disengaging, craptastic sludgefest of an ending. It seems they just built and expanded on the LEGO Star Wars game engine - which may be good, depending on what you're expanding on. But, you have to make sure you have all the right masks, which means you have to be sure to look around all the areas of the levels (or, backtrack...sigh). Not the thing for us, and not even that impressive to the Gamers Union. Genre: Action
This game destroyed our plan to never give a perfect score, but it did earn it. This game earns its Mature rating with amazing graphics of guns and their effects. And the game-play is hands-down fun. That's the main thing. The story is pretty much there just to give you a reason to keep shooting and so that you can look forward to the sequel (there sure as hell better be a sequel). This is by far the best FPS we've seen for the PS2 - but it lacks online play. Which is also true for the Xbox. I guess we'll have to wait to see what happens. A solid 8 hours of FPS action, and a good replay value to unlock the better guns. Available on PS2 and Xbox. Reviewed 7/24/06.
Genre: First-Person Shooter
The main thing that reaches out and grabs you about this game is the story and characters, both of which you actually give a damn about (a rare thing in games). It's safe to the make the GTA-Sandbox comparison, but there are no guns. You are Jimmy Hopkins, a kid with a mean streak who is being sent off to boarding school for rich kids - Bullworth Academy. You'll quickly have friends and enemies as you battle your way through the school, trying to make it to class (or at least avoid getting caught skipping). You aren't the biggest bully in school, but you aren't a pushover either, and you'll find yourself using your powers for good as you defend the weak and get even with those who deserve it (but, as part of your ability to do almost anything - you can get yourself into all kinds of trouble from picking fights to harassing the ladies). The load times are long on the PS2, but the graphics and controls are solid, and the voice acting, cut scenes and story are all highly entertaining. Available for PS2. Reviewed on 11/6/06
Genre: Action
Ready to revisit the last great war, again? Thankfully, this game sets itself apart from all the other WWII games. Go back to the hedgerows of Normandy during the Normandy Breakout Campaign. In this First-Person shooter you assume the roll of various characters throughout the game including American Infantry, Polish Armor Division, English Solider, etc... The various factions don't really get along, but a lot can be said about a common enemy like Jerry. Be ready to die often in this game, but you get to see quotes from famous historical figures like Sun Tzu, Eisenhower, Napoleon and others. Another good thing about this game is it actually uses the six-axis motion controller for the PS3 - reach out and touch someone with the butt of your rifle. This game also does a decent job of showing the horrors of war and how close and personal the combat is. The online is a little laggy, doesn't follow stats from game to game, and doesn't have voice chat (lame).
Genre: First-Person Shooter
This game, based off the Pixar movie by the same name, has easy controls and friendly graphics make it an easy pick-up-and-play title, but wasn't overly pleasurable for us. If "the kids" liked the movie, there is a good chance they will love the game. Good for a rental when friends are coming over. Available on PS2, PSP, GC, Xbox/Xbox 360, PC and Macintosh. Reviewed 7/5/06.
Genre: Racing Action
Get ready to avenge your Papa through farm animal violence! If when we say Chili Con Carnage you think of the official dish of the U.S. State of Texas...well then you're way off. This game is a 3rd person, over the top action shooter. You start out on a happy birthday kind of day, then things go wrong. This a great, outlandishly crazy game (in the spirit of full-disclosure, we are fond of extremely graphic violence in a virtual environment. Grab some guns, kill some guys, and shoot some chickens - this is a PSP game you might actually be able to pick-up-and-play and enjoy. Genre: Action
It's always hard to get excited about games based off of a movie license - often they are very poor games but will sell just because people like the movie. This game managed to get past that. Good controls and involved game play, plus cut scenes directly from the movie. Especially if your child has seen the movie, there is a very good chance they will love this game, but - for adults it's a barely above average. Available on the PS2, Xbox, GC, GBA, DS, Wireless. Reviewed 8/21/06.
Genre: Action Adventure
Ever dream of fighting crime as a superhuman verses thousands of gang members? In this game you need to save the fictional Pacific City that has a failing government that can no longer protect its citizen. The city is broken up into the 3 main islands each controlled by a powerful, heavily armed and drug-rich gang. You need to regain control of the city and earn the trust of the citizens. This game goes back to the basics of what makes a game fun, and does it well, making for an enjoyable addicting experience (you know...Crackdown...). This project was led by David Jones, the original creator of GTA. Collect agility orbs around the city to increase the height you can jump. While you run around town finding where the gang boss bases are, blasting your way to the boss and then defeating the boss. The graphics are smooth (and look like a comic book) and controls are solid. The physics engine rocks, one thing effects another which effects another which effects another and before long all hell has broken loose. Good stuff.
Genre: Action
Drift racing is huge in Japan, and its popularity here in the States has been steadily growing (they crash sometimes). Drift Racing is when you slide your way around various corners, controlling your slide to reach the optimal cool factor. With this different style of racing, D1GP brings new life to racing simulators. This is THE game for drift racing enthusiast with 12 real racing locations, 30 licenses vehicles and a very impressive physics engine. The problem is the physics are so spot on, the controls so hard-core dead on for trying to control your vehicle that casual gamers will be notably frustrated with just the tutorial, let alone the competition races. The controls make it difficult to get into this game unless you really WANT to be a Drift Racing driver and have a steering-wheel controller. Available on PS2. Reviewed 9/25/2006
Genre: Racing
Take off your shoes and get funky with your feet, DDR is now in the next-gen. This game uses a peripheral dance pad controller that you step on times with movement arrows on the screen. This game has been used in gym classes to motivate children to get up and exorcise. The Children's Gamers Union of Spring Lake [Local #101] seemed to really enjoy this game, and we even thought it was fun. This game could be good for moshing-it-up during a party (perhaps inebriated...by endorphins). Genre: Music
After the murder of your father, you inherit his space craft and try to solve the crime. You travel from planet to planet hauling cargo and fighting space pirates. This all sounds cool - and the graphics in this game are pretty nice, but the problem is this pretty much sums up the game. The story isn't implemented well, the graphics seem to be re-used too often and after 15 minutes you realize that's pretty much what the game is - get cargo...drop cargo and fight pirates...re-load the cargo...continue to the planet...drop off...repeat...the story idea is good, the graphics are good, but nothing stands out to make this game something that will change your life - unless, of course, this is your thing. Available on the PC. Reviewed 10/30/06.
Genre: Action Adventure
Reprise the roll of Vincent Valentine three years after the original Final Fantasy VII. This isn't an RPG, but a 3rd-person, running, shooting, jumping, fighting and real-time action game (think of it as a poor-man's Devil May Cry). Explore the dark mystery of the Shinra Corporation along side some of your old favs from the original FFVII. It makes for a decent action game that is ready to load a story on you. Some of the cut-scenes will go on and on, but the story is good and takes it's time - giving you hours to put into your PS2 (nice if you can't get a PS3 yet). The voice acting is memorable (maybe because there is a lot of it) and it's always cool to assume the roll of a brooding vampire in a red cape who likes to shoot big guns. Available on the Playstation 2. Reviewed 12/25/2006.
Genre: Action
In this game you take the roll of a heroic blob of slime that sling-shoots itself around the world trying to save friends and families. No swords, no guns, just your own stretchy self as a weapon. Graphics and Sound are what you would expect from a DS title. Some have said this is a "kiddie game that is good for adults." We don't agree with this and consider it a kiddie game. Having said that, it is a good game for kids. Simple and fun puzzle solving with a very happy feel. Available on Nintendo DS. Reviewed 10/16/06
Genre: RPG
Remember this from last year? (Winner of the Legendary Perfect 101 Award) - well, we've blown another 400 hours making sure it's still a good game. It is. Imagine equal parts of the best aspects of every game you've played and you get close to what can be found in Oblivion, as it takes over reality. The shear scope of everything in this game is truly overwhelming, our highlights being the drunken bar scene, the Lady Rogbut (spelling...?), employment in pest control, social discourse, plus Jack Bauer-like moments in the Fighters Guild. Roam the country side killing creatures, or saving people and doing good work...or just exploring...its great.
Genre: RPG
This game is huge! When you see mountains WAY off in the distance, you can go to them, do things, discover stuff and have an overall good time. The main story is fun, but you can also do all kinds of different side quests - some as simple as talking to certain people, or others more engaging like joining the Dark Brotherhood and trying to gain rank in the secret society. Whether you want to run in and hack everything up as a warrior, or sneak in the shadows as a thief - you can do pretty much anything you want. You can easily log a lot of hours playing this game, great "bang for you buck" value. If this game would have been on a "current-gen" console, it would have reveived a perfect score. But the occasional choppy loading time during game play, and a lame jump (it looks like you freeze and float...) just don't seem fully "next-gen." Available on the Xbox 360 and PC. Reviewed 8/28/06.
Genre: RPG
This game takes the reigns of Twisted Metal style car combat to the next gen with a mixture of racing and gladiator style game play. With tons of unlockable content from vehicle and weapons to paint jobs and more weapons, the better to destroy others with. The graphics are next gen, with blur effects giving the impression of speed and fire effects give the effect of explosion. There are shortcuts, powers and glitches. This game is a non-stop festival of destructive mayhem. This game raises the bar graphically, but is the same car combat as before. Normally we prefer cars with guns like this, but Motorstorm is more fun (and it doesn't even have guns...). Genre:
Racing Action
Rev up your chainsaw and see what's on someone's mind, because Gears of War rocks. It has been hyped as the best game for the Xbox 360, and sadly, we have to agree. You play as Marcus from the COG after he gets busted out of jail to rejoin the military and fight the Locust Horde. The Locust are an evil ugly group of bad asses who emerged from the ground to destroy civilization. They are mean with filthy completions that could rival the ugliest of teens. This is a 3rd Person shooter that brings some new ideas the genre, like the amazing cover system (which boils down to the A button). Also, the AI (both friendly and enemy) is exceptional with flanking maneuvers and brains enough to exploit your weaknesses. When you switch to the harder difficulty setting, the beautiful co-op play becomes apparent. Nothing compares to teaming up with friends and killing some Locusts. The game stays interesting with more than just beautiful and intense violence. A game of this caliber only comes a couple times a console cycle. Your standard weapons are here, plus your automatic rocks a chainsaw bayonet to carve up enemies faster than you can say Thanksgiving Turkey. Go back to a time when you were a sadistic little bastard obsessed with chainsaws. Genre:
Third-Person Shooter
Get ready to launch an all out assault on the very fabric of reality...remember when Kratos slew Aries to become the new God of War? Well, your favorite deity slaughtering bad ass is back with a new vendetta against Olympus. Kratos upsets the other gods by destroying every city that isn't Sparta...but he really isn't concerned. Then Zeus interferes with Kratos...and you begin the game as a wussy human...again. This game brings the same formula (nudity and blood) as the original with some new twists; this time you gain powers from Gia and the Titans... You meet lots of mythical character from ancient Greece...and kill them. The amazing graphics will make you forget its on your decrepit PS2. Great controls, adjustable difficulty, an incredible ending; it's next-gen goodness on a last-gen console (it'll remind you how much you miss rumble in your controller...). It'll chop you up and leave you begging for more. Genre:
Third-Person Action Adventure
Remember blasting through old-school side scrolling shooters like Lifeforce, or maybe you used to tear up Gradius back in your local Arcade. However you enjoyed it, you can now take it with you anywhere. This is actually 5 games on one UMD. The first 4 Gradius Games, as well as the anticipated Gradius Gaiden. The PSP's analogue nub works very well for this game with smooth control. Your favorite enemies are back from monolithic circle shooting heads to homing sun flare dragons. Great for gaming on the go, this game gives you a reason to use your PSP for something other than music. Available on PSP. Reviewed 10/16/06.
Genre: Shooter
When this game first came out for the PSP, Rockstar Games had done it again. They have a tendency of releasing games that are defining moments for a console - which was true for this PSP exclusive release. But, they ported GTA:LCS to the PS2 and we have to say it's a better experience when you can play it on a nice big screen (compared to the PSP) and have the better sound quality. Overall it delivers a solid GTA experience - not as big as San Andreas, but fun and engaging none-the-less. Return to Liberty City, the place that GTA first broke wide open in GTA3. Help get Tony back in control of the city! Available on PSP and PS2. Reviewed 9/11/06
Genre: Third-Person
Action
Get ready to deal in black-market goods, GTA: Vice City Stories has been ported to the PS2. If you steal something worth more than $500 the theft becomes grand. We already reviewed this game for the PSP (see below) so you should know that it is rated M for Mature for a good reason. This game provides an excellent radio soundtrack (as usual) and all the things you like about GTA are here. Listen to the review. Genre:
Third-Person Action
Everything you expect from a GTA game is here - from large areas to run around and cause mayhem to the usual mature content. Things seem to run smoother this time around with the PSP, better draw distances and more reasonable load times. This game introduces Jet Ski's and also an expanded Empire System where you can take over other gangs businesses and properties and start your own crime enterprise. The lock-on is twitchy like other GTA's, but overall this is another yummy dose of Grand Theft Auto goodness (just like every other GTA...). You also have the ability to swim! If you played the original Vice City, you may recognize the last name Vance...well, get ready to take the roll of Vic Vance in the '80's - plus, you will finally have a reason to use your PSP again! Available on PSP. Reviewed 12/4/06
Genre: Third-Person Action
Go back to the 1800's, a time when the size of your iron dictated your social status. Take the roll of Colton White, an old west gunslinger. This game has great graphics and amazing sound. The only thing holding it back is the platform it's on (a little PSP-Claw anyone?). They mapped the look functions to the right hand action buttons, which seems to be the best that can be done until all PSPs magically have a second analog nub. You can use Quick Draw to drop multiple enemies (think Matrix...but with cowboys), plus - to regain health you just not to take a swig off the jug. This game provides fast past action combined with a decent story.
Genre:
Third-Person Shooter
Ever dream of micro-managing massive armies from the perspective of God? Then we assume you have played an RTS game before (Real-Time Strategy). HAE offers more units, but with the relatively high system requirements we were disappointed with the graphics, which looked six years old. All you need is basic mouse control to play the game. The voice acting goes from cheesy to awful. There are better RTS games. It is fun to battle massive armies and see the results afterwards, but there is so much wrong with the game - the higher number of units doesn't make much of a difference.
Genre:
Real-Time Strategy
Take the roll of Rico, an operative for the CIA, and destabilize the fictional South American country of San Espirito - a place with over 1200 square miles of beautiful streams, mountains, lakes, rivers...and all the wonderful things to destroy in-between. This game makes destabilizing South American countries fun again ("I do not recall..."). With all kinds of vehicles from Jets and Helicopters to Tanks and Motorcycles - and also a good assortment of weapons - this game has some fast action, made all the better with the ability to jump from vehicle to vehicle. The main story is fun and exciting, the side missions are pretty standard - except the Revolution Missions where you start the revolution at the street level. Reviewed 11/13/2006. Available for PS2, Xbox, PC and Xbox 360.
Genre: Action
This game is very, very simple. Simple controls, simple puzzles, simple game play. Even for a kids game. It has some great stuff going into it, lego's are cool, as are the original Star Wars movies. But this game is NOT a challenge at all. Kids do really get into it, but even they get bored with it rather quick. It is nice that they can beat it, it's always good when you can finish the game. It won't distract the kids long, and beyond wondering how your favorite characters look as digital lego's, there isn't much reason to put time into this. Star Wars freaks will love it, as will lego freaks - that's just how things like this work. Available on the PS2, Xbox, PSP, PC, GC, Xbox 360. Reviewed 8/21/06.
Genre: Action.
This game redeemed the Tomb Raider series, which has been on a steady decline. Lara looks better than ever, and the game is a pleasure to play. Lots of tomb raiding and puzzle solving, plus fast action motorcycle levels where you fly through mountains fending off other vehicles. Smooth controls, impressive graphics, engaging story line and just an overall pleasure to play. Hidden items to find and other game features give this game above average replay value; always a good thing. Available on PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PC, GC. Reviewed 7/5/06.
Genre:
Third-Person Action Adventure
What makes a super hero super? The answer is the ability to focus their violence tendencies entirely against evil! This game is available on damn near everything, but we played it for the PS3. This game combines all the heroes of the Marvel Universe into one gooey conglomeration of justice (and you can quote us on that). Dr. Doom is up to his usual tricks with The Masters of Evil. This game allows up to 4 players at a time and falls into the category of Top-Down-Action-Brawler (and you can quote us on that). You can be up to 20 different heroes, and the detail in the cut scenes is awesome. The in game action is kind of shiny, but not really next gen. Four player play gets confusing and even with just two players you seem to end up lost often. The Children's Gamers union said this game was "Uber-Stooptastic"...which we are pretty sure means they really enjoyed it. But if you aren't a kid (or living in your moms basement) this might be worth a rental... Genre:
Action RPG (we call it a "Top-Down-Action-Brawler")
Taking place throughout the middle ages this game combines real-time and turned based elements and also adds better graphics, new factions, covert warfare, 200 unit types and the Holy Crusades. The controls are good with nice features like Key Shortcuts for unit commands and if you decide not to embrace the Crusades you can decide to take Europe under your control through deceitful diplomacy and destruction. One of the cool things about this game is using princesses, priests and other agents to assassinate, spy and fix elections; making this more than just a hack-n-slash RTS. Genre:
Strategy
Create a mercenary rogue nation to oppose the corruption of America and the world. This game takes place after the events of Snake Eater. Learn the true origins of Out heaven and find out why Snake turned against the U.S. Government. There have sort of been two other MGS games on the PSP (card based...) - Portable Ops brings the true Metal Gear experience. Sometimes the lack of a crosshair and second analogue nub can be frustrating. This is another masterpiece in the MGS series. Plus, currently this is the only place to Metal Gear online since they shut down the Subsistence server. Genre:
Fighting
The video game gods have blessed us with another Mortal Kombat game which continues the legacy of over-exploitation of the letter "K". Ever dreamt of using your amazing ninja skills and special abilities in a tournament to the death (or just online)? We've been fans of Mortal Kombat since the beginning. MK games are fighting games, and they deliver. But, add to this a far better Story Mode than previous installments and you get a little depth.. Sadly, the good mini-games have been replaced with Motor Kombat... But, you can create-a-character and create-a-fatality. Too many MK fighters in one place cause a rift that could destroy the universe...sealed sons in pillars of rock...huge fire guy waking dragons...the story is decent and the game is fun. Genre:
Fighting
Get ready to rip out the still beating heart of your opponent and show it to him (or her) before he (or she) dies. Remember Mortal Kombat: Deception? This is basically a port of that game - but has some added characters and game modes. Go back to when Quan Chi and Shang Tsung had to team with with Raiden to try and stop the Dragon King - it doesn't work, and that's where YOU come in. We checked with our Official Female Perspective and the ladies in this game are "hot and kick some ass" according to Girlie Girl. This game has a quick in and out and fun experience with Puzzle Kombat and Chess Kombat. There is also Endurance Mode where you keep fighting and fighting and fighting (and fighting and fighting...). Genre:
Fighting
This game takes the off-road racing formula and shakes it up like an Ant Farm... Did you learn how to drive by watching The Dukes of Hazzard? This game combines balls-to-the-walls actions with everything from dirt bikes to semi trucks. Using your boost, you race through deserts, canyons and jungle, destroying other vehicles and catching major air. The graphics are truly next-gen, and the controls are spot on. The explosive slow-motion crash sequences with parts flying everywhere (while your body soars through the air) are cool. And you respawn by pressing the X Button. This is the most violent racing game without missiles ever...and the mud is cool...you can get really sideways in the mud. In this game you're racing for racings sake...there's no story...there's no missiles. Genre:
Racing
This game is a rehash have every Dynasty Warriors rehash. It does increase the number of units in the battle field, but increasing the exact same thing might have actually made this game worse. There are so many units fighting you can't tell where you are or why, and moving the camera angle doesn't help much (or long, as the situation changes). You start out with one playable character, the more characters you unlock and play, the more of the story you get. But, this doesn't really add any replay value - the improvements aren't great and the rest is predictable.
Genre:
Action
In typical Japanese to American-English translation, this is a very strange game where you have to stop the evil hordes of demons from spreading Cherry Tree's across the land - and your enemies eat bugs to gain strength so they can destroy you. But, if anything, these strange quirks make the game more interesting. This game was developed by the same crew who did the Dynasty Warriors series, and fits the title of hack and slash game play. 3.5 means we consider this very close to an above average game, but you may want to give it a rent to make sure. There is more to the story and game play than our obsession with their reference to Cherry Trees...we just can't get passed that. Available on PS2. Reviewed 7/31/06.
Genre: Third-Person Action
This game has that feel of the old school Mario Kart games we all love. Strategic Items and interactive courses make this an exciting game with a good variety of places to race. If you enjoyed Mario Kart, this is pretty much a new "map pack" of places to race, which is a good thing. Plus, you have to factor in nastalgia! You'll recognize the sounds of crashing, picking up cherry bonus items, as well as all the little glowing yellow balls you can trigger and collect for bonus points. Available on PS2, GC, PC. Reviewed 7/5/06.
Genre:
Racing Action
This game was an original launch title for the Xbox 360. Solid FPS play, graphic and level design reminiscent of the TimeSplitters series, but at a slower, more controlled pace. The fun of the original N64 is still there, and this game has enough "next-gen-ness" for a refreshing experience (especially seeing as it was a first wave game). Get ready to fight against an evil corporation with futuristic gadgets and a good variety of weapons. The multiplayer really stands out, whether you are blasting through Xbox Live or playing 2 player co-op. Plus, being a Platinum Hit helps... Available on Xbox 360. Reviewed 10/9/06.
Genre: First-Person Shooter
This game rocks. It's a solid FPS with great graphics, solid controls (like every other FPS) and a good story. What helps set it apart is the game mechanics. Gravity is something that can be controlled and manipulated. You (and your enemies) can walk on the walls and ceiling - leading to some fun angles in your gun battles. Add to this the aspect of the Spirit Form (due to being a Native American) which you can use to walk through force fields and sneak past your enemies. All of this combines to make some very cool puzzles to solve and raises this above your average FPS. Available on the Xbox 360 and PC. Reviewed 10/23/06.
Genre: First-Person Shooter
We've been enjoying a decade of destruction with Quake series, and this game is the epiphany of that experience. While not a revolutionary FPS, it delivers intense, hardcore action as you fight your way into the Strogg empire. Great graphics and solid controls, plus the Strogg look meaner and madder than ever combine to make a very solid game. Be ready to get torn apart, eventually you can't escape the Strogg and become one of them physically, (luckily your squad keeps your brain human). A good game to pound through and a must have for any Quake fan. Available on PC, Xbox 360. Reviewed: 9/18/06
Genre: First-Person
Shooter
The movie was awesome - then and now. The game had a lot to live up to, a great story to work off of and many curious people wanting some of the story filled in a bit. What this game does is fill in around the movie (Computer Generated cut scenes are from the movie, the missions are what you didn't see). How did Mr. Blonde end up with a cop in the trunk and an order of fast food? Where did Mr. Pink stash the Ice? These and many other questions are answered. The game play is 3rd Person Shooter with Driving Missions to break things up. The controls need to be learned, but work well as you either blast through the game like a Psychopath, or you can try to be a Professional by taking hostages and using them to get past the security guards and cops. It's a good challenge with different ways to work through the missions. The voice acting doesn't have the originals from the movie, but for the most part they do okay. Oh, and this is a very Mature game - not for the kiddies. Available on PS2, Xbox and PC. Reviewed 11/20/06.
Genre: Third-Person Action Adventure
This game rocks. It really might be the best launch game ever. Assume the roll of Nathan Hale - the only human to ever recover from infection by the Chimeran Virus. Go back to the 1950s (but, not WWII - that didn't happen due to all of Europe being overwhelmed by the Chimera). All life around you becomes hyper-active dealers of destruction (with huge teeth). Online runs smooth even with 40 players. The weapons are great - our favorite being the Auger, which can shoot through walls. This game is constantly engaging in both action and story. Insomniac did a great job showing the PS3 is ready to compete with the Xbox 360.
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Is this a real game? The answer is yes. This game takes the time tested formula of pong and kicks it in the balls with amazing graphics (of the players) and solid, intuitive controls. What gets this game a 4 out of 5 Cool Points is the game play. You can pick up the controls and have a good time, but they have depth that leads to some cool strategic elements for beating your opponent. Plus, the multiplayer is fun and additive. You can take it online with Xbox Live, but it also has two player on one system so you can challenge your friends. A surprise to us, this is a real game.
Genre: Sports
Get ready to talk trash and tip strippers because this game is faithful to the HBO series - you know, violence, sex, drugs, etc... This game makes God of War look like Sunday School and Grand Theft Auto look like The Smurfs. This game is not for kids...at all. Seriously. Not for minor consumption! Your home base for much of the game is the Bada Bing Strip Club. This is pretty much a GTA clone; nothing really original - it doesn't do better than other games that seem to use the same game-engine. But, the violence and aggression is fitting if you're into that kind of thing. The voice acting is performed with the actual cast of the show, and the side-characters are very entertaining too. The fighting does get repetitive after a while, but with the sex and violence it should appeal to young red-blood adult males (this is really NOT for minor consumption). Genre: Action Super
Rub-A-Dub Stop soiling the bathwater...and join us for cheese and quackers. This is a downloadable game for the PS3. Imitating the Wii-tards, this game uses the six axis motion controller to navigate the maze-like bathtubs. What you do is play as a big duck collecting the little ducks to the drain, with bonus levels where you get to be a shark and eat the ducks. As you progress through the game you unlock new tubs with increased obstacles and difficulties like no edges or a current. Tilt the tub, jolt the tub, save the little ducks...you get the idea. The Children's Gamers Union LOVED this game and couldn't stop laughing - for adult's after a while it requires enhancement through adult beverages. Genre: Puzzle Action
Get ready to eat concrete and leave some skin on the street, as this iteration of Tony Hawk brings things a little closer to reality. But, you still have to suspend your disbelief, as your character will stand up after some that would break a normal person in half. Plus, some physics glitches that will send you 40 feet into the air from a stand-still position. With the notably long list of artists in the soundtrack...the music is disappointing with only 5-8 solid tracks...(depending how picky you are). The control are tedious like other TH games (and apparently we are the only people who are concerned about this). But the Children's Gamers Union of Spring Lake (Local #101) locked us out of HQ to play it. Genre: Extreme Sports
Talk about a fun game. Nothing really strikes you as ground-breaking new, but what matters is if it's fun - and this game is. The graphics are exceptional, the controls are spot on, and the interaction with the enemies/level is impressive. Violent, vulgar and graphic - if you are looking for an action FPS, check this game out! Be ready to be attacked my meat cleavers and masonry saws... Available on the PS2 and Xbox. Reviewed 8/14/06. Genre:
First Person Shooter
This game is about what you expect when considering what it would be like to give Sonic a big gun. It adds a little to the game, but the main things that make these Hedgehog games fun should have been cared for a little more. It seems the older you get, the less you like this game. Great for kids with non-intense violence and fast, flashy game play, but not an engaging experience to miss work over. Available on PS2, GC, Xbox. Reviewed 7/17/06.
Genre:
Third-Person Action
There is no denying that SOCOM 2: U.S. Navy Seals has been the best thing for taking the Playstation 2 online, (well...some might deny it, but whatever). SOCOM 3 really tried some good ideas - basically doubling the size of the game, from maps to number of players and overall feel of the game. But, some of these idea's just didn't seem to work as well as all of us were hoping. When playing online, the maps are so big games take a LONG time to complete - with much of it either sitting around camping (trying to not fall asleep), or running around for 5 minutes and then getting randomly sniped and not accomplishing anything. But, the idea's were good, there just needs to be something done to bring back a better balance and excitement to the game like S2 had. The offline in S3 is better than S2...but, do people really buy SOCOM games for the single player? Available for the PS2. Reviewed 8/7/06.
Genre: Shooter
SpongeBob has been amazingly popular among kids (and adults) across America. In this game you get to play as Plankton, Patrick Star and even that little yellow sponge himself. Our kid-game testers said the game was really fun - but they played through the game in two days and haven't shown interest in playing it since. You run around collecting stuff platform style. Some of the objectives in the game don't do much to draw you in - but, the wackiness of the show is in this game and there are some nice distraction mini-games. The voices and graphics don't stand out as good or bad, it's a decent kid game, and adults who like the show may want to give the game a rent. Available for the PC, Wii, GC, PS2, DS and GBA. Reviewed 11/27/06.
Genre: Action
This game spans the history of all 5 Star Trek TV series with a story that ties all of them together. In this game you command a fleet of 4 Federation Starships in story that leads from one series to the next. When the game starts out and you are Archer, a lot of the missions boil down "destroy everything you can target lock." You'll meet an egotistical Vulcan named T’Uerell - she is very intriguing and curious. You'll also play as Kirk and Pickard, and Deep Space 9 and Voyager are in there as well. There is actually a good story - you have to fill it in a little bit yourself, but it's good. The space battles are fun and its a pleasure to be in control of such accurate renders from the TV. We would have liked it if there would have been Checkpoints after each objective is completed (all because the asteroid part...). The game has great controls for commanding your fleet. The destroyed ship graphics are a little less than impressive but get the point across of explosive space battles.
Genre: Action
It's not very often that we get excited about a family-game for the Xbox 360 - but Rare pulled off something nice with this game, so get ready to manage a living garden ecosystem! You are a gardener on Piñata Island and you need to get your chunk of land in order so that different kinds of Piñata's will become residents. You then need to get the Piñata's to "Romance" (we call it breeding); in Family-Friendly-Fashion, Romancing gets two Piñata's to dance together in a fun and colorful cut scene. The amount of control you have of your garden is impressive, and the different tree's you plant, ponds you dig, (flowers you plant, items you buy...etc) effect which Piñata's will show up. Viva Piñata has the excitement of discovery and enough strategy to attract gamers of all ages. The game does have a bit of a stutter from time to time (could be due to multiple Piñata's in your garden and also the auto-save feature) but it can get frustrating - mainly when the button you press doesn't register (so you accidentally hit your Bark Bark with a shovel...). Overall, this is a very good game. Available on the Xbox 360. Reviewed 12/11/06.
Genre: Strategy
Wii Sports is a collection of 5 games: Golf, Boxing, Bowling, Tennis and Baseball. This game is great for introducing people to the Wii-mote (the tilt and motion sensitive controller for the Nintendo Wii). Sadly, after an evening you'll realize that the replay value is rather low. The games are fun and enjoyable, they just don't last. But, with a game like this - that isn't a surprise. Also, you CAN just sit on the couch and flick your wrist along with some elbow movement and play - you do NOT have to stand up and move around to operate the Wii-mote. Boxed in, this is a great game - just don't plan to eat and breath it live Oblivion... Available on Wii. Reviewed 12/18/06.
Genre: Sports More
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Armored
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