Review: Fusion: Genesis

Posted on November 27, 2011 by geelw

Platform: Xbox 360 (via Xbox Live Arcade)

Developer: Starfire Studios

Publisher: Microsoft

# of Players: 1 (1 – 4 online)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Score: A (90%)

For a first game, Fusion: Genesis is outstanding, but what would you expect from four ex-Rare team members who got together with the express purpose of making great games? Starfire Studios’ beautiful, addictive and deep space combat game combines elements from shooters, MMO’s and RPG’s in a solid blend of twin stick action, loads of loot and a nice range of customizable spacecraft. It’s too bad this is a 360 exclusive, as what’s here would do well as a Games for Windows title or even a cross platform and handheld release. Nevertheless, if you have an Xbox Live account and want something deep and thrilling that won’t be over in a weekend and has replay value to spare, this one’s got your name all over it. Continue reading →

Review: Dark Souls

Posted on November 26, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3 (also on Xbox 360)

Developer: From Software

Publisher: Namco Bandai

# of Players: 1 (Online: 1 – 4)

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A (90%)

If Dark Souls doesn’t scare you silly at some point, you’re either fearless, slightly to moderately insane or so jaded that nothing can faze you. Like 2009’s PS3 smash sleeper, Demon Souls, what’s here is a purely terrifying blend of old school difficulty and current gen tech that’s beautiful yet brutal and definitely not for those looking for an easy ride. From Software has created one of the most compelling game experiences to date (and if you’ve been a fan of the developer as long as I have, you could see this coming) that’s an absolute essential for any gamer willing to take the plunge. While the lengthy solo campaign is superb, it’s in the innovative online mode where many will see the game’s full range. That said, the dev team has wisely made sure that folks who can’t play online can still complete the game. It’ll just be a bit harder at times thanks to the punishing difficulty and intentionally vague storytelling that requires a bit of thought (and a lot more exploration and combat) to fully comprehend. Continue reading →

Review: Star Odyssey

Posted on November 22, 2011 by geelw

Platform: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive

Developer: Hot-B/Starfish

Publisher: Super Fighter Team

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: N/A

Official Site

Score: B+ (80%)

After 20 long years one of a handful of “lost” Sega Genesis games finally surfaces thanks to Brandon Cobb and Super Fighter Team. While Star Odyssey may not be the best RPG on the platform, as a piece of gaming history, it’s something that’s truly great too see and play. Thanks to Cobb’s dedication to seeing the project through (and a solid localization job), a few hundred lucky gamers can now play this long lost gem and see what might have been had this one shipped when it was supposed to. Granted, I’m sure it wouldn’t have set the gaming world on fire back in 1991 or ’92, but the Genesis never really got as many great RPG’s as the SNES back in the day, so what’s here makes for a mostly solid game with a few quirks that keep it from perfection. Continue reading →

Rayman Origins “10 Ways To Win” Helps A Lot (But You STILL Need To Buy The Game First!)

Posted on November 21, 2011 by geelw

UbiSoft wants to assist in any way they can, so here you go. From what I played, the game is gorgeous, laugh out loud funny and at times, hard as hell in a joyous old-school manner. Pinpoint platforming, multiplayer action, tons of levels and ridiculous replay value are all here on the game disc, so what are you waiting for? If you say “Um, a few hints on how to win the game?” You get a tin cup and some dark glasses, kid. Now get off my lawn…

Winter Stars Teaser Trailer: Deep Silver Wants To Get You In The Mood For Snow…

Posted on November 20, 2011 by geelw

Deep Silver’s got a plan to get those of you looking for a winter sports game to buy a copy of Winter Stars, their just released motion-controller-based game for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Eleven different sporting events bound to get you up off the couch and shaking it like you mean it sounds like a good idea to me, as my own “it” is getting a tiny bit wider from way too much Skyrim. Naturally, I’ll at least play the snowmobiling mini-game sitting down, but it looks like I’ll need to be waving my arms and moving about for the rest of them. With Move, Kinect or Wii Remote/Balance Board support for each platform, it’ll be interesting to see if this one takes off as the weather gets colder and holiday gift thoughts start wafting through the air like the scent of freshly baked pies.

Review: Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi

Posted on November 20, 2011 by geelw

Platform: Xbox 360 (also on PS3)

Developer: Spike

Publisher: Namco Bandai

# of Players: 1 – 2 (Online 1 – 2)

ESRB Rating: T Teen

Official Site

Score: B (75%)

Bigger, meaner, louder and faster pretty much sums up each new Dragon Ball Z game that hits consoles on what seems to be a yearly basis, but this year’s DBZ game, Ultimate Tenkaichi, while spectacular looking and a thrill to play, somehow drops the ball when it comes to character count. While there’s a character edit function here, it’s a bit limited and the overall number of playable fighters isn’t as impressive as last year’s Raging Blast 2. If you can manage to get over that disappointment (or could care lass about who’s in this game as long as it’s fun), what’s here is a total blast to dive into again and again as it still packs in many hours of exciting fighting action. A few elements, such as the emphasis on quick time events for some special attacks and interesting pattern-based boss battles that would feel more at home in a 3D platformer, may take a bit of getting used to for some younger players. But overall, there’s more than enough of the usual DBZ stuff here to keep you busy for quite some time. Continue reading →

L.A. Noire Complete Edition Hits Stores For PS3 & 360

Posted on November 16, 2011 by geelw

In case you missed it, Team Bondi’s instant classic is now available for the PS3 and Xbox 360 complete with all the DLC missions and costumes. While the Aussie developer has gone under due to a bit of controversy (go look it up, I need to get back to playing Skyrim), their first and only game is still an amazing achievement that’s well worth playing and an excellent example of a “thinking persons” video game. Personally, I say 2011’s Game of the Year category is going to be packed more than full of top shelf titles with more than ONE winner chosen by anyone serious about those sorts of lists. There have been far too many solid titles in 2011 to limit victors to a mere ONE per genre, I say…

Syndicate Co-op Gameplay Trailers: Classic Meets Current

Posted on November 16, 2011 by geelw

Submitted for your approval, two pretty cool videos from EA’s upcoming reboot of the PC and console classic. Not only does veteran developer, Starbreeze get it, they get it RIGHT. Reworking some classic Syndicate maps into the new game’s 4-player co-op mode is a great thing indeed and should give the more open-minded loyalists something to think about. As much as I love the original game, it’s not 199X, folks… so it’s time to move on and enjoy what’s here, keeping in mind that the game has the blessing of members of the original’s development team. It’s all coming along really nicely and I can’t wait to see more gameplay videos as the game gets closer to completion.

Need For Speed: The Run Races Into Retail

Posted on November 15, 2011 by geelw

DICE’s Frostbite 2 engine is running hot in this spectacular-looking new entry in the long-running franchise. The combination of lightning fast driving and out of the car quick-time action events give the game a truly cinematic flair and you get a digital version of Christina Hendricks to moon over if that’s your thing. EA, you’re going to make me BROKE with yet another cool, fun game this year, grrr…

Review: Sonic Generations

Posted on November 14, 2011 by geelw

Platform: Xbox 360 (also on PS3, Wii)

Developer: Sonic Team

Publisher: Sega

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Official Site

Score: A

The Sonic Team (and Sonic) renaissance continues with another solid and hugely fun to play Sonic the Hedgehog game. While not flawless, Sonic Generations does a mostly stellar job of recapturing the nostalgia of the blue hedgehog’s early days while also giving gamers a Shake ‘n Bake of pretty much every major Sonic game (and a few minor ones) that’s come along since. Those well-versed in Sonic lore will be grinning ear to ear at the presentation, looking for references all over the place as they play through the game. Like the classic games it cobbles its levels and characters from, the overall experience is somewhat brief. However, just like the old days, this is one game you’ll blow through once and go back to over and over until you’ve aced every challenge and scored “S” ranks across every single map. Continue reading →