Archive for the ‘Xbox 360’ Category

Evolution is an epic adventure set in a massive digital world filled with high-mobility disc-based combat and advanced light cycles. Set during the era between the two TRON films, TRON: Evolution conveys the story of significant events within the TRON mythology.

“TRON: Evolution is barely a TRON game. It’s a repetitive cyberpunk Prince of Persia. The platforming and combat are flashy, but both feel awkward to control and get really competitive. All the cool things you’d expect in a TRON game are restricted to the limited multiplayer modes. If you’ve got 10 people you can play some fun multiplayer games, but there are only a half dozen maps including the day one DLC. If you want to find out what happens between the two films, then you at least get a bit of a story here. And if the developers keep expanding the multiplayer with DLC like they’re already doing then this game could be worth a purchase eventually. But right now TRON feels like a movie cash in game more than the next step in a classic gaming franchise.” We give this one 2.5 stars out of 5 stars.

An international conspiracy has placed the UK’s most secretive bio-chemical project into deadly hands, and only Her Majesty’s most lethal agent, James Bond, can unravel the mystery. To navigate through layers of corruption, you, as Bond, will embark on a global chase that will have you battling on land, sea, and air through Athens, Istanbul, Monaco, and Bangkok. Nothing is what it seems as each adventure reveals a deeper and more sinister conspiracy. Engage in precise cover-based gunplay and tactical firefights, and speed your way through explosive adrenaline-fueled driving sequences. Become Bond as he engages in intense hand-to-hand combat and uses his environment to finish off enemies. Take the battle online in a 16-person multiplayer mode that requires skill, teamwork and strategy as you compete in matches that will have spies battling mercenaries. In the fight to prevent the world’s most dangerous weapon from falling into the wrong hands, you’ll need to be the ultimate secret agent.

Blood Stone is not a bad game: it’s just a painfully average one. There aren’t any majorly broken elements to it, but just because this Stone is relatively polished, doesn’t make it a gem. There really isn’t anything at all remarkable about it, and even though it’s extremely short it still manages to wear out its welcome thanks to its extremely repetitive design. If GoldenEye is indeed the Sean Connery of 007 video games, then Blood Stone is the George Lazenby; not bad, but not good either, and forgettable in almost every way. At just five hours long and lacking in any real innovation or challenge, it won’t leave you feeling shaken nor stirred, just shortchanged.”  We give it 2.5 stars out of 5.

December 3, 2010 @ 11:28 am

Splatterhouse is it a horror?

Follow Rick and his mystical Terror Mask as he unmercifully tears, cuts and beats his way through denizens of unearthly creatures in an epic adventure to rescue his girlfriend from the clutches of deranged occult figure Dr. West. Embodying the unfiltered, primal aggression of its namesake, Splatterhouse combines visceral, adrenaline-soaked combat with horror elements to deliver an original gaming experience that defies the boundaries of the traditional action category with over the-top gore and shocking new gameplay mechanics.

“Let’s be honest: Splatterhouse was always the video game equivalent of an exploitation flick. In an era where games were dominated by perky platformers and colorful beat-em-ups, Splatterhouse was a breath of rotten air, full of gore, secondhand references to horror movie icons, and cheap thrills – sort of like the movies it took inspiration from. But, like so many horror remakes of the last few years, little of the original Splatterhouse’s charm has been left intact, and the half-baked mechanics and graphic content can’t make up the difference. Other games have managed to marry over-the-top violence and sex with sound game design, and Splatterhouse just feels like an imitator.”  We give this one 2 stars out of 5.

nail’d is a game that mixes brutal speed with over the top roller-coaster track-design insanity to deliver an off-road racing experience unlike any other. You’re going to make your powerful ATV or motocross bike do incredible things. Blaze a trail at speeds no other off-road game can match over gaping chasms, through fiery obstacles and high above the ground. In nail’d, you’ll blast down near-vertical surfaces and over yawning chasms that plunge into darkness. The rocky teeth of the unforgiving Andes and the vicious challenge of the Yosemite National Park are but two of the places where you’ll learn the meaning of verticality. The racing challenge found in nail’d will send your adrenaline glands into overdrive. It’s going to hit you hard, but you’ll want more. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

“You can see some fun poking out here and there in Nail’d. The in-air physics work largely as advertised and add some excitement, but the game still feels surprisingly boring most of the time. Without the benefit of exploration for new routes or any meaningful challenge to vehicle handling though, Nail’d gets tedious fast and stays there.” We give it 3 stars out of 5.

To Save the Kingdom, the Greatest Alliance Between Man and Monster is Forged! Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom? is the modern incarnation of inspired partnership gaming, seamlessly integrating problem solving, combat and an engaging story line in a fluid cinematic experience like no other!

Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom tells a sad but clichéd tale with an endearing giant and his friend at the helm of it. This “puzzle platformer” won’t give you too much of a problem as the solutions are simple, but finding every collectible in the world will take quite a bit of effort. It’s not without frustrations, but journeying with the goofy monster is an adventure most people will get a kick out of.’  We give this one 3.5 stars out of 5.

EA SPORTS is bringing NBA JAM to a 2010 audience with everything that fans remember about the original (revolutionary visuals, over-the top gameplay and numerous unlocks and cheat codes) PLUS online capability. The winner of 8 “Best Sports Game of E3″ award, including the Game Critics Award, NBA JAM is a high-octane video game that is fun for everyone!

‘NBA Jam is a disappointing retail package, mainly because it would’ve been one of the greatest Xbox Live or PlayStation Network releases of all-time. As it stands, this $50 disc adds a few modes to the Jam that you know and love, but at the end of the day the reason that you’ll invest is the classic gameplay, not the Remix Modes. You have to ask yourself: is the classic gameplay and eventual addition of online multiplayer worth the rather hefty asking price? I’d say yes, if you’re a diehard Jam fan and no if it never impressed you back in the day.’ We give it 3 stars out of 5.

Use your creativity and imagination to unlock a world of play! Create, the video game, tracks your creativity and rewards you for it. The more you create, the more you unlock rewards and exciting challenges to play, opening a world of fun as you go. Let your imagination run wild, as you create cool environments with easy-to-use tools, including animating objects, textures, and designs that bring your scene to life!

‘Create tries to stretch the family game in new directions, but the individual portions of the game feel like lesser versions of a lot of other titles on the market. Super Scribblenauts offers a less frustrating and more creative approach to problem solving; if you’re into making your own world, The Sims offers you much more freedom by allowing you to build it how you’d like. And both of those games give you personality and characters that you can feel some attachment to and care about. Create feels like a hodge-podge of small ideas that don’t add up to a satisfying whole.’ We give this one 2 stars out of 5.

November 16, 2010 @ 3:03 pm

Where should I plant this?

Get yourself you Microsoft points ready because we have another market download game that will fill your garden with wonderful colors and occupy your time a little different.

‘The Undergarden really is best used as a palette cleanser, a game to break up the monotony of blood and violence gamers seem to revel in. Like so many sweet and wonderful things in life, the experience starts to lose its charm in any prolonged session. The levels are just a little too repetitive, and even the dazzling colors and quirky music failed to hold my attention for longer than a stage or two at any given time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just that so much of Undergarden’s appeal lies in the sensory experience, and that affected me less and less as I habituated to it. It certainly won’t be for everyone, but players looking for a change of pace – a chance to grow, rather than destroy — might find brief solace in a few evenings with The Undergarden.’  We give this one 3 stars out of 5

The newest installment in the biggest action series of all time and the follow-up to last year’s blockbuster Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops.

‘Call of Duty: Black Ops is a great overall package that has a ton of content to enjoy. The multiplayer modes are largely based on what was established by Modern Warfare, but the twists that Treyarch throws in work well. My biggest issue with the multiplayer is that the new Wager Matches, while fun in their own right, don’t compare favorably to the high-quality and addictive leveling system and game modes from Modern Warfare 1 and 2. Single-player is as exhaustingly fast-paced as ever with large set pieces that try to take the attention off of the lackluster AI of both friends and enemies. Thankfully, the story is the best I’ve ever seen from a Call of Duty game. Couple both of those substantial offerings with more Zombie content than some full-fledged zombie games and Black Ops is certainly worth your time, even if you aren’t already a fan of the series.’ We give this one 4.5 stars out of 5.

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit players will experience the thrill of the chase and the rush of the escape as they play through full careers as both a cop and a racer – solo or connected. The blistering speeds, brutal busts and heart-stopping getaways are all connected via Need for Speed Autolog. This network not only connects friends for epic head-to head pursuits and races, but also enables players to compare performances and stats, thereby setting the stage for the ultimate in friendly competition.

“Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit is pure over-the-top driving entertainment. The cars and environments are gorgeous, the crashes are spectacular, and the new Autolog feature breathes new life into the time-honored tradition of video game competition among friends. The single-player races can become somewhat repetitive and there are some presentation issues, but overall, Hot Pursuit is a blast. If you’re looking for a high-octane racer that grabs on tight but doesn’t take itself too seriously, give this one a shot.” We give this one 4.5 stars out of 5.