Trouble in Paradise

For those of you who don't know, I have a PS3, Xbox 360, and a Wii. The reason I have all systems is because I know that there are games on all systems that I want to play. However my PS3 is my primary system because I like the controller better, and also because I think games look better on the PS3 and I know they sound better because they are on a Blu-Ray disc and not a DVD, so the audio fidelity is much higher.

Also I have had many issues with my 360, one full on red ring incident, and several minor self solved problems since I bought it back in 2007. However I never had a problem with my PS3 since I bought it at launch until this past weekend.

My PS3 shut down on me while I was watching a movie and wouldn't boot back up. I contacted customer support and now I am waiting for a box to arrive so that I can package it up and ship it off so that I can get it back in time for my Christmas present....Skyrim.

Sony isn't actually fixing my system they are getting a new 120G sku to replace it instead. So farewell my original launch sku PS3......you have served me well.

Review

The Assassin's creed series is definitely something that I would have made if I had ever been in the game industry. Everything about the series is a great base that Ubisoft keeps improving on each time the release the newest addition to the series.

Graphically it is still an Assassin's Creed game....there will be some texture issues, camera glitches, pop in of things, and other common problems to any open world game. The locations and vistas are still some of the best in the gaming community and really make you feel like you are in the times and places that you are put.

The sound shines most with dialog filled with native accents and of course the squishy sounds of metal cutting into flesh.

The gameplay is still the same combination of fighting, free running, and stealth we have come to love from this series. Truth is with these games you either love them or hate them.....and that all depends on how much you like being an Assassin in this world Ubisoft has created.

The story as usual is filled with intrigue and deception and has many things based on historical fact, just goes to show how much this team puts into these games.

Of course I recommend this game, I recommend all Assassin's Creed titles. If you have played and liked the last ones then you are all ready into this one. If you haven't played a single one then get out there and play one of them today.

Review

So it is no surprise that I am an Uncharted fan, I have played every game in the series and every time a new one comes out it blows me away.

Graphically Naughty Dog is on the top of the food chain. The first game made realistic jungle and water effects a possibility, the second one made snow function like it is supposed to. This time they made me believe in sand, there is a scene in Uncharted 3 where I felt myself getting thirsty. Not even to mention the house fire scene.

As far as audio goes there is no more overworked voice actor than Nolan North....and there is a reason. He is fantastic and the rest of the cast holds the high bar of voice acting for this series with no problems at all. I also recently realized that Emily Rose who voices Elena is also the star of a show I really like called Haven.....and she totally looks like Elena. Of course every little pop and flash of sound is movie level quality.

The story is far and beyond the range of most blockbuster films that release these days but I won't spoil anything so go play it.

The gameplay is standard fare for Uncharted, shoot, punch, climb, solve puzzle, repeat. But it al1 continues to flow more and more smoothly.

Honestly there is no reason not to play this game. It is a definitive reason to own a PS3, and considering how fleshed out the multiplayer is, it is sure to take months of your gaming life.

Review

I remember playing the first Assassin's Creed and thinking how they needed to make a Batman game with a similar game engine. My prayers were finally answered with Batman Arkham Asylum. It was pure magic, finally a comic book game where you actually felt like the hero was supposed to. I knew it couldn't get any better.....I was wrong

Batman Arkham City from Rocksteady studios is beyond my expectations. The attention to detail is astounding from the differences in how Batman and Catwoman fight, to the personalities of all the villains I was grinning the whole time I played this game.

The graphics are stellar, the feel of Arkham City is pulled right from the glossy pages o DC. The entire place is seething with character and I never got bored with it because of the little touches that dotted the map.

The sound is perfect, from the hits and breaks in combat, the sounds of the gadgets, and of course the impeccable voice work from veterans of the series. Rocksteady has raised their all ready high bar when it comes to appreciation for source material.

The gameplay is improved from Arkham Asylum, which is saying something considering how smooth it played. I noticed little touches and tweaks all over the place making the whole experience tighter and more responsive.

The story is something I can't even begin to get into. Not just the main story line but all the little side missions were done with such reverence to the Batman universe. I was enthralled by the whole experience and only hope that DC gives Rocksteady a shot at the most dangerous game concept of all......a Superman game.

I can't more highly recommend this game. If you liked Arkham Asylum get this game. If you like Batman get this game. If you like action adventure games get this game. If you have the cash in your Christmas budget GET THIS GAME! There is no reason not to add this to your gaming experience.

Hopefully I will be doing my Uncharted 3 review soon, once I get a little more time in with the multiplayer component.

Dual Review

Okay I know I am slacking on my reviews or any post at all for that matter but I am going to try and do better. Here is a dual review of two games that I played in the last month or so.

RAGE and Gears of War 3 are two very different shooters. Gears is a linear third person shooter, and RAGE is a semi-open world (meaning that the world is open but there is very little outside of the linear story to do anyway) first person shooter.

I liked both of these games for different reasons. Gears was great because it was the same great play style and action that we have come to know and love. Also that it was a very satisfying ending to the series for me. I think some people expected more at the end but I thought the ending fit the characters quite well.

RAGE is a fantastic title for ID they took all their great shooter mechanics and added too it with the crafting of items. I particularly liked the wing-sticks. The driving surprised me by how well it handled and how fun it was to do. I did about half the races, which is saying something because I am not really a racing fan.

I am currently playing Batman Arkham City and I will try to post a review once I complete it. If there are any games you all would like to talk about feel free to do so in the comments. Heck you could just post your wish list for this Holiday if you like.

Review

Everyone in the gaming community should appreciate the Deus Ex series (Invisible war does not count because it wasn't an actual Deus Ex game) it is a corner stone of first person RPG mash ups.

Deus Ex Human Revolution is a great addition to the series and hopefully it's success will guarantee additional entries into this stellar series. I can't reveal too much about the story, but I will say that it is full of mystery and conspiracies and you have to unravel them.

The graphics are good and the art direction is great, the world feels familiar and unique at the same time giving you a sense that this world is real.

The audio is stellar, voice acting is top notch with just a few hiccups of poor delivery only a very few times. The explosions, gun fire, and close quarters attacks ring with devastating beauty.

Of course the gameplay is what makes this game epic. The joy of Deus Ex is being able to choose your own path depending on your play style. You can sneak through air vents hacking security systems to unleash turrets or robots on their owners or you can equip a heavy rifle and politely knock on the door with a hail of gun fire. THe point is that no matter what your preference is you can play this game and have fun.

This game is a must play for this heavy holiday season and a great addition to any RPG lovers collection. My next holiday game I know I am playing is RAGE, and of course a review will follow it's completion. Hopefully faster than I am posting this one, since I am half way through my second play through of Deus Ex all ready.

(Hopefully some day I will get my hands on Dead Island, I am very interested in that title as well)

Review

Yes I am aware that Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is an older title, but I never had the chance to play it before. I think it is a big improvement over the original. The graphics are sharper, the gameplay is tighter and it covers a big topic in the Marvel Universe. The Super hero civil war over the registration act.

It follows the same pattern of the X-men Legends games and the original Ultimate Alliance. It is a top down view action RPG. One big draw is the ability to play online with friends up to 4 player co-op each controlling a different character. The fusion abilities of the characters are cool too. Being able to mesh powers for major damage attacks is always fun.

I am a huge comic fan, I prefer marvel to DC, and any game where you can play as Captain America is always worth a look to me. If you never hit this title and you are looking for an action game with RPG elements then give Marvel UA2 a look.

Any recommendations out there for games I should play? I am coming up a little unsure as of late, and none of my holiday titles come out until October.