Review

Okay let me start this review by saying that according to sale reports everyone in the world owns this game right now. Also I had this game for less than a week simply because I didn't enjoy it. Let me explain.

The FPS genre is the most over saturated in the business, there are so many crap games and so many poor game mechanics that you have to be careful what you put your trust in. First off there is no excuse to have a shooting in this current generation of gaming with out having a cover system. I don't mean the ability to crouch behind a box or step behind a wall, but the system that Rainbow Six uses so well sticking to cover and entering a third person view.

But this is not my problem with Modern Warfare 2, my biggest problem is that I feel like I have just witnessed a historic election, where all the politicians are making these huge amazing promises and then once they are in office nothing happens. The first Modern Warfare was enjoyable and had some really good movie moments. But this was supposed to top all of that and it didn't.

The campaign was lackluster after playing games like Uncharted 2. It is hard to see a game with so much hype and talent and then have it end up being unimpressive. Don't get me wrong the game as a whole is not bad but it suffers from the developers relying too much upon frat boy fans who don't seem to mind poorly developed games.

Everyone keeps trying to tell me that the multiplayer is where this game shines, and that is all well and good except for a few problems; first off if you have a game that is going to be all about the multiplayer do it right like MAG and make an online only game, second if you are going to have a single player campaign then make it worth while don't try to hang your game on the multiplayer.

All in all the game was made by a talented team good graphics and physics, good dialog and a decent story idea, the problem is that there are too many reasons why this should not be the best selling game of all time. This is the perfect example of what is wrong with the gaming market today. Games like this are the top of the heap and amazing games like Beyond Good and Evil don't even have solid sequels yet.

In closing all I have to say is that gaming is more about head shots and teenagers swearing at each other. Gaming has evolved past all that and is more substantial today so remember that next time you pass up a game like Shadow of the Colossus and instead buy Madden or Call of Duty and ask yourself if you are a real gamer or just some frat guy with a 360.

FTW

I know it wasn't that long ago, but this game is still my favorite shooter series to this day. Rainbow Six Vegas did everything right and I loved every thing about this game. I played this game over and over until part two came out.

The game-play was great because there was not only cover, but actual tactics behind it all. Using your team and your tools was how you got the job done, instead of trying to "Halo" or "Call of Duty" your way through by just "running and gunning". The amount of weapons you could choose from allows you to handle any situation as you see fit.

The sound was stellar, the explosions, firearms, and dialog were amazing.

The graphics are still viable today (granted this is a current gen game), and the recreation of Vegas was vivid.

The story was full of betrayal, intrigue, and believable characters. It kept you engrossed the whole way through until the end.

I may eventually post about the sequel because it was just as good if not better. Tactical shooting does not get better than the Vegas series.

MAG

I am not big into online multiplayer especially with shooters because I get tired of fourteen year old swearing at me when I kill them or worse when I compliment them on a good kill against me.

So if someone would have told me a few weeks ago that I would not only play the MAG beta (an FPS that is online play only) but love it I probably would have slapped them.

MAG seems like standard FPS online with various weapons and perks, the ability to gain levels and increase your characters skills and weapons. And when I started playing the smaller maps with up to sixty-four players at a time: thirty-two on each team further broken down into four eight man squads it seemed like a solid shooter.

However after I hit level ten and could play the large maps with up to 256 players at one time I was hooked. The game plays on actual squad tactics like protecting a bunker or capturing a checkpoint under the direction of your squad leaders and then receiving further orders.

I was afraid of the possible insanity of that many people playing at one time but it really is organized chaos, and this game can not be played like all the other FPS games out there, if you try to be a lone gunman and run in there you will get mowed down fast. I noticed this because I was a sniper and I continued to drop those players on the other team that would try and do just that.

The only way to finish objectives and win is to play as a team and follow the necessary orders. I am not only excited but dead set on buying this game in the near future it releases on the 26Th of Jan (same day as Mass Effect 2) which is why I won't be getting it right away, but rest assured this game will be mine with in the next few weeks and I have never looked forward to an FPS before in my life much less one that is online only.

Review

Well Finally back from all my selfish game time this holiday season and ready to review Assassin's Creed 2 by Ubisoft. Well it's no secret that this game is great, it has gotten amazing reviews for months now but I wasn't able to play it until recently because my wife got me the Master Assassin edition for Christmas (one of the many goodies is a statue above of the image).

I loved the first Assassin's Creed despite some short comings and some mixed reviews. This game was a no brainer for me, I knew I wanted to play it right off, and I was not disappointed.

The gameplay is right in line with the original with more weapons and abilities than the first. Counter attacking is still the most fun for me but with new enemy types that can counter you and deflect your counters it makes for amazing battles. The free running and climbing is smoother and faster than the original.

The graphics are great I have never been to Italy but I believe that if I ever visit I will be able to recognize land mark buildings just by playing this game. On top of that the main character (Ezio) has amazingly fluid motion all the time if he is climbing or fighting he moves realistically.

The sound is done really well the dialog is great and everyone plays their roles perfectly, not to mention the constant chatter and ambiance of the cities makes then feel alive. Oh and the combat sounds from the clashing of swords to the cracking of bones sound real and visceral.

The story is amazing, it builds on the first one and sets everything up perfectly for the third one (hope that comes soon) it also makes you care about the characters and the fight that they are faced with. I won't spoil anything but do not fail to scan all the glyphs (you will know what I am talking about) and missing the message of subject 16.

Okay in closing this game is a landmark for gaming just like the first one it raises the bar on what games have to live up to in the future. If you liked the first one play this game now, if you are looking for a good action adventure game play this game, if you want to kill corrupt people in Renaissance Italy play this game, in short there is no reason not to play Assassin's Creed 2.