Play in Style - Gamer Style

Jack Black at the VGA 2008

On December 14, 2008, Spike TV held their annual Video Game Awards, hosted by comedic Jack Black. The video gamers of the world voted for their faves. Here are the results:

Game of the Year:

Grand Theft Auto IV

Studio of the Year:

Media Molecule

Best Shooter:

Gears of War 2

Best RPG:

Fallout 3

Best Individual Sports Game:

Shaun White Snowboarding

Best Handheld Game:

Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Best Graphics:

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Best Game Based on a Movie or TV Show:

LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

Best Music Game:

Rockband 2

Best Driving Game:

Burnout Paradise

Best Action Adventure Game:

Grand Theft Auto IV

Best Soundtrack:

Rockband 2

Best Xbox 360 Game:

Gears of War 2

Best Wii Game:

Boom Blox

Best PS3 Game:

LittleBigPlanet

Best PC Game:

Left 4 Dead

Best Original Score:

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Best Multiplayer Game:

Left 4 Dead

Best Independent Game:

World of Goo

Best Fighting Game:

Soul Calibur IV

Best Male Voice:

Michael Hollick as Niko Bellic in Grand Theft Auto IV

Best Female Voice:

Debi Mae West as Meryl Silverburg in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Big Name in Game Male:

Kiefer Sutherland as Sgt. Roebuck in Call of Duty: World at War

Big Name in Game Female:

Jenny McCarthy as Special Agent Tanya Adams in Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3

Published by: Ignition Entertainment
Developed by: Awesome Studios (aka Awesome Developments)
Genre: Puzzle
Local Play: 2 Versus

Exclusively on PlayStation Portable aka PSP
Release Date: April 6, 2005
MSRP: $39.99

IGN SAYS

Pet puzzle project by industry veteran Archer MacLean, who has been creating games since the early days and has credits dating back to International Karate and DropZone. Mercury is a Marble Madness-style puzzler/platformer played with liquid balls (drawn with special metallic reflection effects to make it look like moving gobs of mercury — thus the game title.) Make your way through challenging puzzles with your blob of goo, but don’t lose too much liquid or you’ll be set out to dry. There are plenty of abstract contraptions and concepts for players to outthink and outmaneuver. The Jacob’s Ladder will zap away some of your juice, while the Mercoids will hunt you down and suck up your blob. There are also Vacuum Pipes, Splitters for separating out the big blob into smaller blobs, Conveyer Belts for moving your mercury in one direction, and more.

General Features

• 72 Levels of liquid mayhem; 2 player action wirelessly linked with WiFi on all levels; 6 graphically themed worlds consisting of 12 levels each; each world contains 3 race levels, 3 percentage preserved levels. 3 task levels, 2 combo levels, and a boss level; score system allows skilled players to revisit and find all the tricks to obtaining the hi score; unlockable extra tough super levels for skilled players who can max out the level hi scores in any one world; tutorial mode guides beginners through the first training camp world; over 30 varieties of interactive obejects, useful items, and enemies to hinder your proigress; simple controls that only need you to tilt the entire level with the analogue stick as you watch the various coloured mercury blob gloop around all the hazards and required target points along the way; watch as your blob of mercury ebb and flow around everything in their path, splitting up and changing colour along the way; full camera control for customised viewing; ultra realistic liquid mercury graphic effects, using stunning real time physics; quite possibly the most addictive game you’ll ever play.

STORY: 7.5/10
There are few games out there which are truly original. You’re a blob of Mercury. And your goal is to get to the finish line before the clock reaches zero!

GRAPHICS: 6/10
They’re very basic. But with thanks to that, it’s not a large game. Anyone with a large memory stick (2 gig - 4 gig+) can easily have a game like this on your PSP along with several other small games. With the simple graphics, it helps to keep the size down. It’s cartoony. Parts are cheezy (like a glowing blue/green/red vertical tube you gotta collect to and change your colour to sometimes. The special effects are kinda weak).

Graphics are nothing to brag about, but the game play and concept make up for it!

SOUND: 5/10
Same with the graphics. Nothing special. You could easily have the sound off and still get the same experience. It was definitely not a “sound focused” kind of game. More of the concept (what the game has to offer during operation/game time/play time).

GAME PLAY: 8.5/10
(that pretty much sums it up)

There is plenty of game!

One really cool aspect of the game is at the start of every level, there is a pivoting pan showing you the entire level before you play.

It’s helpful to give you an idea of what to expect.

You wont ALWAYS complete the levels on the first try!

A COOL aspect (and equally very annoying) is sometimes you’re given a quota of “mercury” to keep when you complete the level.

your Mercury % will be on the BOTTOM RIGHT

if you’re under the quota (some levels require you keep at least 30% - 40% - 50% etc to beat the level).

You can lose mercry easily if you wanlk a tight path

It’s a simple game! But also can be extremely challenging. That is if you’re like me and NEED to get the best possible score! I’ll spend hours on one level to get the best score before moving on.

Great challenges! Great concept! Easy and fun to play!

IGN says

In Double Agent, players take control of the franchise’s steady hero Sam Fisher as he battles a new terrorist threat. Fisher, whose daughter has recently passed away, must go under cover to infiltrate the group’s American headquarters, using stealth and lethal force to gain the upper hand. The character will begin his mission in a prison, mingling with the enemy to gain trust, thus creating a psychological balance that complements the non-stop action.

Key features for the action-stealth game, as follows:

• Dual objectives to fulfill: NSA government agents and terrorists will each want you to accomplish opposing tasks at the same time
• Discover the tension of being a double agent: Use actual tactics employed by today’s real-life double agents to sabotage the terrorists’ plans
• Explore a branching storyline with multiple endings: Your choices have an impact on how the story and game play unfolds
• A world of international espionage: Missions from all over the world, from Asia to Africa to the heart of the US. Experience extreme situations: underwater or in a sandstorm, hiding behind the dust or smoke - and even skydiving
• New authentic gadgets: Master the latest weapons and gadgets used by NSA government agents in addition to black-market terrorist weapons

STORY:6/10
NOTE: I’ve only played about 10 hours or so into it. I’ve finished about 6 missions (not that much) so I’m sure the game’ll pick up. It was pretty good from what I’ve played so far…BUT the story’s been done before (”terrorist” plot you’re the “wrench”)

So far from what I’ve gathered (no spoilers)

Some dude is working with several organizations to make a bomb for explosive reasons and the main character goes in and pulls a “James Bond” and has to foil the plans.

It DOES open up pretty cool with the situations you find yourself in (but I’ll get into that in GAME PLAY)

GRAPHICS: 7.5/10
I would say they’re pretty good! A little better than PS2 graphics. Images are clear and sharp! It definitely has the realism in the right spots!

It gives a good sense that you are really in the environment you are in. With the game controls and the sounds (which I’ll get into shortly) it really helps you immerse yourself!

SOUND: 8/10
One of the “key” factors that makes Splinter Cell SPLINTER CELLis the spy factor! You’re a spy. Which means you rely on hearing things. There is some music for times when things are getting “hot” (if you’re about to be caught or if you DO get caught). When you are used to complete silence and the environment sounds, then things get tight…it starts to really get you going.

GAME PLAY: 9.5/10
The controls are a lil tricky to get used to at first. Your Wii Mouse cursor controls the camera. If you move it UP, the camera goes up. If you move it down, the camera goes down.

You move with the nunchuck analog stick…

I’m not going to go through all the buttons…but it’s cool to jump by flicking the wiimote, pressing the joystick VERY sensitively to tip toe. You TILT the wiimote to lean against a wall.

The game play is VERY involving. Mixed with the graphics and sounds it’s a spectacular experience!!

CON: It IS very challenging!!!
One of my weaknesses is the 100% score. I will do the same level over and over and over and over and over again until I get either the best score, or I don’t miss anything (get all the mini-items etc). I don’t want to leave the level unless I a have accomplished everything I could have! If I don’t, I feel SO unfulfilled! But then I get too frustrated sometimes and I make stupid moves and get caught easily (start over) or forgot/missed something (start over).

the game is VERY fun…I’m just not a very good spy! IF I could go through the game without caring about getting everything…I’m sure it’d be a LOT more fun.

CO-OP MODE: 8/10
Just as fun as the 1st player (solo) game. It’s split screen (which kinda sucks…but still works). You HAVE to work together every few minutes. So if you have an adventuring partner who wants to run ahead…they gotta wait for you to catch up! The controls are still tricky. There were walls We had to climb over and you gotta press the right buttons which was sometimes challenging. Sometimes you have NO idea where you’re supposed to go. We had to consult a walkthrough a couple times (and naturally…the solution was the SIMPLEST thing we just didn’t notice)

You gotta work together big time! So if you do co-op, make sure you REALLY get along with the person! Make sure you both know what you’re doin’ ’cause you can’t have crazy Arnold schwarzenegger (go in blazing) matched with Jon Voight (Tom Cruise - mission impossible ~ be invisible) working together….it’s not gonna work!

………………………………

COOL thing about this game is you CAN go in and blow everyone away and not care about getting caught. OR you can go through and sneek past everyone (WAY more challenging).

Either way, it’s a SUPERB game with an exceptioanl challenge to it! Very worth solo mission and co-op!

It’s hard to believe that Lara Croft has been apart of our gaming lives for over a decade.  She burst onto our screens in 1996 looking pointy, square and lifeless.  Fast forward 12 years and just take a look at her now.  Curvy, lifelike and smooth, Lara is looking better than ever and she’s now taking us through her latest game, Tomb Raider: Underworld.

The Story

Technically, this is the 9th instalment of the Tomb Raider series, but since ‘Anniversary’ was a remake of the very first Tomb Raider game, ‘Underworld’ is known as the 8th in the series.  This whole adventure is based around Lara trying to get to a place called Avalon, a place where her mother can be found, even though she’s apparently dead.  To get Avalon, Lara must travel through the Mediterranean Sea, Coastal Thailand, Croft Manor, Southern Mexico, Jan Mayen Island and the Arctic Sea.   Each of these places contains enemies and mind bending puzzles to figure out before you can go any further.

Click here to read the full review.

Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Nintendo
Release Date: January 17, 2007
Genre: Action
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence
Exclusively on Wii
MSRP: $48.99

IGN says
This entry in the Wario Ware series is so wacky, it could only be made with the latest technology — the Wii Remote controller! When Wario stumbles upon a strange device called a Form Baton, he and his friends use it to learn new moves that are as fun as they are wacky. Under Wario’s tutelage, and with the help of the Wii Remote, players will swing, spin and squat their way to victory. With more than 200 lightning-quick microgames and controls that range from scribbling to flailing, WarioWare: Smooth Moves takes interactive gaming to a whole new level.

STORY 5/10

It’s weak…but how else are you gonna introduce the ridiculous game.

(best described by Wiki)

At the start of the game, the main character Wario is eating a snack in his snacking chair when a strange thing(Splunk) appears and steals his snacks. Angered by the thief, Wario runs after it, chasing it to the Temple of Form. There he stumbles upon the Form Batton (an object shaped after the Wii Remote) and grabs it.

By taking it, he activates a trap, causing a giant rock to chase him (not unlike the rock-traps featured in the Indiana Jones films). Once out of danger, he thinks he’s made a new discovery. This level introduces (and uses only) the move called: The Remote Control. Afterwards, the player is introduced to more moves in the following levels:

* Mona - Mona is leading a cheerleading squad for Diamond City High’s football team, though the star player has a crush on her. Mona’s games introduce The Handlebar and The Umbrella forms.

* Kat and Ana - The duo must defend their master from an evil demon that’s come to harm him. The Sketch Artist, The Chauffeur, and The Samurai forms are used in Kat and Ana’s games.

* Young Cricket - Young Cricket aims to get some food (likely baozi) for his master and him from a food stall despite the long line of customers in front of them. Young Cricket’s games introduce The Tug-of-War, The Waiter, and The Elephant forms.

* Jimmy T. - Jimmy T. sees a stray kitten during a rainstorm, and leaves his umbrella with the kitten to keep it dry. Suddenly he finds himself being followed by a bunch of kittens, and leads them to a discotheque to dance the night away. A mix of the forms learned to that point is used, particularly from Mona, Kat and Ana, and Young Cricket.

* Ashley - Ashley is attempting to unlock the secrets of a new magic book. The Thumb Wrestler, The Discard, and The Big Cheese forms are introduced in this stage.

* Dribble and Spitz - The taxi-driving duo pick up a strange woman who seems to be in a hurry to get somewhere. The games in this stage introduce The Janitor, The Mohawk, and The Dumbbell forms.

* Penny Crygor- Penny, Dr. Crygor’s granddaughter, is trying to invent the next greatest revolution. Her microgames introduce The Finger Food, The Boxer, and The Mortar and Pestle forms.

* 9-Volt & 18-Volt - 9-Volt shows 18-Volt his Game & Watch but in the scuffle to play it, 18-Volt accidentally breaks it and tries to go to the local gaming store, where the clerk simply has trouble keeping it on the shelves. As it is in all WarioWare games to date, 9-Volt’s microgames use any and all types of control and revolve around Nintendo games. This time, however, not all are retro–the inspiration for the games can range from back when Nintendo manufactured playing cards to more current Nintendo games, such as Brain Age, Nintendogs, Animal Crossing, Super Mario Sunshine, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Pikmin 2, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

* Jimmy P. - A duplication of the early Jimmy T. stage, only this time he finds a stray puppy during a sunny day, and after leaving the puppy a bone, he is followed by a bunch of puppies to a different discotheque. This level chiefly includes forms learned from Ashley, Penny Crygor, 9-Volt and 18-Volt, and Dribble and Spitz.

* Tiny Wario - Instead of Wario transforming into Wario-Man again, he receives a small motorcycle invented by Penny. When he rides it, he begins to shrink and falls inside. Out of the tailpipe bursts dozens upon dozens of Tiny Warios who feast on the strawberries on a nearby strawberry patch. All forms except The Diner and the Elephant are used in Tiny Wario’s games, and all involve Wario in some way.

* Orbulon - Orbulon’s ship spins out of control and lands in the same temple that Wario found the Form Baton in, only this time, Orbulon has stumbled across the Balance Stone that works in harmony with the Form Baton. Orbulon’s microgames solely use The Diner form, which requires the player to attach a Balance Stone (Nunchuk) to the Form Baton (Wii Remote.) There are three variations of The Diner. In The Diner A, the player begins the game with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk pointing upward, in The Diner B, they are pointed at the screen, and in The Diner C, inward towards one another.

* Dr. Crygor and Mike - The doctor and karaoke robot both make appearances in Penny’s stage, and later get a “Diet Mode” which is always 20 microgames long, no matter how many the player wins or loses. In this stage, the player tries to complete the microgame as quickly as possible in order to burn more “kelories” (word-play on “calories”). Instead of a boss stage, every tenth stage is extra-long, requiring players to keep doing something such as running or stretching until time runs out.

GRAPHICS 6/10
They’re kinda bad. BUT like most Wii games, the focus isn’t so much on the games graphics, but the game play.

Sometimes the animations are like “flash” animations. Or like south park. Everything looks 2D They’re OK…but nothing spectacular.

SOUND 7.5/10
Quite catchy! Silly!

Some times you’re asking “what the heck was that?” Other times you’re just laughing at the ridiculous sound effects. VERY funny stuff…but that’s all there is. Not like watching a “good movie” or a “good game”. The sounds/music are fast to get you excited and moving quickly. It causes you to be on your toes.

Much like when you’re playing SUPER MARIO BROTHERS and the DUHDUH DUH DUH DDUUUU DUUUUUHHHH plays as you’re suddenly 100 seconds away from running out of time and the level’s music speeds up.

The speedy music causes you to panic and mess up (unless you’re a very calm person)

the fast music gets the heart pumping faster and you start reacting faster. LOTS of fun.

They’re kinda bad. BUT like most Wii games, the focus isn’t so much on the games graphics, but the game play.

Sometimes the animations are like “flash” animations. Or like south park. Everything looks 2D They’re OK…but nothing spectacular.

GAME PLAY 9/10
You either love it or you hate it.

When I bought my Wii a year ago, I bought 1 extra controller + this game.

WARIO WARES has definitely set itself apart from other games! It’s WAKY and SILLY and CRAZY! You gotta be on your toes (so to speak). BE quick to react etc.

You have to use the WIimote in ways you didn’t think possible. You’re able to use the Wiimote like a steering wheel in some games

Samurai chop / sword fight

Tag a puppies hand

tilt the wiimote like a glass you’re drinking

tilt it to the 9:00 postition or 3:00 position directing people to a bathroom

Hold the Wiimote in your hand and balance a broom

LOTS of variety of game play

the ONLY weak spot is when the game explains to you HOW to operate different functions

this annoying voice comes up (like a boring monotone speaker) slowly explaining the different holds for the different games.

MULTIPLAYER

Like WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!, Smooth Moves features a multiplayer mode, where several players can take turns playing games in different scenarios. All games are played by sharing one remote. To unlock the multiplayer mode, the player must first play through the single player game.

Published by: Microsoft Game Studios
Developed by: Mistwalker
Release Date: August 28, 2007
ESRB Rating: T for Alcohol Reference, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
Genre: RPG
Exclusively on Xbox 360
MSRP: $59.99

IGN SAYS
Famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi of Mistwalker game studio and developer Artoon present the highly anticipated Xbox 360-exclusive Blue Dragon. Featuring the character design of Akira Toriyama (who designed Dragon Ball Z) and music by Nobuo Uematsu (the composer for Final Fantasy), Blue Dragon is an epic RPG centered on a young boy named Shu and several of his friends. These unlikely heroes possess miraculous strength and magical power to control phantom shadows that mirror the actions of their masters.
Shu and company must use their shadows as weapons as they battle the evil forces and an antiquated human race of people who command a magical power thought to have perished long ago. Shu and friends must wield their skills to save their world from impending doom. Encountering various people on a planet with numerous ancient ruins, the characters and their shadows travel through a world full of mysteries and illusions, where the slightest touch can cause reactions of unparalleled magnitude.

General Features

• Downloadable content, including a new dungeon Innovative RPG gameplay features. As their quest progresses, warriors can create original attack methods by using several types of Shadow Change, including Sword, Assassin and Power Magic. Players can also choose to focus their hero on certain areas of expertise; as they fight, shadows will level up and gain new abilities associated with the job being done. Once gained, abilities remain available to use when needed.
• Massive scope and engrossing environments. Shu and his companions battle their way through an immense world filled with vividly illustrated remnants of ancient civilizations long forgotten. Their journey takes them through alluring ancient ruins scattered with machines of war that have long since fallen into disrepair.
• Stunning graphics. Taking full advantage of the power of Xbox 360, “Blue Dragon” will engage gamers in a world and characters that are brought to life with vibrant colors and detail — from Shu’s wild hair to his martial arts-style garb — conveying the beautiful simplicity and sense of adventure found in this truly next-generation RPG.
• Dazzling character design and effects. Toriyama’s unique influence is evident in the design of the game’s anime-style characters, whose actions are enhanced with next-generation blur effects. In addition, the game’s algorithmic animation system adds heightened realism to character and creature movements.

GRAPHICS 6/10
Nothing real special. Given I’m used to PS2 and Wii and PSP graphics…It’s little clearer than other games out there. It’s really cartoony! (a feature which I don’t enjoy in some games).

I prefer realism in my games. I’m not into the cartoony graphics

The graphics were the beginning of my disappointment. And I played on a 37″ LCD screen with VGA (really sharp picture!!)

SOUND 5/10 I didn’t play it on a loud stereo. Just from the speakers on the TV. But it wasn’t anything special. Voice acting was HORRIBLE! It was like watching a bad cartoon.

Other sounds (battle sounds, environment sounds, movie sounds) were ok. But it didn’t make the game better.

GAMEPLAY 6/10

This game was said to be similar to final Fantasy (turn based, fun, adventure etc). That aspect was delivered. Turn based…adventure…

…ok that’s about it.

Controls are standard for the most part. Though it must be mentioned: I played this game for about 45 minutes and was already read to turn it off (’cause it sucked). I FORCED another hour out of it hoping it would pick up. But it didn’t.

Nothing special about the game play. But with the disappointment in graphics and sound…how could it get worse?

STORY 6.5/10 * POSSIBLE SPOILERS (not much though)
When you start the game, you live in a mountain area with your lil town people. Then this GIANT FIN appears (size of like a giant truck) and the main character decides to get brave (even though the town knows this large fin is not to be messed with).

You fight it and lose horribly. Then you and your (brave/stupid) friends try and catch it with a net and get pulled away with it. You find yourself in a cave. Monsters are stupid. Eventually you find out the fin (which looked like a giant skinny brown/black rock or something) was actually a machine of some sort. You’re taken to a flying base you didn’t know technology existed for. And you find a bad guy who wants to take over the world and being arrogant, has his minions kill you and you somehow escape and find a “spirit dragon” thing who agrees to work with you to save the world.

I have a MILD curiosity to know how it all ended….but after not quite 2 hours…I just couldn’t get into it.

It was too cartoony, and the voice acting was horrible.

If you want an over simple RPG (which there is nothing wrong with that) than help yourself. I’m not into real type RPG’s (final fantasy is an obvious favored choice).

(revised from Wikipedia)

Similar to past RESIDENT EVIL games, the gameplay focuses on fast-paced gunplay, quick controls, and shootouts involving massive crowds of enemies in large open areas. Exploration and conservation of ammunition. The camera is focused behind the main character, Leon, and it zooms in for an over-the-shoulder view when aiming a weapon. The addition of a laser sight adds a new depth to the aiming not present in the other games of the series. The player is able to aim in various directions and easily change their placement at any time. Bullets now affect the enemies specifically where they are shot. Shots to the feet can cause enemies to stumble, while shots to the arms can cause them to drop their weapons.

STORY 9/10:

In 2004, the Umbrella Corporation’s secretive activities within Raccoon City have become a public affair. Following an investigation conducted by the US government, several Umbrella officials are implicated and prosecuted. The government indefinitely suspends Umbrella’s business, causing the company to become bankrupt.

Your main character, Leon S. Kennedy was recruited by the US government after they learned of his actions in Raccoon City. Leon is sent on a mission to rescue Ashley Graham, the President’s daughter, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult. Leon travels to a rural village in Europe, where he encounters a horde of unruly villagers who pledge their lives to Los Iluminados (The Illuminated Ones), the cult that kidnapped Ashley.

Without spoiling anything, when you find out exactly what the cult is up to and why they want Ashley…it’s rather brilliant!

GAME PLAY 9/10: WOW!

You point the WII MOTE at the screen and shot the screen. “DUCK HUNT” to a whole new level.

The accuracy of aiming is incredible! The controls are very easy and once you catch on it it, it’s even addictive to play.

Puzzles are challenging, but not TOO challenging. It’s the kind that’ll keep you at a spot for a while, but once you’re done, it’s very satisfying!

There are good destructible environments. Controls are easy to figure out.

SOUND 8/10: The Wii is only capable of “stereo” sound (”red and white” cables). SO there’s no “high def” sound. I had it plugged into my surround sound and things were clear and magnificent!

Creepy music (playing in the dark) really gives the game the creepy feeling! Anyone who enjoys a good safe scare (where you get scared…but you’re gonna be ok, ’cause it’s just a game) the sound REALLY helps!

You’ll be walking down a dark hallway with nothing in sight, and you’ll hear a light breathing (something’s down there) but you can’t see anything. Or some monsters make the strangest sounds that just creep you out!

GRAPHICS 8.5/10:
There were no “high quality” in game movies (cinematics). The graphics were REALLY good though! during some cinematics, the graphics seemed to improve just a little bit, but it wasn’t anything to knock your socks off.
The environments were REALLY well done. VERY creepy, constantly! It really made you feel like you were really there…

ENDING 9/10:
Without spoiling it…I’ve played it in normal mode and hard mode…and (wow hard mod is hard!) the ending is very very short but the way the game/story is played out…it’s not bad. The story is very well done. As soon as you finish the big bad boss guy you have an interesting and fast pace “obstacle course” to escape through. You get to sit back and feel a great accomplishment for finishing the lengthy game!!

LOTS of easter eggs (hidden treasures), hidden weapons, secrets…
Sometimes the most obvious thing can make the difference between getting you a GREAT item and a worthless item.

ONE example is a wooden barrel (with the top open, filled with YUCKY stuff) which as a dangling necklace over top of it (hanging from a branch or something). You can shoot the necklace and make it fall into the barrel and collect it (it’s dirty and not worh much), OR you can shoot a lil piece of wood holding the lid open (shutting the lid) and THEN shoot the necklace down…and you increase the value of the necklace BIG TIME!

small tricks…

This is one of the (if not THE) best game i’ve played on the Wii so far

Published by: Sony Online Entertainment
Developed by: Sony Online Entertainment
Release Date: March 24, 2005
Genre: Action RPG
ESRB Rating: T for Fantasy Violence
Local Play: 4 Versus / 4 Co-Op
Exclusively on PlayStation Portable
MSRP: $29.99

IGN SAYS:
Journey to a world beyond the realms of imagination and engage in battles to save Aven, a timeless city of safe haven and the last remaining stronghold of Good in a world of Evil. As a dark threat looms and a gathering of unknown forces grows stronger, heroes have been called and the Brotherhood of the Blade has been formed. It is up to you and your chosen brothers to unravel the mysteries of this looming peril. Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade offers on-the-go action-RPG combat, intense multiplayer battles and a completely original adventure for you to uncover.

General Features

• Action RPG: Wield your blade and cast powerful spells in this action-packed, hack ‘n slash RPG exclusively for the PSP handheld system.
• Epic Adventure: Create a unique hero and set out into the wilds of Unataca to battle powerful creatures, save your city of Aven from imminent extinction and unravel the mysteries of a looming peril.
• Wireless Multiplayer Gameplay: A wireless multiplayer mode features gameplay through the PSP handheld system’s wireless feature. Connect directly with multiple PSP handheld systems for the ultimate in hack ‘n slash action with no wires!
• Four Playable Character Classes: Select from four unique character classes including an ancient order of valiant Knights, a foundation of brilliant Alchemists, an order of noble Druids, and a race of feral hunters known as the Berserkers. Each character class has unique fighting abilities or magical spells.
• Beautiful 3D Environments: Battle through more than 100 diverse levels that come alive with brilliant 3D graphics, stunning lighting, dynamic visual effects and highly-detailed player characters and monsters.
• Organic Game Experience: Play in randomly generated environments and fight against unique monsters for a different experience every time you play.
• Items and Artifacts: Collect hundreds of items, usable gear and rare magical artifacts to aid in your battles.
• Character Customization: Modify your hero for a completely customized look and ability set.
• Hordes of Monsters: Battle over 150 types of monsters with 50 unique models and textures.
• Challenging Boss Monster Battles: Engage in strategic combat with humongous bosses, each with their own distinctive combat techniques.

STORY: 6/10
“everything is lovely in the town…then something threatens that loveliness and guess who’s gotta save the day…“

baldur’s gate much?

It’s been done before. But somehow we keep buyin’ into it.




GRAPHICS: 7.5/10
The graphics are pretty good for PSP. There is another UNTOLD LEGENDS (WARRIORS CODE) which looks equally good, but with a few new additions (I’m lookin’ forward to tryin ‘it out)

Animations are pretty smooth. Damage pops up showing how much damage you’ve done to a monster. Dungeons are very open. Layout of environments is excellent! You can “zoom in” to a nearly over shoulder perspective or back away to a near birds eye view. You can rotate the camera 360*

Good solid graphics! (especially when a monster dies!)

AUDIO: 8/10
the ONLY downfall is severe lack of voice acting. There is no voice acting. There is GREAT special effects as you walk through environments and ‘hack/slash’ your way through things. WARRIORS CODE apparently has voice acting and slightly improved game play and graphics (yet to confirm this).

GREAT audio, but they need voice acting.

GAME PLAY: 9.5/10
If you’ve played baldur’s gate, you know what to expect.

Buttons are VERY easy. Game play is very easy (and fun!) easy to equip items and play away!

MULTI-PLAYER is beyond excellent! up to 4 characters, you each see your own screen only. Absolute freedom! Extremely fun to play!!

I thought it was about time I gave this full fledged review ,although I am on the last part of Coastal Thailand, I felt as I have played every other Tomb Raider game since the 90’s on PC, it was about time I did this.

Tomb Raider ‘Underworld’ I would consider the best game I played in the series ever, far better then ‘Legends’ and the god awful ‘Revelations’ which was easier on PC than on the Dreamcast. ‘Anniversary’ I am still playing on PSP/PS2 too.

To Try not to spoil the game the game too much, you start of in the Mediterranean Sea where you find an artefact which is promptly stolen from you but, Lara doesn’t let that go without killing everyone on the ship that came behind her mercilessly! She is now a force to reckon with is Lara. Watch it, or you get shot or kicked in the head!

You will not be disappointed with ‘Underworld’ has the elements of excellent game play, stunning HD graphics, scenarios, locations and enemies that will keep you playing until the early hours of the morning.

Game Rating: 9.5/10

Review: Skidpro

Screenshots Courtesy: www.tombraider.com

Patapon is a video game published for the PlayStation Portable handheld game console combining gameplay features of rhythm games, real-time tactics and God games. The game is presented in a cartoonish, silhouetted two-dimensional environment designed by Rolito, and features the player acting as a deity who commands an army of caricatured miniature tribal creatures by beating traditional talking drums. The game was developed by Pyramid and produced by Japan Studios, the same studio that developed and produced Loco Roco.

STORY 6/10
I’ll give it the “mercy mark” because it’s kinda original…but not much different than other games out there, “you start at a low point and you gotta build your army up and beat the bad guy that took you out”

The Patapon were a flourishing people until they were defeated by the evil Zigoton tribe. The player takes the role of their god and uses sacred war drums to direct the Patapon tribe to take back their land. As the story progresses, the Patapon also embark on a journey to Earthend to look upon “IT,” a sacred object whose appearance and purpose is unknown to the tribe.

The enemy of the Patapon tribe is the evil Zigoton Empire, a powerful tribe of circular creatures with red irises (as opposed to the white-irised Patapon) that have oppressed the Patapon since their fall from power.

GRAPHICS 6/10
They’re very simple. But smooth!

An example is try to play CALL OF DUTY on a console, then try the MOBILE vertion (it’s just not the same thing)

They are very cartoony (which I’m not into). But they have a variety of colours and I don’t think anyone can deny this is pretty much the only game of its kind (like loco roco)

SOUND 7.5/10
The sounds are kinda cute “papa - papa - papa ton”

The audio is the perhaps most important part of the game (next to the game play). They obviously put more emphasis on the audio than the visuals. The audio is pretty catchy, and has the potential to stick in your head like an annoying sesame street song, or a song from the 80’s.

“this is the song that never ends…”

while playing, it’s cute to listen to, it made me giggle…but that’s pretty much all the game’s got going for it.

GAME PLAY 8/10
Giving another mercy mark here. The premise of the game is you gotta press the Square Triangle Circle X buttons in a very specific order. One set of button order will command the papatons to run. Another will cause them to attack etc.

It’s almost like LEMINGS for modern times…almost…

I play drums (i’ve been in a couple ‘garage’/'basement’ bands so my interest perks up when I hear something about drumming.

It WAS a lil fun to play “drums” in this game. The PAPATONS “sing” a very specific tune “PAPA - PAPA - PAPA - TON”. There are a variety of these lil tunes each with a unique button combination. BUT I did find the button combination a lil tricky to work with. At times when I thought it was RIGHT ON…I was wrong. It took several attempts at times to get it working.

I didn’t play this game a LOT…(someone on another forum said the game could not be played on 3.71m33…so I said it COULD…and they said it COULDN’T…so I did it and took screen shots etc). I didn’t really have any interest in playing it…but I’m sure in time when I feel in the mood to bang on some “drums” i’m sure I’ll find it fun.

It seems different from most games where you control pretty much everything your character does. Where in this game you drum to a specific tune/button combination to order the PAPATONS.

Kinda fun. But the button combo’s didn’t seem to work all the time (VERY annoying!). I’m sure if I gave it a fair try, it’d be som’n I could enjoy.

With all the hype and expectations from GoW 1, when it finally arrived through my door day the before release, I was excited to say the least. My expectations were no disappointment at all too. I was hooked on it for a week. What a game! As Cliff Belizinki said, more & better gameplay, more Badass, and better graphically. How right he was.

Gears Of War 2 is a typical 3^rd person shooter ala Gears 1 jumping into and out of cover. A very clever system of controls which worked a treat. With some new weapons thrown for good measure plus use of the enemies shield when dropped was great. The gameplay was a typical of Gears 1 with better visuals, more weapons and more environments, more story then the previous game. Without spoiling the game too much, first you start off the story from the previous story/game defending a Hospital (albeit a rather run down Hospital) with tons of close quarters combat. This spills out onto the street where the Gears eventually meet up and decide new plans. Your Robotic assistant, Jack, now has a communications with central command centre making the Human resistance more organised then before.

More effort in this game was concentrated on taking the fight to Locust on the home turf this round and so underground you go several times. A wild ride it is too. You actually get to see Locust architecture, Locust lifestyle and living and how the populate the underground. Intense battles wave after wave, environment after environment lead you to some much unexpected places and the use of Lancer Rifles Chainsaw is more usable then just melee attacks in this game.

The game sets out to show a post apoclolyptic human World overcome by alien invasion and it does so really well. There is more colours in the game then previous Gears, which looked too B/W to me the last time but this game showed some colourful scenes and indicated better lighting effects in game. The introduction of some new weapons in game was a great attraction, the flamethrower a prime example. The shield you got off a huge Boomer when you killed it was useful too and heavy artillery in the form of Longshot was useful.

All in all, Gears of War 2 was everything Epic Games and Cliff Belizinki said it would be, better game play, better graphics, and MORE BADASS! A high octane action adrenaline rush! Having just completed the game after a week I must say it was a very enjoyable experience and I want more, they changed the Normal difficulty to casual in reality, so next play through will be hardcore or Insane. Also, do not switch off at the credits as you do so in games, there is a surprise at the end which has you thinking after defeating the last boss (which was easy with Hammer Of Dawn incidentally) which is puzzling and making you wonder what is in store in Part 3 and the end of the trilogy.

Game Rating: 9.5/10

Review: Skidpro

Pics courtesy IGN.

IGN SAYS

The newest chapter of the Paper Mario story isn’t just out of this world … it’s out of this dimension. What at first glance appears to be a 2-D sidescroller ripped straight from the pages of the Paper Mario universe soon turns into a 3-D action-adventure that defies all video game logic. Fusing 2-D and 3-D perspectives, not to mention RPG and platformer elements, the game slips back and forth between dimensions. The action sprawls across eight worlds filled with traps, puzzles, bizarre mysteries and items that often draw themselves out of thin air. Oh, and just because Mario’s in the title doesn’t mean he’s the only star — players also get to play as Peach and Bowser.

Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Intelligent Systems
Release Date: April 9, 2007
Genre: Action
ESRB Rating: E for Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence
Also Available On: GameCube
MSRP: $49.99

STORY 7/10

The storyline in Super Paper Mario isn’t really anything special, but it’s certainly one to honor for its fine script and clever writing. An evil magician named Count Bleck plans on taking over the world (how original), and as Mario you’ll need to stop him by finding the pieces of the purity heart that’ll allow you to do so. In truth, the storyline is actually really crazy. I watched a VERY short clip on youtube about the ending (as I had only played like first first couple hours of the game to get a taste), and I saw something which REALLY got me confused and curious! but I’d rather not give too much away. It looks like there is a highly unexpected twist at the end.

GRAPHICS 9/10
We’re all used to the side view Super Mario Adventures. Super Paper Mario takes this to an interesting new ‘dimension’ where you’re suddenly put from 2D to 3D in a flip (literally)

Graphics are colourful and smooth!


MUSIC 7/10
It’s like when you buy the NEW album of your favorite band. You hear something new, but you can still tell it’s them!

Super paper mario still provides new/original sounds and music with all your favorites and some new stuff. Plugged into a good sounding stereo will give you a great experience!

GAME PLAY 8.5/10
best described by (wiki)
And AMAZON
At the beginning of the game, the player controls Mario directly, and later obtains Princess Peach, Bowser, and Luigi as playable party members. The player controls the characters by holding the Wii Remote sideways like a NES controller.[6] While the 2 button causes the character to jump, akin to the A button in Super Mario Bros. games for NES, the 1 button controls Pixls, kindred spirits that perform special actions. Mario and his party must use these new abilities, such as turning sideways to slip through cracks, hammering down large blocks, or planting bombs to defeat foes, to advance. One of these allows Mario to run, making the 1 button on the Wii Remote analogous to the B button on an NES controller, though Mario’s other standard B-button abilities, such as grabbing, require different Pixls. With the Pixl Tippi or Tiptron, the player can also point to the screen with the Wii Remote to find out their next objective, identify features on the screen such as hidden objects and find out information about an enemy or character. Both the current character and Pixl can be switched out at any time during the game, though characters and Pixls are occasionally separated from the main party, rendering them unplayable for a time.

The game is very dialogue heavy but at least its creative. Much of it is very humorous and will have you laughing quite a bit. But when I say dialog heavy, I’m not kidding. You’ll be mashing on the 2 button a lot. It wouldn’t be so bad if characters didn’t go on to explain such things that were useless.

The game is clearly pointed towards a young audience, but it’s a credit to its design that even adults have a lot of fun hopping along towards the goals. For some reason you can’t run here - which can be frustrating sometimes - but in general you get the same mario fun from previous games. You learn new skills as you go, can throw items, change characters, locate new helpers, and level up.

The game is nicely broken up into short segments, again perfect for its target audience. If a kid has only 1/2 hr of “video game” time available in a given day, they can still make progress and feel like they’ve achieved something. The puzzles are never so tricky that they drive you completely insane. A careful perusal of the spot you’re in will usually provide the answer.

An adult might complain that because of this, if you actually have control of the TV and a full weekend of gaming laid out, you could easily beat the entire game before the weekend was up. While this is true, you can always go back through after that and challenge yourself to find even more points on each level.

And for those with youngsters around, it really is great fun to play together. The game is very ‘friendly’ - if you step in sludge or fall off a cliff, which most games would kill you for, here it usually is just a minor setback.

In a world of zombie games, kill-everyone games and horror games, it’s nice to find something that you can play with all ages and have fun with. It doesn’t require a ton of dexterity or a complex understanding of role playing setup. You just run, jump, and puzzle-solve.

Published by: Electronic Arts
Developed by: EA Chicago
Release Date: February 20, 2006
ESRB Rating: T for Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Genre: Sports
Also Available On: PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox, Wireless
Release Date: February 20, 2006
MSRP: $39.99

IGN SAYS
EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 brings the most intense boxing videogame experience to the virtual ring. On the way to becoming boxing’s greatest legend, train to fight like the best including Muhammad Ali and Oscar De La Hoya or create a boxing style unique only to your boxer. Go toe-to-toe with greats such as Ali, De La Hoya, Joe Frazier, Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. Outside of the ring, gamers can establish intense rivalries through pre-fight events putting purpose and passion behind every hit.

STORY: 5/10
You’re a boxer…who makes it from fighting in “ghetto” rings to the top (how original)

GRAPHICS 7/10
I played F.N.R.3. for the first time on xbox 360 (WOW!)

I then bought it for PS2 (not quite as good)

then I played it on psp (not as good as PS2)

OVERALL…graphics are as good as you can expect for PSP. They’re realistic enough. You can slowly see the ouchiness on your opponent and yourself. See their face go from “ok” to “bad-ouchiness”

See sweat, see the crowd, moves well. I had no choppiness, it was pretty good.

SOUND 8/10
Crowd is loud. Hits are loud, (menu music isn’t my style…but what do you expect?)
The crowd reacts well (good and loud). Whether you’re playing or watching, it’s pretty realistic.

GAME PLAY 7/10
Controls are pretty easy, (though not at first).

Once you get used to them, you’ll find yourself obliterating your opponent.

I personally found it extremely easy to win! I’ll show you a screen shot if you want, but I have literally never lost a match. After the first 12 wins I thought, ‘this is pretty fun…’ but there’s no real challenge to it. I’ve got a character first in all divisions, fighting for about $1,000,000 + per fight.
Winning is extremely easy (maybe I missed “difficulty level” or something. I can usually get a guy down in the first round and have the fight over before the 3rd round ends.

It’s fun if you’re just in the mood to punch a guy. But there’s not much challenge to it.

PLAYER CUSTOMIZATION

EXTREMELY cool feature! You can spend a long time making a scary, deformed, normal, whatever kind of fighter you want!

Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: thatgamecompany (TGC)
Release Date: February 22, 2007
Genre: Action

IGN says
A casual-interest game for players to download over SCE’s online network.
In this free-floating, free-flowing game, you dive deep into the space, eating and evolving, collecting up tiny morsels to help your creature become bigger and more complex. With an embedded design of DDA (dynamic difficulty adjustment), players with differing skill levels can intuitively customize their game experience and enjoy the game at their own pace. Players can also customize the appearance of their organisms based on gameplay.

GRAPHICS: 7/10
This may be left up to INTERPRETATION…

I can’t explain it without you actually seeing or playing it. There are few games left which you can say “THAT was original!” “THAT has never been done before” or “THAT was a first of its kind”

I feel FLOW is one of those games!

Graphics are very simple, yet VERY complex! Like trying to draw a picture with ONLY making dots on a page (yes dots…).

The graphics REALLY suit this game. But you’re gonna hafta play it to understand.

SOUND: 6/10

Now that I think of it…I can’t remember much sound to it. Mild special effects sounds…but nothing exciting or creative. HOWEVER, it does suit the game!

GAME PLAY: 7/10
You’ll have to play to understand.

Yer a lil creature with a fingernail clipping for a mouth. You float around and consume or eat other creatures to make yourself grow. And as you grow, you eat bigger creatures. You “flow” deeper and deeper into whatever it is you’re floating around in and get bigger and bigger…

It’s part calming…part questionable. It’s simple, yet it’s fun.

I wouldn’t buy this game. But it is kinda fun.

ENDING: …there’s an ending? That’s like saying TETRIS has an ending…

Published by: Majesco
Developed by: Planet Moon Studios
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Genre: Third-Person Action

ESRB Rating: M for Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
Genre: Third-Person Action

Exclusively on PlayStation Portable
Release Date: November 15, 2005
MSRP: $29.99

IGN SAYS
It’s Christmas time in New York City and a strange virus has appeared turning seemingly normal citizens into the insane, violent Infected. Rookie Officer Stevens is one of the first victims … but unlike others, he is strangely immune. The mysterious Dr. Schaeffer discovers that Stevens’ blood can be used to destroy the otherwise invincible Infected, and creates a special “viral gun” filled with Stevens’ blood — blast straight into the Infected, and they will violently explode.
Featuring an engrossing single-player campaign with lavishly gory details, Infected unlocks the world of Wi-Fi (local and online) via exciting multiplayer modes. Those who are victorious in multiplayer combat can “infect” the loser’s PSP system with their avatar and gain ranking points as well as create a viral chain as your avatar is passed on to other systems.

I played RPG’s - some sports - puzzle games etc. I wanted to know if PSP had any good shooters (other than call of duty - metal of honor etc.

This one seemed decent, where it’d have “blood and guts”, ’cause sometimes yer just in the mood to vent on computer A.I. and “take no prisoners” and need to do it chaotically.

I first tried to play this game on 3.90m33 (my first time testing 3.90m33) and when you first start a new game, you gotta make a profile and save that profile. I couldn’t save! I tried several times, but I couldn’t save. Before long I found out other friends of mine who were on 3.90m33 also couldn’t save their games (not just INFECTED). Past save games wouldn’t load either. We used PANDORA to down ourselves to 3.71m33…suddenly it worked!

GRAPHICS: 6/10
It may even deserve a 5/10.

There’s a REALLY good intro movie! Creepy and morbid, but the animation is really great! As the game progresses, there are other in game movies which are pretty dern good too! HOWEVER…the game play…not so good.

I was let down quite a bit with the graphics of this game play. Let down a lot!

SOUND: 7/10 (being a little generous)
the MUSIC is pretty good. Slipknot and other such hardcore death metal I enjoy. But sometimes you’re so “wound up” in the game you forget about the music. But it plays well in the menu’s.

The guns make a lot of noise. The explosions are decent sounding. Voice acting is OK…but there are some kinda silly voice overs which are pointless and stupid. As if they THOUGHT they were being funny, “The player will laugh at this…” but it’s not funny. It’s just stupid.

GAME PLAY: 7.5/10

I don’t know why…but somehow it is strangely addicting! The graphics are pretty bad. The sound isn’t that great…but PLAYING the game is pretty fun! You shoot zombies with your weapons, then make them explode with a special “viral” weapon.

EVERY single mission is pretty much the same. You gotta kill a certain number of zombies in a certain time frame. There are 3 goals to meet to get a “BRONZE” “SILVER” or “GOLD”. OR you gotta save a certain # of civilians in a certain time frame. At the beginning it’s real easy to get gold gold gold gold…then it gets a lil harder. But over all, it’s not THAT hard to get gold in most or all levels.

It’s EXTREMELY repetitive! Some people may only last a few levels before getting sick of it. Some will play constantly. OR there’s people like me who’ll play for a few levels, and get sick of it, and pick it up a lil later and keep going a few levels.

ENDING:–

I haven’t finished it yet. However It IS pretty fun! Not really worth buying. It’s doubtful you’d rent it for a couple days and finish it (though I don’t know how big the game really is.

For a shooting good time, to blow off some steam, release aggressions, get something off your chest…INFECTED!

SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS is one of those rare games which you’ll either love or hate.

Though it was considered to be a prequel to PS2’s I.C.O.

the connections between the two games are undeniable.

IGN says
Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment’s team behind the critically acclaimed ICO. Players take the role of a young man seeking the truth of an ancient tale of power hidden in a mystical land. Shadow of the Colossus is a majestic journey through ancient lands to seek out and destroy gigantic mythical beasts. With a trusty horse at your side, players explore the spacious lands and unearth each towering Colossus creature. The uneasy task of defeating a Colossus relies on intelligent puzzle solving and action oriented gameplay. Armed with strong wits, a mystical sword and a sturdy bow, players use cunning and strategy to topple each behemoth.

GRAPHICS: 8/10
They’re pretty good. The “draw” rate (how far you can see in the distance) is incredible. You can be on a tall hill or the side of a cliff

and you’ll see for miles and miles!

Though the terrain is fairly “flat land” for the most part, there are parts of the land which you can ride off with your horse and “HEEEE HAAAWWWW” (though if you jump off a ledge which is too high, you fall off your horse)

The graphics are identical (possibly a PINCH better) than I.C.O.

They are realistic and “authentic”. Where anything you see, you can pretty much get to (almost).
SOUND: 8.5/10
The “sound track” would be very limited. There isn’t really any music when you’re traveling around with your horse

There is some themed music while you fight a colossus, or for specific parts of the game (in game movie).

All the sounds are very authentic! On a loud system, it’s VERY exciting!

As you fight the colossus or just appreciate the environment, it’s a true marvel!

GAME PLAY: 7.5/10
It CAN be a little tricky to get the buttons down. But once you get going, it’s SUPER easy and fun! Lots of “Prince of Persia” type stuff. Climbing stuff, jumping off things, grabbing ledges etc.

You are given a magic sword which you can activate beams of light like a compass leading you to your next mission.

It may seem like the game is “holding your hand” throughout…but it’s not!

The light will point at a mountain, which seems there is no way in, all around…until you find a cave in the middle or no where which somehow takes you through a few twists and turns to your goal.

There are a VARIETY of Colussi! There are small ones the size of a car. Long ones the length of several residential blocks. HUGE ones, the size of large houses, or tall buildings.

Some of them seem threatened by you and try everything to obliterate you, while others don’t seem to care much for you at all. While others only care if you get close or APPEAR as a threat. But they must all die!

Plenty of bonus “mini games”. There is a normal mode and hard mode. After you kill a Colossi, you can fight it again in a “time trial”. For every two (2) time trials you win (beat the Colossi within a seemingly impossible time frame) you will be rewarded with special items/weapons etc. Some of these items are viciously challenging to get, while others are not so hard.

STORY: 9/10
It is ‘unspokenly’ the prequel of I.C.O.

A good teaser of the story is brought to us by IGN up there ^

It is presented well, set up well, and constantly leaves you wondering!

They don’t answer all of your questions, like some games do, which leaves you wanting more, but at the same time knowing just enough.

ENDING: 8/10
Without spoiling it, the ending is “you love it” or “you hate it”.

It REALLY leaves things to contemplation. If you know anything about I.C.O. you understand the ending a little better. But it still leaves you hanging and wanting to know more.

But you also have a brilliant satisfaction for taking out all the Colossi.

RE-PLAYABILITY: 9/10
Absolutely!!!!

I couldn’t put this one down for weeks when I first got it. I still re-visit it from time to time to take another one out.

One of the best Ps2 games out there, in my opinion.

I bought KILLZONE for PS2 a long time ago. I remember seeing the amazing trailers for it.

I didn’t make it more than a few hours through KILL ZONE for PS2 (’cause I just couldn’t get into it).

Before I modded my PSP early this year, I was desperate for a “new” game. A new kinda game. Something different. I went on line to PSP’s official website and found a few DEMO’s for download.

KILL ZONE LIBERATION was one of those demos.

It was a very short demo, but VERY fun!

After I modded my PSP and had fun with a few games, I eventually came across this lovely one.

I started playing it (I watched a lot of video reviews on it and it looked good). I made it through the first level and realized I didn’t have a clue what was going on. SO I looked up the in-game movies on youtube and spent about 45 minutes watching them all. I learned about the story and thought I’d be fine to move on to the second one.

GRAPHICS 8.5/10


Explosions are great. Gun fire is great. buildings, smoke, water, technology, environments.

SOUND 8/10
You kinda need headphones for this one (the PSP speakers just don’t give it justice). Gunfire sounds good. Explosions are great. Environment sounds great. Voice acting is very well done!

GAMEPLAY 8.5/10
Controls are quite easy. Though the game play is heavily designed on taking cover and not being an “open target”. So gamers like me who love to rush in and “take no prisoners” don’t last very long.
It was a constant challenge for me to “sit back” and wait for them to stop shooting before jumping up and shooting. I wanna be able to just rage in and take ‘em all out. This game doesn’t work that way. I died a LOT…and died FAST! On that perspective, I found it very challenging. But for those who love a great strategy shooter…this is definitely a good contender!

You find hidden money through each level + extra ammo and such. Money lets you upgrade your weapons (buy bigger weapons)

It’s usually just you against everyone…but from time to time you’ll find a useful AI ally.

I’ve been too busy to finish it…but I’ve come close. So far, it’s DEFINITELY a great game! Get your aggressions out, think hard with a good strategy.

GOOD length…good fun…Definitely worth at least looking at.