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Decent. They're decent headphones for FPS games, especially if you want to locate enemies using their foot steps. It was good when it worked, but this head set is prone to breaking very easily. For the price, I'd look elsewhere.
I'm currently using audio-technica headphones with turtle beach DSS to simulate surround sound. Sounds amazing and better than the AX Pro. And no hissing!
Update:
I've owned a pair of AX pros. They're decent but when compared to my headphones and paired with DDS 7.1, the AX pros pale in comparison. This directional sound some people speak of is surround sound. The DDS 7.1 emulates surround sound and I can pinpoint where sound is coming from much better than the AX pros because the sound is much clearer.
And by clearer sound, I mean it. As I've said before, the AX pros produce decent sound. I say decent sound because it emulates surround sound. If you want surround sound, then by all means buy a pair of these. But if you're in search of a good set of headphones, I would look elsewhere. Let me clarify, the AX pros does produce surround sound and you can tell where sound is coming from. If someone shoots at you, you'll hear the bullet whistle right pass you. If a vehicle explodes behind you, you'll definitely feel that the explosion happened behind you. You can tell where enemy foot steps are coming from, whether their above you up stairs, or behind you.
But as I said before, it lacks clarity. The sound the Pros produce is flat. It's loud and it's surround sound but it's flat and it's very noticeable when you compare them to a pair of expensive headphones in conjunction with a surround sound emulator. The flat sound and the static noise make the AX pro decent at best. There are also many claims that the AX pros tend to break, and I'm one of them.
If you want the best directional sound - better surround sound and overall sound you need expensive headphones, or at the very least a decent pair of headphones with a surround sound emulator. Unfortunately, turtlebeach stopped making the DSS 7.1 and released the DSS2. They're horrible and is not true surround sound. If you can't manage to find the DSS 7.1, I would suggest the astros. They're comparable with some added features, but is more expensive. A lot more expensive. I paid $155 for my headphones from amazon and $50 for the DSS 7.1 from eBay. The astros cost around $120 and that's without headphones. But I feel they were worth the investment. Anything and everything that has sound within a game you're playing has more clarity, bold and a lot more color if that makes any sense.
If you're looking into the best surround sound, I would suggest Astro or the DSS 7.1 if you can manage to find it. Also consider, if you already own a good pair of headphones, the only investment needed would be the surround sound emulator. The emulator alone combined with your already owned headphones would save you money. | video-games_xbox |
Mashup Fun. Well Xbox Live won't let me sign in at the moment, so I guess I'll write one of these real quick. I'm going to try not to go too in depth with this review, just giving my impression of the things that keep bringing me online and a few things that could be better.
Trion got a lot of game elements right with this one. Here are a few I appreciate:
1) The arkfall events and coop missions are fun! I couldn't get into Rift, but I loved the idea of world events as implemented in that game. Defiance is a further refinement of this idea, these events are awesome in a third person shooter. If you've played instances in WoW (or the equivalent elsewhere), they're called co-op maps in Defiance - you'll have roles to fill such as managing adds and healing, but I've generally seen people take on these roles organically as the mission progresses, since it is so easy to switch between guns and abilities.
2) Exploration and mini game participation is rewarded by completing Pursuits (achievements basically), you'll gain levels, titles, clothes, vehicles, etc. Its a nice change of pace after questing to be able to race in a time trial, do a scenario (shoot chickens with a pistol before the farmers scoop them up, kite a hundred mutants while blasting them with a shotgun, take on waves of aliens with a practically unlimited ammo machine gun, etc. etc.), and pick up sound recorded intel from exploring that reveals a little bit more about characters and the Defiance world in general.
3) Combat and Customizations galore... Turn on your damage numbers in the settings and take on waves of monsters or complete missions with your friends and compare your playstyle's effectiveness with the dmg/heal/kill/revive/death score at the end. With the combination of abilities, perks, guns, and gun mods there is a lot of experimenting to do.
Now a few things that could be better:
1) Inventory space blah! Yeah you'll gain inventory space as you progress, but starting off you're going to get mad at your bags. I ended up buying extra inventory space through a micro transaction. I got frustrated enough with a non critical game element that I paid more real cash for the convenience of not dealing with it... yes, they got me.
2) PvP meh... While they have worked out a lot of the issues from early on, we are still missing Freight Yard. It was similar to a Battlefield conquest game, where you capture control points on the map and have access to group vehicles complete with driver, gunner, and rocket seating - a great map, but it hasn't been available since the first or second day. There is no "real" open world pvp. Sure there is the Shadow War where players can opt in for a scheduled battle, but its not the same as having dedicated factions and always having to watch your back while questing.
3) Honorary shout-out to your standard MMO launch problems.
Now that I can log into Xbox Live, its time to play. I'll keep you updated. | video-games_xbox |
Oxymoron -- An Excellent Disappointment. Honestly I did not think much of the changes that were mentioned in the previews of this game especially the ones presented by the Official XBOX magazine. So I thought GR2 would be an even better Ghost Recon experience. Well I can say overall that it really is not.
I was hoping to find tactics and strategy combined with first-person shooting not unlike the previous Ghost Recon games. No longer can you control two three man teams and utilize each of their individual perspectives and weaponry. In this game, however, you have to fight from an over-the-shoulder third person person perspective with three other spec ops fighters. The former is fine but the latter I have a great problem with. They tend to be quite untintelligent and find themselves wounded a lot. There should really be some sort of control for each of them. Even better a "Find Cover" should have been created for these not so smart fighters.
To alleviate the problem of them following me around unnecessarily I have to access the "Hold Position" command. I prefer the command system in Ghost Recon 1 much better. Most of all your squad had more "common sense" than in the game here. I didn't have to order them every few seconds to fire here and there, but in this game I certainly have to especially in the pitched battles you have to fight against the human wave attacks of the North Korean army, otherwise you'll have to fight a whole squad of bad guys by yourself.
Since this review is titled "Oxymoron -- An Excellent Disappointment" I did not hate it. I actually enjoyed playing the game despite its obvious flaws which I have mentioned. The gameplay is still intense and really puts on the pressure. Although there are some disheartening solo missions (which honestly should not be there because this game is not based on that)these become very exciting to play especially when you have to go at it alone into a war-torn city to clear out enemy armor and infantry. The laser-guided air-strikes are the best feature of this game -- really! Some real dangers can be averted by using this weapon.
Those are not the only good features of this game. My favorite level was he defense of the US camp at night. This was just amazing. If you're smart and quick this level will be a virtual shooting gallery since you're in the trenches blasting away at the North Korean soldiers attacking from all sides.
Now you may say that the sudden enemy chopper and armor attacks may be frustrating and they are but I tend to overlook that as as a test of true soldierly skill and patience to deal with surprises. You better believe I cursed a lot when sudden armor attacks were made at times and places I didn't expect.
Overall I look at this game paradoxically; it has many great features like intense gameplay and weaponry; at the same time, however, it disappoints because of its departure from that tactical quality that the previous games had. | video-games_xbox |
Two Star. Following up on my last review of the Fallout series. Fallout 4 has good points and a few bad ones. Good graphics , thou should do more for the body builds and depth. Which is not bad over all , I think more should be put into them , like being short , or very tall and thin or voluptuous to old and skinny. The color is great and great detail put in , a far cry ( Farcry?) , than Fallout 3 and New Vegas. The biggest issue is the npcs and the encounters , why does everyone fight to the death , even when gang numbers drop to almost nothing or injuries or leaders are killed ?, in my experiances in Iraq War . once pressure is on , most combatants break off engagement and leave , no one , even drugged out of their minds fight to the death , this is completely retarded , Raiders , Gunners , Brotherhood , Scavengers all fight to the death , unlike Fallout 3 , you get a few raiders or mercs to break with "F**k this I'm out of here!" , not Fallout 4 , and also why does everyone charge pass the companion to attack the player? , makes no sense , kill the person shooting at you , not charge pass and get shot in the back. This is another reason why I gave the game a 2 star. The story is great , but the every drone lines of taints of the same thing over and over kills the game for me to turn off the voice command , I heard " Only a F**king coward hides" over 421 times in a 100 hour game session , not including " It will be over soon ! " and " I can do this all day!" , hundreds of times. The NPCs need more dialog period. Also the chances of every bad . 1 in every Raider group has power armor , explain how a bunch of uneducated low life drug addicts can get one repaired and working? What is the use of having a 10 intelligence and have to get armor skill to fix one , when drugged up scum has them ? Game Challenge ? oldest excuse I heard since the telnet/mud internet days of the 80's. So before I finish up , I been receiving a lot of negative flak on my reviews for many games from either hardcore fan boys or trolls , to company hacks protecting their product , instead of giving sound reasons against my reviews , my 15 year dead parents get verbal attacks or on myself for the lack of foresight to the games , so if you follow up on this review , is fine , you didn't win not agreement from me , because I won't read them. | video-games_xbox |
Great Driving, and game that keeps improving. While currently Forza 5 is not the best overall Forza game, it does have the best over driving experience. Turn 10 has been taking steps to improve the game over time, addressing criticisms of Forza 5 and of the franchise itself.
When the game first came out I had plenty of disappointments. The game felt like it was designed like a "free to play" game. There was no progression in career mode, where races requiring more expensive and more powerful cars, that need more skill to race them did not net you more money. Increasing in Driver Level did not increase your reward. And you never won a car. While saving up for your dream car took just as long as past Forza titles, the lack of reward cars meant while you saved up your garage stayed smaller than past Forza titles for longer. But the game had the ability to use real money to buy cars, and upgrade them. "Yay?"
Career mode feels more like "quick play". Races are short, and don't pay very much compared to other things you can do in the game. New tracks added to the game did add race events to career mode, but they're just additions to a check list of bonus races. You don't need to beat races to unlock more races. You need only to have a car that can compete. While to some this may make the career feel open, you just don't feel like you're progressing. Career in Forza 5 feels more like trying for the "Bucket List" achievements in past Forza titles where you just had a grid of race events, and are trying to check them off.
The difficulty is all over the place, because AI is hit and miss. Their biggest draw is the claim that they aren't really AI, but copies of real people's driving styles, including those on your very own friends list. There may be some quirks that get added to the AI attributes, but that seems to be the extent of it. I have a friend I can never beat when race online, yet I have no problems beating his Drivatar on any difficulty. The one thing that makes the AI challenging in this game is race length and starting position. Unbeatable AI difficulty is anything but. These aren't Drivatars of real world race car drivers setting their real world lap times. Always starting in an arbitrary 14/16 you can take first place in the 3-5 laps allotted. Racing in customer or Free Play and the AI won't even upgrade their cars, making them even less of a challenge.
Turn 10 made changes to economy in the game. Making cars cheaper, increasing Driver Level payouts, and increasing the amount of credits given by ForzaRewards. In the month of December you could get a many as 6 million credits from Forza Rewards. In addition Turn 10 kept giving away free cars, one of which the most expensive car in the game, the Lotus E21 F1 Race Car. This gave players several high-end cars in their garage, and plenty of money to buy more. Forza 5 became the easiest Forza title to gain credits in, and buy a large stable of cars. In the "you win some, you lose some" department, this means that credits start meaning very little very fast.
Where the game really shines is how the cars look and feel. They look amazing, and they feel fantastic to drive. Grab some friends, create a customer lobby, and this game feels like one of the best Forza titles Turn 10 has made. You can feel the shift in weight, and the grip of the tires more than ever before. Much of that has to do with the rumble feedback in the XBO controller. The most rewarding feeling in the game is a turn well taken.
While there are nowhere near as many cars in Froza 5 as there were in past Forza tites, what there is in the game looks amazing, and each car feels unique. There have been multiple car packs released adding more to list of cars to drive. In the past people who purchased a car pack were treated to a free car in their garage from that car pack. In Forza 5 that off the same way. Now Turn 10 has made a change where if you buy a car pack you can get one of every car from that car pack for free in your garage. This is true for free car packs, like promotional downloads, or Limited Edition, Day One car packs.
New tracks to the series help the game keep from feeling like the "Same old, same old", even if some franchise favorites are missing. Since the release 2 tracks with multiple variants have been added to the game. Road America, which merely came back, but it does have a new variant. And Long Beach, a historic track which for me is now one of my favorite Street Circuits, up there with Tokyo in Gran Turismo. Long Beach being a free addition to the game. New to the series and part of the core game are Spa, Yas Marina, Bathurst, and Prague. Bernese Alps makes a return with noticeable improvements to the track variants.
Forza 5 is a good first effort for the now current generation on the Xbox One, where every car and track had to be built for the Xbox One. Not as much initial content as some may have wanted, career mode still feels nothing like a career, and there was very rocky first month start for the game. But the game is improving, the driving is great, the game is beautiful, and is still very fun to play with friends, or just burning laps away solo on the track. | video-games_xbox |
BF4 - Great new features, FAST & FUN multiplayer, still some issues to iron out. Note I would have given this a 5 star if it weren't for the cons listed below; this will be a 5 star game once these items have been addressed by EA/DICE. While my lists aren't exhaustive this info will hopefully provide players with objective and meaningful insight. Overall BF4 is a great game with some really great new features and enhancementsas well as a few issues that still need to be ironed out.
Pros:
- Test Range - The "Test Range" is perhaps the best new feature introduced in BF4 that seems to go unmentioned and is often overlooked (it is hidden in the Multiplayer menuit should be moved up to the top menu level). The Test Range allows you to test all the vehicles (helicopters, jets, tanks, boats, etc.) in a private environment so that you can become familiar and proficient with the drive controls and weaponry of the vehicles. There is also a shooting range so that you can test out weapons with various setups. This feature should have been added many years agobetter late than never!
- Destruction Think of the destruction in BF4 as a combination of the destruction available in Bad Company 2 + destruction in BF3 + some new Levolution destruction. The point is you can fully take down and collapse most of the smaller buildings (BC2), you can chip away at (and often fully destroy) walls and other various structures on the map (BF3), and you can bring down some really big stuff via Levolution features that are specific to a given map (BF4).
- Graphics BF4 graphics are actually very good on the 360; however, many people mention the graphics negatively, saying they don't looks as good as BF3. There is a quick fix for this, go to "OPTIONS / GAMEPLAY / NETWORK SMOOTHING FACTOR" and adjust the network smoothing up to 100%...bingo there are your stellar graphics. Don't know why there isn't a better explanation of this by EA, but you will definitely see the great graphics you are used to from BF3 once you make this change.
- Spawning How you spawn into a game has been greatly improved/simplified in BF4. It is now very easy to spawn on a squadmate or into any vehicle directly.
- Vehicles - All the traditional vehicles (tanks, choppers, jets, land vehicles, etc.) are here and boats are back in a big way...the "attack boats" are especially fun and allow you to have a crew of up to 4 players in a boat while accessing a variety of weapons for anti-aircraft, anti-vehicle, anti-infantry, etc. With BF4 they have also added some new controller layouts for the vehicles and these are designed to make piloting the vehicles a bit easier and more intuitive. I have found that the new control layouts are pretty good and often more intuitive (esp for choppers)...and if you don't like them you can switch to "veteran" layouts. I found that the Test Range is the perfect place to tryout which controller layouts will work best.
- Maps - The maps are well designed and balanced and have a great variety of landscapes and features. Without going into a great amount of detail on the maps it is safe to assume that they are very good in general...my personal favorites are Paracel Storm (islands) and Operation Locker (prison).
- Weapons The weapons are great and there are too many features/attachments to list out here. One of the better updates is the ability to quickly range/zero sniper rifles (although snipers seem a bit overpowered). There are also a variety of new rocket launchers that are helpful in taking out all of the various land and air based vehicles.
- Obliteration Game Variant - This is a new game variant that involves a single bomb that each team fights to maintain control of and eventually plant in enemy territory. Without going into too much explanation this game mode is very, very fun and filled with lots and lots of action. The traditional game modes (conquest, rush, domination, etc.) are also there, but from my experience so far Obliteration is by far the best new game variant.
- Commander Mode Reintroduced in BF4 the Commander game play option can be a fun way to play (higher level, somewhat slower pace). Players need to become educated on how to interpret the Commander orders and it is probably best to play as Commander with a live mic on so that you can actually talk to the squads when issuing orders. A well versed Commander can really help to drive a team to victory as they have the ability to see a global view of the action and to deliver resources and orders accordingly. There is a new app coming out supposedly in Nov that will allow you to play as Commander on a tablet (Apple or Android)this should allow players to play as Commander while on the road and away from a console.
Cons:
- Game Lockups As of the date of this review you do in fact still experience an occasional lockup while playing, and this is very irritating as it causes you to have to reboot and can sometimes result in losing some of your settings. Apparently clearing your cache can help with this. EA needs to fix this issue ASAP!
- Joining Multiplayer Servers You currently cant join a multiplayer game with a pre-assembled squad of players (each player has to join on their own). This is irritating at best and hopefully EA will fix this. Additionally, while the server browser works, it needs some updates in order to make it more useful (e.g. ability to scroll servers from bottom up). Despite these issues joining servers is very fast and once you are on a server it is fairly easy and fast for your friends to join you (provided there are available player slots).
- Configuring Loadouts When you first try to configure your weapon/vehicle loadouts you will most naturally go the MY SOLDIER menu option only to find that you cant configure your loadouts therevery irritating. The only way you can configure loadouts on the console is a) within an actual multiplayer game or b) on the Test Range. The other way to configure your loadouts is on the Web via Battlelog...so you could in fact configure loadouts while not at your consolesomewhat helpful and value add.
- Campaign The campaign was okbut just ok. The storyline is a bit hard to follow at times and I was surprised at the very sparse use of vehicles during the campaign. These things aside you will want to plod through the campaign as there are several weapons that are unlocked via the campaign that you can use in multiplayer.
- Newb Factor BF4 like the other BF games can be somewhat intimidating to jump into for inexperienced (and even experienced) players. The Test Range is a step in the right direction and will help some with thisbut it would also be helpful if there were some simulation game variants so that players could fight against a variety of bots in order to develop their skills (on the Test Range nothing fights back). | video-games_xbox |
VERY Hard. Only for the VERY patient. I'm usually not a patient person, but when a game is hard, but has fast action, excellent graphics (and I mean EXCELLENT) graphics, awesome sounds and music, and an intriguing story line, I find a way to be patient.
First off, the graphics - 5/5
The animation is top notch. I have never seen characters move so fluidly like they do in Ninja Gaiden. To look at other excellent games like this (Otogi, Prince of Persia), they pale in comparison. PoP for instance is an excellent game, but the characters are not very well rounded out and move with a stiffness in them that isn't present in Ninja Gaiden. Ryu and the enemies move almost so realistically, it's scary. Ryu's ninja suite even has fabric that sways as you walk and moves with the wind.
Sound - 5/5
Man! The music, the sound FX, everything just sets the mood in this game. What else can be said? You HAVE to have a 5.1 system which pumps out the bass with this game. My wife has told me to turn it down a notch or two sometimes.
Storyline - 4/5
Pretty intriguing. The FMVs are awesome. Team Ninja (like in DoA) has done an excellent job with the FMVs on this one as well. They blend in well with the gameplay and really add to the story. Unlike DoA, Ninja Gaiden has an excellent story to tell and show.
Gameplay - 5/5
For me, the gameplay is excellent. For others, it's going to be a sticking point. Believe me, this game is HARD! Not hard, but HARD!!! And that's on the normal level! But, to let you know, this is not a button masher. I think that's where the problem resides. People expect to just mash buttons and eventually win. No, you have to learn all the different moves that can be applied to a particular weapon. The nunchucks are awesome. The flail weapon (nunchucks with blades) is nasty, especially when you can get a 25+ hit combo going with it. Again, it's learning each of the weapons strengths and when to use them that will help you progress in this game. Also, when an enemy is defeated, it will give off one of three "essence" globes:
- yellow for experience and money (you use these to upgrade weapons and purchase items)
- blue for healing
- red for ninpo (magic)
But, instead of just picking these up immediately, hold down on your massive attack button to absorb the essence floating around and watch the blade fly as Ryu goes into overdrive and hacks and slashes for you. Depending on the amount of essence you've picked up, it can result in some major damage to the enemy and then it releases even BIGGER amounts of essence, resulting in more "money".
Enemies are abundant in supply and each chapter brings in a new set of enemies, much harder than the ones before. Demons, soldiers, mummies, bats, it's got it all in this game.
There is even puzzle solving and some have you go deeper into the game to find the pieces needed to unlock an area in an earlier chapter. But, it is so well put together, it doesn't feel like you go find the piece here, backtrack and unlock the puzzle there. The way it flows is excellent and it doesn't feel like back tracking. It's more of a forward moving progress and there are times when you obtain the item you needed, but you forgot that it was what you wanted a while back. But, the game usually gets you right back where you need to, so the puzzle pieces show up at the right time.
For example, in Chapter 5 in the city, I couldn't get into a certain area without a Skull key. Well, it wasn't until Chapter 7, where I ended up deep underground in caves with mummies and such, that I found the key. Once I found it, it was after defeating the boss for that level and I was immediately given a path back to the city. The key unlocked even more areas in the city that I wasn't able to get to. It flowed so smoothly that I never felt cheated.
And the boss characters! What can be said about them? There are demons, fiends, giant worms, a massive dragon skeleton (wow! That was some major animation) and others. And, each one takes a different strategy to take them down. Again, learning your weapons and their strengths are what will help you win this game.
And get this. Not one single framerate slow down! I mean it. Not one. I can't begin to explain the detail in the levels and characters. The only way to experience it is to pick up this game and play it. Words can NOT describe how this game looks, sounds and plays.
Online - 5/5
First off, this is XBox Live aware. But, there isn't really on-line play where you go head-to-head with someone. Ninja Gaiden is still a single player game. So why the 5/5 on Online? Because Team Ninja has given those with Xbox Live accounts something awesome - free downloads. There have been 2 Hurricane Packs (as they call them) to date. The first one gave new weapons and new ememies as well as notched up the difficulty to insane! The latest one added a tier-type battle mode. Overall, all the downloads are more than worth the price - which is free, as I mentioned.
These are not minor downloads either. They are pretty hefty in size. Normally, you would pay for lesser downloads (like some of the Splinter Cell maps in Pandorra Tomorrow), but not here. Excellent choice Team Ninja!
For those with no on-line access, wait until September 2005 for Ninja Gaiden Black which will contain the Hurricane packs plus even MORE additions, which includes tougher AI, more enemeies, and new cut scenes that flesh out the characters even more. The story itself hasn't changed, but Team Ninja wants you to know more about the characters involved. And, it will be under $30 for the new Ninja Gaiden Black. I know I'm giving my money for this.
Other Extras - 4/5
Just like DoA, extra costumes can be unlocked when you beat the game. But, there is another one that fans of the original Ninja Gaiden from the NES days will love. Find 50 Scarabs in the game and you unlock Ninga Gaiden 1! Two more secrets in the game after you obtain the first NG will unlock Ninja Gaiden 2 and Ninja Gaiden 3! I remember those games and I remember they were hard as well, but the cinema-like story line is what made the game so awesome. It's amazing how much the game has changed from a side-scroller in the NES days to this awesome 3D action game that moves fast!
Overall, if you have the patience, the rewards will be worth it with this game. It's even gotten to the point where I have gone back and played previous levels just to see how well I can tackle the bad guys.
I'm currently at Chapter 10. I found that I missed a scarab somewhere, so I started over again. I never lost to a boss once on my second go through. Apparently, all the fighting I had done up to Chapter 10 gave me enough experience to understand how to fight with tactics rather than button mashing. This was unlike my first trip through those leves where I had to go back and fight the bosses numerous times, so patience WILL pay off.
This is THE premiere fighting/adventure/ninja game out there. If you have the patience and loved the original Ninja Gaidens on NES, you just can't pass this one up.
Want to show off how well an Xbox game looks and sounds? This is it. | video-games_xbox |
Isaac Clarke is... *space boots activate* IRON MAN. Dead space 2 is amazing! There's definitely no denying that. From the moment you start the game you're thrown into a whirlwind of creepiness, action, and dismemberment. Isaac is back to destroy more of what is essentially space zombies, but this time... with rocket boots.
STORY - 4.5/5
The plot in a nutshell: it's been three years since the incident at the USG Ishimura and our hero Isaac Clarke has been held captive on the sprawl (formally known as titan station) at the hands of EarthGov. Another necromorph breakout is at hand and it's up to you to figure out why or how this has happened again while fighting back your increasingly uncontrollable dementia. Throughout your adventure there's never a dull moment between all the interactions with your ex-girlfriend Nicole, the EarthGov, and the random survivors of the sprawl outbreak. There's definitely a driving force that helps you to continue on through all the madness while uncovering the truth behind this new incident and yourself. Isaac with a voice is definitely a welcome addition and as a result his character is very well developed. In fact, he's got quite the humour as well. The only problem I had with the game, and this problem is something I had with the older game as well is that there are still so many unanswered questions regarding the things you encounter.
GRAPHICS: 5/5
For the Xbox 360 version, the game is separated into two discs. This is done for a reason and that reason is because this game looks absolutely breathtaking. The environments are amazing. At one point you might be looking out at the remains of what used to be a civilized city while spaceships are zipping across the screen to noticing the high level of detail on the smallest of things in an abandoned apartment. Everything down to each limb or piece of floating debris is ridiculously detailed.
GAME-PLAY:
SINGLE-PLAYER: 5/5
If you liked the game-play of the first game, you're in for a treat. This time, the game shifts its focus from being creepy to being more chaotic. I often found myself being stressed not because of the weary tension that builds when you have necromorphs creeping in the darkness but because it felt like I was constantly being overrun by an army of necromorphs. This by no means is a bad thing because never did I feel like I was unprepared for the attack. Isaac Clarke might be a nerdy Engineer, but not one who doesn't now have a Ph. D in kicking Necromorph butt. (or should I say slicing and dismembering necromorph butts?) This time he's got even more weapons to deal with the old and new strains of necromorphs that stand in your way and oh is it great. An alien outbreak never sounded so good. Isaac himself feels a lot more agile making movement easier than the previous title. He now stomps, and swings with ease! Also, for those of you who love to collect things, throughout the game there are multiple suits to be found that aid Isaac in numerous ways with their own respective and unique aesthetics to go along with them.
MULTIPLAYER: 3.5/5
The multiplayer is fun enough and a nice touch for those who have completed the campaign. Just think left4dead in space but with literally no respawn timer if you're a necromorph and you get the idea. There are 5 different modes you can play and as you level up you unlock new suits/weapons/necro-perks. Problem with this modes is that they all feel and play the same. Overall, it's a welcome addition, but the fun factor could have been so much more if this aspect of the game was more finely tuned.
SOUND: 5/5
Wow... just wow. The only way to play this game and enjoy it in its full glory is by turning the volume all the way up.
REPLAYABILITY: 4.5/5
The single player campaign is longer than the first by only 3 hours but I'm overall happy with the standard 10-12 hours of gameplay time the first time through. It's definitely a game where you have to play through twice to get every last drop of detail and "weapon testing" that is to be had, additionally rocket-boots = full of win.
CONCLUSION:
GET THIS GAME, or rent if you're not a big Dead space fan. Either way, no matter who you are, you have to experience this game! | video-games_xbox |
Good Game With Too Much Scavenging, Derivative Story. As good a game as Bioshock: Infinite is, I do not think it quite lives up to its hype.
The gameplay is average. The controls depart from the "standard" FPS controls established by games like Call of Duty, which can be a minor nuisance for players who are accustomed to CoD style controls.
There is quite a bit of scavenging around in the game, which personally I found annoying. You have to constantly search desks and lockers for health, salts (i.e., mana), ammo and money which entails running up to every desk, trash can, barrel and crate in the game to see if it "glows" in game, meaning that it is searchable. You also have to carefully scan the environment for small lockpicks to unlock doors that lead to more scavenging opportunities. Around a quarter of your time playing the game is spent scrounging around for stuff, which disrupted the flow of combat and the story.
The different gear you collect throughout the game does a fairly good job of creating opportunities to test out different "builds" and experiment with different gameplay styles. However, I did find that one particular piece of gear (Winter Shield) was rather overpowered, as it grants you temporary invulnerability in circumstances that are easily repeatedable/exploitable.
The story is good, but I didn't find it quite as engrossing as the first Bioshock. The plot is rather derivative. Without giving away spoilers, if you watched a certain TV series from a few years back, you might accuse the Bioshock writers of minor plagiarism. The characters are interesting enough and are well voiced, though the dialogue sometimes goes into B-movie territory. As an aside, if you are Christian and somewhat overly sensitive you might take offense from the fact that the game could be interpreted to suggest that Christianity is the origin of the pathway to evil.
The best and freshest aspect of the game would have to be Elizabeth, your partner throughout most of the game who is implemented very well. Throughout the game, she serves as a timely sources of health, salts, ammo and money. As far as I can tell, she is hard-programed to be invulnerable to enemy attacks so you don't have to worry about bad AI getting her killed.
The game is short--it can be completed in 10-12 hours. I managed to finish the game in a week (albeit with the aid of a three day weekend). So, in terms of value, if you pay full price you may be disappointed.
Overall, I'd give the game 3.5 stars out of 5. | video-games_xbox |
Lots of fun. I bought this game 2 years ago only because my kid wanted me to. I had read so many bad reviews on here I was sure I would hate the game also but I am just starting Act 3 now and boy was I wrong! Here are some thoughts:
Story-- I will admit that the story is not quit as...gripping as Origins because the fate of the world is not riding on this story. In fact, for a while in Act 2 I was wondering what's the point anymore since all my characters family were gone now because of one reason or another. But then more quests showed up and that keeps me going. Now it appears it's up to my character to save Kirkwall from tyranny, which I suppose is noble enough.
Combat-- Very fun...and, IMO the button mashing aspect has come in handy when I needed a drinkor a snack. I can just hold the controller and push A over and over with one hand and use my other hand for whatever else!! LOL
Equipment-- This I do find frustrating. I find so many interesting things that I would love to share with my group but the game won't let me. Instead I have to hunt around in all the shops, or random quests, to find the armor upgrades for my companions. The only way to customize your companions is their jewelry and weapons (except Varric) and their character stats. BUT, I can say that because of this I have been able to save up a ton of money to buy the pricey things I really want.
Exploring-- Yes, I have to agree that the caves and underground areas do get old pretty quick since they only have maybe 4 different layouts?
Dialog- I LOVE the new dialog wheel with the symbols in the middle. It's particularly helpful when trying to romance someone to see that glowing heart pop up so you have a clearer idea of how to progress the romance. I do still feel that the dialog option shown should match what is actually said, but they still aren't doing that.
Romance-- This is still my first playthrough so I haven't completed it yet but I have to say that when I first met Anders I thought he was just the DA2 version of Alistair. But, as I've seen through experience now, Anders is waaaay more intelligent, mature, charming, and responsible. Alistair was SUCH a whiny baby I almost puked during his romance in DA:O because I had to pander to his whiny insecurities shamelessly! UGH! But I digress....then I met Fenris and decided he was the romance for me. That sexy bass voice was just made for the bedroom! He's being difficult due to his tortured past but I will persevere! LOL
Glitches-- Yes, as of yesterday 6/30/2015, there are still glitches in the game. The prompt that comes up when exiting an area that asks you if you want to "venture forth with your party" occasionally will pop up again during the loading screen. Then when I get to the new area it is still there so I have to push A again in order for it to disappear. It hasn't affected gameplay so far but I suppose it's possible. Also, when I first started the game a week ago when I first met Aveline and her hubby, it glitched in a way that made me have to redo the whole conversation a second time. Very odd.
Minor frustrations aside, I am thoroughly enjoying this game and am glad I gave it a try. It's definitely not as involved as DA:O so it's not taking as long. I may even play it a second time. | video-games_xbox |
An awesome game for South Park fans. This game is probably one of the funniest and coolest RPGs I've ever played. I think before someone decides to buy it, however, there should be an understanding of what this game is and what it isn't.
First what it is:
1) This is a game that was made in collaboration with Matt and Trey and the quality of their work shows. The visuals are fantastic and it looks as if you were watching an episode of South Park. Exploring South Park is great because they included many of the landmarks that we've grown to love from the show and you can interact with almost every building. I would strongly suggest that you open as many doors as you can as there can be some uh...interesting surprises.
2) If you are a constant watcher of South Park and have seen most of the episodes, this game will be a treat in many different ways. I have found myself constantly having fun exploring every inch of South Park because there are a ton of references to earlier episodes. Some are subtle, like Cartman's CD's Faith Plus One which can be found in the drawer of his room, and others are very apparent such as the mouse with Mr. Garrison's penis attached to his back. You can really tell how much the developers worked to get as much South Park memorabilia as possible. All this allows the game to become extremely interesting and does not make exploring a chore.
3) This is a game that you just need to go into expecting to have fun and not take anything too serious. The game mechanics and quests are relatively simple and I have not felt any frustration with this game (except the quest where you have to find Mr. Hanky's little nuggets). Every time I play this game I get nothing but enjoyment from the quality of the writing to amount of customization that the game gives you. This is a very nice thing about The Stick of Truth; the amount of customization that is allowed is phenomenal and much more than I expected. I started out with my character having dark hair and a suit. Now he has red hair and a flaming red beard with a bird nesting in it. The weapons look great and I have yet to find a generic looking item. Many times, in other games, you find items that look exactly the same and it is only when you find a rarer item that the items look unique. That's not the story with this game. Every time I get a new item I have a blast checking it out and seeing how it looks as it's always a funny item or something that is totally unique to South Park. You can also modify your "weapons" (a stick, crutches, an alien probing machine) by adding something like runes to them that give them higher stats.
What the game is not:
1) Don't come into this game expecting a traditional RPG like the older Final Fantasy games other notable JRPGs. It seems that many people expected this to be a somewhat serious RPG that would play like others before it. That is definitely not this. As mentioned before, this is a lighthearted RPG that focuses more on providing an authentic South Park experience rather than being the next Skyrim or Final Fantasy.
2) This is not a lengthy game that will take 50+ hours to complete. I finished this game in about 20 hours but that is because I did every side quest and tried to find all Chinpokomon. If you only do the main story line then the game will be much shorter. I strongly suggest that you do as many side quests as possible because not only are they super fun, but you get the chance to get additional characters which you can summon in fights (except boss fights) such as Jesus Christ, Mr. Hanky, Mr. Slave, Tuong Lu Kim, etc.
3) This is not a fantasy game like traditional RPGs which will emerge you in a world of magic. One of the most humorous things about this game is that you will be constantly reminded by both the kids and adults of South Park that you are playing a game. When you are learning the controls at first, Carman admits that you must take turns attacking to which Clyde replies, "that's lame," resulting in Cartman acknowledging that it's lame but that's what the rules are. There are other times when you are walking around South Park and adults will say, "you know you're never gonna get laid dressing up like that," or some kids will say, "you're not playing that stupid game too are you?" I've heard several people complain that this somehow hurts the immersion but it really shouldn't, as this is South Park and it wouldn't feel like it if it was too serious.
Overall I really enjoyed this game. It's finally a game which does justice to South Park and which fans of the show will truly enjoy. That being said, if you don't really like South Park or have only seen a few episodes, this might be a little more difficult to enjoy as you might not understand many of the references and hidden objects that pop out. If you're on the fence about it, just watch a few videos and check out the game play and see if it's something you can see yourself enjoying (here are the first 10 minutes of the game[...] | video-games_xbox |
A hundred years from now, someone like me will love someone like you,and there will be no Templars to tear them apart."-Anders. Years ago, I played the first Dragon Age, but never finished it. For many reasons. One, because the game engine seemed too much outdated for what the game could and should have offered; for I thought it would play out something much closer to the technological quality Mass Effect 2 offered.
Two, because the main character was still an unvoiced one and the dialogue choices were again too similar to what Jade Empire had offered; short summaries lacking the emotional and rich phrases Mass Effect's actors and writers had pulled. Not to say that a non-voiced hero is necessarily bad. Think of what "South Park: the Stick of Truth" pulled with Sir Douchebag. But after Mass Effect's full voiced hero opportunities, I felt Dragon Age should have offered a voice to its hero.
And three, I stopped playing Dragon Age Origins because I felt the game repeated the usual "Chosen-hero-trying-to-save-his-world-from-a-Lord-of-The-Rings-like-enemy-or-army-and-bla-bla-bla". A concept that stories like these tend to repeat all the time, trying to be the next Tolkien and it tired me too much. So I pulled the first game away and focused on others.
Of course, I heard they had released a second Dragon Age due to the first game's success, but I didn't play with it for years. Until I accidentally saw video walkthroughs on YouTube of the game. And what I saw convinced me to give this series a try. Not through the first game, but Dragon Age 2. Which is not a sequel but an "inquel" that starts in the first game to evolve into a side story; where a Fereldan named Garrett Hawke, his dog, his mother, and his sister Bethany/brother Carver took refuge into the city-state of Kirkwall, where they would evolve from living in the city's slum to reclaim their family's name. Meanwhile, allies join them and Hawke gets involved into incidents that will have a major impact years later, for the game lasts over seven years. A story retold through the Jacques-the-Fatalist-like narrations of Varric, a dwarf who was in Hawke's team of friends. And who witnessed how Hawke evolved into Kirkwall's Champion and involved himself into Kirkwall's politics.
So this concept interested me more as we would see a character's evolutions through seven years of his life, divided into three acts. His dilemmas, his friendships, and his family's secrets (through DLC contents). But also love; including, and that makes me so happy, homosexual relationships.
Which too many video games or media content tend to not present for various fears. Or if some medias and video games do, it's to present sexual minorities under such homophobic presentations that it can offend and hurt the LGBT community, even discourage people who are "still in-the-closet" to come out to their relatives and society.
But in Dragon Age, Bioware's writers, like in Mass Effect, have set an example for sexual minorities' representation. Indeed, apart from one secondary character with nasty prejudices, nobody in Thedas freaks out because someone comes out of the closet and admits that he, or she, has a crush on someone of the same sex and wants to date that person. And nobody, nobody gives an ovation to someone if he/she proclaims himself/herself to be heterosexual when asked about his/her sexual orientation. It is a world where sexual minorities aren't labelled as sexual perverts and freaks, but as people with real feelings of love.
In conclusion, I find that game's presentation of sexual minorities much better and a million times more dignifying than what some TV channels (Gay-aimed or not), gay associations, and some media people in the gay community promote (ex: Queer as Folk, scandal talk shows like Jenny Jones and Maury Povich and Jerry Springer, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, certain gay porn movies, etc.). Programs that, unlike Bioware's games, are promoting dangerous homophobic prejudices about the LGBT community.
Regarding the gameplay, the game is an action-RPG, meaning that the RPG is done in an action style environment. Which I found quite appropriate for the game as it changes from the classical Final Fantasy gameplay SquareSoft pulled for years. And which personally, I wish they could have done the Harry Potter games as Action-RPG like Dragon Age.
As for the game's visual designs, they are excellent. Indeed, the city-metropolis of Kirkwall offers a very gothic architecture, quite like what you see in Fritz Lang's Metropolis, which foreshadows the game will present injustices in Kirkwall's classes, populations, and societies. As for the characters designs, they are not as customizable as the other Bioware games, but they can be enhanced inside a certain location. But personally, I preferred keeping my characters like how they first came to me. Especially Hawke, as I found him quite cool and gorgeous.
If there are some flaws to the game, it would be that some environment designs tend to repeat themselves (caves, underground cities, mansions, and temples) and I wish they could have put more variations. Two, that although the game is and remains playable as how Bioware wished it to be, some bugs might still occur in the game. Now, many of them were corrected through updates, but still, those who'd like to be aware of them can look at the Dragon Age 2 Wiki. Where, for each quests and levels, they describe a nice list of what bugs may occur.
As a whole, I encourage anyone who loves RPG or well-written stories to purchase this wonderful game that I feel one should play as one read a novel, through various dive-ins to let the story and its characters penetrate you. A game that has motivated me to take a look back at the first part. | video-games_xbox |
Next Gen Game. I bought the Titanfall Xbox one bundle when it was first release. Since I am new at the multiplayer game venue, I thought my post would be helpful to some people. First off, this is a First Person Shooter which is completely online multi-player game. At first that was a turn off for me since I love playing role playing and campaign style games solo. If you are into that genre and don't like change, this game is not for you.
Yeah, like any other game you get rewarded with level ups, new weapons, and different mods for you pilot and titan. The campaign story line is a lacking and seems to be something half planed since the story line is fixed no matter what happens.
What changed my mind was the difference in how matches were set-up with opponents. With new patches install ongoing with the game as you grow your opponents grow which gives you an unique experience each time you play. I have yet to play the same match with the same people the same way twice. The game itself is pretty solid with no noticeable no man land freezes or map errors. I don't miss the bots, playing with real people all the time gives that experience most gamers enjoy. Lag time is about normal for any other game that I have played online which btw is mostly my end because of the internet connection.
I have read some of the either posts complaining about young people on multiplayer games and which is very easy to solve. Hit the mute button or just sneak up behind the pilot that is giving you a fit and execute them! My game tag is ararmyboy77. Grow eyes in the back of your head because I will find you. LOL This game is a lot of fun and very challenging in the setting of multi-player world in my view. I would agree with others that this is NOT an OMG Game that pushes the limits to new horizons, but rather a stable platform were players can experience a different level of excitement every time a match begins.
Overall, I would recommend to anyone that enjoys multiplayer online gaming platform. Give it a shot you might find it was worth the money.
That's my two cents and if you want to play give me a shout. | video-games_xbox |
Guys, we're getting the band back together. Let me start by saying how awesome it is to be playing Rock Band again. Not that I couldn't have been playing RB3 or any of the titles on the Xbox 360, but like most people, I had, for one reason or another, pretty much stopped playing a few years ago. But the release of RB4 got me to pick up these plastic instruments once again, and man, it feels great. I'd nearly forgotten how much fun this franchise is, and all it took was one song to suck me back in. So yeah, if nothing else, thanks a ton to Harmonix for bringing Rock Band to the Xbox One.
Great:
- Freestyle solos on guitar are pretty fun. I like to get a sense of what a few frets sound like, then try and actually "compose" a solo based on that. If you've played Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved, you'll have a good idea of the concept. Or, you can just mash away randomly and still sound like a badass.
- "Playing a show" makes song selection so much smoother. If you're like me and have a decent sized music library (oh yeah, most DLC is compatible), choosing a song can often take longer than playing one. It's like spending 30 minutes deciding what show to watch on Netflix, then going to bed because you're too tired. No more! After you're done playing a song, you are presented with a set of random choices for you and your bandmates to vote on (and it's not always a specific song, it could be a genre, an artist, a time period, etc). Less is more.
- The new guitar hardware feels excellent. I think Mad Catz really nailed the strum bar this time. It doesn't click, for those who prefer the Guitar Hero hardware, but it feels much more responsive than the previous generation RB guitars. Also the tilt sensor works like a charm so far. That was a big problem for me on last gen hardware, even new.
- On-disc soundtrack. One of my favorite things about all the RB games is that the on-disc soundtrack is a combination of songs I know and love and ones I've never heard before. It's a great way to find new music (because lets face it, you're not going to buy random DLC songs).
- Like I said, previous DLC purchases are *mostly* compatible assuming you're staying in the same console family. As of this writing, I've got about 90% of my DLC loaded in, the rest either isn't listed or doesn't recognize that I've purchased it. Given that a couple weeks ago when the game first came out, it didn't recognize 100% of my DLC as being purchased, I'd say things are looking up. Hoping that the rest of that will become available eventually, but I don't know how these licensing deals work.
Not so great:
- The new drums feel fantastic - nice and bouncy and pretty quiet too. But, there is an issue with registering fast hits. This is apparently a known issue that Mad Catz is trying to address, but for now, it can be an problem if you have really fast notes on the same pad in succession (think rolls). It's too bad really because the drums do feel great, and hopefully it can be fixed with a firmware update or software patch. I hesitated to mention this in this review because I think the problem is blown out of proportion online and I don't want to fan the flames, but I think I have to bring it up because it is a real concern. In practice, I'd say it's more of an annoyance than a game-breaker. Yes, you will likely break your streak when you encounter those fast notes, but unless you're chasing gold stars and 100%, it's somewhat inconsequential in a casual or party setting.
- No support yet for old on-disc content. With the old games, you could export the RB1 and RB2 (and Green Day RB and Lego RB) soundtracks to be playable in RB3. Right now, that isn't possible. But I guess Harmonix is working on it, and you bet it has to be a top priority for them because pretty much everyone on the internet is complaining about it. You really can't fault them for this since it probably has more to do with Microsoft/Sony and the license holders, but still, it does mean a lot of awesome songs are not available (not even for purchase as DLC).
So yeah, if you like having fun, buy this game. If you're one of those not fun people, you can skip it. Or you can buy it, and then become much more fun than you were before you bought the game. Rock on! | video-games_xbox |
An easy five stars. I received the Ear Force Stealth 420X headset to review through the courtesy of the amazon vine program. Really, there is nothing not to love about this headset. I know every time I try a new design I say it's the best I've ever owned, but I have to say it again, and very emphatically this time.
First of all, everything about the Ear Force 420X is comfortable and user friendly. The padded headpiece keeps the headset from rubbing on the top of your head. Some of us don't have thick hair and that's important to the length of time we will be able to keep them on and keep on playing. The ear pieces are also nicely padded and fit over your ears. And while it is not a cheap lightweight, it's easy to forget you are wearing it after a while. There is no discomfort anywhere.
The mic is well positioned to be convenient but out of the way. It can be positioned so it doesn't pick up every huff and chuff and all the mouth-breathing you do when you forget everyone's listening. And you can hear your own voice in your earpieces so don't have to guess at the volume you are transmitting. The headphones fit so well they block out most of the ambient noise in the room despite the fact they are not noise-canceling. And wow, the sound you hear through them! Every audible detail comes through loud and clear. And I do mean clear. In one instance I heard footsteps of someone creeping up on me in a game I had never heard before. No arguing, these are superior headphones. And the ear pieces can be turned 90 degrees to uncover your ear so you can stop and listen to someone talking to you in the room, or answer a phone or something without removing them. Very clever.
They are wireless and rechargeable with the enclosed cable. They are easy to pair with your system, using the enclosed usb. Every time you start or end a process, a female voice tells you what you have done: "Powering on." "Powering off." "Pairing device." "Device has been paired." Very handy since you can't always see what you've pressed on the earpiece while you're wearing them, and figuring out what the flashing/solid red/green lights mean is no longer necessary.
Designed strictly for using with your Xbox One, and it mentions mobile devices, but I have not tested them on anything but the Xbox One and don't intend to. These headphones are a fantastic bargain, especially since they have dropped in price by fifty dollars in the month since release. You get a whole lot for the money. Five solid stars. | video-games_xbox |
Not impressive at all. I bought a Xbox 360 that was made in July of 2008 just this week, and today I am returning it. I still prefer my PS3, and below is why.
Note: I have once owned both Xbox and PS3, so the comparison of the two below is just for description purpose, and not that I am purposely trying to berate the Xbox. This review all in all is just my personal opinion.
1. The size of this console is about the same as the PS3. However, it also has a huge power block that comes with it, making it a bit more difficult to arrange room on my gaming center to place it.
2. The Xbox 360 has always had RRoD problems, and much of the cause is bad air flow within the system, components overheat and they just die. I tried to figure out where it takes in air and where it exhausts. After "feeling" the air flow with my hand (not very scientific), I found out that air mostly gets sucked in from the bottom of the console (at vertical position). So you should not position it vertically to block the air vents. However, after 2 hours of game play, I still can't really "feel" the air exhausting from the back of the console, while the fans are loud and running. Compared to the PS3, which runs quietly and has a strong air flow that you can even feel with a hand, I can see why the Xbox 360 would have heat issues, and amazed at how MS didn't fix this.
3. The "inhaling" design and color of the Xbox 360 is great, other than the giant power block... But the plastic around the hard drive and DVD drive feels really cheap. The controller also has 4 bright color gummy drop buttons that makes it feel like a toy at times. Just my personal opinion. The hybrid HD cable and headset are made of cheap plastic. The console actually sounds like a PC when it's running, there is a noticeable humming noise from the fans even when the DVD is not in use. If you play games, the DVD noise is very noticeable.
4. Crapware on my Xbox 360!!!??? Yes... after unboxing my Xbox 360 and turning it on to check the harddrive contents, MS had already loaded couple hundreds of megs of commercials and trial games on my Xbox 360. It was just like unboxing a Dell PC. However a quick format of the harddrive erased all the crapware.
5. Xbox Live isn't free. On the PS3 you can play a lot of games online with voice chat and text message FOR FREE. The PS Store has some ads. On the Xbox 360, you have to pay $50 a year to get exactly the same thing.
6. The price of Xbox 360 is $300 right now. However, if you add in the wireless card, rechargeable batteries for the controller, and Xbox Live, you are paying around $500. This all comes standard on the PS3.
I guess to sum it up, for me it's just a value difference. For people that like the Xbox 360 I can totally understand, many people have friends whom they want to play with on Xbox Live, and a lot of good American games are on this system.
However, being a software engineer that works in a hardware company, I still suggest you to think twice about getting this system. Software wise, it's very MS style, the Xbox interface is cumbersome and crowded and has a lot of ads. Hardware wise, if you heard about the recent news on the failure rate (70% at launch, 15% with Falcon, sub-10% with Jasper) of this product, you should know MS released this product immaturely and they still face a lot of design problems they can't solve yet. | video-games_xbox |
Rental Yes. Purchase No. This game leaves a lot to be desired. The best thing about this game is the toon's movements. Running, crouching, firing etc all look very good.
While it is a good looking game, the single player missions are very short and there are way too many cut scenes. Making my controller vibrate for 5 minutes during an unnecessary Humvee ride just drains my batteries and my patience. The overall storyline of "OMG ROGUE NUKES" is pretty lame.
I didn't enjoy the aiming aspect of this game. I know it's supposed to be wide open while RSV is close quarters, but I never got within 50 yards of an enemey. You just get your gun near, wait for the crosshairs to change and pull the trigger. It was too automatic. They needed to mix up the action.
The remote units are overdone. I don't need to see the camera angle of my remotes, besides when you use that feature your toon just sits still. Boring. The chopper was fun to command, but in the whole game you only get it for a few minutes. The remotes may have been more enjoyable if they required actual tactics. Your team's AI leaves a lot to be desired. Example, if you target someone to kill and then move slightly and target them again your team leaves cover and runs toward your target. That is stupid. Also, after completing the entire game I was still unsure of the best way to heal teammates.
The HUD is also overdone. I felt like I was controlling a terminator, not a ghost.
Online play is not very enjoyable. Again, everything is done from such a distance I feel somewhat detached. There's a lot of sneaking around, but with none of the suspense of RSV. If someone gets you in their crosshairs from across the map, they will not miss (unless you ar running). This takes the skill away.
As mentioned, the gun reacts slowly. If a terrorist runs across your screen you can't lead him with your gun, he will outrun your crosshairs. That's particularly annoying.
I wish I would have rented this instead of buying it. As a rental I would probably rate it higher, $60 later and very little replay value and it's a 3 star game at best.
QUICK EDIT: This game also froze my xbox several times, and my xbox is only a few months old. Every other cutscene required a hard reboot! | video-games_xbox |
A definitive milestone in the SH Series. Honestly this is a fantastic next-gen Silent Hill. The new development team was able to maintain the freshness of the dark and twisted environment. What I really enjoy about this game is that it has done the best job to date in creating a truly immersing experience.
The camera under user control, ability to look through Alex' eyes, and over-the-shoulder shooting POV remind me of the fluidity of resident evil 4. As well, FINALLY, combat is enjoyable in this game. Formerly my biggest complaint about the series and I would avoid combat like the plague. It isn't over the top devil may cry moves, so don't expect that. It is a very basic engine that allows you to actually DODGE and pull off combos. Additionally you can pull off mini man-hunt style enemy finishing moves. The different weapons are useful for different monsters and have different finishing moves.
The boss fights are manageable and again, the re-vamped combat system makes the challenge fun. If you're concerned about thrill factor, SH:H has nods towards all of our favorite SH moments (even some visual effects appear inspired by the movie) along with an outstanding soundtrack, both ambient and musically. Prior to SH:H, SH 2 and 3 were my favorites in the series for different reasons. This game seems like a brand new beast. I feel like it has the darkness and despair you could feel in SH 2 combined with the dynamic and more interactive environment in SH3.
Additionally, you can still feel the strong influence from such horror movies as Session 9 and Jacob's ladder. These have been cited in the past as being strong influences upon the original horror elements of the game (esp. SH3). I recommend watching these movies as a great supplement for any die-hard SH fan.
I do enjoy a good puzzle here and there, however my one complaint would be the ho-hum "find the key", "slide the pictures", or "did you see that atom on the wall? search that!" puzzles. These are nice to break up the monster mashing and scaryness, but I feel that the approach is dated.
Overall, if you enjoyed SH 1-3 (I didn't really enjoy 4 that much, sorry) this game is a fine piece of work by an American team and preserves well the original vision of team Silent. | video-games_xbox |
WWE All Star - A Tribute to old school style arcade games. I have been out of the Wrestling loop for quiet sometime but from time to time have checked in on Monday Night Raw just to see what was going on. While the product on TV has been quiet dry this game is a very different but pretty fun take on the whole wrestling video game franchise.
To be fair my main exposure to WWE video games was mainly through the whole "Smackdown Vs Raw" series of games ( I have played the old school PlayStation games but don't remember them now). I really liked the SvR franchise and I felt each game usually did improve upon the others. So about 2 years ago Wrestling fans, old school and new school, are treated to a video game called "Legends of WrestleMania" which shows screenshots of a HUGE roster of superstars from both the past and present (If you imported characters from SvR2009). It wasn't until the actual game was released that thousands of fans were upset with the controller scheme and concept. This was not "Smackdown vs Raw with Legends" as so many people thought this game would be.
Now some 2 years later WWE tries the formula of Old meets New with WWE All Stars. A game which combines a star studded roster as well as Arcade style graphics and game play to make a very fun, enjoyable experience.
Immediately playing this game you will notice the over sized Hulks the characters are made to look like. The game does a excellent job at making you really feel like this can be an "Arcade Style" game. The signature moves and finishing moves as just more proof of that as each move sends your opponent flying up in into the air.
The roster is a very nice mix of both new and old superstars but does seem a bit skimmed. WWE is just trying to get more money by releasing new characters via Downloadable Content in upcoming months. While many people knock down the "Legends of WrestleMania" video game, atleast it had a HUGE roster of Superstars to select from especially since you can import characters from other games.
While the game is very addictive and easy to get into it is definitely lacking in terms of stuff to do. You have your traditional "Create a Superstar" modes as well as new features such as the "Path of Champions", you can very easily find yourself saying "Ok what now?". For me a large part of re playability was on the fact of the countless dream match ups I put Superstars through (Who has played this game and hasn't had Hulk Hogan vs John Cena?).
The lack of content and skimmed down roster is what stops this great little game from earning the 5 stars it very easily could have been.
Over time WWE will release new Downloadable content containing more Wrestlers (C'mon no Jericho?) but for 5 bucks a Wrestler is it even worth it?
WWE All Stars with its over sized Wrestlers and even more over the top attacks proves to be both a fun and replayable experience. This very new type of game easily earns 4 out of 5 stars for reinvigorating life into a Video game franchise that was slowly kicking the bucket. | video-games_xbox |
Black and Noir. I just got through playing this game for the first time and have to say I absolutely loved it. For someone who has played so many FPS type games - being a staunch fan of all the WW2 Shooters - Ghost Recon series - Halo - Medal of Honor - Tom Clancy Splinter Cell etc etc etc; let me tell you, I was in heaven with this game. Maybe it's just the type of shooter I am but this is the first game that has ever given me such a cinematic thrill in gun play terms!
The game has a few quirks such as the lack of a jump button - hey, I like to be able to jump! - but you soon get over the lack thereof. The way things look in this game is just lush and pure noir. For lighting and graphics think Splinter Cell but whereas others may find Splinter Cell superior I found BLACK better for some reason. Perhaps Splinter Cell can look a little too much on the bleeding side of saturated colour that it's a tiny bit Disney for me at times. With BLACK I was in a very gritty, visceral environment at all times and with some really convincing scenery that only enhanced my playing experience.
The guns are superb in this game - you may have played games with similar or even identical weapons before but they never looked and handled like these I promise you. The sound and feel when in use is second to none in gaming for my money and when you hit something it actually does what it should ... shatter, fray, splinter, split, shard, crumble, explode, obliterate, implode, crumple, twist, break, snap ... you get the idea?!!! No game I've played delivers like this one for target response to fire - this is just killer! There are so many things to hit and detonate in this game and it's never been so much fun having at it with weapons.
The AI are pretty darn fun to go at it with - there are some mean mofos out there, look out for the cats with the extra padding and hockey masks! Then later come the same cats but with bullet proof riot sheilds humping shotguns!!! The AI are excellent all round and act fairly consistently but not stupidly - I was all at once challenged and kept in a high state of tension whilst gunning against them. Any game that puts me on the edge of my seat like this game did deserves 5 stars. The music in this game and the overall atmosphere are pure Noir ... perhaps the French version got called what I reckon it ought to be called, Noir!
It may have had some short comings overall - I was a bit annoyed at not being able to adjust the panning ( left/right/up/down ) sensitivity of my weapons - but who cares, there are so many things going for this game that I can't find a thing to complain about. You won't find a better FPS this year. | video-games_xbox |
Not worth the price, too grindy and not enough fun. For those of you who never played Destiny before, this is an alright place to finally start. If you're someone who played it before, but quit due to all the grinding and repetition, this is not worth getting back into.
For new players the main story has been slightly improved, the side kick Ghost has a more lively energetic personality, and NPCs give you real quests. However the majority of the main story's lore is still only accessible through Bungie.net, which is a huge problem as the lore is genuinely interesting.
For old players looking to return, don't even bother. The old content hasn't been updated enough to be worth revisiting and it's still a massive grind.
As for The Taken King itself, it starts off actually feeling like a real video game, it has cut scenes and dramatic moments and interesting story development. This however quickly falls apart around 70% through the main story line of TTK, it becomes gradually more and more repetitive and grindy as you progress.
After you beat the main story of TTK, that's when it goes straight back to how Destiny was before release, a massive slog of the same thing over and over again. You will spend hours grinding and waiting for random drops and treasure just to complete the post game quests, which are hardly worth the rewards you get for your time.
One boss fight in the post game is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen in a video game. You have to fight a flying ghost shooting purple bombs at you, while avoiding mines that come back after they go off, dodging ceiling flame throwers, fight through self replicating enemies that are spawned through a black ball that slows you down when you're near it and the room is filling with poison gas. It's not fun at all and it's just a pain.
Overall this game is not worth getting for any price, it's just too much nonsense and not enough fun. | video-games_xbox |
With Gotham conquered I hope Rocksteady's next stop is Metropolis. "They will remember you Master Bruce... I promise."
Is this the end of the Dark Knight and Gotham itself?! Arkham knight Perhaps the last, (According to Rocksteady Studios) maybe the best in the Arkham series. Definitely the most intense of the series which includes Arkham Asylum, Arkham City & Arkham Origins. The Graphics & game aesthetics are brooding and beautiful, but the voice talent is perfection! Kevin Conroy IS THE BATMAN! With over 20 yrs playing the Dark knight on tv and games he is the most recognizable voice
of the DC comicbook hero (sorry Adam West), Conroy slips effortlessly into Arkham's darker version of Batman. Also Commissioner Gordon is Jonathan Banks (Mike Ehrmantraut himself) from breaking bad. John Noble is perfect as the scarecrow aka Dr Jonathan Crane, the return of Mark Hamill's definitive JOKER in a way that not only makes sense following the events of the last game but steals the show! Seriously the infection and gas based hallucinations are brilliant they not only lead to pivotal plot points to have story twists make sense to gamers who are behind in their comics (see Hush, The Long Halloween, Death in the family and Alan Moore's killing joke). Besides Scarecrow Villains Include.. Deathstroke, Cat woman, Deacon Blackfire, Two face, riddler, Harley Quinn, poison ivy, and more. Allies include good ol'Luvius Fox, Barbara Gordon as Oracle, Dick Grayson, NightWing, and Tim Drake as Robin, and of course Alfred. Besides the main storyline saving Gotham from the Scarecrow, the various side challenges are varying degrees of difficulty on some recurring themes: tank battles or pursuits in the Batmobile, Darkknight Detective investigations of the disturbing murders throughout Gotham and the mysterious Man-Bat, infiltrating militia checkpoints, the Riddler's brain busters, hindering the Penquins' plans via sabotaging weapons, gang beat downs & firefighter rescues and also a Cult, Hush & Firefly sub-plot
What's new is how much freedom and use you have of the Batmobile and roaming Gotham. You can build up its defenses and weaponry just like you can on Batman via exp pts and leveling up (this carried over to your sidekicks and other playable characters you find). Even with all of his gadgets, skills and sheer determination sometimes even the Batman is taken down (as the Joker says: off the join mom & pop in the big country club in the sky) and then you are treated to taunts from villains and condolences from your allies. There are simulations to hone skills and compleat for high score records on-line. This allows for some replays on things like the Riddler's race course and my favorite: Foiling Harvey Dent's bank heist in shorter times.
My only complaint is the one I have with the trend all games have taken in holding back content forcing you to continue to pay for extra story lines and content. While I like the idea of getting game extenders for future add-ons, much of these "season passes" are bits and bobs that should have been in the game from the start. If this is the end of Rocksteady's focus on Gotham I hope it isn't the end of their exploration of the DC Universe. I think the time is right for a visit to Metropolis and to see it thru the wild Rocksteady aesthetic. | video-games_xbox |
A Great Start For Any Beginner and Wannabe Rock Star. As with any game, not just the musically inclined ones, practice makes perfect. If you understand this mantra then by all means you might have the right mindset to tackle this challenging, yet totally fundamentally awesome game/training tool. If you've ever played Rock Band or Guitar Hero and wished that it could go further in enhancing the music game genre, then by all means Rocksmith does this.
First, I have been a novice musician for about ten years. I'm the typical guy who loves music, buys a guitar and fiddles with it on and off for the rest of his life. It's obvious that real life encroaches on your free time and thus, some things get left behind. With Rocksmith, if you had time to play Call of Duty, or Gears of War, well now you have time to learn guitar and play a video game while doing it. The great thing about this is that if you dedicate the time, you'll have a real world skill that you can show off. Gears of War will not, unless you consider active reloading a useful, real world skill.
To put it bluntly, this isn't much of a game, even though it does have game mechanics which end up being superfluous. Yes it has a career mode and a progression of song sets that you must play in order to progress to the next gig, but in reality, I didn't really care for this set up as it has been a rhythm game staple for so long that it feels sort of pasted on, by the numbers inclusion.
The real meat and potatoes is the method of input and your interaction with it. Lets face it, it's a real guitar you are using. Ten years ago when I bought my Jackson guitar I'd never thought that I'd be using it today to play a game. It's incredible and I love this aspect. It gives people like me with instruments sitting at home a chance to put practice into actual usage. Plug it in with the included proprietary cable and you are good to go.
As others have stated, the game does have a difficulty level that adapts to the player. If you're a beginner the game is actually better suited to you since it holds your hand through out the whole process. For players like me, it will be a bit of a trudge to get to where I know my skill sets lie, but it wasn't a laborious effort to get there. The game quickly adjusted and now I have songs that do challenge my skills.
Once confronted with a challenging song, the game does have some options to practice certain sections where you are finding it difficult to nail down. Here is where I think the game could use a little more refining. The game introduces these sections as a game as well. It gives you "lives" to be able to play the song sequence perfectly at 100% speed, reducing the speed if you happen to mess up. However, after five tries with no luck, it will kick you out to try again. The process is a bit redundant and it doesn't allow you to tinker with the settings so that you get to practice at a speed that you will find adequate to learn with. Even Rock Band has a better practice section than this.
As I see it, this is an opportunity for future iterations of Rocksmith to improve upon. Which leads me to the song list. Yes it covers a lot of ground, but even by the standards of music genres the songs here are hit or miss. You have your big name bands and your small indie groups, but all in all, there are some songs I'd rather skip or not bother to learn. If you're looking at it from an education perspective, every single song will have a section that will teach you some valuable skill, whether it be fast picking, or chord progression, but musically it might be ho hum.
The good thin is that downloadable content is coming so hopefully it will add the right bands that will give you an urge to play.
Overall, I think this is a great start to this series if enough people buy into it. If you've ever felt like you wanted a vehicle to learn how to play, and have fun doing it, Rocksmith is that instrument to do so.
For the musically inclined and those of us that wished we were, buy this game. | video-games_xbox |
Good game but not nearly as good as the PC version. Bioware has created a great world and great story in usual Bioware fashion. I won't go into detail regarding the game itself because 1)I truly do love this game so far 2)my main focus is on the technical differences between the X360 version and the PC. I got this game for the 360 because of my love for everything Bioware. Granted I have never played the Baldur's Gate series which is stated that DAO is the spiritual successor of but I currently own every RPG Bioware has made since KOTOR. This includes Mass Effect 1&2 and Jade empire.
Plainly stated this game was made with PC gaming in mind.
1. The pause and strategize mechanic that is inherent in these types of games, while possible on the 360, is just way too cumbersome on the console. I found it very difficult to issue orders to my party members with a controller. I hadn't even tried any other version of this game but I felt like something was missing. The major problem is due to...
2. The camera which doesn't zoom out to an overhead view. Playing this game in 3rd person is ok and doable but when you are getting attacked by enemies from all sides, especially the pesky ranged enemies like the rangers or mages, it is incredibly difficult to tell your mage to target an enemy when they aren't in your current FOV and you cannot zoom out.
3. Also, everything in the inventory, skills, characters, journal and all others screens beg to be clicked with a mouse. They even went as far as leaving numbers next to the conversation choices. These numbers aren't to tell you that you have numbered choices 1-4...they are keyboard shortcuts.
4. And lastly. I am far from a graphics whore. I still play some PS1 games and the graphics do not bother me. But the graphics on the 360 version are so ugly I didn't want to play anymore. When I first fired the game up and saw Arle Howe and how there was a black space between the bottom of his neck and his clothing, I was disgusted. Edge of Reality (that's their name...right?) did a horrendous job of porting this game over. They obviously did not play to the 360's strength's. How something as beautiful as Mass Effect 2, hell even ME1, and this game exist on the same console but differ so greatly graphically is beyond me.
I gave my 360 copy to a friend who didn't know better and got the PC version instead since the beautiful screenshots I have seen many times over are obviously not from the console versions. What a difference. I have by no means a powerful rig. It's modest at best but it runs DAO at the highest settings and runs wonderfully to boot. The graphics are gorgeous and now I can pause and play to my characters strengths while zoomed out planning my strategy. And I am very happy that I can click to my hearts content.
Let this serve as a warning to those who have the means of getting the PC version over the console one. | video-games_xbox |
These orbs are a no no if you play solo. Many years ago when the Xbox 360 was my default console, Alright so not so terribly long ago, my brother received a random game for his birthday that we had never seen or heard of before. After both of us putting some time into the game we found it to be a fun and sort of relaxing game to play. It was a nice change of pace from COD at the time. Last month I happened to be at a local game store and picked up Crackdown 2. After replaying it again I said the same thing I did the first time I beat it: Cool, and with that I put it to the side and began playing another game.
This game isn't terrible or mediocre but it isn't hitting all the high notes either. What you do have with this game is a fun/laid back gameplay with no real storyline that has some hiccups in game mechanics and some objectives in the game are laid out somewhat wonky. The negatives for this game start with the voice of the Agency talking to you all the time. And I mean ALL the time. At first this voice is helpful in walking you through the controls and the back story to this game but then after about 10-15 minutes into the game he WILL begin to repeat things to you. And wheat he repeats isn't always helpful or even relevant to what you are doing in the game. You can turn the voice volume down in the settings which helps, However as you go through the game you can pick up audio logs which tell another side of the events going on in pacific city but with the audio turned off you cant hear them. The orb collecting gets fairly old after a bit, but does have an addictive element to it so thats not so bad, the side missions/quests are completely rinse and repeat(go to an area and shoot it up or race).
What struck me first when I booted this game up again is that this open world is exactly the same as Crackdown 1. Some areas/buildings/roads are different but really this is the same open world as before. Looking back at the game now I cant help but wonder why this game took 3 years to come out, it really feels like just an add-on to Crackdown 1. The multiplayer is set up oddly with orbs that can be only collected if you and another player stand right next to them at the same time, other players appear on your minimap as dots with no name, and there is no ability to add waypoints to the map for everyone to meet up at. The arena mode is fun but gets old fast. Speaking of which, as of this writing, the online is still used by several players across the globe which I found interesting.
Pros:
- Better jumping and combat powers then Crackdown 1
- Freaks make fun punching bags
- Better character then the first game
Neutral:
- Orb collecting
- Lack of storyline
- Online isn't all that great
Cons:
- Agency voice gets real annoying real fast
- Climbing mechanics are spotty sometimes
- Some stronghold locations can be glitchy and not work occasionally and a few are laid out oddly
- Side quests/objectives are all repetitive. Literally the same thing over and over again
This game has a few mechanical issues and doesnt have a storyline to speak of but it is just addictive enough youll look past its faults and have a good time with it, although it will be a short lived as another game will come along and quickly take your attention away from this one. | video-games_xbox |
it wasn't bad. I just couldn't see buying it at that . I had high hopes for Destiny. I was extremely excited to play the beta, and at first - was drawn into the game. I made it through the first mission, and... well, it wasn't bad. I just couldn't see buying it at that point though, so I didn't. This comes from someone who loved the world that Bungie created - I have spent so much time playing the various Halo games, usually in Single Player mode and just running around listening to the dialog, looking for the fun things that the studio puts in the games. I have read all of the books, as well - and loved the attention to detail that there is. I just felt that Destiny's world was... cold & dead, like it really wasn't made by the same company at all.
Xbox let me play a demo of the game a few weeks back, so I downloaded that & gave it another try - hoping that my mind would change. I played through a few levels, accidentally wound up in an area where the enemies killed me nearly instantly because they were so much stronger than I, and then took part in one of the public events that the game has. THAT is what made me remove the game & give up again. I kept fighting against this "boss," and rather than feel like my efforts or those of anyone else were actually instrumental in killing him, there was NOTHING that made me interested. I got nothing from the fight, no weapons, no feeling of accomplishment. He would have disappeared in exactly the same amount of time if I had stopped shooting.
Another thing that really turned me off was that I accidentally went through a section out of order - which would be fine if it were truly an open world experience. Instead, I failed to trigger something, had to go back out, trip the sequence, and then fight through the exact same enemies about 3 minutes later. It didn't feel any different. Enemies in certain areas - if you fight them, and then run about 30 seconds or so past them and turn around - are exactly where they were. You don't clear a section of the map and have a safe area, etc.
Ultimately, it's not that the mechanics of the game, the music, anything is bad. I just felt that the game had no soul - and that's a pity knowing what Bungie has pulled off in the past. This is one series I won't bother with again. | video-games_xbox |
Not really that bad. So i went i got Brink Yesterday from gamestop ,and man was i excited! I have been waiting for this game ever since it was announced and everytime it got delayed it really hurt, but now that its here ,and i have sepnt about 4 hours playing i can give you at least an initial thought.
Right of the bat you create your own character, be it resistance or security, both look cool and have their own style. Then the core game:
Pros:
Lots of ways to cuztomise. I liked how Reach had this, but no other FPS so far did, well this game takes it to a whole lvl. There are ALOT of ways to make your guy look cool.
Lots of weapons. All made up, but there really is alot, now while it is true that their stats don't differ much from each other the simple truth is that most people find 1, or 2 weapons and stick with that one weapon, so its not really a big deal.
Parkour: The parkour in this game is meh, but its there. In order to Parkour you need to choose a body, medium(which you start out with), then later heavy, and light.
Light means you can climb anything(dies faster), medium is middle-of-the-road, and heavy is big and slow. The parkourhonestly isn't that amazing from a 1st person view, you might as well be jumping. However from 3rd person view, and some moves, like wall hoping, do look resally cool.
Big maps: There are only 8 maps. Sucks? Not really. Bad company 2 had less, and this maps are big, and mutli-objective.
Classes: While its true that mastering a single class in this game is tough, do to the constant changing, you reagardless, need alot of teamwork and the classes are pretty damn balances. No single class has yet to dominate the battlefield, not even the Enigineer with his turret.
Interesting art style: The world of brinks, its graphics, and looks are really cool looking.
Cons:
Horrible friendly AI, God-like enemy bot: This REALLY hurts the game. Your friendly bots? Yeah they're stupid very, very stupid. They never do what they're supposed to(except maybe medic), oh but the enemy bots? Those guys will rip you a new one, butthat may have to be with the fact that yours don't do anything. This could be worse, except when you consider that Brink IS MENT to be a multiplayer game, which brings me to the next point.
Horrible, unpredictable lag: This is fixable, and bethesda said that they will release patches for it, but currently its bad, its REALLY bad. You'll jump into a game, having fun, no lag, and then BAM! your not even moving and you jump half way accross the map. This seems to cause a hell-of-alot more when the host migrates, and sometimes it only in the first few seconds of a match and then goes back to normal.
No lobbies: Yep, none. If you want you're friends to play with you, you'll need to invite them, or they join you
Uneened progression: In order to get ALL the weapons and ALL the weopons mods, you need to do challenges up to at least lvl 2. This really isn't all that bad, and it teaches you, but really its not needed, and you should get them reugarly while lvl-up
False Adversting...sort off: Campaing is mutliplayer but vs Bots
Now i know thats alot of flaws abd im giving this game 3 out 5, and yes my opinion may change, But most of the bad things this game are really just in the beggining , once you get use to them except for lag, and bot ai. Its much better. There currently alot of people playing it, and i can see them getting a big core fan base. | video-games_xbox |
Best Game Ever - Again, but a few things could be done to improve it. Best Game Ever - Again!
Fallout 3 became my favorite video game when it came out and Fallout New Vegas was a really good game, but not substantially better than or different from 3 to make it the "top" game.
Fallout 4, however once again does warrant "Best Game Ever" because of the additions they have made to it.
Essentially, the format is the same as 3 - a big (even bigger in fact) sandbox (the Commonwealth) to roam around in, people to meet (and kill) and lots of stuff to do.
A bunch of assorted factions, some of whom you just have to fight, others you have to decide whether to support or destroy.
But it is what they have added that has made this once again a stellar game.
Settlement building and maintenance, gives the game a purpose it never had before, and cooperation with various allies provides lots of rewarding missions to go on.
This time there are no limits to how much stuff you can collect / salvage and you can use your booty to construct really great settlements to attract settlers from the Commonwealth and who will maintain and improve them and even provide you with increasing resources especially if you give them a few stores.
Hint - stick a large scale water purifier in any puddle you can find in every settlement that has one, purified water is a very handy health boost and one of your best trading items.
I have chosen to be a sneaky sniper and have taken all my upgrades in that direction, now when crouching I am all but invisible to the assorted foes and my non-automatic, recon scoped silenced rifles are all upgraded to the max, not much is a serious threat now (I am at level 92), but if I want I can wade into the middle of a bunch of Legendary Supermutants with my upgraded silenced shotgun and survive.
I haven't even used a heavy weapon since the game started although I have collected hundreds of them.
If you like wandering all over the place, figuring things out as you go, doing stuff, collecting stuff and getting perks this is a truly great game.
And the resources for settlement construction are large and fun to use.
However, for me at least there are a few things that could be improved.
Most importantly, I would much prefer to be able to get the assorted factions to get along with each other as opposed to having to choose one of them, they each have so much going for them and the Commonwealth without any of them is an emptier place, I really enjoy working with and for all of them.
In fact, there "disagreements" are rather arbitrary and certainly not irresolvable and there is no real need in the game to force you to choose one over the other (it needs a third star in the "Local Leader" Perk, maybe the "Not So Local Leader" perk.
That is by far my biggest complaint, and, unfortunately, probably not fixable with DLC, because you usually choose early on (I have not and have refused missions that require me to do so).
Also, THERE IS NO MANUAL!
I can get the stuff I need on line, but I would have much preferred at least an online manual that covered the basic operation of the game (I still don't know why my home settlement settlers turn red).
The original disk told you to go to Bethesda.com for a manual, but there isn't one there for 4 and later disks don't even reference it.
This is a serious omission and a genuine black mark against Bethesda, but the game is so good, it makes finding what if you need online worth it.
They really need to fix this, the "Best Game Ever" probably is making them enough money so that they could hire somebody - to write a manual for it.
There are other things I would like to see, possibly a free construction perk that would let you build settlements and constructions anywhere.
I suspect that is computationally resource intensive, but more settlement and construction options would be nice.
They are also somewhat arbitrary about allowing settlements to be damaged or destroyed while you are not there. I have provided my settlements with completely surrounding walls and with multiple heavy machine gun turrets guarding all entrances, based on normal game dynamics a herd of legendary super mutants couldn't gain access to any of my settlements, yet it happens with frustrating regularity.
If I go there to defend one while this is happening, the defenses work and they are easily driven back with or without my help.
Also, I get frequent notices about failing to defend a specific settlement all of which are ones that I never received any notification that it needed to be defended.
This in my opinion is a bug and needs to be fixed.
If they are using audible announcements then they are still at fault.
I am 70 years old and have selected the subtitle option.
I don't hear very well and to keep the volume low enough to not disturb the rest of the population really have no chance of hearing a verbal announcement in the middle of a gun battle.
I also wish their subtitles extended through all of the verbal, radio and holotape transactions for this reason, the subtitles they provide are very minimal.
All this said, still - "The Best Game Ever" and I anxiously await any DLC they come up with. | video-games_xbox |
Nearly Perfect. I won't tiptoe around the issue. This game is good. This game is very good. Is it something that's going to force me into changing religions, asking my fiancee to paint herself Cortana purple, or naming my firstborn children "Master" and "Chief"? Uh, no. And because it's not the life-shaping experience a lot of people were looking for, it's naturally going to be called a slight disappointment. Which is a shame, because... like I said, this is an outstanding game.
If you didn't like the way the first Halo played, you won't like the direction the sequel's gone, either. It's a natural progression from its predecessor, familiar enough to enable returning players to launch themselves right into the melee without missing more than a beat or two, but giving enough to appeal to gamers who didn't get a chance to try out the original. Throughout the first level, instructions and button assignments flash onto the screen from time to time if it looks like you're lost or out of sorts, and you're almost immediately given a chance to test out the new "dual wielding" weapon configuration, one of the game's biggest selling points. The longer you play, the more you'll start to understand which firearm combinations produce the best results and which are all but useless.
Unlike the original, where most of your adventures were one-man assaults against insurmountable odds, a good portion of Halo 2's action takes place alongside friendly troops who surprised me by actually serving a purpose beyond "human shield." These guys honestly know how to fight with the enemy and steer the game's various vehicles without abandoning you in a firefight, and while they still aren't quite on the same level as the Master Chief, it's nice to have a little intelligence by your side all the same. They'll tug at your conscience, screaming for help when they realize they're alone and outnumbered, boost your morale by immediately recognizing you and treating you as a celebrity, and lighten the mood by telling an off-color joke or two.
One thing that especially caught me off-guard with this release was the story of the single-player "campaign" mode, and the great strides it had taken from its forefather. I remember reading somewhere during the game's development that Bungie was taking every measure possible to ensure that this "top secret" story wouldn't be leaked to the public... and truthfully I scoffed, recalling the passable at best storytelling of the original. I liked a lot of things about the first part of this story, (I thought the Halo ring itself was an outstanding idea, as was the revelation that it was, in actuality, an enormous weapon) but a vast majority of it was fightin' for fightin's sake with no real motivations tossed your way beyond "Hey, those freaky alien guys are shooting at you. Go get 'em." In the sequel, not only has the storytelling been vastly improved, but the backstory has been fleshed out beyond anything I ever could've expected. While the first Halo embraced a sort of black or white, us vs. them theme of good and evil, the second moves dramatically into a world populated with shades of grey, of uncertainty and of realism.
The subjects that this game covers from start to finish are staggering; the frequency of political corruption, the basis and fallibility of religion, the necessity and motivations of war, the existence of sentient life elsewhere in the universe... it seems like the writers were almost inviting a lot of heavy-handed, boring, long-winded monologues, but really the story's pace is quite manageable and no event seems out of place or forced. The characters deal with the situations as they present themselves, adjust their position as new facts come to light and begin to question their own motivations and beliefs when something staggeringly important goes down. Basically, Halo 2 is on par with a really, really good action / adventure / sci-fi movie. The big explosions and fight scenes happen at just the right moments, the weighty conversations don't take the player out of the story, and the cutscenes only serve to motivate you in the hours of gameplay that immediately follow. To overuse a cliched phrase, Halo 2's story blew me away. My only major complaint was the brutal cliffhanger the game chose to end on, which leaves players without the slightest sense of accomplishment and feeling a bit ripped off. It was so strangely placed, caught me so off guard that I was still clutching my controller, waiting for the cutscene to end and the action to resume, when the credits began to roll.
The visual aspect of this game is a great triumph for the most part, really emphasizing the Xbox's strengths as a graphical powerhouse and delivering a product that would be technically impossible on the PS2. The creatively dynamic lighting isn't quite as impressive as it was in Splinter Cell, but the way that lighting affects the various textures in and around the field of battle more than make up for it. The Master Chief, all of his comrades, Cortana, the commanders, they all look worlds better than in the first Halo, even in its visually-tightened PC incarnation, and the dramatic improvements that have been made in the environments, objects and surrounding textures raise the bar even further. Warthogs and Ghosts are no longer impervious to gunfire, and slowly begin to show the signs of continued use before bursting into flames or sparks of electricity.
My sole qualm with the graphics department is the decision that was made to live-render every single cutscene, from start to finish. I understand the motivations behind this decision, to deliver the knockout blow that would settle any questions about the Box's visual superiority once and for all, but the end result is more like a weak jab to the solar plexus. The Xbox has notable difficulty with these scenes at times, especially at their very beginnings, as textures will drop out entirely for a few moments before blinking back on again.
I never had a problem with the audio in the first title, and actually considered it to be among the best at the time of its release, but the sequel managed to find areas for improvement even in that department. While Dolby Digital surround sound was available in the original, it pales in comparison to the completely immersive audio experience of its sequel. You can still hear which direction a rocket's coming from with your back turned, for all the good it'll do, but you can also pinpoint the location of a sniper based on the noise his scope makes and the crunches of his feet against the rocky terrain. The voice acting has been taken to the next level, even including a few celebrity guest-appearances, and the influx of talent seems to have inspired everyone from the culture-manipulating prophets to the meaningless grunts who seem to serve no purpose beyond dying a grisly death. I've really only experienced one game with voice acting that even came close to what you get with Halo 2... and that was in my favorite title of all time, the original Metal Gear Solid. And, keeping that comparison in mind, the symphonic score of the new Halo wipes the floor with that of MGS. The composition, effectively pairing a full orchestra with a hard rock / metal lead guitar, seems awkward in print but is a baffling success in context. It retains the credibility and drama of an epic war drama, while also introducing the futuristic, almost mechanical setting of the game itself, not to mention its target market. I've never even contemplated purchasing the full score to a video game in CD format, but Halo 2 changed my way of thinking.
And, finally, there's the multiplayer mode(s), the real deal-breaker for many players, myself included. If it's any indication as to the game's addictive online quality, I haven't had a chance to finish a review in months thanks to the amount of time I've spent playing this thing over the internet. Easily one of the greatest strengths of the first game was its unbelievable multiplayer modes, and their uncanny ability to bring people together for hours and hours at a time, huddled around the same TV with the common goal of unloading on one another. Surprisingly, the sense of community that made the original so special has been effectively transferred to the online mode of its sequel, thanks to the use of Xbox Live's headsets, an easy, effective clan-building utility, an unheralded level-based matchmaking system and the understatedly simple means of inviting friends to join you in-game.
In my review of the original Halo, I claimed it was "worth buying an Xbox over," and it remains to this day one of the two highest-rated games I've ever scored... it, along with Goldeneye on the N64, scored a near-perfect 9.8. If the first was worth buying an Xbox all by its lonesome, its successor is worth buying both an Xbox and a subscription to Xbox Live over. It's improved upon nearly every single area I had issues with in the original, it's taken the existing storyline and expanded upon it to undeniable success and it's delivered one of the deepest, most life-altering online multiplayer modes I've ever seen. Halo 2 is the sequel all games should strive to deliver, retaining the best aspects of its predecessor while giving fans a whole new set of possibilities to master in the wait for the next chapter. The only things holding this back from a perfect score are the abrupt ending and a few rough patches in the graphical terrain. As is, this is still the best game I've reviewed to date. If you own an Xbox and haven't picked it up yet, you must be punishing yourself for something. | video-games_xbox |
All spectacle, no substance... but damn fun. If one thing can be said about Doom 3, it's that the game merges new school and old school seamlessly. The visuals in this Xbox port are nearly perfect when being compared to the breathtaking atmosphere of the PC version. Basically this means that the cutting-edge visuals are still cutting edge, especially for a console, while they are becoming more accessible for a wider audience who may not have PCs beefy enough to run the game at full specs. As for the Doom legacy, everything a fan could want is here. The simple run-and-gun action from the socially taboo games I played as a child is mirrored perfectly in this remake.
However, once you strip away all of the gritty realism of the environments and the nostalgia of classic Doom, you are left with an extremely rudimentary corridor-crawler that is firmly based on derivative shooting and cheap scares for entertainment. At its core, the gameplay is absolutely repetitive, but masked by convincing character animations a bone-chilling scenery. The plot is also quite thin. Half of the time, it will feel like you are going somewhere simply because you haven't been there yet. At several points in the game, I actually had to check my PDA (which was a very cool feature, by the way) to see what my "objective" was supposed to be. Lastly, the feeling of dread and unease you get from not knowing exactly what's around the corner is somewhat reduced by the "QuickSave" anywhere function.
Close-quarters combat is used for 90% of your encounters, and while this helps add to the claustrophobic feeling that Doom 3 conveys so well, it also severely limits tactical decisions for you AND your enemy. In fact, while the AI is better described as "tenacious" rather than "stupid," there are very few moments in the game where the enemy will use clever tactics instead of rushing straight for you. Add that to the seemingly innocuous "monster closets" that demons will jump out of for a quick jump-out-and-go-boo scare (Jeeze, did the guys that designed this base actually make a conscious effort to give demons and zombies a place to hide?!) and you are left with a single, repetitive outcome to nearly every battle: a zombie/imp/soldier jumps out of a shadowy era, and you blast them away with your shotgun. Rinse and repeat. The game does have interesting events every now and then, such as gunplay in total pitch-black darkness or bizarre visions that will make you wonder if what you saw really happened, but these treats are few and far between. Derivative shooting ultimately drags Doom 3 down a few notches.
It should also be noted that, for whatever reason, headshots DO NOT do anymore damage than say... a shot to the foot. As a cardinal rule of FPSs, even on consoles, I have no clue as to why the designers decided to omit headshot damage. This was extremely disappointing.
What Doom 3 DOES do well, however, is atmosphere. The dingy, mechanical walls and flickering lights of the Mars base make you feel like you are in a living and breathing (sometimes literally) industrial environment. The level of detail is simply astonishing. Everything, from a giant, gyrating energy reactor to an insignificant ruptured pipe, looks REAL. Shadows are intense and lighting is generally clever; the game designers never let you see TOO much without the aid of your flashlight. Speaking of that wacky flashlight, it seems like it's almost become a fad to talk about how silly it is to not be able to attach a light to your gun. Well, this is one leap of logic that I'm actually willing to overlook. Having guns and light separate adds to the tension. End of story. What kind of tension, you ask? How about "the dirty feeling of isolation and claustrophobia resulting from maneuvering your nameless, voiceless marine through a dark, ominous air vent smeared in the blood of your fallen comrades, making it seem like you are actually there" kind of tension. Enemy designs aid the intensity of Doom 3's macabre scenery; it's really too bad that you really won't see many of them until the last quarter of the game. For the majority of time you spend playing, you'll be fighting the aforementioned zombies, soldiers, or Imps. Needless to say, this gets predictable (and rather boring) after a while. It really is a shame that every few levels or so, you may be introduced to an interesting new enemy (like, for example, the Maggot, Wraith, and Lost Soul), but you will most likely never see that enemy again until hours and hours later in the game. Once you advance far enough into the game, the balance of demons evens out, but Imps will still be your most common threat. Still, waves of identical enemies can't take away from an excellently crafted industrial atmosphere, which becomes so creepy that the latter half of Doom 3 that it looks like something straight out of Silent Hill (in a good way).
Oh, and just on a side note... I don't care if the Revenant was in the earlier Doom game. That enemy looks totally ridiculous. It's a skeleton with awkward rocket launchers grafted to its shoulders. Stupid. Really, really stupid.
Sound is great. It was an exceedingly wise move to use music very sparingly. The naturally grating, echoing, metallic sounds of the Mars base mixed with footsteps, demonic growls, and maniacal laughter is more than enough to convey a feeling of unease.
Although the multiplayer is abysmal (not even worth playing, in my opinion), the Co-op is probably one of the most interesting additions to Doom 3. You can't Co-op on split screen (boo!), but it's not hard at all to find someone via Xbox Live (or even System Link if you get desperate). The game has been altered to accommodate two marines instead of one, power ups and multiple demons have been added, and cut scenes have been removed. The result is an extremely fluid and addictive experience.
Well, after this long, wordy, and somewhat negative critique, I bet you're wondering why I gave Doom 3 four stars. There answer is simple: this game is fun. In an age where the Xbox's FPS games are becoming more and more innovative (take Splinter Cell: CT and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath... both excellent games), it's almost, dare I say, "refreshing" to play a game that's actually easier to learn than Halo 2. It's an extremely cathartic experience. Sit back, relax, and let yourself become scared of the dark again as you blast through hordes of Hell's minions. It's the perfect stress reliever.
With the added features (including retro Doom games, as I'm sure you already know), the Doom 3 Collector's Edition for the Xbox is the perfect addition to any FPS and/or Survival Horror fan's library... repetitive gameplay and all. | video-games_xbox |
What is all the complaining about. I've never written a game review before, but the one and two star assessments have prompted me to add my two cent (or should I say $49.99). Here are my comments in no particular order.
1) 2006 graphics looks identical to 2005. This seems reasonable since it written for the same hardware (xbox).
2) The green grid is a welcomed addition. In 2005, there was no green grid for putting. I had to change to chipping to get the grid. I hated the caddy aid and the ideal line aid. The new green grid, which isn't so new since it was in the 2004 version), certainly makes putting more realistic. It forces you to get feel for the put.
3) The two stick putter is much more interesting and challenging. In previous versions, all you had to do is move the putter marker to get perfect distance - moving the left stick at 100% power allowed for any distance. Now, with two stick putting, the player must feel the putting distance my adjusting the power in the shot. I've certainly blown a few puts by not feeling it quite right.
4) You have all the control of the ball and more. The ability to put spin on the ball after the shout is still there. This a critical aspect of the game since it keeps the player involved throughout the entire ball flight. Other game (Links) is a bit boring - once you've hit the ball, there nothing to do. Remember, this is an arcade game.
5) I see no problems with loading time - same as 2005.
6) Menus are different, not better or worse. One does get used to change.
7) Drives do go straight, but the challenge is keeping that draw or fade from becoming a hook or slice.
8) I like the fact that a player can't play every tournament in the rookie season. You must earn the right.
9) Other players can shoot in the 50's in PGA mode.
Anyway, this list could go one, but I've got other stuff to do. I agree with 90% of the changes from 2005 to 2006. If you want better graphics, get XBOX 360.
What is all the complaining about? | video-games_xbox |
Why write a bad review because XBLive was at fault? Write Microsoft. I really can't comprehend most people.... This is a review for a Bundle. Yep, an Xbox One, a Special Edition controller and Call of Duty Advanced Warfare (along with obvious basics like power supply & headset).
The console has not a single issue.
The controller is extremely detailed, and it does not have a single issue.
The game is incredible. I won't write a million page review, but it's unreal (detail, acting - everything). I am not a "1 hit kill/Multiplayer" guy. I like a story, or some sort of emotion from what Im playing (think "The Last of Us", Bioshock series etc.). So, I cannot comment on the Multiplayer aspect.
What's with the 1 star reviews?: All of us that got this on release day couldn't download the game because of an Xbox Live issue. An issue with Microsoft that lasted something around 24 hrs, but people are rating the entire system based on this. We all 'did' get to download the game within a day or so, and there is not a single person writing a bad review (because of their impatience) that did not get the game. Everyone has everything this bundle says it has, and there is no malfunction in anything. If anyone wants to get Microsoft's panties in a bunch, contact them, write a review on an Xbox Live Card here on Amazon and tell everyone about your issue with their online network. Do not come to review a network problem when reviewing a product. Would anyone in their right mind say "I hate my house because the water supply was cut off for the first two days after I moved in. Yeah, it has a 4 car garage, swimming pool, and I love the theater room and everything else, but I hate it because the 'Water Company' didn't make it out for 2 days and I will forever hate my house"? If that analogy doesn't make sense I can make many more explanations to help someone comprehend how much it simply does not make sense to bad mouth an entire product because of another issue.
System: The system is great, and I wasn't sure there would be any need for the extra Hard Drive capacity, but after seeing how much data is used by each game, I feel like it was worth it Vs the option of buying and having to keep an external HDD connected if you were to run out of space. I really expected to dislike the Xboe One, because I have had the PS4 (2 - PS4 units) and the controller on the Xbox One looks like it would be huge (doesn't look like it would fit properly in your hands). The controller honestly fits much better than my PS4 controller, and my hands are not big. I also expected the graphics to not be as well based on hardware specs and the fact that some games are only running 720p on the Xbox One. I see absolutely no discernible difference between the two consoles. Im very surprised by that. I figured surely the PS4 would be the better console to purchase a game for if the same game were released on both, and that I would only buy Xbox exclusives that I simply couldn't get for the PS4 (Forza series for example). I actually enjoy playing the Xbox One, more. A friend of mine also prefers the Xbox One. I spoke with my cousin (who is in his mid 30's), and we tried to figure out why we like the Xbox One so much more than our PS4's. Im not bad mouthing the PS4, and I am a SONY guy (SONY TVs are the only brand I trust). Im simply pointing out that if you're on the fence and wondering if the Xbox One is just simply insufficient in hardware specs to be able to compare to the Playstation 4, don't let it veere you away from the Xbox.
Again, between the 2 consoles, I and the only other two people I know (that own the unit) actually prefer using the Xbox One when given the choice. This may not be the case for everyone. If anyone is curious on what I am viewing the 2 units on, it is a new SONY W630B 60" that I sit about 8 feet away from. The color is calibrated (ok, the TV is mind blowing & I have a 2013 model & older XBR2 but that will be another review) and I have it set to expose any imperfection and am not using anything "dot noise" reduction or anything like that. The framerates for the games are the same and I really don't see the PS4 doing anything better than the One. The PS4 is thinner and the controller gives off the impression that it will fit the hands better, but both of my PS4 controllers are shifting on the sides (I had the black PS4, sold it & got the white version and have seen this in both controllers that came with these units). It's kind of a creaking sound where the top and bottom meet. The Xbox One controller feels so solidly built that it feels like someone welded the thing together. It's very very well designed, and I was so disgusted by the idea of the controller (from images Id seen) that I was looking to see if I could somehow connect the PS4 controller up to the One via USB, or find an emulator in the future to allow me to possibly wirelessly sync the PS4 controller to the One. Anyhow, my extensive rambling is just the simple point that even if you don't agree with me once you try it for yourself, I believe you'll still be amazed at just how well the controller for the One does fit, if you're like me and are thinking "Wow... That thing looks like a beast of a controller, and the unit looks kind of massive as well...". I don't think you'll regret buying any Xbox one unit. I think it was money well spent.
I love both consoles, and really my opinions on the controller are pretty irrelevant to the rating, but for those who may be curious, you may be like me and like the Xbox much more than the Playstation. I know that comparison kind of doesn't belong here kind of like everyone should have reviewed Microsoft's services in another area, but what I mentioned were my biggest concerns/fears, and I have had 0 regrets. If you don't like the unit, the controller or anything else, remember Amazon has a 30 day return policy and will even pay to have the unit shipped back. If you're thinking about it and it won't put you in any sort of financial bind, I would highly recommend this unit.
NOTE: One quirk that made me really feel like I have to work to operate the PS4 controller is the difference in the way you turn the controller off compared to the One. The One, you simply hold the Xbox logo down on the controller for 1 second and it makes a very brief vibration & brings up a tiny menu with 2 options (shut down or turn off the controller). On the PS4, there are also 2 options. You can press the PS logo and it will bring up a menu that swallows the entire screen, and then you select "devices" (I believe that's the section) and then it brings you to another screen to turn off the controller. This is extremely annoying when you're with someone and trying to watch Netflix and need to turn the controller on to rewind or fast forward, because you have to go thru the menus every time unless you use method #2. Option 2, you simply hold the PS4 logo for 10 complete seconds. No biggy, right? Wrong. It brings the menu up that swallows the screen and stays there with whatever movie just passed in the background. Many times it's less annoying to run thru the menu and get back to a movie within 4-5 seconds than it is to interrupt it and have to stare at a menu for 10 seconds. It sounds like a very minor issue and dumb to complain about a menu on the screen for such a brief time, but given the option to use the Xbox for streaming or watching BluRays, we choose the Xbox everytime. To top it off, the Xbox One games are often cheaper than the PS4 content, and being that the only exclusive I had an interest in being Infamous Second Son, I have no reason to turn the PS4 on. It's annoying to stream from, annoying to watch movies on and there is nothing that justifies paying the higher cost for the PS4 games. I have my Xbox One exclusives and there is absolutely not one single PS4 game on my shelf right now and I have no idea when a Sony exclusive that I am interested will be released. The PS4 is a sitting duck, and the Xbox has reason to use it where the PS4 has reasons not to.
I hope this helped someone because Im no paid reviewer, and I can only imagine the email alerts Im going to get saying "Someone posted a response to your review on the Xbox One" that will have a different opinion and they will want to be 'sure' I know how they feel about it. Haha! I hope you guys enjoy the unit. Both have their ups and downs. As of now the only downside to the Xbox is the size of the console itself. | video-games_xbox |
Disappointed. My favorite video game of all time remains the original Medal of Honor, the game that set very high standards for the first person shooter genre on the PlayStation console back in 1999. The original game was a massive hit, featuring enthralling missions that progressed beautifully level by level, tight level designs, and a believable enemy AI, all presented with an epic war movie feel. Obviously my expectations for MOH Frontline were understandably high, given the reputation of this franchise, the plethora of postive reviews, and the capabilities of the Xbox console. However, after playing through this game I must say I was trebly disappointed to find it is not the inspired sequel I had hoped for.
Perhaps most disappointing to me was the fact many of the missions are directly taken from the original MOH and MOH Underground, and even feature many of the same objectives. While the level's environments have been designed somewhat differently, the feeling of dj vu on numerous occasions was still a major let down. While this is not going to bother those who haven't played the original MOH or MOH Underground, veterans of the series will undoubtedly feel cheated out of the opportunity to have experienced a true progression in this series. For the most part, Frontline feels more like a reiteration of the previous MOH games (with marginally improved graphics) rather then a new game entirely.
Which brings up anther subject... the graphics. While the MOH series has never really featured impressive graphics, given the capabilities of the Xbox, I felt cheated on this point as well. While the character models are pretty solid and well animated, the buildings and environments have a rushed and almost cartoonish quality to them, with unimpressive and often badly pixilated textures. Sadly the game has not progressed much in this department from the original PlayStation games. Perhaps this would be excusable if the level design and game play was outstanding, but both are very liner and feel quite dated in comparison to the standards set by other Xbox shooters, such as Halo.
While the Xbox presents a beautiful opportunity for the developers of MOH to really take the series to new heights, unfortunately Frontline feels tired and stuck in time, unwilling to offer anything that hasn't already been done before by the other games in this series. While the opening D-Day level is worth a mention as a truly exciting experience, it is the exception in this game, rather then the rule. WWII buffs will still find the game enjoyable, but those seeking a fresh progression in the series or just an exciting FPS experience will sadly find MOH Frontline is a disappointment. | video-games_xbox |
Great game overall. People will always complain about what they want in games. I personally enjoyed the game, and it is superior to resident evil 5 in almost every way.
You can sprint, you couldn't in part 5. Nor could you roll to the sides or behind you, or roll forward. You can now dodge by ducking quick, running into a slide or dodge jumping backwards onto the ground and shoot while doing it all. Enemies can be shot in the head and be attacked in different ways: punches, roundhouse kickes, head twists, suplex, back hands, etc. If you continue to tap both triggers on your control, you will do a flashy move and lock on, stun or completely wipe out enemies all around you if they are close enough. I highly recommend doing this with Leon (only character that can dual handgun AKA this guy is a boss), or Helena (triple barrel shotgun anyone? shes the real boss) In other words, the gameplay has been vastly improved since the last installment.
None of these reviews touch on the voice acting, which is very good. The sound effects are second to none, and the soundtrack is very good however they could use it more as I felt some parts of the game were lacking in moments.
You can do different characters campaigns, I highly enjoyed Leon's the most as it is nostalgic, some parts will remind you of the monster that is Resident Evil 4, and slight doses here and there of Resident Evil 2. It is suspenseful and mysterious. Sometimes downright creepy, not scary, but mostly fun. It will be a horror thriller. For that alone I give the game 5 stars, not because I prefer that style of gaming more, but because it is the most well made. They have a niche for it, hell they began the genre in games, these guys excel in it. The more action style feels rushed, clunky and unperfected, you might feel this in the Chris campaign. It is some fun as you will definitely be shooting a lot more. The game also features a clunky duck and cover system by hiding behind walls and such, which is interesting but I found it hard to master. More times often than not, it will be better to just shoot an enemy without cover, or stand behind a wall.
A welcome addition to the series...they include a new character Jake, who has his own campaign and I found it enjoyable because it is a great blend of action and suspense, but mostly because the guy can beat up anything with his hands. In fact, his hands are a weapon, literally...in the weapon select screen.
Another high point of the game is the co-op. While you will probably enjoy this in full screen glory (unless you play online), I played the game split screen and found it much more enjoyable with a partner. The co-op feature is a vast improvement with slight flaws ( too much quick
-time button pressing events ) but is a definite plus to have that feeling of accomplishment when beating the level and defeating enemies with someone to share the burden (or blessing?). Be sure to try out mercenaries mode as it will keep you playing long after the end of all the campaigns. theres other game modes and one more campaign but I will not touch on these as I have yet to experience them enough for review.
The graphics are excellent. Some of the best I have seen in recent games. The story is great, however it plays out the best in the Leon campaign, it has the best story telling and gameplay, period. Overall, I give the game a 4.5, not perfect because it has its flaws. | video-games_xbox |
A Great Piece of Tale. I have been pleasantly surprised, after almost completely losing interest the JRPG genre, with the traditional gameplay and over-rot and heavy handed writing. Coupled with the usual complaints of the same character templates being re-used constantly. Games like Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon and Enchanted Arms, which are decent games, but they feel into the mould of the traditional JRPG, also these games are almost tributes to Final Fantasy and Phantasy Star with very little innovation asides having halfway decent stories.
But then I tried Tales of Vesperia, one of the Tales series, a hugely popular franchise in Japan that actually was the best selling game in Japan for the debut week, and was the first time the 360 had the top selling game in Japan. Regardless, the game itself doesn't bring anything really new or innovative to the genre, nor do the characters within the game. Also the story isn't anything new with an Empire being at the heart of the story and the main character, Yuri Lowell, the usual upstart ex-soldier taking up the fight as well as many quests that just push the story forward with that new piece of information that makes the game just expand outwards into an issue that can destroy the world. The game really paces itself well, some might think it takes too long to get to the meat of the situation. But I think it's just strong story telling that builds up. And although the characters aren't anything new they interact with each other and seem to have an evolving relationship and friendship with one another that really comes across with the pop up dialogue with some small laughs to be had. The graphics are done in that anime cell shaded presentation that has become a staple to the Tales series. The combat system which isn't turn based but done once again in the Tales real-time combat, where the player controls one character or can take control of all the characters, or even have a second player pop in and take control of an ally. Tales of Vesperia is just a fun game, that's what was missing before with other JRPGs I've played. The graphics aren't the be all and end all, the music is decent, but the story when you get into it is just great.
The story is basic, in this world villages and towns are protected and maintained by blastia. All life hinges and relies on blastia the ancient energy source that can either be a barrier to protect people, or bring water to a town, to the boddhi blastia that are used to learn new weapon-based skills. However, the reliance on the blastia has taken its toll and corrupted parts of the Empire as well as the Guilds. The game begins with Yuri searching for the stolen aqua blastia that was taken from the lower quarter of the Imperial capital. Yuri escapes with the help of Raven, a character who's motivation becomes more apparent as the game progresses. As Yuri is escaping he runs into Estelliese, and from there the game takes the both of them and Yuri's partner dog, Repede, outside the city into a world filled with monsters and even more intrigue. As the game progresses forward the story becomes more than just finding a stolen blastia, it moves into a larger story, with more characters and allies pushing forward this Tale, however, Yuri who's moral compass doesn't always point in the right direction often opting for a means justifying the ends perspective commits some crimes that does seem like good but really help to make him worthy of the vigilante title. I was a little disappointed considering the decidedly darker role Yuri played didn't have the major consequences that I thought it would have. But still the game as well as the immersive storyline and interesting characters is what really makes this game great.
I was very surprised by this title, I originally thought negatively about JRPGs, so Tales of Vesperia has an uphill battle to get me into it. But as soon as the game started I was enthralled in the story and characters. This is a great game worthy of the pedigree, and worth the time of any fan of JRPGs. Tales of Vesperia was the game I was waiting for to come out on the 360, and I really hope this isn't the last Tales game to make it to the 360. | video-games_xbox |
Game is OK but BEWARE known Defect. I received this game brand new as a gift. It was pretty fun; although not fun enough for me to play it for long periods of time which is probably why it took several months for me to realize it had a defect. Sometimes while playing, the screen would randomly black out to where I could barely see anything. Dark blacks and bright whites filled the screen. I would power down and back on and then it would do it again after about 15 minutes. I looked online and saw that others were having a similar issue so I contacted Activision and they confirmed that this was a common defect for this game and that I could simply fill out a return form and send it back for a new copy.
I sent it in and honestly pretty much forgot about it for about 3 months. I hadn't received a new game and I hadn't been contacted by Activision. I called them up asking where my replacement was. I was put on hold for literally 20 minutes for them to research this and was then told that I needed to send $20 for the new disk since it wasn't covered by the warrantee. I explained that this was a known defect and that I was directed by Activision to send it back for a replacement. He said he couldn't help me without a $20 check or money order. I asked to speak to his supervisor and he said that they don't take calls for this issue, but they are aware of it. I couldn't believe that they were aware of this issue and are using this defect to bring in extra cash flow.
I obviously wasn't happy about this so I asked for them to just send me my game back. Then the rep actually said he would have to look into that as a possibility and get back to me. I said, hold on, are you saying that you might not be able to send me back the game I sent you? He said he wasn't sure and would need to put me on hold to research that. He put me on hold and my call was disconnected. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that he didn't hang up on me, I was on a cell phone...but it was a bad time to lose my connection. It took a long time to go through the process, so I haven't called back yet. I will and I will update this on if they even send me my game back.
To summarize, the game is not bad. In my opinion it's not as good as the games that came before it but my issue is with the company, for Activision to acknowledge this as an issue and not take proactive steps to resolve it but instead to profit from it shows that they have absolutely no appreciation for their customers whatsoever. They didn't even contact me when they received the disk; they weren't willing to go one step out of their way to help a customer out. This is my first and only experience working with Activision customer service, but it was bad enough for me to consider their customer service AWFUL. | video-games_xbox |
OK For PC too, *IF* You have a Controller w/ USB Dongle already. I just built an Eyefinity gaming system and wanted to try different games and accessories. I got Dirt 3 with the graphics card, so that's where I began.
I first bought the XBOX 360 Wireless Game Controller *FOR THE PC*. I read there are two different versions, so I was sure to get one that said "FOR PC*. It came with a USB Dongle to receive the wireless signals. I like the controller but saw some steering wheels for sale and thought I'd like to try one for Dirt 3.
You see the Hydraulic steering systems? Pretty awesome, but for THAT price, I can buy TWO REAL cars. I also don't want to sink the money into the steering wheel systems in the $250.00 range. That's still way too high right now, Maybe later. Plus, with the whole wheel/pedal set-up, I think I'd be spending too much time in an uncomfortable position, or fighting to get the wheel and pedals in the right spot. SO, I decided to try this. I had read around how this did work with PC's, but I thought it would also have come with a wireless Dongle. It did not.
Once I got it, I had to pop the batteries out of the other controller and then sync this up with the Dongle I got with the handheld controller.
The first race I played with it, I hated it. First thought was, "I want to send it back". As I played more runs with it though, I got more use to it. It actually seemed more responsive in other races, so I don't know if its accuracy is different in different races, but it sure seemed that way to me.
It's not great, but it's not so bad either. It seems to need close to a 90% turn to affect it most times, and in some races, it seemed like there was a lag in the response. Other races in the same game it seemed pretty accurate. I wish the program actually had some sort of calibration built in to set where the max left, max right and center were, so you could control how tight the steering was. I am new to this, so maybe some have this feature?
PRO'S
More like steering than controller
Reasonable Price
Works with Wireless XBOX 360 Controller for PC's Dongle
Nice Layout
Weighted and comfortable.
CON'S
Doesn't come with Wireless USB Dongle for PC
Some response lag in certain Races
No method of calibration for start and end of steering wheel turn.
Not easy to shut off controller and turn Wheel on, then back again.
Wish they had made a power switch and the ability to remember the channel, so I could switch easier and not have to re-sync them up.
For the price, it's OK though. I may like it more as I use it more. | video-games_xbox |
A fan tribute worthy of the platinum label. I'm not going to tell you anything you don't already know. Persona 4 Arena is a fighting game based on two of the arguably best Atlus rpgs of all time. (Unless you are a Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga, Devil Summoner, or Persona 2 Innocent Sin purist) Like it or hate it, the Persona series has become Atlus's biggest franchise!
I'd be lying if I said I had doubts going in. Though Atlus can be accused of publishing some weird and outright awful drek on occasion, their in-house games are always effortless home-runs that knock the ball out of the park! During an era when most game companies are afraid to take risks and go so far as to equate screwing over customers as being the status quo, Atlus remains the belligerent yet noble hearted rebel with a cause giving a big middle finger to the establishment! Upon cracking open my P4 Arena case I was treated to yet another soundtrack cd and a beautiful full color manual in multiple languages. I keep waiting for Atlus to screw me over and treat me like an unworthy mongrel but as of right now they've continued to kill me with kindness!
To be frank I "like" fighting games. Like is in parenthesis because though it's not impossible to get me to play a round of Mortal Kombat, King Of Fighters 13, or Super Street Fighter 4 on occasion, I'm not a big part of the fighting game community. This generation both capcom and ASW have released countless rehashes of the same games with added features and if I were to try and keep up with all the iterations of Blazblue or SF 4 I'd be a penniless hobo in debt up to my eyeballs. There's simply something about being forced to purchase the same title over and over again with slight tweaks and small refinements that royally annoys me to no end.
Admittedly, I feel as if I'm taking a risk with P4 Arena. Atlus has a perfect reputation with me but ASW has been in the dog house ever since I bought the original Blazblue followed by Continuum shift and STILL didn't end up with the very best version of that game. (Extend is the 3rd installment of Blazblue and I wish I had been more patient as opposed to buying its` two inferior predecessors) Will I be "betrayed" later when 2 or more superior versions of P4 Arena release in the future? Only time will tell but hopefully ASW has learned its' lesson. (I wouldn't mind a legitimate "sequel" to P4 Arena. I simply don't want to endure the same rehashed plot-line over and over again as a couple of new characters get tacked on here or there. Aka, give me a "new story" and enough "new features' to make me excited again!)
Yet for the moment, let me judge P4 Arena on its' own merits! Put simply, this is a complex fighter that looks gorgeous and actually offers accessibility for beginners by creating an option for easy input commands. "Fighting game enthusiasts" may hate this feature but fortunately there is the option to set up your own conditions when you start up a room or search online for potential opponents.
Air dashes, back steps, cancels, hops, counters, combos, sweeps, throws, recoveries, and ridiculously over powered finishing moves are all here. (With enough devotion and practice you can become seasoned enough to easily overcome the novices throwing cheap auto-combo chains at you.) The biggest difference is you can now call in a persona as a tag team partner of sorts. Both the protagonists and their epic alter egos have a fierce and normal attack. "Personas" can sustain damage and be taken out of commission during bouts so this adds to the strategy. You must be meticulous and thoughtful when it comes to busting out the swag! Additionally, characters can even suffer from "status ailments" akin to a traditional rpg. These include being drained of sp (magic required to do certain special techniques), having your controls reversed, and being poisoned as your health bar slowly but gradually dwindles.
The voice acting, background arenas, character designs, and layout of the menus are all impressive but I figured Atlus would soar in these areas in the first place! My faith was not misplaced. From what I can tell, Chie and Teddy got new VAs and at least in my opinion they did a fantastic job. Even Labrys's distinctive Jersey accent "fit" with her character. (I felt no need to make wise cracks about Jersey shore!)
The story brings together characters from P3 and P4 and does it in such a way it actually makes sense and feels 100% natural. Luckily for us, this isn't a poorly done set up just to get a bunch of best friends to beat the crap out of each other.
Ironically, my biggest qualm is that the standard story mode is more wordy than it has to be. (This coming from the guy who is a staunch advocator of including decent character development and believable motivations within fighting games) You'll have to endure reading pages upon pages of inner monologue before the characters actually say anything to each other. I felt as if this "padding" was unnecessary. However, if you're more patient with visual novels than I am, you'll be right at home! The arcade mode gave out enough tidbits to make the narrative interesting yet it also moved on at a brisk refreshing pace. I found it to be more enjoyable myself.
It's difficult to say whether or not these 13 young pugilists will appeal to your tastes. There's everything from missile-rack totting android girls (Aigis) and fan wielding inn hostesses (Yukiko) to otherworldly entities zipped up in mascot costumes (Teddie). Luckily, the traditional archetypes are also represented. Mitsuru has a lethal and forceful fencer style, Yu takes cues from his samurai ancestry, Yosuke is the quick double blade wielding wage-slave ninja , and Akihiko, Chie, and Kanji fill in for the traditional brawler types. Naoto uses a hand gun but she's also decent at some rather impressive rush down aerial crescent kicks as well as utilizing her persona for close up piercing attacks. Though the roster sits in at a mere 13 characters , every demographic seems accounted for. (Still, if you feel uncomfortable around the zany awkwardness of personas, teenaged supernatural investigators, fem-bots, and mysterious inner dimensional television portals, perhaps a traditional fighter such as KOF 13 would be more attuned to your preferences.)
Though P4 Arena is not apart of one of my more favored genres (those being rpgs,action platformers,survival horror, and beat em ups), it's still a classy package! Whether you're a Persona fan or someone who enjoys eclectic fighters such as Dark Stalkers, Rival Schools, and Jo Jo's bizarre adventure, I highly recommended this purchase!
Pros
+Characters are varied and look great (And are faithful recreations of their rpg counterparts)
+Gameplay is easy to pick up but hard to master
+ Askys went to great lengths to make the game accessible for everyone
+ Catchy soundtrack
+ Storyline that makes logical sense within the continuity of the Shin Megami Tensei Persona universe
+Stellar VA work
+Great menu design
+Mitsuru in a skintight spy suit. Yeah baby! I just hope her fur coat isn't all that's left of poor Koromaru!
Cons
-At 13 characters the roster is on the small side
-We're left to wonder if ASW is going to milk P4 Arena dry with an unnecessarily high number of revisions and reiterations (P4 ARENA SUPER EXTEND ONYX NYX EDITION TURBO!)
-Story ends on a deliberate cliff-hanger (Such and such is being controlled by a mysterious UNKNOWN POWAH! Oh, how original Atlus. C`mon, you can do better than that!)
-A part of me thinks this would have been a better co-op beat em up/rpg hybrid in the same vein as Code Princess and Dragon Crown
-Story mode is probably more longwinded than it needs to be (Don't get me wrong! I'm grateful there is an actual narrative. Yet the text screens have the tendency to linger and ramble on whilst overstaying their welcome)
-Certain traditionalists maybe a little disheartened P4 Arena has a 4 button layout as opposed to the 6-8 button layouts found in other fighting games.
5 out of 5
A 5 out of 5 means the people who made this game did so with love and care. While I can bag on P4 Arena for not being my favorite kind of game or bag on it for being trite fan service, the truth is that it excels in both its' technical and visual presentation.
It was a smart decision to make P4 Arena a 2D Brawler as it really enhances the charm and personality of the beloved cast of characters we've gotten to know from Persona 3 and Persona 4.
As much as I've ranted angrily about ASW for their capcom inspired business practices they are skilled and adept at making good fighting games. P4 Arena is no exception!
Sure, I'll probably be outraged when ASW announces P4 Arena Nyx Black Diamond edition and P4 Arena Blue Sapphire Jack Frost edition but for now I rather push that negative premonition aside to dwell in the realm of my warm fuzzy nostalgia! | video-games_xbox |
Much better than my previous AX720's. I was looking for some replacement headphones for my Tritton AX 720's that had a faulty decoder box. I could not be happier.
The following are in direct comparison to the 720's:
Cord length: both are wired and have equal cord length (I think the 720's are slightly longer but I didn't measure). Advantage = Push.
Controller: both inline controllers are almost exactly the same down to the button/switch...but the 720's have an additional selector switch for "amp/pc". Advantage = Push.
Sound: Sharkoons have more bass and better range in my opinion. I heard things with the 720's that I had never heard before and now with the Sharkoons, I'm hearing more than I heard with the 720's. Not bad considering the 720's are 5.1 similated and the Sharkoons are only stereo. Advantage = Sharkoon.
Surround sound: negligible. While the 720's have similated 5.1, if you think about it, both sets of headphones have only one 40 mm driver in each ear. If you hear noise directed to the right or left and you can't see the sound the object/character/explosion/etc. in front of you...your mind will tell you it's behind. With headphones, I have decided that 5.1 or 7.1 is negligible with the speakers right next to your ears.
Chat: both have ability to hook into the the 360 contoller to integrate voice chat via the 360 and works well but I did not notice any bleedover from the mic traffic into the normal game sounds...what I mean is, the 720's had a terrible, but inconsistent, problem with my friends hearing themselves repeated but I couldn't. It would only happen everyonce in a while. With the Sharkoons, it has NOT been noted by my friends (either cross game chat or same game chat). Advantage = Sharkoon.
Mic: have to go with the 720's mic but only in terms of design. Regarding performance ratings, both work fine. Advantage = Push
Inherent "Hiss" with gaming headsets: both have it, but the Sharkoons is less noticable. Regardless, once the game kicks off, you will not notice with either so I can't give an advantage either way...Push.
Price: Well, considering the Sharkoon's are 1/2 the cost of the 720's...Advantage = Sharkoon
Set up: if you have a minimal tech background, you will be able to set up either although, the 720's will take about 2 minutes longer. Advantage = Push
Design: I like the looks of the 720's better...but that will not make me regret the Sharkoons. Advantage = Tritton AX 720s
Xbox 360 controller chat pad integration: the Sharkoon's come with a mic wire that is specifically designed to hook into the 360 controller...this does not work with the 360 chat pad. The 720's uses a standard 3.5" to 2.5" cord. I was able to keep my chat pad installed on my controller by forgoing the use of the included mic cable...it works fine.
In summary, while I really liked the 720's when they worked, they faulty decoder box just ruined the experience for me. The Sharkoon's performance exceeds the 720's in almost every way at 1/2 the price. I was extremely surprised with the performance of the Sharkoons and based my purchase almost exclusively off of the unanimous 5 star reviews of the Sharkoon xstatic SX on Amazon.com. Thank you fellow reviewers...you made me a beleiver in the system and saved me a lot of money (I was considering the Astro A40's). | video-games_xbox |
Fun but VERY VERY VERY Frustrating. EDIT 12/29/2013: I ran into a horrible save bug. I lost ALL my progress over the last week. Not sure what caused it yet but I was exclusively playing this game and last night took the game out of the Xbox to watch a movie. When I reinserted the disc to play that is when I had to start all over.
I am having a lot of fun playing this game but at times it is without a doubt the most frustrating game I have ever played. The frustrating part of the game is the cops, they are just too strong too quickly. For example, I am in a LONG race with 4 other racers. During this race we are crashing into each other and setting off shock waves and EMP's to damage the other persons car. So we get done with the race and our cars are pretty beat up. Now the cops arrive and can at times immediately ram your car and disable it which leads to you being busted which then causes you to lose ALL the points you just earned in that race. Without points you can's buy new cars or upgrade your current car. It is VERY frustrating. This is not to say that the game is possible because if you are careful and can get to a repair shop or hideout as soon as you are done racing you can get your points. The problem is that too often this is just not possible. EA needs to badly tune this game so that the cop AI isn't so brutal. I love a challenging game but most of the time the cop AI just gets cheap kills and that just is not fun.
On the flip side you can play as the cops. This part of the game is tuned very well and is not frustrating at all. I personally do not enjoy playing as a cop as much as a racer but it does add a lot of replay value to the game.
So I give this game 3.5 stars because there are a lot of positives.
Pros:
-Gorgeous graphics: weather and particle effects. Full day/night cycle.
-Smooth frame rate
-Large world with diverse scenery
-Sounds are amazing
-Controls are tight
Cons:
-Cop AI is just too ruthless
I haven't seen any bugs that some of the other reviewers are mentioning. I did just get the game for Christmas and there was a 350MB patch when I first installed it so that may have squashed them. | video-games_xbox |
3.5; it ain't easy being a ninja. As I was in the store, mind deadest on buying "Ninja Gaiden II" for the Xbox 360, a question ran through my head: "am I this crazy?" I mean after all, Sigma on the Playstation 3 was frequently frustrating but it was one that you got better at over time. NGII on the other hand I played previously, found it borderline controller-throwing and figured no game is worth this frustration so why am I in the store buying it? It's really the combat system which is arguably, for me anyway, the funnest and most satisfying of the fighting styles, easily besting those in God of War, Devil May Cry, Heavenly Sword or even something like Prince of Persia games. But you know what? That doesn't excuse the poor cheap hits, odd bits of programming and large amount of enemies and this makes this a game that's incredibly hard to love.
Story: There's a cutscene in the game where a werewolf named Volf (Volf the Wolf...lot of thought into that name, no?) declares to his minion werewolves that he wants an adversary worthy of him. That's all you need to know about this story: it's frequently stupid, doesn't make sense and is just a placeholder for the sexy violence. There's some kind of baddie who wants to revive a potentially world-destroying Archfiend and yeah, Ryu's the man to stop everybody's plans.
Graphics: Team Ninja's animators do really great jobs at delivering not only fast combat but having it be as fluid as possible and seeing Ryu jump, dash and slice his way on screen is quite something to watch. Cutscenes look great and certain locales are quite stunning. However there is one thing they still haven't been able to perfect which is the skin on characters. Quite frankly, they look like shiny mannequins and even with Dead or Alive 4 released several years ago, they still haven't fixed this. Oh and we get it Team Ninja: you love bouncy breasts.
Sound/Music: The music's quite dynamic, epic and nicely energetic though not memorable in terms of melodies but it provides an adequate soundtrack at your demon slaying parties while sound effects from roars to swishes of the blade(s) are very good at making the hits and kills that much sweeter. As for voice acting? Keep it on Japanese with English subtitles since the story and the VA becomes a hell of a lot more tolerable. I don't know why it is but even a flatly-delivered line in Japanese sounds cooler than English.
Gameplay: Team Ninja are notoriously in love for difficult games; ones that challenge you and push you to the brink but at a certain point you got to ask yourself: is the game worth it if I'm madder at the game the more and more I play it? That's the crux and indeed the proverbial straw that might make you stop playing this. I find it funny on the back of the game's box is mentions that having the ability for save points to replenish your health or major battles will refill your health bar is helpful to a "casual gamer". Well you know what? Having played all Devil May Cry games, God of War as well as Ninja Gaiden Sigma, I honestly don't get how they think this game will be easy to Ninja Gaiden newbies or veterans since it frequently adds things detrimental to the enjoyment of it all. Enemies throw exploding shurikens with reckless abandon. Enemies with rocket launchers. Giant mechs in addition to enemies with rocket launchers. Then we have all 3 at once and yeah, this game can frequently get unfair. The game was even winning me over with parts that were challenging but not too bad but then boom, one annoyance after another.
And all of this is further enhanced by one of the worst cameras you'll ever be in control of. This camera seems to love the scenery and you more than showing you what you're doing and very frequently I'd have to reposition the camera just to figure out what's going on or who hit me or where that enemy came from. I get that the kill animations wouldn't be as impressive if it was like God of War's camera being your eye-in-the-sky but at least then you could figure out what was going on in the battlefield. Like Tomb Raider games, you'd think with reviews and fans complaining of bad cameras, Team Ninja would go "damn, we should fix that camera problem next game" but apparently not. Game's so difficult even the game does stuff that'll make it easier to kill you faster.
Now the game as I mentioned way above has probably the most visceral and all-around entertaining fighting combat systems around. Sure it's really just LT to block, X for weak, Y for strong like most games but honestly; being able to go all over the screen tearing enemies apart limb by limb has never felt as rewarding as this. Like I said, save points can regenerate you to full health while major battles can heal you fully after they're done (provided you don't have any red sections) and the wealth of weapons make it apparently easy to make it through the game. Also thankfully, Team Ninja toned down the precision-based platforming sections as well as those damned ghost fish though in their place are respawning jelly fish that explode, a boss that explodes and kills you unless you hold block (chapter 7, so I save you the aggravation of replaying him) and an item limit of 3....3! You can only carry 3 of each item and yeah, fun fighting, annoying game design.
I wish Team Ninja didn't make such frustrating and difficult games since they'd make some of the best action games around but alas, if you're going to get into this, make sure you're not the controlling-throwing kind. | video-games_xbox |
Save Your MONEY, save your TIME. This game is a huge disappointment. Save your money read this review to know why you won't be happy if you buy this game.
Story mode: It took me about an hour to complete story mode. You'll note that the story mode only involves a handful of characters. the rest are omitted, you only get to fight on a handful of stages. The few characters that do make an appearance sometimes having as little as a single line of dialogue. But for the most part, almost the entire cast of Soul Calibur is not in the 'story mode'. Wow! Big effort on Namco's part. Also, there are approx. 3 cut scenes in story mode. The rest is a series of pencil drawings. Yeah, I prefer pencil drawings on my 60" 1080P HDTV. Thanks Namco for taking me back to 1996, oh and charging me full price for a 'new' game. Honestly pencil drawings... it's almost as if Namco scanned the storyboard pencil drawings that should have become CG video or even in-game-engine sequences and decided "Nah, we're too cheap to do anything worthwhile in story mode. Let's use these pencil drawings instead." Oh, I almost forgot, you're going to hear a LOT of "I love you brother" and "I love you sister" and "I love you mother" in the brief-story mode. Not only do you get to hear those words, you get to READ them too. Why? Because you can unlock the text descriptions too. Because that is SO much more fun than unlocking katas (e.g. SC2), different gameplay modes (e.g. SC3) and ending movies (e.g. SC4).
Arcade mode: Remember how cool it was to pick your favourite character, pick their 1P, 2P or even 3P costume, select their diverse weapon set? Then play through arcade/story mode and unlock their 'ending movie'? Yeah, that was great, fun and rewarding. But guess what Namco did? They removed that part of the game. Yes, no story mode for the remaining characters in the game. Also all the character endings are all now gone. Plus, there is no option to view the cutscenes, all 3 of them. That's right, they removed all the endings that we have been used to for over 10 years and have been a staple in all fighting games. Want to know what happened to Astaroth? Raphael? Amy? Taki? or Cervantes? Good luck, because all that is missing from this game. What did they replace it with? You get a sad arcade mode where you fight 6 times. Yippie! Because that is *so* much better than full CGI endings (sarcasm). Oh, I forgot they added a 2nd arcade mode. What is different about it? Well you get to fight 6 times (sound familar?) and... The difficulty is higher. Wow what a rip-off. You know even SF2 had ending movies, so did MK1... and how long ago was that? We've got HDTVs, 3D games, lossless high-def master audio surround sound and what does Namco give us? pencil drawings and text descriptions of "Loves his sister, can't wait to live with her". WTF?
Chronicles of the Sword/Tower of Souls: GONE. Replaced with... ??? Nothing. It is just gone. That means you have arcade mode (fight 6 times), training mode (which is worthless), and versus mode (which doesn't work properly). Oh wait, you can fight online.... except you could already do that in SC4 and it was very fast and fluid then. (complainers of online-SC4 need to quit using their 128Kb 'high-speed' internet) :)
Recycled: Yes, sound effects, graphics, even stages are often reused from previous games (e.g. SC4). You'll see a lower quality stage (recycled) and occasionally a new stage. But if you want something new, expect to pay a premium. 3 DLC packs are scheduled for Feb. 2012. Oh, and if you think you are getting a ton of content in each one... think again. How does 3 pieces of clothing sound per pack? Yeah, it sounds like a rip off. If you want something old? Like a favourite character or perhaps that one special BGM? Well now you gotta pay for it through DLC. That is IF Namco decides to release it. Soul Calibur-Good-value-for-your-money? GONE.
Reduced: Less characters. Taki, Sohitia, Zalzamel, Kilik, Cassandra, Talim, etc., etc are all missing. To make you feel better you get 3 characters that are mimics (copy other styles), so if you think you are getting 3 new characters... you are not, they just copy from the existing roster. You have 2 characters that have virtually identical styles based on Sophitia (son & daughter), so while that would seem to be an additional 2 new characters, it's essentially a clone of one another. So let me see, that makes 5 character that sort of copy other characters... suddenly the roster doesn't look that big...
Museum Mode/Gallery mode/photo mode/Kata mode: Gone, Gone, Gone and GONE. Replaced with: Nothing.
Create a character (CaC: Somehow the graphics of this are worse than the last version. Perhaps it is because so much content is recycled, and it really stands out compared to the new textures. Oh, and you have wayyy less items to select from. A good example is the footwear/socks. Another example is the number of pre-built outfits. SC4 had a good variety available as soon as you booted up the game, but SCV? Sorry, now you have to pay extra for a bikini top (Feb. 2012 DLC pack) But you can have a white feather stick out of your head... Also, remember how much fun it was to modify the 2P costumes of each character? Yeah me too. Anyway Namco decided to remove that also. Remember how you could USE the 2P costume on different create a characters? GONE. Likewise, you could select different stages when you were making your character.. GONE. Pick different weapons... GONE. Certain equipment gave stat boosts? GONE.
Single player: Guess what? All standard modes like time attack, team battle, tower of souls, chronicles of the sword, survival, ARCADE mode, gallery mode, etc. ARE ALL GONE. That means you have nothing left to do in single player mode. This stands out since previous SC games had a strong single player component (i.e. SC2). Recall how you could use your favourite character and level them up by playing a variety of matches? How cool it was to have reached level 10 with every character? Which led to further unlockables and rewards in-game... Guess what? GONE.
2-Player: Good luck trying to get this working. It took over 10 minutes to get a simple versus match setup. Oh, and both players were sitting IN THE SAME ROOM. Sad Namco, really sad. Also remember how userful it was to have the ability to handicap your character compared to your opponent? i.e. in soul calibur 4 you could give yourself 1/2 health and your little brother could have double health. This would help to even out matches where one player is less skilled, that was really useful and a staple in fighting games. Guess what? GONE.
Training: You know how fighting games give you a rundown of all the new combat features and an explanation of how to use them? Isn't it great to have this info? I thought so too. Namco decided not to provide it. I'd love to learn all about the 'edge' implementations in matches, too bad Namco couldn't be bothered to include it, yet they tout it as one of the main features of this 'game'. Contrast that with SC4 which provided a description of the new gameplay changes. I guess Namco couldn't be bothered to copy some text into the game to help out players. Oh wait! They do have text... yes they do provide lots of text about love....(More of that later). Training mode is also reduced compared to earlier games. You know simple things like button input and tutorial modes helped you to master your character.. guess what? Gone.
Unlockables: Remember how we used to be able to collect stuff like artwork, concept art, music, weapons, movies, opening CGI sequences (complete with inserting your CaC into those sequences), BGM, kata (demonstration) mode and all sorts of other fun stuff? Well That is all gone too. But you CAN unlock things like these wonderful TEXT descriptions. E.g. I just unlocked "Loves his sister." Wow, that is great Namco. A... piece of text? What can I do with it? I can have it appear next to my gamertag when I play online. Wow.... that is supposed to be better than having Taki or Sophitia in the game? RIP OFF!!!
Weapons: Remember how you could unlock cool weapons, costumes, stages and armour for your character? Gone. But you can unlock text like "Loves her brother". Want to check how far along you are with your unlocking progress? Want to see how many stages you have unlocked and how many remain? Guess what? Gone.
Moves: Remember how some character had all these cool stances which could affect gameplay/strategy? Gone. A few stances remain, but most are stripped out. Remember how cool it was to learn and practice Taki's possession stances? Master all the variations? Gone. Taki is Gone. Training mode is stripped of its helpful tutorials, especially for gameplay changes. Taki's moveset is now stripped down. What about Ivy's snake sword, how you could transform it into several different versions? Gone. Ivy becomes a character stripped down to a button mashing character. She used to be for expert level players, but now... GONE.
Graphics: Remember the days when in a versus match you could see your higly detailed character's portrait presented in a very large size opposite your opponent while the match was loading? You could marvel at the wonderful graphics or even admire the details on your very own custom character? Sometimes you could make your character say a variety of taunts? Gone. It's replaced with a tiny playing card, on the face on that tiny card is a tinier picture of your character. Wow! I bet you feel like this is money well spent! Yet Namco touts this as an exciting new feature, a benefit of using 'photo mode', which in fact was my suggestion to Namco via Twitter. But they screwed that up, instead of letting you save pictures of your CaC to share with others (my suggestion)... now you got this.... playing card. :(
Sound: If you like to hear the same sound effects, BGM of previous games you will love this because a lot of it is recycled. You know how cool it is when they record new voices, sounds, effects and music for a NEW game, like in Mortal Kombat? Gone. Expect many recycled sounds. Especially the 'continue' screen.
Options: You'll note there is no 3D support like Arkham City or Assassin's creed. Remember how you could change your time limits for rounds, where you could select 'infinite' time limit for a round, have those bitter fights to the finish? Yeah I remember them too. GONE. Namco decided to implement a maximum limit of 60 seconds. Gee, thanks for giving me LESS options than I had before.
Collector's Box: Guess what? This game comes in a large case shaped like A BOOK. What do books have inside them? How about STORIES! Yeah stories... it's sad that Namco advertises this game as having a great STORY mode and the case is a large STORY BOOK and then... story mode is absolute garbage consisting of pencil drawings, loves-his-sister-mother-cant-stop-hugging-them... So... not sure what point Namco is trying to make with this? As for the art book, it doesn't actually have art of all the characters in this game... maybe they didn't feel like including them. You know, because why would you want an art book that has ALL the character's in the game you are trying to sell? Collector's-edition-is-awesome? GONE.
I've been playing the soul calibur, soul blade, soul edge series from the beginning and this is just a joke of a game. The sad part is that I explained to the producer (via Twitter) what went wrong with the last game. In fact, thousands of fans explained exactly what they wanted and didn't want in the game and the comments were fairly uniform (more story mode, keep favourite characters, lots of options, modes and new items for CaC). Sadly, they produced this. Do yourself a favour and pick up a game that gives you more not LESS. Mortal Kombat, Dead or Alive, etc. They are all worth your time and money but not this incomplete, reduced, reused and recycled over-priced piece of junk.
Disc: Remember how cool it is to install the game to your hard drive, not only is it faster to load, but it's less wear and tear on your optical drive and much quieter? Gone. Even when you install to the hard drive once you complete a match or even return to the main menu, it reads each and every time from the optical disc. Wow. Because that is sooo much better than the normal hard-drive-reading-operation of every other game, including SC4. What's the point of installing to the hard drive if the game continually reads from the optical disk all the time?
Fun: Remember how cool Soul Calibur was? Me too. Fun? GONE.
AVOID. | video-games_xbox |
Inappropriatly named. To be honest, the largest problem I have with this game is that it carries the "BioShock" name. This is not really a "BioShock" game. Treated as its own entity, "Infinite" is a decent game. The story gets a lot of celebration, but I found in to be indulgent and predictable. The many plasmids from BioShock 1 & 2 are replaced with a small number of vigors. In Bioshock, part of the fun was playing with all the neat powers you had and vacillating on which ones you wanted with you and which ones you wanted to leave behind. It was hard because they were all so different and interesting. The vigors, however, are boring. If I'm only going to get eight, they better be unique and exciting. Sadly, most of them have significant over lap and you'll end up playing using only 2 or 3. In exchange for letting you have all of your powers all the time, they decided to limit you to carrying only two guns at a time. While it certainly is more realistic, it becomes a problem when they expect you to upgrade your weapons. As you progress through the game and new weapons are introduced, ammo for the earlier weapons becomes scare as enemies now carry the new weapons and drop ammo for those weapons. So, you abandon the weapon that you've spent money upgrading so that you can have a gun that you can actually find bullets for. Pair with this the AI that doesn't quite understand strategy, ridiculously underdeveloped supporting characters, a very short play time, and an ending that feels like a huge cop-out and I just wasn't thrilled. As a FPS, it's standard. As a story, it's the equivalent of "Inception"; people like to talk about it because they think it makes them feel smart and if you didn't like it, well then you clearly didn't "understand" it. They story really isn't that complicated. Nothing was too complex and nothing was particularly surprising ( other than SPOILER ALERT!!!!! Elizabeth isn't the love interest. Although it still feels that way for most of the game.) Everything is very "on-rails" and linear. Yes, I understand the philosophical statement they are allegedly making (constants and variables) but what it means to a gamer is limited replay value. You don't really have any choices to make beyond which guns to keep. They tell you "bad things might happen if you steal from this store" but the only effect is has is that now the store owner wants to shot you. I played through this my standard two times, one being the nice guy and the second with me being a huge dick. Nothing different really happened. The "illusion of free-will" isn't enough reason to justify this. The biggest complaint I have with is that as soon as you start shooting, every civilian disappears. Where did they go? The entire town block is on a cloud.
Obviously, I'm no wordsmith (this video is a much better review than what my words can muster[...]). In no way am I saying this is a terrible game. As a FPS, pretending that it is its own game w/o the "BioShock" name, it's a decent game. The graphics are great and I loved exploring in the very limited places that I could. The gun play was well enough and the ability to utilize Elizabeth's "tares" was fun for awhile. But nothing is fleshed out much. The Vox Poplui Vs Comstock war had so much potential, but it was such a tangential part of the story that it was almost a non-issue. As a full $60 game, "Infinite" falls way short. For, maybe, $20 this could be a mildly enjoyable weekend. | video-games_xbox |
The best of the best of the best. By now you should know I really like this game. I played the pc version couple of times at my friends house but never really had time to just sit down and play it seriously. When it came out for Xbox I decided to get it. I had a good feeling about this game but got my socks knocked off. This game is amazing. Some of the pros:
-colorful, super sharp and detailed graphics, enemies are well rendered, backgrounds are so magnificent I really would like to visit the places that were shown in the game (even if I know they don't exist)
-great frame rate
-excelent multiplayer with possible cooperative mode
-different difficulty settings can make it really impossible to play. You can see the actual difference between them.
-high replay value
-great music
-great selection of weapons
-easy controls
-Sam cracks real jokes. No lame lines just pure 101% macho speak.
Cons:
-it gets little repetitive at the times
-puzzles are really not that hard. If you can't open the door it simply means you didn't kill everyone.
This is not a strategy game. If you asked me I would have no idea what the game was about except for some time travel and quest for a holy grail. The point of the game is to keep you finger on the trigger until all the enemies are dead. I know it may sound dull and boring but believe me it's not. It's a combinations of curiosity of what's next, great music, graphics and high paced action that keeps you glued to yoru console. There is no boring down times looking for clues. You pick and item and get 50 enemies showing up at once. You are done with that another 50 comes running. This game is fun. How do I know it? My girlfriend who is rather against violence (and video games in general) enjoys sitting down with me and playing in cooperative multiplayer mode. I usually trade in and sell most of my games as soon as I'm done with them but this one is a keeper. | video-games_xbox |
Disappointing, clunky, and already outdated. I've been eagerly awaiting this game for over a year now and now that I finally have it, I'm selling it back after just a week of giving it a chance to shine.
The graphics are fugly and look like they were rendered on a computer from 2000. I'm not seeing any improvement over the PC version of Delta Force Land Warrior from about that same year. In fact, I think DFLW was a better game.
One thing I did notice is that--just like in the Delta Force Land Warrior PC game--you can shoot an enemy in the big toe and they'll die. Pitiful.
The single player missions are.... artificial. They don't feel very realistic in nature. "Oh, military intelligence says we've got 60-100 hostiles in the area with armed vehicles and RPGs? Okay, let's send in 4 guys on foot." Please.
The multiplayer games might be the only saving grace, and even then I think Battlefield 2 is a far better game in that department. I don't have LIVE though, so can't honestly compare.
The user interface--particularly with selecting weapons and weapon modes--is utterly abysmal. Push one button to pull up the weapon selection menu, then use the thumb pad to move left or right to select a weapon and then down or up to select a mode for that weapon if it has multiple firing options (like single shot, full auto, and gernade launcher). This should be something that can be done fast and on the fly in the heat of combat--not something that will get you killed as you stand there like an idiot trying to figure out which is the smoke grenade and which is the flash-bang.
Enemy AI is weak. Just find a good spot and wipe them all out. Likewise, your squad's AI is weak. Order them to toss a frag grenade into a room and they're just as likely to throw it into the room as they are to bounce it off the wall right next to you and blow up the whole squad.
All in all, I'm just going to see if I can get some of my money back by trading the game in at Game Stop. It feels like Novalogic put out a game that wasn't ready to be put out yet simply because they were trying to meet a deadline and/or salvage as much money as possible prior to the Xbox 360 coming out. And the result is simply a very disappointing game. | video-games_xbox |
A Masterpiece. The Witcher 2 is without a doubt one of the best games to come out last year for the PC. So how does the console version, released almost a year later, fare? Very well I'm happy to report. The Witcher 2 is a gripping RPG set in a very gritty and dark world. There are only shades of grey and the choices you have to make never have a clear right or wrong answer. You play Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter. Witchers are kind of like mutants from Xmen in that they posses unnatural abilities and are feared and hated across the land. Gearalt is framed for the murder of a king and must track down the real killer, who is a witcher like himself. In doing so you are embroiled in several political conflicts, wars, and the occasional romp with a fare wench. This game is clearly for adults, not just because there is a lot of blood and nudity, though that's more than present. I wouldn't buy this game for anybody under the age of 17. It is very deserving of the M rating it has. The game's story is complex and not something easily understood. It expects you to pay attention. The characters are interesting, well written and have realistic motivations. The world is great too, it really feels like a fantasy world while retaining sense of realism. This place feels real, it's not just some random fantasy world somebody created. As such the choices you make have serious implications. The game can play out very differently and you will not get every quest based on those choices. It's a game you simply have to play multiple times, no question. So needless to say this game is worth checking out for the story alone. My only problem is the third act of the game feels very short, even with the added content I didn't really feel like I could just explore and do random quests like I could in the first two. Kind of felt like they were just ready to wrap the story up. It's not that bad, but it was kind of disappointing. Also, the difficult to know what's going on at first if you haven't played the first game, and with it not being avaliable on the Xbox 360 that can be problematic. That said the game still concludes in a good way and after a little bit you kind of get caught up to speed. I still loved every minute of it this story and you should too, provided you like stories that are intelligent and complex in their design.
This game plays great, but be prepared, it's somewhat difficult. The Witcher 2 takes you seriously, and as such won't pull punches. These enemies want you dead, and you can be damn sure they'll try and kill you. You have to really use your head to defeat them. You can do this by using the right spells, potions and weapons. For example, you have two swords, one steel and one silver. Steel is best used for regular opponents like humans whereas the silver sword is best for monsters and other unnatural beats. A Silver sword will not be effective against a human wearing steel plated armor or chain mail. The means of selecting spells, weapons or other offensive items is similar to the power wheel from Mass Effect, you hold the left bumper and select your preferred tactic. It can sometimes be clumsy but once you get the hang of it you'll be fine. That kind of sums up gameplay in The Witcher 2. I had a hard time at first but once I settled in and got the hang of it I loved it. The combat is rewarding and challenging. Geralt swings his sword as if it has weight, so don't expect instant hits, though you can use fast attacks with the A button, but the X button is how you really deal damage, though it's slow, so try and mix it up. The interface for menus is streamlined and works fine, though I feel it involves far too many button presses and can feel a tad convoluted, but it's not that bad. Leveling your skills is done through a skill tree with powers that level up twice and offer a wide variety of effects. Mainly though it's your typical RPG style. Combat, magic, alchemy and a training tree that is short and is just for general skills. Overall the game plays wonderfully and it's one of the best RPG's I've ever played.
Graphically, I honestly can't believe this game is running on the Xbox 360. Much like Rage and Crysis 2, this game seems like it's too good looking for a console. But some how CD Project red made it work. I suspect black magic or some other means of foul sorcery. Animations are incredible, characters move fluidly. Little things make the difference to me and the amount of care and detail put into the look of this game is astonishing. It's vibrant and colorful while maintaining that gritty feel. The only issue I have with this game visually is that some texture pop in does show up to a degree of frequency, but it's a minor gripe that shouldn't bother you.
The sound in this game pretty good. Sound effects are good, monsters sound ferocious, the world sounds truly alive, Voice acting is superb all around and the music is wonderful, the game comes with a soundtrack and you should give it a listen, it's good stuff.
So, overall the Witcher 2 delivers in every way. It's a wonderful game and shouldn't be ignored, if you're a fan of RPG's and are over the age of 16 give it a look see, it's well worth your time. Hopefully the xbox release will give the series a wider audience and we can get the third game for the Xbox as well. This is a thoughtful port and I can't begin to tell you how much I admire CD Profect Red for their work on this game, it's truly a masterpiece and I can't recommend it enough.
10 out of 10 | video-games_xbox |
Great multiplayer experience. Halo is one of those games that has defined the XBox from its inception. I've had friends say that this is the reason many even purchase an XBox, going back to the PS2 days. Some say the 360 has improved the series, although some may disagree.
This was my first Halo experience, and I must admit I have mixed feelings.
+++++ What I liked:
I loved the multiplayer aspect. As a person that really is horrible at video games, I usually feel guilty at doing so poorly for a team and not being able to shoulder the weight for myself. With Halo, it's every man for himself. If I do poorly, I get a poor score, and nobody is mad at me. If you've never played Halo3's multiplayer, I highly suggest it. I also liked being able to play individual parts of the game after you've completed the game. The game is a lot easier to navigate the second time around. Navigation becomes second nature the second time around, and playing individual missions avoids having to play every other mission in order to play your preferred mission.
-----What I didn't like:
Waypoints help you navigate your way around in Halo 3. The waypoints helped me a lot in reading the map, but there were some waypoints that I couldn't set up because there was an obstruction like a building, so I just guessed in those instances or set up waypoints beyond the obstruction, but usually that didn't help. The maps were hard to follow and I spent a lot of time going back and forth. Although, you can press up or down on the D-pad to further assist you, I felt that I spent a lot time navigating through the maps the first time through.
The second aspect I didn't like was finding beacons. Most were easy to find, but I remember two which I spent an hour looking for before I decided to cheat by looking on youtube walkthrough videos. What was the purpose of placing a beacon in the sky? That just frustrated me. The third aspect I didn't like was firefight. I liked it, but I couldn't play with friends, mostly because I don't have friends. I wish I could have paired up randomly with someone online, but the game didn't allow that.
Overall, the multiplayer aspect earns 5 stars, but I think the single player campaign mode could have been improved. | video-games_xbox |
Multiplayer is a blast. *I purchase my copy of Civ Revolutions on eBay used*
For the longest time I've been an Xbox 360 FPS player only. However, after playing Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3, Rainbow 6 (various versions), and Black Ops 1 I found myself simply bored when I bought and began playing Black Ops 2. It was just more of the same ole' shooter stuff--minor improvements and innovations, but too little too late in my book. So I found myself wanting more. I wanted a game which involved some thought, planning, and strategizing. I wanted a game that I could learn to be better at--not a game that simply relied on fast reflexes and a internet connection with low latency.
I found the game I was looking for in Civilization Revolution. But I'll be honest. After playing the demo I was very skeptical. If you've played the demo you'll know what I mean when I say that it's more than a little boring. Luckily for me even after trying the demo (and being totally unimpressed by it) I still decided to give the full game a try. Where the demo was boring and tedious, the full game played on Xbox Live is a blast. I chose the "Quick Match" option and was relatively quickly matched up with another player for a team match against three computer controlled players. Four or five hours later we were finally victorious--finally putting China in its place and conquering the British (the Americans were long gone by that point). It was a very hard-fought match with very intense edge-of-your-seat action. And whereas when I played the demo I found the graphics and advisors and so on all very cutesy and underwhelming in the Live game played all the way from beginning to end I found myself really digging the graphics. Yep, they're still cutesy, but they seem appropriate. And it's a lot of fun to see your out-sized tanks and fighters and such making there way toward your enemies. And it's fun to see your settlements grow into cities which grow into metropolises. All in all, it just makes sense and looks and runs fairly well on the 360.
All in all, I'm thrilled to have discovered Civ Revolutions and I'm looking forward to many more tense nerve-wracking matches on Xbox Live. I highly recommend this game for those looking to play something "different" on their Xbox 360. | video-games_xbox |
Solid performance for the price. After using the headset for a few months, I have to say that I was extremely impressed for the most part. My previous headset was a Turtle Beach X42, and I wasn't sure if this would be worth the upgrade. But after my mic boom on that started to fail, I figured why not jump for this. The first thing that stood out was the completely wireless chat function, which is compatible with both windows and Xbox one. The receiver plugs into a USB port for power and chat audio, and an optical cable for audio.
The headset design is similar to previous turtle beaches. The left ear has the buttons for power, mic mute, and mic monitoring (with 3 levels: none, low, and high). There is also the chat volume and game volume sliders on this ear as well. The right ear has buttons to set the surround mode and presets. 4 surround modes can be set at a time, each holding 4 presets for a total of 16 presets. These are changeable though the turtle beach software. The headset has a non removable battery, and is charged through a mini usb on the right earcup. Note: The headset remains on while charging, but it can also still be used while charging.
The headset sounds great if you're using the correct preset. While playing CoD, I can hear footsteps from miles away. Bass is a little lacking in some of the modes, I wish there was a hardware button for bass boost. But, the headset does do a good job at giving a sense of direction. When listening to music, make sure to set it to a no surround preset, otherwise there is a slight, but distinct echo.
I would have been glad to give this 5 stars, but the earcups were extremely shallow and hurt my ears after about an hour of playing. This was a decently easy fix, I picked up a pair of memory foam earcups that were designed for the Sure SRH840 and they work well. Also, the lack of a hardware bass boost button would have been liked. But, otherwise a solid headset for the price. | video-games_xbox |
Good, but not great. I think I have officially gotten older. I loved the first Mass Effect, and really enjoyed Mass Effect 2. I love the story, and the combat was vastly improved for this second outing which I loved. I also loved how it imported my Mass Effect 1 character. That totally hooked me, and has me excited about my choices I made in Mass Effect 2 how it will effect 3. So well done Bioware.
My biggest problem was that it was too similar to Mass Effect 1. There really wasn't a lot new introduced to Mass Effect 2 then 1. I mean, new combat sure, but there we were, on a ship, just a little nicer, traveling pretty much the same. And the whole game is picking up new people, doing loyal missions, complete game. Just not really a lot of variance. I like in the first one how we could walk around the citadel in this beautiful environment, go to the ship, and talk to the crew. This one, is pretty much exactly the same, without the Citadel. So I know it's a sequel, so gameplay must stay a little similar, but almost exact? Seemed boring and lazy to me. Even the ship was almost exactly the same! Most sequels I've played offer variance that make it different, this one really didn't for me. Even with the battle being better, the story was better in the first one for me. Maybe because it was new. I still enjoyed the story here, but I wasn't amazed by it.
My biggest complaint, and this is where my "getting older" comment comes from, is that was just too long. I like doing as many side missions as possible and my final time clocked in close to 60 hours. Near the end, I just didn't care anymore about the plot, I just wanted it over. I don't want to feel that way at the end of games. I wish it was 25-30 hours including side missions.
There was some incredible scenes, and the story was very well done. However, I just felt it was just too long, the story got repetitive for me, and was just a little let down. This absolutely doesn't mean I won't pick up Mass Effect 3, I just hope it offers more to the game, rather then repeat everything we've done already.
So that makes it 3 stars for me. Good, but not great. | video-games_xbox |
Sam "Gears of War" Fisher. Splinter Cell has been my favorite game series since it first arrived on the scene. The stealth action and gadgets not to mention it's emphasis on avoidance and evasion game play made it unique. Sadly all that made Splinter Cell stand out is gone and it's been turned into a hybrid rip off of Gears of Wars and Call of Duty. Killing is the emphasis in the single player campaign, so much so that the developers have even automated the process with the new "Mark and Execute" feature that allows you to select up to 4 bad guys and press one button then sit back and watch Sam kill in a slow motion bullet time splatterfest. Forget about catching and disabling an enemy, now Sam just goes for blood. You can sneak up on a guard but your options now are kill him or capture him then kill him or use him as a human shield then kill him. Sam can't use a whistle or pickup and throw objects to distract or lure guards as in the past. No longer do you hide bodies either. Just as with all the other shooters just stroll into a room go on a killing rampage and exit the other side, rinse and repeat. Gone is any thought required to evade and/or capture. No need to hack or pick locks anymore either, that too would take to much time away from the killing! Sam's rapages are aided by a new "duck and cover" style system that makes the game feel like a Gears of War rip-off rather then a Splinter Cell game. The levels are now much more arcade like and closed off similar to the Call of Duty series. This detracts from the open world feel of the previous games in the series.
On the plus side, gone are the simplistic busy work mini games that the developers either thought were really cool or tried to use as filler for the previous Splinter Cell Double Agent.
The language in this game is appaling, I've heard less "F-Bomb's" at Eddie Murphy concerts. There's little to no point of every other word being some variation of the F-Bomb!!! Was this written by 12 year olds that get a laugh everytime they hear the F word?
For real fans of Sam Fisher Splinter Cell Conviction will likely disappoint. It's dumbed down and is no longer a stealth action game but has become a third person shooter. For those that don't have the attention span and/or patients to play a thinking persons game and want dumbed down run and gun rampages this is your game. | video-games_xbox |
Very good cans for the melon. I got these a little more than a month ago, and have been lovin' them since. I was a bit hesitant on getting these as I've read mixed reviews, but I feel that the bad reviews were either a bad set or they just didn't set them up correctly. I wanted true 5.1 instead of simulated surround, and I just couldn't afford a full HT, plus I can turn up the volume up at night without bothering anyone.
To explain some of the "issues", I have read that they sound "Tinny", well right out of the box, I would agree. At first impression I thought "please don't let this be how they sound, or they are going back", BUT I have found, and read, that you have to set them up right. I completely agree. I spent around an hour trying out different volume amounts for the different speakers with the amount of delay as well. Now they sound fantastic. Not "Tinny" at all. Very natural sound with excellent bass.
Also read that they hiss a lot. Sorta True. Again you have to set them up right. Turn down the volume on the ACU, and use the in-line control for higher volumes with NO hiss. Mine are perfectly quiet, er no distortion. :)
Also read people having problem with the mic. Not really their fault, the included documentation is outdated and not very helpful. The first time I plugged them in, the mic didn't work, or so I thought. What the doc didn't show was that the mic should face straight out, with the notch lining up, and push all the way in an turn to lock in place. The boom will bend toward your mouth. After that, presto the mic works perfectly.
Also read that you can not power off the headset. Not True. Press and hold mute (side button) and press/hold Front button. The ACU has its own power button. *Seems redundant, but used when you pass thru the sound without using the headset.
Overall, they are very good. Not too heavy for extended use. Sound field is great. I'm hearing sounds in games that I didn't notice before. They can get very very loud if you want to. I would easily recommend these.
Pros:
-Excellent surround field (need to set up to optimize)
-Not too heavy (Ears don't hurt, nor get sweaty)
-Very good mic (Separate volume adjust for mic)
-5.1 Pass thru (can pass thru 5.1 to external speakers with headset off/on)
Cons:
-Documentation (Outdated - new version has one AC unit, doc still shows two AC adapters, images don't match)
-When powering on headset, speakers make loud Pop.
**TIP** I used to do this when setting up HT speakers as well. Use a game, like RDR, that has a continuous sound (I used the steam sound from the locomotive) and face the sound source. Now as you turn around in game, the volume of the source should sound the same all the way around evenly. Adjust to match. Should sound like an even circle around you. On mine, I have the Sub and Center slightly higher than the Front and Rear. | video-games_xbox |
So this is supposed to be the best? I'm not impressed. This is a short term review, I've owned these for only 3 days and just want to get my initial thoughts out. I'll update later if necessary.
If you're like me you've read way to many reviews on these and got a lot of mixed messages so I thought I'd clear the air.
Comfort:
They're not comfortable. I'm an adult with a medium sized head and they're a tad too big on me after adjusting them to the smallest size. They are still wearable but not an ideal fit. They are also a little heavy. After a few hour or longer gaming sessions I'd have to take them off for periods.
The Sound:
I currently have a Bose 5.1 setup. (those mini double speakers) These sound about the same as it. If you're using your tv speakers you'll be blown away but if you already have a good sound system don't expect much. Though I was geeking out when I plugged them into my PC and got to hear the difference between my stereo 10 year old harmon/kardon's and these. I do wish these headphones had more base. They have a little but they are certainly not as good as the beats by dre headphones I've tried out. Also one little tid bit, the high pitch sounds come in almost too loud. On one of the songs I listened to anytime they pronounced an S word the S sound was almost painful. Maybe good for footsteps but not music. One thing I'll give these headphones over my 5.1 setup is you can place sounds extremely well. In Bf3 I got a nice extra kill hearing someone behind me.
Also someone mentioned a .2 sec or something delay in the sound - the sound comes out at the exact same time as my regular speakers so ignore that.
Current setup, HDMI to receiver for my home sound, then the separate dongle with optical out (xbox 360) into the XP500 for headphones sound. You can have both on at once.
Batteries:
They eat your controller batteries (xbox 360) if you do the wireless chat as well as having a demand on the headphone batteries. You plug a blue tooth thing into the controller which lets you talk via xbox live and it eats up your controller batteries. The headset also takes 2 double A batteries. I ordered a wired talkback cable <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Turtlebeach-X31-X41-X11-PX21-PX5-XP400-XP500-Xbox-Live-Talkback-Cable-Puck-Black-TB450-2181-01-Official-Replacement-Cable-NEW/dp/B008BVUOBU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Turtlebeach X31/X41/X11/PX21/PX5/XP400/XP500 Xbox Live Talkback Cable Puck Black (TB450-2181-01) Official Replacement Cable NEW</a> to try and help with the battery thing. I'll update if it helps. As soon as you unplug the blue tooth the controller low battery indicator goes away. Rechargeable batteries don't keep as much juice as fresh new batteries and mine were just not lasting at all... Update: the talkback cable preserves your controller batteries pretty well. Use it instead of the Bluetooth.
Wireless Interference?:
I have Verizon Fios and their wireless router with my wifi PC, wireless mouse and keyboard and they all work just fine with the headset in use. THOUGH, if I walk to the other side of the room the headset will start picking up static. Also a funny little bit, if I connect my phone to the wifi and start browsing pages on my phone, the headset will pick up static each time a new page loads. So I guess it depends on what you have for wifi in your house.
Setup:
I felt it was kind of limited. You have to use Optical cable to the wireless transmitter for surround sound. It has an Optical in and an Optical out. It also has the old Red and White in for stereo sound. I believe you can hook your headphones up wired if you get a toslink to toslink optical cable (or you can buy adapters) It looks like headphone cable end except it has an optical tip. That's how I setup my PC to use its sound. I have an iMac and all apple pc headphone jacks double as toslink optical cable outputs. (I'm not an apple buff, I'm currently running windows on this thing, just had to mention)
And of course for power there's a usb to transmitter wire.
Oh and you can only have one wireless headset hooked up, you can do another wired but one is the max for wireless on the transmitter. Max 2, one wired, one wireless.
Oh, I did fail to mention it has blue tooth so you can connect it with your phone and play music on it that way. Pretty cool. Hold the blue tooth button down on the headset when turning on blue tooth mode and it should say blue tooth pairing (or turn it off first). Then look for it on your phone. It uses the chat (blue tooth) volume control, not the main one.
Programmable:
Don't care, haven't tried. Btw presets are just bad.
I was thinking about returning them but I'll probably just hold on to them. I mean they work so why not, can't say I'd recommend them to anyone though. If you just want to spoil yourself and don't care about the money then maybe. That's where I was when I bought them. :) But don't expect them to redefine sound for you if you already have a good speaker setup. | video-games_xbox |
What you see is not what you get! Not all Playstation controler to Xbox adaptors are the same. Summary: This listing is not for the X-Connection. It's for a later adaptor called The Connection. Both are Playstation to Xbox adaptors that should work with standard Playstation controllers, but this item will NOT work on certain analogue racing controlers like the NeGcon and JogCon as the X-Connection does. I have not used The Connection, so if you want that item, dissregard my review. If you are looking for the X-Connection, this listing is not what you want. For more detail, read my review below.
My one star rating is not based on this item, the X-Connection, but based on the item being different than what is listed. The item is listed and pictured as the "X Connection" yet the item being sold is "The Connection" I am sending back "The Connection" unused, so I cannot vouch for how well it does what it is designed to do. They are both adaptors for using a PlayStation controller on an Xbox. So, if that is all you want, either one should probably work perfectly fine. However, the X-Connection has features not found on The Connection, mainly support for the NeGcon and JogCon controllers. I saw the device title, picture, and description. I had no questions about the product, since the item pictured and listed was exactly what I wanted. As such, I never read the user questions. Since I was buying direct from Innovation Inc (the manufacturer), I assumed that I would get exactly what they had listed. Incorrect, they sent out The Connection, not the X-Connection. When I contacted them, they said that it was clarified in the user questions. I think a different item should have a different listing and that this is unacceptable. They offered to accept a return if I sent it back at my own expense. I contacted Amazon to have them intervene. I find it quit unfair to expect me to pay return shipping on an item listed incorrectly. I also reported the image and listing title. Hopefully the listing will be corrected, but I felt the need to give this item one star since the listing does not match the description. Hopefully it is corrected, and when it is, I will be happy to delete this review if Amazon lets me. | video-games_xbox |
Madden should be ashamed to have his name attached to this. In all fairness, EA Sports doesn't put out games to simply mess with our feelings. For years now, game reviewers, casual fans, and diehard fans alike have been clamoring for new and innovative changes towards the game. I remember when Madden NFL 08 and 09 were putting up average to above-average scores on gaming magazines for just a lack of innovation. Same can be said about EA's struggling NBA Live franchise. So, through the new features that many have discussed in the reviews below, Madden NFL 13 indeed has integrated new changes while maintaining their yearly quotas. This is business, and EA Sports understands well that we are simply sheep following the herd to yet another year of Madden Football on our home consoles.
I've been a regular buyer of Madden games since 2003 and it has been a staple of my video game collection; something I cannot live without each year. As one of the only football fans in my group of friends, I generally played it alone for its excellent Franchise mode, customization options, and coach mode because well...that's the only way to play it by yourself and have some semblance of self-dignity.
I admit it, the game looks crisper than ever. I feel the players fighting for every yard, the opening sequences are excellent, and CCM is not the worst thing to come out of the toolshed this year. However, the customization options are entirely gone. The progressions are BRUTALLY realistic, almost like the career of Bo Jackson. I wouldn't be surprised that any of the developers at EA Sports don't own a personal copy of the game, because if they knew what was successful and not over the course of the last decade of Madden brilliance, there would be no way someone would have the stupid ideas to pull off a stunt like this. The took the right step if that step was off a cliff behind their studio. People who live in oppressed nations have more customizable choices with their lives than this game gives to us in total. Okay, bad reference, but you understand my beef.
There's a reason why Calvin Johnson wasn't affected by the Madden curse this year and went on to break the single season reception yards record. Because this disgrace is not even worthy to being called a Madden game. Now where's my copy of 12? | video-games_xbox |
Great for Fans. 3.5/5 Rating
First of all I should say I am a huge Agatha Christie/Hercule Poirot fan! On that bias alone I could have gleefully given this game a 5/5 but alas its not quite that good.
This game is a strange combination of the puzzler and point and click genres. There is absolutely no 'action' at all and it is read heavy. I found the game fun and nostalgic in many ways. Fans of Hercule, Hastings and Japp will be delighted to see them true to form here, witty statements and all. The voice acting is decent among the characters. A particularly funny nod to Hercule's famous ego is a gaming element that awards points based on acting as the real, egotistical Hercule Poirot would. For example you can gain points for having Hercule look into a mirror and fix his mustache at a crime scene. There is a lot of fan service here with great, funny and familiar scenes between the main characters.
The game is based on the book The ABC Murders and if you have read the book then you will already know the who and the how but now you must collect the clues! Meeting the cast of characters in game is quite fun and true to the book. I will say that not every scene from the book has made it into the game but it follows closely.
There are some aspects I would have preferred to be done differently. I'm a bit picky here but if you are use to the cast of Hercule Poirot that features David Suchet, most of the in game characters match except Hastings who does not look like Hugh Fraser at all! Another area in which more could have been done is the voice acting, while decent, one can only imagine if they had been able to get David Suchet, Hugh Fraser and the cast to do the voice overs!
Now for the not so great aspects. The game is slow paced and can get dull during questioning/clue finding sessions. Nostalgia carried me thru but even I must admit it can be a bit tiresome. The largest complaint I have is that the point and click features on the Xbox One are hard to carry out and apparently would do better on a PC. Some puzzles require odd positioning of hands on the controls. And as others have mentioned, this is a short game. Even if you want get all the trophies a replay might be to much as you of course now know exactly who, why and how the murders were done.
That being said, if you are a fan of Hercule this is an excellent nod to the World's Greatest Detective! I found it fun but flawed, I still would recommend to any fans of Agatha Christie and her famous detective. | video-games_xbox |
Just an OK action horror game. I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed The Evil Within at first. I had read pretty much only lukewarm reviews about it before I purchased it. The game starts out feeling like it could be a remake to Resident Evil 4. It has a similar look and feel and even the enemies are just basically zombies. There's a decent pace to the game as you go into combat scenarios, overcome your enemies, search the area for items and move onto the next combat scenario. The game goes on like this for awhile, mixing things up here and there with boss battles, very simple puzzle solving(nothing anyone will get stuck on), and death traps.
Then it goes on. And on. And on. I felt like this game was just too long and too little variety. I understand that developers need to justify their $60 price tag these days by inflating the experience to 15-20 hours, but when you start repeating boss battles, or start throwing in arbitrary on rails vehicle sequences and turret sections....maybe it's just time to cut the fat and make a good, solid 7-10 hour game experience. Worse, there is nothing that really compels you forward. The games story only hints at coherence, and the game plays around with the insanity angle so much there is never a feeling of place and purpose like you might find in a game like Bioshock or The Last of Us. There is the feeling that none of this real permeating through the game, and therefore none of it matters.
On the other hand, the game does come up with some impressive visuals. The psychotic theme allows them to basically do whatever they want with the setting, and so the world will twist and change around you at any given moment. You might find yourself in a broken ruins of a city, or an oppressive death trap filled dungeon, or a field of sunflowers with the sun setting in the distance. It is sometimes a beautiful game, and sometimes it is beautifully horrifying.
That said, it's never really scary. Like, at all. Early on there is a sequence where you have no way to fight back and that is actually fairly tense, but you quickly amass an arsenal even Rambo would envy, and like all action horror games there is no longer a sense of helplessness and all you really have to worry about is conserving ammo.
And, that's the what this all really boils down to: The horror genre in gaming has changed. Games like Outlast are now creating more atmospheric and terrifying experiences in 5-6 hours in what The Evil Within never accomplishes in its 15-20 hours. This game could really be anything. You could be fighting aliens or ghosts or demons. It all just becomes window dressing when you're the most powerful character in the game. And cheap insta death traps don't add to the tension so much as frustrate the experience further.
The game is filled with little issues that just drag down the overall experience. Somewhere buried here is a decent action-horror game that could have been truly memorable if it had a little more vision and direction. | video-games_xbox |
Visually stunning, mostly playable : 4.5. Canadian software developer and publisher Ubisoft has outdone themselves in this, their latest colaborative outing with author Tom Clancy. While not perfect, Splinter Cell sets the new standard for immersive game environments and lighting effects. The models and texture maps are astoundingly detailed, and the level designers really went out of their way to think of everything and include it in a most believable way. I would definately have to consider this game a must-have for xbox, if only because of the benchmark it represents, although there is much more to appreciate here than just visuals. The ambiant music and FX audio fits so well with the overall feel of the game that you may not even notice it's presence, just experience it as a natural extension of what is being presented on the screen.
The story line is interesting and believeable (you can read the synopsis elsewhere), and the cutscenes are quite well done, if a bit redundant. The dialogue is extremely well acted by Michael Ironside (our hero Sam Fischer) and company. The extra materials, including some "making of" videos, and an interview with our animated protagonist were a nice touch.
Controllability is mostly adequate as well. I'm usually a PC guy with FPS type games, but this game handles very well with the console controls. Some of the acrobatic maneuvers that are used in the game are a bit temperamental, always at the most inconvenient times, and I really think the Ubisoft game testers may have been a bit too concerned with the graphics to concentrate adequately on some of the playability issues that come up.
It's the playability issues alone that keep me from giving this game a 5 star rating. A few "quirky" issues here and there add up to several instances in the game where you are forced to replay sections ad-nauseum before you can commit all of the AI patterns and reaction sequences adequately to memory before being able to proceed to the next section, and sometimes success seems to come by blind luck. Also, there are a few aspects of gameplay that simply do not add up, or function spurradically to the point of being just too frustrating. Ubisoft made some real transparent programming and level-design decisions to make sure players are made aware that this is NOT A SHOOTER. Examples would include; a very limited supply of ammunition and pick-ups, the main character's inability to live through more that a few confrontations, and his atrocious markmanship. OK, Ubi, I understand that this isn't Halflife, but why not let me play the game how I choose? The storyline is essentially 100% linear as it is, why limit it even further? Also of note to some players - there are reportedly no cheats codes whatsoever programmed into Splinter Cell. I will admit that some of the frustration I experienced in playing made me go surfing for ways to bypass certain parts.
I may be being a little too harsh on the cons here, but it's probably because all the other elements are so well done that these imperfections stand out all the more. With a little extra massaging and tweaking, we could have seen a perfect execution (no pun intended), but we are still left with what is certainly one of the best titles out there for Xbox to date. A very good choice for your next purchase. | video-games_xbox |
Kart racing at it's finest. Story / Level Design:
The racers and stages are all from the Sega universe, not just Sonic's world. It's not an evenly weighted ratio with more Sonic levels available than others. It makes sense since the typical gamer is only really familiar with the blue needle mouse.
The tracks are brilliant. The stage designs feel like F-Zero / Wipeout meshed with a high definition coloring book wrapped in familiar surroundings.
Controls:
The 360's controls are sharp and responsive. The button layout isn't in any way cumbersome or complicated to master.
RT = gas
LT = drift
A = weapon drop
Drift through corners to build boost. When airborne, LT again to do tricks.
Gameplay:
The game engine isn't something completely revolutionary ... it's an updated Mario Kart. Much like the plumber's clones (Crash Team Racing, Diddy Kong Racing, NASCAR Kart Racing, etc), there are power-ups (missiles, stationary bombs, screen distorters), track shortcuts, and ground boosts / obstacles.
Where this game differs from the past is in something completely unheard of ... fairness. When in the lead, you're given the opportunity to really drill the competition. NO flood of blue shells during lap 3. There are no triple heat seeking red shell combos. There is no CPU assault of power-ups to lessen your lead. No matter when in first or last, you have the same opportunity to play.
Final thoughts:
As of today, this game is the undisputed king of racing games. The graphics, gameplay, and overall presentation is spectacular. I tried to not make so many comparisons to Mario Kart Wii, but it's hard not to. This game smokes Nintendo's offering. This game is what people want, a kart racer that feels familiar but is presented in 2010 gaming standards.
Again, this review is for the 360 version. I'm sure the Wii will try to incorporate some goofy Wiimote motion controls with washed out graphics, so don't apply these comments to that version.
With the PS3's exclusive ModNation Racers due sometime this year, Sega's Kart offering might not stay king for long, but it's definitely worth a play. If you enjoy Mario Kart Wii, this is a must play. If you hated Mario Kart Wii because of its flaws, Sonic Racing feels redeeming. | video-games_xbox |
One of the better release titles, an unexpected pleasure. I'm going to preface by saying that I saw the negative reviews for this title here on Amazon before ever trying the game, and went in with relatively low expectations. People knocked it for being a Red Dead Revolver clone, or they knocked it for not being like the Grand Theft Auto franchise, or they knocked it for being like the Grand Theft Auto franchise. You can see below, some call it boring, they ramble incoherently about gnomes (or 'knomes', perhaps they were going for something else), and generally pan the title. Certainly, as reviews are the opinions of those writing them, some diversity in terms of the overall appreciation for a given title is to be expected. But in this case, I think the game is taking hits for all the wrong reasons.
My sole substantiative complaint about Gun, is actually something of a positive testament to how fun I found it. I feel it's too short. I wish the storyline and the experience as a whole had lasted a little longer. I'd have also preferred to go without the constant in-your-face encouragement to race on to the next mission, but that's hardly unique to this title. I would have liked to have seen a lot more to do in terms of side quests (although, to be fair, there's already a ton). In particular, I would have liked to have seen the towns and frontier a little more 'alive' affording unscripted fun off the beaten path, and away from the main attractions. On the next to hardest difficulty level, there's maybe 18-20 hours of game play here, including getting all the side quests to 100%. So if I'm going to offer any bit of advice to prospective players, it would be that you go no lower than that level, or perhaps play on 'Insane' (the highest) in order to pace yourself.
One caveat about Gun, is that it is absolutely a mature title. Those familiar with the HBO original series 'Deadwood' would find that in parts, Gun manages to offer an equal or greater degree of explicit situations and dialog. There are a number of scenes that are surprisingly graphic. It is all part of the aesthetic though, all fits in well, and none of it came off as gratuitous. In fact, and this is an area that will certainly vary with taste, I thought it really added to the game. There were a few points where I stopped sneaking up behind someone to take them out, because I was too interested and/or amused by something the guy was saying or singing. Certainly this is a title where taking your time can yield some unexpected laughs and double-takes.
I'll leave the other standard game review fare to others for the most part. Suffice it to say that the audio and visual presentation are exceptional. Is it making full use of the 360's potential? I suspect not, particularly since it also arrived on the previous generation consoles -- but few/no launch titles ever do. The game is not lacking graphically, and visually it's clear that some really talented artists worked on the skies, landscapes, characters, towns, etc. It's as nice to look at as it is fun to play.
Within Gun, you will be a law man, a hunter, you will ride for the Pony Express, you will be an outlaw, a prospector, a rancher, a man seeking revenge and answers, and you'll even get some Texas No Limit Hold'em in along the way. You'll carry rifles, revolvers, shotguns, bows, dynamite, tomahawks, knives and swords -- all in the name of surviving, hunting, defending, and seeking justice. To offer too much about the story line would just take away from your experience, should you choose to rent or purchase, so I'll simply say that while some elements are almost cliche or very common to the Western genre, it was still completely entertaining.
I didn't expect to like Gun anywhere near as much as I have. I'm writing this just after finishing the game, and I'm entirely comfortable saying that I'm sorry it's over. Here's one consumer hoping more titles like this are developed. How about a sequel, Neversoft and Activision?
I'm glad I own this one, glad I played it, and unlike a few other release titles, I intend to hang on to this one for future replay. It is absolutely worth a rental, and I personally find it entirely worthy of purchase. | video-games_xbox |
BTTF The Game finally arrives on Microsoft's Consoles. I've been waiting to play this game for along time and it finally arrives today
for the Xbox 360 & The XBOne
If you love the Back to the Future Films..... This games is a must have/play
The only thing i know about it it's a unofficial follow up to part III co-written by Bob Gale
I've stayed clear of all the info on this game for years Cause I was hoping to be able to play it on home console one day
and the day has finally arrived.....
It looks awesome from the screen shots I've seen of it
Update 10-13-2015
I would've loved to express my thoughts on this title but, my copy came today broken in the case!
My luck is horrid...... guess I'll have to wait a little longer........
Update 10-19-15
After putting 2 hours into this title I'm torn
Let's all be honest Talltale Games put out broken unpolished titles all the time
This the 30th Anniversary of Back to the Future is no exception to that
It should've been tested much better before it was released to the public
There are bugs in the game (audio will drop out, some items will not be on screen)
I handed a character a document the character was holding a invisible doc. in his hands for a little while then the document magically appear in his hands. I played this 10-18-2015 there should've been a patch by now....
Graphics: are a mixed bag I'm surprised the people behind this game did the art style
It looks strange and very hard to get use to
It has a cartoon look to it but, it's off they should've copied the BTTF Animated cartoons look imo (But, I'm old and lame)
sometime it has this strange Disney look to it other times it don't
the look overall never stays leveled sometime i think I'm playing a game on the Game Cube
Other times it looks really crisp and you know it's back to the future!
Controls: The controls are meh
the biggest problem with the controls is wrestling with the fixed camera
If you love the original Resident Evil and Silent Hill titles you'll be at home with it
the fixed camera is a nightmare
It doesn't break the game but, it's your biggest enemy in the game
Sound:
the sound and all v/o actors are the strongest thing so far
getting a number of the original cast members to do this was a massive effort
whoever does the v/o as Marty McFly did a decent job (he mimics Michael J. Fox close to flawlessly but, there are a few hiccups you'll catch) Nothing major
Thomas F. Wilson does most of the heavy lifting doing a laundry list of Tannen's
the v/o actor who did George McFly was way off (how they couldn't get Crispin Glover I'll never understand)
you also get the iconic Score (which adds alot to the feel of the game)
One thing i realized Telltale Games is the Zack Snyder of game developers
they never put out any original IP's they grab onto licenses that already have a massive fan base and build games based on there property
and nobody questions them or at least calls them out for this?
If the games ran smooth with no bugs or problems there would be no negativity towards them but, that's there tell....
It's still a steal at $19.99 plus it has new Bonus exclusives new to this 30th Anniversary release
I'm sure i'll enjoy it The story is the strongest part the horrible fixed camera with so/so controls can be forgiven 9/10
I guess Telltale Games don't believe in quality control none of there titles can ever run smoothly
I'm shocked Telltale hasn't tried to broker a deal for a Quantum Leap game
that series still has a massive fan base and let's be honest the ending of the series was a downer with no real closer | video-games_xbox |
I actually thought it was great. I was very worried when I read the reviews for this game...I was a late bloomer when it came to this series, having played the first one only this past April. I had read so many critical reviews of this sequel that I was afraid the whole series would be ruined for me, but I'm so glad now that I bought this game (I got it used on this site for only 22 dollars, but I feel it would have been worth the 60 bucks anyway!).
Yes, the maps are reused ridiculously. I almost considered giving this game 4 stars just because of that, but when I weighed all the other aspects of it, I realized that it didn't matter that much to me. At least there were always sacks and crates and chests and the like to loot every time. I enjoyed switching the city from day to night because even if I'd already explored the entire city during that "time period," there were often new quests or enemies to fight if I'd comb over the areas again.
I thought the graphics were so much better in this game than the first one! This game was actually a joy to look at. I have HD for my Xbox 360 so I don't know what it looks like on a regular TV, but it looked great on mine. The voice acting was also very well done, as was the character development. Story-wise, I also enjoyed it. Sure, I found the idea of the Blight fascinating in the first game, but maybe I'm just a nerd...I enjoyed the politics and twisted storyline that this game holds. I know it's a good game when I actually feel for the characters and feel the need to stand up for certain races in the game.
I didn't mind so much that you couldn't equip your party members with as much as you could in the first. I also think there were still PLENTY of quests that made the game interesting. I plugged in about 50 or 51 hours into my first playthrough, and that was without playing on the hardest difficulty or leaving the game on to walk away for awhile and then come back. Sure, the first game without the DLC gave me about 30 more hours than that, but for me it was pretty satisfying. I thought Mass Effect 2 was great and long, and with all the DLC that still only gave me 46 hours.
This game also has replayability because I'm eager to start it again as a different class and side with opposite allies and romances this time, just like in the first one. I enjoyed the combat a lot more in this one too; it was a lot faster and there were some pretty epic special attacks. Lots of button mashing, sure, but that can get addicting in itself and it's fast paced enough to stay interesting.
A few times my xbox sounded like it was gonna blow up while loading things in this game, but it could be that I just have an old box. There were also only a few instances where the game kind of froze and I had to reload, but that's forgivable in my book. Some have said that there's a feeling of being "trapped in town" but although you spend the majority of your time there, I didn't find it so stressful because it was big enough and plenty of quests.
I think that people who loved the first game shouldn't be afraid to try this one. I went into it expecting to be disappointed, and I found myself pleasantly surprised and immersed in the game. | video-games_xbox |
Versatility and function exist with the Polk 4Shot. It's interesting to note just how many offerings are available concerning gaming headsets that currently exist on the market to date. We've gone from a limited variety to a plethora (and yes...that is a very fitting use of that word) of choices in gaming headsets. When it comes to reviews for headsets, you the reader, must be very careful, considerate and mindful about what you're reading, because the likes and dislikes of a particular headset are COMPLETELY subjective. Why do I say that? I will tell you exactly why: Personal Preference. Why does it really come down to those two little words? I will tell you exactly why: The success or failure of a particular gaming headset is, largely, up to the individuals expectations and what that person has determined to be their comfort zone concerning 3 things: 1) Quality, 2) Engineering and 3) Wireless or Wired.
Frankly, I'm surprised that we still have the huge amount of gaming headset offerings that we do, but it still comes down to those two little words: Personal Preference. And that, my friends, is why it is very difficult to write a considerate and constructive review for a gaming headset. On that note, let's make one more distinction. There is a difference between audio/music headphones and a gaming headset. Yes, yes! I know that many reading this already know that differentiating fact. That info is not for those in the know, but rather for those that are just getting into gaming and need to hear/read from those that are seasoned gamers. It's a part of sharing knowledge that we need to be willing to do for those that are new to gaming. Very, very rarely do we see an audio device that can "Cross" perform successfully between listening to music and playing a game and still deliver the listening experience that we desire. While it is true that, for the most part, audio devices can do this that is NOT the point. The point is that you'll noticeably lose that discernible something in the audio experience when you use a pair of music headphones for gaming and vice-versa. Furthermore, there is typically a physical distinction between a pair of music headphones and a gaming headset in the form of a microphone, be it a boom type or built in, which is included on 98% of gaming headsets on the market.
From one fellow gamer to you, let's discuss: The Polk 4Shot Gaming Headset.
If you don't know it yet, this headset is the direct descendent of the Polk Melee Gaming Headset for the Xbox 360. I wrote a complete review of the Polk Melee Gaming Headset and here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1G6PN4K6QJ1VW/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00E1L784A
The difference between these two headsets is that with the Polk 4Shot you're connected straight to the Xbox One gamepad versus the Polk Melee's dedicated proprietary mixamp setup and long cables. That's it! As far as utility and function are concerned, they're both the same! The Polk 4Shot Gaming Headset can be used across multiple gaming platforms that will accept a 3.5mm audio connection just like the Polk Melee. This includes straight-to-device connections as well as connecting through separate external audio solutions such as the Sound Blaster Omni 5.1 external sound card, the Diamond Multimedia Extreme Sound 24bit 7.1 external sound card, the Plantronics RIG Mixamp and even the Astro Gaming Mixamp Pro. The potential versatility that exists for not only the Polk Gaming Headset lineup, but also for the plethora of gaming headsets that utilize the 3.5mm audio connection is a big huge seller for me as a gamer. I'm no longer interested in gaming headsets that are strictly proprietary in their connections...for example, say a PC only connection through USB, or a combo-connection USB and 3.5mm (where typically the USB is used for power). Gaming headsets that boast multi-device, cross-platform versatility and functionality are the crowd pleasers and eye catchers these days and will tend to sell more often than proprietary setups. This is not to say that USB headset connections are bad. They're great! However, if you want to break away from being boxed in with your audio solutions, then by all means consider the Polk 4Shot, the Polk Melee or the abundance of other gaming headsets that feature the 3.5mm audio connection.
The build quality, comfort and performance are top notch even taking into consideration the issues of microphone performance being experienced by many reviewers. That said, I haven't experienced the level of performance issues that others have had with the microphone. I simply just don't really have a problem with it. Call it what you will, be it good fortune or just plain luck. I didn't buy my Polk 4Shot Gaming Headset from Amazon, but rather purchased them from a local retailer that has them priced at a ridiculously low price. If you have any questions about the Polk 4Shot, the Polk Melee or even another gaming headset that uses the 3.5mm audio connection, then please, let me know and I'll be more than happy to assist you as much as I can. | video-games_xbox |
Rent it. Don't pay retail price for this game. Wet is rather shallow on storyline and comes in at under 20 hours of unique gameplay. By unique I mean that you could get more time out of it by replaying challenges and the campaign on different difficulties but there isn't anymore original or really varied content after one quick play through. With that said if you enjoy third person shooters with the bullet time gimmick a la Dead to Rights, Max Payne and Stanglehold then this games deserves a rental. You can get most everything you will ever get out of it in a week or less.
Major Pros:
*A really great aesthetic, the game looks and sounds like a Tarantino daydream. Fun, over the top music choices and art direction.
*Some of the "arena challenges" can really get the heart going and the hands sweating. Shouting may ensue.
*Simple but fun combat mechanics, the controls are intuitive and easy to learn without being too simple to enjoy.
*You get a sword which leads to some acrobatic slice and dice fun.
Major Cons:
*The enemies are all just clones of each other with small aesthetic differences and varying levels of accuracy and durability so don't expect much there.
*Pacing: The checkpoint system and arena battles leads to some frustrating replays. The 20th time you hear the same song start up on the same part of the game you've been stuck on for the past 20 minutes is infuriating. On the hard difficulty 75% of my time was spent on 25% of the game.
*Becomes repetitive very quickly. The level design is beautiful but linear and your opponents are uninspired. You'll find yourself zoning out.
All in all the game was simple and fun with a really crazy vibe. In the end though the actual gameplay was not varied enough, the storyline was merely sufficient and the pacing was off. The game ends abruptly but I was ready for it to be over by then so I couldn't complain. Worth spending ten bucks on renting to give it a playthrough but don't buy it, there isn't enough premium gameplay here to justify $40-$60 in my mind. | video-games_xbox |
Black Ops is better. First off I'd like to say I really thought Black Ops was an amazing game. It had a great interface and gameplay. The only thing I didn't like about that game was that Killstreaks were weak.
What I like about Modern Warfare 3:
I really like the new killstreak system. They did a great job in designing a killstreak system that is both strong and counterable. I also like the new perks and alot of the maps.
What is stupid:
Black Ops made alot of progress. They had COD points, wager matches, customizable emblems, a good theater, and a great COD Player card.
Infinity Ward, in their arrogance scrapped everything that Black Ops did that improved the game. Most of this was put on COD Elite, which is a joke. I am stunned by how unprofessional Activision was in launching Elite. You do not launch a product unless you are done. I guess that is why they are a poor performing stock.
I can no longer view stats of those in my lobby and it is more difficult to add people to parties.
Infinity ward took away sound options and won't let me turn down the music so I can hear. They also made footsteps impossible to hear so turtle beaches are a waste in this game. I also have unlocked sitrep pro, and am still unimpressed. Even with 4x increased sound of the enemy, I still can't hear their footsteps as well as in blackops.
In addition, respawns are so much worse. Never in Black Ops did I have players respawn in an area I cleared. If I place down portable radars and am defending a flag and think everything is safe, people will start respawning in my perimeter. They don't even have to go through the doors to get to my flag. The game literally will spawn players where you are guarding.
In conclusion, I thought this game was going to be great with all the changes in Black Ops and new innovations of Modern Warfare 3. But they were overly arrogant and scrapped everything good about Black Ops. In addition, this game is so fast paced that you literally spawn in front of people, or behind their defenses. It is difficult to get out of the cycle where players spawn, get a kill, die and then repeat. I feel players should have to go for objects, not be spawned in them. For these reasons, this game that had such great potential, is crap.
I have been able to get really high killstreaks and have a good KD ratio, but it is not as fun as black ops. | video-games_xbox |
Ok story mode, they charge you extra for DLC characters and costume, poor online netcode, as a MK fan, I'm disappointed. Let me first start say that I was highly excited for the games release. Preordered it digitally but only the regular edition because the premium edition is a ripoff in my opinion. You don't charge people for characters you already made but hold back to count as DLC. Capcom did this with Street Fighter X Tekken and caught a huge backlash because their content was already on disk. I don't see a difference here with MKX.
The story is ok. Very predictable and it just drags. You know what's going to happen and they have the most ironic person as the hero in the ending. The new characters don't really excite me. Also they have a ton of characters in the story that you fight against that could have made their way to the roster like Sindel, Smoke, Rain, etc. They said they're thinking about releasing these characters as DLC in the future which again is frustrating considering they most likely will charge if they do decide to release characters they have also created.
I like Netherrealm games but it seems the movement is almost 'always icey.' I've had the same problem with MK9 and Injustice. The old Mortal Kombat games control were tight and right. That sounds inappropriate. The games are fun but they die faster than say a Capcom fighting game because input and online lag have always been a problem. The online net codes again arr bad. The lag is very noticeable and hard to perform combos you worked hard practicing for in training. This is the reason top tier players avoid playing online. It can throw off your timing in a real face to face match. Overall, it's a decent game but I wish they would adjust the movement and ice skating feel of the mechanics to be consistent like the old Mortal Kombat. Also I don't understand how you can constantly rushdown people when they're on the ground. Even upon waking up, certain EX attack, you're not safe. I say pick it up if you like fighting game but if you can wait until the price drops, wait.
Some things I do like is the Krypt where you go unlock stuff. It's a first person view where you have to find certain items like Raidens staff to unlock more areas. The monsters jumping out at you caught me by surprise when I first played. It's a new unique idea that I like. The towers are similar to that of MK9 and Injustice. Not much has really changed in MK9 and Injustice besides a slight graphic improvement. My biggest complaint is the online. They had over 3 years to learn from MK9 and Injustice and they made zero improvements.
*Update - After playing a ton of ranked matches online, it is fair to say the online netcode for this game is bad. DO NOT expect to go online and perform combos you have practiced in single player. Also the game is catered to projectile spamming in online matches. I'm 15-1 online ranked as of today but I still have to complain about how disappointed I am. | video-games_xbox |
Disappointing / Overated. Had I played this game right when it came out I may have been a little more lenient. Instead, I played this right after Red Dead Redemption, big mistake.
Everything Red Dead Redemption did well, GTA IV screws up. The characters are annoying, the endless cell phone ringing and obligations to your friends and girlfriends are distracting. The graphics are boring and uninspired (again I know this game is a bit dated now). The people walking around are just mindless robots and don't actually interact much with the scenery. The map itself is ridiculously boring. Street after street after street, some with tall buildings some with short buildings, oh hey there's Chinatown... Not that they could do much with a downtown NYC atmosphere anyways, just a bad choice of game location.
All of these complaints could be tolerable if the missions were actually fun to play and progressed the story (there was a story?). Instead, you get "Go shoot pool with Friend... Leave pool-hall drunk only to find your car has been moved down the street and you have to walk extremely slow in circles, drunk, to get back to it" Fun! NOT
Or how about the countless "Pick up this car and drive it from point A, clear across the map to point B"
Or my favorite "Choose which guy that has had minimal affect on the story and your relation to the character to shoot and kill"
Oh and screw up one part of one of these missions and it's back to the other side of the map for you.
All in all the missions were just plain boring. There are so many subplots that you completely lose track of where the end is or what you are ultimately trying to accomplish. The many faces of the protagonist Niko leave him completely unrelatable. I kept waiting for the game to come to it's excruciating end but it didn't. I ditched the game about halfway and went back to flower picking in Red Dead Redemption. Even that was more fun than this chore... | video-games_xbox |
Prepare to be Amazed. It says on the Halo DVD case that it's an Xbox exclusive. While this won't be true for much longer, due to the fact that developer Bungie are working on the PC version of the game, Bill Gates ought to be thanking his lucky stars right now.
Halo has had a long and varied history. Originally announced by Bungie Software two and a half years ago, Halo has transitioned through many things. Originally, it was a third-person shooter for PC with gameplay somewhat like Privateer. Now, after Microsoft's acquisition of Bungie, it's a first-person shooter for Xbox with gameplay more like Half-Life's. Even before development was completed, Halo's hype was incredible. Halo was one of the most anticipated games on any platform when it was released.
So, now, we must judge the game as it is, not as the hype says it is. Here is my conclusion: I've played nearly all of the seminal first-person shooters on any platform (DOOM, Half-Life, Goldeneye, etc.). Thus, I can say with a degree of authority that Halo leaves its competition in the dust.
Story is always a tricky thing in action games. Some designers (cough, id) simply ignore plot and focus more on guns, bombs, monsters, and more guns. Others try too hard to make an involved story and end up with the player just shaking his or her head saying "Huh?" (Remember Perfect Dark?) But some have done it well: Half-Life, Jedi Knight, etc. Halo falls squarely in the latter group.
Halo's story starts out as the kind of thing that you might expect to find in any sci-fi movie. It's five centuries into the future. Humanity has begun to explore the universe and formed a growing interstellar empire with millions upon millions of humans living offworld. The bad part: humanity has run into a group of alien species, the Covenant, that are not friendly. Add that to the fact that the Covenant has technology light-years ahead of ours and you have a problem. Gee, this sounds familiar.
But once the game's plot commences, you'll find that it isn't as derivative as the backstory seems. Halo takes place right after the destruction of Reach, the largest human colony since, well, Earth. Countless human ships and lives are lost but one cruiser escapes intact. In a desperate attempt to lure the Covenant away from Earth, they make a blind jump into hyperspace. They end up near a mysterious artificial ringworld: Halo. Unfortunately, the Covenant were watching, and they were able to track the cruiser. Captain Keyes, realizing that dozens of superior Covenant battlecruisers would immediately overwhelm his small ship, makes a strategic decision and orders everybody down to the ring.
You play as the Master Chief, a Marine that has been cybernetically and genetically enhanced over the course of his life. In the first mission, your task is to safely carry down Cortana, the ship's Artificial Intelligence, to Halo. Unfortunately, the Covenant have attached their boarding crafts to the ship. It'll be a wild ride.
The first mission is basically a cleverly disguised tutorial that also shows off some of Halo's biggest assets. The first of these is the graphics. Bungie did a superb job of harnessing the Xbox's graphical potential, filling their game with more detail than you can shake a plasma rifle at. Sometimes, these details are so natural and so realistic that you won't even realize that they're there. First of all, the lighting and shadow effects are superb, possibly the best that I've seen in a game. If you turn on your flashlight in front of a metal wall, you'll see the wall start to reflect the light. The same goes for your weapons: they actually react to the nearby light. The sound effects are also effective. Everything sounds like it would in real life, whether it's a ghostly echo of an automatic weapon firing. This is enhanced by superb voice acting, directing, and writing.
But all these would be useless if the gameplay didn't match up. Rest assured, gaming cynics, Halo will have you playing for a long time. In an interesting twist on the normal FPS tradition of making you carry every weapon you pick up, you can only carry two in Halo, adding a strategic edge. If you want sheer firepower, opt for the rocket launcher; if you want all-around effectiveness, pick up a plasma or pulse (er, assault) rifle. Or, you can do anything in between. The next twist involves the fact that you don't just have to use weapons: you'll also have access to a variety of vehicles, which will affect the way you play. You can go with the speedy and maneuverable (the jeep and hovercraft) or merely the powerful (the tank).
Gameplay mechanics are also quite impressive. Halo's gameplay is pretty open-ended for an action game. While you can conceivably just blow up everything in sight, you can also use stealth, speed, or merely try to find another way around. The impressive AI complements this: enemies that are stronger lead the assault while weaker ones run away or merely try to support the frontline ones. Enemies take cover, use formations, attack and retreat for another attack, etc. The best thing is that, despite the fact that this is a console first-person shooter, and controls actually work. For the first time, I was never left in want for a keyboard and mouse: it's that good.
In the end, Halo is the culmination of everything the genre has seen before. It takes the best elements of such games as DOOM, Half-Life, and Goldeneye and mixes them into one cohesive, superb game. If you have an Xbox, you owe it to yourself to pick Halo up. If you don't, you might as well buy one for it.
PROS: Pretty much everything. Great graphics, sound, gameplay.
CONS: Not much. Rooms get reused a lot in levels, but this isn't as big of a problem as you might think.
BOTTOM LINE: GET THIS GAME. | video-games_xbox |
Best FPS available on Xbox One. Just wow... Bethesda and ID software have done a fantastic job with this game. In my opinion, as long as you don't mind some blood and gore, this is the best FPS available for xbox one for both single player and multiplayer. I will break them down further separately.
Campaign:
Stunning graphics and fantastic art style. Maybe its just me but I am sick of all these shooters getting released where the armored characters look like shiny plastic toys with bright colors everywhere. It was nice to see extra effort and attention put towards the art style in this game. To go along with the great graphics and art was well-thought out and complex level design. They managed to create some great 3D labyrinths which reminded me enough of the original Doom while still feeling fresh. Also, there are plenty of secrets and easter eggs to find which really add to the replay value. Every time after I finish a level I think to myself, "I can't wait to go back and play that one again and find all the secrets I missed!" Pretty unique for games these days. The current trend is towards online multiplayer and the campaign is just there because they are supposed to have one and need to "check the box", which is completely NOT the case with Doom.
Multiplayer:
This portion of the game really surprised me. I was loving the campaign and after about 4 missions i decided to try out the MP (where i typically spend 99% of my time in FPS style games). After 2 games I wasn't sold and went back to the campaign to play another mission. After that I didn't have enough time to do another mission so back to the MP I went. After about 5 games I was in love.
They really simplified the standard FPS experience that other companies use in this day and age and made it play more like a real arena shooter. There are no gimmicky abilities, wall running, jetpacking, sprinting, or super powers that give players cheap ways to get kills (basically all the annoying stuff they added to Halo and COD). They stripped it down and made it about what shooters are supposed to be about, shooting other people with guns and having to actually aim those guns. They do have this demon rune feature which is the only thing i am not really a fan of yet where one person on the map gets to transform into a demon and then wreak havoc. There is some strategy to it and it is fun to use but it would need to be removed for the game to have more of a competitive feel. Overall, gunplay is great and the game is fast-paced and rewards players that know how to aim and strafe properly.
Armor customization.... HOT DAMN. The amount of armor customization available to the player is truly incredible. Want to be a shiny plastic looking action figure with bright colors? not my style but sure go for it. Want to be a rugged beat up soldier with scratches and dirt? now we're talking. Want to have an alien head and body with a weird robot right arm, and an alien left arm? whatever floats your boat. Seriously, I cannot believe how in depth they went with this, the options are endless. Every color has a matte, glossy, and metallic option as well as 3 different darkness options once you select the color. On top of that every color can be "weathered". Also, you can do the same thing for your guns!
The one feature I have not tried yet is the Snap Map mode so I can't comment too much on that but I have heard great things. It basically allows you to build your own maps and gamemodes. Also, it lets you publish them for others in the community to play and experience. I have heard of CTF style games, horde/survivor modes, and other things already created by community members. I can't wait to dive into this once there is a bunch of community created content.
If you like shooters this game is for you. If you dislike the most recent launch of "next gen" shooters that added a bunch of parkour moves and super abilities that get in the way of actually using your gun, then this game is especially for you. | video-games_xbox |
I Didn't Hate It. I heard all of the negative reviews and didn't think I'd like it, however I found it to be quite the enjoyable romp. Sniper: Ghost Warrior certainly isn't without its faults, as it has many, however it's a game that offers something many first-person shooters don't offer. In terms of gameplay, it's mostly a game about sniping, which is both fun and rewarding since you have a really neat slow-motion effect that triggers whenever you get a head shot. The game does have some missions that are more of the run & gun Call of Duty variety, but they're a very minor part of the experience, and you'll be spending most of your time sniping your enemies from afar.
The game's visuals are sometimes really nice and sometimes really mediocre. Sniper: Ghost Warrior uses Techland's Chrome Engine, which was used to power their titles such as the Call of Juarez franchise, Nail'd, as well as Dead Island, which uses the recent iteration of the engine. Like all Chrome Engine games, Sniper: Ghost Warrior has some nice lighting, detailed environmental texturing, and some overall beautifully crisp visuals. However, the graphics can often look mediocre and downright poor, like the jaggy edges due to poor anti-aliasing techniques, a lot of screen-tearing, pixelated shadows, poor looking character models and animations, etc. It's a game with many high and low points in terms of visuals, as well as overall gameplay, too.
The positives of the gameplay experience are fun sniping mechanics, large and detailed environments, and just a lot of fun to be had. The negatives are things like a somewhat jerky frame-rate, some odd glitches and visual oddities, as well as some poor artificial intelligence that seem to have x-ray vision -- though this was slightly fixed with a patch.
In the end, I think this game is a ton of fun and offers something a little different to first-person shooter players. The stealth and sniping gameplay is a nice change of pace. | video-games_xbox |
So far with the 4Shot. UPDATE 5/7/2014
It's been awhile but I have finally had a chance to update my review.
For starters I have been playing Titanfall and having blast! When I didn't have to talk with anyone (due to the mic issue) that is. Sound is crisp, I can hear pretty much everything in my surroundings without it being to overwhelming. Footsteps, gun fire, titan's dropping even clips dropping with someone is reloading.
I still can't hear myself when I speak which still kinda throws me. However it is something that I am adapting to.
About 2 weeks ago I receive a patch that allowed my Mic to work with party chat on my Xbox One. While I was in the party talking with 3 of my friends each one said they could hear me clear as day! However one of my friends that also owns the 4shot did not have his fixed for him. A few days after the update I received a new cable attachment with boom mic with solid quality nylon cable directly from Polk! I have not tried using yet so I am unsure how well it works. With Polk taking the initiative to make sure this problem would be taken have confirmed that I have made the correct choice and purchased an amazing headset!
I have since changed my rating from a 4 to 5 star! Hope this helps other that are on the fence about purchasing a set of these.
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When I first saw the design of the 4 Shot I was excited! The sleek and stunning look of this headset matched the Xbox One well! Plus it's made as a combined effort by Polk and Microsoft specifically for the Xbox One. There was only one thing that worried me though. With the mic so close to the ear piece would sound bleed over into the game. I was unable to really test this, as already stated, there is an issue with the mic threshold. I could hear everyone flawlessly in party chat, however I was told it sounded like I was whispering. In a statement release by Polk Audio, this has something to do with Microsoft's update not Polk's hardware. It should be fixed in a "few weeks." So until that's fixed I can't really comment on that one. However sound quality for games is pretty amazing! I only played for a few hours and I was really happy with the level and quality of the sound.
I made sure to try out talking on the phone to see how well the mic would pick up my voice on there. I called my brother and he said that he could hear me just fine! So the mic does work! Just not on the platform Polk and Microsoft designed it for.
While listening to music I felt it sounds better than the $200 Shure headphones I use for mixing audio. It's a much warmer tone, with a lot more highs. I have noticed that the bass isn't as pronounced as some would like it to be. However it's a perfect blend for me!
The weight is great! Super comfortable! I have a large head and these fit me pretty well. I was able to catch some Netflix and wore them for at least 2 hours and didn't have any problems. I find that after long hours of games/videos with my previous Turtle Beach PX 21, I would start to get a headache from them weighing down on my dome.
I love the fact that I don't have a LONG cable strung across my living room floor for everyone to trip on!. I only worry that since there is no active power source for it other than the wireless controller it'll just eat up batteries. I haven't read anyone talking about that yet, I hope to test it all out next week once TitanFall drops.
I've given this a 4 star rating. If the issue with the mic was tested on Microsoft's end before hand I'd have given it a 5 star rating.
All in all I really enjoy this headset! Once Microsoft fixes the firmware issues this headset will be almost flawless! | video-games_xbox |
Does not live up to the AC Legacy. I am a huge fan of the Assassin's creed series, II and Brotherhood being among the best games ever made, in my humble opinion. Revelations just couldn't do it for me, it seemed like a weaker version of the aforementioned games. In an attempt to "freshen up" content or add new and "exciting" things to the game, the developers actually took away from the experience of Assassins Creed. There were also many visual glitches and problems, it gave me the impression of a sloppy job... I NEVER got that impression in previous AC games.
My main issues:
1) Bomb making - What?! Why is this such a huge part of the game? Yes, assassins use diversions and cutting edge technology to accomplish there goal, and I would welcome the addition of bombs, but why is it essential to the game? It seemed odd to have bomb making stations everywhere you looked.
2) The tower defense game - Why?! This should have been scrapped and made into an Ipod app, even then, I wouldn't buy it. Since when do assassins become military commanders on rooftops, killing waves and waves of mindless soldiers? Yeah, it didn't impress me it all. I dreaded every one and prayed for them all to end quickly.
3) The city - I like the idea of a new environment but this city was lackluster and dull. It all seemed very repetitive, with little flavor or detail. At least compared to some of the European locations from previous games.
4) The glitching - Choppy slo-mo kills, weird color splotches all over, lighting off in many places. The quality just seemed off.
5) More reliance on "Eagle Vision". This was already a tedious, boring, and an unbelievable ability, but it was used so rarely in previous games it didn't interrupt play. In Revelations you must scour certain areas with Eagle vision finding the guard/captains(why weren't they just labeled like in brotherhood?), look at walking paths of enemies (really?), etc etc. This really was obnoxious.
6) A hook blade?- Is that the best they could come up with? Now Ezio is more like Batman than anything else...
7) The characters - Boring. There was no one you really grew to like, know, or hate. They lacked depth.
I jut pray the new/upcoming AC game can go back to it's roots... there is a fine line between adding crap and adding just enough to make the game an amazing experience all over again, AC Revelations failed to amaze, entertain, or even be a decent time-killer. If this would have been a completely un-related game to AC, it would have been decent, but Assassin's Creed II and Brotherhood are some large shoes to fill, and Revelations didn't come close. | video-games_xbox |
not sure my whole headset audio experience got any better, the sound that comes thru the device is . I give this item 3 stars bc i'm not sure my whole headset audio experience got any better, the sound that comes thru the device is kind treble high even on the bass setup sound is a lot different from the xbox one adapter i had attach to the control, with the xbox one adapter the sound was more real in the lower end, (mind u i have a 3.5 jack on my controller) i plug the adapter bc the (Turtle Beach XO Three - Headset) i have only has an inline control that controls chat & game volumen at the same time & i wanted to have control of both & it does not have voice monitoring which is annoying not been able to hear yourself while u talk in chat, (used to my old TB for xbox360 i could hear myself on chat, personal preference) so the adapter came in handy to remedy that but once plug in i notice the difference in audio it dropped by 50% (xbox one adapter) & it sounded more mono than stereo so i decided to call Turtle Beach to see if their adapter could fix all that & to get the voice monitoring for chat i was told that yes it would fix my issues & i would be able to control game & chat volume separately so i bought the TB adapter, now i plug the (TB - Turtle Beach - Ear Force Headset Audio Controller Plus - Superhuman Hearing) thing in and i go into one of my shooters game & i can hear myself on the chat but the sound of the game change once again it feel really weird full of high's, pretty much in any of the preset setting which they're 4 (neutral, bass, treble -bass, voice enhance) i try all 4 and the sound difference in all is minimal u can't barely distinct one from the other it just gets a bit louder in bass & treble-bass specially when u turn on the superhuman hearing thing on but when is off not much difference, sound is very metal like nothing like the sound of the headset by them self without the adapter so if all this extra $40.00 all it did give me control of volumes by jeopardizing sound quality i don't see the point of the adapter it should've improve the experience not diminished, i don't know what will improve it maybe i need to get the pro adapter but i'm affair is going to be more of the same or maybe the issue is the headset not design to be compatible with this adapter or any other who knows, not calling TB again, (the tech i spoke with had no expertise and use as reference the description of the adapter on their website to answer my question, if the headset was compatible with the adapter?, i've could read that my self which really it does not state if they're compatible or not) even though the Headset is brand new (got it from TB website) just 2 weeks older than the adapter that i just got today 11/1/17 (bought @ Amazon-better deal & no shipping where TB wants to charge u $20 for shipping (in order under $50) in top of the price of the adapter)., so if this is all TB got to offer maybe i should look into buying Astro Headset & give them a try at this point bc i'm not expending another $$ on TB accessories if they only improve functionality by decreasing sound quality. <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Turtle-Beach-Ear-Force-Headset-Audio-Controller-Plus-Superhuman-Hearing-Xbox-One/dp/B00PWRYKDE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Turtle Beach - Ear Force Headset Audio Controller Plus - Superhuman Hearing - Xbox One</a> | video-games_xbox |
THE PREMIERE X-BOX RACING GAME. Forza Motorsport is Microsoft's grand attempt at breaking the strangle hold that Grand Turismo has had on the racing simulation. The attempt is certainly a very impressive one and quite welcome as well. First of all we start with vehicle selection of over 200 cars from Ford, Nissan, Porsche, Mecedes and more that will be available through content download off X-Box Live. With this many cars to choose from, it makes for great replay capability. The game features several different modes of play including Arcade, career and of course multi-player online, also greatly adding to the replay value.
In Arcade mode you can compete in six different vehicle classes. Most of the cars are selectable but many have to be unlocked through gameplay. In all the arcade mode offers 186 races in 31 different events making it a tremendous challenge. But Forza Motorsport really shines with the tremendous career mode option. You start by selecting your home region which dictates the cars that are available for use with a starting number of six in each region. From there you start your career at the bottom in the amateur circuit to race and build credits towards buying new cars, buying parts or making modifications to your existing ride. Just the paint and decal selections to modify your car's look offers hundreds of options. Credits are also used to unlock higher levels of competition to get more challenges. There is also a pretty cool reward system where you can gain discounts on parts from certain manufacturers. When it comes right down to it, the sheer number of option and modifications that you have available to you can be pretty overwhelming, but if you're looking for depth in this department then this is the game for you.
The graphics and sound are just fabulous and top Grand Turismo in every way. The cars look showroom accurate and the various tracks and locations you race on are just stunning! The music offers several options including adding your own custom soundtracks. With it's sheer number of options and great play Forza Motorsport is a fantastic race simulation. | video-games_xbox |
Fun at first, until you get into it. UFC Undisputed 3 at first was a pretty fun game, of course at first I was really only playing around with the stand-up game and wasn't really focusing much on the ground game. Now that I am focusing more on the ground game I'm beginning to understand how handicapped this game was on release, quite simply: The ground game is awful, it is doubly difficult to get anyone there in the first place unless you counter a strike to put them there and it is even more difficult to stop it from going there if the opponent wants it on the ground (Figured this one out, back and forth on the right control stick starting in the opposite direction of the opponent, I guess this is what they mean by "Shine"). And that is just the fight, we haven't covered the career mode yet which is even more gimped than the regular game...Let me just be clear here, I do not play console games online, so this review is from a single player standpoint. That being said, when a game includes a single player aspect (This one has a few, and not all of them are terrible) it should work correctly with all of this in mind do not expect to create a Jon Jones or Anderson Silva for your career fighter because it is entirely too difficult and isn't all that fun to do, if you do try this the only real way to do it is to focus solely on training and sticking in the "Busch" leagues of MMA for almost 20 fights, pretty much half of your career.
And that is why this game is not nearly that fun, if you just focus on one stand-up style you shouldn't have a problem...But if you go into the ground game you start to realize where THQ fumbled the ball on this one. Everything considered there are some pretty fun modes although they suffer from the same issues, I have a blast going through Title Mode and Title Defense with one of my favorite fighters, tournaments are pretty cool too although really just for the Pride aspect of the game. EA nabbed up the UFC license recently so we will see what EA comes with, kind of excited for what they can bring...But wary due to all the disappointment they have garnished from me in the past. | video-games_xbox |
Listen, I've been using these for about 1 year and 2 month now. These are beginning to wear out. UPDATE: The plastic finally snapped and cracks were present months before. The only good thing is that TurtleBeach sent me a new upgraded pair because it was within the 1 year warranty. Other than that, never buy plastic band headphones again.
1st Thing's first. The ONLY reason why anyone would want these would be fore the true surround sound. Now some would claim that true surround sound is worse than digital surround, which ISN'T true at all. Our ears can differentiate directions of sound better than any audio that can produce "like-wise" sound frequencies.
The reason why some claim digital surround is better, is because some frequencies can have characteristics of being in front, of back, BUT they are unrealistic. Actual environment is better represented with true surround sound.
Now these are voted to be 2nd best gaming headset for 2012. The worst feature of these headset is it's lack of comfort. It took me a month or two to adjust, because the padding is so THIN on the top. It gave me headaches.
Second reason, is the lack of quality. Everything is plastic, which will wear out soon, just like the grooves that hold your adjustments together, will wear out. And I'm already seeing a tiny crack where the blue paint came off, from the blue lining on the cups.
And Lastly, there are HUGE DISTORTIONS along with the bass. You only need to turn up the volume nob halfway to get sound distortions, and the bass distortion is present at 30% increase.
Suggestion: turn up all the surround sound, bus, cent, w/e on the amplifiers. You should also turn the volume up to 100%, always. And adjust the output volume from your headset or speakers.
One good thing about these compared to others in the $50-80 gaming headset range?
These headsets actually have functional speakers. I've returned creative headsets before this one, simply because its speakers do not work. That seems to be the common issue in gaming headsets when the speakers are removable. | video-games_xbox |
DODGY FRAMERATES = SLOPPY PROGRAMMING. Doubtless all the fanatics and Halo die hards (of which I am one) will rant and rave about this game. I've now had a chance to play the full retail version of this game, and to be brutally honest, (and it pains me to say this), I'm afraid that Halo Reach is `The Emperor's New Game`.
I've been a massive fan of the Halo series, and have loved all the games, read the books etc, so I know my Halo. Don't get me wrong Halo Reach is a good game with a fabulous range of options, customization and loads of different and varied game types to keep you entertained for months if not years to come, however the game is not that much of a leap forward as some people would have led you to believe; infact, it does not feel a whole lot different to Halo 3.
Its also a pity that Bungie could not be bothered to optimize the game properly. The reason I say this is because of the DREADFUL FRAMERATES, if you like fluid, smooth and consistent frame rates then forget about this game, and dispel any notions you had of the contrary, and the game features annoying effects to mask the attrocious framerate including a bad motion blur that gives me a headache!. Although technically proficient (the vistas and open spaces are stunning) the framerate takes a noticable dip during most of the encounters, particularly in open spaces, which destroys any sense of immersion for me, indeed, during some of the more intense gunfights, the game can be rendered nearly unplayable for a few seconds, and this is supposedly a new game engine!. I'm not saying it's a bad game by any means, its just something that some people may want to be aware of before buying. By all means if you like the Halo universe or first person shooters in general, then you should buy this, but you may well find yourself, like me, trading it for something else the following day.
To sum up, I can't help but feel that this was a missed opportunity, it could have been sooo much better had it not been for the rushed, sloppy programming, which frankly I feel is ridiculous in this day and age, and demonstrates an attitude of complacency and arrogance on the part of the developer , something I hope does not set a precedent for other developers to follow who may think that they too can somehow release below par quality games if its ok for Bungie to do so. Bring you're "A" game next time Bungie!! | video-games_xbox |
An intelligent and emotionally stimulating game. Even though I am only about seven or eight hours into this game, I am already ranking it among my favorite all time games. I grew up with the early generation Nintendo, Sega, and Playstation systems and always found that I got the most enjoyment out of the various role playing games that each system supported. After about five years of being absent from the video game world, I bought an xbox 360 earlier this year and began my search for role playing games that would bring me the same level of enjoyment that titles like the "Legend of Zelda" and "Final Fantasy" series brought me when I was younger.
After hours of researching I came across articles and reviews for "Lost Odyssey" and was inspired to purchase a copy. This game has far exceeded my expectations so far. Not only is it an outstanding role playing game, but it also contains a novel of sorts within it. As mentioned in other reviews, Kaim the protagonist of the story is an amnesiac immortal whose memories return to him in the form of dreams. When Kaim remembers something the game informs you that Kaim has a new dream and you have the option to read the story. So far the dreams don't seem to contain any information that would be important to know in order to get through the game. This may change later in the game however. Even if this is not the case I strongly encourage players to read them as it really allows you to connect with Kaim on an emotional level. As an avid reader of fiction novels, I thoroughly enjoy this aspect of the game. It also breaks up the game nicely. With that being said, there is still plenty of action to be had in this game as you explore areas, talk to non player characters, and fight monsters.
The boss battles, at least as far as I have gotten are challenging, and require some skill to get through as you learn how each battle can be won through trial and error. At times some players may find this a little bit frustrating, but not so much so that you will be ready to throw the controller at a wall. I personally enjoy games that force me to think about how I approach a battle and plan out a strategy. If you don't get them the first time, try something different based on what you've learned from your defeat. Winning also feels more rewarding this way. This game was produced by "Final Fantasy" creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, so those who are familiar with these games should find the gameplay familiar.
In a world where first person shooters and MMORPG's are at the forefront of gaming, this game is a hidden gem for those who like a solid RPG with a good story line and engaging characters. If you like to lose yourself in a game for a few hours a day, then I highly recommend that you check out "Lost Odyssey". | video-games_xbox |
CoD is CoD. Nothing much is really new here. It's Call of Duty and that's all it will ever be.
Hardened - Unfortunately I am a sucker for steel cases. I wish games would just offer an option to spend an extra $10 on a steel case. This is a nice steel case, unlike a lot of the recent games, has a unique image on it as well as THE NAME ON THE EDGE. I don't know why, but the last few steel cases I have picked up have nothing on the edge, so when it's on the shelf, you can't tell what game it is. The case is a pretty powdered image and one of the cooler cases I have seen. The bracelet might be cool for someone, but just isn't for me. Obviously the season pass is the big ticket item of this set. Great if you plan on getting the DLC.
Single Player - Game looks gorgeous on the Xbox One. It's not a true testament of what the next gen consoles are capable of, but it gives you a great feel for what is coming. The story is fun. I still get caught up in looking for the stupid intel pieces. There is one collectible in each level. The game play is the same as always.
Multiplayer - The multiplayer system is set up where you have to earn points to unlock gear as you go. It's obnoxious, expensive, and time consuming. Once you understand the system, it's not as bad, but it's not as fun as earning things as you go along. My best guess is it being an attempt to appease lazy gamers who don't like working for the things they have. Personally, I hate this system and since the MP is the largest reason for purchasing the game, it's primarily the reason I'm giving it a 3 out of 5. This game just does not have the same playability as the other CoDs. If I don't feel like I'm working on something as I go, I lose interest. I do have to point out that the maps so far have been awesome. There are level changes and levels while highlight long range vs short range combat. This is something CoD series has been lacking for a few releases as the focus have been mostly on short range run and gunning.
Overall - The game is worth picking up. I would recommend buying it around the $30-40 range, ESPECIALLY if you are planning to buy all of the DLC. However, we all know that the $30-40 range isn't going to happen unless the next CoD comes out or you are okay buying used. CoD vs BF4, this is the clear winner at this time. For the Xbox One, you don't have many other options for MP shooters at the moment. For the Xbox 360, I would continue playing CoD BO2 for a while. | video-games_xbox |
Gets old real fast, and combat is problematic. I usually don't like platformers, but I took a chance on this game after IGN raved about it. The result is a mixed bag: the platforming action is enjoyable, but I find the combat engine to be unresponsive and annoying.
The heart of the Prince of Persia series - going back to the franchise's side-scrolling days - has always been an agile, acrobatic hero as opposed to a muscle-bound brute. The newest iteration stays true to that formula, and the hero, who isn't really a "prince" at all but a Han Solo type rogue, has all the moves from the Sands of Time trilogy and more, and it's really cool to pretend that I'm the one doing the wall runs, ceiling runs, and rebound jumps to scale impossible heights.
One IGN reviewer complained that the hero's abrasive personality really annoyed him, but I found the opposite to be true. While the hero is a selfish mercenary-type who helps Elika only because he's forced to, his witty back-and-forth banter with her is entertaining and serves as a nice diversion from the usual platforming - "Run, jump die, repeat, run, jump, die, repeat. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this." It's a good thing that Elika has the intelligence, wit, and (sometimes) sarcasm to go toe-to-toe with the hero and hold her own; this is a credit to the scriptwriters.
Elika is a wonderful AI character. She is the first AI partner I've had in a game whom I don't have to constantly babysit (yes, I'm looking at you, Fallout 3! And you, Saints Row 2!). In the platforming segments, she can perform every action you can, so there's never a worry that she'll fall behind (I'm looking at you, Silent Hill 4!). She never bumps into you or obstructs your path. I also thank Ubisoft for Elika's "compass power" which shows me how I can reach my next destination (unlike in The Sands of Time, where I once searched for my next jump for over 2 hours - no joke).
The fact that Elika saves the hero whenever he's about to die has brought some criticism from players, but I say this is a good thing; when you die in a game, you simply load the most recent save file and try again, right? So having Elika rescue you saves time and makes the gameplay smoother. But to encourage players to not be too reckless, Ubisoft has included an Achievement which is unlocked if Elika saves you less than 100 times in a single play-through.
So if I like this game so much, why did I give it only 3 stars? One reason is that it gets real repetitive real fast (again, it's "Run, jump die, repeat, run, jump, die, repeat"). The other big reason is the combat system. If Ubisoft was going to give me only four enemy types in the whole game, they could have at least varied up the enemies from one encounter to the next. For example, fighting the Concubine feels exactly the same whether I'm fighting her for the first time or the fourth time. She employs the same tactics, same patterns, same everything, so I too have to do the same things over and over (since there is only one type of attack that damages her).
The timing of hitting buttons during combat also proved problematic: I hold Right Trigger to block, then release, then hit X to attack, but nothing happens on the first press. So I lose a fraction of a second there, which is just long enough for the enemy to hit me. This happens time and time again! Enemies also have the uncanny ability to interrupt my combos, but I can't interrupt theirs. Whenever I'm on the offensive, pushing the enemy back, he will somehow miraculously interrupt my combo and instantly turn the tables. This feels so unbelievably cheap and frustrating that I have to keep from throwing my controller into the wall.
So the end result? Only a "meh" rather than a "wow." If the monotony of the platforming segments were broken up with more variety, and if the combat system had been tightened up, we could have had a real winner here. | video-games_xbox |
Terrific. Note: I own the PC version of the game, but I would own the Xbox version would it be Xbox 360 compatible. Using the controller works best for this game. The resolution isn't as good on the Xbox version and there's more aliasing problems. However, don't pass this game up. It is absolutely terrific. I can't recommend it high enough. Also, for $10, I'd recommend checking out The Longest Journey on PC as a starter if you have a PC.
Six years. Quite a long time to be waiting for a sequel to an adventure game. It is also quite a long time for graphics, hardware and gameplay to change. When the Longest Journey came out, it was heralded by critics as being one of the best adventure games a person could buy. It incorporated a terrific story, wonderful voice work and, at the time, good graphics that helped bring depth to the genre. Now, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is out, a direct sequel to the events of the first game. Is it everything we could hope for? Well, that depends on what you're looking for.
A lot of reviews out there, including here on amazon.com, have talked about various aspects of the game. The negative points discussed were the easiness of the gameplay, the bulkiness of the controls and the horrible combat. The positives have been over-whelming the terrific, complex and utterly addictive story and plot. So, depending on what you are looking for, you will either really love this game or really dislike it.
AS far as the gameplay is concerned, I tried playing it with a mouse and keyboard but the controls felt wonky to me. I am a console player mostly and because of my lack of affinity with the mouse and keyboard for third person controlled games I spend a good deal of time walking into things and the walls. However, plugging in a controller, all of my complaints went away. I'd recommend trying a controller if you have any problems, as the game seems better suited to it (probably due to the fact it is also an Xbox game).
The difficulty has been lessened from The Longest Journey. One one hand, this is definitely a valid complaint. However, my complaint with the first game was that there were times where the puzzles seemed utterly illogical and were very order-specific. I would spend a long time trying to get something accomplished simply because I didn't do it exactly how the game wanted me to. In that aspect, Dreamfall lessens any frustrations to allow you to enjoy the story more fully. That said, the puzzles do lack the depth of The Longest Journey and adventure games in general. I wish they were a bit more difficult or took a little more brain power to figure out what to do.
The combat is a bit clunky. It is comprised of block, light hit and strong hit. A rock, paper, scissors type gameplay ensues where a strong hit will break through a block, a block defends against a light punch and a light punch can break someone from doing a strong attack. However, the controls are a bit wonky as well, making battles easy but unintuitive. You can also slide to the side, forward and back while blocking. While it's not up to par with fighting games like Dead or Alive, what do you want from an adventure game?
Actually, calling it a game might be stretching it a little. And I don't mean this in a bad way. Playing this game reminds me of another fantastic adventure game called Indigo Prophecy, but without the simon says style gameplay. Here, you will move from place to place, work on puzzles, do some stealth and some clunky fighting. But the gameplay is there to pull you in and create an interactive story. A cinematic story that has you at the center. I like this approach.
Graphically, I think the game is stellar. There've been complaints in this department as well, but I think the game is pretty stunning. While there's no way it could live up to the powerhouse of, say, Oblivion, what is here is terrific. The colors are vibrant and lush, the settings are absolutely beautiful. Casablanca, the starting city, feels like a mix of futuristic landscapes with a traditional Spanish-style living. Add to this the vibrant color scheme and terrific art direction, and I think the game is stunning.
One department no one seems to be complaining about is the sound. From the beautiful music to the very competent voice staff, everything runs well. Some characters are a little lacking, not necessarily in their voices but in the direction. Sometimes it seems as if the voice actors don't know the context of what they are saying and stress words wrongly or don't have the excitement or fear that one would have in their situations. As an example, in the beginning someone is afraid of something (I'm being purposefully vague) and cries "No! No!" but it's almost as if the threat is a mere bother as opposed to a possibly life-altering event. Other times, though, the voice actors are terrific in conveying the emotion.
The game scales really well. While I'm playing it above the recommended specs, there's nary a fault or bug that I've come across. There's no slowdown from what I've seen. It also scales terrifically well to fit your monitor. I've played it on a regular 19" all the way up to a widescreen monitor and it is terrific. The game was made to be played in 16:9 widescreen. Like I said earlier the controllers work terrifically with the game. I am using an Xbox 360 controller and I haven't had a single problem, save that the trigger buttons don't register.
All of this is simply the mechanics, though. What lies at the heart of this game, much like The Longest Journey, is a story. A story that is exciting, mysterious and emotional all at the same time. The Longest Journey was, at the time, probably one of the best stories I had seen in a video game. Dreamfall has, in my opinion, blown that story out of the water. People will probably argue this with me, but I think Dreamfall's story is definitely a bit better. It seems more urgent this time around. Partly, this is because of the fact its more of an "action adventure" game as opposed to a point and click game. Whereas in The Longest Journey there were instances where you were chased, you couldn't die. Here, things seem a bit more dire and urgent. The pacing of Dreamfall is also excellent and helps keep you moving from point to point. Ragnar Tornquist has a much better control of the story and spins a yarn fitting of a novel. I don't want to talk about the story at all in order to allow everyone a chance to view it with virgin eyes. To get the story across, there is a ton of dialogue. Much like the first game, Dreamfall allows its characters to talk and talk about their lives, what's going on in the world and the plot. While playing The Longest Journey isn't necessary per se, characters from it will show up in surprising ways, starting off from the very beginning. A small caveat about the story. Yes, the story doesn't end so much as set up events for a third game. However, if you look back at The Longest Journey, you would also find a game that doesn't end. It, too, basically explains what would happen in the second game and leaves so many threads open. Here's hoping the game sells well enough to merit a third game.
So here lies the crux. The reviews here and your enjoyment of the game will come to this: do you want a game that puts gameplay above story or a game that places story above gameplay. If you choose the former, you probably won't like this game as much. However, if you are like me and enjoy the latter, I can't recommend any other game higher than this one right now. I can normally overlook most flaws or gameplay issues in a game, if it keeps me enthralled with a terrific story. I enjoy story-centered games a ton. So I feel confident rating this game as a five star simply because I never had a dull moment. I compare both The Longest Journey and Dreamfall to novels. Very dense and filled with backstory, characters and plot, Dreamfall isn't a typical video game. You have to really want to get to know everything and everyone in it to get the most out of the game. If you want to really sink your teeth into a story and know everything there is to know about a fantastical world, there's no better place than Dreamfall. | video-games_xbox |
Again with the insanity. This game extends the first entry in the Mass Effect franchise in almost every way, both the pros and the cons. It's not a startlingly attractive game, but the voice acting is just as good with all the roles being reprised, the story is still great, the combat system has been tweaked a little bit but has remained overall just as effective, and the difficulty settings are only slightly less jacked.
This game, quite fortunately, doesn't require you to play through multiple times to get all the acievements. The first game nearly killed itself for me by requiring not just two but three playthroughs. Unfortunately, to get all the achievements in one shot you have to start off playing through on the idiotic Insanity setting. This can be controller-flinging-level frustrating at times, especially at low levels and during all major encounters. I'm gonna rant for a moment...
The enemies on Insanity are just stupid, but it works for them. They know they have whatever ridiculous multiplier on their health and shields over your crew and so they don't take cover nearly as often. You'll spend most of the game retreating to previous fortified positions until you run into an arbitrary wall the game has erected behind you. This is because enemies will just walk straight at you, pummeling you despite the fact that you have 3 squad members returning fire on the same enemy at the same time. If the enemy stands up and starts walking at you, you might as well skip the long drawn out shove-it-your-face game over sequence (God I hate those) and just go ahead and reload because it means you're about to die. I hate games that do this crap. Difficulty settings should make enemies smarter, not stronger.
A headshot is a headshot is a headshot: the hardest difficulty should make it hard to land one, but if you do it should still frickin' kill the enemy. Think of it like taking on Delta Force: they may be the most elite soldiers on the planet, but if you're drawing down on one of them and manage to pop him in the head, he's still gonna drop just as fast as the next guy. But what are the chances you'll do that? Probably not high, because they know what they're doing and will likely have you in their crosshairs before you know they're there. Delta Force won't charge you straight up because they know they're going to win. It's the other way around: they know they're going to win because they know you haven't seen them yet. The enemies should be taking cover MORE on harder difficulties, not less because they know they're practically invincible. I can't stress this point enough, because for me it murders the fun in games like this. I know the developers can code the AI to do these things because the enemies do take cover from time to time, especially when you do maanage to lay the smack down on them. So instead of making a difficulty setting that provides CHALLENGE they make difficulty settings that provide TEDIUM. You have to shoot the enemy two or three times more, even though you're aiming right at their beady little eyeballs, which you can plainly see because they're coming straight at you.
Why can't they make the difficulty settings more realistic? WHY?
Ugh. OK... aside from that small rant, the combat system has been improved a little. The AI is still smart, and they will use cover at the beginning of a battle to draw you into an impossible situation which is pretty cool if frustrating on higher difficulties. Rather than trading out your weapons for better equipment like in the first game, you get a handful of good weapons throughout this one that you can upgrade. Each type of weapon is good against different things, with a handful of particular weapons that have extra qualities for specific types of missions. Upgrades cost money and resources. You can get resources by scanning planets, which cost both fuel (to get there) and probes (to scan), which also cost money. Getting money in the game isn't nearly as easy as in the first one: you can find credits during missions, and you get paid at the end of each mission with an amount that seems to pretty much match what you can find, but it's never really that much and it can take two or three missions to save up for a single upgrade. You have to either buy the upgrade techs, or find them on missions and then research them which just costs resources. It's a bit tedius, but the power you get from upgrades is a really good reason to go exploring all the little systems and planets, which is neat.
You squad members are only slightly less useless than in the first game. The system for issuing commands is still just as slick, but they're still just as unlikely to respond in a timely fashion if they do what you want at all. Powers recharge much faster, and are much... MUCH more useful than in the first game. You can combine powers from different squad members to make things go BOOM, which is really useful for pulling enemies out of cover, taking down their shields or health, and then killing them quickly. However, even if you have your Power Usage set to "Always", your supposedly elite team members rarely do the smartest thing by usefully combining their powers on their own. It's best to leave that setting on "Manual" so that you know that the combos will always be out of cooldown and ready for when you could use them most.
This game also introduces the concept of ammo clips, but it seems only to apply to the main character. That is, you squad members appear to still have unlimited ammo, but will still need to go through the motions of changing out clips after X many shots. However, despite their unlimited ammo they won't actually unload a clip on an enemy even if it's out of cover. Just like in the first game, your so-called elite squad member will pop out of cover even when their health or shields are dangerously low, take forever to squeeze off one or two rounds even from a fully automatic weapon, and then take forever to go back into cover. Sometimes, if you tell them to take cover at specific points, they'll just stay there, and this can be frustrating if you are one or two pixels off when telling them to hide from an oncoming enemy surge that you actually need them to shoot at. So you still have to babysit your squad members and repeatedly tell them to get down and stay down while their shields and health recover or get up and frellin' shoot already.
Overall, the game is a lot of fun because it switches things up a good bit from the first one while retaining a lot of the same stuff. It's got a good length that keeps you engaged. The combat is a lot of fun on easier difficulties, much more tedious on harder levels, but that's to be expected in this genre. It's a great game, with a great cast and a great story. | video-games_xbox |
Simply not fun. While I don't always look for realism in war games, I was very disappointed in this title. Gaijin's previous flight combat entry, IL2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey was an engaging, fun, harrowing air combat experience that could be adjusted to suit the player's taste. No such luck here.
While the game strives for realism, it straddles the line of believability. On one hand, you have pretty cool effects, like the turret camera views that show enhanced zooms and thermal imaging views, and some good sound. On the other, you have subpar graphics, mediocre explosions, and absolutely horrible voice acting that attempts to cram in as many ethnicities at once, and in doing so, actually does them injustice (in the first two missions alone, you're introduced to an Irish guy, a Chinese guy, a cockney guy and a British chick.) Frankly, I didn't get it.
All of that I can handle. What killed it for me was, plain and simple, the controls. This threw me off the most...again, in IL2, you are made to go through the paces of flying an airplane, gradually introducing all aspects of air combat until you're comfortable. Controls could be adjusted to suit anyone, from arcade jockeys to aces. No such luck here. Considering that a helicopter is far more advanced to fly than an airplane, I settled in for what I hoped to be a long training excersise, and instead got a ten-minute crash course, almost literally.
The game eschews all previous helicopter-style control schemes from all previous games that ever had helicopters in it in favor of one rigid, almost inflexible setting. Anyone who expected the thrilling zoom-and-boom of Mercenaries or any other arcade-style flight scheme had better look elsewhere. The question is, why? Why would Gaijin give all of their other air combat games simpler control schemes except for this one, one that needed it the most?
I'm no stranger to air combat games, but within an hour, this game had me frustrated...and bored. The graphics have taken a serious step down on this one, and it shows.
I realize that lots of people like this game, and I can see why. I just can't believe that this was even close to Gaijin's best effort. I know, because I've seen it...and it didn't look, or play, anything like this. | video-games_xbox |
Could be a great game, but it is hindered by bugs and glitches. This could have been a really great game, but it was rushed out to market and has some problems.
The graphics on this game are pretty sub-par and are, frankly, a disappointment on a system that is as capable as the Xbox 360. The textures are blocky and low resolution. You can easily tell that things such as trees are rendered as flat pictures when you are flying as a dragon, as you can look down on them and see that they have no depth. The trees will actually rotate with you and look like a piece of paper instead of a tree.
There are some graphical stuttering issues, as well as screen tearing issues. The cut scenes stutter and, at times, blink as they play.
Graphics: 4/10
There is a pretty serious bug with the game save system. You can save your game, play for an hour or so and then save over the previous game... if you get killed, your game will load at the previous location (not where you saved it) about 60 - 70% of the time. You will still have whatever you had at the second save and your progress will be saved, but you will start wherever you saved the time before. There is also an issue where you will get killed, reload the game, and then load to a red screen that freezes, making you have to quit the game and restart.
Save system: 1/10
The interaction system is flawed as well and it is difficult to talk to people, as you have to get right on them and click on them while they are walking away from you. It is also difficult to search chests, crates, and barrels because the system doesn't work well.
Interaction: 4/10
The game play is fun and there are some really good ideas at play. This game is recommended for fans of Oblivion and Dragon Age, as it shares a lot of the same ground as those much better games.
Now for the good things:
The inventory system is wonderful, as you can send items to your battle tower from the field, so you don't have to continually sell things or destroy them. What's even better about this is the fact that items in your chest are still available for your alchemist and enchanter, so you don't have to carry tons of stuff around in order to be able to enchant or make potions.
Inventory system: 10/10
Being a dragon is a lot of fun, but I have one problem with it. It appears that you cannot attack people on the ground with your dragon. I have tried this many times and I cannot get it to work. People on the ground will either disappear when you turn into a dragon, or they will be able to attack you while you can't attack them. Beyond that, being a dragon is good fun and the controls are pretty straight forward and easy. There are a decent number of good skills your dragon can use and it is pretty satisfying overall. It is, however, sometimes hard to get your character to turn into a dragon, as it does so slowly and it is a bit clumsy.
Being a dragon: 8/10
The standard RPG walking around stuff is, well, pretty standard. You walk around and look for enemies like all other RPGs. The enemies are sometimes difficult and you have to figure out strategies for attack and can't just run in and swing your sword. The mix of hack-and-slash action and magic is really good, but there is a delay between magic and physical attacks that makes battle a little clumsy at times. With this said, there are a great number of magic and battle skills available and it is VERY comprehensive. There is also an amazing array of weapons and armor and plentiful charms and enchantments to apply to them. You can create some very serious stuff pretty easily.
You can map attacks, spells, potions, etc. to the D-pad and the A, B, X, and Y buttons on your controller at will by pressing and holding the button or direction you want to assign something to and then choosing what you want. It is a nice system.
Combat: 8/10
Magic options: 9/10
Attack options: 8.5/10
This game would be an 8/10 if there weren't serious bugs, but it is a 6/10 as it stands. I would recommend waiting for a patch for this game before buying it. | video-games_xbox |
A Total Flop That Is Fun for 5 Hours And Frustrating After That. After coming hot off of Borderlands 2 (truly, one of my favorite games of all time), I had high hopes for Battleborn but have been met with nothing but disappointment.
Single player: BORING! The story has nothing to do with anything, your character choices or decisions in missions do nothing, and the levels are basically wave after wave that are sent after you. The only thing that alters between levels is the landscape... also, the "reward" system is pretty crappy. You occasionally get rewarded with items (uncommon - legendary) that you have to pay to activate, using money that you collect in-mission. They have very little noticeable effect on the outcome of the level although rarely you may feel more powerful. I had fun playing each mission once, but mostly because I was chatting with one of my friends in the process. There is nothing redeemable here. Also, there is a huge disconnect between character progression between single and multiplayer. Single player you work as a team, level your person up, and get access to your better powers, etc. In multiplayer, you can simply get stomped out without leveling once, and will have a hard and maddeningly frustrating time just trying to kill someone.
Multiplayer: 30 hours in and I still don't fully "understand" how to play the game. There are three game modes, with the king of the hill being the only one I enjoy or "get." The game mechanics don't make any sense to me, playing a melee character is total garbage (it really needs a 3rd person camera), and the damage that you deal doesn't feel real or impactful. It's mainly a case of hitting the attack button and using skills as quickly as possible. Disclaimer, I never cared for DotA so maybe the strategy of this game is lost on me. Regardless, HUGE disappointment after loving Borderlands so much.
I do like that there are 25+ characters to choose from, however, since skills reset upon each match, there's nothing rewarding above leveling other than skins >;[ come on people! I find this game to be unfulfilling and sadly, a poor use of money. Also, I find myself constantly being frustrated by how the combat system plays out. I get that it needs to be played as a team, but overall, there seems to be a lack of understanding of how the game truly works, and it's prevalent across the board. I don't want a game like Call of Duty, but I certainly expected more of the wrinkles to be ironed out...
*Inserts backwards compatible Borderlands 2* | video-games_xbox |
Great and addictive. I played Gears of War 2 with my friend, and we played the campaign in coop mode (split-screen). It was right about the time Gears of war 3 was released, so since I liked Gears 2 I bought Gears 3.
Gears of War 3 is a third person shooter (you can see your character), which allows you to get in cover and when you aim, your character will peek to shoot. This is why I prefer 3rd person shooters over 1st person shooters.
Gears 3 have very high playability. You can finish the campaign mode, which has a very good story line (continues from Gears 2 if you have played it). You can play 4 players in the campaign in coop mode. with a split screen for 4 players!
The game has interesting approach to weapons, and kills and executions. You can chainsaw some enemies with your assault rifle's bayonet (called the Lancer), plant a grenade in a wall so that it detonate when someone passes by, or even plant a grenade into an enemies body for a grenade execution!
When there's a downed enemy, every weapon you carry will have a special execution move! For example, the sniper rifle's execution (called the Long Shot in Gears 3) would brutally hit the downed enemy with the rifle.
The game has the following multiplier modes:
Versus (competitive play) where you can play as humans (or COGs) and Beasts (or Locusts)
Horde (cooperative): As humans, stand by for waves of enemies attacking you. You will need to fortify your position so that they won't get to you easily. Killing enemy gives you more points towards fortification. You can have up to 5 players in this mode.
Beast (Cooperative): As beast you will attack a group of humans behind some fortification (kind of like the opposite of horde in a way)
Horde is by far the most addictive game mode. It's fun to play online with my friends. I became a "Pathological Horder"
In addition to the game, I have also bought the Season Pass for the DLC. This includes new maps (which is what I was interested in the most, since I don't want to not be able to join a friend's game in progress because I don't have that map), and it also have new characters and a 3-hour long campaign mode "RAAM's Shadow", which I didn't really like much (but it added new characters to the game)/
So,
This game is well worth the money. I paid for it, and I paid 2400 MSP (about $30) for the season pass to download maps! | video-games_xbox |
Rocking Out with Rock Band. Rock Band is perhaps the greatest party game to ever reach the console market.
The game allows up to four players at one time to play along to a song and has a large assortment of songs to choose from with the option to purchase more online as you need to (they are nickel and diming you but even with the normal selection you have enough songs 58 to live off of without downloading any others).
One of the most engaging pieces of the game is the ability to develop characters who are completely customizable. From shades to tattoos you can make your character look as close or as far away from you as possible.
In terms of the gameplay, each instrument gives you a completely different experience. Fans of Guitar Hero will likely pick up the bass and regular guitar parts of the game more easily because it's a very similar interface --- you use your left hand (or right if you're left handed) to hold the colored buttons down and you strum a bar with your right hand to activate the guitar.
As for drums, it's very similar to real drums in the sense that the sticks themselves are real and you have four pads to hit along with a foot peddle (which is hard to coordinate when you first start).
Singing is somewhat trivial and as long as you know the general pitch you can manage to sing each song fairly easily. As long as you're seriously singing and not just humming with the right pitch you should have fun though. There are some songs which are near impossible to sing and I think it's kind of weird to expect you to be able to handle all range of vocals from Metallica to REM but it does allow all sorts of people to find songs they like.
There are some major annoyances with the game as it is right now, however, regarding XBox Live. The chief complaint I'd have is the fact that the Band World Tour (multiplayer mode with a career) does not currently work online. You cannot add friends to your band and just play. Likely, in a rush to get the game out, they put this off. There has been some talk on web forums that they plan on perhaps patching the functionality in but until we see it I don't think anyone should pay much mind to that.
Another annoyance with XBox Live is that when you do the Band Quickplay with others online (the only online mode available right now) and select a song the microphone can only be heard locally. So even if you have a singer online you cannot hear this person if you're not in the same room as them. You can make it so the lead singer can be heard but you have to hold down the left or right trigger on the controller for the singer. It's just an annoyance and doesn't make sense why they decided to do it this way.
The Band World Tour is fun, however, if you have people over. You're given the ability to progress in your band, earn fans and money, and generally continue to gain notoriety as you continue your quest to the top. As you get more fans and complete gigs other locations and cities open up to you allowing you to progress more and sing harder songs. Challenges of varying forms also appear from time to time which is always fun and nerve wracking if you're unsure if you can perform the song.
The solo mode, on the other hand, seems like it was just thrown into the game to give whoever owns it something to do when they're friends aren't around. You play songs with the solo tour, buy new clothing, and just move onto the next gig without the need to do anything else. It's a shame the same system of building up a fan base wasn't applied to the solo tour but again the game isn't the sort you should be playing all too often alone so it's not that big of a concern.
All in all, it's a great game that brings people together and even after you're good at the songs replay value is fairly high. If you can take a hit in the short term to pay for the special edition and get the drums, the guitar, and the microphone it definitely will pay itself back in terms of enjoyment. | video-games_xbox |
Best Xbox 360 Game in Years. Wow! Alien Isolation blew me away from the first frame. The graphics are amazing especially the cut scenes between the action. This is definitely not a game for people who like shooters. It's a game of stealth and planning. It's one of the best horror survival games I've ever played. It is truly a game where you have to depend on your own skill and ability to survive. The game basics are that you are playing as Ripley's daughter and it is now 15 years since the original Alien movie. A flight data recorder from the Nostromo has been found and is being kept on a space station called Sevastopol. You are invited to be a part of the team to recover the information. Of course, upon reaching Sevastopol, it is apparent that something has devastated the station, leaving only a few desperate people alive and in hiding. The station itself is barely functioning with power being out in most places and systems malfunctioning everywhere. The survivors are almost all hostile as in they will kill you if you're seen. There are also synthetics called Working Joes who have become psychotic killers as well. They are also creepy as heck with glowing eyes and they chase you around saying things like, "You shouldn't be here" and "Please calm down" in a soft monotone while they try chase you and try to beat you to death. Add to this wonderful mix, a large, fast moving Alien creature and you can see how this could be a tough game to survive.
You start out with nothing, not even a flashlight, and must collect scrap and other supplies to craft the tools you need such as medkits. You can also find things like flares, and some weapons along the way. You will get one of the motion detectors like they had in the movie which is very useful. I started out playing on Medium difficulty and had to switch to Easy the first time through. Learning how to stay out of the way of the Alien, the synthetics and the other humans took a while.
The game autosaves only after the end of each chapter. Otherwise you can only do hard saves at certain stations and it feels like a major victory to just find a save station when you are in the midst of a cat and mouse survival game with the creature. The first time you encounter the Alien is truly frightening. I was hiding under a desk and it descended from a ceiling vent. All you can see is its legs and the long, long black skeletal tail and you hear the clicking of its feet and it walks around looking for you. Moving too fast or making unnecessary noise alert it to your presence. There are usually plenty of hiding spots but if you stay in one place too long, it finds you anyway. One of the tips that comes on screen is "Hiding in only ever a temporary solution." So, you're hiding under a desk or in a locker and you are terrified of being caught but you know if you don't move soon, you're going to be found. And, did I say, there's no way to fight this thing. If it finds you, you're dead, instantly dead. At least that's how it happens in the first part of the game.
This is a game that is going to take some time. I played for well over twelve hours total before completing it. It's that difficult even on the easy setting.
For anyone who loved the Alien movie franchise or if you really enjoy horror survival games, this is the one to get. It's so much better than the other new release Evil Within. This is finally a game that I feel was worth the "new release" price. It does earn every bit of the M rating. If this kind of game is your thing, don't miss it. | video-games_xbox |
A Must Have Add-on. As a long time Xbox and Wii gamer I looked at the Kinect with some trepedation based on my experience with the Wii. Was this going to be another system with terrible tracking, lame or kiddie-only games? Fortunately, Kinect definitely impresses with both its tracking and its assortment of games.
Some say that Kinect can't see you well, but in my house where I use Kinect (this was the second one I purchased and we use it in two rooms) I have excellent tracking. The key is lighting and range. I made sure to turn on lights all around us, not just a lamp in front of us or above us, and made sure that the Kinect was up on top of the TV or on a shelf above the TV and moved back from the Kinect about 10 feet. When you set it up like this you will get excellent range and tracking. The only time I have trouble is when I swap out for one of my kids and Kinect has to try to find them because they are so much shorter. The only time I have face recognition trouble is when I only have a lamp on above me. Otherwise this works great.
Kinect also has a great mic. Now that Xbox has gone through its big upgrade this last week, we use Kinect to search things by just speaking what we want it to look for. We also use it to control apps, like ESPN, where it can be used as a Tivo-like controller but with your voice, "Xbox pause" and "Xbox play." There has been two times when my wife and I were watching Netflix and some combination of what the actors on the screen said cause the Kinect to think we commanded it to fast forward. When we replayed that moment on the show it did it again. So something the actors said, even though it wasn't "Xbox fast forward" triggered the response.
The games for Kinect are awesome. You have the kid games, which our kids love, but you also have real sport games. I loved bowling for Wii, but Kinect Sports Season One and Two are way better in the game options and tracking. Ping Pong is a great example where Kinect watches and tracks you as the game gets tougher and faster without trouble. This package comes with Fruit Ninja, which is a blast! Use your arms to slice the fruit avoiding the bombs. Two players can go at the same time. (If you didn't buy this pack but already have a Kinect, Xbox Live has a DLC of Fruit Ninja for $10.) Adventures is almost an excersize game in that it makes you use so many muscles and endurance is a major part of the games included. At the same time the games are a blast.
Kinect is a game changer. It's not a wand like PS3 or Wii, works way better tracking, has voice controls and a bunch of top notch games. Perfect for Christmas or anytime. Highly recommended. | video-games_xbox |
Oooh... shiney pretty people. DOA3 is a great game. One of the best to come out on the Xbox, inmyhonestopinionplzkthx. The graphics are tight, especially for a launch title. Lighting and background graphics are amazing, and while there are a few touchy things(one dimensional clothing), overall this is a gorgeous game.
Speaking of the graphics, in response to certain people saying the game is too ' trashy', I have this to say in caps to prove my point:
IT'S CALLED MARKETING.
How else are you going to get lonely nerds living in their mom's basement to buy your game? Add Kasumi, of course. Gen Fu's not gonna get them. You need some double X chromosomes to spice things up. It helps that they're scantily clad, of course. Besides, if you don't want your [...] kid playing it, DON'T BUY IT FOR HIM. YOU have the power. IT has a teen rating. Look at the reasons for the rating, it says ' mature sexual themes' RIGHT THERE. Don't act like this snuck up on you.
That being said, I'd like to move on to gameplay.
Story mode is your classic ' choose a character and go around in their story beating people up until the big boss battle' mode. Simple, but effective. The progressive battles don't get much harder, but the final boss battle does get you off your rear to try to think of how to beat him. It takes a couple tries, but it's worth it. Throughout there are gorgeous cutscenes to pass the time. And then there are the lovely movies you get in reward for beating story mode. Ahh.... beautiful.
Multiplayer is done well, with a good couple modes for you to play in, what with tag team (versus/normal), one on one(versus/normal), etc etc. It's fun, but I'd like to see more costume choices. Kasumi has the most with five, and that's just not enough. More unlockables in general would make this game even better.
Overall, this is how it evens out:
Pros: Great graphics
Interesting characters
Good multiplayer
Kasumi's assets
Cons: Not enough unlockables
Story mode gets repetetive
Not enough tag team stages
Worth the money, especially now. | video-games_xbox |
Great Game. 100+ Hours of Gameplay. This classic game has earned it's awards!
BASE GAME: The plot has a great overall theme and consistency with very little unanswered questions at the end. As with all of The Elder Scrolls games, you can continue after the main quest has been beaten, allowing you to finish any side quests you might have missed. Load times are unaturally long when you first load your save, and again when you enter the overworld for the first time after a load. The lack of quest markers and fast travel (implemented in the later games) makes for an interesting adventure that requires you to really read (There is very little voice acting in the game) and understand the directions given to you by the quest giver.
BLOODMOON: This expansion brings you to the island of Solsthiem, a snowy island to the north of Morrowind. These new quests add more than 30+ hours of gameplay, if you complete all of the side quests you can find (Which many of them have great rewards). The snow and ice is a great change from the gray ashlands and brown swamps of Vvardenfell (The area where the main game takes place). A new addition to the game is the Werewolf mechanic, allowing you to become a werewolf either in combat, or through the main questline of the add-on.
TRIBUNAL: The second (and larger) expansion to Morrowind is Tribunal. This expansion adds 45+ hours of gameplay, including exploration and side quests. This add-on takes you to the Capital of Morrowind, Mournhold. The story unfolds as you are drawn into the machinations and intrigues of two opposing forces: The rising power of the ruthless new King Hlaalu Helseth, and the desperate attempts of Almalexia, being stripped of the source of her own Immortality, to keep her hold on the people. Through a series of quests, both sides seek to manipulate you (as the Nerevarine) to their advantage.
OVERALL:
Graphics: 8/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Story: 10/10
Expansion Content: 9/10
Sound: 9/10 | video-games_xbox |
The Statue Fails. I'll start off by saying.... One of my favorite games happens to be Halo, I think it was Halo 3 that I bought for my 360. I fell in love with the game and wanted more so I started buying the older ones, so I could figure out the story line. When I finally got my Xbox One, I had to get the master chief collection so I could play all the games again. When I found out Halo 5 was on the move, I just had to get the Collector's Edition. I pre-ordered the collector's, even though I saw the prices tag of $250.00. Not sure how they come up with that price, but I really don't think it's worth that. For what you get inside, It makes the statue come out to be about $175.00 to $200.00. And personally, it's not worth that much. It's a bunch of plastic done poorly and painted poorly. The characters are loose on the stand, so watch out you don't break them. I actually watched a youtube unboxing before I opened mine up, and his characters were really loose, the Master Chief seemed drunk as he was pulling it out of the case.
Little update here... Today I finally had the time to take the statues completely out of the box.. and as others are saying.. LOCKE is completely off his base. For the price, I'll be sending mine back, they can replace or refund.. their call. Surely not worth the $250.00 price tag.
To charge $250.00 for a collector's and not even offer a physical copy of the game is well, just plain stupid. I personally don't have a problem downloading the game but seriously... 250.00 and no physical copy.
In my opinion, this is the worst limited collector's I've bought, and I just expected more quality on the statue part..
Also, some have said that you can send in the download code in for a physical copy, some have even linked to a site supported by halowaypoint.com. I have tried going to this site all day along with the link talking about the exchange, and it is down! So.. are they not doing this now? Guess I'll start downloading.. | video-games_xbox |
One of the Best RPGs made. I'm a big fan of RPGs. Especially Western RPGs. Where the JRPGS seem to be getting worse and worse, Western RPGs have been flourishing.
I was a little late to the Mass Effect craze due to not having an XBOX 360, and due my my computer being crap. However, as soon as I got my XBOX, I picked up this Platinum Edition of the game.
I love it.
The story is excellent, which is pretty much expected from Bioware. The SF theme of the game is terrific. You play as Commander Shepherd, and yeah, you have to save the universe. The overall story isn't that original, but the parts that make it up feel very unique. Before anyone says anything, there ARE those jokers that say Mass Effect ripped off Halo in terms of the main space station. Whatever. It isn't even close. And anyways, Halo ripped off Larry Niven's Ringworld, so it doesn't have room to judge. Moving on.
I loved the way the choices you made affected the game, and that they will affect the sequel (can't wait for my copy to arrive). It adds replayability.
The action? Awesome. The game also scales perfectly are you amp up the difficulty.
Now there are some things that need improving, and I understand that ME2 fixed, well, all of them.
The menus are crap. There's no sort feature. This was supposedly improved on in the PC version, but man, on the XBOX, it was a chore to go through thing in the menus.
The side-quests and side-planets are repetitive. The first play through doesn't suffer from it, but by the 4th, you get tired of the similar maps, absurd terrain, etc. The rover you use to navigate the planets is crap. But I could deal. Maybe it would be a deal-breaker for you. Regardless, this was all supposedly fixed in ME2.
Achievements. Love them or hate them, they are part of the game. I usually think achievements are fine, but ME's are cheap. They are used to add a false sense of replayability. Also, some of the weapon achievements don't scale well.
Regardless, ME is pure fun. It is one of the best RPGs in print right now. I cannot wait for my copy of the sequel to come. | video-games_xbox |
One of the most underrated games on the 360. I just finished this game last night, probably putting about 40-50 hours into it, and I felt compelled enough to come to Amazon the next morning to write a review.
First let me say I got this game for $9 over the holidays, but I think it's well worth at least $30. I'll keep my review short and easy to navigate.
Gameplay: It's what hooked me on the game. I'd say it's a similar feel to Baldur's Gate games on the original XBOX. Hack-n-slash, not too deep but plenty of variety in terms of how you go about taking down your opponents. Also, you can choose to focus on the typical warrior, mage or ranged attacks, with separate Dragon Knight abilities I would imagine are available to all classes. I chose a warrior (I always do the first playthrough), because I love to just hack through my enemies.
Difficulty: It's a hard game, which is probably why some people reviewed it poorly. They gave up quickly (same thing happened with Demon's Souls, one of the greatest games ever made) and decided the game sucked. I ended up playing it on the lowest setting and it still kicked my butt plenty of times. I don't pretend to be great at any of these games, but I'm a huge gamer and love to have fun and relax with a game. However, I can step up to a nice challenge once in a while, and thankfully you can save whenever you want.
Bugs: Game froze up on me twice in 50 hours. Compared to Oblivion or Fallout New Vegas, this game runs perfectly.
Graphics: Not up there with the best, but certainly not a distraction. Can't graphics have their own flavor, not look photograph-perfect and still be enjoyable these days? I thought the graphics were fine.
Story: Really sticks together and drives you through the game. Unlike Risen or Two Worlds (both of which I loved in their own way, as well) this story and interaction with the NPCs feels much more polished. There's a love-it-or-hate-it surprise ending that might feel a bit rushed for some gamers. I had a bit of a WTF moment last night, but this morning I thought back and was glad the game ended the way it did.
Navigation: OK, here's the one area I'd take off marks, but it doesn't necessarily detract from it being a 5-star game for the price. It's a bit difficult to figure out where things are. There's no waypoint to guide you, and some of the things you have to do like find levers or gather parts of a ship scattered throughout the world feel a little cheap without that help. I had to consult a walkthrough, which I never do. But it's a minor frustration that eventually you figure out if you have enough patience.
Multiplayer: I don't even know if the game has it, I don't game online (probably one of the last dozen gamers left in the world that doesn't).
Overall: At this point, if you look around hard enough, you can find this game at a bargain price, and it's totally worth it if you like this kind of game. I think it was IGN that gave this game a 2/10 or something on the 360, which is an absolute joke. But if you're familiar with IGN, you know their entire review structure is a joke. Seriously, watch some YouTube videos to get a flavor for the gameplay and give this game a try, it's a ton of fun. | video-games_xbox |
Astonishingly disappointing, a mistake to purchase. There is nothing about the multiplayer aspect in this review; Multiplayer has no appeal to me. I'm in the middle of "Changing Tides", the apparent fifth level. I've taken the disc out of the tray and put it back in the box and it will remain there forever, in penance, to think about what it has done in darkened silence. Danger Close and EA should be ashamed of this pile of garbage.
I played the Medal of Honor reboot/release, the single player campaign, and it was good. I enjoyed it. The pacing, the action, the story, all of it was good. It wasn't perfect, but it was a good purchase and time well spent. I thought Warfighter would be the same. Good gravy, was I wrong. So wrong.
Beyond the fact that the levels are very corridor-like and cramped, they are too dark. I don't have room on my drive to install the "HD graphics", so I'm using whatever the default stuff is -- but the color pallet is washed out and the shading is too aggressive. I had to turn my brightness up to see what was happening a lot of the time. The game is an endless series of high pressure zero notice pop-up shooting gallery pieces punctuated by trying to navigate an obvious corridor or a confusing environment. "What in the world is happening??" has been my most common thought.
I've done one of the driving levels... that is some total nonsense right there. Man, I don't know how anyone thought that level was well done. After an excessively long and frustrating chase scene I had one single chance to pilot that careening piece of garbage vehicle with terrible controls into a single spot, or else I had to restart from the last checkpoint NO PREACHER NO YOU LOST HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This game feels like Call of Duty: World at War got smashed into a trash can with Medal of Honor: Airborne, and then that trash was formed into a new game which was sold to me through Amazon. Endless guys, invisible spawn lines, a terrible "cover/peek" system, and lots of HURRY UP RUSH HURRY UP RUSH GO GO GO complete with your idiot squad mates haranguing you about taking too long.
Please, please, please: Rent this game. Do not purchase it unless you've played it for a bit. I wish I had not, it was a complete waste. Purchased or played it, that is. I essentially paid for about an hour and a half of frustration with zero enjoyment. | video-games_xbox |
Great Game, Minor Flaws. First things first: This game was a blast, with excellent gameplay, options, and overall depth. Here's what I thought of the XBOX version of NBA Live 2002 by EA Sports:
1. Gameplay: Excellent in almost every way. Unlike in the older versions, now when you play a good team like the Lakers, it's a lot more difficult to win then when you play someone like the Bulls. I've played a season so far in franchise mode, and I have to admit, it was very addicting. Anyone remember playing the old versions of Live, and finding it so easy on the hardest mode to go 35-0 to begin a season? Not the case here. After probably 50 hours or more of gameplay, I still lose 2 or 3 out of every 10 games. And in the big games, playoffs, or against a team like the Mavs, Lakers, Kinds, etc...you really feel the pressure to win. The AI plays smart, the players and bench react, and the crowd cheers with you on big plays, suddenly goes mute when the other team goes on a run. The reason I love this game, NBA Live's gameplay rocks anything we've seen so far!
The graphics: Very good, but not superb. It's really cool to see a 3-pointer swish threw the net once, then rattle around and go in the next. The ball goes in or out different ways now. Example: in past versions, the ball would just CLANK off the rim or SWISH if it went in. No other animation. Now I never know if it's going to go in or out, and it rattles around a different way every time. The dunks in this game are simply put: AWSOME!!! You never see the same dunk twice, and the twists and spins are incredible to watch. The players as well now look great. You can now clearly tell the difference between big 'ole Shaq and a much smaller Kobe Bryant. The graphics bring this game to life. Where the graphics fail you may ask? There isn't any differnce between one pass or steal and another. No behind the back, no diving for lose balls, no jaw dropping blocks. It gets the job done, but nothing else. I guess we're just spoiled in today's time, but parts of the game are just too simple!
3. Options: Once again: very good, but not great. You can do the usual 1 on 1, exibition, season, franchise, 5 on 5. There's still create a player. But unlike in NBA 2k2, you can't do anything but 1 on 1. No 2 on 2, 3 on 3. In streetball, only one court. In franchise mode (this really killed me) no FANTASY DRAFT. AHHHHHHHH!!! I used to love that, and it always seemed to create a new challenge. But for some reason, no fantasy draft in the 2002 version. WHY??? Who knows. Oh, one more thing: No real cash. It's a points system. If you want to re-sign your star, you offer him what...250,000 points? Just make it regular cash like everybody else. I hate the points system.
Overall though, this game rocked. I have probably played it for close to 60 hours, and I still can't put it down. If you want a good basketball game, with the best graphics, gameplay, and overall realism of the NBA. NBA Live 2002 is for you!
Thx! | video-games_xbox |
Way Too Easy. This review applies to the Xbox 360 version of the game.
I have never played a dancing video game(though, I do have experience with rhythm games in Guitar Hero. I don't see how that'd help much in this case though) but I just felt as though this was too easy. I played the first time on the easiest difficulty level and I was getting A+s(the highest score) and even 100% on it without actually trying. I was still scoring high on the second difficulty level. That might be because it is geared towards a younger audience, but I felt as though I was somewhat wasting my time(I have started playing co-op with myself while playing on a traditional 360 controller as well as the dancemat just to raise the difficulty level for myself, I'm still scoring A+ grades so it doesn't seem to be working). There's a lot of movement(obviously) so I wouldn't recommend it if you have a disability of some sort. If you opt to use the 360 controller, it's not that bad though not as great.
It's pretty fun though. Especially if you're a fan of the songs in movies. I have not viewed the third one yet, but there weren't that many spoilers(you'll know some of the scenes but besides the fact that it's a "graduating from high school plot" nothing else is really given away). The fact that the original cast isn't singing the songs is rather disappointing at first but I got over it after a few songs. The animations are kind of lazy as well but you'll be too busy dancing to pay too much attention to that.
There's a character creator in the game but I haven't played around with that much. It seems pretty tedious from what I have experienced and mostly pointless. There's also some cute personality quizzes that are also pretty pointless but they kill time so they might be fun if that's your sort of thing.
For a game that comes with the dancemat, I think it's an excellent value for the price I paid($7.50). I wouldn't have spent more than that though. | video-games_xbox |
Makes me want to get into heavy metal. Definitely a strange game from top to bottom. But as the opening begins you'll know your in for a real treat. Brutal legend is a well crafted game. Its like fine wine. Its made for those who appreciate entertainment and originality when it comes to video game.
Its not pretentious and it never sets out to tell a dramatic award winning tale. Instead the story is about an unlikely hero with a passion for an art that he feels has been dying. The art is heavy metal rock, Eddie our hero is a person who appreciates and respects the old days of rock n roll. He does what he can to preserve the notion that old school rock is alive and well but its just not hitting well with the new generation.
An unforeseen incident awakens the true spirit of rock and transport our hero to world where the very soil breaths heavy metal. Thus Eddie's adventure really begins.
GAMEPLAY: It plays like a 3rd person action adventure game. But then it throws you for a loop when it turns into a action RTS and you'll have to change up how you play when you have dozens of allies waiting on your command. The stage battles will be the grand finales usually, everything you do will lead up to these showdowns. At first it will be difficult but the game gives you enough pointers to keep you in the loop. Again it will come at a surprise but you'll figure it out. The RTS elements are rewarding and its never excessive. Most of what you'll be doing it completing missions in the open world. You'll be able to drive and explore at you leisure.
SOUND: A well casted group of characters. Most noteworthy being Jack Black who plays Eddie's. He really gets into the role and you can tell he's having fun from the get go. All the performances are great with all the other characters doing their parts well.
The music is fantastic, the creators really love rock and their choices in songs shows this. Don't expect to see any metal stuff its pretty much classic selection of songs. More of these songs can be unlocked via exploration. And you can always play your own music with the Xbox 360's dashboard.
REPLAY: You'll most likely play this again as there is a multiplayer that is fun if you liked the RTS gamplay from the main game. The achievements are basic and are all mostly single player related with very few being online. If you rushed through it to finish it would be worth while to go back into it to explore the large open world. Plenty of content here for the low price that its going for now.
Brutal Legend is excellent game that any fan of action adventure will really enjoy. And those who love rock well this game is a love letter to you. Enjoy | video-games_xbox |
Avoid if you are looking for character development and soul. I've been an RPG fan for quite a while now and the strongest games have always had excellent character development, great story lines, and a quality called "soul." The successful games make you care about the characters and immerse you in the plot. However, Oblivion is just that--I felt that I was in oblivion as the mechanics of the game merely gave me mindless tasks to fulfill without actually developing any sort of connection with the main characters or story.
The game simply fails to draw me in. But I think for some, having this detachment with the story and characters is a good thing, if they are task oriented. On this level, it is successful. Think of this game as a mega-version of Animal Crossing except not as fun.
(Get ready for the negative votes on this review, lol.)
I am not saying it isn't a good game, because lots of people like it. But for me, it isn't a good game because of the reasons I stated. If you are a true RPG fan, you may be as disappointed as I was with this game, in spite of the immense world it offers.
This is my fourth attempt at playing through this game in as many years. I felt I must have missed something if the reviews were so good. But after this last and final attempt to stick with this game, I will sell it. There just isn't any soul to this game for me. It doesn't feel "alive" or "real." The characters are cardboard cutouts and offer no depth.
There has to be more than a vast world to explore, and in many instances for no real reason at all, to really be a good RPG for me.
My gut feeling is that if you enjoy MMORPGs, Oblivion will be fun for you as it is basically a one person MMORPG with a world so big, you'll be exploring for months on end, and perhaps this is the success of the game for some.
Sorry guys, Oblivion didn't work for me, but I'm glad other gamers enjoyed it and that's the whole point, having fun. | video-games_xbox |
This is what other future action packed games need to look to for guidance. I was a little apprehensive getting this game and was standing at Walmart for a good 20 minutes deciding if I should go with this or Dragon Age: Inquisition. I am so glad I picked this one. You can tell this game was well thought out and not slapped together.
Graphics: 10
Xbox One delivers exceptional quality of graphics. My wife hates all kinds of violent games but even she would sometimes stop what she was doing just to watch one of the cut scenes. They are just phenomenal. Every scar, burn, or gash is clearly visible on the Uruks and it is even better when you pull an execution and see one of their heads rolling.
Gameplay: 10
Leveling up is not only fun but quick. Some games have this ideology where you have to go through hours and hours of playing time just to get one measly upgrade on your character. Not this game. The more Uruks you kill, the more upgrades you unlock. The more upgrades you unlock, the more Uruks you kill. What's also nice is that theres no need to go to a store or shop to buy whatever you're running low on. Everything you need, provided you have the right Runes, can be obtained from killing Uruks. And you will be doing a LOT of that.
Bosses: 4
So far, this is my only flaw as the main guys you are hunting are relatively easy to beat. I beat the Hammer on my first try and it was nothing compared to some of the War Chiefs. But no matter because the Nemesis system is really what this game is about.
Nemesis System: 10
This is by far, one of the coolest enemy attacking mechanisms. Forget assassinating your targets like in AC. This game is so much more than that. It allows you to take control of an Uruk and bend him to you will. If he's a captain, you can send him on missions or have him fight a War Chief, thereby getting rid of a high ranking enemy and planting one of your own minions to control others. There so much strategy involved depending on how you want to build your army but I think the only way to know is to just play it.
Loading Time : 8
Considering the size of the locations you visit, the loading time is surprisingly short. Unlike Madden, where you can start a small book before getting to kickoff, you can jump into the fray in 1-2 minutes tops.
Overall, this is a great game and one that can have an infinite number of enemies to keep you interested for a long time. If you like fast paced one man army type of games, this one is for you | video-games_xbox |
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