One of the best developments in video games over the years has been the life-like, spectacular visual effects and stunning cut-scenes that contribute to the story. For the past year, we've seen some amazing gameplay, but the larger than life action in the gaming worlds cut-scenes is one of the best technological advances in the industry. Here are this years top Cinematic scenes in video games.
Bioshock 2 Opening Scene: The opening scene of this terrific sequel to the hit series Bioshock was breathtaking, both visually and in story. From the sweet yet creepy little girl leading you down a hallway to the amazing scenery of Rapture before it was ravaged by civil war, this opening sequence did a wonderful job of seeing into the plot of the game, while introducing the vile Sofia Lamb and her army of deluded followers.
Splinter Cell Conviction Ending: After hours of going through trecherous missions, reliving old war memories, and finding a way to get to the truth surrounding his daughters mysterious death, Sam Fisher arrives in time for a covert operation at the White House, where a rougue group is set to kill the President. After fighting through the White House, Sam must face his nemisis, and decide who is truly his ally, and who is his foe.
Fallout: New Vegas opening scene: Ever wonder what would happen if a Nuclear war nearly destroyed the world, and those left behind were to stumble upon Las Vegas? Well, Fallout: New Vegas, sure answers that question. The opening scene to this hit game shows off the wonders of Vegas, and the fight for control over the city and its surroundings, leaving players excited from the get-go. Because, "War, War never changes."
Halo: Reach ending: After hours of fighting off the Covenent, racing around the planet, finding key artifacts to help with the fight, and defending the planet as it is evacuated, the last scene of the game showcases the Spartans unwillingness to give up, and one mans struggle to keep up the fight until the end.
Mass Effect 2 Ending: By far the best ending i've seen in a game. Full of action, drama, and infinite possibilities, the epic space saga known as Mass Effect arrived at the end of its second game with a bang. Infiltrating a base controlled by an alien race serving the Reapers, sentient machines bent on galactic destruction, Commander Shepperd and his team went on a suicide mission, and this is how it ended, (at least, one way it ended, depending on your choices.) The characterization, drama, and non-stop action all the way to the end makes this the best Cinematic experience in the year in Gaming.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Top Games of the Year
The end of another fun filled year in gaming is coming to an end. With no other major game releases due out until the beginning of the year, we sit back and reflect on the year in gaming. For those looking for games to get for loved ones or themselves during this holiday season, this is a must read.
10. Dante's Inferno: You have to love a game that is adapted from an ancient epic poem. Dante's Inferno follows Dante, a soldier during the Crusades that comes home after the horrors he suffered and that he inflicted during the war, only to find his true love, Beatrice, murdered. Upon finding her naked body, her soul is taken by Lucifer into hell, and Dante's takes flight, diving into the pits of hell in order to save her soul. Fighting through the nine circles of hell, Dante faces hordes of demons and must confront his own personal demons, in hopes of either redeeming his soul or condemning it further by exacting his revenge. Full of similar game play to Assassins Creed and Prince of Persia, the game is stunning, both visually and in terms of plot, and despite the graphic violence, nudity, and sex scenes, the games story and game play far outweigh the negatives.
9. Mafia II: For those who love the Godfather and Sopranos series, Mafia II is a must have this holiday season. Following the path and career of Vito Scalletta, a soldier who returns from WWII and finds himself working for the mob in fictional Empire City. Players are able to live out the life and growth of a mobster, from shake downs and drive bys to assassinations and drug dealers, this game showcases the notorious lives of gangsters and good fellas during the 1940's and 50's. Set in a third-person shooter, the game showcases the lifestyle of the time, with classic cars, classic radio and songs, and snappy suits that scream Dean Martin.
8. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction: Theres nothing better than the espionage and action of a political, ex-soldier shoot-em-up. Players are immersed into the story of Sam Fisher, who for three years has grieved over the loss of his daughter and who has managed to stay off the radar from the shadow group Third Echelon. However, Sam finds himself brought into a hairy situation when he goes after the man he believes murdered his daughter. Going after the man leads to being caught into a political conspiracy between members of his own government and terrorists. This third-person shooter is amazing, with Jason Bourne like action and classic Tom Clancy plot that makes this game a must have.
7. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands: Its a tale as old as time in the gaming world. Ever since the Prince of Persia showed up in his original 2-D game, fans all over have flocked to the Princes world, fighting zombies, demons, and evil Viziers. In the latest installment in the series, gamers follow the Prince before he was introduced to the Sands of Time. Arriving in his brothers kingdom in order to learn how to become a leader, the Prince finds himself trapped in a city of infected citizens. His brother, who was fighting a losing war, decided to unleash King Solomon's Sands, a power said to hold the ability to defeat all those who stand in the unleashes path. The Sands, however, transform the soldiers and citizens into mindless sand creatures, and the Princes brother becomes possessed by a horrible demon bent on world wide destruction. The game play is solid, and full of non-stop action that is classic to the Prince of Persia series.
6. Dead Rising 2: Zombies have invaded pop culture once more this year. With the Walking Dead's major success's, as well of Left 4 Dead's hit add-ons, Dead Rising 2 was a perfect game to play during the holidays. Following motocross champion Chuck Greene, players find themselves trapped in Fortune City, a Las Vegas type of city that has been invaded by a zombie outbreak. Chuck, who has been framed for starting the outbreak, must clear his name, find the real source of the outbreak, and find the medicine that is keeping his only daughter, Katey, from becoming a zombie herself. Full of dramatic plots, heartwarming character development, and bloody carnage and game play, this game is a cult-hit, and a great game for the zombie lover in all of us.
5. Bioshock 2: Welcome to Rapture! The underwater city built by Andrew Ryan. Set 10 years after the first game, Bioshock 2 places players in the shoes of the first Big Daddy, who wakes up 10 years after being shot and killed by Dr. Sophia Lamb. When you awaken, you find the once marvelous city of Rapture has begun to be claimed by the ocean, with degradation and decay setting in throughout the city. Dr. Lamb's daughter, Eleanor, your little sister, is now grown up, and has awoken you so that you can free her from her mothers captivity and escape the city. You must traverse through the broken down city, face Big Daddies, automatic defenses, and genetically altered humans called splicers, so that you can stop the evil forces from taking over the city of corruption. Also added is the multiplayer aspect, which gives players a story related aspect, taking you to the time in Rapture's history when a civil war broke out, and the city was left in chaos. This game is breathtaking, with amazing visuals, creepy characters, and fast paced action.
4. Fallout: New Vegas: "Ain't that a kick in the head?" That's what all fans asked themselves when Fallout: New Vegas was first released. Set in post-apocalyptic Vegas, players find themselves in the shoes of the Courier, who is shot and left for dead by a Casino boss named Benny. When you awaken, you go in search of your would-be killers, and try and learn what was so valuable that it was worth killing for. Also, players make companions, help citizens of the Mojave wasteland, and find themselves caught in a war between two factions who vie for control of the Hoover Dam, New Vegas main supply of power. The game is full of action, rich plot, and fully developed characters, and a must have.
3. Halo: Reach: Welcome to Reach, humanities last stand against the alien invasion force known as the Covenant. Set between the aliens and Earth, Reach hosts a group of Spartan soldiers known as Noble Team. When a settlement goes dark, Noble Team goes to investigate, and learns that the Covenant has invaded Reach. You play Noble Six, the latest addition to the team, and the one man capable of fighting the covenant to the end. Everyone knows the Halo series, and how the fight for Reach ended. This game is the story of how the end came to be, and how one team gave their lives and fought valiantly to save what they could of humanity. This game is a must have for fans of the series.
2. Mass Effect 2: I have one name for you guys, Commander Shepperd. That's right, anyone who knows the story of Mass Effect knows Commander Shepperd. In the sequel to the hit game, Mass Effect 2 finds players in Shepperd's shoes once more, having died in an alien attack on his vessel an being reborn by the Illusive Man, the leader of a human organization who wants to find a way of defeating the Reapers, sentient machines bent on galactic destruction. Humans colonies have been disappearing all over the galaxy, and it is up to Shepperd to recruit a new team, and investigate the disappearances and fight the enemy aliens. From the creative minds of Bioware, this game is rich in plot, characterization, and game play, as you use your high tech ship to fly around the galaxy, investigating new worlds and finding a way to defeat a formidable foe.
1. Assassins Creed Brotherhood: History and action combine to bring fourth the best action-adventure game not only in the Assassins Creed series, but of the year. Players follow Desmond Miles, an assassin by blood and in training, who is on the run with his allies from Abstergo Industries, the modern day Templar order. Using a machine known as the Animus 2.0, Desmond is able to access his ancestors memories embedded in his DNA. Using the machine to find information on an ancient relic known as a Piece of Eden, Desmond recalls the memories of Ezio Auditore, the Master Assassin during Renaissance Rome. Players find Ezio returning to Rome after Cesare Borgia attacks his Villa home and leaves him for dead. Ezio goes to Rome in search of Cesare and his allies, so that the corruption and evil plaguing Rome may end. The Piece of Eden is the key to saving the planet from destruction by natural means, and using Ezio's memories, players must traverse through corrupt Rome to find it. Another reason why this is our game of the year is because of the addition of multiplayer, in which players find themselves working for Abstergo Industries, using memories recorded from test subject and having you train as Assassins from the Rennassaince era. The game play, weaponry, story, and characters make this game at the top of our holiday wish list, and both this blog and its affiliate, Rock on Request magazine, the Game of the Year.
10. Dante's Inferno: You have to love a game that is adapted from an ancient epic poem. Dante's Inferno follows Dante, a soldier during the Crusades that comes home after the horrors he suffered and that he inflicted during the war, only to find his true love, Beatrice, murdered. Upon finding her naked body, her soul is taken by Lucifer into hell, and Dante's takes flight, diving into the pits of hell in order to save her soul. Fighting through the nine circles of hell, Dante faces hordes of demons and must confront his own personal demons, in hopes of either redeeming his soul or condemning it further by exacting his revenge. Full of similar game play to Assassins Creed and Prince of Persia, the game is stunning, both visually and in terms of plot, and despite the graphic violence, nudity, and sex scenes, the games story and game play far outweigh the negatives.
9. Mafia II: For those who love the Godfather and Sopranos series, Mafia II is a must have this holiday season. Following the path and career of Vito Scalletta, a soldier who returns from WWII and finds himself working for the mob in fictional Empire City. Players are able to live out the life and growth of a mobster, from shake downs and drive bys to assassinations and drug dealers, this game showcases the notorious lives of gangsters and good fellas during the 1940's and 50's. Set in a third-person shooter, the game showcases the lifestyle of the time, with classic cars, classic radio and songs, and snappy suits that scream Dean Martin.
8. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction: Theres nothing better than the espionage and action of a political, ex-soldier shoot-em-up. Players are immersed into the story of Sam Fisher, who for three years has grieved over the loss of his daughter and who has managed to stay off the radar from the shadow group Third Echelon. However, Sam finds himself brought into a hairy situation when he goes after the man he believes murdered his daughter. Going after the man leads to being caught into a political conspiracy between members of his own government and terrorists. This third-person shooter is amazing, with Jason Bourne like action and classic Tom Clancy plot that makes this game a must have.
7. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands: Its a tale as old as time in the gaming world. Ever since the Prince of Persia showed up in his original 2-D game, fans all over have flocked to the Princes world, fighting zombies, demons, and evil Viziers. In the latest installment in the series, gamers follow the Prince before he was introduced to the Sands of Time. Arriving in his brothers kingdom in order to learn how to become a leader, the Prince finds himself trapped in a city of infected citizens. His brother, who was fighting a losing war, decided to unleash King Solomon's Sands, a power said to hold the ability to defeat all those who stand in the unleashes path. The Sands, however, transform the soldiers and citizens into mindless sand creatures, and the Princes brother becomes possessed by a horrible demon bent on world wide destruction. The game play is solid, and full of non-stop action that is classic to the Prince of Persia series.
6. Dead Rising 2: Zombies have invaded pop culture once more this year. With the Walking Dead's major success's, as well of Left 4 Dead's hit add-ons, Dead Rising 2 was a perfect game to play during the holidays. Following motocross champion Chuck Greene, players find themselves trapped in Fortune City, a Las Vegas type of city that has been invaded by a zombie outbreak. Chuck, who has been framed for starting the outbreak, must clear his name, find the real source of the outbreak, and find the medicine that is keeping his only daughter, Katey, from becoming a zombie herself. Full of dramatic plots, heartwarming character development, and bloody carnage and game play, this game is a cult-hit, and a great game for the zombie lover in all of us.
5. Bioshock 2: Welcome to Rapture! The underwater city built by Andrew Ryan. Set 10 years after the first game, Bioshock 2 places players in the shoes of the first Big Daddy, who wakes up 10 years after being shot and killed by Dr. Sophia Lamb. When you awaken, you find the once marvelous city of Rapture has begun to be claimed by the ocean, with degradation and decay setting in throughout the city. Dr. Lamb's daughter, Eleanor, your little sister, is now grown up, and has awoken you so that you can free her from her mothers captivity and escape the city. You must traverse through the broken down city, face Big Daddies, automatic defenses, and genetically altered humans called splicers, so that you can stop the evil forces from taking over the city of corruption. Also added is the multiplayer aspect, which gives players a story related aspect, taking you to the time in Rapture's history when a civil war broke out, and the city was left in chaos. This game is breathtaking, with amazing visuals, creepy characters, and fast paced action.
4. Fallout: New Vegas: "Ain't that a kick in the head?" That's what all fans asked themselves when Fallout: New Vegas was first released. Set in post-apocalyptic Vegas, players find themselves in the shoes of the Courier, who is shot and left for dead by a Casino boss named Benny. When you awaken, you go in search of your would-be killers, and try and learn what was so valuable that it was worth killing for. Also, players make companions, help citizens of the Mojave wasteland, and find themselves caught in a war between two factions who vie for control of the Hoover Dam, New Vegas main supply of power. The game is full of action, rich plot, and fully developed characters, and a must have.
3. Halo: Reach: Welcome to Reach, humanities last stand against the alien invasion force known as the Covenant. Set between the aliens and Earth, Reach hosts a group of Spartan soldiers known as Noble Team. When a settlement goes dark, Noble Team goes to investigate, and learns that the Covenant has invaded Reach. You play Noble Six, the latest addition to the team, and the one man capable of fighting the covenant to the end. Everyone knows the Halo series, and how the fight for Reach ended. This game is the story of how the end came to be, and how one team gave their lives and fought valiantly to save what they could of humanity. This game is a must have for fans of the series.
2. Mass Effect 2: I have one name for you guys, Commander Shepperd. That's right, anyone who knows the story of Mass Effect knows Commander Shepperd. In the sequel to the hit game, Mass Effect 2 finds players in Shepperd's shoes once more, having died in an alien attack on his vessel an being reborn by the Illusive Man, the leader of a human organization who wants to find a way of defeating the Reapers, sentient machines bent on galactic destruction. Humans colonies have been disappearing all over the galaxy, and it is up to Shepperd to recruit a new team, and investigate the disappearances and fight the enemy aliens. From the creative minds of Bioware, this game is rich in plot, characterization, and game play, as you use your high tech ship to fly around the galaxy, investigating new worlds and finding a way to defeat a formidable foe.
1. Assassins Creed Brotherhood: History and action combine to bring fourth the best action-adventure game not only in the Assassins Creed series, but of the year. Players follow Desmond Miles, an assassin by blood and in training, who is on the run with his allies from Abstergo Industries, the modern day Templar order. Using a machine known as the Animus 2.0, Desmond is able to access his ancestors memories embedded in his DNA. Using the machine to find information on an ancient relic known as a Piece of Eden, Desmond recalls the memories of Ezio Auditore, the Master Assassin during Renaissance Rome. Players find Ezio returning to Rome after Cesare Borgia attacks his Villa home and leaves him for dead. Ezio goes to Rome in search of Cesare and his allies, so that the corruption and evil plaguing Rome may end. The Piece of Eden is the key to saving the planet from destruction by natural means, and using Ezio's memories, players must traverse through corrupt Rome to find it. Another reason why this is our game of the year is because of the addition of multiplayer, in which players find themselves working for Abstergo Industries, using memories recorded from test subject and having you train as Assassins from the Rennassaince era. The game play, weaponry, story, and characters make this game at the top of our holiday wish list, and both this blog and its affiliate, Rock on Request magazine, the Game of the Year.
Fallout: New Vegas
Everyone loves Las Vegas. The lights, the shows, the parties, the adventure of it all, everyone wants to be there. In Bethesda studio's latest Fallout game, New Vegas, however, the Strip may not be as glamorous and fun as it is today. Full of warring factions, violence at every corner, and shady individuals who will stop at nothing to see you dead, New Vegas is full of the non-stop action and detailed plot lines that gamers have come to love of the Fallout series.
New Vegas finds players in control of The Courier, a man sent out to deliver a platinum poker chip to a mysterious figure. When a Casino boss known as Benny corners you, however, he takes the chip, and shoots you in the head, leaving you to die in the grave he forced you to dig yourself. However, upon waking up, players find themselves on a journey to find the man who left him for dead, get revenge, and learn the mystery surrounding the poker chip and the Mojave Wasteland. While on your journey, players will find themselves caught in a long-scale war between the New California Republic and Caesar's Legion, a group of slavers who have formed an army to take over the Hoover Dam, which is the NCR controlled power source for New Vegas.
The game play is very much like that of Bethesda's hit game Fallout 3. A first person shooter, role-playing game, the mechanics have improved deeply, with faster reload's for your weapons, an iron-sights that allows more accurate shooting, and a much more realistic VATS system, which allows players to systematically pick where your shots are fired and how much damage will be taken. Another great feature is the return of radio stations, which allow players to listen to old school music that takes you back to the days of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. And finally, the realistic scenery and amazing cast that voices the characters of the game, (Matthew Perry, Ron Perlman, Felicia Day, Michael Hogan), the plot of the game blends well with the mechanics of the game, making it one of the best games in the series, if not the best.
Overall, Fallout: New Vegas is a must have this holidays season. Full of intricate plots, amazing character development, intense action, and fluid game play, the only downfall is a series of glitches that arise at random moments in the game, which developers are in the works of fixing. I give this game a 9 out of 10, for it one of the most detailed, enriching games I've played in a long time, and will spend countless days and weeks playing in the future.
New Vegas finds players in control of The Courier, a man sent out to deliver a platinum poker chip to a mysterious figure. When a Casino boss known as Benny corners you, however, he takes the chip, and shoots you in the head, leaving you to die in the grave he forced you to dig yourself. However, upon waking up, players find themselves on a journey to find the man who left him for dead, get revenge, and learn the mystery surrounding the poker chip and the Mojave Wasteland. While on your journey, players will find themselves caught in a long-scale war between the New California Republic and Caesar's Legion, a group of slavers who have formed an army to take over the Hoover Dam, which is the NCR controlled power source for New Vegas.
The game play is very much like that of Bethesda's hit game Fallout 3. A first person shooter, role-playing game, the mechanics have improved deeply, with faster reload's for your weapons, an iron-sights that allows more accurate shooting, and a much more realistic VATS system, which allows players to systematically pick where your shots are fired and how much damage will be taken. Another great feature is the return of radio stations, which allow players to listen to old school music that takes you back to the days of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. And finally, the realistic scenery and amazing cast that voices the characters of the game, (Matthew Perry, Ron Perlman, Felicia Day, Michael Hogan), the plot of the game blends well with the mechanics of the game, making it one of the best games in the series, if not the best.
Overall, Fallout: New Vegas is a must have this holidays season. Full of intricate plots, amazing character development, intense action, and fluid game play, the only downfall is a series of glitches that arise at random moments in the game, which developers are in the works of fixing. I give this game a 9 out of 10, for it one of the most detailed, enriching games I've played in a long time, and will spend countless days and weeks playing in the future.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Mafia II
Forget about it! For anyone who loves The Godfather, The Sopranoes, or Goodfellas, Mafia II is the game for you. Full of intense action, dramatic scenery, vintage music, cars, and weapons, and great character development, Mafia II was a surprise hit that left me in eager anticipation for a sequel.
Set in the 40's and 50's, players play as Vito Scalletta, a young italian man from Sicily who looks over his life as a gangster. After coming home after fighting overseas during WWII, Vito meets up with his best friend Joe, who uses his mafia connections to get Vito out of having to return to the war effort. When Vito finds out that his now dead father has left his mother and sister in debt, he goes to work for the Clemente crime family. From there, a series of powerful events lead you from simple errand boy, to made man, to family muscle, to desperate gangster.
The gameplay is much like that of the Resident Evil series, with third-person shooter action. Set in the fictional city of Empire City, based on cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Full of classic weaponry of the era, including Tommy guns and .38 caliber weapons. Also present are classic vehicles of the era, with the ability to not only listen to the radio stations of the city, but to change the stations as you see fit. The voice over work of the game is high caliber has well, with a good majority of the cast helming from those actors from the infamous show, The Sopranoes.
Overall, I'd have to give this game an 8 out of 10. It was fun, exciting, action-packed, exhilirating adventure. While not the typical game I would play, it was a great game, and had me enthralled from begining to end.
Set in the 40's and 50's, players play as Vito Scalletta, a young italian man from Sicily who looks over his life as a gangster. After coming home after fighting overseas during WWII, Vito meets up with his best friend Joe, who uses his mafia connections to get Vito out of having to return to the war effort. When Vito finds out that his now dead father has left his mother and sister in debt, he goes to work for the Clemente crime family. From there, a series of powerful events lead you from simple errand boy, to made man, to family muscle, to desperate gangster.
The gameplay is much like that of the Resident Evil series, with third-person shooter action. Set in the fictional city of Empire City, based on cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Full of classic weaponry of the era, including Tommy guns and .38 caliber weapons. Also present are classic vehicles of the era, with the ability to not only listen to the radio stations of the city, but to change the stations as you see fit. The voice over work of the game is high caliber has well, with a good majority of the cast helming from those actors from the infamous show, The Sopranoes.
Overall, I'd have to give this game an 8 out of 10. It was fun, exciting, action-packed, exhilirating adventure. While not the typical game I would play, it was a great game, and had me enthralled from begining to end.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Top 5 Video Game Series of the Decade
Next in my Video Game Awards comes the Top 5 Video Game Series of the Decade. These games are what kept fans enthralled game after game after game. Whether it was the gameplay, the characters, the story, or the action, these games are the best of the best.
5. Assassins Creed series: Ubisoft's most popular series to date, Assassins Creed began in 2007 with the release of Assassins Creed, which told the story of Desmond Miles, a young man born into the world of the Assassins and kidnapped by his family's sworn enemies, the Templar's. Using the Animus, Desmond is forced to relive the moments of his ancestors through stored memories in his DNA. Visiting famous historical time periods such as The Crusades and the Renaissance, Desmond is forced to locate the Pieces of Eden, powerful artifacts left by an ancient race of aliens that could be used for power, wealth, or to save the planet for global catastrophe. Desmond must escape with the help of another Assassin, Lucy, and help the Assassins find the Pieces of Eden before the planet is destroyed in 2012. The gameplay has been amazing, using swords, wrist blades, throwing knives, and guns to take out targets, save citizens of the era, and plus you get to visit famous cities and historical landmarks. This is the best action-adventure, historical game around, and I cannot wait to see what the series will bring next for Desmond Miles.
4. Rock Band series: Everyone wants to be a rock star. Now, thanks to Harmonix, they can. Beginning in 2007, Rock Band allowed players to become rockers, using controllers in the shape of their favorite instruments. Whether you wanted to be a guitarist, bassist, singer, or even drummer, up to four people were able to play at any given time. With millions of song available to play, players could play their favorite songs from their favorite bands, and play at famous venues. With releases that included band-centric games, including The Beatles: Rock Band, this is the most invested, fun, and wealthy music based video game franchises in the world.
3. Gears of War series: Ever since the locust invaded our consoles, Gears of Wars has been one of the bloodiest first person shooters around. Weilding anything from chainsaw guns to chained grenades, players stepped into the shoes of Gears leader Marcus Fenix, a soldier for the COG (Coalition of Gears), who was tasked by the human resistance to help the Gears fight the Locust, a monstrous race of creatures that emerged from underneath the surface and began a bloody war for domination. After two games, players fought battle after battle, hacking off limbs and enjoying commradery with Marcus's team, Dom, Baird, and Cole. Another great feature of the game was the intense multiplayer experience, with found up to sixteen guys going head to head with one another, blowing each other up and getting into blood filled battles. The non-stop action combined with the gore and horror of the monster movie madness, this game is truely unique, and one of my all time favorites.
2. Halo series: How does the world end? That's the question that fans all over the world asked when Halo 3 was released. This series follows Master Chief, the last of the super soldiers known as Spartans, in his fight against the Covenant, an alien race with a fanatic religious agenda. Through the first three games, players fought valiantly as the Master Chief, jumping from orbit above planets, shooting down monstrous zombies, blowing bases up, and going across the galaxy in an attempt to save the remaining few people of the human race. In the face of death and extinction, Master Chief fought for survival, and won. The last three games dealt with the events leading to the previous three games, following the paths of Spartans fallen before the Master Chief, and lone Orbital Drop Shock Troopers left to defend Earth. Featuring great voice talent, amazing special effects, dramatic music, and characters and stories that not only touched our hearts, but left players on the edge of their seats. The original game that started the first person shooter craze, and allowed Xbox to create the multiplayer experience, Halo is the true pioneer of the last decade, and a must play for the gamer in all of us.
1. Left 4 Dead series: Zombies have invaded pop culture once again. Beginning in 2008, Left 4 Dead had a basic premise, survive a zombie apocalypse and search for rescue. Rather than focus on intricate plot details, the game focuses on the characters, and throws complex and life like characters into various survival situations. Utilizing what makes all zombie movies great, players got a variety of weapons, and went head to head with the zombie horde. Whether you were blowing off a zombie's head with a shotgun, or hacking limbs off with a katana, players went through memorable settings and fought against fast running zombies, as well as mutated "special" infected, like the hunter, who can leap vast distances, or the Tank, who looks like a muscle head to the 10th power. Also utilizing the multiplayer experience, this game pits players against one another, whether you're a survivor or playing as a special infected, and get to fight one another until the end. This is the most fun, action packed, and popular video game series to premiere in the past decade, and has set the bar for future games everywhere!
5. Assassins Creed series: Ubisoft's most popular series to date, Assassins Creed began in 2007 with the release of Assassins Creed, which told the story of Desmond Miles, a young man born into the world of the Assassins and kidnapped by his family's sworn enemies, the Templar's. Using the Animus, Desmond is forced to relive the moments of his ancestors through stored memories in his DNA. Visiting famous historical time periods such as The Crusades and the Renaissance, Desmond is forced to locate the Pieces of Eden, powerful artifacts left by an ancient race of aliens that could be used for power, wealth, or to save the planet for global catastrophe. Desmond must escape with the help of another Assassin, Lucy, and help the Assassins find the Pieces of Eden before the planet is destroyed in 2012. The gameplay has been amazing, using swords, wrist blades, throwing knives, and guns to take out targets, save citizens of the era, and plus you get to visit famous cities and historical landmarks. This is the best action-adventure, historical game around, and I cannot wait to see what the series will bring next for Desmond Miles.
4. Rock Band series: Everyone wants to be a rock star. Now, thanks to Harmonix, they can. Beginning in 2007, Rock Band allowed players to become rockers, using controllers in the shape of their favorite instruments. Whether you wanted to be a guitarist, bassist, singer, or even drummer, up to four people were able to play at any given time. With millions of song available to play, players could play their favorite songs from their favorite bands, and play at famous venues. With releases that included band-centric games, including The Beatles: Rock Band, this is the most invested, fun, and wealthy music based video game franchises in the world.
3. Gears of War series: Ever since the locust invaded our consoles, Gears of Wars has been one of the bloodiest first person shooters around. Weilding anything from chainsaw guns to chained grenades, players stepped into the shoes of Gears leader Marcus Fenix, a soldier for the COG (Coalition of Gears), who was tasked by the human resistance to help the Gears fight the Locust, a monstrous race of creatures that emerged from underneath the surface and began a bloody war for domination. After two games, players fought battle after battle, hacking off limbs and enjoying commradery with Marcus's team, Dom, Baird, and Cole. Another great feature of the game was the intense multiplayer experience, with found up to sixteen guys going head to head with one another, blowing each other up and getting into blood filled battles. The non-stop action combined with the gore and horror of the monster movie madness, this game is truely unique, and one of my all time favorites.
2. Halo series: How does the world end? That's the question that fans all over the world asked when Halo 3 was released. This series follows Master Chief, the last of the super soldiers known as Spartans, in his fight against the Covenant, an alien race with a fanatic religious agenda. Through the first three games, players fought valiantly as the Master Chief, jumping from orbit above planets, shooting down monstrous zombies, blowing bases up, and going across the galaxy in an attempt to save the remaining few people of the human race. In the face of death and extinction, Master Chief fought for survival, and won. The last three games dealt with the events leading to the previous three games, following the paths of Spartans fallen before the Master Chief, and lone Orbital Drop Shock Troopers left to defend Earth. Featuring great voice talent, amazing special effects, dramatic music, and characters and stories that not only touched our hearts, but left players on the edge of their seats. The original game that started the first person shooter craze, and allowed Xbox to create the multiplayer experience, Halo is the true pioneer of the last decade, and a must play for the gamer in all of us.
1. Left 4 Dead series: Zombies have invaded pop culture once again. Beginning in 2008, Left 4 Dead had a basic premise, survive a zombie apocalypse and search for rescue. Rather than focus on intricate plot details, the game focuses on the characters, and throws complex and life like characters into various survival situations. Utilizing what makes all zombie movies great, players got a variety of weapons, and went head to head with the zombie horde. Whether you were blowing off a zombie's head with a shotgun, or hacking limbs off with a katana, players went through memorable settings and fought against fast running zombies, as well as mutated "special" infected, like the hunter, who can leap vast distances, or the Tank, who looks like a muscle head to the 10th power. Also utilizing the multiplayer experience, this game pits players against one another, whether you're a survivor or playing as a special infected, and get to fight one another until the end. This is the most fun, action packed, and popular video game series to premiere in the past decade, and has set the bar for future games everywhere!
Top 10 Video Game Characters of the Decade
When the world first played video games, the games were just 8-bit 2-D models with basic objects, save the princess, defeat the bad guy. Now, however, video games have become brand new narrative's for heartwarming, intense, horrific, and action packed story's that span galaxies and other dimensions. With the weight of the world on their shoulders, the characters of the past decade have grown so much, becoming heroes that had only been seen previously in movies or television. This is my list of the top 10 video game characters of the past decade, part of my video game awards. Warning, spoilers may be present in the following paragraphs. Be Warned, if you do not wish to see a spoiler or have not played the games mentioned before, do not read any further. Enjoy!
10. Andrew Ryan (Bioshock): "A Man Chooses, A Slave Obeys". The infamous words spoken by Bioshock's main antagonist, or one of them, depending on your view. Andrew Ryan is the creator of Rapture, the underwater utopia created in the Atlantic Ocean. Having built it away from the laws of the Government in hopes of creating a civilization run by the hardworking people, rather than government, Andrew Ryan's dream city soon turned to chaos, sporting genetically altered people known as splicers and creepy little sisters who are guarded by metal beasts known as Big Daddies. With the chaos, however, Ryan still tries to maintain control, using the splicers to prevent the game's protagonist from taking control of the city. While his methods and goals may be flawed, or possibly evil, he has a major impact on the entire series, and spouts the words that will define the meaning of the entire game. Whether good or bad, Andrew Ryan is Bioshock.
9. Alyx Vance (Half-Life 2): Also known as Gordon Freeman's better half, Alyx Vance is the reason why fans have come to love the series. While everyone knows Freeman and his heroism, no one would no Gordon without Alyx and her brave, strong character that has helped both her and Gordon survive every attack the alien menace has thrown at them. Living in an apocalyptic world where an alien race from another dimension known as the Combine have taken over, Alyx and Gordon fight with the human resistance to liberate their world from the alien's and take back what's rightfully theirs. While sporting an unspoken romance between them, Alyx has shown great growth in the short time we've known her, taking care of her father, the leader of the resistance, making runs across an alien occupied city to free prisoner's and human citizens, and transporting stolen alien data to prevent another portal from destroying the world. Even sacrificing herself for the mission, we see her nearly die and come back again, defying death itself to save the day. Without Alyx Vance, there would be no Gordon Freeman.
8. GLaDOS (Portal): One of the decades most surprising hit games was Portal, a puzzle solving game that took place in the same universe as Half-Life. While the puzzles and gravity defying objectives were amazing, what made the game so lovable was the birth of a truly evil yet hilarious new villain, GLaDOS, (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System). GLaDOS is a artificial intelligence running a science facility known as Apeture Science. Waking the main character up as a test subject, GLaDOS puts you through death defying missions while promising you "cake". After being destroyed by the main character at the end of the first portal, GLaDOS is set to reappear in the sequel coming out next year, Portal 2. Dead set on getting revenge on you for killing her, GLaDOS is sure to set new deadly courses and clever witticisms by this time next year.
7. Alma Wade (F.E.A.R. series): Sporting one of the bloodiest, most deadly pasts in gaming history, Alma is the definition of evil, made by society. The daughter of a powerful scientists and head of a major company, she is taken by her father after it is discovered she harbors a disturbed personality and kinetic powers. Put into stasis and used as a means of birthing prototype soldiers that would theoretically be able to use telepathy to control soldiers in the battlefield, she is impregnated using genetic material from her father, and only brought out of sleep in order to give birth. This happens two times before finally her body fails, and she dies. When her body dies, she makes contact with her second son, Paxton Fettel, another great villain, and forces him to go on a killing spree in order to release her. Once released, her spirit, or psychic energy, unleashing a wave of terror and rage on the city of Auburn. Players control Point Man, the agent of the special paranormal government team F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon), who must hunt down Paxton Fettel, stop Alma, and learn the secrets of this disturbed girl's past. While the game is one of the horror genre's best, Alma is one of the most terrifying little girls in history, giving girls like Samara from the Ring and that Grudge girl a run for their money.
6. Sora (Kingdom Hearts): A young boy who dreams of adventure and finding love with his best friend Kairi, Sora finds his world turned upside down when a sinister force known as the Darkness infects his world, separating him from Kairi and his other best friend, Riku. He learns he is the keyblade master, a warrior destined to repel the Darkness. Joining forces with Disney favorites Goofy and Donald Duck, Sora must save the worlds from the Darkness, stop a group of Disney and Final Fantasy villains, and find his friends before the universe is engulfed in Darkness. We see this boy grow into the role of hero, shunning the boyhood dreams in hopes of becoming the salvation of the universe. Making new allies, finding love, fighting evil, and risking his life and soul in order to save everyone, this boy does not become a man, but rather keeps that boyhood wonder and innocence in order to see the good in people, and recognize the evil where it lies. Sora is the definition of a hero.
5. Commander Shepard (Mass Effect 2): The leader of a human manned ship, Commander Shepard is the hero in the hit series Mass Effect. After saving the Citadel, a capitol planet in which all alien leaders convene, from the evil Saren from using the Reapers, an ancient alien race that destroys all sentient life in the galaxy every million years or so. In Mass Effect 2, players get to know Shepard a little better, seeing the natural leader that he is. After being killed in the opening scenes, he is resurrected by The Illusive Man, the head of a human controlled corporation who is seeking Shepard's help in stopping the Collectors, an alien group working for the Reaper's by taking human colonies across the galaxy. Players get to see Shepard become the leader of his ship once more, making allies with other aliens of all classes and positions, from scientists and soldiers to warriors and psychotic killers. He develops friendships with his crew, saves planets from various disasters, investigates crimes, and develops romantic relationships with members of his crew. With the fate of the galaxy in his hands, Shepard does a great job of being a balanced character, not perfect, but heroic nonetheless.
4. Paxton Fettel (F.E.A.R.): The son of F.E.A.R. villain Alma, Paxton Fettel is the cannibal leader of mindless soldiers he controlls using his natural psychic abilities. When first encountered, we find him hunched over the body of a security officer, where his mouth is covered in blood and he continues to eat pieces of the officers body. Besides a cannibal, however, Fettel is the complete opposite of the main character, Point Man. The Yin to his Yang. He is always appearing out of nowhere, killing key characters or helping his mother kill hundreds of people. Leaving a bloody path behind him, Fettel always appears to Point Man, spouting words of wisdom and trying to confuse Point Man as to who he really is. When it is learned later on that Point Man is the first son of Alma, and Fettel's brother, fans all around gasped, and it made Point Man shooting Fettel that much more ironic. In the upcoming F.E.A.R. 3, fans will once again be reunited with Fettel, as he has to work with Point Man in his spectral form in order to stop his mother, who is once again pregnant and on a warpath. Yes, he is the quintessential villain, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
3. Ezio Auditore (Assassins Creed 2, AC: Brotherhood): One of the best series of the past decade, Assassins Creed follows Desmond Miles, a born Assassin kidnapped by the Assassin Guild's enemies, the Templars. Although he himself has never been an Assassin, he holds genetic memories in his DNA, and knowing this, the Templars use a machine known as the Animus to put Desmond into the shoes of his ancestors, reliving key moments in his various ancestors lives to locate ancient artifacts known as Pieces of Eden. In the second and third games, the ancestor in question is Ezio Auditore, the face of Assassins Creed. The son of an Assassin, he is introduced to his destiny only because his father and two brothers are taken into custody by the Borgia, leaders of the Templars in Renaissance Italy, and are executed for false crimes. In hopes of taking revenge, we see Ezio go from vengeful son to natural leader and hero, killing all Templars who support the Borgia, and rebuilding the Assassin Guild so that their work can continue once more. As Ezio, players are able to travel across Italy, visiting famous cities such as Rome, Venice, and Florence, and meeting famous figures such as Leonardo Da Vinci and the Pope. Ezio is the best example of growth in a character, going from an arrogant boy to a grown man and hero of the people of Italy. Through him, we see the hardships and trials a hero must go through, and the corruption seen in Italy in the early 16th century. Ezio Auditore gives Assassins a good name.
2. Marcus Fenix (Gears of War series): In a world overrun by monsters and torn apart by war, humanity needed one man to become the face of hope, and give humanity something to believe in. That man is Marcus Fenix. A former prisoner of war during a planetary civil war, he is released during the Emergence of the Locust horde by his best friend Dom, and joins the Gears, soldiers of humanity set against the Locust. Putting their differences aside, all of humanity pulls together in hopes of stopping the monsters, and rebuilding their civilization. While fighting these creatures, Fenix must also be the best friend who helps Dom find his missing wife, while trying to learn who his father really was, after learning of experiments done by his father within in the Locust hive. With only his teammates and a gun in his hands, Marcus looks death in the eyes, and then punches it in the face, risking life and limb to stop the Locust. After losing so much and facing deadly odds, Marcus has again and again dealt crippling blows to the Locust. With the third game in the Gears trilogy due out next year, we will get to see Marcus's last stand, and the end of his long journey. Will he stop the Locust, and the mysterious knew creatures attacking both sides? If anyone can, Marcus will.
1. Master Chief (Halo series): If there were ever one man who was defined as the hero of all video games, Master Chief is that man. The last of a super soldier program known as the Spartans, Master Chief is humanities last hope of survival against an alien coalition known as the Covenant, religious nutcases who want to use the Halo rings to purge humanity and go on a religious journey. Master Chief knows from experience that the Halo rings are mass sentient purges that wipe all life from the universe so that a deadly alien lifeform known as The Flood cannot feed, kinda like zombies. Over the course of three games, Master Chief is seen jumping in outer space out of an alien ship, blowing said ship up behind him, and falling to earth and surviving in one piece. He takes an impossible situation and flips it around, defeating enemy onslaughts at every turn. Even after losing great allies and friends, Master Chief still manages to sacrifice all in order to defeat the Covenant, and even though he saves the galaxy, he and his AI companion Cortana are left behind, presumed dead, and is forced into stasis. While little is known about the man behind the mask, we know he is a hero by definition, and without him, Xbox itself would not have gotten the name it has over the past decade. He is the face of Halo, of Xbox, and of all heroes after him.
10. Andrew Ryan (Bioshock): "A Man Chooses, A Slave Obeys". The infamous words spoken by Bioshock's main antagonist, or one of them, depending on your view. Andrew Ryan is the creator of Rapture, the underwater utopia created in the Atlantic Ocean. Having built it away from the laws of the Government in hopes of creating a civilization run by the hardworking people, rather than government, Andrew Ryan's dream city soon turned to chaos, sporting genetically altered people known as splicers and creepy little sisters who are guarded by metal beasts known as Big Daddies. With the chaos, however, Ryan still tries to maintain control, using the splicers to prevent the game's protagonist from taking control of the city. While his methods and goals may be flawed, or possibly evil, he has a major impact on the entire series, and spouts the words that will define the meaning of the entire game. Whether good or bad, Andrew Ryan is Bioshock.
9. Alyx Vance (Half-Life 2): Also known as Gordon Freeman's better half, Alyx Vance is the reason why fans have come to love the series. While everyone knows Freeman and his heroism, no one would no Gordon without Alyx and her brave, strong character that has helped both her and Gordon survive every attack the alien menace has thrown at them. Living in an apocalyptic world where an alien race from another dimension known as the Combine have taken over, Alyx and Gordon fight with the human resistance to liberate their world from the alien's and take back what's rightfully theirs. While sporting an unspoken romance between them, Alyx has shown great growth in the short time we've known her, taking care of her father, the leader of the resistance, making runs across an alien occupied city to free prisoner's and human citizens, and transporting stolen alien data to prevent another portal from destroying the world. Even sacrificing herself for the mission, we see her nearly die and come back again, defying death itself to save the day. Without Alyx Vance, there would be no Gordon Freeman.
8. GLaDOS (Portal): One of the decades most surprising hit games was Portal, a puzzle solving game that took place in the same universe as Half-Life. While the puzzles and gravity defying objectives were amazing, what made the game so lovable was the birth of a truly evil yet hilarious new villain, GLaDOS, (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System). GLaDOS is a artificial intelligence running a science facility known as Apeture Science. Waking the main character up as a test subject, GLaDOS puts you through death defying missions while promising you "cake". After being destroyed by the main character at the end of the first portal, GLaDOS is set to reappear in the sequel coming out next year, Portal 2. Dead set on getting revenge on you for killing her, GLaDOS is sure to set new deadly courses and clever witticisms by this time next year.
7. Alma Wade (F.E.A.R. series): Sporting one of the bloodiest, most deadly pasts in gaming history, Alma is the definition of evil, made by society. The daughter of a powerful scientists and head of a major company, she is taken by her father after it is discovered she harbors a disturbed personality and kinetic powers. Put into stasis and used as a means of birthing prototype soldiers that would theoretically be able to use telepathy to control soldiers in the battlefield, she is impregnated using genetic material from her father, and only brought out of sleep in order to give birth. This happens two times before finally her body fails, and she dies. When her body dies, she makes contact with her second son, Paxton Fettel, another great villain, and forces him to go on a killing spree in order to release her. Once released, her spirit, or psychic energy, unleashing a wave of terror and rage on the city of Auburn. Players control Point Man, the agent of the special paranormal government team F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon), who must hunt down Paxton Fettel, stop Alma, and learn the secrets of this disturbed girl's past. While the game is one of the horror genre's best, Alma is one of the most terrifying little girls in history, giving girls like Samara from the Ring and that Grudge girl a run for their money.
6. Sora (Kingdom Hearts): A young boy who dreams of adventure and finding love with his best friend Kairi, Sora finds his world turned upside down when a sinister force known as the Darkness infects his world, separating him from Kairi and his other best friend, Riku. He learns he is the keyblade master, a warrior destined to repel the Darkness. Joining forces with Disney favorites Goofy and Donald Duck, Sora must save the worlds from the Darkness, stop a group of Disney and Final Fantasy villains, and find his friends before the universe is engulfed in Darkness. We see this boy grow into the role of hero, shunning the boyhood dreams in hopes of becoming the salvation of the universe. Making new allies, finding love, fighting evil, and risking his life and soul in order to save everyone, this boy does not become a man, but rather keeps that boyhood wonder and innocence in order to see the good in people, and recognize the evil where it lies. Sora is the definition of a hero.
5. Commander Shepard (Mass Effect 2): The leader of a human manned ship, Commander Shepard is the hero in the hit series Mass Effect. After saving the Citadel, a capitol planet in which all alien leaders convene, from the evil Saren from using the Reapers, an ancient alien race that destroys all sentient life in the galaxy every million years or so. In Mass Effect 2, players get to know Shepard a little better, seeing the natural leader that he is. After being killed in the opening scenes, he is resurrected by The Illusive Man, the head of a human controlled corporation who is seeking Shepard's help in stopping the Collectors, an alien group working for the Reaper's by taking human colonies across the galaxy. Players get to see Shepard become the leader of his ship once more, making allies with other aliens of all classes and positions, from scientists and soldiers to warriors and psychotic killers. He develops friendships with his crew, saves planets from various disasters, investigates crimes, and develops romantic relationships with members of his crew. With the fate of the galaxy in his hands, Shepard does a great job of being a balanced character, not perfect, but heroic nonetheless.
4. Paxton Fettel (F.E.A.R.): The son of F.E.A.R. villain Alma, Paxton Fettel is the cannibal leader of mindless soldiers he controlls using his natural psychic abilities. When first encountered, we find him hunched over the body of a security officer, where his mouth is covered in blood and he continues to eat pieces of the officers body. Besides a cannibal, however, Fettel is the complete opposite of the main character, Point Man. The Yin to his Yang. He is always appearing out of nowhere, killing key characters or helping his mother kill hundreds of people. Leaving a bloody path behind him, Fettel always appears to Point Man, spouting words of wisdom and trying to confuse Point Man as to who he really is. When it is learned later on that Point Man is the first son of Alma, and Fettel's brother, fans all around gasped, and it made Point Man shooting Fettel that much more ironic. In the upcoming F.E.A.R. 3, fans will once again be reunited with Fettel, as he has to work with Point Man in his spectral form in order to stop his mother, who is once again pregnant and on a warpath. Yes, he is the quintessential villain, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
3. Ezio Auditore (Assassins Creed 2, AC: Brotherhood): One of the best series of the past decade, Assassins Creed follows Desmond Miles, a born Assassin kidnapped by the Assassin Guild's enemies, the Templars. Although he himself has never been an Assassin, he holds genetic memories in his DNA, and knowing this, the Templars use a machine known as the Animus to put Desmond into the shoes of his ancestors, reliving key moments in his various ancestors lives to locate ancient artifacts known as Pieces of Eden. In the second and third games, the ancestor in question is Ezio Auditore, the face of Assassins Creed. The son of an Assassin, he is introduced to his destiny only because his father and two brothers are taken into custody by the Borgia, leaders of the Templars in Renaissance Italy, and are executed for false crimes. In hopes of taking revenge, we see Ezio go from vengeful son to natural leader and hero, killing all Templars who support the Borgia, and rebuilding the Assassin Guild so that their work can continue once more. As Ezio, players are able to travel across Italy, visiting famous cities such as Rome, Venice, and Florence, and meeting famous figures such as Leonardo Da Vinci and the Pope. Ezio is the best example of growth in a character, going from an arrogant boy to a grown man and hero of the people of Italy. Through him, we see the hardships and trials a hero must go through, and the corruption seen in Italy in the early 16th century. Ezio Auditore gives Assassins a good name.
2. Marcus Fenix (Gears of War series): In a world overrun by monsters and torn apart by war, humanity needed one man to become the face of hope, and give humanity something to believe in. That man is Marcus Fenix. A former prisoner of war during a planetary civil war, he is released during the Emergence of the Locust horde by his best friend Dom, and joins the Gears, soldiers of humanity set against the Locust. Putting their differences aside, all of humanity pulls together in hopes of stopping the monsters, and rebuilding their civilization. While fighting these creatures, Fenix must also be the best friend who helps Dom find his missing wife, while trying to learn who his father really was, after learning of experiments done by his father within in the Locust hive. With only his teammates and a gun in his hands, Marcus looks death in the eyes, and then punches it in the face, risking life and limb to stop the Locust. After losing so much and facing deadly odds, Marcus has again and again dealt crippling blows to the Locust. With the third game in the Gears trilogy due out next year, we will get to see Marcus's last stand, and the end of his long journey. Will he stop the Locust, and the mysterious knew creatures attacking both sides? If anyone can, Marcus will.
1. Master Chief (Halo series): If there were ever one man who was defined as the hero of all video games, Master Chief is that man. The last of a super soldier program known as the Spartans, Master Chief is humanities last hope of survival against an alien coalition known as the Covenant, religious nutcases who want to use the Halo rings to purge humanity and go on a religious journey. Master Chief knows from experience that the Halo rings are mass sentient purges that wipe all life from the universe so that a deadly alien lifeform known as The Flood cannot feed, kinda like zombies. Over the course of three games, Master Chief is seen jumping in outer space out of an alien ship, blowing said ship up behind him, and falling to earth and surviving in one piece. He takes an impossible situation and flips it around, defeating enemy onslaughts at every turn. Even after losing great allies and friends, Master Chief still manages to sacrifice all in order to defeat the Covenant, and even though he saves the galaxy, he and his AI companion Cortana are left behind, presumed dead, and is forced into stasis. While little is known about the man behind the mask, we know he is a hero by definition, and without him, Xbox itself would not have gotten the name it has over the past decade. He is the face of Halo, of Xbox, and of all heroes after him.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Top 5 most heartwarming couples in Video Games
While blowing people up and shooting zombies in the head is fun and exciting, another great part of video games over the years has been its evolution in storytelling. With that evolution, romance and relationships have become an integral part of the plots of our favorite video games. In the midst of the chaos and carnage gamers come face to face with in their favorite games, the romance of the characters make them that much more real, and lovable. Here are the top 5 video game relationships that have warmed my own heart, as well as those of the video game community. Beware, spoilers ahead. If you have not played the games and want to be surprised, go no further!
5. The Prince of Persia and Farrah (Prince of Persia: Sands of Time): In the first Prince of Persia game that followed the original 2-D adventure, players were introduced to the arrogant Prince of Persia, and the enigmatic and strong Farah, a princess on the opposite side of a war the Prince's father has been waging. When a mysterious hour glass housing the Sands of Time is unleashed, changing everyone in the palace save for these two into mindless zombies, these two opposing characters are forced to work together to stop the threat. As the game progresses, players see the Prince slowly becoming a true warrior and hero, and he and Farah begin to build a strong relationship, to the point where she reveals a secret word that no one but she and her mom know and which holds special meaning for her. When the Prince learns that the only way to stop the threat is to use the sands to go back in time to before Farah was captured, he does so, but in the process erases any memory she has of the Prince. When he stops the one man responsible for the threat, the Vizier, Farah is still reluctant to trust him, but with a smile, he simply tells her the one word she has never told anyone, leaving her to wonder who he is, while he is left to hold the memory of all they shared to himself.
4. Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance (Half Life 2): Throughout the mind bending game of Half Life 2, players immediately begin to feel the affects of the special bond created between the game's hero, Gordon Freeman, and his partner in stopping the alien threat, Alyx Vance, the daughter of the leader of the human resistance. In the game, Freeman was a scientist who was unwittingly used to do an experiment that would unleash a portal to another dimension, where bloodthirsty creatures crossed over and took over our world. After 20 years in stasis, Gordon returns to find the planet controlled by the aliens, and humanity on the verge of collapse, facing the alien threat and the humans who joined the aliens. Throughout the game, the two of them face overwhelming odds, constantly thwarting threats, only to meet new ones. At one point, in the DLC Episode 2, Alyx is stabbed and nearly dies at the hands of an alien Hunter, but thanks to Gordon risking his life in an alien hive, he is able to revive her, and together they face the threat once more. With rumors of an Episode 3 sill lingering in the air, we can only hope that players can finally see this unspoken romance come to bloom, and see these two deserving people finally able to reveal their love to one another.
3. Cloud and Aerith (Final Fantasy VIII): One of the most tragic love stories in video games, Final Fantasy VIII sees players are introduced to the now famous Cloud, a former SOLDIER and troubled hero. When a planetary threat emerges in the form of Sephiroth, another SOLDIER who unleashes an alien monster known as Jenova, who players learn is Sephiroth's mother. When Cloud's memories are made fuzzy and Sephiroth claims Cloud is a clone of himself, it is only with the help of Aerith, a flower girl who helps the resistance that he is able to gain his memories. Towards the end of the game, Aerith ventures into the forgotten city in hopes of finding a way to stop a meteor that is sent by Sephiroth to destory the planet. When she finds the way, Sephiroth arrives, and impales her in the torso. Aerith was the one who was able to make Cloud more likable, coming out of his moodiness and dark nature he used to mask his loving, caring side. When she is killed, Cloud is forced to release her into the lifestream of the planet, and it through her and the lifestream that the meteor is able to be stopped, but it does not diminish the painful reality that Cloud's true love is taken from him, making him continue along the path of the tragic hero.
2. Sora and Kairi (Kingdom Hearts series): One of my personnel favorites, the Kingdom Hearts series follows Sora, a young 14 year old boy who lives on an island with his family and friends, Riku and Kairi. On the island, players learn early on that it is an ancient tradition to give the one person you care most for a special fruit, signifying your love or affection for them. When Sora enters a mysterious cave, he begins to draw a picture of himself and Kari, and of himself giving her that fruit, expressing to the players his love for her. Before he can do this, however, the island is attacked by the Heartless, creatures from the Darkness. When his world is engulfed in Darkness, we learn that Sora is the Keyblad warrior, the chosen warrior to repel the Darkness. Sora then enters on a journey with Disney favorites Donald and Goofy in an attempt to free the other worlds from the Darkness, as well as locate Riku and his love, Kairi. Later in the game, when it is learned that Kari is one of the seven Princesses of Heart needed to open the door to Kingdom Hearts, Sora finds her lifeless body in front of a possessed Riku, taken over by the heartless leader Ansem. When Sora defeats him, he learns that Kairi's heart resides within his own heart, as does the hearts of all the Princesses. Knowing this, Sora turns the keyblade on himself, stabbing himself in the heart, and unleashing the hearts of all the Princesses and sacrificing himself. Upon waking up, Kairi watches as Sora disappears. Later in the game, Sora is returned to human form, and defeats Ansem in front of the door leading to Kingdom Hearts. However, in the last moments of the game, Sora and Kairi are seperated once again, returning her to her home island and restoring balance to the worlds. While Sora goes in search of Riku and a way home, Kairi finds the cave, and the picture Sora drew. The last image we see is Kairi drawing on the wall, and finished product showing herself also giving Sora the fruit, showing that she too loves him. Talk about romantic as hell, lol.
1. Dom and Maria (Gears of War): The saddest and most heartbreaking romantic relationship in video game history. Dominic Santiago is a Gear, a soldier in the fight against an monstrous race of creatures known as Locust. On the day of Emergence, when the locust first attacked their planet, Dom and Maria's children were killed. This in turned sent Maria down a downward spiral of depression that lead to her disappearing. Having known her since childhood and having been married since 16, Dom is desperate to find her. With the planet in turmoil due to the threat of the locust, however, he is forced to look for her while fighting the war. During the second Gears of War, Dom finally gets a lead on to where Maria may be. While on a mission to the underground city of the Locust, Dom and the game's hero, Marcus Fenix, Dom's best friend, venture into a prison camp where humans are tortured. Upon finding Maria, Dom is forced into reality, and sees that the happy ending he had hoped for is never going to happen. Maria has been tortured, and is haggard and unable to speak or recognize Marcus. She has been left nearly brain dead. Dom, furious and heartbroken, kisses her gently, tells her how much he loves her and how sorry he is to have arrived so late, and then forces himself to grant her peace the only way he can, by shooting her once in the head, ending her life and the torment the locust have put her through. Thus ending the desperate hope players had harbored for Dom, who had gone through hell with Marcus and the other Gears so that one day he and Maria could live in happiness once again.
Well, there you go, there is my top 5 favorite romantic couples. This blog is the first in a long series of video game related posts that I ultimately name my End of Year and End of Decade awards. I hope you enjoy them!
5. The Prince of Persia and Farrah (Prince of Persia: Sands of Time): In the first Prince of Persia game that followed the original 2-D adventure, players were introduced to the arrogant Prince of Persia, and the enigmatic and strong Farah, a princess on the opposite side of a war the Prince's father has been waging. When a mysterious hour glass housing the Sands of Time is unleashed, changing everyone in the palace save for these two into mindless zombies, these two opposing characters are forced to work together to stop the threat. As the game progresses, players see the Prince slowly becoming a true warrior and hero, and he and Farah begin to build a strong relationship, to the point where she reveals a secret word that no one but she and her mom know and which holds special meaning for her. When the Prince learns that the only way to stop the threat is to use the sands to go back in time to before Farah was captured, he does so, but in the process erases any memory she has of the Prince. When he stops the one man responsible for the threat, the Vizier, Farah is still reluctant to trust him, but with a smile, he simply tells her the one word she has never told anyone, leaving her to wonder who he is, while he is left to hold the memory of all they shared to himself.
4. Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance (Half Life 2): Throughout the mind bending game of Half Life 2, players immediately begin to feel the affects of the special bond created between the game's hero, Gordon Freeman, and his partner in stopping the alien threat, Alyx Vance, the daughter of the leader of the human resistance. In the game, Freeman was a scientist who was unwittingly used to do an experiment that would unleash a portal to another dimension, where bloodthirsty creatures crossed over and took over our world. After 20 years in stasis, Gordon returns to find the planet controlled by the aliens, and humanity on the verge of collapse, facing the alien threat and the humans who joined the aliens. Throughout the game, the two of them face overwhelming odds, constantly thwarting threats, only to meet new ones. At one point, in the DLC Episode 2, Alyx is stabbed and nearly dies at the hands of an alien Hunter, but thanks to Gordon risking his life in an alien hive, he is able to revive her, and together they face the threat once more. With rumors of an Episode 3 sill lingering in the air, we can only hope that players can finally see this unspoken romance come to bloom, and see these two deserving people finally able to reveal their love to one another.
3. Cloud and Aerith (Final Fantasy VIII): One of the most tragic love stories in video games, Final Fantasy VIII sees players are introduced to the now famous Cloud, a former SOLDIER and troubled hero. When a planetary threat emerges in the form of Sephiroth, another SOLDIER who unleashes an alien monster known as Jenova, who players learn is Sephiroth's mother. When Cloud's memories are made fuzzy and Sephiroth claims Cloud is a clone of himself, it is only with the help of Aerith, a flower girl who helps the resistance that he is able to gain his memories. Towards the end of the game, Aerith ventures into the forgotten city in hopes of finding a way to stop a meteor that is sent by Sephiroth to destory the planet. When she finds the way, Sephiroth arrives, and impales her in the torso. Aerith was the one who was able to make Cloud more likable, coming out of his moodiness and dark nature he used to mask his loving, caring side. When she is killed, Cloud is forced to release her into the lifestream of the planet, and it through her and the lifestream that the meteor is able to be stopped, but it does not diminish the painful reality that Cloud's true love is taken from him, making him continue along the path of the tragic hero.
2. Sora and Kairi (Kingdom Hearts series): One of my personnel favorites, the Kingdom Hearts series follows Sora, a young 14 year old boy who lives on an island with his family and friends, Riku and Kairi. On the island, players learn early on that it is an ancient tradition to give the one person you care most for a special fruit, signifying your love or affection for them. When Sora enters a mysterious cave, he begins to draw a picture of himself and Kari, and of himself giving her that fruit, expressing to the players his love for her. Before he can do this, however, the island is attacked by the Heartless, creatures from the Darkness. When his world is engulfed in Darkness, we learn that Sora is the Keyblad warrior, the chosen warrior to repel the Darkness. Sora then enters on a journey with Disney favorites Donald and Goofy in an attempt to free the other worlds from the Darkness, as well as locate Riku and his love, Kairi. Later in the game, when it is learned that Kari is one of the seven Princesses of Heart needed to open the door to Kingdom Hearts, Sora finds her lifeless body in front of a possessed Riku, taken over by the heartless leader Ansem. When Sora defeats him, he learns that Kairi's heart resides within his own heart, as does the hearts of all the Princesses. Knowing this, Sora turns the keyblade on himself, stabbing himself in the heart, and unleashing the hearts of all the Princesses and sacrificing himself. Upon waking up, Kairi watches as Sora disappears. Later in the game, Sora is returned to human form, and defeats Ansem in front of the door leading to Kingdom Hearts. However, in the last moments of the game, Sora and Kairi are seperated once again, returning her to her home island and restoring balance to the worlds. While Sora goes in search of Riku and a way home, Kairi finds the cave, and the picture Sora drew. The last image we see is Kairi drawing on the wall, and finished product showing herself also giving Sora the fruit, showing that she too loves him. Talk about romantic as hell, lol.
1. Dom and Maria (Gears of War): The saddest and most heartbreaking romantic relationship in video game history. Dominic Santiago is a Gear, a soldier in the fight against an monstrous race of creatures known as Locust. On the day of Emergence, when the locust first attacked their planet, Dom and Maria's children were killed. This in turned sent Maria down a downward spiral of depression that lead to her disappearing. Having known her since childhood and having been married since 16, Dom is desperate to find her. With the planet in turmoil due to the threat of the locust, however, he is forced to look for her while fighting the war. During the second Gears of War, Dom finally gets a lead on to where Maria may be. While on a mission to the underground city of the Locust, Dom and the game's hero, Marcus Fenix, Dom's best friend, venture into a prison camp where humans are tortured. Upon finding Maria, Dom is forced into reality, and sees that the happy ending he had hoped for is never going to happen. Maria has been tortured, and is haggard and unable to speak or recognize Marcus. She has been left nearly brain dead. Dom, furious and heartbroken, kisses her gently, tells her how much he loves her and how sorry he is to have arrived so late, and then forces himself to grant her peace the only way he can, by shooting her once in the head, ending her life and the torment the locust have put her through. Thus ending the desperate hope players had harbored for Dom, who had gone through hell with Marcus and the other Gears so that one day he and Maria could live in happiness once again.
Well, there you go, there is my top 5 favorite romantic couples. This blog is the first in a long series of video game related posts that I ultimately name my End of Year and End of Decade awards. I hope you enjoy them!
My Love/Hate Relationship with the Final Fantasy Series
As a dedicated gamer, it is hard not to recognize the Final Fantasy series as one of the most influential, accomplished series in the industry. Full of fantastic worlds, great characters, amazing cinematography, and stories that capture the hearts of its fans, Final Fantasy has engrossed fans for decades. However, this amazing series is not without its flaws. While I enjoy everything else about the game, one thing bothers me that I can't let go of: the gameplay.
Yes, that's right, the gameplay. For me, a game that is so rich in context and character is rare, and yet is is diminished because of the mechanics of the gameplay itself. The main problem I have is the battle structure of the games themselves. When one moves around in the worlds the game takes place in, rather than free for all fighting, you are forced into almost scheduled battle, where you and the computer take turns hitting each other. For me, this is just as slow and boring as watching football. You and the computer do battle, taking points with each attack you deal out or get blown, until you or the other die. For me, this is a dark spot on the game.
The creators of the series have integrated its characters into another series, one of my favorites, Kingdom Hearts. This game is similar in style, characterization, plot, and structure. However, it has the one thing that I found has been lacking in the Final Fantasy series, free form battles. Rather than having the battles set up, you are free to roam the world, and attack the enemy whenever you come across them. I feel that this is something that Final Fantasy needs to begin integrating. Even the latest game, Final Fantasy XIII, had one of the most intricate, detailed plots and relatable characters to boot, but the game mechanics left me frustrated and unable to get past the second half of the game. I know not everyone may feel this way, but I know some of you out there may agree with me, and I know for myself, the slow paced action of the series is frustrating, because everything else about the game is breathtaking. From the heartwarming and emotional plot, music, and characters to the all too realistic cinematic shown throughout, the stories told in this series are some of the most heartwarming I've ever encountered in a game. I just hope that the mechanics used in Kingdom Hearts can find their way into the Final Fantasy series some day, that way the games themselves will be complete.
Yes, that's right, the gameplay. For me, a game that is so rich in context and character is rare, and yet is is diminished because of the mechanics of the gameplay itself. The main problem I have is the battle structure of the games themselves. When one moves around in the worlds the game takes place in, rather than free for all fighting, you are forced into almost scheduled battle, where you and the computer take turns hitting each other. For me, this is just as slow and boring as watching football. You and the computer do battle, taking points with each attack you deal out or get blown, until you or the other die. For me, this is a dark spot on the game.
The creators of the series have integrated its characters into another series, one of my favorites, Kingdom Hearts. This game is similar in style, characterization, plot, and structure. However, it has the one thing that I found has been lacking in the Final Fantasy series, free form battles. Rather than having the battles set up, you are free to roam the world, and attack the enemy whenever you come across them. I feel that this is something that Final Fantasy needs to begin integrating. Even the latest game, Final Fantasy XIII, had one of the most intricate, detailed plots and relatable characters to boot, but the game mechanics left me frustrated and unable to get past the second half of the game. I know not everyone may feel this way, but I know some of you out there may agree with me, and I know for myself, the slow paced action of the series is frustrating, because everything else about the game is breathtaking. From the heartwarming and emotional plot, music, and characters to the all too realistic cinematic shown throughout, the stories told in this series are some of the most heartwarming I've ever encountered in a game. I just hope that the mechanics used in Kingdom Hearts can find their way into the Final Fantasy series some day, that way the games themselves will be complete.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
With the year of 2010 coming to an end, only a handful of games remain to be played. One of the last games of the year that was just released is none other than Assassins Creed: Brotherhood. The third game in the Assassins Creed franchise, the latest installment is full of great historical references, fast paced action, great cinematic scenes and beautiful scenery, and an addicting plot line that makes this a must have for the holiday season.
The game follows Desmond Miles, who is one of the few remaining Assassins in the year 2012. He and a small group of Assassins head to Italy, where they hide from the lurking eyes of Abstergo Industries, the futuristic company that is lead by the Assassins sworn enemies, the Templar order. Desmond and his companions are not just hiding, however, but are in search of a ancient artifact that they need in order to prevent a planetary disaster that could end all of humanity. Only by entering the Animus 2.0, a machine that is capable of sending the user into memories embedded in the DNA, can Desmond hope to find the artifact. Using the machine, players are reunited with Ezio Auditore, Desmond's Renaissance ancestor. Ezio is faced with rebuilding the Assassins Guild while liberating the people of Rome from the Pope's son, Cesare Borgia, who controls a large army of Borgia soldiers, members of the Templar Order.
The gameplay is stunning, with executions and assassinations improved so that players have a wide array of options for every mission. Also included are the addition of two weapon wielding, where players can stab a soldier with a sword and finish them off with a pistol shot to the head. Utilizing skills in stealth and combat, players can guide Ezio across the vast city of Rome, navigating intricate puzzles and finding clues that will unravel the mystery of the Templar's. Also included in the game is the ability to recruit other assassins, and as you upgrade their skills and abilities, you can send them all across Europe, completing missions to strike at the Templar order.
The best edition to the series is the multiplayer aspect. Making the large multiplayer experience a part of the games story, you play an employee of Abstergo Industries, and using an Animus machine, players use the memories of kidnapped Assassins and improve their skills so that they may become soldiers in the fight against the Assassins. Players can choose from a large array of characters from the Renaissance era, and must compete in missions that allow you to assassinate other players. The best part of this is that you are no longer trying to kill a computer, but rather another person, which makes their actions much more unpredictable, and that much more fun!
Overall, I have to say that this is my favorite game of the year. Full of rich history, great action, an intriguing plot, and lovable characters that I found were the only missing ingredient in the first game, I give this game a 10 out of 10, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great game to play this holiday season.
The game follows Desmond Miles, who is one of the few remaining Assassins in the year 2012. He and a small group of Assassins head to Italy, where they hide from the lurking eyes of Abstergo Industries, the futuristic company that is lead by the Assassins sworn enemies, the Templar order. Desmond and his companions are not just hiding, however, but are in search of a ancient artifact that they need in order to prevent a planetary disaster that could end all of humanity. Only by entering the Animus 2.0, a machine that is capable of sending the user into memories embedded in the DNA, can Desmond hope to find the artifact. Using the machine, players are reunited with Ezio Auditore, Desmond's Renaissance ancestor. Ezio is faced with rebuilding the Assassins Guild while liberating the people of Rome from the Pope's son, Cesare Borgia, who controls a large army of Borgia soldiers, members of the Templar Order.
The gameplay is stunning, with executions and assassinations improved so that players have a wide array of options for every mission. Also included are the addition of two weapon wielding, where players can stab a soldier with a sword and finish them off with a pistol shot to the head. Utilizing skills in stealth and combat, players can guide Ezio across the vast city of Rome, navigating intricate puzzles and finding clues that will unravel the mystery of the Templar's. Also included in the game is the ability to recruit other assassins, and as you upgrade their skills and abilities, you can send them all across Europe, completing missions to strike at the Templar order.
The best edition to the series is the multiplayer aspect. Making the large multiplayer experience a part of the games story, you play an employee of Abstergo Industries, and using an Animus machine, players use the memories of kidnapped Assassins and improve their skills so that they may become soldiers in the fight against the Assassins. Players can choose from a large array of characters from the Renaissance era, and must compete in missions that allow you to assassinate other players. The best part of this is that you are no longer trying to kill a computer, but rather another person, which makes their actions much more unpredictable, and that much more fun!
Overall, I have to say that this is my favorite game of the year. Full of rich history, great action, an intriguing plot, and lovable characters that I found were the only missing ingredient in the first game, I give this game a 10 out of 10, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great game to play this holiday season.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Dead Rising 2
Zombies have invaded once again. It's been years since the release of the groundbreaking game, Dead Rising, and zombies have become once again a part of the mainstream pop culture. With the release of the groundbreaking television show, The Walking Dead, zombies are on everybody's minds right now. And with that, it is no wonder that fans were so excited for the release of Dead Rising 2.
Taking place five years after the release of the first game, the plot follows motocross champion Chuck Greene, who has traveled to the resort city of Fortune City in Nevada to compete in the game show "Terror is Reality". He has taken part in this show in order to win the money necessary to get the drug Zombrex, which his daughter Katey needs in order to prevent her from becoming a zombie. After the show ends, Chuck emerges from an elevator to find the city overrun by a zombie outbreak. Taking his daughter, they run to the safety of a shelter. From there, Chuck has three days to uncover the mystery of the outbreak, which he has been set up for causing, while hunting down the real perpetrators, saving the survivors of the outbreak, and getting his daughter the medication necessary to keep her alive.
The gameplay is much faster and crisper than the original game, and the story and its characters are much more likable and allow the player to really delve into the plot. The addition of combo weapons, in which the player can combine any two items to create a new weapon, really adds to the fun that is Dead Rising 2. Another great feature is the multiplayer aspect, a first for the series, and story related. The multiplayer allows players to enter the game show "Terror is Reality", competing in dozens of new game modes to kill as many zombies as possible. Another great feature is that whatever money you earn in multiplayer, you get to keep in the single player story. I must give this game a 10 out of 10, for the developers truly made this game fun, intriguing, and action packed, all the way to the end.
Taking place five years after the release of the first game, the plot follows motocross champion Chuck Greene, who has traveled to the resort city of Fortune City in Nevada to compete in the game show "Terror is Reality". He has taken part in this show in order to win the money necessary to get the drug Zombrex, which his daughter Katey needs in order to prevent her from becoming a zombie. After the show ends, Chuck emerges from an elevator to find the city overrun by a zombie outbreak. Taking his daughter, they run to the safety of a shelter. From there, Chuck has three days to uncover the mystery of the outbreak, which he has been set up for causing, while hunting down the real perpetrators, saving the survivors of the outbreak, and getting his daughter the medication necessary to keep her alive.
The gameplay is much faster and crisper than the original game, and the story and its characters are much more likable and allow the player to really delve into the plot. The addition of combo weapons, in which the player can combine any two items to create a new weapon, really adds to the fun that is Dead Rising 2. Another great feature is the multiplayer aspect, a first for the series, and story related. The multiplayer allows players to enter the game show "Terror is Reality", competing in dozens of new game modes to kill as many zombies as possible. Another great feature is that whatever money you earn in multiplayer, you get to keep in the single player story. I must give this game a 10 out of 10, for the developers truly made this game fun, intriguing, and action packed, all the way to the end.
Halo: Reach
You know how it ends, but how did it begin? That was the question fans had when the announcement of the new Halo game, Halo: Reach, occurred. Released nearly two months ago, I have seen the story progress, and have to say I am truly impressed. The story was totally original, and each character was as intriguing as they were heroic. The gameplay was crisp, constant, and showed no glitches or faults that hindered the game whatsoever.
Being a prequel to the first Halo game, the plot takes place on the human occupied planet Reach, the last human planet standing in the Covenants path towards Earth. The titular character is Noble Six, a Spartan who takes the place of a fallen Spartan on Noble Team. Investigating a colony on the planet, the team discovers the Covenant, who have infiltrated the planet in search of something. You must fight the alien forces off, while uncovering the mysteries of the planet and the events that lead to the first Halo game.
With fast paced action, new, fresher weaponry, and the addition of armor enhancements, such as jet packs and sprinting capabilities, this game was truly unique. Another great aspect of the game was its multiplayer, which had a great many new game modes, and included the firefight mode introduced in Halo: ODST years before. With stunning scenary and visuals that make you feel like you are living in the game, I must give this game a 10 out of 10, for I found it just as fun if not more fun than the groundbreaking Halo 3. Remember Reach!
Being a prequel to the first Halo game, the plot takes place on the human occupied planet Reach, the last human planet standing in the Covenants path towards Earth. The titular character is Noble Six, a Spartan who takes the place of a fallen Spartan on Noble Team. Investigating a colony on the planet, the team discovers the Covenant, who have infiltrated the planet in search of something. You must fight the alien forces off, while uncovering the mysteries of the planet and the events that lead to the first Halo game.
With fast paced action, new, fresher weaponry, and the addition of armor enhancements, such as jet packs and sprinting capabilities, this game was truly unique. Another great aspect of the game was its multiplayer, which had a great many new game modes, and included the firefight mode introduced in Halo: ODST years before. With stunning scenary and visuals that make you feel like you are living in the game, I must give this game a 10 out of 10, for I found it just as fun if not more fun than the groundbreaking Halo 3. Remember Reach!
Monday, October 11, 2010
New images from Batman: Arkham City
OK, so as you all know, I'm a big fan of the EIDOS company's game, Batman: Arkham Asylum. I loved the game, and especially since I'm an avid Batman fan, and comic book fan in general, I was pumped when the announcement of a sequel was announced. With plot details being released recently, I could not be more thrilled.
Following the smash hit of the first game, Batman: Arkham City takes place right after the first game. A portion of Gotham city has been sealed off and designated a part of the Arkham facility, housing some of Gothams worst criminals. When a threat emerges in the city, Batman must enfiltrate the city, and take on the likes of Two-Face, Penguin, and the return of a very ill Joker. Teaming up with Catwoman, this game is bigger and more bad-ass, but the plot itself was not what intrigued me most. The recent screenshot posted on G4 TV's website showed off a vast and expansive world, and by the looks of it, this game is going to rock. I know that this is sure to be a contender for Game of the Year, and i cannot wait for its release in 2011. Check out the pictures here!
http://g4tv.com/images/3785/Screenshots---Batman-Arkham-City/63288/
Following the smash hit of the first game, Batman: Arkham City takes place right after the first game. A portion of Gotham city has been sealed off and designated a part of the Arkham facility, housing some of Gothams worst criminals. When a threat emerges in the city, Batman must enfiltrate the city, and take on the likes of Two-Face, Penguin, and the return of a very ill Joker. Teaming up with Catwoman, this game is bigger and more bad-ass, but the plot itself was not what intrigued me most. The recent screenshot posted on G4 TV's website showed off a vast and expansive world, and by the looks of it, this game is going to rock. I know that this is sure to be a contender for Game of the Year, and i cannot wait for its release in 2011. Check out the pictures here!
http://g4tv.com/images/3785/Screenshots---Batman-Arkham-City/63288/
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
One of the action genre most well known and popular series is the Prince of Persia series. Having begun as a 2-D, side scrolling game for the PC, the Prince of Persia has become one of the most beloved characters in the game industry. Having followed his exploits and heroism for years, I am an avid fan, and the latest game in the series proves why that is.
The game is set between the first and second Prince of Persia games, and follows the Prince as he sets out for his brother Malik's kingdom. Having been sent there by his father to learn more about leadership from his brother, the Prince arrives to find the kingdom under attack by enemy forces, and Malik's army is taking heavy losses. By the time the Prince reaches his brother, his brother has decided to release an ancient army set in King Solomon tomb. When the Princes pleas to leave the army be go unheard, the army is released, first as glowing sand and then slowing become undead soldiers, the Prince must unite the seal that kept the army locked away for so long and destroy the undead army and its demon leader, before his brother and the entire kingdom are consumed by death.
Using new powers that the Prince has never seen before, players can not only turn back time, but can now solidify water, rebuild broken down buildings, and can teleport across vast distances. Using the third-person action element, the Prince must fight legions of the undead, while traveling across a vast palace and figuring out intricate puzzles that can further him in his quest. Players can also upgrade the Prince to help in his fight.
Overall, the game has proven to be the most realistic, most fun game in the series. With realistic settings, a rich plot, and an action filled adventure, the game has proven to be a front runner for game of the year. And included in the game is a challenge mode, which allows players to take the skills earned during the game and put them to the test. I give this game a 9 out of 10, and look forward to seeing what the series next turn will bring us.
The game is set between the first and second Prince of Persia games, and follows the Prince as he sets out for his brother Malik's kingdom. Having been sent there by his father to learn more about leadership from his brother, the Prince arrives to find the kingdom under attack by enemy forces, and Malik's army is taking heavy losses. By the time the Prince reaches his brother, his brother has decided to release an ancient army set in King Solomon tomb. When the Princes pleas to leave the army be go unheard, the army is released, first as glowing sand and then slowing become undead soldiers, the Prince must unite the seal that kept the army locked away for so long and destroy the undead army and its demon leader, before his brother and the entire kingdom are consumed by death.
Using new powers that the Prince has never seen before, players can not only turn back time, but can now solidify water, rebuild broken down buildings, and can teleport across vast distances. Using the third-person action element, the Prince must fight legions of the undead, while traveling across a vast palace and figuring out intricate puzzles that can further him in his quest. Players can also upgrade the Prince to help in his fight.
Overall, the game has proven to be the most realistic, most fun game in the series. With realistic settings, a rich plot, and an action filled adventure, the game has proven to be a front runner for game of the year. And included in the game is a challenge mode, which allows players to take the skills earned during the game and put them to the test. I give this game a 9 out of 10, and look forward to seeing what the series next turn will bring us.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction
One of the most popular, well known political and military thriller writers of all time, Tom Clancy has become extremely popular over the years with gamers for his well known Splinter Cell series, which follows Sam Fisher, a Jason Bourne-Esq character that works with a military group known as Third Echelon, battling terrorist threats and conspiracies both international and domestic.
Set three years after the death of his daughter, Sam Fisher, now retired, is contacted by an old friend, who informs him that hit men are after him. When he finds the leader of the hit men, he learns that a drug dealer named Kobin is responsible for his daughter's death, and this leads to Sam's mission in the game, which is to uncover the truth of his daughters death and the connection it has with his old line of work.
Set all around the world, this game is a fast paced, third person shooter that plays like Resident Evil but follows a Bourne Ultimatum story. Full of action-packed gameplay that involves a ton of weaponry and surreal settings that are full of life and rich textures, this game is a groundbreaking venture on the Splinter Cell series. Full of twists and turns that take the player into a million new directions, it is no wonder the series has been a fan favorite for years. And one of the things that makes this game so unique is the use of stealth and sneak attacks, which give you the ability to have quick executions and give Sam the element of surprise. Remember, Stick to the Shadows!
I must give this game a 9 out of 10, for its rich story, intricate plot twists, and action filled gameplay truly captured my mind the entire time I played. An added bonus also gives fans a prelude story for those who wish to play in a Co-op setting, and a challenge section to earn points and new weapons.
Set three years after the death of his daughter, Sam Fisher, now retired, is contacted by an old friend, who informs him that hit men are after him. When he finds the leader of the hit men, he learns that a drug dealer named Kobin is responsible for his daughter's death, and this leads to Sam's mission in the game, which is to uncover the truth of his daughters death and the connection it has with his old line of work.
Set all around the world, this game is a fast paced, third person shooter that plays like Resident Evil but follows a Bourne Ultimatum story. Full of action-packed gameplay that involves a ton of weaponry and surreal settings that are full of life and rich textures, this game is a groundbreaking venture on the Splinter Cell series. Full of twists and turns that take the player into a million new directions, it is no wonder the series has been a fan favorite for years. And one of the things that makes this game so unique is the use of stealth and sneak attacks, which give you the ability to have quick executions and give Sam the element of surprise. Remember, Stick to the Shadows!
I must give this game a 9 out of 10, for its rich story, intricate plot twists, and action filled gameplay truly captured my mind the entire time I played. An added bonus also gives fans a prelude story for those who wish to play in a Co-op setting, and a challenge section to earn points and new weapons.
Dantes Inferno
It's not often that an epic poem that has spanned the past 700 years can be made into a bloody video game. However, Visceral games has made that game with the release of Dante's Inferno, based on the Divine Comedy written by Dante Alighieri's. With stunning and graphic details, an amazing story, and the most vivid description and picture of hell every depicted, this game has beaten the odds and become a hit video game.
Set during the Crusades, Dante is a fierce warrior, who comes home from the war to find his wife, Beatrice, murdered. She appears to him as a spirit, and she knows of his sins and betrayal while at war. Before he can apologize, she is taken by Lucifer himself, and Dante must chase after her and straight into hell to find her so that she does not have to spend an eternity in hell. Traveling the 9 circles of hell, Dante must fight hoards of demons to save his beloved Beatrice.
Set as a third-person action game, players have two different weapons for an attack: the Grim Reapers Scythe and a blessed and holy Cross, which represent both the dark and light sides of Dante's personality. Players also get an option to either save the souls that have been turned into demons, or you can damn their souls even further into hell. These choices will have an outcome on how the game ends, and determine how Dante's soul will play out. Filled with famous people from history and literature, including the temptress Cleopatra and her lover Marc Antony, whom guard the Lust circles of hell. With all of this amazing gameplay an intricate story, I must give this game an 8 out of 10, for it is a great game, but has a lot of touchy and brutal language and scenes, which include a lot of sexual themes, especially in the lust level, (any heavily religious people or people who are especially uncomfortable with those types of situations, viewer discretion is advised for this game).
Set during the Crusades, Dante is a fierce warrior, who comes home from the war to find his wife, Beatrice, murdered. She appears to him as a spirit, and she knows of his sins and betrayal while at war. Before he can apologize, she is taken by Lucifer himself, and Dante must chase after her and straight into hell to find her so that she does not have to spend an eternity in hell. Traveling the 9 circles of hell, Dante must fight hoards of demons to save his beloved Beatrice.
Set as a third-person action game, players have two different weapons for an attack: the Grim Reapers Scythe and a blessed and holy Cross, which represent both the dark and light sides of Dante's personality. Players also get an option to either save the souls that have been turned into demons, or you can damn their souls even further into hell. These choices will have an outcome on how the game ends, and determine how Dante's soul will play out. Filled with famous people from history and literature, including the temptress Cleopatra and her lover Marc Antony, whom guard the Lust circles of hell. With all of this amazing gameplay an intricate story, I must give this game an 8 out of 10, for it is a great game, but has a lot of touchy and brutal language and scenes, which include a lot of sexual themes, especially in the lust level, (any heavily religious people or people who are especially uncomfortable with those types of situations, viewer discretion is advised for this game).
Mass Effect 2
In 2007, Bioware brought to video game and sci-fi fans everywhere one of the most epic, dramatic, and biggest character driven games to ever hit the market: Mass Effect. The story of Commander Shepard and the fight against the ancient Reapers has captivated the minds of millions of fans, and made it game of the year in 2007. In January 2010, Bioware upped the ante with Mass Effect 2, the groundbreaking sequel to it's Game of the Year.
Mass Effect 2 starts where the first game left off. Thanks to Commander Shepard and the Normandy crew, the Reapers were stopped, and humanity set itself as a full fledged member of the Council, a group of alien species and planets that have come together to become a galactic government. As the game begins, the Normandy is attacked by a new and unknown enemy. As the ship is obliterated, the crew escapes with their lives, save for Shepard, who stayed with the ship. Presumed dead, we come to learn that a human organization known as Cerberus has saved the Commander and have brought him back to life using cutting edge technology. When he wakes up, the remaining geth and the knew enemy are attacking the medical station he has been at for two years.
The gameplay takes place as a third-person shooter, and the mechanics are some of the smoothest gameplay that the video game industry has seen in ages. With cinematic cut scenes that make a person feel like they are at the movie theatre and a story that spans two whole discs, it is no wonder that fans have become obsessed with the series. The best part of this game is being able to control where the story goes, choosing what to say in response to questions, and making alliances with friends and enemies that will determine the final outcome of the longest, most grueling and exciting final battle. I must give this game a 10 out of 10, for it is fun, exciting, one of the most amazing stories, and the most exciting gameplay that I've seen in years.
Mass Effect 2 starts where the first game left off. Thanks to Commander Shepard and the Normandy crew, the Reapers were stopped, and humanity set itself as a full fledged member of the Council, a group of alien species and planets that have come together to become a galactic government. As the game begins, the Normandy is attacked by a new and unknown enemy. As the ship is obliterated, the crew escapes with their lives, save for Shepard, who stayed with the ship. Presumed dead, we come to learn that a human organization known as Cerberus has saved the Commander and have brought him back to life using cutting edge technology. When he wakes up, the remaining geth and the knew enemy are attacking the medical station he has been at for two years.
The gameplay takes place as a third-person shooter, and the mechanics are some of the smoothest gameplay that the video game industry has seen in ages. With cinematic cut scenes that make a person feel like they are at the movie theatre and a story that spans two whole discs, it is no wonder that fans have become obsessed with the series. The best part of this game is being able to control where the story goes, choosing what to say in response to questions, and making alliances with friends and enemies that will determine the final outcome of the longest, most grueling and exciting final battle. I must give this game a 10 out of 10, for it is fun, exciting, one of the most amazing stories, and the most exciting gameplay that I've seen in years.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Assasins Creed 2
For those who may not know me, I am a bit of a history buff, and the hit franchise Assassins Creed was the perfect blend of rich storytelling, great historical facts, and fun gameplay that I have come to know and love from the series. Assassins Creed 2 was no disappointment, and the rich diversity of characters in both past and present added to the already exciting mythology and history of the plot. The creators of this game, (Ubisoft, who is also responsible for the Prince of Persia franchise), put forth a great deal of time and effort in this game, and that hard work is quite evident in every aspect of the game.
The game follows Desmond, a descendant of a long line of Assassins, who is still the prisoner of Abstergo industries, who is a front for a long line of the Assassins longtime enemies, the Templar's. The Templar's are using Desmond by putting him in the Animus, a machine that allows him to relive the events of his ancestors, so that they can find legendary "pieces of Eden", valuable artifacts that hold information to the planets history and future. Another assassin, Lucy, helps Desmond escape, and with the help of two other Assassins, they set to work trying to train Desmond and find other pieces of Eden so that they can prevent Abstergo from destroying the world. From there, Desmond enters the mind of his ancestor, Ezio, a Renaissance assassin who is searching to destroy those responsible for the death of his father and brothers, who were the victims of a political plot.
This game features famous settings in Italian Renaissance, such as the Vatican and Italy itself, and even features the legendary Leonardo DaVinci, who serves as a key inventor for the Assassins. The scenery and visual effects of this game are so realistic that one would think they are really in Renaissance Italy, and the third-person angle gives gamers a wonderful view of the damage they inflict on their enemies. The game utilizes amazing weaponry, such as classic swords, daggers, throwing knives, and other great weapons.
Overall, I give this game a 10 out of 10, for the fusion of an original story with historical events is quite extraordinary, and the game challenges the mind of the gamer so that it gives gamers hour upon hours of fun filled action.
The game follows Desmond, a descendant of a long line of Assassins, who is still the prisoner of Abstergo industries, who is a front for a long line of the Assassins longtime enemies, the Templar's. The Templar's are using Desmond by putting him in the Animus, a machine that allows him to relive the events of his ancestors, so that they can find legendary "pieces of Eden", valuable artifacts that hold information to the planets history and future. Another assassin, Lucy, helps Desmond escape, and with the help of two other Assassins, they set to work trying to train Desmond and find other pieces of Eden so that they can prevent Abstergo from destroying the world. From there, Desmond enters the mind of his ancestor, Ezio, a Renaissance assassin who is searching to destroy those responsible for the death of his father and brothers, who were the victims of a political plot.
This game features famous settings in Italian Renaissance, such as the Vatican and Italy itself, and even features the legendary Leonardo DaVinci, who serves as a key inventor for the Assassins. The scenery and visual effects of this game are so realistic that one would think they are really in Renaissance Italy, and the third-person angle gives gamers a wonderful view of the damage they inflict on their enemies. The game utilizes amazing weaponry, such as classic swords, daggers, throwing knives, and other great weapons.
Overall, I give this game a 10 out of 10, for the fusion of an original story with historical events is quite extraordinary, and the game challenges the mind of the gamer so that it gives gamers hour upon hours of fun filled action.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars-Republic Heroes
The Star Wars franchise has been home to great films, fun TV series, and amazing video games, (recall the xbox Knights of the Old Republic games). The latest Star Wars game draws on the television series of the same name, Star Wars: The Clone Wars-Republic Heroes. The gameplay and visuals are similar to the TV series, and although it looks animated, the fun of being a Jedi Knight or a Clone Trooper is still the same.
Taking place between Season 1 and 2 of the series, the Jedi Knights must investigate when a techno assassin deals up a new weapon that could destroy the republic as we know it. Full of fun comic book antics, great mythology of the Star Wars universe, and third person action that allows gamers to explore every aspect of the universe, this game is a fun way to earn achievement's and play through a fun story. The only problem I found, however, is that the gameplay is very quick, and before you know it you have beaten the game, not allowing a lot of time to enjoy the level and allow gamers to challenge themselves. Other than that, the game if fun filled, non-stop action and adventure, with rich characters and a lively plot that will get any Star Wars fanatic excited. I give this game a 8 out of 10, for it managed to deliver an original story in a already well known franchise, and has a ton of fun gameplay to enjoy.
Taking place between Season 1 and 2 of the series, the Jedi Knights must investigate when a techno assassin deals up a new weapon that could destroy the republic as we know it. Full of fun comic book antics, great mythology of the Star Wars universe, and third person action that allows gamers to explore every aspect of the universe, this game is a fun way to earn achievement's and play through a fun story. The only problem I found, however, is that the gameplay is very quick, and before you know it you have beaten the game, not allowing a lot of time to enjoy the level and allow gamers to challenge themselves. Other than that, the game if fun filled, non-stop action and adventure, with rich characters and a lively plot that will get any Star Wars fanatic excited. I give this game a 8 out of 10, for it managed to deliver an original story in a already well known franchise, and has a ton of fun gameplay to enjoy.
Wolfenstein
While the typical WWII game can be both fun and exhilarating for some, I've always found it hard to really sink my teeth into. Sure, the visuals are great, but reliving some horrific battles that real men and women lost their lives to is something I've never been able to get into. But for the hit game Wolfenstein, the game both gave insight into the trouble of WWII, and allowed us a view of nonexistent battles and otherworldly creatures that were not seen by real men and women.
Following the series that started out as a basic 2-D and computer adventure, Wolfenstein follows B.J. Blazchowics has been sent by the OSA to sabotage a Nazi warship. When he arrives, he finds that a supernatural threat has emerged, due to the Nazi experiments with the Dark Dimension. B.J. must battle his way through the city of Isenstadt, free the people being terrorized by the Nazi forces, and stop an old adversary from releasing a dark energy that could destroy the world as we know it.
This 1st person shooter features great weapons that show the old school weaponry soldiers used during that time period, and uses real world visuals that really capture the horrors of both the war and the supernatural creatures of the game. Besides the weaponry, your character also uses supernatural crystals to move between the dark dimension and our world, allowing you to pass through unattainable areas and even slow down time. However, although the game is fun, it can be slow at times, and both the controls and scenery were a bit basic looking at times.
Overall, I give this game a 7 out of 10, because it does a great job of telling an original story while adding to an already popular franchise, but fails in certain areas to bring something unique, such as the visual effects and the basic gameplay.
Following the series that started out as a basic 2-D and computer adventure, Wolfenstein follows B.J. Blazchowics has been sent by the OSA to sabotage a Nazi warship. When he arrives, he finds that a supernatural threat has emerged, due to the Nazi experiments with the Dark Dimension. B.J. must battle his way through the city of Isenstadt, free the people being terrorized by the Nazi forces, and stop an old adversary from releasing a dark energy that could destroy the world as we know it.
This 1st person shooter features great weapons that show the old school weaponry soldiers used during that time period, and uses real world visuals that really capture the horrors of both the war and the supernatural creatures of the game. Besides the weaponry, your character also uses supernatural crystals to move between the dark dimension and our world, allowing you to pass through unattainable areas and even slow down time. However, although the game is fun, it can be slow at times, and both the controls and scenery were a bit basic looking at times.
Overall, I give this game a 7 out of 10, because it does a great job of telling an original story while adding to an already popular franchise, but fails in certain areas to bring something unique, such as the visual effects and the basic gameplay.
Borderlands
Hello there, my friends. I know it's been a while since I've preached the gospel to you, so to speak, so I am back, and have four new reviews for you. Let me start off with....
Borderlands
Borderlands was one of the most anticipated games of the year, and boy it sure did not disappoint. This game brought fourth a very mercenary, old-west feel that blended well with the post-apocalyptic setting and the alien-world, comic book view the story brought with it. Drawing off another hit series, "Left 4 Dead", this game focused more on the setting and background characters rather than the character you yourself played. Set on the alien planet of Pandora, "no relation to Avatar", the story follows four mercenaries who come to the planet in search of the legendary Vault, which houses vast treasures. After arriving on the planet, a mysterious woman reaches out to you, and throughout the game she guides you through the planet, going from town to town fighting ruthless bandits and bloodthirsty creatures. You must make a name for yourself on the planet, help the citizens of each town, and do whatever it takes to finally reach the Vault.
Like every 1st-person shooter, Borderlands hosts a wide variety of weaponry, from simple pistols to rocket launchers. A new addition to the game, however, is the use of a points system, where you have a ranked number, as do your enemies. Another great aspect of the game is the visuals. Rather than the typical real world look, this game takes another approach, and both the characters and the setting have a rather comic book look to them. Only the mystery woman has the real world look, which adds to her mystery rather than diminishes the game as a whole.
Overall, I give Borderlands a 10 out of 10, for the game is a true original, full of great action, a fun filled story, and a unique look that many games fail to live up to.
Borderlands
Borderlands was one of the most anticipated games of the year, and boy it sure did not disappoint. This game brought fourth a very mercenary, old-west feel that blended well with the post-apocalyptic setting and the alien-world, comic book view the story brought with it. Drawing off another hit series, "Left 4 Dead", this game focused more on the setting and background characters rather than the character you yourself played. Set on the alien planet of Pandora, "no relation to Avatar", the story follows four mercenaries who come to the planet in search of the legendary Vault, which houses vast treasures. After arriving on the planet, a mysterious woman reaches out to you, and throughout the game she guides you through the planet, going from town to town fighting ruthless bandits and bloodthirsty creatures. You must make a name for yourself on the planet, help the citizens of each town, and do whatever it takes to finally reach the Vault.
Like every 1st-person shooter, Borderlands hosts a wide variety of weaponry, from simple pistols to rocket launchers. A new addition to the game, however, is the use of a points system, where you have a ranked number, as do your enemies. Another great aspect of the game is the visuals. Rather than the typical real world look, this game takes another approach, and both the characters and the setting have a rather comic book look to them. Only the mystery woman has the real world look, which adds to her mystery rather than diminishes the game as a whole.
Overall, I give Borderlands a 10 out of 10, for the game is a true original, full of great action, a fun filled story, and a unique look that many games fail to live up to.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Bioshock 2
Following the success of the infamous Bioshock, which was named game of the year back in 2007, players are once again returning to the city of Rapture, and facing the horrors that face them in the blood filled halls of the underwater city. Full of stunning visual effects, graphic gameplay, and a unique story that is sure to capture the players hearts and put their minds to work, this highly anticipated sequel is a must have for the hardcore gamer in all of us.
Bioshock 2 follows the 1st ever Big Daddy, who wakes up after being in a coma like state for 10 years, to find his city torn apart from a bloody civil war, and the Little Sister he has become bonded to is no where to be found. Following the mysterious voices of the remaing inhabitants of the city, the prototype Big Daddy must journey across the enemy filled halls of the city of Rapture to unravel the mystery surrounding his separation from his Little Sister, and must stop a power mad cult leader who plans to use your Little Sister as a harbinger of death, for which this leader thinks of as a "rebirth"
The gameplay is in a word, beautiful. The ocean floor surrounding the city is breathtaking, and so realistic that one would think this city was a reality. The detail given to the enemies and surroundings is so precise and graphic, that its easy to see how players often jump when an enemy pops out of a corner or hiding spot that you would not have noticed on your 1st time around. The 1st person camera angles are consistent and keep its pace with the players actions, and the missions are challenging and lengthy, so that players will have plenty of time to enjoy the story. As if this wasn't enough, the developers added a multiplayer function to the game, and allows players to experience the famous Civil War that tore the city apart in the 1st place. Full of great maps familiar to the experience Bioshock player, and unique multiplayer missions like "Capture the Little Sister", instead of Capture the Flag, the multiplayer is fun filled and a great addition to the game.
Overall, I give this game a 10 out of 10, for the people at 2K did a wonderful job of keeping in tune with the original game, and told a fantastic story that was full of stunning visuals and edge of your seat action that allowed the player to enjoy the game all the way until the end credits.
Bioshock 2 follows the 1st ever Big Daddy, who wakes up after being in a coma like state for 10 years, to find his city torn apart from a bloody civil war, and the Little Sister he has become bonded to is no where to be found. Following the mysterious voices of the remaing inhabitants of the city, the prototype Big Daddy must journey across the enemy filled halls of the city of Rapture to unravel the mystery surrounding his separation from his Little Sister, and must stop a power mad cult leader who plans to use your Little Sister as a harbinger of death, for which this leader thinks of as a "rebirth"
The gameplay is in a word, beautiful. The ocean floor surrounding the city is breathtaking, and so realistic that one would think this city was a reality. The detail given to the enemies and surroundings is so precise and graphic, that its easy to see how players often jump when an enemy pops out of a corner or hiding spot that you would not have noticed on your 1st time around. The 1st person camera angles are consistent and keep its pace with the players actions, and the missions are challenging and lengthy, so that players will have plenty of time to enjoy the story. As if this wasn't enough, the developers added a multiplayer function to the game, and allows players to experience the famous Civil War that tore the city apart in the 1st place. Full of great maps familiar to the experience Bioshock player, and unique multiplayer missions like "Capture the Little Sister", instead of Capture the Flag, the multiplayer is fun filled and a great addition to the game.
Overall, I give this game a 10 out of 10, for the people at 2K did a wonderful job of keeping in tune with the original game, and told a fantastic story that was full of stunning visuals and edge of your seat action that allowed the player to enjoy the game all the way until the end credits.
The Beatles: Rock Band
I have four words for you: The Beatles: Rock Band. That's right, the infamous music of legendary rockers The Beatles has come to the world of video games, and the journey through the world is a wild roller coaster ride through the bands famous career. Full of stunning visuals, fantastic songs, and intense challenges, this game is full of wonder and joy that only the British Rockers could bring to the Xbox 360.
The game follows the lengthy career of The Beatles, from their beginning days in Liverpool to the 1st performance on the Ed Sullivan show to the recording of Abbey Road. Full of over 100 songs, including downloadble songs from the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club album, this game is a heartwarming journey that gives players and fans a glimpse into the bands memorable journey through stardom, and shows the pioneers of Rock n' Roll.
The gameplay is visually breathtaking, and the challenges present a great experience for the rocker in all of us. As you sing or play guitar as the members of the Beatles, players get to experience the many songs written by the rock band, including "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club", and "Come Together", which was well known to have been redone by Aerosmith. Full of great visual effects that showcase the overall feeling of the era, from the psychedelic 60's to the groovy 70's.
Overall, this game deserves no less than a 10 out of 10, for the latest installment in the Rock Band series shows why Harminox is such a powerhouse name in the gaming industry, and the music made famous by The Beatles has never before been more enjoyed.
The game follows the lengthy career of The Beatles, from their beginning days in Liverpool to the 1st performance on the Ed Sullivan show to the recording of Abbey Road. Full of over 100 songs, including downloadble songs from the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club album, this game is a heartwarming journey that gives players and fans a glimpse into the bands memorable journey through stardom, and shows the pioneers of Rock n' Roll.
The gameplay is visually breathtaking, and the challenges present a great experience for the rocker in all of us. As you sing or play guitar as the members of the Beatles, players get to experience the many songs written by the rock band, including "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club", and "Come Together", which was well known to have been redone by Aerosmith. Full of great visual effects that showcase the overall feeling of the era, from the psychedelic 60's to the groovy 70's.
Overall, this game deserves no less than a 10 out of 10, for the latest installment in the Rock Band series shows why Harminox is such a powerhouse name in the gaming industry, and the music made famous by The Beatles has never before been more enjoyed.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
As I've stated before, games that are released in sync with their movie counterparts often find it difficult to succeed in the gaming community. While Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, did a pretty good job in making a fun, enjoyable game to accompany the movie, the gameplay and multiplayer left some room for improvement.
The story follows the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, as they battle the remaining Decepticons left on Earth after Megatron's demise. They are put into a special forces unit led by the United States government, and travel all over the world to search and destroy their foes. When a mission leads to the defeat of a massive foe, the enemy Decepticon reveals that an ancient enemy from Cybertron known as "The Fallen" is coming to Earth, leaving the Autobots to unravel the mystery and protect their human friends, including Sam, (Shia LeBeouf).
The gameplay is pretty realistic, although at times resembles the old arcade style of gaming from the 90's. The third-person camera angles stays in constant motion, and follows the player pretty well. The problem, however, laid with the level of difficulty and length of each level/mission. I was able to beat the game in a manner of four hours, not due to my skill as a gamer but to the simplicity and short length of time given to each level. This was also the case for the multiplayer of the game, which was fun to pit against other players from around the world as either an Autobot or Decepticon, but the missions were hard to discern due to difficult text reading, and it was difficult to find people to play online with at any given time, which tells me that many gamers were not impressed with the multiplayer as a whole.
All in all, I give this game a 7 out of 10, for it's story was action packed, and the cast of people lending their voices to this game was quite impressive, but the gameplay and multiplayer lacked the level of action and difficulty that one would hope for.
The story follows the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, as they battle the remaining Decepticons left on Earth after Megatron's demise. They are put into a special forces unit led by the United States government, and travel all over the world to search and destroy their foes. When a mission leads to the defeat of a massive foe, the enemy Decepticon reveals that an ancient enemy from Cybertron known as "The Fallen" is coming to Earth, leaving the Autobots to unravel the mystery and protect their human friends, including Sam, (Shia LeBeouf).
The gameplay is pretty realistic, although at times resembles the old arcade style of gaming from the 90's. The third-person camera angles stays in constant motion, and follows the player pretty well. The problem, however, laid with the level of difficulty and length of each level/mission. I was able to beat the game in a manner of four hours, not due to my skill as a gamer but to the simplicity and short length of time given to each level. This was also the case for the multiplayer of the game, which was fun to pit against other players from around the world as either an Autobot or Decepticon, but the missions were hard to discern due to difficult text reading, and it was difficult to find people to play online with at any given time, which tells me that many gamers were not impressed with the multiplayer as a whole.
All in all, I give this game a 7 out of 10, for it's story was action packed, and the cast of people lending their voices to this game was quite impressive, but the gameplay and multiplayer lacked the level of action and difficulty that one would hope for.
Red Faction: Guerrilla
Many of today's games allow players to explore new worlds, and to see what life is like outside of our own world. One of the more popular games of 2009 did just this. Red Faction: Guerrilla is the third game in the Red Faction series. The gameplay is fun, unique, and very realistic, and it is easy to see from the very beginning how this game received such amazing progress.
The game follows the actions of Alec Mason, a mining engineer in the year 2125. He goes to Mars to work and earn an honest living with his brother, Daniel. Little does he know that his brother has joined the militia group known as Red Faction, who battles the Earth Defense Force, (EDF), who suppresses the people of Mars in order to harvest the planets resources for the people of Earth, who's own natural resources have depleted. When Alec watches his own brother get murdered by the EDF, he decides to abandon his quest for the normal life and decides to get revenge on the EDF by joining the Red Faction.
The gameplay throughout the game is surreal. The visuals are stunning, and the third-person camera angles are continuously staying in step with the players movements. Players can choose from an assortment of guns and bombs, but the most impressive weapon is the sledgehammer, which when you are in a tight bind, the player can pull out and bash the enemy to the ground. The scenery seen of the Mars landscape is amazing, and so real that you would have thought you were watching the game through the Hubble telescope.
Overall, I give the game a 9 out of 10, for the story and gameplay live up to the series reputation, and shows why the game has become such a powerhouse and household name in the gaming community. The gameplay was consistent and realistic, and the story had gamers on the edge of their seats the entire time.
The game follows the actions of Alec Mason, a mining engineer in the year 2125. He goes to Mars to work and earn an honest living with his brother, Daniel. Little does he know that his brother has joined the militia group known as Red Faction, who battles the Earth Defense Force, (EDF), who suppresses the people of Mars in order to harvest the planets resources for the people of Earth, who's own natural resources have depleted. When Alec watches his own brother get murdered by the EDF, he decides to abandon his quest for the normal life and decides to get revenge on the EDF by joining the Red Faction.
The gameplay throughout the game is surreal. The visuals are stunning, and the third-person camera angles are continuously staying in step with the players movements. Players can choose from an assortment of guns and bombs, but the most impressive weapon is the sledgehammer, which when you are in a tight bind, the player can pull out and bash the enemy to the ground. The scenery seen of the Mars landscape is amazing, and so real that you would have thought you were watching the game through the Hubble telescope.
Overall, I give the game a 9 out of 10, for the story and gameplay live up to the series reputation, and shows why the game has become such a powerhouse and household name in the gaming community. The gameplay was consistent and realistic, and the story had gamers on the edge of their seats the entire time.
GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra
Games that follow their movie counterparts often find the road to success very difficult. While they may be fun, they often do not live up to the original scripts or gameplay of the standalone games. This was the case with the companion game, GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra. While the story may have been well written, the gameplay itself was not of the highest quality, and often resembled more of an Arcade game than an updated console game.
The story follows the military unit known as GI Joe, who deals with international terrorists. As a new terrorist group known as Cobra begins to use teleportation technology, as well as new biological weapons, all over the globe, GI Joe must step in and stop the group before they can launch a massive attack on the major nations of the world.
The gameplay, while fun at times, was hard to maneuver. Players were given the choice of playing as any of the GI Joe squad mates, and had the ability to switch back and fourth between two different characters per mission. The graphics were pretty cool, but the camera angles were more than just third-person, but rather reminded us of an old school Arcade game that one would find on the Xbox live marketplace. The attacks themselves performed by the player were often slow, and only when activating the special move of the GI Joes could the player move as fast as many of today's shooter games move.
Overall, the game receives a 7 out of 10, for it's story is good, and the cast of characters quite massive, but the gameplay left room for work, and could have been best suited for the Xbox arcade rather than a standalone game.
The story follows the military unit known as GI Joe, who deals with international terrorists. As a new terrorist group known as Cobra begins to use teleportation technology, as well as new biological weapons, all over the globe, GI Joe must step in and stop the group before they can launch a massive attack on the major nations of the world.
The gameplay, while fun at times, was hard to maneuver. Players were given the choice of playing as any of the GI Joe squad mates, and had the ability to switch back and fourth between two different characters per mission. The graphics were pretty cool, but the camera angles were more than just third-person, but rather reminded us of an old school Arcade game that one would find on the Xbox live marketplace. The attacks themselves performed by the player were often slow, and only when activating the special move of the GI Joes could the player move as fast as many of today's shooter games move.
Overall, the game receives a 7 out of 10, for it's story is good, and the cast of characters quite massive, but the gameplay left room for work, and could have been best suited for the Xbox arcade rather than a standalone game.
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