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Attack of the Fanboy » REVIEWS http://attackofthefanboy.com Video Games! Wed, 23 May 2012 13:27:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Ghost Recon Future Soldier Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/ghost-recon-future-soldier-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/ghost-recon-future-soldier-review/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 12:00:27 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84730

The Tom Clancy Ghost Recon series has spanned over a decade. In that time, the franchise has gone from a pure first person shooter that relied on team tactics and squad commands in the originals, to a fast paced third person affair in its Advanced Warfighter chapters. Content to evolve the franchise yet again, Ubisoft has Ghost Recon: Future Solider on deck, and it takes the franchise even deeper into the world of high tech warfare.

Information trumps marksmanship in this recent release. Taking a different approach from other shooters on the market today, Future soldier asks players to be more tactful on the battlefield by using information gathering tools to swing the tide of a gunfight. Whether examining it in its campaign, cooperative, or multiplayer modes, the emphasis on high tech gadgetry is more pronounced than ever before. Motion sensors, cloaking abilities, reconnaissance drones, and other military technology give Future Soldier a different feel than it competitors like Call of Duty and Battlefield.

Instead of grading you on how fast you can aim down the sights of your weapon, you'll be judged on the precision of your operation instead.The game's campaign has you controlling a team of "Ghosts", an elite special-ops group that is sent in when the military needs a mission completed with precision. Arming them with high tech equipment allows for this methodical approach in taking down enemies by always having the inside track on battlefield info. You'll be placed in a variety of scenarios that in some cases you've seen before in other games, and in others perhaps not. Large landscapes leave a lot of discretionary maneuvering where you can mark targets and command your team to take out enemies in tandem. Galavanting across the globe on numerous high-stakes missions will take you to some beautiful locales that feature tense gunfights. There's an emphasis on using your tools correctly, and instead of grading you on how fast you can aim down the sights of your weapon and eliminate you target, you'll be judged on the precision of your operation instead. Try to take a less stealthy route, and you'll find capable enemies that were seemingly just hoping for you to take that approach.

A self proclaimed tactical shooter, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier shows its most promise in its single player offering. The mode gives the game room to breathe, allowing for all too cool synchoronized take downs, stealthy mission types , and the best the game has to offer from a visual presentation perspective.

The four-player cooperative Guerrilla Mode will be familiar to anyone that has played a horde style game type in recent years. You'll infiltrate areas, silently take out your enemies, and then perform different objectives as wave after wave of enemy are unleashed to deter your progression. Weapons drops in-between waves will allow you to restock your supplies, or outfit an area to help you hold off an attack. Setting up sensors, claymores, and other items will give you plenty of information on how best to deal with your attackers and progress to the next round.

This latest Ghost Recon takes an ambitious detour in the multiplayer departmentWhile other Ghost Recon games have had similar cooperative modes in the past, in its competitive multiplayer is probably where Ghost Recon: Future Soldier takes its most ambitious detour from convention. Unlike other shooters that require a drip feed of Red Bull in your system to compete, Ghost Recon Future Soldier really does rely on squad based tactics for the best results. It's easy to make these claims in pre-launch marketing, but actually pulling it off is exactly what Future Soldier did. Giving you all of the tools from the single player campaign, Future Soldier asks you to be patient, communicative, and disciplined in the ways that you attack any of the game's multiplayer offerings. Revolving around objective style game modes that require players to work as team is asking alot from gamers. But when it does come together, it's a refreshing change of pace for the genre that has gravitated towards satisfying the more lone wolf style player.

Fans that have been with the Ghost Recon franchise over the years will notice that some mainstay gamemodes have been eliminated, like standard team deathmatch and the traditional Last Man Standing. Fortunately, their replacements like Saboteur and Conflict are welcome additions that allow the gameplay to remain in-line with the theme of the game. An XP system will have you leveling up and unlocking weapons, attachments, character skins, and other customizable features for your avatar that can give you significant benefits on the field of play. The game's gunsmith and shooting range feature will allow you to customize and test any weapons which you create, giving you the pitch perfect companion to take with you into a fight.

Alot of these features are fairly standard protocol for most shooters these days, and bring Ghost Recon: Future Soldier up to speed with the competition. Though its not really fair to compare the methodical pacing of Ghost Recon with the games that are considered to be in the same genre. Definitely a game that goes outside of the popular conventions that twitch based shooters adhere to, Ghost Recon Future Soldier has alot to offer for gamers who prefer their shooters of the more cerebral nature.

Ghost Recon Future Soldier Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/ghost-recon-future-soldier-review/feed/ 8 Diablo III Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/diablo-iii-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/diablo-iii-review/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 01:54:04 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84640

There are only a handful of gaming franchises that can lay claim to being the catalyst for countless clones like Diablo can. Frankly, anything that slightly resembles its mainstay dungeon crawling and loot grinding mechanics is compared to it, and often times labled as a "Diablo clone". With Diablo III, Blizzard returns to its dark fantasy role playing roots and forgoes alot of the traditional RPG mechanics to forge its own dungeon crawling experience. Offering an endless loop of rewards and unlockables to achieve for putting in your time slaying demons is the essence of the franchise. A measured yet flexible game, Diablo III has seen a good bit of change in the recent release. This latest title stays true to Diablo II in many of the game's combat mechanics, but also gives players far more flexibility in the way that they choose to customize their character, as well as adding jaw dropping attention to detail in visual department.

Diablo III Video Review

While it certainly hasn't been the franchise's major draw over the years, Diablo III tells the rich continuing story of Sanctuary through what are arguably the best looking cutscenes in the business. Playing supplement to the in-game content, these cutscenes accompany fully voiced character interactions and lore loot narrations, which will fill in many of the game's blanks. Sprawling dungeons and varying locales in the game's four acts are a visual treat, though even modestly powered PCs should be able to run the game at its highest settings.

Diablo III Review

Finding the right combination of skills and pointing and clicking your way to victory is only one part of the equation in Diablo III. You'll spend most of your time in the game's action mode, a 3/4 top down viewing angle where the bulk of the story will unfold into a journey down a relatively linear path. Players can choose from one of five character classes: The Wizard, Witch Doctor, Demon Hunter, Barbarian, and Monk. Each with their own distinct special abilities and specialties like melee, support, magic, and ranged attacks. After comitting to one character, that's about as tied down as you'll get, because after that just about everything can be adjusted on the fly to fit your specific playstyle. Passive and Active skills will be unlocked as XP is earned during your time in Sanctuary, and these skills can also be customized with different runes, that provide both aesthetic and functional benefit. Experimenting with these different options are paramount to the Diablo III experience as they can greatly affect your success in a given battle,area, or dungeon. Since Blizzard continually throws new enemy types at you throughout the game, its definitely advantageous to keep an eye out for new combinations of weapons and skills to use. Optimization for specific areas plays an even bigger role when you start to venture up the difficulty ladder.

Finding the right combination of skills and pointing and clicking your way to victory is only one part of the equation in Diablo III. The game is certainly just as much about managing your inventory as it is about picking the right skills. Since you'll be constantly coming across new tools to use, comparing specs and buffs will allow you to determine whether or not a certain weapon drop is even worth picking up. Depending on whether or not you have a follower with you or not, you'll also need to take them into consideration as well. There's a constant cycle of rewards and incentives to keep you clicking forward through the game's four acts. Whether its item drops that harbor the potential for rare finds, gold that can be used to buy new weapons,craft unique ones, or purchase other upgrades for your warrior, or XP grinding you to new skills and abilities, Blizzard constantly reinforces your forward progress in Diablo III by continually giving you rewards, or dangling one just slightly out of reach. This continues far after a single playthrough, which is probably Diablo III's biggest feat.

Considering that it is a game that was designed specifically for you to return to time and time again, there is always a reason to come back for more. Bigger, better equipment is the reward for playing Diablo III at its highest difficulty levels. At it's toughest, this is one game that will make you beg for mercy... Or at least beg for team support. Cooperative play is one of the launch features that Blizzard managed to sneak into the game, and you shouldn't have much trouble finding someone to play with since everyone needs to be online to play the game in any form. PvE will allow you to join up with other travelers to tackle any of the games four acts as a team. While it takes away slightly from the more intimate single player experience in Diablo III, the cooperative gameplay is fun and exciting from a gameplay stance. Unlike World of Warcraft there is no rolling for loot in Diablo III, you'll only see items that you can pickup so in that sense there's a better chance that your time will be aptly rewarded. The only real cons to the cooperative play is the ability for any player to trigger events that play a large role in the story or skip through them entirely.

Diablo III Review

The online component of Diablo III has its great features, but have been implemented at a cost.The online component of Diablo III has its great features, but have been implemented at a cost. Which brings us to the big elephant in the room, Blizzard's DRM and its requirement that you be connected to the internet when playing Diablo III. It's already lead to a public outcry from the Diablo community after causing widespread server errors at the game's launch. Not being able to play the game in offline form in any way is a bit of a bummer. While the problems stemmed from Blizzard's side this time, there will sure be times when players want to play and have connection issues of their own that prevent them from doing so. Equally impressive in its single-player and cooperative modes, Blizzard's DRM is really only a problem if we know its there. Unfortunately, after the huge build-up to the release of the game, it was clearly evident that this new feature had kinks that needed to be worked out.

While most of the issues have been fixed relatively quickly, players will likely be waiting longer than expected for features like the real money auction house, and PvP gameplay to come to fruition. Allowing players to sell goods found in the virtual world for real-world cash is just another reason of many that'll keep you coming back for more, but there's no telling when that will occur. It was originally scheduled for May 22nd, and indications suggest that the real-money version will arrive on May 29th, and we've yet to see if that deadline will be hit.

With Diablo III Blizzard took some of the best features of the past and has merged them with more modern design philosophies. While most of it's big changes come from the remodeled leveling system, much of what made Diablo II such a good game is still present in some form or another. That's probably because some things just never get old. Blizzard knows how to set the stage and keep gamers coming back, day-in and day-out. Whether it's to marvel at the sights in Sanctuary all by your lonesome or tackle The Butcher on Inferno difficulty with friends, there's something that'll likely give you that itch for one more click in Diablo III.

Diablo III Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/diablo-iii-review/feed/ 2 The Walking Dead Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/walking-dead-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/walking-dead-review/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 23:53:02 +0000 Rhett Barlow http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84133

Rarely do the words 'narrative' and 'zombies' get thrown together in the same sentence, unless it's "They shouldn't have bothered putting some crappy narrative in a game about zombies. I just wanna blow them Walkers' limbs off!" Okay, that was actually two sentences... two fairly stupid sentences, but you get the point. If you have ever heard of The Walking Dead, however, then you know that the term character-driven-zombie-story actually makes some amount of sense. Yes, The Walking Dead is a video game adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic book series of the same name; it is not directly related to the show on AMC other than the fact that they are based on the same 'universe' and have an overall similar vibe, but that opinion may vary from person to person.

First thing's first, it's a little hard to qualify this as a game. It has many, many gameplay elements and has an interface akin to video games, but in actuality it feels more like an interactive story than anything else. Almost in the same way that Dear Esther isn't much of an actual "game," however Dear Esther's story remains the same regardless of what the player does. In the case of The Walking Dead, you actually have a say in how the story unfolds. Some of the choices you make are based on basic A, B, C options like "save person X or person Y," but most of the time the changed come from what you say in conversations with other characters. These conversations will determine your overall relationship with the character you are interacting with and actually has a somewhat noticeable impact on the direction of the story. Since only the first episode of the five part series has been released, many of the decisions you have made haven't really panned out yet. However, what you see unfold towards the end of the episode and what you see happen in the "Next time on the Walking Dead" video before the credits shows obvious repercussions for your actions.

In the case of The Walking Dead, you actually have a say in how the story unfolds.There is a noticeable distinction between which characters you are theoretically supposed to like and those you aren't and the reason for this is, most of the time, the writing is not all that bad really. It's nice to be able to say that about a video game these days since we have a tendency to see the same quality of writing of the same various stories over and over and over again, year after year. Does the writing deserve to get some prestigious award? Probably not, but that's only because of the constant narration of the main character's inner thoughts. Every now and then, the main protagonist, Lee, will say something like "I need to climb out that window" or "That's the door to the pharmacy" when the game has already classified what that door is and where it goes. Basically, it's a way of letting the player know what they need to do without having the game throw a hint on the screen every five minutes. Unfortunately, it's painfully obvious that that's exactly what these lines of dialogue are. The writers don't even try to make it subtle by making these particular lines sound more natural. Even Halo 3: ODST did a fairly decent job of using that little technique.

It's surprising that those tasked with writing the script for a game based on a series very well known for its story and writing would overlook something so obvious. It is quite a contradiction to the overall quality of the writing and can pull you out of the immersion for a moment every now and then. Thankfully, these 'tutorial' lines are typically far and few between, so it doesn't ruin the experience. The game having its fair share of bugs doesn't totally help, though. There's nothing game-breaking that I've experienced, mostly just minor annoyances. For instance, some of the cutscenes are a little jittery, and it's not the framerate; it seems more like there's weird skip when the camera changes angles. Also, it looks like dialogue choices associated with certain mini-quests in the game are still available when you are talking to a character that is associated with said quest, even though you actually already finished the quest. Whether this is a bug or just a design oversight is unclear, but it doesn't have any real negative impact on the game. One bug that is particularly annoying is sometimes if you have to restart from a checkpoint, the camera spawns UNDERGROUND. It's quite disorienting and it's surprising that an update hasn't addressed this yet, but the fact that this game is multiplatform might be contributing to delay of updates (thanks Microsoft, Sony).

The Walking Dead Review

This particular genre rarely intrigues me, mostly because it's very 'on-rails.' That being said, this game is very well done. It has its downsides, as I've listed above, but it has well designed characters, an interesting story, and successfully makes the player feel involved. Often, when I watch AMC's adaptation of The Walking Dead, I feel very frustrated with many of the characters. In this case, you take control of the main character and help drive the story in a way that you feel comfortable with. Instead of watching a tv show where you have gotten sick of a character's attitude and no one is shutting him up, here there is most likely an option to punch him in the face if you so choose. The episodes only last around two hours, so don't expect to have a whole lot happen if you get the game before the second episode comes out. If you are someone who wants to avoid all of the combat sequences and get straight to the story, then The Walking Dead is an absolute must. If you just want to blow heads off, then this game isn't for you. Sure, there are zombies and there's gore, but any combat is very scripted; again, on-rails. Left 4 Dead 2 offers plenty of that and also happens to take place in the south, fancy that. It certainly is an acquired taste, but if you love this niche genre of gaming, you don't need to worry too much about this game.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/walking-dead-review/feed/ 0 Max Payne 3 Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/max-payne-3-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/max-payne-3-review/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 17:58:08 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84392

It's been almost a decade since we last saw Max Payne and his hyper violent sensibilities invade a gaming platform. Plenty has changed in the video game world since then, and the last we saw of the franchise it was under the leadership of Remedy Entertainment. With Rockstar Vancouver at the helm for Max Payne 3, they do have some pretty big shoes to fill with this iconic franchise.

Max Payne Video Review

Max has had a rough life. He lost his wife and daughter all those years ago, and has been staring at the bottom of a bottle for the better part of ten years. After leaving his Detective position behind, getting in bad with the mobsters of New York City forces Max to head for Brazil to work as a body guard for a wealthy Brazilian industrialist and his trophy wife. As is usually the case, Max finds himself in the middle of a bad situation, one that's going to require alot of shooting to put right.

Max Payne 3 Review

It's Rockstar's attention to the little things that makes Max Payne 3 a standout in a crowded genre.And that's precisely where Rockstar drops you off in this adventure. Following the brief tutorial, if you've played the previous games, you'll come to realize that not much has changed over years. Max Payne has always been based around the bullet time gameplay mechanic, and this one is no different. An upgrade in the graphics department supplement the traditional gameplay, which puts Max in variety of against all-odds scenarios.

It's Rockstar's attention to the little things that makes Max Payne 3 a stand out shooter in a crowded genre. The way that he uses his environment and handles his arsenal have plenty of small details that make it all so believable. Complimentary to the standard bullet-time, a shoot dodge technique will allow Max to vault in any direction, and as cool as it looks and feels, it ends with Max on the ground cleaning up whatever mess he's made. The gunplay is smooth, responsive, and most importantly fun, and gives the game alot of replay appeal.

By campaigns end you'll get extremely familiar with Max's strengths and weaknesses, as well as taken down the rabbit hole of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Bullet Time mechanic remains charming throughout, and it actually becomes more fun to use as you become more proficient with using it. This proficiency will give you more than enough reason to revisit Max Payne 3's Arcade Mode. A Score Attack style offering where you'll be rewarded for stylishly dismantling your enemies in scenarios from the single player campaign. Accuracy bonuses, use of bullet-time, headshots, and other variables will all factor into your overall score, while competing with friends for bragging rights.

For the first time in the franchise, Rockstar has introduced multiplayer into Max Payne's repertoire. Make no mistakes about it, this certainly does not have the feel of a "tacked on" experience. There's a very well thought out XP, grinds, loudout, and item systems that allows for a deep, rewarding, customizable online experience. Multiple game modes that range from a standard deathmatch affair, to a very well conceived "Gang Wars" objective based mode, offer a great bit of variety when choosing what type of game you want to play.

Max Payne 3 Review

Play just a few rounds of multiplayer and you'll likely see things you've never seen before online.What sets Max Payne 3's multiplayer apart from standard cover based shooters is its bursts system, for one. It allows you to use a custom ability to help yourself, or your team on the field of the play. These bursts range from upgraded weapons, health buffs, marking enemies on the map, and quite a few others that can help out in a pinch. Most importantly though, Max Payne's signature bullet-time mechanic has been cleverly implemented into multiplayer, and it really works better than you think it would. Play just a few rounds of multiplayer and you're bound to see things and situations that you just haven't seen in a multiplayer title before.

Max Payne 3 offers one of the most complete gaming packages in recent memory. The campaign begs to played on multiple skill levels if just for how many different ways you can tackle a given situation. This goes double for the score attack and New York Minute Arcade game modes. The multiplayer is an addicitive fast paced experience, that houses a deep customization and leveling system. Long story short, there's a ton of content here. Enough to make up the aggregiously long wait since fans have had since Max Payne 2. Rockstar did Remedy well in this reboot, and its a game that is sure to please longtime fans of the franchise, and snag some new ones as well.

Max Payne 3 Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/max-payne-3-review/feed/ 0 Sniper Elite V2 Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/sniper-elite-v2-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/sniper-elite-v2-review/#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 01:19:33 +0000 Rhett Barlow http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=83919

Sniper Elite V2 is a tactical third person shooter set in the Battle of Berlin, near the end of World War II. The player takes on the role of Karl Fairburne (nice name?), a lone OSS officer charged with hunting down and extracting information from the minds behind the V2 rocket program. Stuck somewhere in the middle of a battle between the Nazis and some conniving Soviets, the player must use stealth, strategy and extreme patience to bring the V2 rocket program to a grinding halt and save many innocents from a terrible fate. It's unfortunate to see a game that supposedly chooses to avoid the likes of the cliche, over-the-top action shooters on the market today have such a lackluster story; but the level of skill it takes to land those perfect headshots at 200 meters gives this game a glimmer of hope.

The bullet ballistics in game are insanely tricky to master. The ability to spot enemies with binoculars makes hitting the poor little Nazi bastards a tiny bit easier, but once they hear your first shot they scurry about and run from cover to cover; becoming a sort of perverse version of Whack-a-Mole as you watch little green helmets bob up and down behind a retaining wall. Leaving a sense of relief after a bullet finally plunges through his heart as bones shatter, tissue tears open, and blood pours out of the exit wound. That's not an exaggeration either, the "X-ray kill cams" offer a gory insight into just how destructive your shots are to the human body, which is somewhat satisfying in a sadistic sort of way.

Sniper Elite V2 Review

Sniper Elite V2 becomes a perverse version of Whack-a-Mole at times.Aside from having your trusty sniper rifle of doom, you have a variety of trip mines, land mines, multiple types of grenades, and an infinite supply of rocks used to distract enemies. The mines can be useful to cover entry ways while you're sniping from a two story window or plant on dead enemies so when one of their friends come to investigate...pure satisfaction. These kinds of plans don't always turn out the way you hoped, but that could be partly the AI's fault. These tools are helpful, but odds are you're going to get into more shootouts than stealthy infiltrations and the unreliable stealth killing system pretty much seals the deal on that topic.

The enemies aren't particularly interesting. Either they don't do what they are supposed to or all they do is just run to cover and then pop their head out to get shot. At least they sometimes throw a grenade, that's a plus. Even the idea of throwing rocks to distract enemies doesn't live up to its true potential. Sometimes it works and enemies will go investigate, but other times it doesn't phase them even if you throw the rock right at their feet and you are in their line of sight. What's even funnier is when you do get that excellent kill via a land mine, for some reason your victim's friends don't seem to want to investigate the sound of a large explosion and a sharp scream from around the corner. It makes the stealth more interesting, but seems like a pretty major oversight.

Considering your level of ammo on everything but your sniper rifle stays pretty low at all times, it can make shootouts teeter on the the edge of failure a lot. That's not necessarily a bad thing, it means you have to rely on conservation and skill more than whether or not you'll find an ammo cache. Strangely enough, the amount of ammo you find throughout the game increases as you get closer to the end. This seems counterintuitive to the idea of the game getting harder as you go along, this game actually seems to get easier, but that's a matter of perception. There are so many aspects to the game that make the player feel like they have to rely heavily on strategy all the time, yet the game has regenerating health and waypoints. Seriously, the game obviously is trying to separate itself from other shooters on the market, yet it adheres to two of the most cliche, hand-holding mechanics. Sure, it helps keep an even flow to the game, but we seem to have forgotten that waypoints are simply a lazy excuse to not pay attention to details in the level design that help guide the player through the environment while still letting them feel in control. That is a debate in of itself and shouldn't be fought here, but some of these mechanics seem to contradict the overall feel of the game.

The argument about the lazy level design stands, however. Almost every single level seems to be ripped from virtually any and every single WWII shooter from the past ten years or so. There's a mission about destroying a bridge, a mission involving trenches, cities where virtually every building has been leveled to the ground. You name it, Sniper Elite V2 probably did a version of it. Some of this is to be expected. Of course you're going to see a variety of locations with heavily damaged buildings, it's war-torn Europe during the final days of the war. Seeing as this game is loosely (very loosely) based on real locations and events, it's almost impossible to avoid the typical WWII cliches. But can we try something a little different for once? Take a little creative freedom and throw a little variety our way. It's not like the designers were relying so heavily on the game's story anyway, might as well throw in some levels that are noticeably different from the rest.

Sniper Elite V2 Review

The story doesn't really have any true level of depth at all.Speaking of the story, it doesn't really have any true level of depth at all. Hunt down the evil scientists and German officers behind the V2 Rocket program, put a bullet between their eyes, and then stop the rockets from being fired. That's pretty much it, despite one very small twist in the last third of the game, but it isn't anything particularly shocking. If anything, it's just not very believable, but I won't spoil it. The fact that the main protagonist sounds like Duke Nukem's less bulky yet considerably more mature stepbrother doesn't help either. The acting is somewhat cheesy and predictable, but considering the script the actors had, you can give them the benefit of the doubt. At the end of each mission, you learn where you're going next and why, but despite the fact you are on your own with no form of travel that's explained in game, you inexplicably end up in heavily guarded enemy territory unharmed at the beginning of every mission, as if by magic. The game isn't particularly long, if you suck at strategy and sniping and take your time a lot, you'll still probably finish in under six hours. You'd think that the developer could have made a couple levels about how you got from point A to point B and in turn deepen the story a bit and brought the game to a more respectable length. Isn't the story supposed to be more in the journey than the destination?

Sniper Elite V2 Review

Sniper Elite V2 is full of flaws, overly predictable, and has one too many boring moments. The game feels like it lasts ten hours, but not at all in a good way. When you see that it actually only took about six hours, you might let out a sigh of relief in knowing that you didn't blow as many hours on that game as you may have thought. All of that being said, it is still a relatively fun sniper simulation. It's tricky, it's complex, and all around leads to a fair amount of satisfaction when you succeed. There are a handful of moments that lead you to believe that if the rest of the game were more like that skirmish, it actually could pass as a fairly decent game. Because of that, I can't say I hated the game in all good conscience. There are a couple parts that I wouldn't mind playing again. Seeing as it's only a couple of moments, I can't call it a good game either. If you are a die hard sniper enthusiast, you might want to pick this up on sale or after the price drops. It's unfortunate really, the game was a few hours and a couple of design adjustments away from being a bit of a relief in a pretty cluttered genre.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/sniper-elite-v2-review/feed/ 1 Starhawk PlayStation 3 Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/starhawk-playstation-3-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/starhawk-playstation-3-review/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 20:19:54 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84140

Welcome to a new era of multiplayer experiences, Starhawk has arrived exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Unlike any shooter that's come before it, LightBox Interactive and Sony Santa Monica have cooked up an improbable formula that's a distinctly refreshing contrast to the me-too experiences that have been left in Call of Duty's wake in recent years. Developed on a "Build & Battle" gameplay methodology, Starhawk asks players to not only shoot the other guy, but to use real time strategy and tower defense rules in the process.

Starhawk Video Review

The universe of Starhawk is set in the distant future, one where factions do battle over a rare substance called Rift Energy. The desire of everyone in the galaxy, Rifters work to mine the substance to make an honest living, while The Outcast have other plans. They're a group of mutated creatures that at one time were human, but have become mutated and psychotic after an overexposure to the glowing substance. Somewhere in-between these two factions is Emmett Graves. Graves is a hired gun, who shares traits with both factions, some mutations of his own Graves hasn't quite hit the tipping point that the Outcast have. When the leader of the Outcast warriors makes his way back to Graves' home settlement of White Plains, the humans will need his help to push back the creature threat once and for all.

Starhawk PlayStation 3 Review

Starhawk's campaign is more or less an eight hour tutorial on how to play the game's multiplayer component.This overarching battle for Rift Energy plays a central role in Starhawk's gameplay. The story behind the Rift Energy however, is more of an afterthought in a campaign that serves as more or less an eight hour tutorial on how to play the game's multiplayer component. Starhawk's single player portion will teach you the finer points of "Build & Battle", starting small and working your way up to the most powerful weaponry available. The premise though is truly simple: Harvest Rift energy. If you have enough you can build anything you want. That ranges through a wide variety of orbital drops to be called in to aid you in battle. Starhawk's single player will ask you to perform a number of tasks. From base defense to dog fighting and tank driving, you'll learn the ins-and outs of all these weapons in due time. There's two ways that Starhawk's single player campaign can be looked at. For a third person action game it definitely lacks in the story telling department compared to its competition. As a strategy title however, it definitely holds it own. Driven on the standard Sony storyboards of late, the majority of Starhawk's story is told through cartoon-like animated sequences.

Eventhough its easily the game's weakest component, the single player should be mandatory for new Starhawk players looking to get the most out of multiplayer. Because this is where Starhawk absolutely shines. 32 man battles where everyone can build defenses on whim, the action is chaotic and fast. Flying, driving, and infantry play are all fair game in Starhawk, and you won't have to look far to find a fight in some form. The sprawling battlefields will have you cutting through enemy defenses to retake zones, capture flags, or just going for kills in the standard deathmatch and team deathmatch modes.

Overtaking an enemy plot of land in Starhawk is a beautiful thing to participate in. Using teamwork to disable shields, turrets, and other defenses while vehicle units move into mop up the stragglers or take on your enemy's heavy equipment is as intense as it gets in multiplayer offerings on any platform. Similarly, hunkering down to push back an enemy onslaught while calling orbital drops to aid in your defense is just as gratifying. No matter what you're controlling, be it the Hawk Mech/Plane combo, the Ox Tank, Razorback Truck, Sidewinder, or just your character on foot, Starhawk is silky smooth from a control standpoint as well. The truly amazing thing is just how much is going on in any given battle.

Starhawk PlayStation 3 Review

Starhawk is as intense as it gets in multiplayer offerings on any platform.On top of it all Starhawk doesn't skimp when it comes to options. As you would expect from a game focused on multiplayer, there are alot of unlockables to achieve through the games XP system. Paint jobs, clothes, and other things are a nice touch, but don't have much effect on the field of the play, which is probably a good thing. The ability to form or join a clan is also stock in Starhawk, and with so much emphasis placed on teamwork, it'd probably be beneficial to join one, though its not mandatory. You can jump into any number of quickmatch affairs through the game's matchmaking system, or through a lobby browser if you're looking for more specific game parameters.

Starhawk PlayStation 3 Review

You're not likely going to find a multiplayer experience that is as rich and unique as Starhawk anytime soon. LightBox took a big risk in forming its own mold for this game, and it works surprisingly well. From concept to execution there's not much to find fault with, because frankly its unlike any other game. Usually when games attempt to combine genres like Starhawk has, something is usually lacking, but here that's simply just not the case. It marries the addictive elements of tower defense and fast paced action of third person shooters exceptionally. You could fault the campaign for lacking a little, but only because it pales in comparison to the fun to be had when you finally take Starhawk online.

Starhawk Screenshots

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/starhawk-playstation-3-review/feed/ 2 Prototype 2 Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/prototype-2-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/prototype-2-review/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=82869

Your family is dead, victims of a deadly viral outbreak. Your city is under siege by a mysterious organization known as Blackwatch, the US Government, and Alex Mercer, and it's unclear just who's on your side and who's not in Prototype 2. You'll assume the role of Sergeant James Heller, a man that's looking for answers in a tangled story of a second viral outbreak in New York City that is thought to be much worse than the first. Set about 14 months after the events of the original game, Heller is infected with the Mercer virus that gives you evolving supernatural mutations, the ones that you're gonna use to find out who's responsible for your family's death.

Prototype 2 Video Review

Staying true to its roots, Prototype 2 is once again a third person action game, with a wide open world to explore. New York is divided into three distinct zones, each with a different feel for the level of severity of the outbreak. The Red, Yellow, and Green Zones each represent different types of challenges for Heller and your wide range of missions will have you criss-crossing between the different settings on a variety of tasks. Notably different from the original Prototype, each zone has a different aesthetic feel. Alongside a graphical palette that has seen an upgrade since 2009, Prototype 2 offers a more vibrant playground to get lost in.

But Prototype 2 is all about player empowerment. Your character's evolving mutations will allow you to perform some pretty horrific feats. Like the original game, you'll be able to traverse your surroundings by scaling buildings and soaring through the air, with a talent tree that can make you more proficient in a number of areas depending on how you spend your earned bonuses. A wide variety of supplemental content in addition to the main storyline missions, will have Heller unlocking new talents that further bolster his abilities performing side missions that vary from finding hidden collectibles, targeting specific enemies, and cleaning infected lairs, among others.

A mixture of stealth and action, Heller is a shoot on sight target. Blending in with the crowd is of utmost importance if you are to complete your objectives. So his shapeshifting ability is one of the primary mechanics in Prototype 2. You can consume enemies, much like the original, and take their form. This will allow you to blend in, infiltrate enemy lines, and complete objectives without alerting anyone. A detection meter will alert enemies to your presence if you act suspicious, and progressing through the game, technology that alerts enemies to your presence will become prevalent as well.

Alert your enemies and you'll be forced into combat, which has seen its fair share of improvements since the original. You can always try to lose your enemies by running, but a number of new mutations have been added to the roster of attacks that can be used in Prototype 2, that make clearing out a strike squad more fun than ever before. Physics based tendril attacks cause massive environmental destruction by attaching to your target and using the environment to cause damage. Your claws, which are primary used for melee attacks, will leave a pool of bloody pulp in your wake and can slice through multiple enemies at a time. Combined with Heller's agility and the spectacle of it all, Prototype 2's combat is a blast and seems to have a much better flow than the original. Different enemies will require you to use different tactics and strategies, while following on-screen prompts a la Batman: Arkham City.

Like most open world titles, the pacing of Prototype 2 is all of what you make of it. Since there is a clear advantage to sniffing out all of the collectible items in the world, because of their direct correlation to your character's development, its easy to get side-tracked in the game while trying to find all of its secrets. Many of the side missions fill in the blanks for the story nicely, so it all feels related in some way. The main story line takes just enough twists and turns to keep you interested throughout, and that goes double for those that made it through the original. While it seems odd that Prototype 2 would introduce a brand new protagonist in this game, Heller is oddly more likeable than Mercer. He gives some comedic relief to the game, to prevent it from taking itself too seriously.

As far as sequels go, the Prototype 2 development team obviously had a much more defined vision of the game that they wanted to create, than they did in the original. Improving on nearly every facet of the game, Radical Entertainment definitely learned what fans liked and didn't like from their first effort, refining the necessary elements to produce a more complete package in their sophomore attempt. The only real problem you'll likely find is that feeling of what to do now. Once you complete the game, there's not much to keep you coming back to Prototype 2. With no multiplayer functionality, it'll be a hard sell to keep fans coming back for online challenges and leaderboard competitions. As far as single player experiences go, if you enjoy action or open world titles, Prototype 2's gritty and gory take on both genres will make this revenge quest one of the best in recent memory.

Prototype 2 Screenshots

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/prototype-2-review/feed/ 2 Fez Xbox 360 Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/fez-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/fez-review/#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:00:43 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=82449

As far as retro indie-platformers go, there's certainly no shortage of titles to choose from in recent years. It's become chic to "go retro" when developing an independent title, and that largely stems from cost constraints, more than likely. Polytron's much hyped platformer, Fez has recently arrived on the Xbox Live Marketplace, five long years after its development began.

The game has been well documented. The creator is an outspoken and opinionated breed of developer that isn't afraid to speak his mind. That same mindset was likely the driving force behind the development of Fez, which is a take it or leave it adventure, seemingly catering to no one. Fez is a polarizing title. It can feel lifeless and devoid at times, and at others, a revelation.

Fez Xbox 360 Video Review

At its most basic, Fez is the story of Gomez, who comes to realize that the world he lives in has a bit more dimension than he's accustomed to. Granted a special power to rotate the world on a 90 degree axis by a magical hat, the game's core gameplay mechanic is introduced to you in short order. It's an interesting premise, one that isn't entirely new, but still feels somewhat refreshing considering its context. Using your new found powers you'll set out to capture as many cubes, and cube pieces that you can, to unlock a series of doors and ultimately complete the game. If you've ever played with a Rubic's Cube, you'll get the strange sensation of Deja Vu when playing Fez, because of the constantly shifting mechanic.

If you take Fez at face value, and only look at this core mechanic, Fez seems a bit lifeless. The game has very little challenge from a controller input standpoint and hardly ever deviates from its one gameplay principle. A stark contrast to the retro platformers that Fez graciously emulates, it just doesn't offer the same types of challenge. If you manage to finish the game without uncovering any of Fez's deep dark secrets, you could very easily miss the game's entire point. Digging deeper, you'll find that the pixel art in Fez is far more than just a bunch of dots on your screen. And once you come to the realization that there's more to Fez than meets the eye, that's where Fez becomes something more than your average platformer.

The problem however, lies in the game's logic. The best of what Fez has to offer is so easy to overlook that it might as well be an after thought. You'll likely need to tap on the internet hive-mind to get the most out of Fez, which is kind of the same problem that another popular indie title, Minecraft had, with its lack of an in-game crafting guide. Add to this the myriad of problems with the release, which range from console crashes to looping death sequences, and Fez starts to paint the picture of a game that just isn't worth the time or effort depending on your value of the former.

Fez fits the bill for popular indie titles of late. It's got a charming look and feel, and Polytron nails it with the ambiance and likeability of the character. It makes some questionable decisions though in its execution. Depending on your tolerance for an utter lack of direction from the game, you'll either love or hate Fez. There's really no middle ground. Most of the puzzles come off feeling as inside jokes that you won't likely get, and with little to no guidance from the developers of your Journey, Fez comes off feeling a bit uninspired.

Fez Xbox 360 Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/fez-review/feed/ 0 Trials Evolution Xbox Arcade Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/trials-evolution-xbox-arcade-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/trials-evolution-xbox-arcade-review/#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:00:30 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=82598

It's a hard act to follow. 2009's Trials HD is one of the best selling titles in the history of the Xbox Live Arcade, but its also one of the most deserving of a sequel. Apparently Red Lynx is up to the task, as Trials Evolution is set to return in a big way to the Xbox Live Arcade. Sticking with the physics based gameplay that made Trials HD so addictively fun, Trials Evolution doesn't necessarily need to re-invent the wheel. It's what's been added, that makes the game a better experience. Trials Evolution is more of what made Trials HD great in the first place, and frankly its a better game than the original.

Trials Evolution Video Review

Gone are the warehouses from Trials HD, replaced by well imagined and designed tracks that are set in a variety of settings. You'll wheelie your way across roller coaster like environments that feel very much like an amusement ride than they ever did in HD. With plenty of environmental effects and hazards laid carefully to trip you up, Trials Evolution does call back to its core trial and error gameplay, most especially if you are looking to snag a perfect score or "gold medal".

Trials Evolution is much more community driven game than its predecessor. There's a deep online component that measures your scores against those of your Xbox Live friends, and rivalries are sure to get heated. It's very similar to what EA has done with the Autolog features in its Need For Speed racing series.

Trials HD was a game that continually pushed you to give it one more shot and Trials Evolution is no different. There's a nicely integrated quick restart feature that you'll be using often when going for high scores or making that perfect run. One of the biggest differences between Trials HD and Trials Evolution is in its accessibility. There's a great deal of content in this game, something for everyone if you will. Trials Veterans will likely scoff at some of the early levels in Evolution as being too easy or dumbed down, but rest assured stay with it long enough, and earn enough medals, and you'll be faced with fist shaking difficulty.

Survive the developer made levels and you'll always have the community made content. Red Lynx has incorporated two map editors into Trials Evolution. A "Lite Editor" and a "Pro Editor", you'll definitely need to take some time getting familiar with the controls for these, as they have both have a fair amount of options. Red Lynx themselves have admitted to using the Pro Editor to develop many levels for the game and its a complex editing tool, one that will likely spawn some great ideas.

Online multiplayer is also feature in Trials HD and comes in a number of varieties. A fast paces Super Cross race pits four players against one another on a laned track. While Trials and Hardcore Trials will have you racing against ghosts on easy and technical tracks respectively.

At the end of the day, there's not much more that you can ask for from Red Lynx with Trials Evolution. The game has an addictive single player mode, equally fun multiplayer with online and offline capabilities, a track editor that will likely give the community something to do for months if not years to come, and did I mention that Trials Evolution is $20. Yeah, there's that too. It's got more content than you'll find in games 3x the price, and it's better made than most of them.

Trials Evolution Xbox Arcade Review

Trials Evolution Screenshots

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/trials-evolution-xbox-arcade-review/feed/ 0 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Xbox 360 Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/witcher-2-assassins-kings-xbox-360-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/witcher-2-assassins-kings-xbox-360-review/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:00:20 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=82451 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Xbox 360 Review

One of 2011's top Role Playing Games for PC, has finally arrived on the Xbox 360 with The Witcher 2: Assassin's of Kings by CD Projekt Red. When the game originally launched on PC, fans of the franchise were warmly welcomed with a game that spewed unimaginable beauty to those that had the PC rigs to show it. While many praised the game for its great visuals, it wasn't all show and no-go for The Witcher 2 on PC. The game also featured some of the deepest role-playing you'll find, with plenty of crafting, a deep combat system, a fully realized world to explore and a penchant for mature storytelling.

As denoted by the numeral in its title, The Witcher 2: Assassin's of Kings is the sequel to 2007's original title from CD Projekt Red and picks up shortly after the events of the first game. While sequels are definitely better if you're already invested time into the franchise, The Witcher 2 definitely spends the necessary time bringing new players up to speed with the back-story for the game. This is a stand-alone adventure, where you'll be playing the part of Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher who is framed for a crime he did not commit. You'll be in pursuit of another Witcher who is terrorizing the lands of Temeria, assassinating all kings who he comes in contact with. It's a story that is based on a series of novels by Andrezj Sapkowski, and because of that, there's plenty of lore to sink your teeth into in The Witcher 2.

The Witcher 2: Assassin's of Kings Video Review

This journey to clear Gearalt's name is one that features a ton of well thought out content. The brutal combat is a satisfying blend of in-your-face sword-play, and more strategic stealth-laden tactics. And like many other RPG's disabling your foes will produce loot for you to pick-up, there are no shortage of treasures to find in The Witcher 2. Arming yourself with swords, armor, and secondary weapons like traps and bombs, you have plenty of alternatives on the field of play, and in many cases, you'll need to explore all possibilities as the combat can be quite difficult and this is especially true in the higher difficulty settings. Though The Witcher 2 definitely shows its range outside of the standard hack and slash gameplay, with a wide assortment of mission types, and and a unique cinematic style, it does well not to overuse one mechanic in keeping the gameplay fresh.

Violence is The Witcher's speciality and there are numerous ways to tackle encounters in-game. This is an action-RPG where button mashing is certainly not the key to success. It's a refreshing take on the hack and slash style of gameplay, with a much more thoughtful approach to using items, crafting potions, and exploiting enemy weak spots. Bigger boss battles may take some trial and error to master, but its a rewarding system overall. The Witcher's magical spells have varied effects against different enemies, and are used in tandem with either of Geralt's swords, and a bevy of items like bombs, traps, throwing knives.

Outside of combat the gameplay has many facets. You'll find stealth missions, escort runs, quick time events, and even mini-games in Assassin's of Kings, with much of the content spread out nicely over the game's lengthy campaign to keep your journey from becoming monotonous. Though the Witcher 2 is for the more cerbral RPG fan. You'll be needing to master the arts of alchemy if you are to survive your adventure. Making potions, enhancing armor, and learning the art of meditation are prequisites for the job at hand. If you find this daunting at all, look away now, because the in-game talent tree is another monster to tackle altogether.

Many of the things that we loved about The Witcher 2 in our original review of the PC version of the game still ring true. It's definitely a gorgeous game to look at on consoles, and while the Xbox 360 may not be able to keep up with high-end PC's in the graphics department, obvious considerations have been made to scale the game nicely to consoles. With an even meatier campaign element supplemented with additional content, this "Enhanced Edition" of the Witcher is even better the second time around.

Though as is the case with many ports, The Witcher 2 is far from perfect. Notable screen-tearing and graphic mishaps are evident throughout the entire campaign. Targeting is spotty when trying to pickup items, talk to NPCs, and other interactions that don't occur with an enemy. The mouse is probably a language that The Witcher 2 speaks more fluently with. Though none of these grievances are a deal breaker.

A world of possibilities can open up the game for multiple playthroughs, and if you've been craving for an RPG fix after sinking your last 100 hours into Skyrim, The Witcher 2, will definitely fill that void. It's another fantasy world to become enveloped with, one with a rich backstory and instantly likeable protagonist. Whether you missed it on PC, or just flat out don't have the CPU to run it, The Witcher 2 is one RPG that console gamers can't afford to miss.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Xbox 360 Review

The Witcher 2 Screenshots

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/witcher-2-assassins-kings-xbox-360-review/feed/ 2 Journey PlayStation 3 Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/journey-playstation-3-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/journey-playstation-3-review/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:00:20 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=81897

With little context, ThatGameCompany dumps you in the desert, with only a shining light in the distance. The rest is literally up to you in their latest adventure for the PlayStation 3. After a string of successes with Flow & Flower this downloadable title from the PlayStation Network once again delivers the fundamental beauty that fans of That Game Company have come to expect. The story of Journey is simple, eloquent, and up for plenty of interpretation considering that there is no spoken dialog in the game whatsoever. What there is plenty of however, is imagery. Coupled with a simplistic control scheme, and a unique take on multiplayer, it's definitely not your average downloadable title.

At its heart, Journey is a third person adventure. You'll make your way across the desert, through frozen lands, and underground caverns, with little to no direction from the game itself, aside from subtle clues left behind by the developers and the in-plain view destination that always looms.

Journey PlayStation 3 Review

Journey's greatest feat is in its implentation of multiplayerFollowing the minimalist approach Journey's gameplay is uncluttered with menus, health bars, or inventories to navigate, having the screen telling you all you need to know about your character, and the progress they are making on their way. You'll earn peices of scarf which allow for you to take flight, and put simply, the more peices of scarf you find, the longer you can soar unassisted, the game's primary mechanic. Journey ventures into numerous genres on its trip. But unlike many games that spread themselves too thin, it succeeds in nearly every area. Light platforming and puzzle solving compliment the free flowing exploring nicely, and with your goal always in site, its easy to get back on track if you happen to take the road less traveled.

Though Journey's greatest feat is in its implementation of multiplayer. A variant of drop-in/drop-out co-op will have you meeting up with other travelers on your way. albeit in complete anonymity. A small light beacon will signal you that there is another player in close proximity to you, and you can either choose to work with them or go on your own way. The incentives for staying together are the ability to recharge each others scarves, as well as having two sets of eyes looking for glyphs that are strung throughout the campaign.

Journey PlayStation 3 Review

A tad on the short side, a single playthrough of Journey will only take you two hoursBut something else was acheived in the anonmyous cooperative play that you won't find in other games. Communication is limited to visual and audible cues that leave alot of your relationship with your partner in a gray area. The lack of traditional communication methods like a microphone make the game less personal, but in many ways more intimate. While you certainly don't need to play Journey with a fellow traveller, its an exceptional addition to the overall package. Revealed to you at the end, you'll find that during the few hours that it takes to complete a single playthrough of the game, you may cross paths with any number of other players.

Whether you judge Journey on its satisfying pallete of beautiful art, it's mold breaking twist on multiplayer, or its unique method or story telling, you'll be hard pressed to find many faults with Jenova Chen's latest vision. It might be That Game Company's best targeted game for the core gaming audience, but with that said, it does come in a tad on the short side when speaking to the game's length. With only around 2 hours of playtime needed to complete Journey, it doesn't offer as much value as other games at the same price point.

But Journey is a trip worth taking, its a bite sized adventure that you won't soon forget with plenty of replay value. Don't be surprised if later this year, Journey is nominated with even biggest of titles, and gets at least a few nods for Game of the Year. Like other games from That Game Company, Journey takes a ton of risks straying from convention, but ultimately feels nearly perfect in every way.

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/journey-playstation-3-review/feed/ 0 Ridge Racer Unbounded Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/ridge-racer-unbounded-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/ridge-racer-unbounded-review/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:12:03 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=81698

The Ridge Racer franchise has had its ups and downs over the years, but one constant trait that it has had, is its dedication to arcade style racing. Enter Ridge Racer: Unbounded, the latest racer from Namco and BugBear. A new level of environmental destruction, vehicular combat, and drift based gameplay take the franchise in an unfamiliar direction, more in the spirit of Bugbear's previous efforts in the Flatout series. Bugbear sets the backdrop for Ridge Racer: Unbounded's violent racing taking place throughout Shatter Bay, as gangs are vying for control of the city streets.

These gangs are fighting with cars, and looking to leave as much destruction as possible, in their wakes. The fictional setting of Shatter Bay provides the perfect backdrop for this unconventional Ridge Racer title, giving you more than enough hazards to plow through, hairpins to drift through, and finish lines to race towards. Long gone are the traditional Ridge Racer mechanics in Unbounded, given some obvious liberties in their design of the game, Bugbear's latest creation feels entirely out of place in the Ridge Racer franchise. If you were looking for a traditional Ridge Racer experience in this title, look away now, because you will not find it here.

Ridge Racer Unbounded Review

Ridge Racer: Unbounded lives and dies by its core gameplay mechanic of building a boost meter.What you will find is a game hell bent on a more action-oriented and cinematic approach to arcade racers. In the spirit of Burnout, Ridge Racer: Unbounded lives and dies by its core gameplay mechanic of building a boost meter. It's your always constant goal to increase and charge this power bar, because without it, the game is just another arcade racer. You can do this by performing a number of different actions in-race. Tailing other racers, causing destruction, or drifting around corners will earn you points on your power meter. When full, you'll be able to "frag" other racers, open shortcuts by barrelling through walls, or set off traps to impede other racer's progress. Easy enough as it sounds, you have ample opportunity to earn these boost points, but the real key to mastery is stringing multiple boosts together. Chaining frags, destruction, and drifts you can theoretically earn continual boosts which will allow you to continue chaining or make up time on racers ahead of you. The boost mechanic makes Unbounded a frantic, fast paced racing experience that always has you scouring for ways to fill up your meter.

This mechanic is taken with you in nearly every game mode in Ridge Racer: Unbounded, online and off. Playing the single player campaign will have you Dominating Shatter Bay, unlocking new pieces of the city to race through as events are completed. You'll become familiar with the events of each zone which feature different variations of this boost building gameplay. Domination Races have you battling it out with eleven other racers using all of the game's trappings to make it from point A to point B, before anyone else. Variations include straight up racing, time attack modes, frag attacks (where you are scored on how many takedowns you achieve), and others. The surprisingly smart A.I. in the single player portion of Unbounded makes it quite enjoyable when compared to other racer's single play portions. A.I. racers don't hesitate to take you down, and you'll need to use your boosts wisely to get to finish line first, or reach your target score.

Taking what you've learned to the online arena, Unbounded offers quite a few options here as well. You can play traditional multiplayer experiences by racing against others in Quick Matches on the Shatter Bay map, or you can play in Domination Matches which will allow you to race in user-created cities. All players can create their own cities in Ridge Racer: Unbounded. By unlocking pieces of track editor content you can build custom cities, set challenges for the online community to perform, and race against friends or online acquaintances. Building cities is a snap, square tiles are placed onto a racing grid and can include any number of twists, turns, and hazards to navigate. After you conquer Shatter Bay, there are hundreds of user created cities to explore in the online community of Ridge Racer: Unbounded.

Ridge Racer Unbounded Review

Repeated track sections make unlocking new areas uneventful as they feel awfully familiar to one another.All of these features are for nothing if the core experience isn't fun, and thankfully it is. Ridge Racer: Unbounded is a game which is indeed friendly to the pick up and play arcade racing gamer, but definitely offers rewards for sticking it out, learning the tracks, and mastering drift techniques. Cars have varying attributes and can really affect the way that a given course should or can be driven. At its craziest, Unbounded will challenge even the most dexterous gamers. As good as this franchise reboot turned out for Bugbear and Namco, the game definitely has its low points however. Shatter Bay has a distinct visual style, but unfortunately there feels like a lot of reused assets in the game. Repeated track sections make unlocking new areas uneventful, as they feel awfully familiar to one another. More color in Shatter Bay could have brought the city to life, but as it stands it feels somewhat dull when something's not blowing up. Furthermore, there's little customization outside of selecting paint color for your vehicle. With so many racers these days offering robust customization editors, it could have brought a personal touch to online portion of the game.

It's not perfect, and it doesn't even really feel like a Ridge Racer game, but Unbounded is one of the best arcade racers in years. It's nice to see that publishers aren't completely abandoning the genre, and with some luck, others will follow BugBear's lead and continue to evolve long running franchises in meaningful ways.

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/ridge-racer-unbounded-review/feed/ 0 I Am Alive Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/alive-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/alive-review/#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:00:15 +0000 Rhett Barlow http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=81292

A year after the world has been ravaged by a series of earthquakes, otherwise known as the "Event," a lone survivor named Adam has traveled across the country, on foot, to the city of Haventon to find his wife and daughter. The city is barely habitable and is riddled with gangs of savage men, cannibals, and survivalists along with an environment that is on the verge of collapse, enveloped by a cloud of dust that makes breathing and seeing a serious challenge. The Ubisoft Shanghai developed game, I Am Alive, relies heavily on platforming and survival, so don't expect a guns blazing shoot 'em up. That being said, the game has more than it's fair share of faults, likely brought on by its troubled development cycle.

I Am Alive Review

I Am Alive plays like a true survival game, which is a nice break from many carbon copy titles on the market these days.This is the first game that I have personally played in a long time that actually gives the player a limited number of lives. There are no infinite restarts when you die in this game, this feature alone makes I Am Alive feel more or less like a true survival game. Along with this, there is no regenerating health and a finite amount of regenerating stamina that will lead to the player's demise many times over the course of the campaign. Keeping your inventory stocked with various items to replenish your stamina while climbing up various walls, pipes, ladders and other obstacles is essential, meaning that you will need to explore the environment for said items in order to survive. The game does include various weapons including a machete, bow, and pistol for which you will have very little ammo for at all times. The most I managed to have in my clip at any given time was five bullets, at one short point in the game. Most of the time, you will only have one bullet on you, but don't worry, your enemies don't know how many bullets you have loaded in your weapon. As long as you are pointing your weapon, weaker enemies will not attack you, in fact they will be frightened of you. The game definitely attempts to play like a true survival game, which is a nice break from many carbon copy titles on the market these days.

I Am Alive Review

There's a lot I didn't like about I Am Alive. The game's linearity breeds boredom, and you'll beg for a reprieve from the monotony. There is an unfortunate reason to why the "Loved" section is so short and it isn't because I was lazy. Long story short, this game is twenty percent exciting player interaction and eighty percent totally controlled by the game itself. When your stamina is running low or when you have to pop off multiple baddies in a fraction of a second are the most exciting parts of the entire game. The rest is a complete bore. From the perspective of the platforming, the game doesn't always make it clear what is able to be climbed on in the game. The best way to know is to run around a new environment pressing "A" until your character reaches a surface that he can climb up on. That being said, some objects that you are able to climb on to in certain parts of the game (i.e. a particular type of crate or ladder) may not be an available surface to climb on at another point in the game. Besides the occasional false path, rarely will you find an environment that has more than one way to be navigated. This makes the game feel extremely linear and scripted and it gets worse. There are parts of the game that have an open world feel to it, but whenever you try to explore it a bit, the game literally turns you around and tells you that you are going the wrong way, even if you know for a fact that the alley you were heading to or the street you were walking down was accessible. So, when I say exploring the environment is key for survival, that means you should look behind boxes or in an open room that you pass by as you walk down a long hallway. Never have I played a game that discouraged and prevented player navigation and exploration so much.

Compared to other action/platformers like Uncharted, the movement system is so simple, it's complicated. I'm always thinking: "I have to place my jumps carefully," "I must be careful how I tilt my analog stick or my character will fall off the ledge." This doesn't really apply here. The game takes care of a lot for you, it's almost like quick time events without the button prompts. The stamina feature is the only aspect that makes the platforming difficult on any level. It's frustrating, because you tend to feel like you should have this freedom of movement that makes the platforming more interesting, but also feel like one wrong move and your dead. That doesn't exist here. The mechanic stands out from other platformers, but is far less interesting. The paths that you must climb, as linear as most of them are, are difficult at times, but only because you have to pay attention to your stamina bar.

The combat is insanely scripted which has its upsides and its downsides. On the upside, it feels more like a puzzle, which adds a new flavor to the genre, and adds a kind of strategy element to the gameplay (like the stamina mechanic). On the downside, each encounter feels almost exactly the same every single time. Once you've encountered a couple of fights in the game, you pretty much have learned how every fight in the game will play out. Shoot the guys with the guns, intimidate the weaker enemies, then knock them out. That's pretty much it. There's also only one way to really go about each individual scenario, lessening the replay value and making the combat feel lack luster all around. You do have the ability to free aim, but the game also features an auto targeting system that focuses on individual enemies that you can toggle through. This arcade like targeting system is very buggy, however. Often you'll find when engaging multiple enemies in a closed space that you will somehow miss an enemy even though you are pointing directly at them. Once you start fighting armored enemies, the combat starts to get more interesting. Although there are two different types of armored enemies (ones with unarmored heads and ones with unarmored legs), the second type only appears once in the game.

Using an empty pistol can still intimidate weaker enemies, but your bow won't even slow them down before they hit you. You would think that someone pointing an arrow at your head would be about as frightening as someone with a loaded gun, this seems to be a major logical oversight. Use over the machete is extremely limited. It can only be used when an enemy approaches you, where you engage in a 'push-pull' battle against your opponent's weapon that you will never lose, unless your not repeatedly pressing the button like you are supposed to. Speaking of enemies, there are hardly any different types to add variety and they all either sound like a scrawny little weasel or Tracy Morgan on steroids.

The story is overall cliche, slow moving, and has one of the most abrupt, anti-climactic endings of any game I've ever played. With a batch of uninteresting characters who seem to dump the most dangerous assignments on the lead character without even asking his opinion (that's not very nice!). The lack of characters at all makes the world about as interesting as its gray color palette. Not to mention the lead character, who narrates everything he thinks regardless of how obvious it may be.

I Am Alive Review

I have a hard time saying that I hated this game, despite the number of things that I obviously disliked about it. It's not without its fun moments and has its fair share of difficulty. Its extremely short campaign, horribly linear mechanics, and unimaginative level design ultimately ruin the experience. I Am Alive has seen a very troubled development cycle ever since it was announced. It really is a shame, because the original premise for the game seemed promising, but being transferred to a different developer in the middle of production most likely led to this poorly executed adventure.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/alive-review/feed/ 0 Armored Core V: Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/armored-core-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/armored-core-review/#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:00:49 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=81202

The Armored Core franchise has spanned well over a decade now, starting out on the PlayStation then moving on to the PlayStation 2 with multiple iterations of titles along the way. This generation rang in a new era for Armored Core, but From Software's most recent release is by far its most ambitious. The developer has done some interesting things in the multiplayer space, and Armored Core V has a suite of online options that are rivaled by few. If persistent all-out mech warfare is what you crave, Armored Core V is flush in this department. If you're ready to dish out justice in a fully customizable monstrosity of a mech, this is probably the game you've been waiting for.

Armored Core V: Review

If you're going into Armored Core V for just the story mode and side missions, you're missing the picture completely
For long time fans of the franchise, Armored Core V will put you in semi-familiar territory. The franchise's signature core elements remain intact with the dash-based gameplay and customization elements that you've come accustomed to over the years. A more tactical game than previous releases, Armored Core V features many levels in city scape environments where your smaller mech will use maneuverability as well as weaponry to get the job done, in any of the game's ten story missions and numerous side objectives. But if you're going into Armored Core V for just the story mode and side missions, you're missing the picture completely.

Armored Core V is set in a persistent online world. Which I'll be quite honest, can be a bit overwhelming with it's rather large feature set. You'll have the option to join a team or play as a lone wolf but its team based focus is really where the meat of Armored Core V is. It's actually quite obscene how much detail that From Software has packed into the multiplayer feature set in Armored Core V. Joining a team will allow you to participate in an all-out conquest mode, it's a truly massively multiplayer mode on consoles. It's been tried before with games like Chrome Hounds, but never has it played out as well as it does in Armored Core V.

In Armored Core V the game world is broken down into eight main regions, these regions are sub-divided into thousands of territories where your team can complete objectives and attempt to conquer. Conquer the most territories in a region, and your team has become the region's leader and your flag will fly there for all to see. As territories are won, they are also lost. Region leaders can set up defense systems allowing the AI to defend key areas even if noone from your team is online to help defend the house. Measured by Endurance Value, subsequent losses in a specific territory will make it vulnerable to a full out Conquest Mission where players from another team can challenge for outright control of a territory. Armored Core V definitely has an ambitious real time strategy angle to it, but it will need a cooperative online community to be successful.

Armored Core V: Review

It's obscene how much detail that From Software has packed into the multiplayer of Armored Core V
As you and your team are mashing through the front lines of enemy defenses, you'll also be gaining and losing points in the process. Winning or losing a specific battle will be the determining factor as to whether you gain or lose points, and these points can be used for a number of different things. Defending your own territories, expanding battlefield workshop capacities, and of course upgrading your units. Armored Core V again features a large customizable set of components for your mech. Some aesthetic features like paint and body type of the mech can be changed, as well as configurable weapon slots that become more powerful as you can afford to upgrade them. Within the team based structure of the game you can trade parts with other members of your team, or outright give your brothers in arms the necessary equipment to fight a better fight.

Once on a team, you'll constantly see the progress of your comrades and in many cases you can just join on the fly if mission parameters allow and there are available player slots. If fighting solo, you can also call on mercenaries. These mercenaries are real players who have joined a queue to be hired on by the next requesting party. If successful, a portion of your rewards for completing a mission will go to the mercenary. It's an interesting twist, and could prove interesting especially once the game releases and the full community takes hold of the online war.

Outside of this robust feature set of online options, Armored Core V feels, well, like an Armored Core game. Graphics don't feel like they were improved as much as the online infrastructure has been, and at times, some of the single player missions can feel a little mundane. It kind of feels like Dark Souls in a way. It's not the best looking game, nor does it have the best controls, but what it offers in exchange is a much richer and deeper online experience than any game I can remember in recent memory. If you dig real time strategy, and the possibility of a persistent online experience where war is raging whether you are online or off, you'd do well to check out Armored Core V.

Armored Core V: Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/armored-core-review/feed/ 1 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations: Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-generations-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-generations-review/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:01:17 +0000 Bill Hess http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=81200 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations: Review

For nearly a decade Cyber Connect 2 has been developing the "Ultimate Ninja" fighting franchise on the PlayStation 2,3 & now Xbox 360. The Naruto Shippuden series stems from the long running animated manga by way of Studio Pierrot in Japan. With a decade of content behind them, Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations looks to capitalize on all of that Naruto goodness, with exclusive content from Studio Pierrot made specifically for the title. The always fun and unique fighter has a ton of content to draw on for "Generations" but the question is: can it live up to the expectations and high bars set for this long running franchise.

Whether you're a fan of the franchise or just getting started, "Generations" offers a ton of content in the form of its fighters that spans multiple generations within the manga's timeline. With 70+ to choose from and 15 support characters, the lineup is indeed massive in this rendition of Naruto. Drawing from Ninja Storm 1 and Ninja Storm 2, even the hardest of hardcore Naruto fans may find a new unfamiliar face among the bunch. That said, with such a large lineup, you may also find a bit of redundancy in the characters as well. Multiple versions of Naruto at different courses of his life, as well as the same service for other popular fighters on the roster.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations: Review

Naruto is a much more exciting experience visually than it is cerebral.At it's core, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is still the same 3D fighter. CyberConnect2 uses wide open landscapes as arenas to do battle, and the controls are relatively easy to master. Single button combinations can be altered on the fly with input from the left stick, and like most modern fighting games you're constantly looking to turn the tide of battle with specials. In Naruto, these specials are called Jutsu which is essentially a special that your character can activate with multiple variations strewn throughout the massive character roster. What you aren't going to find in Naruto Shippuden is the balance that you do in other fighting games destined for e-sport glory. Naruto is a much more exciting experience visually than it is cerebral. That said, there are probably better alternatives for the competitive fighters out there. If that's not your bag anyway, Naruto is a hell of a lot of fun to play online and off, and it's art style stands tall in a crowded genre.

Taking the battle online, players will have the ability to play in Tournaments and Endless Ninja Battles. Online lobbies are pretty standard fare nowadays, but "Generations" will allow you to view other battles in real time from an online lobby. This is important in a game like Naruto that is equally fun to watch as it is to play. You'll be able to choose from player and ranked matches which will give you different options for each. Player matches are much less competitive, as they do not involve the Battle Points system, but will let you enter into the larger lobbies for "Endless Battles". Stepping into the Ranked Arena, you're going to have quite a few more options to explore with Battle Points, Wager Matches, and the Ninja Card system. These Ninja cards which come bundled with "Generations" offer unique buffs for your fighter; boosting offense, defense, jutsu, and others

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations: Review

Offline is probably where long time fans are going to find the most difficult changes to swallow.Offline is probably where long time fans are going to find the most difficult changes to swallow. There's little exploration in "Generations", the single player experience while lengthy, is a series of fights that are set apart only by narrated cutscenes. Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations still has a massive story to tell, but personally, I would have liked to have seen more detail placed on the single player aspects of the game outside of the fighting. Where Naruto games in the past have featured impressive quick time events, these slideshows take their place for a bit of an undercutting blow to long time fans. The rewards in the offline modes are many. Playing through each portion of the single player will reward you with characters to take with you into the online playing field.

The complaints are minor in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations making this one of the best versions of the fighter. The pick up and play 3D fighter is easy to learn, hard to master, and beautiful throughout. The omission of some features of previous Naruto games left portions of the single player game feeling somewhat dry, but didn't dampen the fun one bit. For players that are looking for the "Ultimate Ninja Storm" experience, this is probably it.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations: Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-generations-review/feed/ 1 Mass Effect 3 Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/mass-effect-3-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/mass-effect-3-review/#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2012 22:07:19 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=80584

Year in and year out, game developers strive to introduce us to new worlds and experiences that'll engage us with their characters, gameplay, and graphics, but you'll be hard pressed to find a developer that has been as successful with a new ip this generation as Bioware has been with the Mass Effect series. Starting out on the Xbox 360 and PC, Bioware introduced us to Shepard, a character that we've followed through what is now three installments of the franchise, and numerous downloadable adventures. They've built a massive world, one that teems with life, highlighted by the relationships that you build with characters from across the galaxy. More importantly though, if you've played the franchise all the way through, you've had to make some tough decisions along the way. Decisions that you'll have to live with, and decisions that both follow and haunt you in your Mass Effect 3 adventure.

The franchise has taken quite a few twists and turns over the years, what started as an RPG with gunplay elements in the original, leaned more towards action in its second offering with a much more streamlined approach to the RPG mechanics. More tinkering to be done and a trilogy to be concluded, can Bioware possibly go wrong in Mass Effect 3?

Mass Effect 3 Review

Bioware really built onto the Mass Effect 2 formula for Mass Effect 3, and in many ways improved on it.Spoilers aside Bioware puts you at the cusp of a galaxy on the edge of destruction. The Reaper invasion of Earth has not only decimated Shepard's homeland but now threatens to eviscerate the entire galaxy in the same fashion. For those that played Mass Effect 2, you'll be on a similar mission set. You alone cannot defeat the Reapers, an alien life-form who "cleanses" the galaxy every 50,000 years, and will need allies. Though you aren't exactly picking up squad members for your "crew", you're forming a galactic army to push back this grave threat. The tried and true formula from Bioware is one that really didn't lose it's touch in the transition from Mass Effect 2 to Mass Effect 3. The developer dives into a ton of backstory behind the many different alien races across the galaxy, some that you've come to know quite well throughout the series, and topics that had been touched on, but not nearly as deeply as in Mass Effect 3.

Franchise mainstays return in Mass Effect 3, allowing Shepard to shape his character by the decisions that you are constantly forced to make. What has always helped this franchise stand out in a crowd of games that force you to make choices between good and bad, is their impact on the game world. How characters interact with you going forward, relationships that are formed, and much of the minutiae that comes with making decisions with levity, make Mass Effect a game that people can relate to. Mass Effect 3 is no different in this regard, right down to the very last choice that the Commander is faced with.

Bioware really built onto the Mass Effect 2 formula for Mass Effect 3, and in many ways improved on it. Traversing the galaxy via the Normandy will now find you at times in hostile territory, with Reapers that'll track you down if you stick around too long. It's a neat addition that adds some flavor to the planet scanning mechanics that were introduced in Mass Effect 2, taking away most if not all of the monotony of the exercise. You'll be rewarded for surviving these encounters, especially if a galaxy scan scores you fuel for your ship, an unseen mission, or technology that will increase your Galactic Readiness level. Weapons can be improved upon, leveled, and even given attachments that'll buff specific stats. Outfitters can be accessed via the Normandy or on their home world which will give you access to a wealth of customization options for you and your squad-mates. A wider variety of ways to play Mass Effect are definitely in place, and the customization features are probably the best iteration yet.

Galactic Readiness plays a large part in Mass Effect 3. The Galactic Readiness meter will be added to by the missions you accomplish, allies you make, secrets you uncover, and by basically seeing all there is to see in the Mass Effect universe. Tracked on-board the Normandy, you can always see where you stand, and whether or not it's the right time to start pushing towards the end-game. For the first time in franchise history, Bioware has also included multi-player into Mass Effect 3. Here you'll fight wars with many different enemy types across the galaxy in cooperative fashion via whatever network you're playing the game on. You'll earn points that also go towards this Galactic Readiness Level. While it's not mandatory to play both, you're more than capable of readying the forces by simply playing the single player campaign, but it was definitely one of the more ambitious ways that a developer has ever tied their single and multiplayer experiences together in a game. More importantly, how much you uncover in the Mass Effect universe will determine your fate when it comes time to face the Reapers and the unforgiving end-game enemies.

Mass Effect 3 Review

Mass Effect 3 tells a story that you simply cannot miss.For fans that have seen this game through all iterations, Mass Effect 3 tells a story that you simply cannot miss. Especially for those that have kept a continuous save with all decisions from previous games. For that player, Mass Effect 3 is like a great book that just can't be put down. At least it was for me, as I was really engaged by the story telling that Bioware had to offer this time around. Familiar friends will pay the ultimate sacrifices, decisions you make can mean life or death for characters that have been with you for three games. On the other hand, new players may not find it to be as engaging as those that have been through Shepard's previous adventures, from lack of familiarity, but they might be enticed to go back and play previous games to get a clearer picture.

Story has never been Bioware's problem in the Mass Effect franchise. From the slow plodding pace of Mass Effect 1 with it's heavier RPG elements, to the faster paced and more streamlined approach the developer took in Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3 is more action packed than ever before, complete with obligatory turret sequences. Mass Effect 3 isn't a short game by any means. Between the massive amounts of dialog, core missions, and side quests, there's quite a bit to do and see. However, the bulk of the gameplay comes in the form of a cover based shooter and it allures wear thin long before you reach your final destination. It's not that there aren't enough enemies to deal with, or great battlefields to play in, it's just that the mechanics grew tiring for me around three quarters through. Beautiful visuals helped each new encounter that I ran into, but they really did little to curb this feeling of boredom in the actual combat of Mass Effect 3. Not so much in the beginning of the game when it was fresh, but in the end, after similar fights had been fought seemingly hundreds of times. It's not Bioware's strength, and it shows. Combat can feel blocky at times, and for as challenging as the game can be, it's easy to get frustrated with the cover and vaulting mechanics in the game.

Most of this seeps over into the multiplayer experience, but that's not to say it's bad at all. Tackling these enemies with buddies is a fun time, it's just not quite on par with other games that do similar "horde" style multiplayer offerings. The multiplayer has quite a few levels of engagement. It can be used to level your character, amass weapons and tech, or just have a good time with others that enjoy a solid cooperative multiplayer experience. The fact is, there's just better playing games on the market that offer pretty much the same style of gameplay, that are probably more fun to play.

As a long time fan though, the story was my major concern and I didn't believe that Bioware let me down one bit. It's a rarity nowadays to actually get that sense of accomplishment without something looming over your head that has you asking what's next, and wondering when you'll get to pay to see it. If Bioware never released another bit of downloadable content or standalone game, I'd earnestly chalk this adventure up as one of the best I've ever taken in a video game world. That said, I lived with my decisions along the way. I didn't go back to see what would have happened if I... That's the beautiful thing about this game, your experience might be completely different than the person next to you, your cooperative partner, or your friend that might be just getting started on the original Mass Effect. My unique experience was nothing short of amazing.

Mass Effect 3 Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/mass-effect-3-review/feed/ 5 Unit 13: PS Vita Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/review-unit-13/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/review-unit-13/#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:00:47 +0000 Dalivus Morgan http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=80839

FUN. Hellasatisfying. Those are the first words that come to mind when trying to describe Zipper's newest gem; Unit 13. This is not just the first shooter for the Vita; it's the first true shooter for any portable when you consider this is the first time a portable has had two sticks to work with. Unit 13 doesn't waste the opportunity; this is a fun, deadly romp through over 36 terrorist-ridden playgrounds that will shock and surprise you.

Unit 13: PS Vita Review

Unit 13's control type is not only intuitive; but practical and just plain smartDon't look for high Metal Gear drama here; the story that drives Unit 13 is emaciated with a lot left to your own imagination. it doesn't claim to be a story-teller either; but rather what it does is drop you into a hotzone with a series of objectives on demand. The missions have a type such as stealth-based Covert (which can be super short!) irritating Deadline (Think time-attack) stand-up fight Direct Action (Have it your way) High Value Target (where you hunt down terrorist leaders) and the punishing Elite missions where one misstep equals a do-over. Add to this Co-op to each and every mission and the Daily Challenge which you only get one shot at AND the Dynamic mode which auto-generates mission objectives and enemy placement and you get a very deep game indeed; no stories needed.

13's control type is not only intuitive; but practical and just plain smart. Zoom and Fire are on the shoulder buttons respectively. Need to Sprint? Just push the X button; no need to hold it down. You'll run til you stop with full firing capabilities the whole way. O snaps to cover, which you can come out of simply by moving. Reload? (Are you ready for this?) Just tap the Gun icon in the lower right portion of your screen! Need a grenade? Tap the lower left portion of the screen where the grenade icon is! Interact with a lock, computer, or a bomb? Either tap the object or the icon that appears at the left of the screen. Beautiful, simple, effective.

Unit 13: PS Vita Review

Unit 13 proves that the Vita has the ability to consistently provide good, quality games that are truly fun to play.Unit 13's premise is straightforward; it is an anti-terrorist Spec Op task force whose purpose is to stop an Al Qaeda-like group from achieving its nefarious goals. Each of your five Operatives have a specialty that can be suited to one mission type or another but ultimately it is up to you to decide who goes. Each Operative also levels up on their own so if you want to earn some easy XP you can repeat a mission with one Operative after another. Firing controls work well and bullets are FATAL. I mean 1-3 shots and you are dead on the floor. Most mission types feature regenerating health, except Elite, and adding Co-op to any mission will disable Checkpoints; which isn't so bad when you factor in the fact that your teammate can revive you.

I'll be honest; I wasn't expecting a whole lot out of Unit 13. Zipper has a solid pedigree; I loved SOCOM IV, but I have a natural apprehension when it comes to shooters and hand-helds. This erases all of that doubt. Fresh on the heels of Uncharted: Golden Abyss the release of Unit 13 proves that the Vita has the ability to consistently provide good, quality games that are truly fun to play. Countless times gamers have suffered through hobbled controls and sub-par graphics just to game-on-the-go but those days are behind us. Unit 13 is here: Mount up, soldier...

Unit 13: PS Vita Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/review-unit-13/feed/ 3 Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 PS Vita Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/ultimate-marvel-capcom-3-ps-vita-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/ultimate-marvel-capcom-3-ps-vita-review/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:30:49 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=80398

In 2011, Capcom released multiple iterations of their popular long running fighting franchise, Marvel vs Capcom. The third entry in the series brought about the traditional Capcom treatment of a standard version, and then later in the year an "Ultimate" edition. Now here in 2012, the release of the PlayStation Vita brings about another version of the popular fighter: Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 for the Vita. What's most surprising about the latest release from Capcom is their ability to deliver the complete Marvel Vs Capcom experience on the handheld, for what all intents and purposes is a direct 1:1 translation of the fighter.

The core gameplay of the Marvel Vs Capcom 3 experience on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are present here. The gameplay remains the same fast pased, well balanced affair that fans of the franchise are accustomed to. The real rewards of the Vita version boil down to the ability to utilize all of the online functionality of a console, in the palm of your hand on the Vita. That being said, Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is a perfect example of what core gamers are expecting out of a PlayStation Vita port. Being able to participate in every online aspect of Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 that you'll find on consoles is the ultimate +.

With the PS Vita version of Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 you'll find all of the content available on the console versions. This includes Heroes and Heralds, where players can play the team based mode that pits the good guys against the bad, giving players the opportunity to compete for upgrade cards to earn new abilities. Unlike the console version of the game, out of the gate, these modes are available on the PS Vita, as well as all of the characters and levels from the console versions of the game.

There are other perks that come alongside the PS Vita version of Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3. Vita players can use their handheld as "The Ultimate Controller" for their PlayStation 3 version of the game. By connecting the Vita to the PS3 wirelessly, players can enhance their console experience with the addition of the functionality of using the Vita to control the onscreen action. Is it gimmicky? Yes, for the "core" fighting fan that has sunk the time into master the moves in the game, they may find that this new addition is one they'll make little use of. Is it cool? Definitely.

Alot of these features that comingle with the PlayStation 3 show alot of promise for what developers could decide to do with the PS Vita. While it's glaringly obvious that there is little quality lost in the translation between the PS3 version of the game and the Vita, they do also incorporate touchscreen controls into the fighting that definitely seperate the game from its predecessors. Touch Mode in Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is pretty intuitive, but for hardcore fighter fans, again they can feel somewhat oversimplified. Simple taps can lead to 50 hit juggle combos, and many lobbies you'll find online bar the touch screen controls from being used at all, because of this. This oversimplification leaves alot of the bullet points of Vita specific features feeling more like gimmicks than features that enhance the experience, but are cool to try out, and as I said, show a ton of potential.

That said, after playing a bunch of Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3, now on the PlayStation Vita, I stand by alot of the likes and dislikes of our original reviews of the title (MVC3 & UMVC3). Well, outside of the whole "glorified DLC thing that was complained about" when Ultimate originally launched late last year. Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 on the Vita will blow your mind. Maybe not for what you've seen before on previous console offerings of the title, but by just how well the Vita handles it all.

If you want our thoughts on the core gameplay of Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 or the original Marvel Vs Capcom 3 release, see our reviews in the links above.

Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 PS Vita Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/ultimate-marvel-capcom-3-ps-vita-review/feed/ 0 Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/mortal-kombat-komplete-edition-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/mortal-kombat-komplete-edition-review/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:19:19 +0000 Bill Hess http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=80407

In 2011, the Mortal Kombat franchise was reborn, and the review below were my thoughts on the game when it released last year. As it turns out, Mortal Kombat went on to win many awards, and become one of the most critically acclaimed fighters of last year. Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition has just released and it includes all of the content that NetherRealm released for the game in the form of downloadable content, including fan-favorite warriors like Skarlet, Kenshi, Rain, and the notorious Freddy Krueger. The Komplete Edition also includes all of the Klassic Skins that were released, and a handful of Klassic Fatalities from older MK titles.

I personally played alot more Mortal Kombat following my review of the game last year, and I stand by our original review of the content (which you'll find below). After sinking about 10 times as many hours into the game over the past year, the only thing that I can really back-track on at all, is the story mode for the game. Following our review, I re-evaluated the story portion of the title, and found it to be one of the most enjoying that I've played in a fighter in quite some time.

The review below of Mortal Kombat went live on the web, originally on April 19th, 2011.

What I Loved

The Mortal Kombat franchise is one of the longest running franchises in gaming. Originally released back in 1992, Mortal Kombat hit the arcade scene going head to head with the most popular fighting game of the time, Street Fighter 2. The fighting game was on a fast track to popularity for a couple of reasons, but primarily the game had a shocking level of violence that had never been seen before. Today, the video gaming landscape has changed. We've grown accustumed to violence, blood and nudity in our games. Who you have to thank for pathing the way for this, is probably Mortal Kombat and Splatterhouse. While we might be used to seeing violence on our screens, Mortal Kombat once again ups the ante in this department.

In the era of HD entertainment gore has never looked so good as it does in Mortal Kombat 9. In match, Mortal Kombat hangs with any fighter on the market when it comes to graphics. Beautifully rendered stages feature a range of backdrops that vary from the macabre to the strange and everything in-between. If you can keep your eyes on the action at hand, you'll find that character models, their animations, and specials are extremely well done. The action on hand is a hybrid between the traditional Mortal Kombat 2-D design and a more three dimensional view in some circ*mstances. A character can be sent reeling into the background only to spring back into the arena seamlessly and as fatalities and x-ray moves are performed the game switches to a three dimensional mode ala Street Fighter. One really interesting point about the fighting is the damage modelling of the fighters. As a fight progresses, your character will be beaten, bruised, and bloodied and he stays that way until the end of the fight. In most circ*mstances, even if your fighter comes out on top, he looks like he got run over by a tractor. This real time damage modelling is something that really ties together the two rounds of a fight and makes MK9 standout in the graphics department. What really takes Mortal Kombat over the top however is once again the Fatalities, X-Ray moves, and other unlockable finishing moves that you can perform to fully embarrass your opponent.

Old hands at Mortal Kombat will feel right at home in Mortal Kombat 9. The fast paced combination/juggle driven combat has a very familiar feel. Even some of the original fatalities have been brought back for the revival of the franchise. As a newcomer, you'll likely be hooked in the same manner that the game hooked so many fighting game fans all those years ago. Though with so many fighters now on the roster there will be plenty for the newcomer to learn.

The basics however aren't hard to figure out. There's a Front and Back Punch a Front and Back Kick which are initially mapped to the face of the controller. A throw button and tag button which are mapped to the bumpers, and blocking will require you to hold the right trigger. For the newcomer, many short combinations can be figured out by trying any number of combinations for quick 2-3 hit combos. Though as you become a more proficient fighter in Mortal Kombat 9, you'll learn that the game has a lot more to it with the inclusion of the three part meter that fills throughout your match from dealing and taking damage. The bar which fills in three tiers will allow you to pull off Special Attacks, Enhanced Attacks, and finally when the meter fills, an X-Ray attack. The X-Ray attacks may be the most visually stimulating of the bunch as you'll see an x-ray view of the skull crunching damage your attack is doing to the innards of your opponent. There's definitely a great level of polish on all of the x-ray moves and fatalities/finishing moves that makes learning and seeing all of them a priority once you get started.

What I liked

There is certainly a lot to do in Mortal Kombat 9. The game has plenty to keep you busy from multiple single player offerings, to online modes that allow you to observe and interact with the on-screen action of two fighters duking it out cinema-style. If you just want to get in a get it on with a computer opponent the traditional Mortal Kombat ladder style single player mainstay is back. As well as a Tag Ladder to tackle the single player with two fighters utilizing tag combo moves. Then there's a wide arrangement of mini-game style challenges in the Test Your Luck, Test Your Might, Test Your Sight, and Test Your Strike modes. In Test Your Luck, you'll spin slot machine wheels that add modifiers to the combat. In Test Your Might, you'll be tasked with breaking increasingly difficult objects by rapidly pressing the buttons on the face of the controller and then hitting the trigger to attempt a break. Test Your Sight is three card monty with human heads, where you'll be tasked with keeping your eye on the ball. Test Your Strike is a variation of Test Your Might, where precision is more important than just strength.

Also in the single player portion of the game is a Story Mode. Here you'll get up to speed on what is going on in the world of Mortal Kombat and who all these characters are. The mode will introduce you to many characters in the game, and explain the Earthrealm and Outworld characters. It's actually one of the better Story modes for a fighting game considering that Mortal Kombat has such a large catalouge of lore to explain.

The challenge tower is also a single player experience that will have you trying your hand at the many different elements of Mortal Kombat. You'll be asked to complete objectives within specific time constraints, fight multiple fighters, complete Test Your Blank challenges, and even perform weird mini-game style challenges that can at times, be harder than the fighting. The challenge tower is long and gruelling but you'll earn plenty of Kombat currency to be spent in the Krypt.

Regardless of which single player mode that you tackle, you'll be earning kombat points that can be spent in the game's Krypt. The Krypt is split into a few areas that contains many unlockables for the game, like character fatalities, game modes, and slew of other neat unlockables. It's a grab bag of sorts. You'll purchase items that vary in price and when they unlock you'll find out what you've won. There are around 500 unlockables to purchase so trying to grab them all might take you a little while as they get increasingly more expensive as you go.

Before heading online, you can hit the training section to perfect your combos, juggles, and fatalities so you don't choke up when you face the online community. Once ready however, you'll need to enter your online pass that is included in the game to access the online arena where there are quite a few options as well. Your standard Ranked, Player, and Private Matches are available as well as Lobbies where you can challenge members in different realms. You can chat with other lobby members there as well and also view statistics of your opponents. A nice alternative to matchmaking and one that I think should be included in all games of this nature.

If you have a group of players that want to play together and what each other fight, the King of the Hill mode is great. Working surprisingly well, this unique mode will allow you to watch the on-screen action by way of a cinema screen and interact with the on-going action. You can boo, cheer, and rate your opponents as you watch the map and wait in que for your chance at the King of the Hill.

There really is a lot to get through with Mortal Kombat 9, a ton of stuff to do, learn, and accomplish will keep you busy for quite some time.

What I disliked and hated

As good as the graphics are during the fights of Mortal Kombat, the cutscene graphics seem to be lacking some of that same polish. This is most notable in the story mode that is more cut-scene laden the rest of the game. Is it a deal breaker? No. You most likely won't be spending the majority of your time with the Story mode of the game, if any. However if you do, you'll likely see what I mean.

Mortal Kombat has never been about high level competitive play as much as many fans of the series would like to see that direction taken. It has been a notorious button masher where even the lowest level beginners can come in, deal serious damage, and get their 25 cents worth of gore. This is still the case with this iteration of Mortal Kombat. It's not quite the technical fighter that other games from Capcom and Tekken are, but those games aren't really the same type of experience that Mortal Kombat is. The game is a much more cinematic affair than it is a technical fighter, but please don't misunderstand, there's definitely going to be a proficiency gap between experienced players and newcomers and it'll most notably be in the amount of moves committed to memory.

Whatever level of player you are will determine whether you appreciate this level of accessibility or not.

Sticking with the accessibility theme, some of the coolest and most damaging manuevers in the game are also the easiest accomplished. So basically to pull off the x-ray moves that take 25-30 percent of your opponents health away, all you need to do is hold down the right and left triggers. This is going to anger some, if just for the lack of skill required, and zero memorization neccessary to achieve. There is a timing element involved but it's fairly easy to pull of these moves once you know the timing of it since it requires nothing else.

Expect that these are spammed heavily in the online portions of the game. It makes for a very cinematic match, and they look cool as hell, but they can best be described by fighting game fans as cheese.

Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition Review

Not much has changed in the year since the release of Mortal Kombat 9. It's still a triumphant return for the franchise, and this time, players get a whole slew of content to go along with the already impressive offering from NetherRealm. Whether you missed the game completely last year, or missed the DLC, the Komplete Edition is one game that fighting fans can't miss. It's still a title that'll rekindle your love for the franchise, and one that oozes with polish from head to toe. Sure it has it's minor annoyances that I listed above, but this is a fighter that'll long keep you busy with its copious amounts of gory content.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/mortal-kombat-komplete-edition-review/feed/ 0 Uncharted: Golden Abyss Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/uncharted-golden-abyss-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/uncharted-golden-abyss-review/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:00:23 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=80337

For PlayStation fans the prospects of playing Nathan Drake's latest adventure in the palm of their hands for the first time is an alluring prospect. Ever since Sony introduced the PlayStation Vita, this is precisely the type of experience they have been marketing to fans. Developed by Sony Bend, Drake's most recent adventure aims to give PlayStation Vita gamers a current generation console experience in the new handheld, with a wealth of ways to play that spice up the action utilizing the Vita's unique control set.

The amazing visuals that Naughty Dog was able to achieve with the Uncharted franchise on the PlayStation 3 are a tough act to follow, irrespective of whether or not the handheld is even capable of such feats. But is it even possible to capture this type of experience outside of your living room, and on the small screen? Well that answer is partially yes, and partially no, but after playing through Uncharted: Golden Abyss, I can say that Sony Bend sure as hell gave it their best effort. This "core" experience is once again living up to the promises that Sony made with the Vita, it feels very much like other Uncharted games that came before it on the PlayStation 3. It oozes with character, style, and above all else, it's a blast to play on Sony's latest handheld, but it does have its drawbacks.

As a launch title, Bend's Uncharted offering showcases nearly all of what the PlayStation Vita is capable of. Relying on the tried and true mechanics of the Uncharted franchise, it doesn't break the mold when it comes down to gameplay. What you'll find is that all of the wall climbing, near death experiences are still there, alongside many features that force you to interact with the game that just isn't possible on the console versions, via the touchscreen, back-based controls, and other innovations that the Vita brings. Navigating ledges with the swipe of your finger is an interesting premise that at many times feels better than the traditional controls. There are other times when paddling a boat feels more natural with a finger swipe than it would, by say, pressing x.

However, this latest entry into the Uncharted franchise does little to set itself apart from its predecessors, and at times really feels like it's only trying to recapture the magic of previous games instead of innovating. The innovation comes in the form of for all intents purposes, mini-games that showoff the touchscreen controls, awkward ways to aim and fire your weapon, and performing odd rubbing rituals when Drake finds objects of interest throughout the game. These "innovations" are indeed neat, at least for the first time you use them. Though halfway through the game you'll have performed these actions countless times, and are just begging for a reprieve from their game tempo breaking properties.

Like the console version of the game, Uncharted: Golden Abyss breaks down into three core portions. Exploration and terrain navigation, cut-scenes and story telling, and gun play. Exploration and Navigation is for the most part on par with the console version of the game. As I said above, the climbing mechanics and the ability to use the touchscreen controls for this are remarkable, and very rarely do you get tired of Nathan's penchant for finding away to navigate the most insurmountable of objectives. The story behind Uncharted: Golden Abyss doesn't have the same impact as Uncharted 2 or 3, but it's still a nice precursor to those games, if you are looking for even more back story for the likable protagonist, albeit limited at best. Unfortunately, a big part of this version of Uncharted is the gun play, and it's once again, the Achilles heel of this title. Controls feel sloppy, loose, and seemingly difficult to master because of their sheer awkwardness. In a game where you'll be constantly running out of ammunition after countless errant shots, some of the gunfights in Uncharted: Golden Abyss can be downright frustrating when getting on to the later stages of the game.

Above all, as neat as the features are that have been incorporated in Uncharted: Golden Abyss to show off what is possible on the PlayStation Vita, alot of them fall flat because of sheer repetition. If Sony Bend had found a way to incorporate these elements in a way where they felt more impactful within the game, and not mindless chores, they would be much better inclusion. Much of it feels oversimplified, from puzzle solving to charcoal rubbings, you begin to feel that this treasure hunting thing is a very mediocre venture.

It's strange actually, without the PS Vita features which feel shoehorned into the experience of Uncharted: Golden Abyss, the game feels very much like a watered down version of other entries in the franchise. With them, you can see the potential of the device, and at times can make the game quite endearing. Unfortunately, they're overused and the inability to really set itself apart from other games in the franchise otherwise, can give the game a bit of a dragging-on feeling Many times the game feels like something that you've played before in a better setting.

We must remember though that these comparisons are coming between a more powerful home console, and it's handheld counterpart. Uncharted: Golden Abyss is an unbelievable experience for a handheld, there's not many games out there that can deliver this type of experience in the palm of your hand. It's a good start for the Vita from a first party perspective, but hopefully developers will find ways to differentiate these titles from the games that could be better played on your home console.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss Review

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/uncharted-golden-abyss-review/feed/ 0 Alan Wake: American Nightmare Reviewhttp://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/alan-wake-american-nightmare-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/alan-wake-american-nightmare-review/#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:00:12 +0000 Josh Stone http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=80020

Alan Wake: American Nightmare is an Xbox Live Exclusive title, and is the second installment in the series. The first Alan Wake was a great game, and it's great to see a second one coming out. The originals' ending definitely called for a sequel, but American Nightmare acts as more of a standalone title as far as story is concerned. On top of a great 4-6 hour campaign, there's a substantial Fight Till Dawn mode, which is a great take on standard survival modes. The story may seem a little misleading at times, but ends up explaining itself very well. The overall plot of Alan Wake is fairly simple, but is presented in a way that works really well for the story it tells. The same overarching conflict is prevalent in this one, but it's more or less removed from the events of the first game.

It really doesn't feel like it's been trimmed down at all in terms of quality of content to be a Xbox Live Arcade game. Alan Wake's American Nightmare feels like a very complete game and achieves all of what it sets out to do. The Arizona Desert is new setting for fans, and makes for some really cool visuals and definitely with its stark contrasts to the Pacific Northwest setting from the original. American Nightmare offers great graphics outside of clunky facial animations and the some odd bad textures. There is a little bit of repetition in the environments as you will revisit the locations in the game, but each time through plays out differently. I felt like the cast of characters while very small, but served their purposes well. It is definitely a lot lighter on narrative and overall dialogue than the 1st, which I am not 100% satisfied with. However I can understand and believe it probably works out better that way, being the shorter standalone experience that it is. There are useful, informative and just cool unlockables and collectables (awesome radio broadcasts are back and sure to especially please fans of the original) strewn throughout the levels. I definitely did some searching just to find 75 % of what there is, so there's a fair amount there.

Alan Wake: American Nightmare Review

One of the major highlights of American Nightmare is the combat, which is awesome. It really features lots of different types of enemies and weapons, and never feels dull a single moment. Its satisfying, unique, and really is some of the coolest, most unique, combat I've seen in a game. It is still the same core mechanics as the first; most enemies are shrouded by a darkness that you have to 'burn' away before your bullets will harm them. There's a partially regenerative health system, but to heal completely you have to get to a 'Safe Haven' which are scattered around the different areas. After you really get into the combat, American Nightmare challenges you to be thoughtful on how you are going to take a group of varying enemies out. You have to make good use of the spotless Dodge mechanic to keep from being hit, seeing as the AI definitely keeps up with you and doesn't really give you too much room to breathe mid combat. You have to be aware of what's around you at all times when you're fighting if you want to do well. It definitely gets a survival thriller feel across in it's own way. Broad landscapes where you can see the multitude of enemies getting thrown at you strikes unease as you know you'll have to be careful to survive. The Fight Till Dawn mode provides an awesome playground to experiment with the combat. You'll have to survive for 10 minutes until the sun rises, fighting through many waves of enemies on many different levels. Weapons, Ammunition and 'Safe Havens' are laid out around the levels, and they're all fairly large levels.

That being said, levels are definitely guided in the story mode by a set of objectives. The structure of the world on the other hand isn't noticeably linear at all. There's good space to wander and collect in each section. It will never feel like a generic experience where your're walking from corridor to corridor just shooting forward. The story is easy to grasp by itself, but it is definitely worth playing through the first one if you never have. Alan Wake is a great game and playing the original will shed light on some things that will definitely help players appreciate the small details in this "non-sequel". The combat is vastly improved in American Nightmare, but there is a better connection to the surroundings and characters in the first one. Being more or less separated, I don't mind the more combat heavy American Nightmare. The combat is phenomenal. Once again, it's a great installment with it's own awesome personality. I'm still anxiously awaiting a direct sequel, but I am very pleased with what they have created.

As mentioned above, there are a few visual glitches. The jumping physics are still weird, and the environments as I stated can be mildly repetitive since you visit them multiple times. Hardly game breaking miscues by Remedy, but noticeable nonetheless. The developer did decide to include watchable episodes akin to those from the original Alan Wake, but I was not a fan this time around, because they simply weren't as good as the first time around. A small tradeoff for a considerable discount in price between the two games, but one of the things that was obviously cut to keep Alan Wake's American Nightmare under budget. While they explained a few things that were otherwise glazed over, they were frankly kind of weird and out of place half of the time.

Besides the length of the story and overall amount of content, in comparison to great full retail releases quality it is definitely is on par. For $15 it's hard to find a better buy, really. As a fan of all great games, I can definitively say Alan Wake's American Nightmare is a no brainer purchase for fans and newcomers to the series alike. You can download it if off the Xbox Live Marketplace for 1200 Microsoft Points. Do it!

Alan Wake: American Nightmare Review

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