• Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered - Xbox Review

    Two and a half decades after the game first released, we have Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered available on modern consoles, and this title is absolutely a blast from the past.

  • Culdcept the First - Xbox Review

    Culdcept the First (also attributed as Culdcept the First Saturn Tribute) is a very fun game, that does show its age. This is basically a re-issue of the 1997 Sega Saturn game that mashes together deckbuilding (think Magic: The Gathering) and boardgames (such as Monopoly).

  • Map Map - A Game About Maps - PC Review

    Sometimes a game will hit your feed that is completely unexpected. That is the reaction I had when I discovered Map Map - A Game About Maps (which I'll refer to as Map Map from here on out). It is a puzzle exploration game where you take the role of a young cartographer setting out on a relaxing journey to many unknown islands.

  • Fallen Tear: The Ascension - PC Review

    Welcome to an adventure across the land of Raoah! Help guide Hira on this metroidvania quest across a land that is being choked by corruption. Can you help Hira return peace to Raoah with the help of the companions he meets along the way, or will the world fall into desolation? Only you can help out in Fallen Tear: The Ascension!

  • Outbound - PC Review

    Let me tell you about this cozy game my daughter and I are playing together called Outbound. Now, I've been following this game from the initial Kickstarter back in April 2025 to its full release in May 2026. The best Mother's Day gift for myself and my first ever collector's edition in a physical copy!

  • OVER REQUIEMZ - Nintendo Switch Review

    In OVER REQUIEMZ Yuhiru is thrown into the castle of Oz and is immediately accused of trying to assassinate the King and shoved into the dungeon. Not only is she treated like a criminal...

  • Dread Delusion - Xbox Series X|S Review

    Today we’re looking at what has rapidly become an absolute favorite in the open-world RPG genre for me. An interesting story, memorable NPCs, stunning visuals, and a setting absolutely dripping with flavor, Dread Delusion sets its tone immediately and sticks with it.

  • NHL 27 - PS5 Review

    ...and I have been playing NHL games since. It didn't matter whether it was EA or another game like 2K in the 2000s; I loved hockey games and still do, but is NHL 27 a step in the right direction?

  • YAR: Forgotten Throne - Playstation 5 Review

    YAR: the Forgotten Throne will see you “Choose your path as a Warrior, Volkhv, or Archer and journey across the lands of Borea in a story-driven open-world RPG. Uncover the source of the darkness poisoning its forests and wildlife...

  • Nivalis Nights - PC Review

    Nivalis Nights is an experience that gives a strong sense of what a talented team of visionary minds can create. Nivalis Nights crafts a living breathing painting of neon basked splendor with a futuristic new art style of game that is both beautiful and urban futuristic.

Showing posts with label 360. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 360. Show all posts

Games of September 2016



It’s that time again!

Hope you're all ready for a hell of a realease month. It has a bit of everything including some awaited sequels and remakes!

(Yesterday) Thursday September 1st

One Piece: Burning Blood - PC

Having already released for both PS4 and XB1, we've had the pleasure to cover this amazing title for the PS4 back in May. Finally releasing for the PC, those who's been waiting will have to wait no longer as it's out today!



Tuesday September 6th

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 2 - PS3, Vita

To quote Nick, "We have our soft spots for Trails Games" and we really do. Right before release I've finally we've sat down and covered the first in order to prepare for the second! Needless to say that Trails games are epic JRPGs and "short" is not a word that can be used to describe them. With part two releasing are you ready to resume where the first left off?



Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet - PS4

Touhou. Bullet Hell. Awesome. Not sure bullet hells need more introduction than that... do they?



Just Sing - PS4, XB1

As long as you aren't moi who can't hit the deep base notes or the higher ones of a tennor, you should be fine to test your vocals on all sorts of notes! I can't carry a tune either...



Friday September 9th

Elder Scrolls Online Gold Edition - PS4, XB1, PC

Like a few others this month, ESO is packaging everything together to make it easy for someone to get into. The timing of this is interesting considering that Blizzard just released the latest WoW expansion.



Tuesday September 13th

NHL 17 - PS4, XB1

Les Sports on Ice! The newest Hockey Season is bound to start so there's nothing like getting ready for it!



BioShock The Collection - PS4, XB1

BioShock has to be one of my favorite First Person Shooters. It has Steampunk. It has crazy. When taking the three of them into account it has everything. BioShock 1, 2, and Infinite are coming to the current gen. Time to play BioShock in higher resolutions!



Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 - PS3, PS4, 360, XB1

PC Thursday September 15th

Les more sports! I'll be honest that I have no idea when the European Football season starts... so more sports!



MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death - Vita

MeiQ is an awesome Dungeon Crawling JRPG from Compile Hearts and Idea Factory that has it all. Awesome Dungeon Crawling, Customizable Robot Guardians, Magic, and fun quirky characters. Check out our review when it goes live! <- Needless to say we loved it.



Batman - The Telltale Series - PS3, PS4, 360, XB1

Physical Season Pass Disc

Nick was a fan of the first episode giving it quite a nice review. Surprisingly coming out early though is a physical box that contains the season pass for the rest as they release. Maybe not that surprising that Minecraft had the same treatment but lovers of physical copies should be happy.



ReCore - XB1

I look at ReCore and can't help think of Septerra Core. This isn't a bad thing as Septerra Core was awesome. This amazing looking RPG may even see a PC port at some point. Seeing that Keiji Inafune is involved though has me a bit worried after what Mighty Number 9 was like though. Here's hoping that everything is ok though!



Dead Rising HD - PS4, XB1, PC

While fans may never really see Dead Rising 3 and 4 outside of the Xbox One and the PC, the originals are back for another spin in HD with Dead Rising 2 coming out later this month on the 20th.



Psycho Pass: Mandatory Happiness - PS4, Vita

Psycho Pass was an intereting concepted anime that made me think somewhat of Minority Report. Set up with an original story based within the anime series do you have what it takes to do their job?




NASCAR Heat Evolution - PS4, XB1

I would love to take one of these out in real life... alas I'll have to settle for it digitally instead. Fast cars and slick tracks, just let me out of the gate already! I've got rubber to burn.




Wednesday September 14th

Quantum Break - PC

Quantum Break is another title this month that is seeing it's PC release after a console only one a few months back.




Friday September 16th

NBA 2K17 - PS3, PS4, 360, XB1

PC - Tuesday September 20th

Even more les sports! Let's be honest at this point that sports comes down to the Boss Man and Jim. I know how to play all of the above physically and digitially, but in regards to seasons? Hockey is the only real one followed up here in Canada *hides for cover*




Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past - 3DS

As excited as I am for the next segment of Trails of Cold Steel, I'm EXTREMELY excited for this one. While I'm still going through the orignal entries of the series one at a time, currently still on V, VII is not one that I've ever been able to get my hands on short of missing a mortgage payment. Though I did finally see a good copy for under three figures the other day but all of that is about to change as North America is finally getting the 3DS remake! It's finally here! After years of being released in Japan Square has finally localized it. Now the only DQ that needs to come over is X...




Tuesday September 20th

Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters Daybreak Special Gigs World Tour - PS4

Almost everyone likes a good ghost story. Here's what this one is about!

One day, a transfer student arrives at Kurenai Academy in Shinjuku. During a tour of the school with the class president, Sayuri Mifune, they spot a ghost – a girl in a white dress. Moments later an evil ghost in a red coat appears and attacks them. His classmate Masamune Shiga shows up with a mysterious woman named Chizuru Fukurai and, with help from the new student, they exorcise the ghost.

After the battle, Fukurai explains: "I’m the CEO of a company called Gate Keepers, Incorporated. We receive inquiries from people to defeat evil ghosts." Shiga works part time for her. She tells the transfer student that he has the ability to sense ghosts, and invites him to join Gate Keepers. He accepts.

This is how the transfer student - you - starts life at Gate Keepers. That moment marks the start of his life-or-death battles against the ghosts that lurk in the darkness of Tokyo.





Air Conflicts Double Pack - PS4

Why settle for one when you can have two!? Air Conflicts arrives this month with a double pack for twice the dogfighting action. The action looks like a lot of fun both from inside and outside of the cockpits for both revised versionf of Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers and Air Conflicts: Vietnam.




Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition - XB1

Killer Instinct is back with everything under one package including all the characters, new upgrades, new modes, and the old games. I need to play this against my brother and most likley lose...




Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse - 3DS

SMT IV: Apocalypse is interesting as it's a whole new game set in the same timeframe of SMT IV and not simply an enhancement or expansion. I hadn't realized that it's already been three years since it's release but need to know about the original? We've got you covered with Nick's Review of SMT IV.




Valkyrie Drive - Vita

I've seen some interesting premises for games but Valkyrie Drive may take the cake. Just don't play this one on the bus or in the lunchroom at work.




Destiny - The Collection - PS4, XB1

The newest expansion is here. Haven't touched it since launch? Maybe only after the first real expansion? Been meaning to get back into it but don't want to shell out for every missing part? The Collection's got you covered with everything from launch including the newest.




Friday September 23rd

Forza Horizon 3 - XB1

While NASCAR can offer some pretty epic track racing, Forza? Who needs tracks when the world is at your fingertips!




Tuesday September 27th

FIFA 17 - PS3, PS4, 360, XB1

And... we've got our last sports entry with more European Football! Not to be left behind by Pro Evolution, FIFA is also here to hit the field. Fans of either or both will be happy this month!



Valhalla Hills - PS4, XB1

This has to be the epidemy of getting screwed. You've fought and then died in the honour of the god and when you get to the doors of Valhala... they are closed? What the hell do you mean they're closed? Not taking this crap you and those like you will show Odin that Vikings are not meant to be messed with as they march themselves towards Valhalla without needing a front door.




Air Conflicts: Secret Wars - PS4

Already ready for more explosive air combat? With the double pack above Air Conflicts: Secret Wars is here to offer even more




XCOM 2 - PS4, XB1

Robert loved this one back on the PC earlier this year.

You know what? Trailer is below and the 9.25 get's quoted "XCOM 2 is a stunning game and near, if not at the pinnacle of squad-based strategic combat and is an instant classic"




Shantae Half-Genie Hero - PS4, Vita, Wii U

I am happy to see the original coming to the consoles through an upgrade. Having finally started to sit down to this series with Pirate's Curse, I'm looking forward to seeing how it started.




Reus - PS4

Reus is an interesting Simulation Town Builder? I've seen Breanna play for hours upon hours only to go back for more. The way that the game is built the consoles should be a good home for it.




Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice - 3DS

New Sonic game? This could be interesting as it has a bit of the classic feel to it. The hedgehog is due for a good release title.




Steins;Gate 0 - PS4, Vita

Steins;Gate 0 is a visual novel and a follow up to the previously released Steins;Gate. I'll be honest that I don't quite know much about this series but it looks like it should be a good one to get into!




TumbleStone - PS4, Wii U

Reverse-ish Bejewled? Fast paced puzzles are always fun. Want to make things more hectic? Add more players!




Thursday September 29th

The Dwarves - PS4, XB1

This looks brilliant and amazing. With the PC version coming later this year, console owners are going to get to experience this tactical real time RPG later this month!




Friday September 30th

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved - PS4, XB1

Bullet Hell (see above Touhou and Bullet Hell reference)




Yo-Kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits & Fleshy Souls - 3DS

The ghosts are back! I've been looking forward to this as I was a fan of the first one. Join up again with Nate or Katie as they run around town taking care of business with Yo-Kai of their own.




Super Dungeon Bros - PS4, XB1

This looks bro-tastic! Need some coop fun? This may settle that need.




Article by Pierre-Yves
Information Provided by Jim
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Month in Review - November

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Games of November

It’s that time again! Welcome to the month of November where apparently the games are still cracking the Piggy Banks and in some cases for really good reasons.





Tuesday November 3rd

Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers

Sony PlayStation 4

Having release previously on the PC, PS3, and 360, Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers is now releasing on the PS4.

Anno 2205

PC

"The beloved city-builder takes off into space! The addictive Anno gameplay is back and taking strategic city-building to new heights, launching connections from Earth into space. In Anno 2205 you are part of human-kind‘s next step into the future with the promise of a better tomorrow. Venture into space and settle on the Moon in the thrilling race for resources and power!"
-Anno 2205 Website

Evolve Ultimate Edition

Sony PlayStation 4
Microsoft Xbox One

Like Lords of the Fallen, Evolve is also seeing a more complete version about a year later. If you haven't yet had the chance then now would be the perfect time with all the DLC available from the get go.

Lords of the Fallen: Complete Edition

Sony PlayStation 4
Microsoft Xbox One
PC

Lords of the Fallen was a title that we enjoyed last year when it released. Taking a different approach on the idea of the Souls series, players were put into the role of a specific individual in which they could choose his class and his equipment types as they saw fit over the course of the adventure.

Realeasing again about one year later is a Complete Edition containing all the DLC that has since been released.

Need for Speed / Deluxe Edition

Sony PlayStation 4
Microsoft Xbox One
PC

"Ready to own the streets? Get behind the wheel of iconic cars and floor it through Ventura Bay, a sprawling urban playground. Explore overlapping stories as you build your reputation – and your dream car – and become the ultimate racing icon. Play again and again because this time, you have 5 distinct ways to win."
-Need for Speed Website

Shovel Knight - Physical

Sony PlayStation 4
Nintendo WiiU
Nintendo 3DS

Shovel Knight has been out for a few years now with plenty of versions since it's original debut. Having made its way across the various platforms digitially, Shovel Knight is now releasing Physically on the PS4, WiiU, and 3DS. Sadly there were some issues beyond Yatch Club Games' control and there will be no XB1 version.

Check out how much we've all enjoyed this Retro Platformer!
XB1, PS4, PSV, PC

Snoopy's Grand Adventure

Sony PlayStation 4
Microsoft Xbox One

Based on the new Peanuts Movie, acompany Snoopy on a new Side Scrolling Platformer as he explores environments created by his own imagination as he looks for Charlie Brown and Company.

The Jackbox Party Pack - Physical

Sony PlayStation 3/4
Microsoft Xbox 360/One

"Players play using their phones, tablets, or even computers as controllers – making it the perfect easy-in entertainment piece for your next game night or party. Once a game is started from the in-pack menu, players simply connect to the “jackbox.tv” web address on their device and then enter the provided 4-letter room code to enter a game. No big mess of controllers needed!" -jackbox games website

Friday November 6th

Awesomenauts Assemble!

Sony PlayStation 4

Following in the footsteps of several others of late, Awesomenauts which is a 2D sidecrolling 3v3 Moba is also seeing a physical release!

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Sony PlayStation 3/4
Microsoft Xbox 360/One
PC

The newest entry of the Call of Duty series is here in the form of another Black Ops. Do you have what it takes to survice this bleak future?

Yo-Kai Watch

Nintendo 3DS

Yo-Kai Watch develloped by Level-5 after Ni No Kuni is finally releasing here in North America.

With a Demo already on the Nintendo eShop, check out for yourselves this light and fun JRPG like we did!

"Explore the town of Springdale using your Yo-kai Watch to discover more than 200 Yo-kai, then befriend them and turn them into a team to battle other Yo-kai. Each Yo-kai has its own unique skills and strengths, so you must use them to challenge troublemaking Yo-kai and help people in the game solve their daily problems."
Nintendo eShop Website

Tuesday November 10th

Fallout 4

Sony PlayStation 4
Microsoft Xbox One
PC

Being probably the biggest release this month, I'm not sure that anything really needs to be said for this next and highly anticipated release into the Fallout universe.

Norn9: Var Commons

Sony PlayStation Vita

Lovers of the Visual Novels style have been graced a lot more of late with console releases.

Releasing exclusive both physically and digitally on the PS Vita, Norn 9: Var Commons is about a young man who suddenly finds himself out of his own time not quite sure how to make it home.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

Sony PlayStation 4
Microsoft Xbox One
PC

We saw the reboot of this long running series not that long ago. We've seen it upgraded from what was the current generation over to the newer one. Now? Now we've got a prequel showing us just how this new Lara Croft came to be.

Only launching this year for a selected amount of time on Microsoft's consoles, this is the Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Rodea the Sky Soldier

Nintendo WiiU

Being a long time since it's original announcement, Kadokawa Game's Rodea the Sky Soldier is being localized by NIS America.

Experience fast paced action in the same veins as Sonic and Nights into Dreams as Rodea comes from the same creative genious that started them.

Starcraft II: Legacy of the Void

PC

After all this time the final part of the StarCraft 2 Trilogy arrives and after an introduction trailer like that one? Nothing else needs to be said. It's finally here

Friday November 13th

Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival

Nintendo WiiU

Animal Crossing is making its way back to the bigger screens.

"Travel through each month of the year, full of hilarious, adorable, and just plain wacky Animal Crossing events. Make your character the happiest in town and earn the most Happy Points to win."
-Animal Crossing Website

Tuesday November 17th

Borderlands Triple Pack

Sony PlayStation 3
Microsoft Xbox 360

Honestly coming out of nowhere which meshes rather well with its random nature, Borderlands is seeing a triple release on the older generation of consoles this month. Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and the Pre-Sequel have been packaged into one nice condensed box with all the DLC if you've managed to hold out this long from having played any of them.

If you have, then stop wiating and get a move on hunting down the vault, some skags, and some psychos!





Deadpool

Sony PlayStation 4
Microsoft Xbox One

Some games just seem to fly under the radar while re-releasing. So I will leave you all with this older trailer that while wanting to encompass the grant beauty and wonders of the awesome and crazy fourth wall breaker... I'm not sure anything can and that includes him riding a unicorn over a rainbow shouting out tacos!

Game of Thrones

Sony PlayStation 3/4
Microsoft Xbox 360/One

Telltale's Game of Thrones is seeing a physical release this month not unlike The Wolf Among Us or The Walking Dead have seen. If, like me, you wait until all five parts are out instead of waiting and dying inside to know what happens next and you like physical copies? Now's the time!





Star Wars Battlefront / Delux Edition

Sony PlayStation 4
Microsoft Xbox One
PC

This has been a long time in coming and its finally here.

Nick's written up his impressions of the beta, he's shown us his skills against the rest of the gaming population and now the time for the full unrestricted version is here.

Stella Glow

Nintendo 3DS

Stella Glow is the latest to come from Atlus. Develloped by Imageepoch which is sadly no longer running as a company, can you save the world with the power of the Witches from one that would have it destroyed?

Sword Art Online: Lost Song

Sony PlayStation 4
Sony PlayStation Vita

Like the .Hack series before it, Sword Art Online took the idea of being trapped in an online world to the extreme. Lost Song is an original story that was expressly designed to be played and explored.

The Crew Wild Run Edition

Sony PlayStation 4
Microsoft Xbox One

The Crew is back running wild with a variety of new styles to dive in. Containing both The Crew and the new expansion of Wild Run, there are now even more ways to drive around and pull of crazy stunts.

Friday November 20th

Mario Tennis Ultra Smash

Nintendo WiiU

Mario Tennis is back on the larger screen for some smashing and skillful cuts over the net to make your opponant run around as you dominate the court. With newer ways to play with monster sized characters, return to the courts of the mushroom kingdom and claim glory!

Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon

Nintendo 3DS

Mystery Dungeon and Pokemon are back!

"With dungeon layouts that change every time you enter them, the fun never ends! Battle alongside Legendary and Mythical Pokémon to save the world from a crisis in a tale of unprecedented scale.

You'll get to pick one of 20 Pokémon to become your partner. With the Pokémon you choose, head out on a quest to encounter all 720 Pokémon, including Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Set off on a grand adventure as you explore ever-changing Mystery Dungeons and connect with Pokémon to save the Pokémon world!" -Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon website

Article by Pierre-Yves
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Games of June

It’s that time again! June is looking rather heavy release wise with huge titles such as Batman: Arkham Knight to the newest Final Fantasy XIV Expansion and a new Lego Game! Who honestly doesn't love Lego?

I think it also goes without saying that Hyperdimension Neptunia Rebirth:3 is also releasing. I can't help loving that series and how far it's come since it's first release.



Multiplatform Releases

Lego Jurassic World (PS4 / PS3 / XB1 / XB360 / 3DS / WiiU)

I'm going to fanboy for a few seconds in my own little world for this one.

A) I Love Lego
B) I loved Jurassic Park
C) Both make me think of my dad who was really really awesome, brought me to see the movie and bought me god knows how many Lego sets to design incredible worlds of my own for weekends on end.

Pretty much my childhood is in this game and it looks really good. TT Games have come a long way since the original Star Wars and I hope to see them continue to make great games going further.


J-Stars Victory Vs+ (PS4 / PS3)

This is honestly not something that I ever thought that we would get but I'm quite happy that we are. Here we have a slew of amazing characters from weekly Shonen Jump all coming in together for a battle royal to rain supreme. Honestly? My money is on Gin because everyone knows that the lazy guy is the ultimate badass. That and he could be seen eating his parfait! Well for two whole seconds anyways.


BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend (PS4 / PS3 / XB1)

BlazBlue Chrono Phantasma is the re-work of the third main entry into the BlazBlue universe. I've got to make the admission that I've only ever played the first entry but in my defense I have gotten utterly demolished in multiple Guilty Gear iterations. The newest version is looking really nice and it might be a good time to jump back into it.


Batman: Arkham Knight (PS4 / XB1 / PC)

This is the second Warner Brothers title on the this for the month. Back into the hands of Rocksteady Studios, our caped crusader is back for what might be his biggest game yet. Arkham Knight takes place after the events of City and leaves the whole of Arkham open for Batman to take on his enemies that would do his city harm. Not only does the game look stunning, does the voice-cast sound incredible, but you get to drive the Batmobile! (<- Priorities)


Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward (PS4 / PS3 / PC)

While originally a failure I'm glad that Square went back to the drawing board with FF XIV which has not only seen success but is now receiving an expansion. Adding in new story, classes, and locations, players will now have more to do!


The Elder Scrolls Online (PS4 / XB1)

Our second MMO on the list, which is already out for PCs, is The Elder Scrolls online which is coming to owners of PlayStation 4s and / or an Xbox Ones. Having been out for a while now console players will have some catching up to do compared to those that have already had their hands on it for a while now.


Legend of Kay HD (PS4 / WiiU / PC)

Originally released back on the PS2 back in 2005, The Legend of Kay is being re-released with an HD upgrade like a lot of older releases have been of late. These are good because without them, I wouldn't have ever played Ratchet and Clank or Jack and Daxter. HD remakes like these are always welcome!

"10 years after its initial release, Legend of Kay - Anniversary is a thoroughly remastered version of the original game: high-resolution textures; new, more detailed character models; modern rendering techniques and crystal-clear surround sound give this great classic a new shine. Full of fond allusions to old martial arts films and pop culture quotes, Legend of Kay - Anniversary is both an incredibly funny game and a challenging action-adventure for young and old alike."


Sony PlayStation 4

Onechanbara Z2 Chaos


While I may not have had the chance to play the original, I am looking forward to the next entry of Onechanbara with its quick paced combat against hordes of undead. Releasing at the end of the month should give me enough time to get acquainted with the first entry on the Xbox 360. Here's the trailer below!

Sony PlayStation Vita

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re:Birth 3: V Generation

It's finally here! My current favorite into the series is back and upgraded with the same treatments in Rebirth:3. Re-experience Neptune's adventure in a parallel world where is she not the Goddess Purple Heart but instead just along for the ride.


Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy

Originally supposed to be released not long ago, Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy is finally upon us with some Dungeon Crawling RPG awesomeness to keep one occupied over the summer.


PC

Now for a few quick picks coming out on Steam, enjoy the following trailers and screenshots!

Star Hammer The Vanguard Prophecy


Death Pirate


RESCUE 2: Everyday Heroes


Dungeon Crawlers HD










Pierre-Yves

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Month in Review - May

Looks like it’s that time of the month again! See everything that we’ve been up to and catch up on anything you may have missed.


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Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition - Xbox 360 Review

Mass Effect 3 is probably one of the most anticipated titles to come out in some time.  Like Diablo III will be in a couple of months, Mass Effect 3 has certain expectations that will be almost impossible to meet for some people.  In truth, I feel the expectations are higher here then for Diablo 3.  Certainly the wait has been shorter, but Bioware did something incredible when they brought choices made from the first Mass Effect into Mass Effect 2, changing certain parts of the storyline to add continuity to the storyline you crafted.

As a result, Mass Effect 3 has become a title that not only has expectations due to being part of a popular series, but because players have already become greatly invested in the storyline to date.  Along the way there have been books and iPhone games to help tide gamers over, but none of those things compare to the primary three games in the series.  There were a lot of design choices that people questioned along the way such as the addition of multiplayer and the ending of the game.  I would have loved to have rushed out a rapid review on this game so it could be just a bit more timely, but my personal policy of playing through a game until I am done with it/beaten it once would not allow me to do so.  Here are my thoughts on it.


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Mass Effect 2 - Xbox 360 Review

In one of my last posts I was singing the praises of Mass Effect.  Even though that game is a few years old now, I feel as though it holds up quite well by today's standards still.  Well, about two years ago now, Mass Effect 2 came out, and while I had trouble getting into the first game, I had no such difficulty with the second title in this series.

Mass Effect 2 still fully embraces its RPG roots, and Bioware does an excellent job of still giving your character a sense of empowerment as your decisions help to shape the way the story unfolds.  If you have saves from the first Mass Effect game, you can import them into the sequel and your decisions from that game impact what happens here, which is a feature I cannot say enough good things about.  While the first title only has a couple of pieces of so-so DLC, Mass Effect 2 has quite a bit more and while it varies in quality from 'okay' to 'excellent', I find that it all helps add to the overall storyline, which I have become quite invested in by now.

There are some key differences between the first Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2.  Most of them come down to pacing.  While Bioware tried to update Dragon Age so its sequel was more action oriented, the results were considered streamlined and largely unsuccessful.  Here Mass Effect 2 benefits from a tighter focus on combat and menu navigation, and I think the sequel benefits mightily from it.


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Mass Effect - Xbox 360 Review

I remember hearing a bit about Mass Effect prior to its release, but it was not a title I was terribly excited about.  My only real experience with Bioware at that time had come in the form of Neverwinter Nights, which I had thoroughly enjoyed - but it was quite clear that this science fiction title was going to be a completely different animal.

Finally for Easter after it released, I picked Mass Effect up used because of the overwhelmingly glowing reviews it had released to.  I gave it a shot, did not much care for the shooting mechanics and put the game away in favor of other titles I was working on at the time like Oblivion.

Some months later, I had beaten every game in my current library except one.  I decided to dust off Mass Effect and give it an earnest chance this time.  I made my way through the first few hours, fighting off the confusion over the strange blending of shooter and RPG as I became more comfortable with the mechanics and the game's universe.  Fast-forward about 50 hours and I had just beaten the game, and found myself wondering how things might have ended differently if I had made some different choices at key moments.  I then proceeded to find out as I immediately played through it again.  I would go on to beat the first Mass Effect two more times over the following few years as it became one of my favorite video game titles of all time.


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Next gen Xbox won't support used games?

So, I recall when a topic like this came out for the PS3 a long time ago, about how they were trying to patent some new technology that would prevent gamers from using a 'used' disc on another PS3 system to combat the used game marker.  I am surprised I have seen little/no references to this yet amidst the other topics about the next Xbox and whether or not it will support used games.  Now, nothing came of that Sony rumor, just as a lot of times that kind of speculation never comes to fruition when pertaining to upcoming game consoles.

That said?  A very similar rumor has come up again - this time for the next generation of Xbox 360.  IGN posted about it here.

I love gaming - and I have been playing them for longer than most people.  I get very excited when I read reports that the next Xbox will be 6 times more powerful graphically than the current generation model.  But this sort of thing is a deal killer for me if it comes to pass.  A lot of people believe that digital distribution of games is the future, and it might be - but it's not the immediate future.  There's too many problems with that distribution model (not everyone has blazing internet speeds, and as games continue to age, they also grow in size.  Compare the 10 gb downloads we have for a game now to what game sizes were a generation or two ago.  If rumor is true that the next Xbox will support Bluray the way the PlayStation does, that means that games could be quite substantial in size.  Not only will the hardware have to compensate for these potentially 15-45 gb games, but think about our bandwidth limits.  I have one ISP provider in my area, and they limit our household to 200gbs per month, and we flirt with that monthly now.

Digital at this point is an option, it's not however the only method of distributing games.

So that leaves us with discs still, which has value because people like to borrow games from friends.  They like to go over to a friend's house with some games to play.  My house has two Xbox 360's.  Would my games work on both with this model?  Under the current 360 model this is a real problem because I can play titles on both systems - but my wife and kids can't.  If the title is associated to the person's gamertag does that mean other people on the same system in the same household can't play it?

Of course, this leaves more questions than answers, and in fairness it is all speculation for gaming sites and blogs.

Of course, Microsoft wants people talking about their upcoming console - buzz is generally a good thing and it helps pique interest.  That said?  This is potentially very damaging for Microsoft, and when the PS3 rumors came out several years ago, Sony was pretty quick to respond that the rumors were false.  I really dislike the online passes and other codes that game companies use to try and get people to buy their games new, but at least used is still an option and it then falls on the gamer to decide the value of the code materials.  This is something more, something much more potentially damaging to the market I think.  It will be interesting to see if Microsoft speaks up quickly about this topic or not as Sony did a few years ago.  If not, it's only going to add fuel to the fire.

Thoughts?
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Gaming Thoughts 1/19/12

So, I've had my hands in a ton of games over the last week, and I thought I would share some quick impressions here.

For one - I almost never download demos, but the clever tie-in between Kingdoms of Amalur and Mass Effect 3 where playing one opens up some items for the other appealed to me quite a bit.  Of course, those are two of the games I am most anticipating this year, and already have a reservation down on Amalur and will no doubt do the same for Mass Effect 3.

So, my quick impressions of Amular are overall pretty good.  The action moves along pretty nicely, and the visuals while a bit cartoony are still impressive nonetheless.  I may not have particularly loved the facial expression of my character when he first awakens, but I was quite taken with the lightening effects and vibrant colors.  There were a few notable glitches, specifically the audio doing odd things at times, but I've read several reports that state the dev team is aware of them and that they are fixed for the actual game.  The download size was 1.90 gigs on 360, so there's some beef behind it, but overall I enjoyed my run of it.  For those interested, I saw a few postings that Mass Effect 3 will go live with its demo on Valentine's Day.  I'll be playing it (don't judge me - my wife's out of town to be at Disney World with her best friend).


Next up - Final Fantasy XIII-2.  I'll preface this by saying I really did enjoy XIII and rated it pretty high, and this is more of the same, with more new items added.  I really enjoyed the demo.  I heard some people commenting that the action and camera focus were all over the place and that it was distracting, but I found it immersive.  It probably won't be a day 1 buy for me because the first title dropped in price quite a bit (you can find it for about $15 now) and because I have too many other games on my plate, but I suspect I'll be acquiring it by years' end.


Asura's Wrath is one of those titles that has struck me as quirky for some time, and I've been mildly curious about, but this game's demo did nothing for me really.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly good either.  Maybe a rental or a borrow from a friend, but I doubt this title makes my cut this year as I still have entirely too many other titles to work through.


I've gotten my hands on a few new games of late too, especially for the 3DS.  My son bought Devil Survivor Overclocked, and so far really likes it.  I've picked up Star Fox 64 and Street Fighter 4, and already had been playing quite a bit of Dead or Alive 4, Mario Kart and Samurai Warriors.  I've enjoyed them all, and there will eventually be more reviews - but that's still a ways off.


I just finished my run of Dragon Age: Origins, and will likely have a re-review posted in the somewhat near future.  I've also been busy with Skyrim still.  Oh, and I recently acquired several handheld titles (not including the PlayStation Plus freebies like the minis and Back to the Future games) such as Bastion, Bloodrayne, Street Fighter III and Dungeon Defenders.
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