Tag Archives: Electronic Arts

[Game Review] Trivial Pursuit (Wii)

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System: Wii (Also on: Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, iPhone)
Developer: Electronic Arts
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Board Game/Trivia

Few games capture the desire for people to show off exactly how intelligent they are like board game staple Trivial Pursuit. The game is both simple and complex all at once, as you circle a spoked wheel game board acquiring pieces that encompass a variety of subjects. With this game, you can truly prove just how many obscure books or 3 AM History Channel specials you’ve watched.

When I stumbled across a version for the Wii, I was incredibly curious and not just because I have a kitten that enjoys swatting any and all game pieces from a board at every crucial moment. But because I have actually had a good experience with board game based video games. Ironically, it’s the exact opposite of film based video games, in that the developers keep the heart of the game true to the base of the board game. Continue reading →

Mass Effect 2

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System: Xbox 360, PC
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: RPG

One month after stopping a race of large sentient machines from wiping out all life in the known universe Commander Shepard is used as a figurehead for humanity and subsequently put on bitch missions to kick the last of the Geth in their robotic nads. This is where Mass Effect 2 begins, and where one hell of a ride starts.

Mass Effect 2, from the start, is a major upgrade from the trilogy’s start. The game has a fresh feel, while still keeping very close in the realm of Mass Effect. Many, many changes have been made to the sequel, both good and bad in my opinion. The story has the same idea as ME1, but with several changes. The opening of the game has you scrambling to save Joker (Seth Green), everyone’s favorite crippled, wise talking pilot, as a menacing ship appears out of hyperspace and begins an assault. The end of the opening cinematic has Shepard floating through space, suit badly damaged, and oxygen failing. The crew escapes as Shepard is seen on a crash course with a nearby planet, thus Mass Effect 2 begins. Continue reading →

[Game Review] Army of Two: The 40th Day

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System: Xbox 360, PS3 (Also on: PSP)
Developer: EA Montreal
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Third-person Shooter

Some of you may be familiar with a game that dropped a few years back called Army of Two. It was a third person shooter much akin to Gears of war, but it featured two bad ass ex army rangers turned mercenaries. The game boasted the use of co-op (both AI and a second person) to complete the game’s many missions set across the globe and the past two decades.

You play as Salem or Rios. Salem is a wise cracking little guy with a temper to boot and a trigger finger to match. Rios is a lumbering behemoth who, though bearing the face of one caught making out with a wood chipper, is more subtle and easy going. (Easy going for a Bad ass Ex Army Ranger turned merc that is.) Continue reading →

[Game Review] The Godfather: Blackhand Edition (Wii)

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the-godfather-blackhand-editionSystem: Wii
Developer: EA Redwood Shores Studio
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Adventure

The thought of The Godfather as a video game initially scared the bejeezus out of me. Too often games are based on movies, and they SUCK. I’ve played too many shitty Spider-Man games, along with The Da Vinci Code (which is the WORST game I’ve ever played) and I’ve always felt conned. They got me interested so easily, by basing a game on a character or storyline I could have expectations for. And they always let me down. Not so with The Godfather.

What they do with The Godfather is take the rough outline of the story you’re familiar with,  then change it up to better suit the gaming experience. You get to create your avatar, and develop it into someone the Corleone family can trust and rely on. And it’s quite fun to work your way up the ranks. You start off as some street punk eager to make a name for yourself, and then you end up doing jobs with Sonny, working with Michael, really cementing yourself within the Corleone family. Continue reading →

[Game Review] Brutal Legend (Xbox 360)

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System: Xbox 360 (Also on PS3)
Developer: Double Fine
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Action/Adventure/RTS/Metal

Brutal Legend is the most recent project from comical genius Tim Schafer, the driving force behind critically acclaimed games like Psychonauts and Grim Fandango. Never heard of those games? I wish I couldn’t say this, but I’m not surprised.

For some reason Schafer’s games tend to go unnoticed by the general gaming public despite rave reviews, likely due to a severe lack of marketing push from Publishers. Chances are, though, that you’ve at least heard of Brutal Legend. This game has gotten plenty of attention from general gaming press and public as well as music-centered publications thanks to a stellar heavy metal theme and all-star voice cast. Continue reading →