[Game Review] Mass Effect (Xbox 360, PC)

System: Xbox 360 (Also on: PC)
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: RPG

In light of Bioware’s new title, Mass Effect 2, and the embarking of this noble gamer on a nonstop binge of the aforementioned game in the sake of this website, I’d like to take a step back and go over the first in this new space trilogy.

Mass Effect, spawned by Knights of the Old Republic creators Bioware, is the first in a planned trilogy of space video games. You take the role of one Commander Shepard, by either using the preset John, or devising your own spin on Shepard. You pick from a sort of amped up RPG class list — soldiers, archers, thieves, mages — but with a serious futuristic twist. Continue reading

[Game Review] Metroid Prime Trilogy (Wii)

System: Wii (Exclusive)
Developer: Retro Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: First Person Adventure

I’m going to go ahead and say it. Metroid Prime Trilogy is fantastic. Amazing. Outstanding. Three of the highest rated adventure games of the past decade totaling at least 80 hours of gameplay jam packed onto a single disc, stuffed inside of a gorgeous collector’s tin packaging, loaded up with Medals and unlockables, and put on store shelves for $50.

If you own a Wii, there is no reason you shouldn’t have this game in your collection. Period.

I really don’t think I need to say anything else, but for those of you who need a tad bit more convincing, feel free to read on. You’re just wasting time you could be spending driving to the nearest video game store, though. Continue reading

[Game Review] Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Wii)

System: Nintendo Wii (Exclusive)
Developer: Climax Studios
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Horror/Adventure

In Shattered Memories players take control of Harry Mason shortly after he wrecks his car in a small, snow covered town named Silent Hill. After he regains consciousness and discovers that his young daughter Cheryl is no longer with him, he grabs his flashlight and heads out onto the icy streets in an attempt to track her down.

This is where the game starts, and from here things get extremely interesting in terms of story. Full of twists and turns, the ever evolving story proved to be much more interesting that the initial premise may lead you to believe. From start to finish you will likely be enthralled with trying to piece the mystery together and figure out what is going on before the game tells you, something I don’t often do with games. Continue reading

[Game Review] The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS)

System: Nintendo DS (Exclusive)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure

It’s always a phenomenal event when a new Zelda game hits store shelves. The legendary series has been going strong for over 20 years without a single bad entry (except Zelda II. And those awful CDi games don’t count either). Some of the games are better than others, sure, but every notch into the convoluted Zelda time line represents a timeless classic and a memorable adventure. Now that Spirit Tracks for the Nintendo DS, the latest entry into the renowned series, is finally here, it’s time once again to venture through the land of Hyrule on an epic quest to save Princess Zelda. Continue reading

[Game Review] Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

modernwarfare2System: Xbox 360 (Also on: PC, PS3)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
Genre: First Person Shooter

To be honest, I never picked up on the Modern Warfare craze until about a year ago, I played a few system link matches with my younger brothers and some friends and I was hooked. Naturally I opted to get Modern Warfare 2, which dropped last Tuesday (Nov. 10th), and I cleared my schedule for the day to play it.

Seasoned veterans of the original Modern Warfare will rejoice with the newest installation. The same fast paced, globe spanning ops of some of the worlds best special forces units holds up in MW2. You play now as Army Rangers, or Task Force 141, which is a fictional super group of soldiers that stomp the face’s of global terrorists into dirt. Which is awesome. Continue reading

[Game Review] LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias (WiiWare)

System: Wii Exclusive (WiiWare)
Developer: Frontier Developments
Publisher: Frontier Developments
Genre: Adventure

The first LostWinds is widely considered one of, if not the absolute best games the WiiWare has to offer. Featuring gorgeous visuals, creative controls, and an absolutely fresh premise, no one could argue that LostWinds was anything short of spectacular (besides those douchebags at GameSpot, that is). The sequel, dubbed Winter of the Melodias, takes everything that made the first adventure such a smashing success and somehow manages to add to it. Continue reading

[Game Review] Deadly Creatures (Wii)

DeadlyCreaturesSystem: Wii Exclusive
Developer: Rainbow Studios
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Beat ’em up/Action-Adventure

I hate bugs. All bugs. In some cases it doesn’t even have to be a bug to freak me out, simply possessing bug-like qualities will do the trick. Strangely enough, this powerful phobia is exactly what attracted me to Deadly Creatures. This Wii-exclusive Action title from Rainbow Studios that puts you in control of either a Tarantula or a Scorpion and lets you explore the world from a pint-sized perspective.

What better way to conquer a fear than to embody the very thing that horrifies you?

Continue reading

[Game Review] Geometry Wars: Galaxies (Wii)

geometrywarsgalaxieswiiSystem: Wii (Also on DS)
Developer: Kuju Entertainment/Bizarre Creations
Publisher: Sierra
Genre: Arcade Shooter

Judging a book (rather, a game) by its cover can sometimes be a big mistake. I’m sure I’ve missed out on some quality games in my life because I walked passed it on the shelf and thought it looked lame, pedestrian, or not worth my money. Just looking at the case for this game, I would’ve initially passed up on it because it just doesn’t look that interesting. I flip the case over, and it doesn’t really sound that interesting. But luckily, I’m not paying to rent this game (because my esteemed leader Zac just let me borrow it). Continue reading

[Game Review] GT Pro Series (Wii)

boxart_wii_us_gt-pro-seriesSystem: Wii
Developer: MTO
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Racing

Racing games are simple, fun, and give you immediate results. You don’t have to work through a number of complicated levels, with variables that you cannot control. You get a track, a vehicle, and opponents. Its about as straight forward as gaming gets. Nintendo’s Wii offers you the ability to control the action with an actual gaming wheel. So, automatically, you are given a unique gaming experience.

The only problem is that GT Pro Series otherwise plays like it could have been developed for Super Nintendo over a decade ago. The graphics are sub par, and it looks like a 32-bit system. The cars are chunky, bland, and non-descript. The race tracks are basic, and completely barren of any major graphic achievement. The graphics are the game’s major, and truly the only damning weakness. If you aren’t distracted by graphics that barely would’ve been revolutionary in 1993, then you won’t mind this game. Continue reading

[Video Game Review] BioShock (Xbox 360)

bioshock boxartOverview:

System: Xbox 360 (Also on PS3, PC)
Developer: 2K Boston
Publisher: 2K Games
Genre: First-Person Adventure

The majority of people, critics and consumers alike, refuse to believe that video games will ever be considered a true form of art. They claim that games are too crude and shallow to provide a truly inspirational and emotionally satisfying experience. For those people, here’s BioShock. Proof that video games are evolving into something that can be viewed as true art.

Now would you kindly go ahead and read this review. Continue reading