Written March 2012
From the makers of Persona 4 comes Catherine, a wild and crazy tale of a tormented man tangled in an affair while dealing with nightmares and something of a midlife crisis. Oh and there are block puzzles. Catherine is a strange game that is very culturally removed from what is familiar to most gamers of the United States; if you do not know much of the Japanese culture, the experience can be fairly jarring. Which makes it surprising that it was Atlus's best selling game of last year and even in company history in terms of its revenue at launch time. But was it deserving of such attention, especially considering the other cult heavyweights Atlus has published like Demon's Souls and the Shin Megami Tensei games? Or is this a cultural looking glass that spins an intriguing tale worth visiting?
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Late Bird Review: Dante's Inferno
Written May 2010
Okay, so if you know anything about this game and what it’s like, then you know that it is a mimic of God of War. I was anticipating the games to be similar but the gameplay mechanics are so close that referencing or comparing it to God of War in this review is unavoidable. In the end, will it be as good as the Sony juggernaut or will it have something else to offer?
Okay, so if you know anything about this game and what it’s like, then you know that it is a mimic of God of War. I was anticipating the games to be similar but the gameplay mechanics are so close that referencing or comparing it to God of War in this review is unavoidable. In the end, will it be as good as the Sony juggernaut or will it have something else to offer?
Late Bird Review: Blazblue: Continuum Shift
Written August 2010
Nearly a year down to the day, Arc System Works released the next installment in their new fighting game franchise Blazblue. If you read my review for Blablue: Calamity Trigger, you’d know that I have a soft spot for the franchise as it was my favorite fighting game of last year. I played Calamity Trigger on and off for the whole year waiting for the next game to come my way. Finally, Blazblue: Continuum Shift is upon us with an extended storyline, new move-sets for the recurring characters, a rebalanced system, and some brand new characters to lead the way. But is this enough to make this a worthy continuation? Or should you just stick to the previous one instead?
Nearly a year down to the day, Arc System Works released the next installment in their new fighting game franchise Blazblue. If you read my review for Blablue: Calamity Trigger, you’d know that I have a soft spot for the franchise as it was my favorite fighting game of last year. I played Calamity Trigger on and off for the whole year waiting for the next game to come my way. Finally, Blazblue: Continuum Shift is upon us with an extended storyline, new move-sets for the recurring characters, a rebalanced system, and some brand new characters to lead the way. But is this enough to make this a worthy continuation? Or should you just stick to the previous one instead?
Late Bird Review: Blazblue: Calamity Trigger
Written March 2010
Last time I talked about Street Fighter IV and mentioned a game, I felt, deserved more credit than it received. Blazblue is a brand new fighting franchise that hit the consoles last year and quickly became my favorite 2-D fighting game. Though I avoided praise on SFIV, I’m afraid I can’t avoid it when talking about this game; a year since its console release of Blazblue: Calamity Trigger, and it still hasn’t gone stale.
Last time I talked about Street Fighter IV and mentioned a game, I felt, deserved more credit than it received. Blazblue is a brand new fighting franchise that hit the consoles last year and quickly became my favorite 2-D fighting game. Though I avoided praise on SFIV, I’m afraid I can’t avoid it when talking about this game; a year since its console release of Blazblue: Calamity Trigger, and it still hasn’t gone stale.
Late Bird Review: Batman Arkham Asylum
Written May 2010
This game has the reputation of being one of if not the best Batman games ever released. Almost a year since its release and I’d still say, “Yea it’s freaking awesome.” Maybe this review won’t be helpful to you in your decision to try this game out. Chances are you’ve already picked it up and loved it with the rest of us. But if you haven’t, you might as well take the opportunity to grab the Game of the Year edition in the stores and play the crap out of this game because it is still awesome. Though, perhaps not perfect.
This game has the reputation of being one of if not the best Batman games ever released. Almost a year since its release and I’d still say, “Yea it’s freaking awesome.” Maybe this review won’t be helpful to you in your decision to try this game out. Chances are you’ve already picked it up and loved it with the rest of us. But if you haven’t, you might as well take the opportunity to grab the Game of the Year edition in the stores and play the crap out of this game because it is still awesome. Though, perhaps not perfect.
Late Bird Review: God of War III
Written July 2010
Make no mistake. God of War III is one of the boldest games on the PS3. If you have some innate bloodlust in your gaming tastes, then this game is right up your alley. Even people who wouldn’t play video games for various reasons often pick up the God of War series and III is the most technically capable. But does that mean it’s the best?
Make no mistake. God of War III is one of the boldest games on the PS3. If you have some innate bloodlust in your gaming tastes, then this game is right up your alley. Even people who wouldn’t play video games for various reasons often pick up the God of War series and III is the most technically capable. But does that mean it’s the best?
Late Bird Review: Eternal Sonata
Written November 2010
Japanese RPGs seem to have become less prominent in the USmarket when it comes to fantasy video games. In previous years there would be a Final Fantasy, a Dragon Quest, or a Shin Megami Tensei game coming out one after another. Squaresoft/Square Enix was releasing RPGs left and right with various franchises eating up the market. However, Western RPGs have established a strong niche with games like World of Warcraft, Dragon Age: Origins, and Fallout. There are the games like Call of Duty that have seemingly taken some of the unique qualities of the genre and made it mainstream as well. With all this competition, JRPGs have fallen behind in their once flourishing popularity in the United States. There was the release of Final Fantasy XIII, which enjoyed some commercial success both here and in Japan after the many long-awaited years, but that game has a long list of issues and problems behind the design that is worth discussing. It stuck to problematic clichés and tried to be different in certain ways without being successful. But this review isn’t about Final Fantasy. Instead, this Late Bird Review is about a JRPG that went with a traditional style, but consistently delivered an unexpected perspective. Eternal Sonata was a game that has been out for years, but like some hidden eastern RPG gems, it deserves to be put in the spotlight once again.
Japanese RPGs seem to have become less prominent in the USmarket when it comes to fantasy video games. In previous years there would be a Final Fantasy, a Dragon Quest, or a Shin Megami Tensei game coming out one after another. Squaresoft/Square Enix was releasing RPGs left and right with various franchises eating up the market. However, Western RPGs have established a strong niche with games like World of Warcraft, Dragon Age: Origins, and Fallout. There are the games like Call of Duty that have seemingly taken some of the unique qualities of the genre and made it mainstream as well. With all this competition, JRPGs have fallen behind in their once flourishing popularity in the United States. There was the release of Final Fantasy XIII, which enjoyed some commercial success both here and in Japan after the many long-awaited years, but that game has a long list of issues and problems behind the design that is worth discussing. It stuck to problematic clichés and tried to be different in certain ways without being successful. But this review isn’t about Final Fantasy. Instead, this Late Bird Review is about a JRPG that went with a traditional style, but consistently delivered an unexpected perspective. Eternal Sonata was a game that has been out for years, but like some hidden eastern RPG gems, it deserves to be put in the spotlight once again.
Late Bird Review: Heavy Rain
Written November 2010
It’s time to revisit Quantic Dream’s mystery thriller Heavy Rain. Similar in style to their other game Indigo Prophecy, there was also the same sense of satisfaction mixed with disappointment after finishing Heavy Rain. The game is good. It’s not really a game, but is nonetheless a worthwhile experience on the PS3. However, some issues come into play in the gameplay, presentation, and storytelling that keep it from being a truly stellar performance.
It’s time to revisit Quantic Dream’s mystery thriller Heavy Rain. Similar in style to their other game Indigo Prophecy, there was also the same sense of satisfaction mixed with disappointment after finishing Heavy Rain. The game is good. It’s not really a game, but is nonetheless a worthwhile experience on the PS3. However, some issues come into play in the gameplay, presentation, and storytelling that keep it from being a truly stellar performance.
Late Bird Review: Infamous
Written February 2010
It’s hard for me to decide where I should start when discussing Infamous. As opposed to a conclusion that wraps it all up I’ll put it in the intro. The game is okay. At most, you should really only play this game once, in my opinion. Despite the fact that everyone says that with the good and evil choices being a factor in replay value, a second playthrough really isn’t worth your time. In fact, having witnessed both sides of the coin, I can safely say that the slight differences in the way things play out actually hinder the storytelling of the game and just make me think of how little difference there really is between the two. For this situation, ignorance is bliss.
There are ideas that the developers had for Infamous that are there or hinted at, but never really came through and it’s unfortunate because this game could have ended up so much better. But in the end, it all culminates to mediocre.
It’s hard for me to decide where I should start when discussing Infamous. As opposed to a conclusion that wraps it all up I’ll put it in the intro. The game is okay. At most, you should really only play this game once, in my opinion. Despite the fact that everyone says that with the good and evil choices being a factor in replay value, a second playthrough really isn’t worth your time. In fact, having witnessed both sides of the coin, I can safely say that the slight differences in the way things play out actually hinder the storytelling of the game and just make me think of how little difference there really is between the two. For this situation, ignorance is bliss.
There are ideas that the developers had for Infamous that are there or hinted at, but never really came through and it’s unfortunate because this game could have ended up so much better. But in the end, it all culminates to mediocre.
Late Bird Review: Prince of Persia (2008)
Written January 2010
With the movie and the Forgotten Sands that accompanied it to market consumption, I would like to take a look at the game of the Prince of Persia franchise that was meant not only to stand out, but restart the series in stunning high definition. Having a couple years to sit in stores, I’d like to examine the many flawed points and occasional positives to this game I ultimately found disappointing.
With the movie and the Forgotten Sands that accompanied it to market consumption, I would like to take a look at the game of the Prince of Persia franchise that was meant not only to stand out, but restart the series in stunning high definition. Having a couple years to sit in stores, I’d like to examine the many flawed points and occasional positives to this game I ultimately found disappointing.
Late Bird Review: Injustice: Gods Among Us
Written September 2013
It’s been over a month since the game has come out, and in the fighting game sense, that’s long enough to warrant a Late Bird Review. The longevity of hype for fighting games rarely lasts very long as most players get into it long enough to learn a few characters and then decide to go back to the games they were already playing. The select few that keep playing get better at it and begin to dominate the online community. Once that has happened, fighting games tend to lose steam and attention except by those who really stick it out. And personally, Injustice is worth sticking around. Aside from a terribly generic and vague title that tells you nothing about what you’re getting (not that Blazblue: Calamity Trigger is much better), Injustice is an experience that is able to appropriately incorporate DC Comic’s heroes and villains into a fighting system similar to Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and even a little bit of Dead or Alive.
It’s been over a month since the game has come out, and in the fighting game sense, that’s long enough to warrant a Late Bird Review. The longevity of hype for fighting games rarely lasts very long as most players get into it long enough to learn a few characters and then decide to go back to the games they were already playing. The select few that keep playing get better at it and begin to dominate the online community. Once that has happened, fighting games tend to lose steam and attention except by those who really stick it out. And personally, Injustice is worth sticking around. Aside from a terribly generic and vague title that tells you nothing about what you’re getting (not that Blazblue: Calamity Trigger is much better), Injustice is an experience that is able to appropriately incorporate DC Comic’s heroes and villains into a fighting system similar to Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and even a little bit of Dead or Alive.
Late Bird Review: Bioshock Infinite
Written July 2013
A few months ago, Bioshock Infinite was all over the place on websites, in stores, or in magazines and gained excellent praise in its reviews. Yet, since the game has come out, Infinite has essentially fallen off the planet in comparison to the overall hype it had leading up to its release; it seems to have lost a fair amount of steam and attention that the original Bioshock was able to maintain for years. Does that indicate that Infinite is lacking in quality? Having just finished the game after the hype has gone down, it's safe to say, it may not be quite as influential or surprising as the first one, it may not be the next game to deserve the perfect scores, but it still manages to succeed in other areas where most other games, including the original Bioshock, are lacking.
A few months ago, Bioshock Infinite was all over the place on websites, in stores, or in magazines and gained excellent praise in its reviews. Yet, since the game has come out, Infinite has essentially fallen off the planet in comparison to the overall hype it had leading up to its release; it seems to have lost a fair amount of steam and attention that the original Bioshock was able to maintain for years. Does that indicate that Infinite is lacking in quality? Having just finished the game after the hype has gone down, it's safe to say, it may not be quite as influential or surprising as the first one, it may not be the next game to deserve the perfect scores, but it still manages to succeed in other areas where most other games, including the original Bioshock, are lacking.
Late Bird Review: Darksiders
Written February 2010
What does Darksiders mean? Seriously, where did they come up with that name and how does it tie into the game? Even the name Jumper seems to fit regardless of the fact that it was the name of a crappy movie with our ruined Sith Lord. I’m guessing the developers were considering a number of different titles that tied into the story and main character, including the subtitle “Wrath of War.” But we all know what that sounds like.
Upon the impending release of Darksiders I didn’t quite know what my expectations of this game were. It looked like a God of War mixed with Devil May Cry—since many of the pictures showed the main character with a big sword and a gun. Instead it was more like a Zelda. Chances are, you’ve read other reviews that have pointed this out, so rather than spend much time on the similarities between Darksiders and Zelda, I’d like to discuss the aspects of Darksiders that stood out to me in both the positive and negative way.
What does Darksiders mean? Seriously, where did they come up with that name and how does it tie into the game? Even the name Jumper seems to fit regardless of the fact that it was the name of a crappy movie with our ruined Sith Lord. I’m guessing the developers were considering a number of different titles that tied into the story and main character, including the subtitle “Wrath of War.” But we all know what that sounds like.
Upon the impending release of Darksiders I didn’t quite know what my expectations of this game were. It looked like a God of War mixed with Devil May Cry—since many of the pictures showed the main character with a big sword and a gun. Instead it was more like a Zelda. Chances are, you’ve read other reviews that have pointed this out, so rather than spend much time on the similarities between Darksiders and Zelda, I’d like to discuss the aspects of Darksiders that stood out to me in both the positive and negative way.
Late Bird Review: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Written March 2012
Castlevania is one of the most recognizable franchises in video games. Since the days of the NES it’s had a strong following of fans who appreciated it for its difficulty, its gothic horror atmosphere, and its connection to the classic horror icons like Dracula. Yet, of all the iterations of the series, there was never a 3-dimensional Castlevania game that really shined as a positive entry in the series. The game’s success has remained tied to two dimensions and the recent Castlevania: Lords of Shadow hopes to change that. But does it have enough polish to wipe the tarnished reputation of a 3-D Castlevania under the rug? Or is just a flop like all the others?
Castlevania is one of the most recognizable franchises in video games. Since the days of the NES it’s had a strong following of fans who appreciated it for its difficulty, its gothic horror atmosphere, and its connection to the classic horror icons like Dracula. Yet, of all the iterations of the series, there was never a 3-dimensional Castlevania game that really shined as a positive entry in the series. The game’s success has remained tied to two dimensions and the recent Castlevania: Lords of Shadow hopes to change that. But does it have enough polish to wipe the tarnished reputation of a 3-D Castlevania under the rug? Or is just a flop like all the others?
Late Bird Review: Demon’s Souls
Written November 2010
When first approaching this game, one considers the long run of Atlus games that have been released, and despite their innovative style, have not been able to compete with the overwhelming popularity of a game from RPG juggernauts like SquareEnix. For once, Atlus has released a game developed by From Software that is both different from the typical RPG game on the shelves and is selling out. And for good reason. Demon’s Souls has proven that an RPG has the capacity to show a distinct level of depth in a simplistic form. For the diehard RPG fan out there with a PS3, let me sum it up in this sentence: You need to buy this game.
When first approaching this game, one considers the long run of Atlus games that have been released, and despite their innovative style, have not been able to compete with the overwhelming popularity of a game from RPG juggernauts like SquareEnix. For once, Atlus has released a game developed by From Software that is both different from the typical RPG game on the shelves and is selling out. And for good reason. Demon’s Souls has proven that an RPG has the capacity to show a distinct level of depth in a simplistic form. For the diehard RPG fan out there with a PS3, let me sum it up in this sentence: You need to buy this game.
Late Bird Review: Brütal Legend
Written August 2010
One of the most creative games to come out last year, Brütal Legend finally made its way into my PS3. I had heard many conflicting reviews about the game before I tried it for myself: It was either going to be awful or awesome. I was apprehensive about picking up this game for myself because, from what I knew already, I was likely to enjoy the story, but the gameplay was going to be a struggle to get through. But, much to my surprise, it turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience for both myself and a co-pilot of the review process.
One of the most creative games to come out last year, Brütal Legend finally made its way into my PS3. I had heard many conflicting reviews about the game before I tried it for myself: It was either going to be awful or awesome. I was apprehensive about picking up this game for myself because, from what I knew already, I was likely to enjoy the story, but the gameplay was going to be a struggle to get through. But, much to my surprise, it turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience for both myself and a co-pilot of the review process.
Late Bird Review: Portal 2
Written June 2011
The original Portal was one of most interesting and mind-bendingly pleasant games I’ve ever played. The puzzles were thought-provoking, requiring the player to think outside of the simple point A to point B strategy. It forced people to use gravity and the physics of the engine to navigate the mazes of the Aperture Science Facility. The only problem? Far too short. There were some time trials of the same levels, as well as some tweaked versions with specific limitations like # of steps or portals taken to solve. Overall, these additions were cheap methods to lengthen the experience, but still an experience that showed how much of an experiment the game truly was.
With several years behind it and a cult following that has grown large enough to no longer be considered a cult, Portal is back. With the following that the game has gotten, its universe has grown and its production value has increased with it. With a massive graphic boost, a lengthier campaign, extensive writing for a new story, and a cooperative campaign as long as the single player with entirely different levels, where could this game go wrong?
The original Portal was one of most interesting and mind-bendingly pleasant games I’ve ever played. The puzzles were thought-provoking, requiring the player to think outside of the simple point A to point B strategy. It forced people to use gravity and the physics of the engine to navigate the mazes of the Aperture Science Facility. The only problem? Far too short. There were some time trials of the same levels, as well as some tweaked versions with specific limitations like # of steps or portals taken to solve. Overall, these additions were cheap methods to lengthen the experience, but still an experience that showed how much of an experiment the game truly was.
With several years behind it and a cult following that has grown large enough to no longer be considered a cult, Portal is back. With the following that the game has gotten, its universe has grown and its production value has increased with it. With a massive graphic boost, a lengthier campaign, extensive writing for a new story, and a cooperative campaign as long as the single player with entirely different levels, where could this game go wrong?
Late Bird Review: Marvel vs Capcom 3 (original)
Written March 2011
A solid decade has passed since the forces of Marvel and Capcom collided in a fighting game. Since then, the expectations of gameplay as well as presentation have certainly changed a great deal in the genre and now the third installment is hoping to capitalize on the revitalized fighting game enthusiasm. But is the game as good as the many fans hoped it would be? Was it worth the wait?
A solid decade has passed since the forces of Marvel and Capcom collided in a fighting game. Since then, the expectations of gameplay as well as presentation have certainly changed a great deal in the genre and now the third installment is hoping to capitalize on the revitalized fighting game enthusiasm. But is the game as good as the many fans hoped it would be? Was it worth the wait?
Late Bird Review: Mortal Kombat (9)
Written April 2011
Jumping on the fighting game revitalization train, Mortal Kombat has made a triumphant return. Though the series hasn’t quite experienced the same absence that Marvel vs Capcom, plenty of fans of the original trilogy would argue that it needed one. The more recent MK entries may not be considered flops in terms of monetary success, but many can argue that the franchise has not had the same level of quality as it did in the first 3 titles. The over-the top violence mixed with the hammy humor in a serious atmosphere, found a pleasing balance in the original games that was not shared in the later entries. And despite all the efforts of adding random content or trying to invigorate some ingenuity into the series, it never felt like an honest attempt at making a real Mortal Kombat game.
Thankfully the developers at Netherealm seemed to dig real deep to find what the games were missing. Despite no longer carrying the Midway name, the newest entry in the franchise has done exactly as they said: “It’s gone back to its roots.” The fighting is on a 2-D plane once again, the cast from the original trilogy is there, and the familiarity is complemented by the contemporary additions to the game. The question remains, is this what was needed to bring Mortal Kombat back into the good graces of old fans?
Jumping on the fighting game revitalization train, Mortal Kombat has made a triumphant return. Though the series hasn’t quite experienced the same absence that Marvel vs Capcom, plenty of fans of the original trilogy would argue that it needed one. The more recent MK entries may not be considered flops in terms of monetary success, but many can argue that the franchise has not had the same level of quality as it did in the first 3 titles. The over-the top violence mixed with the hammy humor in a serious atmosphere, found a pleasing balance in the original games that was not shared in the later entries. And despite all the efforts of adding random content or trying to invigorate some ingenuity into the series, it never felt like an honest attempt at making a real Mortal Kombat game.
Thankfully the developers at Netherealm seemed to dig real deep to find what the games were missing. Despite no longer carrying the Midway name, the newest entry in the franchise has done exactly as they said: “It’s gone back to its roots.” The fighting is on a 2-D plane once again, the cast from the original trilogy is there, and the familiarity is complemented by the contemporary additions to the game. The question remains, is this what was needed to bring Mortal Kombat back into the good graces of old fans?
Late Bird Review: Skyrim
Written February 2012
Few games can be compared to the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim besides other Elder Scrolls games. It becomes less of a game and more of an experience after the first 20 hours. Ever since its release, countless memes have overtaken the internet and numerous significant others have become ignored thanks to the consuming quality of its gameplay. With the craze dying down a little and with multiple patches under the game's belt to make it mostly functional, it seems like an appropriate time to take a critical look at Skyrim. What is it about this game that draws so many in and keeps them there on a level similar to World of Warcraft without needing to make it multiplayer?
Few games can be compared to the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim besides other Elder Scrolls games. It becomes less of a game and more of an experience after the first 20 hours. Ever since its release, countless memes have overtaken the internet and numerous significant others have become ignored thanks to the consuming quality of its gameplay. With the craze dying down a little and with multiple patches under the game's belt to make it mostly functional, it seems like an appropriate time to take a critical look at Skyrim. What is it about this game that draws so many in and keeps them there on a level similar to World of Warcraft without needing to make it multiplayer?
Late Bird Review: Saints Row the Third
Written March 2012
"You need to play Saints Row the Third." It seems necessary to put that statement in quotes due to how many people have made that assertion without any hesitation, especially the gentlemen at GiantBomb.com. Having never really paid much mind to the franchise in the past as anything other than a Grand Theft Auto clone, it was surprising to discover that statement was very true. It is perhaps the game that provided the most fun out of any of the other games that came out last year, including Skyrim. Saints Row the Third is a game that takes the greatest and wildest aspects of the best Grand Theft Autos and makes a full game out of it. There are some minor issues here and there, but you still need to play Saints Row the Third, and here is why.
"You need to play Saints Row the Third." It seems necessary to put that statement in quotes due to how many people have made that assertion without any hesitation, especially the gentlemen at GiantBomb.com. Having never really paid much mind to the franchise in the past as anything other than a Grand Theft Auto clone, it was surprising to discover that statement was very true. It is perhaps the game that provided the most fun out of any of the other games that came out last year, including Skyrim. Saints Row the Third is a game that takes the greatest and wildest aspects of the best Grand Theft Autos and makes a full game out of it. There are some minor issues here and there, but you still need to play Saints Row the Third, and here is why.
Late Bird Review: Bulletstorm
Written March 2012
Bulletstorm, the game developed by Epic Games and People Can Fly and produced by EA. Wow guys, just wow. What the hell is the intention of this game? Why does it exist other than a little extra revenue for Epic between their new game engine or another Gears of War? When Bulletstorm first came out, it was relatively well received as one of the few true arcade shooters to come out since the last Duke Nukem game of the 90s. Certain comparisons can be made between Bulletstorm and Duke Nukem (old and new) from the weapon variety to the humor in the writing. Granted, the writing in Bulletstorm is a few steps above the sophomoric, immature script of Duke Nukem: Forever—mainly due to the fact that the most misogynistic character is the villain instead of the hero—but it's still only better by a little bit. And it's not just the writing that suffers in this game; there are a plethora of complaints to be made regarding the gameplay and glitchy presentation of this mediocre shooter.
Bulletstorm, the game developed by Epic Games and People Can Fly and produced by EA. Wow guys, just wow. What the hell is the intention of this game? Why does it exist other than a little extra revenue for Epic between their new game engine or another Gears of War? When Bulletstorm first came out, it was relatively well received as one of the few true arcade shooters to come out since the last Duke Nukem game of the 90s. Certain comparisons can be made between Bulletstorm and Duke Nukem (old and new) from the weapon variety to the humor in the writing. Granted, the writing in Bulletstorm is a few steps above the sophomoric, immature script of Duke Nukem: Forever—mainly due to the fact that the most misogynistic character is the villain instead of the hero—but it's still only better by a little bit. And it's not just the writing that suffers in this game; there are a plethora of complaints to be made regarding the gameplay and glitchy presentation of this mediocre shooter.
Late Bird Review: Shadows of the Damned
Written April 2012
Shadows of the Damned is an example of an underdog that couldn't quite make it. The project was full of ambition and innovation with the creative minds of Suda 51 of No More Heroes and Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil in charge of the development. Unfortunately that creativity was subdued by expectations of the industry. There are moments in the game where it feels like ideas were never fully realized, or that time constraints prevented the necessary tweaking to perfect the game. It comes across as unfinished in some respects. But does that prevent the game from being something worth playing? The fact that this has become something of a cult classic indicates otherwise.
Shadows of the Damned is an example of an underdog that couldn't quite make it. The project was full of ambition and innovation with the creative minds of Suda 51 of No More Heroes and Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil in charge of the development. Unfortunately that creativity was subdued by expectations of the industry. There are moments in the game where it feels like ideas were never fully realized, or that time constraints prevented the necessary tweaking to perfect the game. It comes across as unfinished in some respects. But does that prevent the game from being something worth playing? The fact that this has become something of a cult classic indicates otherwise.
Late Bird Review: L.A. Noire
Written March 2012
With the sea of new big titles approaching release this fall, the video game drought of the year gave plenty of time for some players to catch up on the games that had already been released. One such title that garnered a reputation and received a great deal of acclaim that was worth visiting during the drought was L.A. Noire. Hailed as a unique experience unlike any other, it was the newest title to proudly (at the time) wear the Rockstar label and already got people whispering “game of the year.” But was it worthy of that title or even all the praise it received? Or was it just a series of concepts hidden under a stylish guise as displaced and forgotten as the time period itself?
With the sea of new big titles approaching release this fall, the video game drought of the year gave plenty of time for some players to catch up on the games that had already been released. One such title that garnered a reputation and received a great deal of acclaim that was worth visiting during the drought was L.A. Noire. Hailed as a unique experience unlike any other, it was the newest title to proudly (at the time) wear the Rockstar label and already got people whispering “game of the year.” But was it worthy of that title or even all the praise it received? Or was it just a series of concepts hidden under a stylish guise as displaced and forgotten as the time period itself?
Late Bird Review: MAG
Written December 2010
256 players on a map. That is quite an achievement for any shooter game during this generation of consoles. But what does that do for the game? Standing for “Massive Action Game” MAG is a team-based first-person shooter that tries to gain new ground by amounting large-scale battles online. But is there any substance to the game? Or does it merely provide a generic experience with a large number in the background?
256 players on a map. That is quite an achievement for any shooter game during this generation of consoles. But what does that do for the game? Standing for “Massive Action Game” MAG is a team-based first-person shooter that tries to gain new ground by amounting large-scale battles online. But is there any substance to the game? Or does it merely provide a generic experience with a large number in the background?
Late Bird Review: King of Fighters XII
Written April 2010
After a brief hiatus on the Late Bird Reviews, I return to you with the final review of the fighting games released last year. This will be a shorter review as the game does not give much to talk about other than its unfortunate failures. To be blunt from the start, the game is unfinished.
After a brief hiatus on the Late Bird Reviews, I return to you with the final review of the fighting games released last year. This will be a shorter review as the game does not give much to talk about other than its unfortunate failures. To be blunt from the start, the game is unfinished.
Late Bird Review: Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
Written September 2010
Spider-Man has never really had a stellar game to blow it out of mediocrity and make gamers and fans rise up out of their chairs in cheers and applause. Much like how Batman suffered until the glorious release of Arkham Asylum, the web-slinger just hasn’t really caught a break. The first game that really sold well and was regarded as the best in years was Spider-Man 2 for the last generation of consoles. It was good, but it drew a great deal of inspiration from the movie when the comic lovers were left shrugging their shoulders. If you read my brief commentary on the history of Spider-Man in games, you saw how the lineage progressed and my opinion on the matter. But rather than talk about the ones considered the best, or the ones considered the worst, I want to talk about one that faded into the ether even though it had some qualities worth attention. Web of Shadows was given some low scores in reviews for valid reasons, but it had some good to counterbalance the bad. This seems like a worthy reason for a Late Bird Review. So I’d like to discuss the good, bad, and everything else about this faded memory.
Spider-Man has never really had a stellar game to blow it out of mediocrity and make gamers and fans rise up out of their chairs in cheers and applause. Much like how Batman suffered until the glorious release of Arkham Asylum, the web-slinger just hasn’t really caught a break. The first game that really sold well and was regarded as the best in years was Spider-Man 2 for the last generation of consoles. It was good, but it drew a great deal of inspiration from the movie when the comic lovers were left shrugging their shoulders. If you read my brief commentary on the history of Spider-Man in games, you saw how the lineage progressed and my opinion on the matter. But rather than talk about the ones considered the best, or the ones considered the worst, I want to talk about one that faded into the ether even though it had some qualities worth attention. Web of Shadows was given some low scores in reviews for valid reasons, but it had some good to counterbalance the bad. This seems like a worthy reason for a Late Bird Review. So I’d like to discuss the good, bad, and everything else about this faded memory.
Late Bird Review: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Written October 2010
It’s been quite a while since Spider-Man got a mission-based game that didn’t deserve to go straight into the bargain bin. Spider-Man: Friend or Foe was the most recent game for the web-slinger that involved missions, but it was more of the Marvel Ultimate Alliance style in gameplay where players could choose various allies instead of Spider-Man and fight the endless hordes of mindless goons. Web of Shadows was a fun trip into the sandbox style, but by now the free-roam gameplay has started to wear thin, and people expect more out of the hero. So along comes Shattered Dimensions, a game that is held in high regard so far as the best Spider-Man game in years. Is that true? Or are people just hopeful for something new to swing their way?
It’s been quite a while since Spider-Man got a mission-based game that didn’t deserve to go straight into the bargain bin. Spider-Man: Friend or Foe was the most recent game for the web-slinger that involved missions, but it was more of the Marvel Ultimate Alliance style in gameplay where players could choose various allies instead of Spider-Man and fight the endless hordes of mindless goons. Web of Shadows was a fun trip into the sandbox style, but by now the free-roam gameplay has started to wear thin, and people expect more out of the hero. So along comes Shattered Dimensions, a game that is held in high regard so far as the best Spider-Man game in years. Is that true? Or are people just hopeful for something new to swing their way?
Late Bird Review: Infmaous
Written February 2010
It’s hard for me to decide where I should start when discussing Infamous. As opposed to a conclusion that wraps it all up I’ll put it in the intro. The game is okay. At most, you should really only play this game once, in my opinion. Despite the fact that everyone says that with the good and evil choices being a factor in replay value, a second playthrough really isn’t worth your time. In fact, having witnessed both sides of the coin, I can safely say that the slight differences in the way things play out actually hinder the storytelling of the game and just make me think of how little difference there really is between the two. For this situation, ignorance is bliss.
There are ideas that the developers had for Infamous that are there or hinted at, but never really came through and it’s unfortunate because this game could have ended up so much better. But in the end, it all culminates to mediocre.
It’s hard for me to decide where I should start when discussing Infamous. As opposed to a conclusion that wraps it all up I’ll put it in the intro. The game is okay. At most, you should really only play this game once, in my opinion. Despite the fact that everyone says that with the good and evil choices being a factor in replay value, a second playthrough really isn’t worth your time. In fact, having witnessed both sides of the coin, I can safely say that the slight differences in the way things play out actually hinder the storytelling of the game and just make me think of how little difference there really is between the two. For this situation, ignorance is bliss.
There are ideas that the developers had for Infamous that are there or hinted at, but never really came through and it’s unfortunate because this game could have ended up so much better. But in the end, it all culminates to mediocre.
Late Bird Review: Uncharted 2
Written December 2009
If you haven’t played Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune by now, stop reading and go play it. If you own a PS3 there is no reason for you to not have played that game. No, it is not necessary to play the first game to understand the second. But, much like how God of War II completely improved the gameplay of its franchise, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves obliterates the original.
It is essential to play the first game solely for the purpose of appreciating the work that Naughty Dog put into this game. The original Uncharted was the best looking console game out there, until this one. The members have been quoted in saying that they actually used up nearly all of the PS3’s capabilities for this game. Taking advantage of the cell processor, the designers and animators at Naughty Dog were able to utilize the havoc engine and add the layers necessary to showcase the scenery. The cities, the village, the jungle, and the icy peaks all show off the commitment and skill involved in the game’s creation.
If you haven’t played Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune by now, stop reading and go play it. If you own a PS3 there is no reason for you to not have played that game. No, it is not necessary to play the first game to understand the second. But, much like how God of War II completely improved the gameplay of its franchise, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves obliterates the original.
It is essential to play the first game solely for the purpose of appreciating the work that Naughty Dog put into this game. The original Uncharted was the best looking console game out there, until this one. The members have been quoted in saying that they actually used up nearly all of the PS3’s capabilities for this game. Taking advantage of the cell processor, the designers and animators at Naughty Dog were able to utilize the havoc engine and add the layers necessary to showcase the scenery. The cities, the village, the jungle, and the icy peaks all show off the commitment and skill involved in the game’s creation.
Late Bird Review: Assassin's Creed
Written January 2011
So this is obviously a well-overdue review. But having played it several times now and with Brotherhood having spent enough time in the ether, it seemed right to revisit the original game and go on the journey through the franchise, much like how the character Desmond Miles must travel through history. Throughout the journey, the big improvements and small tweaks have made the franchise much more interesting and “bearable,” however, there are some rough beginnings.
At the time of its initial release, Assassin’s Creed was praised with being innovative and exceptional. The graphics were unlike anything anyone had seen with gameplay like no other. It was the fact that it was so different and new that made it so forgivable at the time, whereas just a few short years later the praise would have been replaced with scoffs.
So this is obviously a well-overdue review. But having played it several times now and with Brotherhood having spent enough time in the ether, it seemed right to revisit the original game and go on the journey through the franchise, much like how the character Desmond Miles must travel through history. Throughout the journey, the big improvements and small tweaks have made the franchise much more interesting and “bearable,” however, there are some rough beginnings.
At the time of its initial release, Assassin’s Creed was praised with being innovative and exceptional. The graphics were unlike anything anyone had seen with gameplay like no other. It was the fact that it was so different and new that made it so forgivable at the time, whereas just a few short years later the praise would have been replaced with scoffs.
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