Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD (PC) review

Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD throws you into a large map filled with various objects such as half pipes, ramps, and rails for you to practice and hone your skating skills. There are tons of maps to choose from and you unlock each one by fulfilling objectives. Performing tricks and killer moves will net you points and tallying these points up at the end might fulfill one of the objectives of the map. In addition, littered throughout the map are collectibles that also contribute to your objective count. Once a certain amount has been met then the next map is unlocked. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t return for some fun. 

Some of the maps in Pro Skater are excellently designed leaving the players with loads of areas to have fun. It’s also designed so people who like to perform certain tricks have a map dedicated to themselves. One map might feature an abundance of half pipes while another will have various connecting rails for constant grinding. The map design is extremely clever and it never gets old as a result. In addition to the actual design the various locales that the game takes you is a nice change. Whether its a bright colorful school campus or a sunsetting mountain, it’s excellently implemented. 

Unfortunately, the graphics don’t support the locations well. Textures looks extremely flat and lack any detail. Colors are bland and fail to visually intrigue leaving a somewhat distasteful feeling. Even so, this doesn’t mean that the game looks horrendous visually. It’s still solid and everything looks rather polished, however, this is easily one of the blander looking HD remasters in a while. 

Gameplay was one of the greatest aspects of the original game and it’s a bit disappointing to know that it hasn’t aged very well. The idea of gliding through various maps and trying out sick skills is rewarding, however, the lack of variety and the ability to easily pull off tricks once you’ve gotten hang of the somewhat unresponsive controls is a bit disappointing. You’ll soon find that you’ll end up grinding points by doing the same tricks at one specific spot on the map in order to clear the tougher objectives of the maps. You have the ability to do holds, grinds, flips, and such but it’s so relatively easy to mix and match without being easily punished creates a somewhat monotonous game. Add the inability to see the various moves you can actually do, it seems like experimentation and luck is the only way to see the entire move list.

The actual skating isn’t all that bad though. It’s cool to see all the amazing tricks you pull off and sometimes you’ll wonder if you can really pull off that infamous 900. It’s pretty sweet. To mix things up, the game also has various skaters you can unlock and customize. Each skater has different strengths and disadvantages so you can choose a skater that is tailored to your preference. In addition you can also deck out your skateboard with customizable parts. It’s this customization aspect that gives you the ability to fine tune your tricks and giving you specialization. This neat aspect carries throughout the entire game so you’re constantly working towards unlocking new ways to specialize your skater or working towards generalizing him so he’s good in everything. 

Of course, skating around and and customizing your skaters isn’t that entertaining if the game was monotonous. There’s an interesting set of tracks for you to listen to while you explore the various maps and while it’s most of the time entertaining, some tracks are just uninteresting. Most of the music is a bit of rock and hip hop with a variety of mixes from other genres. It’s diverse and it changes up the pace of the game but nothing stands out. 

A controller is highly recommended when playing the PC version. While it’s definitely feasible to play with a keyboard, the game feels much more smoother and precise when using a controller. Not that it helps due to the unresponsiveness of the game sometimes to do a trick on a half pipe or grinding on rails. 

Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD is a dated game and it really shows. The game is extremely simple and plays virtually like a title you would play at an arcade. Each map gives you a time limit to play around with and while the customization features feel deep, it can sometimes feel like it makes no difference. However, despite the flaws the game has with its gameplay, the game is still a blast to go through just for the heck of it. 

Via: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD (PC) review

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Mutant Mudds review (PC)

Oftentimes, baddies are placed in tricky positions that require you to focus on simultaneously jumping across spike-infested gaps and shooting down your foes. There are other times when the enemies shoot projectiles at you, which makes navigating certain areas even more fiendish. But despite the constant challenges that Mutant Mudds throws your way, the difficulty is never cheap. This game is fair, and if you just observe your surroundings, you'll be able to clear any level.

Mutant Mudds is an absolutely lovely game because it requires you to master it. You can't expect to breeze through the entire experience, because doing so will result in failure. Instead, you need to approach each stage with caution. You have to be ready for anything and just be good at what you're doing. That's right, if you play Mutant Mudds, you need to be good at it. It's not often we see skill as one of the requirements for getting through a game, so it's great that Renegade Kid wasn't afraid to create a world that pushes the player to actually try hard.

Scattered throughout each of the levels are collectible diamonds. You can collect 100 in each level, and if you want to have access to some weapon and jetpack upgrades, you're definitely going to want to snag as many diamonds as you can. If you're worried (or hoping) that these upgrades will make the game easier, you don't even need to take that into consideration, because Mutant Mudds stays challenging even if you have a better jetpack or long-range water cannon.

Mutant Mudds on the PC features 20 challenging levels, each of which has a hidden stage for Max to discover. Upon clearing all 40 stages, you gain access to the special Grannie levels, which star, you guessed it, Max's adorable grandma. These 20 stages are some of the toughest in the game, and you'll need to employ all of your platformer mastery if you intend on getting through them.

While Mutant Mudds on the PC obviously can't offer stereoscopic visuals like the original eShop version, it's still a bright and colorful platformer rife with awesome pixelated graphics. The game even has some levels that pay homage to the original Game Boy and Virtual Boy, which is ridiculously rad. Mutant Mudds doesn't just look old school. Renegade Kid did an incredible job producing a chiptune-heavy soundtrack for the game. I felt like I was enjoying a NES classic the entire time I was playing.

Mutant Mudds is one of the most delightful 2D platformers to come along this year. It boastfully provides an experience that's taken right out of the '80s. Mutant Mudds is, for all intents and purposes, a retro gamer's dream come true. If you haven't played the original eShop version, don't deprive yourself of this stunningly amazing old school-inspired adventure. The world of Mutant Mudds is one you'll want to return to again and again, partially because you're going to love it, but also because it's probably going to take several tries to get through most of the levels.

For a bunch of indie game and burrito talk, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

Via: Mutant Mudds review (PC)

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Max Payne 3 Disorganized Crime DLC review

Gun fights don't just take place outdoors, though. Hoboken Rooftops allows you to enter the interior of what's left of Max's apartment complex, and it's rich with tight turns and narrow corridors. It can really make for some tough close quarters combat, and if you want to succeed, you'll have to be alert at all times and expect enemies around every corner. While the Hoboken rooftops map is certainly plenty of fun, it should be noted that all the tight squeezes can cause a bit of frustration, especially if the same guy keeps gunning you down repeatedly. While not as impressive as the previously released downloadable maps, Hoboken Rooftops is still a solid battleground that's worth returning to.

The other additions included in the Disorganized Crime add-on are exclusively linked to the single-player Arcade Mode. First, you've got the Exploding Rounds option which will totally make you feel like a badass. Hey, Max has always been known for blasting fools with no remorse. Why not throw in some explosive ammo that detonates the moment it hits the enemy? You can also toggle Incendiary Rounds, which will cause your targets to go down in flames. Again, totally badass. Of course, if you want a real challenge, you can now access the Limited Ammo option, which makes it harder to come across weapons and rounds.

Lone Wolf AI is another new modifier, and it makes the opposition increasingly aggressive. Gun-wielding thugs will charge at you, adding to the already tense gameplay and atmosphere of Max Payne 3. Then there's the new Headshots Only feature, which, you guessed it, forces you to pick enemies off by putting a bullet in their heads. If this sounds tough, that's because it is. Adding to the high level of challenge is Old School Mode, which takes inspiration from the classic Max Payne games and requires you to play without the ability to take cover or zoom while aiming. You know, just like the good ol' days!

Wrapping up this free DLC is the new Noir Mode. This option lets you play Arcade Mode in black-and-white, adding a classic vibe to the game that's really cool. Because the story of Max Payne 3 is so dark and gritty, it's awesome having the chance to experience it in black-and-white. Unfortunately, this graphical option is restricted to Arcade Mode, which is kind of a bummer. It should be noted, however, that there's currently a glitch that allows you to play any other mode, be it single-player or multiplayer, in black-and-white once you exit Arcade Mode. Whether Rockstar will address this is unknown at the moment, but if it does, here's hoping the company adds an official black-and-white setting to the single-player campaign.

Disorganized Crime is the second free DLC pack that's been released for Max Payne 3. The first was the Gorilla Warfare Pack which added some great new items for multiplayer. This recent add-on, however, throws in a brand new multiplayer map, some cool Arcade Mode modifiers, and a sweet graphics option. If you're a Max Payne 3 player, don't hesitate to give this content pack a download. Again, it's free, so there's absolutely no good reason to miss out on all these new features.

For a bunch of indie game and burrito talk, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

Via: Max Payne 3 Disorganized Crime DLC review

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Mutant Mudds review (PC)

Oftentimes, baddies are placed in tricky positions that require you to focus on simultaneously jumping across spike-infested gaps and shooting down your foes. There are other times when the enemies shoot projectiles at you, which makes navigating certain areas even more fiendish. But despite the constant challenges that Mutant Mudds throws your way, the difficulty is never cheap. This game is fair, and if you just observe your surroundings, you'll be able to clear any level.

Mutant Mudds is an absolutely lovely game because it requires you to master it. You can't expect to breeze through the entire experience, because doing so will result in failure. Instead, you need to approach each stage with caution. You have to be ready for anything and just be good at what you're doing. That's right, if you play Mutant Mudds, you need to be good at it. It's not often we see skill as one of the requirements for getting through a game, so it's great that Renegade Kid wasn't afraid to create a world that pushes the player to actually try hard.

Scattered throughout each of the levels are collectible diamonds. You can collect 100 in each level, and if you want to have access to some weapon and jetpack upgrades, you're definitely going to want to snag as many diamonds as you can. If you're worried (or hoping) that these upgrades will make the game easier, you don't even need to take that into consideration, because Mutant Mudds stays challenging even if you have a better jetpack or long-range water cannon.

Mutant Mudds on the PC features 20 challenging levels, each of which has a hidden stage for Max to discover. Upon clearing all 40 stages, you gain access to the special Grannie levels, which star, you guessed it, Max's adorable grandma. These 20 stages are some of the toughest in the game, and you'll need to employ all of your platformer mastery if you intend on getting through them.

While Mutant Mudds on the PC obviously can't offer stereoscopic visuals like the original eShop version, it's still a bright and colorful platformer rife with awesome pixelated graphics. The game even has some levels that pay homage to the original Game Boy and Virtual Boy, which is ridiculously rad. Mutant Mudds doesn't just look old school. Renegade Kid did an incredible job producing a chiptune-heavy soundtrack for the game. I felt like I was enjoying a NES classic the entire time I was playing.

Mutant Mudds is one of the most delightful 2D platformers to come along this year. It boastfully provides an experience that's taken right out of the '80s. Mutant Mudds is, for all intents and purposes, a retro gamer's dream come true. If you haven't played the original eShop version, don't deprive yourself of this stunningly amazing old school-inspired adventure. The world of Mutant Mudds is one you'll want to return to again and again, partially because you're going to love it, but also because it's probably going to take several tries to get through most of the levels.

For a bunch of indie game and burrito talk, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

Via: Mutant Mudds review (PC)

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Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online review

Just like the predecessors in the franchise, Ghost Recon Online adapts an over-the-shoulder third-person shooting perspective. Running around the map is fairly simple given its standard PC control set up. You have the ability to walk or run when you’re standing up as well as choosing to crouch or go prone. The game is all about tactical positioning and maneuvering and it encourages to do that. All of the maps have some sort of nook and cranny to hide yourself behind if you want to go prone. In addition there are various objects on the map to crouch behind as well. Movement overall feels very solid.

If you’re running throughout the map you have the option to click the space bar which will make your character dive forward and if there is cover in front of you, immediately hide behind it. This diving mechanic saves lives and really keeps the pace of the game fluid, with no odd transitional movements or extra stuff bogging you down from, “Oh I gotta run all the way and click another button to take cover.” Taking cover is a fairly interesting concept in GRO as it gives you certain stats. While moving around and shooting will give you much larger recoil, precision of bullets, and critical hit rates - bonus damage - shooting behind cover will minimize those effects. This encourages less run and gun and more of that tactical positioning. It also prevents players from zerging to objective locations. Rather, it requires teammates to slowly push forward using cover. It’s much more engaging to know that you’re moving across as a team than being a mindless force pushing ever onwards. 

To further promote that team effort, GRO has an extremely useful mechanic which groups nearby teammates. There will be blue imaginary lines that come out and extend to nearby friendlies. It will reveal their position and their health even if i you can’t see them. Additionally, if the ally that is connected to you spots an enemy you can see the outlinings of the enemy running across the map, even if there are obstructions blocking your view. This quintessential mechanic makes group play very exciting as well as intriguing. It creates a new breed of coordination and teamwork as the best group will exploit this system to have no blind spots and keep an eye on their teammates. Numerous times I was able to hunt someone down with my teammates and corner them because someone else saw the enemy. 

Despite all of the tools that GRO gives to the player for their usage, it’s extremely limited in other aspects of the game. There are only four available maps at the present moment and they all have a built-in mode: Conquest or Onslaught. Conquest is a fairly simple gametype wheretwo teams vye for a capture point. Once one team has captured a point, they will move forward to the next zone while the team that lost the point will be pushed back. Essentially it’s a tug of war in which two teams must compete for the most captured points at the end of the round, and subsequently the end of the game. Onslaught is similar in that one team is defending and the other is on the offensive. The latter team must capture point A and B. After these are seized they will unlock point C, which must also be caught to win the round. The former team must prevent these from happening and succeeding to do so will win them the round. The following round the two teams will switch roles and whoever wins the best two out of three wins the game. 

Via: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online review

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Transformers: Fall of Cybertron review

The Autobots and Decepticons are still at each other’s throats, with their home planet, Cybertron, in a dying state.  All the Autobots want to do is leave in a cosmic Ark of sorts, while the Decepticons, vying to get their hands on some precious Energon, want to crush their foes flat.  The campaign mode will give you the opportunity to control various characters from each side, including familiar faces (Megatron, Optimus Prime), more obscure robots (the Combaticons, Cliffjumper) and even a few new faces coming into the story for the first time (Bruticus and, of course, Grimlock).

Though the campaign is fairly short, it’s lots of fun, especially when certain parts of it come together so well.  One great stage involves an assault on a mega-sized bridge, with the Combaticons taking out gears collectively while destroying enemies on the ground and in the air.  The introduction of Grimlock is awesome too, as he starts swatting away at Insecticons in robot form before he finally shows them what he’s really made of in his T-Rex form, complete with flamethrower breath.  He truly is king.

The gameplay as a whole is mostly solid, but not perfect.  While playing as small cars, maneuverability can be slippery when using the turbo booster, as we learned trying to escape from a stage midway through.  But you’ll still be transforming between robot and vehicle forms with ease for the most part, using all sorts of firepower, including plasma cannons, a corrosive goo gun and missile launchers.

Once you finish the campaign – which should take you a few hours – you can move on to the multiplayer modes, which are quite satisfying.  Escalation is a four-player survival-style mode where you face 15 waves of growing enemy waves, unlocking new perks and weapons with the currency you collect.  It’s hardly original (hello, Gears of War 2?), but a good time nevertheless.

Competitive multiplayer is even better, as you get to choose between four various classes, each with their own special abilities on the battlefield, as you fight between Autobots and Decepticons.  Leveling up in this mode is addictively fun, and you can even give your robots a special design, including a metallic finish.  What’s more, each robot transforms almost effortlessly, a true feat that shows High Moon’s dedication to product.

But they try a little too hard at times.  And you’ll see that in some cases with the graphics.  The Unreal Engine 3 technology really goes a long way here to introducing more sprawling areas of Cybertron, from a harvesting factory to a battle underneath a lumbering, super-sized bulldozer.  However, sometimes there’s too much going on, and the frame rate can take a hit, what with enemies coming at you and lighting happening all at once.  Still, it maintains for the most part, and that certainly beats not working at all.  Plus, some of these animations are really cool, like when Grimlock takes a bite out of his enemies.  CHOMP!

The audio fares much better.  The music is excellent, typical of Transformers standards, and the sound effects add a great mixture of effects, including wicked plasma blasts.  But it’s the voicework that really kicks the product into overdrive.  Peter Cullen is once again masterful as Optimus Prime, and we’re thrilled to hear Gregg Berger again as Grimlock.  Not to be outdone is Nolan North, who voices Cliffjumper and Bruticus to great effect.  His exchanges with Troy Baker (voicing Jazz) are probably the most entertaining ones in the game.

Though somewhat flawed in the graphics and shortened campaign department, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is a splendid sequel that outdoes last year’s somewhat rushed Dark of the Moon by a long shot.  What’s more, its multiplayer really gives you a lot to do, whether it’s surviving with your friends or taking on all comers and leveling up like a bandit.  It'd be cheesy if we said, "It's more than meets the eye"...but it really is.

[Reviewed on Xbox 360]

Via: Transformers: Fall of Cybertron review

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Sugar Cube: Bittersweet Factory review

Grids fill up the screen in each of the levels. It's up to you to guide the sugary protagonist from the start of a level to the far-off goal. Platforms, springs, and other elements are hidden within every level, and by passing by or around them, you can reveal the hidden path. In order to reach the goal, you have to flip tiles to open up platforms and other paths. Sugar Cube can get tricky, and it does a good job of providing an ample challenge.

You collect different abilities as you travel through the game's five worlds. These abilities are specific to certain levels, and they require you to approach the puzzles in different ways. For example, one power-up turns our cubed star into a superhero of sorts. While donning this costume, he can "flip" the level and reveal platforms and paths that weren't open before. There's also a pick-up that lets you flip tiles that are above, below, or in front of you. It can get a bit confusing, but with a little trial and error, you should be able to tackle the game's more confusing puzzles.

Speaking of trial and error, Sugar Cube is saturated in it just like a bag of obscenely sweet candy. Oftentimes, you don't know exactly how to progress through a level, and it's very easy to send the walking sugar cube into the abyss. If you pass through a platform you already opened up, you'll cover it up once more. It can get frustrating having to deal with the finicky tile-flipping mechanics because you end up failing often. You have the option to hold down the Shift key to refrain from flipping grids, but it's easy to forget about that when you're just trying to get to the goal.

I wish this setback was only a minor flaw, but it's not. It plagues a lot of the experience, and Sugar Cube suffers for it greatly. As you get further into the game, you'll discover more unpleasant quirks. Sometimes, having the ability to flip tiles below you ends up costing you because you flip all the platforms underneath you, which means you eventually have nothing to land on. Additionally, several levels require precise timing to get past an obstacle, enemy, or boss. This is especially annoying when levels require you to do that multiple times, because even if you get past that first baddie, you might accidentally touch another one afterward just because you mistimed a jump by one-tenth of second.

Sugar Cube's presentation is a mix of pleasant color and bland sound. The levels have a cutesy appeal to them that's kind of nice to look at. Nothing will blow you away, and the game could have definitely featured a bit more inherent charm, but it still looks pretty good. The music, however, is a miss for the most part. None of the themes in Sugar Cube are remotely memorable, and because there's one track per world, you can expect to hear the same songs for long periods of time.

If you're looking for a fun little puzzle platformer, Sugar Cube definitely has what it takes to satisfy your desire, all the while making you want to snack on some chocolate chip cookies. The game is priced at $5, so it's affordable, and it will last you an evening or two, depending on whether you get a bit bored of it. Ultimately, Sugar Cube provides a few hours of entertainment coupled with frustration. This isn't a game that people will talk about for years to come, but it does a good job of challenging, satisfying, and even annoying players.

For a bunch of indie game and burrito talk, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

Via: Sugar Cube: Bittersweet Factory review

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Counter-Strike: Global Offensive console review

There aren’t more intense shooting games around than Counter Strike. With realistic damage, quick rounds, and purchasable weapons and gear, this game will get your blood pumping. Counter Strike’s main game mode doesn’t feature respawns which makes every move you make matter that much more. One bad move and your turn is over until the next round. The game is based on a money system, do good and you can buy better weapons, armor and grenades. Do poorly however and you’ll be relegated to using pistols and flashbangs.

Counter Strike: GO has 4 different game modes, Arms Race, Demolition, Classic Casual and Classic Competitive. Classic Casual and Competitive are the same game mode with different rules and variants. In the competitive variant, friendly fire and team collision are turned on and you have to buy armor and bomb defuse kits. These are also best of 30 rounds, perfect for displaying your dominance. The casual version turns friendly fire and team collision off, gives you more money to buy weapons, and gives everyone armor and bomb defuse kits. These games are also much faster, only being best out of 10 rounds.

You'll take sides as either the terrorists, tasked with planting a bomb and covering it before the other team can defuse it, or the counter terrorist team, trying to eliminate their opposition without allowing them to blow the place up. The Demolition game type is similar to the classic mode except you don’t buy weapons; you earn them in the beginning of the match.

Arms Race is a new game type in which you get a new weapon for each kill you get. Think Call of Duty: Black Op’s Gun Game. You get the new weapon instantly and there are instant respawns, the only game type to offer that. This is also a team-based game where friendly fire is enabled so you have to be careful and not shoot at everything that moves. The game is over when one person on either team gets a kill with all of the weapons.

This version of Counter Strike runs off of Valve’s Source system, which gives the graphics a much better look, even though the Source engine is quite dated. Counter Strike was never known for its graphics, but they do look polished. Hit markers also seem perfect, which means if you were aiming at someones head and missed, you have no one to blame but yourself. Game play was also lag-free playing with full teams, which is always nice on launch day.

Counter Strike has always had top-notch gameplay and the console versions don’t disappoint. Using the Dualshock 3 controller felt natural for Global Offensive, which is impressive for a game known for using a keyboard and mouse. Speaking of, the PS3 version lets you use a keyboard and mouse against people using the standard controller, a feature not available on the Xbox 360 version. Yes, you read that right, you're actually able to play using a mouse and keyboard on your PS3. Mind blown.

Aside from being available on Steam, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is available on both PSN and XBLA for a mere $15. For this price, Counter Strike is a must have if you were either a fan of the original, or just love death. This game offers multiplayer that rivals Call of Duty for 1/4^th the price. If you’re a fan of first person or tactical shooters, you owe it to yourself to download this immediately.

[Reviewed on PlayStation 3]

Follow me on Twitter at @AlexEqualsWin and Gamezone at @Gamezoneonline

Via: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive console review

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The Walking Dead Episode 2: Starved For Help review

Following up on the events of A New Day, the first chapter that was released at the beginning of the summer gaming season, Starved For Help once again puts you in the shoes of Lee Everett, a felon who escapes police custody and finds himself as the leader of a group of survivors in a ramshackled fortress that used to be a motel.  Several of these folks are dependent on your decisions, such as how you’ll ration out food or who you’ll play “favorites” with.  Among these are Clementine, a young child who you stuck with throughout the first chapter of the series, as well as others, including the militant Lilly.

Episode 1 really paved the way when it came to decision-making, forcing you to make harsh choices and side with certain characters, while turning a cold shoulder to others in your hopes of surviving the onslaught of the undead.   But in Episode 2, you really see how these decisions shape the course of your adventure, as some of your fellow survivors opt to take matters into their own hands.  It’s here where you really learn what it takes to survive such an event.

Leave it to Telltale Games’ team to once again shape a truly nerve-racking zombie experience, right up there with Robert Kirkman’s comic book novel.  You’ll have your fair share of undead encounters, but the real twist of the knife here comes in the drama that unfolds between survivors, and the consequences behind some of your actions.  Someone who you put your trust into could easily be the worst person possible, while someone you were counting on can easily turn their back to save their own hide.  It’s mesmerizing watching how your choices go down.

That said, there is a slight bit less gameplay and puzzle solving in this chapter, as Telltale wanted to focus more on the decision-making this time around.  So if you’re expecting plenty of zombie-shredding moments, you might have to go back to Episode 1 to get your fill.  That doesn’t mean this isn’t a compelling game experience, because it is, but this isn’t one of those games where you’ll want to mash buttons just to see where it goes.  You’ll miss the point of it that way.

Though the general gameplay time is roughly just over a couple of hours, you can go through the experience again and see where your decisions take you.  You might even be tempted to go back to Episode 1 just to see how things shape up.  Very rarely do you run into a game that gives you a reason to revisit its roots.

As far as presentation goes, Episode 2 has some slight blemishes with character design and lip-synching, but the surroundings are still quite stirring, and the zombies look more haunting than ever before.  Some of the human reactions are a bit startling as well, especially if you catch some poor sap off guard with food rations.  Likewise, the audio is top quality, with a strong voice cast and ideal musical cues working in the right instances.

We won’t have to wait long to see where the third chapter of this series, Long Road Ahead, takes us, as it’s due for an August release.  That’ll give you enough time to explore Episode 2, though.  Starved For Help is the best episode to date, one filled with multiple options and choices that show you just how harrowing a zombie apocalypse can be – and all without continuously wielding a shotgun, at that.  We can’t wait to see how the rest of this series shapes up...even if we're not entirely prepared for it emotionally.  (Hey, that's a good thing.)

[Reviewed on Xbox 360]

Via: The Walking Dead Episode 2: Starved For Help review

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Anna review

The story of Anna portrays a recurring nightmare, in which you always see a house in a beautiful forest, bathed in sunlight. It's not until you step inside of the house when you realize it's the polar opposite. Dark rooms with only a few lit candles, creaky floorboards, eerie paintings and a generally gloomy atmosphere make you feel completely isolated and paranoid. It's in this atmosphere that Anna completely succeeds at immersing you in a state of fear and paranoia.

Anna actually plays out a lot like the Paranormal Activity movies. As you're exploring the house, two phases occur. In one phase, which I call the "generally safe phase", the music plays in the background, which lowers the volume of the creaking floorboards, and instead gives you a sense of protection. The song is entirely soothing, as it starts with some smooth guitar eventually ending with a relaxing yet still eerie female voice. It's when the music ends and you're left in complete silence, that a sense of dread comes over you.

In the second phase, the game always plays out a sound cue (also identical to the movie) which signifies some sort of paranormal actions happening around you. While this freaked me out in the game initially, in the later half of the game, I've just grown to expect it. And while there were generally freaky moments at times, they never rose to the quality of scares of games like Amnesia for example.

Anna at its core is a straight up point and click adventure game however. You'll be solving puzzles through its entirety, literally from start to finish. That wouldn't be a terrible thing, if some of the puzzles actually made sense. I'll be the first to admit that I'm generally not great at puzzle games, and they do take me a while to solve. However after solving them in other games, I always have that "Oh yeah!" moment of realization. Anna has some puzzles that even after you figure them out by chance, or with the assistance of the in-game help, you'll just go "What the f*ck?!" Seriously, I don't want to spoil anything here, but just know that the seed bag puzzle, is in no way apparent, nor does the game even indicate what you're supposed to do with it.

Though I've seen Anna compared to games like Amnesia, I actually think it has more in common with Dear Esther. You learn about the story and about yourself as you go through the house and solve various puzzles. It's a grim story for sure, but you won't learn it unless you get the "true" ending. This is where I found a big fault in the game.

On my first playthrough, whenever something abnormal happened, I would tend to run away from it, fearing it, as a person who believes in, and is fearful of ghosts would. However, during that playthrough, I've never descended into madness enough to get further in the game, and I got the worst ending. During my second playthrough, since I already knew some of the occurrences that would happen, I actually approached them, which in my opinion is something that someone who doesn't believe in, and is not fearful of ghosts would do. The game however perceives it as the opposite and therefore drives you more mad, eventually leading up to a much more satisfying ending.

The problem here is how Anna sells itself. During my three playthroughs, every scare was the same, even though I tried playing differently. This was a letdown since I figured the selling point of the game was that it would know how to use your tells against you. The only thing indicative of this actually working was that I stared at a bunch of cans on the floor. These cans eventually started to fly across the room to hit me when I would least expect it. Sure it scared me at times, but I'm not sure how focusing on a can laying on the floor meant I was afraid of it. So when I said that the game is pretty much a test of patience, it just means you have to wait out for the paranormal to happen, and not solve the puzzles as quickly as you can.

With that said, Anna is still a good game. Regardless of some of the insanely difficult puzzles, I still recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological horror games. The true ending does explain the plot, even though you can still draw some of your own conclusions from it. At only $9.99, it's a fair price for about a three hour experience, which can be extended if you want to see all the endings.

Via: Anna review

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Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 review

Aside from being informative, a lot of the narrative in Rain-Slick 3 is also brilliantly comical. If you've played Cthulhu Saves the World or Breath of Death VII: The Beginning, then you're aware of just how clever the writing in Zeboyd's titles really is. Whether the characters are poking fun at each other or simply being observant about their current situation, most of what they say is really funny. You'll find yourself not only chuckling, but laughing a hearty laugh at some of the things Gabe, Tycho, and company have to say.

The writing isn't the only thing that stands out in Rain-Slick 3. The whole design of the game is absolutely offbeat and witty.  One level, for example, features portraits of the monstrous Cthulhu, paying homage not only to Zeboyd's previous RPG, but also to Lovecraft's brain-child. Additionally, the enemy design in Rain-Slick 3 is extraordinarily wonderful. Evil mimes and suit-wearing dinosaurs are just the beginning. There are countless awesomely bizarre baddies in the game to keep a goofy smile on your face while you play. Oh, and the enemy descriptions during battle sequences? Pure gold.

Despite the comical overtones throughout the entirety of the experience, the battle system in Rain-Slick 3 is no joke. Though it certainly has a retro style to it, Zeboyd has thrown in some deep and refined gameplay into this RPG. Most of this depth revolves around the different class systems. Rain-Slick 3 features traditional RPG classes such as mage and brute, but there are some odd types among the bunch, as well. For example, there are dinosaur and hobo classes, which offer their own advantages and disadvantages. And before you ask, yes, the dinosaur and hobo classes are as weird as they sound.

You've got physical and magic attacks at your disposal, as well as MP that depletes with every attack. MP cost is higher or lower depending on the strength of your attacks, and sometimes you need to hold off from using commands that waste a lot of MP so you can stock up for the major damage-dealing offensive moves. There's a tactical edge to Rain-Slick 3 that really makes you think before you attack often. And while you can most certainly get away with dishing out the same moves at times, that won't work out throughout the entire game.

The level of challenge in Rain-Slick 3 fluctuates throughout the course of the experience. Most of the time, everything flows smoothly and you'll be able to get through battles by making smart decisions and choosing the right moves. There are a handful of bosses, however, that are pretty brutal. It can actually be a bit frustrating if you're trying to breeze through these bouts as if they were any other battle. That said, if you plan out some smarter strategies — proper healing, powering up certain characters, knowing when to sacrifice an attack in order to stock up on MP — you'll be able to conquer any challenge. Oh, it'll still be tough, but it'll at least be doable.

Previous games in Penny Arcade's series of RPGs featured polygonal graphics, but with Zeboyd at the helm, Rain-Slick 3 looks a lot more like something you'd see on the SNES. You know, something like the awesome Earthbound, which I mentioned earlier. If you dig retro-style RPGs, you'll probably like how Rain-Slick 3 looks. It really is a nice tribute to classic 16-bit RPGs. The same can be said about the sound design, which features some awesome themes, as well as chippy sound effects, all of which are highly welcome.

As cool as the positive aspects of Rain-Slick 3 may be, there are a few things that aren't all that great. The writing, while clever, can drag on a bit during certain sequences. Yes, there's a lot of funny dialogue in the game, but there are a few instances were characters — mostly enemies and sometimes Gabe and Tycho — just go on and on about the end of the world. Additionally, while I personally enjoyed the challenge in Rain-Slick 3, there were a few difficulty spikes that felt a bit cheap and unnecessary. Despite these few complaints, there's a level of quality here that's simply outstanding, and these minor warts don't take too much away from that.

Rain-Slick 3 isn't some massive 60-hour affair. This RPG is less traditional as far as its lasting value is concerned, and you can get through the game in about 10 hours. In those 10 hours, however, there are countless laughs to be had and a deep gameplay system that will challenge you. Sometimes it'll challenge you a bit too much, and it's hard to ignore the sometimes-tedious narrative sequences. Even then, Rain-Slick 3 is still a worthwhile experience for fans of the series, RPG aficionados, or someone like me who's just happy people are still making great games like this.

For a bunch of nonsensical gibberish, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

Via: Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 review

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Sins of Solar Empire: Rebellion review

The general concept of Rebellion is that each of the three factions also have a ‘rebellion’ faction.  These rebel scum play quite similarly to their loyal or parent faction but with some major differences.  As someone who likes spreading culture in strategy and RTS games, I tend to flock towards the Advent.  The original Advent faction still focuses on culture while the rebels focus on more combat related tech.  While I still prefer the original Advent, with the rebels I can still play the Advent I’m similar to but am able to be far more aggressive.

The more options and variety added to RTS games, the better.  While people may argue that the three new factions in Rebellion aren’t really all that new – they are new enough to make you want draw up some new war strategies, tech order, or even expansion means.  With all the tech and different ships you can build in Rebellion, there are near endless options on how you want to play your faction.

While the focus of Sins of the Solar Empire: Rebellion is on multiplayer aspects, you can play against vastly ranging AI opponents.  I like pairing against AI to try ‘creative’ strategies against.  Sadly there is no campaign setting even though I feel like the lore and story are screaming for it.  This isn’t upsetting if you keep your mindset focused on what does matter – which is head to head competitors. 

                

Besides the new factions, the big changes are new classes of ships.  The ‘Corvettes’ are small fighters that cost near to nothing as far as resources go.  Mix and match combinations of these light ships to give your fleets extra 'oomph' and use in dogfights.  On the other side of the spectrum are the ‘Titan’ class ships.  These are your big daddies with equally as large resource costs.  These ships support your fleets and add some awesome fire power.  For example, the Advent’s titan could permanently mind control enemy ships into joining your faction and could convert entire planets to your side with their ultimate ability; not too shabby.

For $40, this is an incredible pick up for any RTS, Sci-Fi, or fan of the previous Sins game.  I’d say in every way, Rebellion is an improvement on its predecessor.  If you start up a match vs. a human player make sure you have the timetime, as games can become lengthy.   Due to all the variations in the game, Sins can be quite overwhelming for new players.  My suggestion would be to load up an easy AI opponent and learn the basics before taking someone on.  If you are willing to take the time to learn the game, the payoff is extremely worth it.

Via: Sins of Solar Empire: Rebellion review

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Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition review

Dead Island takes place on the island of Banoi, which is suddenly struck with a zombie outbreak. You play as one of four characters who are stranded on the tropical deathtrap. Your character is immune to the virus, so because of that, the other survivors on the island think it's best to just send you out to do their dirty work, run their errands, and scavenge for supplies. Hey, makes sense, right? I know I'd be sending out the guy who won't turn into a zombie if he gets bitten. Unfortunately, the story is largely uninteresting, and the characters aren't very likable. There are a few interesting moments, but overall, you shouldn't go into Dead Island expecting some gripping tale.

The bulk of what you'll be doing on the island of Banoi is looting and, obviously, killing hordes of zombies. Combat is satisfying and brutal, and I can't stress enough how good it felt using a nail hammer to bash a zombie's face in. Weapons are an integral part of survival in Dead Island, and throughout the course of your quest for survival you come across everything from flimsy wooden paddles to powerful machetes. Along your journey you come across different weapon mods, and by combining seemingly useless items you've looted (duct tape, wire) with some of the sturdier weapons you come across, you can create something as impressive as a nail bat or an electric crowbar.

As much as I enjoyed the idea of the crafting system in Dead Island, there were a few times where I would create a powerful weapon only to come across an unaltered mace or machete that was much stronger and more durable than what I had concocted. Speaking of durability, that's one of the elements that shines in Dead Island. You can't just create a weapon of mass destruction and breeze through the game. The more you use a weapon, the more of its durability you expend. You can fix up your items at workbenches, but you need to be mindful of their condition as you go on quests, which is absolutely brilliant because it keeps combat interesting.

The most fun I had in Dead Island was during the first few hours. Collecting weaker weapons and having to dish out punishment to take out zombies was a lot more satisfying than simply severing their heads off with the modified ripper weapon, which features spinning blades and looks really cool. Personally, I like the fight, and having to work for survival was more intense. Aside from that, encountering human antagonists was also remarkable, as these bouts featured some heavy gunplay that required patience and a steady trigger finger. Additionally, the RPG elements that allow you to level up and enhance different skill trees add a nice touch to the experience. And for gamers who want to play alongside others, Dead Island's co-op is still intact here.

The Game of the Year Edition features all of the cool gameplay that was released last year in the main game, warts and all, but it also fixes the glaring bugs and features some neat DLC extras. The aforementioned ripper mod, for example, was originally released as an add-on, and now it comes bundled with this edition of Dead Island. There's also the Bloodbath Arena, which is a new area that allows you to take on hordes of zombies and hack your way up a few levels. It's not the most amazing distraction, but it can be fun when played with others.

The most notable inclusion in the Game of the Year Edition is the Ryder White Campaign. This DLC will take you roughly three hours to get through and offers a different perspective on the tale of Dead Island. That said, because the story in the base game was never that enthralling to begin with, it's hard to care about the plot here. Still, the Ryder White Campaign does feature a lot of awesome shootouts. There were also a few cheap moments where gangs of running zombies ambushed me, and as you can probably guess, those sequences weren't very fun ... unless I had an assault rifle to mow 'em all down.

Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition is a nice package for gamers who want to destroy legions of undead monsters. Is it worthy of the title Game of the Year? That's debatable. But at $30, it's tough to pass this game up. You get a 20-hour main campaign rife with side quests and fun albeit flawed gameplay, a powerful weapon mod, an arena where you can level up and kill even more zombies, and a brief add-on campaign. At the end of the day, Dead Island is a really fun time, and you should definitely check it out if you've got that zombie huntin' itch.

[Reviewed on PlayStation 3]

For a bunch of nonsensical gibberish, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

Via: Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition review

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