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Gears of War: Judgment Review – A solid change of direction

Posted on April 29, 2013

Gears of War: Judgment

Release Date: March 19, 2013

Developer(s): People Can Fly, Epic Games

Platform(s):  X360

The Gears of War series has come a long way since the first game launched in 2005 and truly defined what next gen gaming was all about. Fast-forward to 2011 and the release of Gears of War 3, and we had a game that finally perfected both the single-player and multiplayer gameplay introduced in the original. It also concluded the story arc of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad, wrapping up everything with an exceptionally satisfying ending. Fans wondered where Epic Games would take the series next, and the answer was a prequel, Gears of War: Judgment. With a new developer on board and a slew of changes to the established formula, the series is back to win hearts. For the most part Judgment succeeds in doing so, but it definitely stumbles on its way there.

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DmC: Devil May Cry Review – The party must go on

Posted on April 26, 2013

DmC: Devil May Cry

Release Date: January 15, 2013

Developer(s): Ninja Theory

Platform(s): PS3 / X360 / PC

When the rebirth of the Devil May Cry series was first announced back during the Tokyo Game Show 2010, plenty of boos and jeers echoed through the crowds therein. The negative reception came about thanks to the “emo goth punk” look surrounding the new Dante, as well as the fact that this game was being developed by someone other than Hideki Kamiya and Capcom. What nobody expected was for this reboot known as DmC: Devil May Cry to knock it out of the park. Indeed, developer Ninja Theory (known primarily for Heavenly Sword) has taken up the tough job of continuing the Devil May Cry legacy with splendid results.

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GraveStompers Review – Handheld zombie carnage

Posted on March 15, 2013

GraveStompers

Release Date: January 18, 2013

Developer(s): Mad Menace Entertainment

Platform(s): Android (Amazon App Store), iOS

Zombie games are everywhere these days, from high-end computers to consoles and mobile devices. They’re usually pretty similar to each other as well, with players taking control of snarky survivors and slaughtering thousands of the undead. GraveStompers by Mad Menace Entertainment tries to change the formula a bit by having you actually play as a zombie who hunts his own brethren. It may not make the experience remarkably different from other titles, but it’s still refreshing nonetheless. And when you add in high quality graphics, tight controls, and a copious amount of content, you have a mobile game that has a lot of potential. Sadly, certain design choices keep it from greatness.

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Very Little Monsters Review – Cute, unrefined fun

Posted on March 12, 2013

Very Little Monsters

Release Date: February 28, 2013

Developer(s): CODE Software

Platform(s): Android (Google Play Store)

Very Little Monsters is the first game released by the newly formed development studio CODE. Created using the Unity3D engine and released on the Android platform, it’s a simple little casual game with a lot of heart. While it lacks the visual polish of bigger and more expensive mobile titles, it still offers some high quality 3D models of its monster characters and a low price. More importantly, the gameplay is solid, challenging and will have you coming back for more. Very Little Monsters is a good example of how fun and addicting gameplay can help to make up for a game’s other faults.

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Okami HD Review – Taking the godly bait

Posted on February 23, 2013

okami-hd-review-01

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Developer(s): Clover Studio, Capcom, HexaDrive

Platform(s): PS3

I first played this game approximately six years ago on the PlayStation 2. From what I remember of it, it was one of the more memorable titles I ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Fast forward six years in the future, and now this game is being re-released on the PlayStation 3 for only $20 with HD graphics. I must admit, the result of this re-release is a joy not just for me— I get to relive all of the wonderful memories I made with it the first time around— but rather anybody who still hasn’t had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out this magnanimous work of art.

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Hitman: Absolution Review – Freedom with finesse

Posted on February 19, 2013

Hitman: Absolution

Release Date: November 20, 2012

Developer(s): IO Interactive

Platform(s): PS3 / X360 / PC

I’ve not had the experience of playing the previous Hitman games, so I don’t have a good excuse as to why I was drawn to Hitman: Absolution. Perhaps I was curious as to how a tall white bald male could look inconspicuous in a sea of Asians? Or how I could kill a henchman in front of his comrades, don a disguise before them and mostly get away with it? Anyhow, Hitman: Absolution is an action-adventure stealth game which gives you the freedom of being violent or cunning (I like being violent). The story is irrelevant, but it involves protecting a girl worth a lot of money. The extent of this game’s excitement is killing your enemies in a number of different ways, and seeing how many collectible weapons you can touch/use.

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Skulls of the Shogun Review – Strategy for the masses

Posted on February 2, 2013

Skulls of the Shogun

Release Date: January 30, 2013

Developer(s): 17-BIT

Platform(s): X360 (Xbox Live Arcade) / Windows 8 / Windows Phone / Microsoft Surface

When most people think of turn-based strategy games, they immediately have an image in their heads of intricate rules, complex menus, and matches that last way too long. The genre scares many because of the inherent difficulty curve and the feeling that the games require too much effort to really get into. Some games have attempted to remedy this problem in the past, but none of them come as close to succeeding in this regard as 17-BIT’s Skulls of the Shogun. From the simplicity of the game mechanics to the inviting Japanese inspired art style; the game tries to do the impossible. It attempts to make turn-based strategy something that any gamer can enjoy, and I can safely say that it accomplishes its mission. Furthermore, it does so with a level of polish and wit that constantly impresses.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Review – Trying to break the mold

Posted on January 14, 2013

Black Ops 2

Release Date: November 13, 2012

Developer(s): Treyarch

Platform(s): PS3 / X360 / PC / Wii U

The Call of Duty franchise was once a small fish in a huge ocean of first-person shooters. Their games were popular, but they had plenty of competition. Fast forward to today and that little fish is now the biggest predator around, destroying its competitors with every successive installment. Black Ops 2 continues this trend admirably, pushing the franchise into new directions and ideas while still keeping the hardcore fans happy. It offers a lengthy campaign mode with a branching narrative, a refinement of the multiplayer that many now cannot live without, and a Zombies mode that is now big enough to be its own standalone title. Fans of the series will feel right at home, however those that have yet to be lured in will find that Black Ops 2 will likely not change their opinion.

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Review: Sleeping Dogs

Posted on December 30, 2012

Sleeping Dogs

Release Date: August 13, 2012

Developer(s): United Front Games, Square Enix London Studios

Platform(s): PS3 / X360 / PC

Sleeping Dogs was once a game on the brink of nonexistence. What started out as an idea for a sequel to the True Crimes series became a completely new game that stands well alone. Sleeping Dogs is a highly polished game; it’s no secret that I enjoy graphics and detail and the game exploits the capabilities current gen consoles well. It’s also  is an action game that incorporates RPG elements which adds a bit of spice to the experience. In addition, it offers an open ended world with plenty of extra activities to keep the player busy. And while the storyline is a predictable one, the characters feel alive and the acting is amazing. But for every good there is a bad and Sleeping Dogs’ flaws involve not too bright police AI, repetitive puzzles, and various technical issues that rear their ugly heads.

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Review: The Walking Dead Ep. 5

Posted on December 16, 2012

The Walking Dead Episode 5

Release Date: November 20, 2012

Developer: Telltale Games

Platform: PS3 / X360 / PC / iOS

After a multitude of replays in order to correct previous decisions, months of waiting with bated breath for the next chapter, followed by shoving my money down Xbox Live’s throat upon the new installment; the moment has finally come. My feelings on the matter should have been ecstatic because the audience for this franchise would finally be getting closure to a wild and crazy ride. But upon seeing how everything came to a close in the final installment of The Walking Dead, all I felt was rage. This emotion didn’t come about from feeling unsatisfied, though. In hindsight, it was simply my mind trying to cope with what had just happened.

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