Our latest game reviews - PC
5 months ago - 
The Walking Dead Episode Five: No Time Left - 9.0
Before Telltale Games brought The Walking Dead franchise to PCs and consoles, the adventure genre had fallen on hard times. Big budget shooters, third person action games and a smattering of photo realistic sports and driving simulators seemed to be the flavor of the day. The thought of basing a game largely on exploration and character development seemed almost old fashioned and quaint, like Grandma churning her own butter. As unlikely as it seemed at the time, the episodic adventures that...
The Walking Dead Episode Five: No Time Left - 9.0Before Telltale Games brought The Walking Dead franchise to PCs and consoles, the adventure genre had fallen on hard times. Big budget shooters, third person action games and a smattering of photo realistic sports and driving simulators seemed to be the flavor of the day. The thought of basing a game largely on exploration and character development seemed almost old fashioned and quaint, like Grandma churning her own butter. As unlikely as it seemed at the time, the episodic adventures that...
5 months ago - Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition - 8.0
After winning a few awards for Best RPG, and even being awarded with GameFocus’s “Editor’s Choice” award, it is no surprise that Dark Souls has been re-released and ported to the PC. I am guilty of not playing the previous iteration on the Xbox 360 or PS3, so what better way to give it a try on the PC. Dark Souls delivers an experience unlike no other, while providing a very difficult but fair challenge to players. Simply put, If you like blasting your way through...
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition - 8.0After winning a few awards for Best RPG, and even being awarded with GameFocus’s “Editor’s Choice” award, it is no surprise that Dark Souls has been re-released and ported to the PC. I am guilty of not playing the previous iteration on the Xbox 360 or PS3, so what better way to give it a try on the PC. Dark Souls delivers an experience unlike no other, while providing a very difficult but fair challenge to players. Simply put, If you like blasting your way through...
6 months ago - Chivalry: Medieval Warfare - 8.9
The excitement of engaging in continuous violent melee encounters with the possible result of decapitating your enemy is the addictive and intense gameplay that lies within Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. As a whole, the game has a solid footing on its own, but it is the finer details that truly make it a medieval first person combat game worth owning. Chivalry: Medieval Warfare introduces us to the conflict between the knights of Agatha and the Mason Order as they battle for dominion over the...
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare - 8.9The excitement of engaging in continuous violent melee encounters with the possible result of decapitating your enemy is the addictive and intense gameplay that lies within Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. As a whole, the game has a solid footing on its own, but it is the finer details that truly make it a medieval first person combat game worth owning. Chivalry: Medieval Warfare introduces us to the conflict between the knights of Agatha and the Mason Order as they battle for dominion over the...
6 months ago - The Walking Dead Episode Four: Around Every Corner - 8.3
It’s hard to imagine that even Telltale Games had any idea how successful their Walking Dead franchise would be when the licensing for the series, based on the comic book, was announced in February of 2011. After all, although the zombie genre has been well represented in gaming for years by the likes of Resident Evil, Left 4 Dead, and Dead Rising, these games were a far cry from the point and click adventures that constituted Telltale’s core strength. It made sense to me that...
The Walking Dead Episode Four: Around Every Corner - 8.3It’s hard to imagine that even Telltale Games had any idea how successful their Walking Dead franchise would be when the licensing for the series, based on the comic book, was announced in February of 2011. After all, although the zombie genre has been well represented in gaming for years by the likes of Resident Evil, Left 4 Dead, and Dead Rising, these games were a far cry from the point and click adventures that constituted Telltale’s core strength. It made sense to me that...
7 months ago - The Walking Dead Episode Three: Long Road Ahead - 8.0
Having played the first two episodes of The Walking Dead, a game which feels more like an interactive graphic novel than an actual videogame, I was waiting with nervous anticipation for the third installment. I was excited to once again enter the shoes of Lee Everett in Robert Kirkland’s fictional world as he struggled to protect 8 year old Clementine from the dead that walk the earth. I also felt trepidation knowing that it was unlikely that all of the characters that I had grown...
The Walking Dead Episode Three: Long Road Ahead - 8.0Having played the first two episodes of The Walking Dead, a game which feels more like an interactive graphic novel than an actual videogame, I was waiting with nervous anticipation for the third installment. I was excited to once again enter the shoes of Lee Everett in Robert Kirkland’s fictional world as he struggled to protect 8 year old Clementine from the dead that walk the earth. I also felt trepidation knowing that it was unlikely that all of the characters that I had grown...
11 months ago - Diablo III - 8.9
Twelve years ago, many people sold their souls to the devil and started playing Diablo II. Over the years, people have started wondering if Blizzard was ever going to announce a sequel to the hugely popular hack & slash RPG. In 2008, the day finally came. Blizzard Entertainment revealed Diablo III to the world, and gamers across the globe were overjoyed at the idea of jumping back into the action with their more modern computers. Here we are, 4 years later, and the game is finally...
Diablo III - 8.9Twelve years ago, many people sold their souls to the devil and started playing Diablo II. Over the years, people have started wondering if Blizzard was ever going to announce a sequel to the hugely popular hack & slash RPG. In 2008, the day finally came. Blizzard Entertainment revealed Diablo III to the world, and gamers across the globe were overjoyed at the idea of jumping back into the action with their more modern computers. Here we are, 4 years later, and the game is finally...
11 months ago - The Walking Dead - 8.5
The Walking Dead. First a cult hit comic series, taking geekdom by storm at the end of 2003, then it went mainstream after AMC turned it into a phenomenally successful television series in the fall of 2010. Now, the franchise is almost a household name, transcending its inner-circle popularity to become a bonafied hit in the entertainment world. Although I’m sure timing has had a lot to do with it, considering pop culture’s rabid love for the undead in recent years....
The Walking Dead - 8.5The Walking Dead. First a cult hit comic series, taking geekdom by storm at the end of 2003, then it went mainstream after AMC turned it into a phenomenally successful television series in the fall of 2010. Now, the franchise is almost a household name, transcending its inner-circle popularity to become a bonafied hit in the entertainment world. Although I’m sure timing has had a lot to do with it, considering pop culture’s rabid love for the undead in recent years....
1 year ago - King Arthur II: The Role Playing Wargame - 5.5
Envision a game that has epic, fast paced, micro-managed, tactical combat with a historical context, and an immersive story with impactful choice. A game that tries to do all these things and gets it right, is a game that almost anyone would play. There are a few that come to mind right away for most gamers, namely the Total War series, which contains many of those elements. The latest offering from Neocore Games and publisher Paradox Interactive, King Arthur II: The Role-Playing Wargame,...
King Arthur II: The Role Playing Wargame - 5.5Envision a game that has epic, fast paced, micro-managed, tactical combat with a historical context, and an immersive story with impactful choice. A game that tries to do all these things and gets it right, is a game that almost anyone would play. There are a few that come to mind right away for most gamers, namely the Total War series, which contains many of those elements. The latest offering from Neocore Games and publisher Paradox Interactive, King Arthur II: The Role-Playing Wargame,...
1 year ago - Off-Road Drive - 6.2
Video games have been blurring the line between entertainment and realism for years. Popular racers such as Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport have shown us that professional drivers aren’t the only ones who should have the opportunity to experience what true racing is like. When executed properly, this can result in a challenging yet satisfying experience, but sometimes realism can be a bad thing. In Off-Road Drive for the PC, for example, the lifelike off-roading adventure is too slow...
Off-Road Drive - 6.2Video games have been blurring the line between entertainment and realism for years. Popular racers such as Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport have shown us that professional drivers aren’t the only ones who should have the opportunity to experience what true racing is like. When executed properly, this can result in a challenging yet satisfying experience, but sometimes realism can be a bad thing. In Off-Road Drive for the PC, for example, the lifelike off-roading adventure is too slow...
1 year ago - Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad - 7.2
Let’s face it, World War II games have been around for an incredibly long time. It’s starting to get to the point where developers are focusing on wars in the present or the future simply because past conflicts have seemingly been beaten to death. However, the saturation of WWII games in the market didn’t prevent Tripwire Interactive for revamping their classic Unreal Tournament mod with the creation of Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad. Before you brush this title off...
Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad - 7.2Let’s face it, World War II games have been around for an incredibly long time. It’s starting to get to the point where developers are focusing on wars in the present or the future simply because past conflicts have seemingly been beaten to death. However, the saturation of WWII games in the market didn’t prevent Tripwire Interactive for revamping their classic Unreal Tournament mod with the creation of Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad. Before you brush this title off...
1 year ago - Age of Empires Online - 6.5
Since the free-to-play and freemium games became very trendy, we have seen developers try this formula with many different genres, including online shooters, MMORPGs, and even racers. However, before Age of Empires Online came out this month, the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre had been largely untouched by this new shift in the industry. This might be due to the fact that strategy games are, by nature, rather complicated, which is not exactly how you would like to describe your product if you...
Age of Empires Online - 6.5Since the free-to-play and freemium games became very trendy, we have seen developers try this formula with many different genres, including online shooters, MMORPGs, and even racers. However, before Age of Empires Online came out this month, the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre had been largely untouched by this new shift in the industry. This might be due to the fact that strategy games are, by nature, rather complicated, which is not exactly how you would like to describe your product if you...
1 year ago - Hydrophobia Prophecy - 7.6
Oh Hydrophobia, Hydrophobia, Hydrophobia. What am I going to do with you? You came to me over six months ago with a wink and a promise, and while there was indeed some semblance of that promise, when it was all said and done, you still didn’t quite deliver. Now you are back, on a different platform and with a new vow. Is this an all new Hydrophobia, the one we should have seen months ago, or are you the same old dog with a nifty new title extension? For those that missed out on last...
Hydrophobia Prophecy - 7.6Oh Hydrophobia, Hydrophobia, Hydrophobia. What am I going to do with you? You came to me over six months ago with a wink and a promise, and while there was indeed some semblance of that promise, when it was all said and done, you still didn’t quite deliver. Now you are back, on a different platform and with a new vow. Is this an all new Hydrophobia, the one we should have seen months ago, or are you the same old dog with a nifty new title extension? For those that missed out on last...
2 years ago - The Sims Medieval - 9.0
Kings and Queens, Knights, Mages, Spies, and more make up the heroes found in The Sims: Medieval. When I initially heard about this title, I made plenty of assumptions. The reality though, exceeded my expectations more than I could have imagined and the experience was more enjoyable because of it. My initial thoughts were that they took the quest system found in the Sims 3 expansion - World Adventures - window dressed it with genre clothing and called it good. Yet the final product holds a...
The Sims Medieval - 9.0Kings and Queens, Knights, Mages, Spies, and more make up the heroes found in The Sims: Medieval. When I initially heard about this title, I made plenty of assumptions. The reality though, exceeded my expectations more than I could have imagined and the experience was more enjoyable because of it. My initial thoughts were that they took the quest system found in the Sims 3 expansion - World Adventures - window dressed it with genre clothing and called it good. Yet the final product holds a...
2 years ago - Anomaly: Warzone Earth - 8.0
I received an email a short time ago from our esteemed Editor-in-Chief. The email was asking me if I could handle a review. I responded by saying sure, what kind of game do you have for me? I was told; “...tower defense...”. At this point, rather distraught, I acquiesced and received a Steam code with which to download the game and was rather dumbfounded at the idea of actually doing a review of a tower defense game. Similar to trebuchet games, tower defense titles are ubiquitous...
Anomaly: Warzone Earth - 8.0I received an email a short time ago from our esteemed Editor-in-Chief. The email was asking me if I could handle a review. I responded by saying sure, what kind of game do you have for me? I was told; “...tower defense...”. At this point, rather distraught, I acquiesced and received a Steam code with which to download the game and was rather dumbfounded at the idea of actually doing a review of a tower defense game. Similar to trebuchet games, tower defense titles are ubiquitous...
2 years ago - Total War: Shogun 2 - 8.4
So wise and noble Daimyo, do you have the ambition and determination to become Shogun of Japan? That’s the name of the game in Creative Assembly’s Total War: Shogun 2, the next entry in the Total War franchise. Make your alliances, conquer your enemies and work your way across Japan with the end goal of uniting the country under your rule. Combining all the elements of resource/territorial management, building your armies and navies, and working out trade and military alliances;...
Total War: Shogun 2 - 8.4So wise and noble Daimyo, do you have the ambition and determination to become Shogun of Japan? That’s the name of the game in Creative Assembly’s Total War: Shogun 2, the next entry in the Total War franchise. Make your alliances, conquer your enemies and work your way across Japan with the end goal of uniting the country under your rule. Combining all the elements of resource/territorial management, building your armies and navies, and working out trade and military alliances;...
2 years ago - Dragon Age II - 9.0
It could be argued that the RPG is the oldest and most venerable gaming genre. Mainly because it has been around since well before games were put into a video format or even computer text format. With that being said, I think it is understandable that over the years the genre could be considered to have hit a stagnant phase every now and then. Even the term “RPG” can go through a bit of a stagnation in terms of definition. What is it that defines a good RPG? Is it character...
Dragon Age II - 9.0It could be argued that the RPG is the oldest and most venerable gaming genre. Mainly because it has been around since well before games were put into a video format or even computer text format. With that being said, I think it is understandable that over the years the genre could be considered to have hit a stagnant phase every now and then. Even the term “RPG” can go through a bit of a stagnation in terms of definition. What is it that defines a good RPG? Is it character...
2 years ago - Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution - 8.6
2010 was a good year for strategy games thanks to a number of fantastic releases including Relic Entertainment’s first expansion to Dawn of War II, entitled Chaos Rising. A full year later, we are graced with yet another stand-alone expansion, this time it’s all about Retribution. Rather than simply continuing the story of the Blood Ravens from the last two entries, for this outing we have the choice of playing through the game’s campaign from the perspective of any one of...
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution - 8.62010 was a good year for strategy games thanks to a number of fantastic releases including Relic Entertainment’s first expansion to Dawn of War II, entitled Chaos Rising. A full year later, we are graced with yet another stand-alone expansion, this time it’s all about Retribution. Rather than simply continuing the story of the Blood Ravens from the last two entries, for this outing we have the choice of playing through the game’s campaign from the perspective of any one of...
2 years ago - Dungeons - 7.1
I love it when a developer pays homage to an old game. You have no idea how many times I find myself wanting to see a certain title from gaming history get the remake treatment. So when a developer decides to give me the next best thing, I get a bit excited. Although, it can be a double-edged sword. The new title will ever be compared to its spiritual predecessor not to mention that some gameplay mechanics just don’t stand the test of time. So it’s a tightrope walk for any dev...
Dungeons - 7.1I love it when a developer pays homage to an old game. You have no idea how many times I find myself wanting to see a certain title from gaming history get the remake treatment. So when a developer decides to give me the next best thing, I get a bit excited. Although, it can be a double-edged sword. The new title will ever be compared to its spiritual predecessor not to mention that some gameplay mechanics just don’t stand the test of time. So it’s a tightrope walk for any dev...
2 years ago - Two Worlds II - 8.5
Oh, so you’re here! If you have made it this far, let me be the first to say I’m proud of you! Why? Simply put, you have managed to rise above any preconceived notions about the Two Worlds franchise and at least give the reviews a look, even if they don’t change your mind. That’s a good thing, by the way. Given the poor reception of the first Two Worlds title by both critics and consumers alike, I completely understand why you may have some reservations about the...
Two Worlds II - 8.5Oh, so you’re here! If you have made it this far, let me be the first to say I’m proud of you! Why? Simply put, you have managed to rise above any preconceived notions about the Two Worlds franchise and at least give the reviews a look, even if they don’t change your mind. That’s a good thing, by the way. Given the poor reception of the first Two Worlds title by both critics and consumers alike, I completely understand why you may have some reservations about the...
2 years ago - Bejeweled 3 - 8.2
The gem-matching bonanza is back...again. That’s right, the casual-gaming geniuses at PopCap are giving one of their most important franchises another go with a third entry (not including the spin-offs). Bejeweled 3 brings back all the classic jewel-swapping gameplay that you all know and obviously love, only with a few new additions to help freshen the experience. When you first fire Bejeweled 3 up, the new hi-res hotness will stand out immediately. Every icon, menu option and jewel...
Bejeweled 3 - 8.2The gem-matching bonanza is back...again. That’s right, the casual-gaming geniuses at PopCap are giving one of their most important franchises another go with a third entry (not including the spin-offs). Bejeweled 3 brings back all the classic jewel-swapping gameplay that you all know and obviously love, only with a few new additions to help freshen the experience. When you first fire Bejeweled 3 up, the new hi-res hotness will stand out immediately. Every icon, menu option and jewel...
2 years ago - Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue - 7.6
HotHead Games’ DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue finally makes his way onto your PC. While fans of the first game will be glad that they get more of the same; getting more of the same means not seeing any of the issues with the first go round getting addressed. Thongs of Virtue takes place shortly after the events of the DeathSpank’s original adventure. Having been captured, our hero must start by finding a way out of prison. This introduction gives first time players the...
Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue - 7.6HotHead Games’ DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue finally makes his way onto your PC. While fans of the first game will be glad that they get more of the same; getting more of the same means not seeing any of the issues with the first go round getting addressed. Thongs of Virtue takes place shortly after the events of the DeathSpank’s original adventure. Having been captured, our hero must start by finding a way out of prison. This introduction gives first time players the...
2 years ago - Patrician IV - 7.6
Patrician IV is a continuation of the strategy franchise under new development studio Gaming Minds. It centers on trade between various towns and building a vast merchant empire. Adding into these aspects of politics, combat, and economy builds for a complex system that leads to fortune and glory. Admittedly I’m a big fan of strategy games, especially trade and/or resource management. However I’ve had a helluva time getting involved in this title. There is a complexity to the...
Patrician IV - 7.6Patrician IV is a continuation of the strategy franchise under new development studio Gaming Minds. It centers on trade between various towns and building a vast merchant empire. Adding into these aspects of politics, combat, and economy builds for a complex system that leads to fortune and glory. Admittedly I’m a big fan of strategy games, especially trade and/or resource management. However I’ve had a helluva time getting involved in this title. There is a complexity to the...
2 years ago - Deathspank - 8.9
One of the coolest aspects to most action-RPGs is indulging greed. When playing, there is always the desire for more cash and better weapons. It might come from simply searching for that larger, more awesome weapon or from killing enough enemies that the cash they give can buy the most desirable gear. Having already seen success on consoles, HotHead Games’ DeathSpank finally makes his way onto your PC and it’s still just as enjoyable. In DeathSpank’s world, he begins as...
Deathspank - 8.9One of the coolest aspects to most action-RPGs is indulging greed. When playing, there is always the desire for more cash and better weapons. It might come from simply searching for that larger, more awesome weapon or from killing enough enemies that the cash they give can buy the most desirable gear. Having already seen success on consoles, HotHead Games’ DeathSpank finally makes his way onto your PC and it’s still just as enjoyable. In DeathSpank’s world, he begins as...
2 years ago - Shank - 8.0
With the narrative-heavy retail releases that are perpetuating store shelves these days, it’s nice to get a break and play a simple, blood-soaked revenge tale. I think I was due for one of those breaks as Klei’s Shank felt like a cold glass of water on a hot day. I had my doubts about it making the transition to PC (as it debuted on consoles back in August), but happily I can say that this port is a picture perfect copy of its XBLA and PSN brother. The story follows Shank, an...
Shank - 8.0With the narrative-heavy retail releases that are perpetuating store shelves these days, it’s nice to get a break and play a simple, blood-soaked revenge tale. I think I was due for one of those breaks as Klei’s Shank felt like a cold glass of water on a hot day. I had my doubts about it making the transition to PC (as it debuted on consoles back in August), but happily I can say that this port is a picture perfect copy of its XBLA and PSN brother. The story follows Shank, an...
2 years ago - Uncharted Waters Online - 9.0
Primer your canons, check your cargo, and gear up to explore because it’s time to set sail with Uncharted Waters Online. The online free-to-play iteration of the Uncharted Waters IP by Tecmo Koei has finally been brought over to the west by Netmarble. Fans have been enjoying its 14th century goodness since the Open Beta launched. Stocked with many of the elements reminiscent of the previous titles we loved and enjoyed on SNES, UWO brings lifelike exploration and a sense of realistic sea...
Uncharted Waters Online - 9.0Primer your canons, check your cargo, and gear up to explore because it’s time to set sail with Uncharted Waters Online. The online free-to-play iteration of the Uncharted Waters IP by Tecmo Koei has finally been brought over to the west by Netmarble. Fans have been enjoying its 14th century goodness since the Open Beta launched. Stocked with many of the elements reminiscent of the previous titles we loved and enjoyed on SNES, UWO brings lifelike exploration and a sense of realistic sea...
2 years ago - Dead Rising 2 - 8.0
Despite a favorable critical reception, the original Dead Rising ended up being a frustrating, zombie-killing blood fest. While the idea of a sequel never crossed my mind up until its official announcement in 2009, Capcom already had quite a bit to overcome from Day One. Obviously, the numerous complaints from the first game were still echoing in everyone’s minds, even though one has to at least give a little forgivness considering Dead Rising was a first gen title for the...
Dead Rising 2 - 8.0Despite a favorable critical reception, the original Dead Rising ended up being a frustrating, zombie-killing blood fest. While the idea of a sequel never crossed my mind up until its official announcement in 2009, Capcom already had quite a bit to overcome from Day One. Obviously, the numerous complaints from the first game were still echoing in everyone’s minds, even though one has to at least give a little forgivness considering Dead Rising was a first gen title for the...
2 years ago - Lost Horizon - 8.6
Tibetan mysteries, Nazis, a disgraced British soldier, and all the point and click puzzles you can hope for can be found in Deep Silver’s new Lost Horizon. It’s been over a decade since I’ve sat down to work my way through a game of this genre, and I must say I’ve actually missed this type of game. Working through the scenes to collect the required items and puzzling my way through combining them or placing them in the correct position or sequence. It was often amusing...
Lost Horizon - 8.6Tibetan mysteries, Nazis, a disgraced British soldier, and all the point and click puzzles you can hope for can be found in Deep Silver’s new Lost Horizon. It’s been over a decade since I’ve sat down to work my way through a game of this genre, and I must say I’ve actually missed this type of game. Working through the scenes to collect the required items and puzzling my way through combining them or placing them in the correct position or sequence. It was often amusing...
2 years ago - Civilization V - 9.8
Dear Firaxis, I’m sorry but this torrid affair cannot continue. When we first kindled this relationship years ago, things were different. I was young, carefree, at least partially irresponsible and my work ethic varied depending on the day of the week. You were young too, but mature beyond your years. While your strategy games (notably Civ III and Alpha Centauri) romanced me to sleeplessness, it also continued to do battle, showing the world that there is still room for a turn-based...
Civilization V - 9.8Dear Firaxis, I’m sorry but this torrid affair cannot continue. When we first kindled this relationship years ago, things were different. I was young, carefree, at least partially irresponsible and my work ethic varied depending on the day of the week. You were young too, but mature beyond your years. While your strategy games (notably Civ III and Alpha Centauri) romanced me to sleeplessness, it also continued to do battle, showing the world that there is still room for a turn-based...
2 years ago - Darksiders - 8.8
Being a fan of the console version, my excitement for the PC edition was palpable. Having rediscovered the joys of PC gaming not long ago, Vigil’s adventurous take on the trials and tribulations of War - one of the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - felt like an instant classic since adventure games aren’t the most popular genre on the said platform. After a slight delay (as it was originally supposed to launch in June), Darksiders PC has finally arrived and my impressions...
Darksiders - 8.8Being a fan of the console version, my excitement for the PC edition was palpable. Having rediscovered the joys of PC gaming not long ago, Vigil’s adventurous take on the trials and tribulations of War - one of the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - felt like an instant classic since adventure games aren’t the most popular genre on the said platform. After a slight delay (as it was originally supposed to launch in June), Darksiders PC has finally arrived and my impressions...
2 years ago - Elemental: War of Magic - 5.0
Civilization, Alpha Centauri and Master of Magic...those three games alone would have held me back in high-school and never let out of my room if I didn’t have basketball to draw my attention away from my PC. Even though real-time strategy games made me put 4X games aside for a few years (until Civilization IV showed up), they will always have a special place in my heart. A good friend of mine introduced me to Stardock’s Galactic Civilizations and while it never managed to catch...
Elemental: War of Magic - 5.0Civilization, Alpha Centauri and Master of Magic...those three games alone would have held me back in high-school and never let out of my room if I didn’t have basketball to draw my attention away from my PC. Even though real-time strategy games made me put 4X games aside for a few years (until Civilization IV showed up), they will always have a special place in my heart. A good friend of mine introduced me to Stardock’s Galactic Civilizations and while it never managed to catch...
2 years ago - Need For Speed World - 6.5
Developers are constantly looking at ways to both create new products and make money. The latest trend is the free-to-play model, which takes the carrot-on-a-stick method of giving gamers a free game, but keeps the good content out of reach unless users make purchases to continue the experience. Normally, it’s a win-win for both sides. If the gamer enjoys the game, they will invest the time and money to prolong the experience and tell their friends. If they don’t, the only thing...
Need For Speed World - 6.5Developers are constantly looking at ways to both create new products and make money. The latest trend is the free-to-play model, which takes the carrot-on-a-stick method of giving gamers a free game, but keeps the good content out of reach unless users make purchases to continue the experience. Normally, it’s a win-win for both sides. If the gamer enjoys the game, they will invest the time and money to prolong the experience and tell their friends. If they don’t, the only thing...
2 years ago - The Scourge Project - 4.9
The digital distribution business model has opened up the gaming market to loads of really great independent developers. With the market filled with the wares of higher profile developers and publishers, it’s easy to miss the efforts of the indie talent. Thus we have The Scourge Project: Episodes 1 and 2, a squad based, cover-system reliant, 3rd person shooter from European developer Tragnarion Studios. This review is based on gameplay from both pre and post patch versions of the game....
The Scourge Project - 4.9The digital distribution business model has opened up the gaming market to loads of really great independent developers. With the market filled with the wares of higher profile developers and publishers, it’s easy to miss the efforts of the indie talent. Thus we have The Scourge Project: Episodes 1 and 2, a squad based, cover-system reliant, 3rd person shooter from European developer Tragnarion Studios. This review is based on gameplay from both pre and post patch versions of the game....
3 years ago - The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom - 9.1
Given how populated the puzzle game genre is, I can’t imagine anyone who’s creating a new one isn’t burdened with at least a little trepidation throughout the entire process. I mean, sure, they don’t require high-end production values nor do they need an award winning script or even any character development at all. At the same time, there isn’t a platform out there that isn’t flooded with every type of puzzler possible. So it takes something really...
The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom - 9.1Given how populated the puzzle game genre is, I can’t imagine anyone who’s creating a new one isn’t burdened with at least a little trepidation throughout the entire process. I mean, sure, they don’t require high-end production values nor do they need an award winning script or even any character development at all. At the same time, there isn’t a platform out there that isn’t flooded with every type of puzzler possible. So it takes something really...
3 years ago - Plain Sight - 7.9
There is probably no greater satisfaction when playing an online action game than managing to destroy a someone else when you happen to fall in battle. Now what if there was a game that revolved around your own self-destruction for maximum damage? Well that is the premise behind Plain Sight, an online multiplayer action title that requires you to self-destruct to earn points. This may seem like a simple premise, but deep down, there is much to enjoy. Plain Sight puts you in the role of a...
Plain Sight - 7.9There is probably no greater satisfaction when playing an online action game than managing to destroy a someone else when you happen to fall in battle. Now what if there was a game that revolved around your own self-destruction for maximum damage? Well that is the premise behind Plain Sight, an online multiplayer action title that requires you to self-destruct to earn points. This may seem like a simple premise, but deep down, there is much to enjoy. Plain Sight puts you in the role of a...
3 years ago - Supreme Commander 2 - 8.2
RTS titles have taken a serious hit over the last few years. Back in the late 1990’s, you had a nice selection of franchises to choose from like Age of Empires, Heroes of Might and Magic, Command & Conquer, Warcraft and Starcraft Nowadays, quality RTS games are becoming fewer and farther between. When Chris Taylor decided to get back into the genre after playing around in the RPG arena (Dungeon Siege), he wanted to make some changes, the biggest of which being the...
Supreme Commander 2 - 8.2RTS titles have taken a serious hit over the last few years. Back in the late 1990’s, you had a nice selection of franchises to choose from like Age of Empires, Heroes of Might and Magic, Command & Conquer, Warcraft and Starcraft Nowadays, quality RTS games are becoming fewer and farther between. When Chris Taylor decided to get back into the genre after playing around in the RPG arena (Dungeon Siege), he wanted to make some changes, the biggest of which being the...
3 years ago - Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight - 7.1
I love Tiberium. No, I don’t want to see the world be overtaken by the rapidly growing and extremely toxic mineral and then come to a cataclysmic end. I love it because the original Command & Conquer PC game, which began the Tiberium universe, was my first real entry into PC RTS gaming. I fell instantly in love with the franchise and the RTS genre as a whole. It wasn’t long before the tongue-in-cheek spin-off Red Alert released and became a favorite of mine as...
Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight - 7.1I love Tiberium. No, I don’t want to see the world be overtaken by the rapidly growing and extremely toxic mineral and then come to a cataclysmic end. I love it because the original Command & Conquer PC game, which began the Tiberium universe, was my first real entry into PC RTS gaming. I fell instantly in love with the franchise and the RTS genre as a whole. It wasn’t long before the tongue-in-cheek spin-off Red Alert released and became a favorite of mine as...
3 years ago - Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising - 9.0
There are two roads a series can go after a successful release: they can either quickly release a half-baked follow-up that does little to improve upon the original or make us wait years. Relic and THQ did neither when it came to the sequel to last year’s successful Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II. Instead, they released DoWII: Chaos Rising as a stand-alone expansion. This follow-up takes everything that made the initial game so popular, made more content and gave fans a hard time...
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising - 9.0There are two roads a series can go after a successful release: they can either quickly release a half-baked follow-up that does little to improve upon the original or make us wait years. Relic and THQ did neither when it came to the sequel to last year’s successful Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II. Instead, they released DoWII: Chaos Rising as a stand-alone expansion. This follow-up takes everything that made the initial game so popular, made more content and gave fans a hard time...
3 years ago - Napoleon: Total War - 8.5
Napoleon: Total War is one of those elusive “realistic” real time strategy games that attempts to emulate the style of war during the days where Napoleon Bonaparte was trying to take over Europe. So how does the game stack up? Lets find out. Gameplay If you’re used to games such as StarCraft, Command & Conquer, Warcraft, or the vast majority of real time strategy games out there, than the control style in Napoleon: Total War (NTW) is going to throw you off....
Napoleon: Total War - 8.5Napoleon: Total War is one of those elusive “realistic” real time strategy games that attempts to emulate the style of war during the days where Napoleon Bonaparte was trying to take over Europe. So how does the game stack up? Lets find out. Gameplay If you’re used to games such as StarCraft, Command & Conquer, Warcraft, or the vast majority of real time strategy games out there, than the control style in Napoleon: Total War (NTW) is going to throw you off....
3 years ago - Global Agenda - 8.4
The massive online game market is a very competitive place. As such, development studios need to offer something well crafted and unique to be able to make a splash and development and improvement need to be continuous to hold on to those subscriptions. Hi-Rez Studios have come up with a unique combination of 3rd person shooter and MMO in Global Agenda and they’ve given players the freedom to choose the level of depth they want to see in the game by offering a subscription based,...
Global Agenda - 8.4The massive online game market is a very competitive place. As such, development studios need to offer something well crafted and unique to be able to make a splash and development and improvement need to be continuous to hold on to those subscriptions. Hi-Rez Studios have come up with a unique combination of 3rd person shooter and MMO in Global Agenda and they’ve given players the freedom to choose the level of depth they want to see in the game by offering a subscription based,...
3 years ago - Aliens vs. Predator - 8.4
Humans and xenos and preds, oh my! We aren’t in Kansas anymore, or Oz even. Nope, instead we embark on a journey to an unnamed world with where Marines, Predators and Aliens are competing to survive. And it’s certainly not big enough for the three of them. Gameplay There are four parts of the single player mode: the Marine Campaign, the Predator Campaign, the Alien Campaign, and Survivor, which is also available for up to four player co-op play. To start off, yes, each...
Aliens vs. Predator - 8.4Humans and xenos and preds, oh my! We aren’t in Kansas anymore, or Oz even. Nope, instead we embark on a journey to an unnamed world with where Marines, Predators and Aliens are competing to survive. And it’s certainly not big enough for the three of them. Gameplay There are four parts of the single player mode: the Marine Campaign, the Predator Campaign, the Alien Campaign, and Survivor, which is also available for up to four player co-op play. To start off, yes, each...
3 years ago - Sins of a Solar Empire - Trinity - 8.2
For those not in the know, Sins of a Solar Empire was a critically acclaimed real time strategy game first released in 2008. Trinity is a repackaging of the original game with both expansion packs, Entrenchment and Diplomacy. But how does this RTS fare against the likes of the big boys on the block: Dawn of War, Command and Conquer, and StarCraft? Gameplay This game plays like virtually every other RTS game out there, except that everything takes place in the depths of space. Players must...
Sins of a Solar Empire - Trinity - 8.2For those not in the know, Sins of a Solar Empire was a critically acclaimed real time strategy game first released in 2008. Trinity is a repackaging of the original game with both expansion packs, Entrenchment and Diplomacy. But how does this RTS fare against the likes of the big boys on the block: Dawn of War, Command and Conquer, and StarCraft? Gameplay This game plays like virtually every other RTS game out there, except that everything takes place in the depths of space. Players must...
3 years ago - Greed: Black Border - 6.4
In the future of Greed: Black Border humanity has begun colonizing space and a new mineral has been discovered called Ikarium, which also happens to be a potential source of infinite power and wealth for all. If this sounds familiar that’s because it is. There are no innovative elements in Greed: Black Border but the game will instantly bring to mind such venerable games as Fallout, Diablo and Dead Space since it clearly owes much to each of these. That is a classy group, but does Greed...
Greed: Black Border - 6.4In the future of Greed: Black Border humanity has begun colonizing space and a new mineral has been discovered called Ikarium, which also happens to be a potential source of infinite power and wealth for all. If this sounds familiar that’s because it is. There are no innovative elements in Greed: Black Border but the game will instantly bring to mind such venerable games as Fallout, Diablo and Dead Space since it clearly owes much to each of these. That is a classy group, but does Greed...
3 years ago - Divinity II - Ego Draconis - 8.3
The realm of Rivellon has been ravaged by war for centuries but the past fifty years has seen a reluctant peace fall over the land. Nearly all of the Dragon Knights (powerful battle-mages who have the ability to take the form of a dragon) have been hunted down and killed by the Dragon Slayers. You are a newly initiated Slayer who finds that perhaps the history you have learned during your training may not be an accurate reflection of the events that resulted in the Dragon Knight genocide. It...
Divinity II - Ego Draconis - 8.3The realm of Rivellon has been ravaged by war for centuries but the past fifty years has seen a reluctant peace fall over the land. Nearly all of the Dragon Knights (powerful battle-mages who have the ability to take the form of a dragon) have been hunted down and killed by the Dragon Slayers. You are a newly initiated Slayer who finds that perhaps the history you have learned during your training may not be an accurate reflection of the events that resulted in the Dragon Knight genocide. It...
3 years ago - Dragon Age Origins - 9.2
As gamers, we are always looking for the best possible deal when it comes to how we spend our hard earned cash. We deserve a product that is not only enjoyable but worth every penny we pay for it. BioWare have been known to give gamers the absolute most with their titles and this holds true with their latest release, Dragon Age: Origins. This game, which borrows elements from their previous productions, ends up being one of the most expansive titles of the year and one that nearly every RPG...
Dragon Age Origins - 9.2As gamers, we are always looking for the best possible deal when it comes to how we spend our hard earned cash. We deserve a product that is not only enjoyable but worth every penny we pay for it. BioWare have been known to give gamers the absolute most with their titles and this holds true with their latest release, Dragon Age: Origins. This game, which borrows elements from their previous productions, ends up being one of the most expansive titles of the year and one that nearly every RPG...
3 years ago - Risen - 8.5
An epic story in an authentic world hand-crafted with an eye for detail and populated by "real", plausible characters. A Mysterious Volcanic Island the heavy tremors on the island bode ill for its inhabitants. Ancient temples have risen from the ground recently; bizarre creatures are terrorizing the area. Fear and terror is spreading among the population. The End of All Hope? A group of powerful men who call themselves "The Inquisitors" have taken it upon...
Risen - 8.5An epic story in an authentic world hand-crafted with an eye for detail and populated by "real", plausible characters. A Mysterious Volcanic Island the heavy tremors on the island bode ill for its inhabitants. Ancient temples have risen from the ground recently; bizarre creatures are terrorizing the area. Fear and terror is spreading among the population. The End of All Hope? A group of powerful men who call themselves "The Inquisitors" have taken it upon...
3 years ago - Cities XL - 6.8
The "City Building" genre has been neglected or at the very least abandoned. After the absolute tragedy that was SimCity Societies, fans of this type of game have become a little....jaded. I had high expectations for the game Will Wright said was going to be amazing. SimCity Societies was anything but amazing. It was clear that the SimCity franchise may in fact be dead. It was a sad time for me. I have gone on record a number of times explaining I am a...
Cities XL - 6.8The "City Building" genre has been neglected or at the very least abandoned. After the absolute tragedy that was SimCity Societies, fans of this type of game have become a little....jaded. I had high expectations for the game Will Wright said was going to be amazing. SimCity Societies was anything but amazing. It was clear that the SimCity franchise may in fact be dead. It was a sad time for me. I have gone on record a number of times explaining I am a...
3 years ago - Order of War - 7.2
ORDER OF WAR features massive-scale battles brought to life with a cinematic intensity never seen before in a WWII strategy game. Players take command of an entire army including ground troops, artillery, tank divisions and aircraft in all-out strategic assaults. The single-player mode can be played out in two campaigns - American versus German forces on the western front and German versus Russian on the eastern front. Missions will be based on key historic events and operations from 1944. In...
Order of War - 7.2ORDER OF WAR features massive-scale battles brought to life with a cinematic intensity never seen before in a WWII strategy game. Players take command of an entire army including ground troops, artillery, tank divisions and aircraft in all-out strategic assaults. The single-player mode can be played out in two campaigns - American versus German forces on the western front and German versus Russian on the eastern front. Missions will be based on key historic events and operations from 1944. In...
3 years ago - Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim - 7.4
In the world of Majesty, you are the ruler of the kingdom of Ardania. At your service are your loyal and somewhat obnoxious subordinates, who have their own minds about how things should be done. Majesty is the only game where your heroes decide on their own what should be done and when, leaving you to try to control them through monetary incentives. Gameplay The main goal of the game of Majesty 2 is for you to rule your kingdom but unlike other kingdom simulators you do not micromanage...
Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim - 7.4In the world of Majesty, you are the ruler of the kingdom of Ardania. At your service are your loyal and somewhat obnoxious subordinates, who have their own minds about how things should be done. Majesty is the only game where your heroes decide on their own what should be done and when, leaving you to try to control them through monetary incentives. Gameplay The main goal of the game of Majesty 2 is for you to rule your kingdom but unlike other kingdom simulators you do not micromanage...
3 years ago - Aion: Tower of Eternity - 9.3
Aion : Tower of Eternity is the latest offering from NCSoft, the company that brings us the Lineage, City of Heroes and Guild Wars games. The fantasy genre of MMO’s is very crowded, and the expectations are high. Aion needs to not only bring the goods right away but continue to deliver top of the line content and an exceptional game experience if it intends to compete with the other major players. In this first look review we tell you what Aion brings to the table...
Aion: Tower of Eternity - 9.3Aion : Tower of Eternity is the latest offering from NCSoft, the company that brings us the Lineage, City of Heroes and Guild Wars games. The fantasy genre of MMO’s is very crowded, and the expectations are high. Aion needs to not only bring the goods right away but continue to deliver top of the line content and an exceptional game experience if it intends to compete with the other major players. In this first look review we tell you what Aion brings to the table...
3 years ago - Section 8 - 8.1
TimeGate Studios got their start making real-time strategy games and are probably best known for making the expansions for the original F.E.A.R.. Now TimeGate has brought to fruition years of work and have released Section 8, their first major IP. Section 8 places you in a futuristic battlefield where you launch into battle from 15,000 feet and burn-in fast and furious. Whether you play through Carde’s Story, the single player campaign, or hop straight online to shoot it out with other...
Section 8 - 8.1TimeGate Studios got their start making real-time strategy games and are probably best known for making the expansions for the original F.E.A.R.. Now TimeGate has brought to fruition years of work and have released Section 8, their first major IP. Section 8 places you in a futuristic battlefield where you launch into battle from 15,000 feet and burn-in fast and furious. Whether you play through Carde’s Story, the single player campaign, or hop straight online to shoot it out with other...
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