Our latest game reviews - PlayStation 3
4 weeks ago - 
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 - 8.0
By Jacob Mertens If you haven’t heard of Naruto over the last several years, you may be living a sheltered life. The popular Japanese manga and anime series has permeated into Western culture, bringing with it Cartoon Network syndication, bound comic novels that strangle the aisles of Barnes and Noble, and video game adaptations both well crafted and hastily put together. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 follows in the footsteps of the well received Ninja Storm series, and...
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 - 8.0By Jacob Mertens If you haven’t heard of Naruto over the last several years, you may be living a sheltered life. The popular Japanese manga and anime series has permeated into Western culture, bringing with it Cartoon Network syndication, bound comic novels that strangle the aisles of Barnes and Noble, and video game adaptations both well crafted and hastily put together. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 follows in the footsteps of the well received Ninja Storm series, and...
4 weeks ago - (PSN) Fuel Overdose - 5.9
The top down racer holds a special place in my heart. As a kid I would gravitate to the likes of Super Sprint and Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road at the arcade to watch those blessed with more quarters than me literally take the wheel in racing action. I think the top down view has always been ideally suited to racing because gamers have a much larger field of vision and can simultaneously view what is occurring several car lengths ahead and behind them. In fact,...
(PSN) Fuel Overdose - 5.9The top down racer holds a special place in my heart. As a kid I would gravitate to the likes of Super Sprint and Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road at the arcade to watch those blessed with more quarters than me literally take the wheel in racing action. I think the top down view has always been ideally suited to racing because gamers have a much larger field of vision and can simultaneously view what is occurring several car lengths ahead and behind them. In fact,...
4 weeks ago - (PSN) Darkstalkers Resurrection - 7.1
By Jacob Mertens Ah, the hallowed days of the arcade-console crossover, when gamers traded restless hours jamming quarters into a towering machine, taking pride in the nimble flip of a joystick, for a box nestled against their television and a chance to master the same game without scrounging for loose change. Few crossover titles caught fire on the new console platforms like the arcade fighter. Gamers revelled at the chance to perfect a character’s set of moves, or to unleash a...
(PSN) Darkstalkers Resurrection - 7.1By Jacob Mertens Ah, the hallowed days of the arcade-console crossover, when gamers traded restless hours jamming quarters into a towering machine, taking pride in the nimble flip of a joystick, for a box nestled against their television and a chance to master the same game without scrounging for loose change. Few crossover titles caught fire on the new console platforms like the arcade fighter. Gamers revelled at the chance to perfect a character’s set of moves, or to unleash a...
1 month ago - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - 8.9
It all began in 2001 with Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. After playing the game’s opening chapter, gamers were shockingly met with one of the most famous (or infamous) baton switches in video game history. He wasn’t as cool, badass, or popular as Snake, but most importantly: he wasn’t Snake. Series character Raiden made his debut in Metal Gear Solid 2 with some harsh fan reaction, and it only took him seven years to redeem himself in the most amazing way possible....
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - 8.9It all began in 2001 with Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. After playing the game’s opening chapter, gamers were shockingly met with one of the most famous (or infamous) baton switches in video game history. He wasn’t as cool, badass, or popular as Snake, but most importantly: he wasn’t Snake. Series character Raiden made his debut in Metal Gear Solid 2 with some harsh fan reaction, and it only took him seven years to redeem himself in the most amazing way possible....
1 month ago - (PSN) Alien Breed - 7.6
Who remembers the days of top down shooters, running wild through GTA 2, watching bullets leave your pistol as tiny dots begging for pixelated destruction? In the spirit of nostalgia, developer Team 17 has re-released their own top down shooter Alien Breed, a sci-fi survival horror game with all the hallmarks of an arcade classic. Originally released in 1991, the game featured two lone officers of the fictional agency I.P.C., or Interplanetary Corps. While investigating a potentially hostile...
(PSN) Alien Breed - 7.6Who remembers the days of top down shooters, running wild through GTA 2, watching bullets leave your pistol as tiny dots begging for pixelated destruction? In the spirit of nostalgia, developer Team 17 has re-released their own top down shooter Alien Breed, a sci-fi survival horror game with all the hallmarks of an arcade classic. Originally released in 1991, the game featured two lone officers of the fictional agency I.P.C., or Interplanetary Corps. While investigating a potentially hostile...
6 months ago - Assassin's Creed III - 9.1
Maybe it’s just me, but when I hear the words “three years of development” coming from a developer, I usually take it as a good early sign of quality. There’s just something about it that feels just right. While one year or less usually spells out a “more of the same” situation, and four years or more implies an impending cancellation or the thought that they may have needed to go back to the drawing board, 3 years feels like the perfect balance. Maybe...
Assassin's Creed III - 9.1Maybe it’s just me, but when I hear the words “three years of development” coming from a developer, I usually take it as a good early sign of quality. There’s just something about it that feels just right. While one year or less usually spells out a “more of the same” situation, and four years or more implies an impending cancellation or the thought that they may have needed to go back to the drawing board, 3 years feels like the perfect balance. Maybe...
6 months ago - FIFA Soccer 13 - 8.4
As the old adage goes, “Another day, another dollar. Another year, another FIFA.” The annual release of EA’s highly-touted soccer franchise brings out the football fans in droves, and over the course of this generation, EA has managed to create both a commercially successful and critically acclaimed FIFA franchise. After FIFA 12’s release, it didn’t seem as if EA could take the franchise much higher. Unfortunately, that’s what’s happened with FIFA 13,...
FIFA Soccer 13 - 8.4As the old adage goes, “Another day, another dollar. Another year, another FIFA.” The annual release of EA’s highly-touted soccer franchise brings out the football fans in droves, and over the course of this generation, EA has managed to create both a commercially successful and critically acclaimed FIFA franchise. After FIFA 12’s release, it didn’t seem as if EA could take the franchise much higher. Unfortunately, that’s what’s happened with FIFA 13,...
7 months ago - Resident Evil 6 - 7.6
Resident Evil has reinvented itself a number of times during the popular series’ history. When it moved away from its Survival Horror roots in 2005 with the fourth installment, many people feared that the series would end up losing sight of what made the franchise so special. However, the game was received extremely well due to innovative and incredibly satisfying gameplay. Resident Evil 5, however, was a bit more polarizing. Moving away from horror and into action territory, it left...
Resident Evil 6 - 7.6Resident Evil has reinvented itself a number of times during the popular series’ history. When it moved away from its Survival Horror roots in 2005 with the fourth installment, many people feared that the series would end up losing sight of what made the franchise so special. However, the game was received extremely well due to innovative and incredibly satisfying gameplay. Resident Evil 5, however, was a bit more polarizing. Moving away from horror and into action territory, it left...
7 months ago - NHL 13 - 9.3
Sure, our readers over in the US may not feel like it’s a big deal, but over here in Canada, the release of NHL 13 is a much bigger event than the launch of Madden could ever hope to be. Of course, some fans may be rolling their eyes every time a new iteration of a sports series comes out, arguing that the yearly releases never add much to the previous experience. However, this time around, EA promised to add a lot of noteworthy things to the game. Considering the current lockout in...
NHL 13 - 9.3Sure, our readers over in the US may not feel like it’s a big deal, but over here in Canada, the release of NHL 13 is a much bigger event than the launch of Madden could ever hope to be. Of course, some fans may be rolling their eyes every time a new iteration of a sports series comes out, arguing that the yearly releases never add much to the previous experience. However, this time around, EA promised to add a lot of noteworthy things to the game. Considering the current lockout in...
8 months ago - (PSN) The Expendables 2 - 1.0
It’s not every day you come across a game like The Expendables 2: Videogame. At a glance, one can infer the game is obviously not trying to break any new ground or be particularly masterful, but still be a quick burst of fun to play by yourself or with a few buddies. There’s nothing wrong with this type of effort. Nobody should be ashamed of wanting to turn their brain off, blow some stuff up, and have a (possibly) forgettable, but delightful, experience. The Expendables 2:...
(PSN) The Expendables 2 - 1.0It’s not every day you come across a game like The Expendables 2: Videogame. At a glance, one can infer the game is obviously not trying to break any new ground or be particularly masterful, but still be a quick burst of fun to play by yourself or with a few buddies. There’s nothing wrong with this type of effort. Nobody should be ashamed of wanting to turn their brain off, blow some stuff up, and have a (possibly) forgettable, but delightful, experience. The Expendables 2:...
8 months ago - (PSN) Rainbow Moon - 6.5
Sooooomwheeeerrrrreeee over the rainbow, waaay up hiiigghh......whoops! Sorry, everytime I think of rainbows, Judy Garland’s venerable classic performance in The Wizard of Oz always comes to mind (along with Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version; the only rendition to ever go toe-to-toe with Garland’s). But I digress. Rainbow Moon has nothing to do with depression era stories and everything to do with good old fashioned tactical RPGs. Can it live up to its heritage? If...
(PSN) Rainbow Moon - 6.5Sooooomwheeeerrrrreeee over the rainbow, waaay up hiiigghh......whoops! Sorry, everytime I think of rainbows, Judy Garland’s venerable classic performance in The Wizard of Oz always comes to mind (along with Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version; the only rendition to ever go toe-to-toe with Garland’s). But I digress. Rainbow Moon has nothing to do with depression era stories and everything to do with good old fashioned tactical RPGs. Can it live up to its heritage? If...
8 months ago - Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends - 6.4
Before I get deep into the review, I want to put some context on the situation that I am in. Racing Simulators and I do not agree with each other most of the time, and we shift to a firm dislike when the time comes for us to get close. Whether that’s the simulators actually expecting me to complete a difficult task, or myself expecting to have fun with said game, either way, the experience is mostly...ok, pretty much always discouraging. Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends makes no...
Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends - 6.4Before I get deep into the review, I want to put some context on the situation that I am in. Racing Simulators and I do not agree with each other most of the time, and we shift to a firm dislike when the time comes for us to get close. Whether that’s the simulators actually expecting me to complete a difficult task, or myself expecting to have fun with said game, either way, the experience is mostly...ok, pretty much always discouraging. Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends makes no...
9 months ago - (Move) Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection - 8.1
Light gun games were all the rage back in the 90’s. Area 51, Lethal Enforcers, Mad Dog McCree, and Virtua Cop all had huge followings, not to mention the mass quarter-munching love given to the leaders of the pack: SEGA’s House of the Dead franchise and Namco’s Time Crisis series. I myself have fond memories of spending long afternoons in the arcade, virtually blasting bad guys, saving the world, and spending a considerable amount of my paycheck in the process. Eventually...
(Move) Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection - 8.1Light gun games were all the rage back in the 90’s. Area 51, Lethal Enforcers, Mad Dog McCree, and Virtua Cop all had huge followings, not to mention the mass quarter-munching love given to the leaders of the pack: SEGA’s House of the Dead franchise and Namco’s Time Crisis series. I myself have fond memories of spending long afternoons in the arcade, virtually blasting bad guys, saving the world, and spending a considerable amount of my paycheck in the process. Eventually...
1 year ago - Yakuza: Dead Souls - 6.6
Sega’s Yakuza franchise has a pretty strong cult following in America, but even the most die-hard of fans was surprised to learn the publisher planned to bring Yakuza: Dead Souls to the States. Forgoing the more serious crime storylines the series is known for, Dead Souls takes a turn for the weird, and introduces zombies into the fray. While it’s certainly an interesting choice, the game ends up falling a bit flat due to a pretty awful control scheme and lots of repetitiveness....
Yakuza: Dead Souls - 6.6Sega’s Yakuza franchise has a pretty strong cult following in America, but even the most die-hard of fans was surprised to learn the publisher planned to bring Yakuza: Dead Souls to the States. Forgoing the more serious crime storylines the series is known for, Dead Souls takes a turn for the weird, and introduces zombies into the fray. While it’s certainly an interesting choice, the game ends up falling a bit flat due to a pretty awful control scheme and lots of repetitiveness....
1 year ago - MLB 12: The Show - 8.9
If there’s one sport that isn’t like all the rest, it’s got to be baseball. Both loved and hated, baseball is arguably the most polarizing sport out there. However, there’s no denying the solid fanbase that would die for this slower paced game of athletic strategy. Surely not all baseball fans play video games, but those that do, love a good baseball simulator. The fact of the matter is that Sony’s MLB: The Show is a series that dedicates itself to simulate a...
MLB 12: The Show - 8.9If there’s one sport that isn’t like all the rest, it’s got to be baseball. Both loved and hated, baseball is arguably the most polarizing sport out there. However, there’s no denying the solid fanbase that would die for this slower paced game of athletic strategy. Surely not all baseball fans play video games, but those that do, love a good baseball simulator. The fact of the matter is that Sony’s MLB: The Show is a series that dedicates itself to simulate a...
1 year ago - Silent Hil HD Collection - 3.0
For the last few years, HD Collections have been a common occurrence in the video game world. With Sony and its compilation of the early God of War titles leading the charge, many publishers have followed with high definition iterations of their own franchises. In the case of Konami, Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill were definite candidates for this treatment. With the first being a frank success, many fans were wondering how good their favorite horror classics would look with an increased...
Silent Hil HD Collection - 3.0For the last few years, HD Collections have been a common occurrence in the video game world. With Sony and its compilation of the early God of War titles leading the charge, many publishers have followed with high definition iterations of their own franchises. In the case of Konami, Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill were definite candidates for this treatment. With the first being a frank success, many fans were wondering how good their favorite horror classics would look with an increased...
1 year ago - Jak and Daxter Collection - 8.0
It has been 10 long years since we first met the mute Jak and his fuzzy, big mouthed buddy, Daxter. Launching right in the middle of what I like to think of as the 2nd coming of platforming (Mario and Sonic dominated as the platforming craze began in the 8 and 16 bit eras), the duo kicked off what would soon become the platforming trifecta of the PS2 generation. Not even a year after Jak and Daxter made their debut, they were joined by the likes of Ratchet and Clank, as well as Sly Cooper and...
Jak and Daxter Collection - 8.0It has been 10 long years since we first met the mute Jak and his fuzzy, big mouthed buddy, Daxter. Launching right in the middle of what I like to think of as the 2nd coming of platforming (Mario and Sonic dominated as the platforming craze began in the 8 and 16 bit eras), the duo kicked off what would soon become the platforming trifecta of the PS2 generation. Not even a year after Jak and Daxter made their debut, they were joined by the likes of Ratchet and Clank, as well as Sly Cooper and...
1 year ago - SSX - 8.5
The Sasquatch. The Loch Ness Monster. The Abominable Snowman. Ogopogo. A decent current-gen snowboarding video game. See any similarities? There are rumors that all of these mythical creatures exist, but each of them lack the cold hard evidence to back up any claims. Well folks, you can strike that snowboarding one off the list. Electronic Arts has answered with SSX, released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. I had the immense pleasure of playing through the PS3 version, so snuggle up...
SSX - 8.5The Sasquatch. The Loch Ness Monster. The Abominable Snowman. Ogopogo. A decent current-gen snowboarding video game. See any similarities? There are rumors that all of these mythical creatures exist, but each of them lack the cold hard evidence to back up any claims. Well folks, you can strike that snowboarding one off the list. Electronic Arts has answered with SSX, released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. I had the immense pleasure of playing through the PS3 version, so snuggle up...
1 year ago - Grand Slam Tennis 2 - 9.0
As sports games continue to evolve with new and clever control schemes, players are offered fresh and (hopefully) intuitive ways to get their game on. In 2009, EA released the first Grand Slam Tennis exclusively for the Wii. The game gave tennis lovers the opportunity to play their favorite sport in the comfort of their own home, but with the precision of the Wii Motion Plus attachment. While an Xbox 360 and PS3 version never saw the light of day, EA’s response was to release Grand...
Grand Slam Tennis 2 - 9.0As sports games continue to evolve with new and clever control schemes, players are offered fresh and (hopefully) intuitive ways to get their game on. In 2009, EA released the first Grand Slam Tennis exclusively for the Wii. The game gave tennis lovers the opportunity to play their favorite sport in the comfort of their own home, but with the precision of the Wii Motion Plus attachment. While an Xbox 360 and PS3 version never saw the light of day, EA’s response was to release Grand...
1 year ago - (SEN) Puddle - 7.5
Most gamers admit that there is a side of themselves who sometimes would rather set aside the multi-player matchmaking, role-playing, and adventuring to test their noggin on a challenging, yet rewarding puzzler. Of course, being the genre that requires its player to think the most, a true puzzler would arguably offer no instruction. Neko Entertainment’s Puddle attempts to present this challenge with physics-based gameplay, allowing players to decide just how to get a puddle of liquid...
(SEN) Puddle - 7.5Most gamers admit that there is a side of themselves who sometimes would rather set aside the multi-player matchmaking, role-playing, and adventuring to test their noggin on a challenging, yet rewarding puzzler. Of course, being the genre that requires its player to think the most, a true puzzler would arguably offer no instruction. Neko Entertainment’s Puddle attempts to present this challenge with physics-based gameplay, allowing players to decide just how to get a puddle of liquid...
1 year ago - (PSN) Amy - 2.0
These days, encountering a game that can best be described as “difficult” is nothing new. Games such as Dark Souls and Super Meat Boy offer players an unrelenting and brutally difficult challenge that, once completed, leaves them filled with a true sense of accomplishment. More often than not, however, developers of games that are simply ill conceived, poorly designed and sloppily executed try to shield their creations behind the seemingly impenetrable label of...
(PSN) Amy - 2.0These days, encountering a game that can best be described as “difficult” is nothing new. Games such as Dark Souls and Super Meat Boy offer players an unrelenting and brutally difficult challenge that, once completed, leaves them filled with a true sense of accomplishment. More often than not, however, developers of games that are simply ill conceived, poorly designed and sloppily executed try to shield their creations behind the seemingly impenetrable label of...
1 year ago - (PSN) NFL Blitz - 8.0
The return of quite possibly the most popular non-sim sports franchise ever was certainly met with exasperated anticipation. For the last year, fans of the sub-genre have been enjoying themselves some b-ball action with NBA Jam, though the question was always ringing across the Internet: When will we get another NFL Blitz title? While we had seen rumors indicating as such, the official answer didn’t come until the final months of last year and surprisingly, we had it in our hot little...
(PSN) NFL Blitz - 8.0The return of quite possibly the most popular non-sim sports franchise ever was certainly met with exasperated anticipation. For the last year, fans of the sub-genre have been enjoying themselves some b-ball action with NBA Jam, though the question was always ringing across the Internet: When will we get another NFL Blitz title? While we had seen rumors indicating as such, the official answer didn’t come until the final months of last year and surprisingly, we had it in our hot little...
1 year ago - (PSN) TNT Racers - 7.1
It has been about nine months since we last saw TNT Racers, appearing on Sony’s PSP after hitting Xbox LIVE Arcade about this time last year. While it proved to be an interesting take on the kart-racing genre, it did have a few things that held it back from reaching the upper echelon of racers. Most notably, the camera design and poor pacing placed this one firmly in the middle-of-the-road catagory (ok, upper middle of the road). Now that it has been ported over to the PS3 (again, via...
(PSN) TNT Racers - 7.1It has been about nine months since we last saw TNT Racers, appearing on Sony’s PSP after hitting Xbox LIVE Arcade about this time last year. While it proved to be an interesting take on the kart-racing genre, it did have a few things that held it back from reaching the upper echelon of racers. Most notably, the camera design and poor pacing placed this one firmly in the middle-of-the-road catagory (ok, upper middle of the road). Now that it has been ported over to the PS3 (again, via...
1 year ago - (PSN) Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD - 8.7
If there’s one franchise that is in dire need of a new entry, it’s Oddworld. As we sit and watch annual releases of such high profiles properties as Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and Need for Speed, we haven’t seen a new adventure in the Oddworld universe since 2005’s Stranger’s Wrath. We have seen a couple of the old titles re-released on PSN as PSOne Originals (Abe’s Oddysee and Abe’s Exoddus), but those were just straight ports of...
(PSN) Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD - 8.7If there’s one franchise that is in dire need of a new entry, it’s Oddworld. As we sit and watch annual releases of such high profiles properties as Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and Need for Speed, we haven’t seen a new adventure in the Oddworld universe since 2005’s Stranger’s Wrath. We have seen a couple of the old titles re-released on PSN as PSOne Originals (Abe’s Oddysee and Abe’s Exoddus), but those were just straight ports of...
1 year ago - Heavy Fire: Afghanistan - 4.2
One of our biggest complaints around the GameFocus halls has always been overpriced games. No, I’m not talking about the jump to $60 that this console cycle ushered in. I’m talking about games that may have been looked at more favorably had they been released with a price tag that is more in-line with the quality they carry. My go-to example is always Iron Man 2 (sorry SEGA). Not a terrible game, although it is not a good one either. And ultimately it was an extremely bitter pill...
Heavy Fire: Afghanistan - 4.2One of our biggest complaints around the GameFocus halls has always been overpriced games. No, I’m not talking about the jump to $60 that this console cycle ushered in. I’m talking about games that may have been looked at more favorably had they been released with a price tag that is more in-line with the quality they carry. My go-to example is always Iron Man 2 (sorry SEGA). Not a terrible game, although it is not a good one either. And ultimately it was an extremely bitter pill...
1 year ago - The Adventures of Tintin: The Game - 6.9
While the level of quality entertainment provided by Steven Spielberg’s latest animated blockbuster, The Adventures of Tintin and the Secret of the Unicorn, doesn’t need to be established, the inevitable video game adaptation tied in with the release of the film does have a lot to prove. Knowing that these adaptations don’t always rhyme with quality, where does this version of Tintin’s adventures stand in the grand scheme of things? Let’s find out! One thing...
The Adventures of Tintin: The Game - 6.9While the level of quality entertainment provided by Steven Spielberg’s latest animated blockbuster, The Adventures of Tintin and the Secret of the Unicorn, doesn’t need to be established, the inevitable video game adaptation tied in with the release of the film does have a lot to prove. Knowing that these adaptations don’t always rhyme with quality, where does this version of Tintin’s adventures stand in the grand scheme of things? Let’s find out! One thing...
1 year ago - Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Tenkaichi - 6.0
When a game franchise has reached it’s third or fourth iteration, players typically have good idea of what the next entry in the series will involve. When players drop in a disk labeled “Call of Duty”, they know to expect fast-paced, frenetic action with over-the-top, Michael Bay-esque cinematic explosions.With a franchise like Dragon Ball Z, which has seen more than fifty games over the last twenty-five years, players have little doubt what type of game they are purchasing....
Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Tenkaichi - 6.0When a game franchise has reached it’s third or fourth iteration, players typically have good idea of what the next entry in the series will involve. When players drop in a disk labeled “Call of Duty”, they know to expect fast-paced, frenetic action with over-the-top, Michael Bay-esque cinematic explosions.With a franchise like Dragon Ball Z, which has seen more than fifty games over the last twenty-five years, players have little doubt what type of game they are purchasing....
1 year ago - (PSN) Hydrophobia Prophecy - 6.8
On September 29, 2010, developer Dark Energy Digital released the first of an intended three episode series for the Xbox Live Arcade, called Hydrophobia. Unfortunately, due to a lot of negative criticism and complaints (including some from us), the developer released an update for the game on December 21 of the same year titled Hydrophobia Pure. In an attempt to improve the game, the update made some major changes, such as revamped controls, improved physics and graphics, a more detailed HUD,...
(PSN) Hydrophobia Prophecy - 6.8On September 29, 2010, developer Dark Energy Digital released the first of an intended three episode series for the Xbox Live Arcade, called Hydrophobia. Unfortunately, due to a lot of negative criticism and complaints (including some from us), the developer released an update for the game on December 21 of the same year titled Hydrophobia Pure. In an attempt to improve the game, the update made some major changes, such as revamped controls, improved physics and graphics, a more detailed HUD,...
1 year ago - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception - 9.1
The Uncharted franchise is one that I won’t ever lose sight of. While I didn’t jump on board the Drake train until just prior to the launch of Uncharted 2, I did make the journey across both titles consecutively...and loved every second of it. Equal parts Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones, Uncharted, as a series, offered a wonderful combination of 3rd person action-adventure gamplay, puzzling, and a summer blockbuster film presentation, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. As...
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception - 9.1The Uncharted franchise is one that I won’t ever lose sight of. While I didn’t jump on board the Drake train until just prior to the launch of Uncharted 2, I did make the journey across both titles consecutively...and loved every second of it. Equal parts Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones, Uncharted, as a series, offered a wonderful combination of 3rd person action-adventure gamplay, puzzling, and a summer blockbuster film presentation, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. As...
1 year ago - The King of Fighters XIII - 9.0
2D fighting games have been making a comeback over the past few years. Long-time gamers that have spent a lot of their time at the arcade will most likely remember SNK’s flagship fighting series: The King of Fighters. After a long stretch of near-perfection, the series hit a small bump with the last episode, King of Fighters XII. The game was still very good, but it failed to achieve the same kind of greatness fans of the series were used to. Does this new entry finally raise the bar...
The King of Fighters XIII - 9.02D fighting games have been making a comeback over the past few years. Long-time gamers that have spent a lot of their time at the arcade will most likely remember SNK’s flagship fighting series: The King of Fighters. After a long stretch of near-perfection, the series hit a small bump with the last episode, King of Fighters XII. The game was still very good, but it failed to achieve the same kind of greatness fans of the series were used to. Does this new entry finally raise the bar...
1 year ago - (Move) House of the Dead: Overkill - Extended Cut - 8.0
The ZOM..er...I mean MUTANTS are back!! Yes, the much-loved House of the Dead franchise once again has a new (well, sort of new) title on store shelves, and being the zombie fan that I am, I just had to take this one for a spin, especially since I missed it when it hit the Wii a couple of years ago. My biggest question was whether or not this 15 year old franchise still has enough bullets in the chamber to hang with today’s HD gaming generation? I quickly discovered the answer is a...
(Move) House of the Dead: Overkill - Extended Cut - 8.0The ZOM..er...I mean MUTANTS are back!! Yes, the much-loved House of the Dead franchise once again has a new (well, sort of new) title on store shelves, and being the zombie fan that I am, I just had to take this one for a spin, especially since I missed it when it hit the Wii a couple of years ago. My biggest question was whether or not this 15 year old franchise still has enough bullets in the chamber to hang with today’s HD gaming generation? I quickly discovered the answer is a...
1 year ago - Assassin's Creed Revelations - 7.6
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has not only been an annual standard for the past few years, but it’s also been one of the more intriguing ongoing narratives in gaming today. With a story loaded with mystery that spans centuries, it’s no wonder fans turn out in droves each and every time a new Assassin’s Creed title releases. From the very first Assassin’s Creed to last year’s Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, the franchise has seen a lot of...
Assassin's Creed Revelations - 7.6Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has not only been an annual standard for the past few years, but it’s also been one of the more intriguing ongoing narratives in gaming today. With a story loaded with mystery that spans centuries, it’s no wonder fans turn out in droves each and every time a new Assassin’s Creed title releases. From the very first Assassin’s Creed to last year’s Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, the franchise has seen a lot of...
1 year ago - Resistance 3 - 8.1
I have an up and down relationship with the Resistance franchise. Arriving as a launch title for the PS3, it was one of the few games I truly enjoyed for Sony’s (at the time) shockingly expensive platform. Insomniac was - and still is - one of my favorite developers. Giving us arguably the best platforming experiences of the last generation with Ratchet and Clank, it was a refreshing change to see them jump ship, so to speak, and take a another stab at the First Person Shooter genre;...
Resistance 3 - 8.1I have an up and down relationship with the Resistance franchise. Arriving as a launch title for the PS3, it was one of the few games I truly enjoyed for Sony’s (at the time) shockingly expensive platform. Insomniac was - and still is - one of my favorite developers. Giving us arguably the best platforming experiences of the last generation with Ratchet and Clank, it was a refreshing change to see them jump ship, so to speak, and take a another stab at the First Person Shooter genre;...
1 year ago - (PSN) Cubixx HD - 6.0
Imagine you are at a rocking party with all your puzzle-buddies. There’s Bejeweled and all his PopCap groupies. World of Goo is sitting in the corner, chatting it up with Crayon Physics Deluxe. Angry Birds is over by the bar having a heated argument with Brain Age. And Tetris is swapping numbers with Portal over by the DJ booth. Then, as Cubixx HD walks in the door, the music stops with a squelch and all eyes fall upon it. Is Cubixx the new superstar of the puzzle genre? Unfortunately,...
(PSN) Cubixx HD - 6.0Imagine you are at a rocking party with all your puzzle-buddies. There’s Bejeweled and all his PopCap groupies. World of Goo is sitting in the corner, chatting it up with Crayon Physics Deluxe. Angry Birds is over by the bar having a heated argument with Brain Age. And Tetris is swapping numbers with Portal over by the DJ booth. Then, as Cubixx HD walks in the door, the music stops with a squelch and all eyes fall upon it. Is Cubixx the new superstar of the puzzle genre? Unfortunately,...
1 year ago - God of War Origins Collection - 9.0
Am I going to be lynched if I say that I think Kratos is beginning to wear out his welcome? Probably, at least by some of you. To be honest, I feel a little odd saying it, given how big of a fan of the franchise I’ve been ever since the original game launched back in 2005. And, again in the pursuit of complete disclosure, I actually didn’t feel that way until I played through the latest compilation pack to come out of the Sony house, God of War: Origins Collection... First,...
God of War Origins Collection - 9.0Am I going to be lynched if I say that I think Kratos is beginning to wear out his welcome? Probably, at least by some of you. To be honest, I feel a little odd saying it, given how big of a fan of the franchise I’ve been ever since the original game launched back in 2005. And, again in the pursuit of complete disclosure, I actually didn’t feel that way until I played through the latest compilation pack to come out of the Sony house, God of War: Origins Collection... First,...
1 year ago - Splinter Cell Trilogy - 6.3
The original Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell was a smash hit when it was released nine years ago. Since then, the series has seen great success with five more installments, including last year’s Conviction, which again managed to top charts. Those who started gaming with the current generation of consoles missed out on the first three titles, and up until now there hasn’t been an option to experience these classics in a high-definition environment. Ubisoft solved this dilemma by...
Splinter Cell Trilogy - 6.3The original Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell was a smash hit when it was released nine years ago. Since then, the series has seen great success with five more installments, including last year’s Conviction, which again managed to top charts. Those who started gaming with the current generation of consoles missed out on the first three titles, and up until now there hasn’t been an option to experience these classics in a high-definition environment. Ubisoft solved this dilemma by...
1 year ago - Deus Ex: Human Revolution - 9.7
When Eidos Montreal was founded in 2007, not much was expected of them. Shortly afterwards it was announced they’d be in charge of developing new titles for both the Deus Ex and Thief franchises. With no real prior game experience, many fans questioned if they were the right studio for the job. It’s now 4 years later, and Eidos Montreal is showcasing the first harvest of fruit from their labors: Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Deus Ex: Human Revolution takes...
Deus Ex: Human Revolution - 9.7When Eidos Montreal was founded in 2007, not much was expected of them. Shortly afterwards it was announced they’d be in charge of developing new titles for both the Deus Ex and Thief franchises. With no real prior game experience, many fans questioned if they were the right studio for the job. It’s now 4 years later, and Eidos Montreal is showcasing the first harvest of fruit from their labors: Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Deus Ex: Human Revolution takes...
1 year ago - Driver: San Francisco - 8.0
The Driver series has seen its share of bumps in the road. While the first game wowed fans, the sequels were not quite the same caliber as the original. Many fans are still awaiting that singular experience that will put the franchise back on the map. While I won’t delve into the entire history of the brand, the first game was really a revolutionary step. To be able to drive a car in a large-scale 3D environment was, at the time, spectacular. To me, without Driver, GTA 3 may have been...
Driver: San Francisco - 8.0The Driver series has seen its share of bumps in the road. While the first game wowed fans, the sequels were not quite the same caliber as the original. Many fans are still awaiting that singular experience that will put the franchise back on the map. While I won’t delve into the entire history of the brand, the first game was really a revolutionary step. To be able to drive a car in a large-scale 3D environment was, at the time, spectacular. To me, without Driver, GTA 3 may have been...
1 year ago - Madden NFL 12 - 8.0
The Madden NFL franchise gets a lot of flack for releasing every year with seemingly minor changes to the core gameplay from the iteration that came the year before. While it may be difficult to spot the differences on a year-to-year basis, as someone who’s been playing Madden NFL for close to twenty years, the adjustments and improvements made by Tiburon show an immense amount of dedication to providing the most realistic football simulation possible every year. Madden NFL 12 happens...
Madden NFL 12 - 8.0The Madden NFL franchise gets a lot of flack for releasing every year with seemingly minor changes to the core gameplay from the iteration that came the year before. While it may be difficult to spot the differences on a year-to-year basis, as someone who’s been playing Madden NFL for close to twenty years, the adjustments and improvements made by Tiburon show an immense amount of dedication to providing the most realistic football simulation possible every year. Madden NFL 12 happens...
1 year ago - (PSN) Fast Draw Showdown (PS Move) - 5.6
Back in the early 90’s, my mom would often send me off to the local arcade with a pocketful of quarters, ready to hit up all the newest machines. Now, as much as I love trying the latest hotness that the industry has to offer, I have always got a soft spot for a few certain classics that I’d return to time after time; Galaga, Marvel Vs. Capcom, Rush2049 and Mad Dog Mcree. Now, Mad Dog Mcree was a childhood fantasy, being a quick shooting, gun toting cowboy was exactly what I...
(PSN) Fast Draw Showdown (PS Move) - 5.6Back in the early 90’s, my mom would often send me off to the local arcade with a pocketful of quarters, ready to hit up all the newest machines. Now, as much as I love trying the latest hotness that the industry has to offer, I have always got a soft spot for a few certain classics that I’d return to time after time; Galaga, Marvel Vs. Capcom, Rush2049 and Mad Dog Mcree. Now, Mad Dog Mcree was a childhood fantasy, being a quick shooting, gun toting cowboy was exactly what I...
1 year ago - Call of Juarez: The Cartel - 5.1
The Call of Juarez franchise began with a fairly mundane first-person shooter that took place in the Old West. The first sequel, Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood was actually a prequel, but it improved slightly on the formula. When a third game in the series, Call of Juarez: The Cartel, was announced I’ll admit I thought developer Techland was going to bring the trilogy forward yet again. Imagine my dismay when upon playing The Cartel I found that it not only isn’t a very good game,...
Call of Juarez: The Cartel - 5.1The Call of Juarez franchise began with a fairly mundane first-person shooter that took place in the Old West. The first sequel, Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood was actually a prequel, but it improved slightly on the formula. When a third game in the series, Call of Juarez: The Cartel, was announced I’ll admit I thought developer Techland was going to bring the trilogy forward yet again. Imagine my dismay when upon playing The Cartel I found that it not only isn’t a very good game,...
1 year ago - Shadows of The Damned - 8.2
I’m a huge Goichi Suda fan. Shinji Mikami (the man behind Resident Evil and the recently released Vanquish) also ranks among my favorite game designers. So when these highly regarded designers decided to join forces for Shadows of the Damned - their first collaborative effort since the Gamecube cult hit Killer7 - my interest was piqued from the moment it was announced. That interest isn’t even necessarily because of their track record but mostly because of the bizarre and...
Shadows of The Damned - 8.2I’m a huge Goichi Suda fan. Shinji Mikami (the man behind Resident Evil and the recently released Vanquish) also ranks among my favorite game designers. So when these highly regarded designers decided to join forces for Shadows of the Damned - their first collaborative effort since the Gamecube cult hit Killer7 - my interest was piqued from the moment it was announced. That interest isn’t even necessarily because of their track record but mostly because of the bizarre and...
1 year ago - F.E.A.R. 3 - 8.1
Since its debut in 2006, the F.E.A.R. franchise has managed to capture the minds of many gamers despite the plethora of first person shooters available on the market. The atmosphere, the joys of racking up kills in slo-mo, Alma...these elements among others paired with an interesting story arc made F.E.A.R.3 an highly anticipated game for fans. It doesn’t mean that shooter lovers in general won’t appreciate what Day 1 Studios accomplished but in order to fully understand the...
F.E.A.R. 3 - 8.1Since its debut in 2006, the F.E.A.R. franchise has managed to capture the minds of many gamers despite the plethora of first person shooters available on the market. The atmosphere, the joys of racking up kills in slo-mo, Alma...these elements among others paired with an interesting story arc made F.E.A.R.3 an highly anticipated game for fans. It doesn’t mean that shooter lovers in general won’t appreciate what Day 1 Studios accomplished but in order to fully understand the...
1 year ago - Dungeon Siege 3 - 7.8
With Dungeon Siege III, Obsidian Entertainment takes over the development reigns from Gas Powered Games and brings the popular RPG franchise to consoles. The studio has a history with role-playing games from Star Wars: KOTOR II, Neverwinter Nights II and Alpha Protocol to the more recent Fallout New Vegas. Granted, the last two titles are mostly known for their technical flaws than for their supposed immersion into the RPG genre but if there’s a chance for redemption, Dungeon Siege III...
Dungeon Siege 3 - 7.8With Dungeon Siege III, Obsidian Entertainment takes over the development reigns from Gas Powered Games and brings the popular RPG franchise to consoles. The studio has a history with role-playing games from Star Wars: KOTOR II, Neverwinter Nights II and Alpha Protocol to the more recent Fallout New Vegas. Granted, the last two titles are mostly known for their technical flaws than for their supposed immersion into the RPG genre but if there’s a chance for redemption, Dungeon Siege III...
1 year ago - Transformers: Dark of the Moon - 7.0
I’m a sucker for licensed games. Not because they’re the greatest thing the industry has to offer (quite frankly they generally disappoint) but because they’re a easy to play and quick to complete. Sometimes, they boost your Trophy/Achievement count in a matter of hours...Don’t act like you didn’t know! In the case of the Transformers license, the first titles to come out in the current generation of consoles weren’t that great. Luckily, my thirst for an...
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - 7.0I’m a sucker for licensed games. Not because they’re the greatest thing the industry has to offer (quite frankly they generally disappoint) but because they’re a easy to play and quick to complete. Sometimes, they boost your Trophy/Achievement count in a matter of hours...Don’t act like you didn’t know! In the case of the Transformers license, the first titles to come out in the current generation of consoles weren’t that great. Luckily, my thirst for an...
1 year ago - Alice: Madness Returns - 7.3
It took ten years to finally see a new Alice game hit the video game market. American McGee’s take on Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece, released in 2000 for PC, set a precedent in terms of stylish visuals as well as immersive presentation and elaborate gameplay. And while the gaming industry has changed considerably since 2000, gamers were more than eager to make the trip back to Alice’s twisted world. But was it worth the wait? Taking place right after the events of the...
Alice: Madness Returns - 7.3It took ten years to finally see a new Alice game hit the video game market. American McGee’s take on Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece, released in 2000 for PC, set a precedent in terms of stylish visuals as well as immersive presentation and elaborate gameplay. And while the gaming industry has changed considerably since 2000, gamers were more than eager to make the trip back to Alice’s twisted world. But was it worth the wait? Taking place right after the events of the...
1 year ago - Operation Flashpoint: Red River - 7.0
Less than two years after Dragon Rising, Codemasters introduces Operation Flashpoint: Red River to the gaming-sphere. This new entry in the popular tactical military shooter franchise continues to bank on its ultra-realistic pedigree to attract the long-time followers, but also tries to mix up things differently in order to bring in new adepts. Operation Flashpoint isn’t Call of Duty or Battlefield and was never about foul-mouthed soldiers or cinematic cut-scenes. Personally, I never...
Operation Flashpoint: Red River - 7.0Less than two years after Dragon Rising, Codemasters introduces Operation Flashpoint: Red River to the gaming-sphere. This new entry in the popular tactical military shooter franchise continues to bank on its ultra-realistic pedigree to attract the long-time followers, but also tries to mix up things differently in order to bring in new adepts. Operation Flashpoint isn’t Call of Duty or Battlefield and was never about foul-mouthed soldiers or cinematic cut-scenes. Personally, I never...
1 year ago - Hunted: The Demon's Forge - 6.0
Winding back the clock to E3 2010, Bethesda had four games on display: BRINK, Fallout New Vegas, RAGE and a little game called Hunted: The Demon’s Forge. Set in a fantasy world, and built for cooperative play, inXile Entertainment’s latest effort mixes popular genres blended into one single experience: a dungeon crawler with the cover-based elements of a shooter, the hack n’ slash of an adventure title and some RPG feats to top it all off. It was enough to get a little...
Hunted: The Demon's Forge - 6.0Winding back the clock to E3 2010, Bethesda had four games on display: BRINK, Fallout New Vegas, RAGE and a little game called Hunted: The Demon’s Forge. Set in a fantasy world, and built for cooperative play, inXile Entertainment’s latest effort mixes popular genres blended into one single experience: a dungeon crawler with the cover-based elements of a shooter, the hack n’ slash of an adventure title and some RPG feats to top it all off. It was enough to get a little...
1 year ago - inFAMOUS 2 - 9.0
inFAMOUS was one of my favorite games of 2009. Sucker Punch had done what many comic companies struggle to do: create a compelling new hero (or villain) that wasn’t just another Batman or Spider-Man clone. Even though the first game wasn’t without its flaws, I was excited by the prospect of a sequel. I was curious, though, how this new game world would react to the choices I made in the first game, and I was hoping that inFAMOUS 2’s morality choices would be so blatantly...
inFAMOUS 2 - 9.0inFAMOUS was one of my favorite games of 2009. Sucker Punch had done what many comic companies struggle to do: create a compelling new hero (or villain) that wasn’t just another Batman or Spider-Man clone. Even though the first game wasn’t without its flaws, I was excited by the prospect of a sequel. I was curious, though, how this new game world would react to the choices I made in the first game, and I was hoping that inFAMOUS 2’s morality choices would be so blatantly...
1 year ago - Red Faction Armageddon - 8.5
Red Faction Guerrilla may have been the story of Alec Mason and his quest to save Mars from the evil Earth Defense Force but to me, it was an amazing sandbox where I could “blow s*hit up” while freeing a planet from crazy despots. All I cared for destroying buildings, collecting salvage, buying new weapons, upgrading them, then hitting the dusty martian roads to search for more stuff to explode. A couple of hours later, Mars was saved and Alec was a hero, so I would jump online...
Red Faction Armageddon - 8.5Red Faction Guerrilla may have been the story of Alec Mason and his quest to save Mars from the evil Earth Defense Force but to me, it was an amazing sandbox where I could “blow s*hit up” while freeing a planet from crazy despots. All I cared for destroying buildings, collecting salvage, buying new weapons, upgrading them, then hitting the dusty martian roads to search for more stuff to explode. A couple of hours later, Mars was saved and Alec was a hero, so I would jump online...
The latest reviews
(XBLA) Sacred Citadel
Sacred. Arguably one of the most underappreciated of the various RPG universes. Starting out on PC, the 3rd person isometric view and...
7.0 / 10
7.0 / 10
Injustice: Gods Among Us
NetherRealm Studios, led by creative director Ed Boon, has taken a slight break from the chaotic and gruesome action that is featured within the...
8.5 / 10
8.5 / 10
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14
My mouth was dry as I began the back nine on the hallowed grounds of golf’s most iconic course. I hitched up my knickerbockers, approached...
8.0 / 10
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BioShock Infinite
The third game in the BioShock series, and the second developed by Irrational Games, seeks to take the series to new heights, literally....
8.7 / 10
8.7 / 10
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