Our latest game reviews - PlayStation 3
2 weeks 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...
4 weeks 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...
4 weeks 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 month 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 month 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 month 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...
2 months 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....
2 months 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,...
2 months 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...
2 months 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...
2 months 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...
2 months 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...
3 months 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;...
3 months 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,...
4 months 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,...
4 months 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...
5 months 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...
5 months 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...
5 months 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...
5 months 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...
6 months 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,...
7 months 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...
7 months 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...
7 months 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...
7 months 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...
8 months 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...
8 months 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...
8 months 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...
8 months 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...
8 months 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...
8 months ago - Virtua Tennis 4 - 5.3
The tennis season is in full swing and Sega has returned with their famed franchise, Virtua Tennis 4. The arcade-centric series has always been more about offering an easy to pick-up-and-play experience, but for those wanting a more realistic approach, or at least some-sort of evolution in the series, then this edition is a very big disappointment. The Virtua Tennis series has long been a sports franchise that has succeeded both at local arcades and on consoles, but Virtua Tennis 4 is the...
Virtua Tennis 4 - 5.3The tennis season is in full swing and Sega has returned with their famed franchise, Virtua Tennis 4. The arcade-centric series has always been more about offering an easy to pick-up-and-play experience, but for those wanting a more realistic approach, or at least some-sort of evolution in the series, then this edition is a very big disappointment. The Virtua Tennis series has long been a sports franchise that has succeeded both at local arcades and on consoles, but Virtua Tennis 4 is the...
8 months ago - L.A. Noire - 9.8
One of the year’s most anticipated games, L.A. Noire has finally arrived on store shelves after quite a few years in development. Sporting what could be the most amazing facial animation engine to ever grace a video game, L.A. Noire grabbed fans attention as soon as the first trailer made its way to the Internet last year; and has continued to do so with each subsequent peek that Rockstar provided. Now that the game is available, is it worth the foray into 1940’s Los Angeles or...
L.A. Noire - 9.8One of the year’s most anticipated games, L.A. Noire has finally arrived on store shelves after quite a few years in development. Sporting what could be the most amazing facial animation engine to ever grace a video game, L.A. Noire grabbed fans attention as soon as the first trailer made its way to the Internet last year; and has continued to do so with each subsequent peek that Rockstar provided. Now that the game is available, is it worth the foray into 1940’s Los Angeles or...
8 months ago - DiRT 3 - 9.3
While some wish Rallisports Challenge was still around, Codemasters has been offering great rally racing experiences to gamers around the world with the Colin McRae/DiRT series. DiRT 2 ended up setting the bar for the genre by offering a perfect blend of arcade and simulation paired with an incredible graphics engine and a stylish presentation. With DiRT 3, the tradition of delivering an exhilarating racer continues and die-hard fans couldn’t ask for anything more. Codemasters’...
DiRT 3 - 9.3While some wish Rallisports Challenge was still around, Codemasters has been offering great rally racing experiences to gamers around the world with the Colin McRae/DiRT series. DiRT 2 ended up setting the bar for the genre by offering a perfect blend of arcade and simulation paired with an incredible graphics engine and a stylish presentation. With DiRT 3, the tradition of delivering an exhilarating racer continues and die-hard fans couldn’t ask for anything more. Codemasters’...
9 months ago - MotorStorm: Apocalypse - 8.5
In the racing genre, there are two branches: simulation and arcade. Sometimes you’d like to race in some of the world’s most expensive and fastest cars and other times you just want to go crazy. Evolution Studio’s MotorStorm franchise has always been able to deliver the chaotic brand of racing. The latest entry in the series is MotorStorm: Apocalypse, and this time around, they’ve introduced a story mode on top of their over-the-top branding of explosive fast-paced...
MotorStorm: Apocalypse - 8.5In the racing genre, there are two branches: simulation and arcade. Sometimes you’d like to race in some of the world’s most expensive and fastest cars and other times you just want to go crazy. Evolution Studio’s MotorStorm franchise has always been able to deliver the chaotic brand of racing. The latest entry in the series is MotorStorm: Apocalypse, and this time around, they’ve introduced a story mode on top of their over-the-top branding of explosive fast-paced...
9 months ago - MX vs ATV Alive - 8.0
Less than two years since Reflex, the MX vs ATV franchise returns to the video game stratosphere with Alive. Despite being a very popular series, there’s still a lot of people who haven’t played a single entry since the franchise’s re-introduction during the current console cycle. Needless to say, it also reaches for a very specific market. Being one of those folks that never attend SuperCross events; racing through the mud, taunting adversaries and pulling crazy moves while...
MX vs ATV Alive - 8.0Less than two years since Reflex, the MX vs ATV franchise returns to the video game stratosphere with Alive. Despite being a very popular series, there’s still a lot of people who haven’t played a single entry since the franchise’s re-introduction during the current console cycle. Needless to say, it also reaches for a very specific market. Being one of those folks that never attend SuperCross events; racing through the mud, taunting adversaries and pulling crazy moves while...
9 months ago - Prince of Persia Trilogy - 7.7
With the Prince of Persia Trilogy finally getting a retail release here in the US (the PAL folks got the retail package back in November 2010), we thought it might be time to take a gander at the set. Granted, each title has been available as a separate download for North American players via PSN, but we still figured we would wait until we had the entire package in our hot little hands... Now, the first thing you have to ask yourself is: Did you miss on one or more of the trilogy during...
Prince of Persia Trilogy - 7.7With the Prince of Persia Trilogy finally getting a retail release here in the US (the PAL folks got the retail package back in November 2010), we thought it might be time to take a gander at the set. Granted, each title has been available as a separate download for North American players via PSN, but we still figured we would wait until we had the entire package in our hot little hands... Now, the first thing you have to ask yourself is: Did you miss on one or more of the trilogy during...
9 months ago - SOCOM 4 - 7.3
Playstation’s biggest franchise - aside from God of War and Gran Turismo - saw its latest chapter hit the Playstation 3 last month. Since Playstation Network went down the day after we got our review copy, this article had to be put on hold in order to fully test its multiplayer functionalities. I mean, multiplayer has always been a big thing for the SOCOM franchise. However, since PSN has yet to make its return to the PS3, we have been forced to proceed without it. Luckily for us,...
SOCOM 4 - 7.3Playstation’s biggest franchise - aside from God of War and Gran Turismo - saw its latest chapter hit the Playstation 3 last month. Since Playstation Network went down the day after we got our review copy, this article had to be put on hold in order to fully test its multiplayer functionalities. I mean, multiplayer has always been a big thing for the SOCOM franchise. However, since PSN has yet to make its return to the PS3, we have been forced to proceed without it. Luckily for us,...
9 months ago - Portal 2 - 9.7
2007 was an incredible year for gaming, thanks in part to a compilation released by Valve entitled The Orange Box. The collection contained five fabulous games made by the Washington-based studio, and while all five of the titles available were solid individually, it was the small game called Portal that stood out most among the batch. This was an experience unlike anything else available at the time; you solved puzzles in first-person using two colored Portal warps. It was such a...
Portal 2 - 9.72007 was an incredible year for gaming, thanks in part to a compilation released by Valve entitled The Orange Box. The collection contained five fabulous games made by the Washington-based studio, and while all five of the titles available were solid individually, it was the small game called Portal that stood out most among the batch. This was an experience unlike anything else available at the time; you solved puzzles in first-person using two colored Portal warps. It was such a...
9 months ago - Mortal Kombat - 9.3
Whenever the word “reboot” gets heard, most gamers raise an eyebrow wondering if its nothing but marketing banter or the real deal. In the case of Mortal Kombat, it was certainly one of few golden age franchises that needed it the most. Even though the last MK title went the Marvel vs Capcom route - with MK vs DC Universe - and did bring something interesting to the genre, we’ve all wondered if it was the death throws of the once shocking and controversial game series....
Mortal Kombat - 9.3Whenever the word “reboot” gets heard, most gamers raise an eyebrow wondering if its nothing but marketing banter or the real deal. In the case of Mortal Kombat, it was certainly one of few golden age franchises that needed it the most. Even though the last MK title went the Marvel vs Capcom route - with MK vs DC Universe - and did bring something interesting to the genre, we’ve all wondered if it was the death throws of the once shocking and controversial game series....
10 months ago - (Move) PlayStation Move Heroes - 4.8
What’s better than a new game featuring one of your favorite iconic heroes of the previous console generation? How about a game that features six of them! And, how about we have said game support the new fangled motion controller technology that all the kids are talking about these days! Sounds like a slam dunk, right? Well, believe it or not, such a concept does exist. Although, a slam dunk? Not so much... Nihilistic Software’s PlayStation Move Heroes takes Ratchet and Clank,...
(Move) PlayStation Move Heroes - 4.8What’s better than a new game featuring one of your favorite iconic heroes of the previous console generation? How about a game that features six of them! And, how about we have said game support the new fangled motion controller technology that all the kids are talking about these days! Sounds like a slam dunk, right? Well, believe it or not, such a concept does exist. Although, a slam dunk? Not so much... Nihilistic Software’s PlayStation Move Heroes takes Ratchet and Clank,...
10 months ago - Warriors: Legends of Troy - 5.9
Games based on ancient mythology are nothing new and neither is Tecmo-Koei’s rendition of hack-and-slash combat. The two combine to form the Asian publisher’s latest project - which happens to be developed at the Toronto studios, entitled Warriors: Legends of Troy. Rather than focusing on Asia, like so many other games of its ilk, Troy decides to put its attention on ancient Greece, specifically around the events many of us have seen in a lot of Hollywood films like 2004’s...
Warriors: Legends of Troy - 5.9Games based on ancient mythology are nothing new and neither is Tecmo-Koei’s rendition of hack-and-slash combat. The two combine to form the Asian publisher’s latest project - which happens to be developed at the Toronto studios, entitled Warriors: Legends of Troy. Rather than focusing on Asia, like so many other games of its ilk, Troy decides to put its attention on ancient Greece, specifically around the events many of us have seen in a lot of Hollywood films like 2004’s...
10 months ago - Tomb Raider Trilogy - 8.1
You have to hand it to Sony, releasing older titles as compilation packs with new coat of paint and a reduced price (compared to the normal price of new retail releases) is turning out to be a really good move. I’ve played a couple of them already (both God of War and Sly Cooper) and have yet to be disappointed. Not only are the included titles solid to begin with, but they seem to have held up really well to the beatings that Father Time tends to lay on our beloved classics. The latest...
Tomb Raider Trilogy - 8.1You have to hand it to Sony, releasing older titles as compilation packs with new coat of paint and a reduced price (compared to the normal price of new retail releases) is turning out to be a really good move. I’ve played a couple of them already (both God of War and Sly Cooper) and have yet to be disappointed. Not only are the included titles solid to begin with, but they seem to have held up really well to the beatings that Father Time tends to lay on our beloved classics. The latest...
10 months ago - Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters - 8.0
The Tiger Woods series has seen a lot of changes over the past few years, with different modes and interesting additions, among other modifications. This year, the guys over at EA Tiburon have shifted the focus from Tiger Woods himself to The Augusta National Golf Course, better known to the masses as the home of The Masters, golf’s most important event on the calendar. That’s not the only change made this year, and while the introductions are welcomed, it does also show that...
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters - 8.0The Tiger Woods series has seen a lot of changes over the past few years, with different modes and interesting additions, among other modifications. This year, the guys over at EA Tiburon have shifted the focus from Tiger Woods himself to The Augusta National Golf Course, better known to the masses as the home of The Masters, golf’s most important event on the calendar. That’s not the only change made this year, and while the introductions are welcomed, it does also show that...
10 months ago - (PSN) Moon Diver - 6.4
Moon Diver is a frantic side-scrolling action game built for co-operative play. It is unabashedly Japanese with its art style, unforgiving difficulty, and off the wall storyline. Throw in immense level grinding and you’re in for a challenge. In 2081, Faust has brought destruction upon the world and a team of Moon Divers rise to fight back. The storyline takes a backseat to the non-stop side-scrolling action though. Prepare to exhaust the square button as you fight through hordes of...
(PSN) Moon Diver - 6.4Moon Diver is a frantic side-scrolling action game built for co-operative play. It is unabashedly Japanese with its art style, unforgiving difficulty, and off the wall storyline. Throw in immense level grinding and you’re in for a challenge. In 2081, Faust has brought destruction upon the world and a team of Moon Divers rise to fight back. The storyline takes a backseat to the non-stop side-scrolling action though. Prepare to exhaust the square button as you fight through hordes of...
10 months ago - (PSN) Chime Super Deluxe - 8.2
At first glance, Chime looked like it could be a knockoff of Tetris. However, it proved to be much more than that when it was released last year. Now, Developer Zoe Mode has taken that same formula and expanded upon it for Chime Super Deluxe. Players will rotate and combine irregular shapes on a set board while also creating a unique music remix depending on their placement. The goal is to put together “quads” of blocks in an attempt to cover the game board completely within a...
(PSN) Chime Super Deluxe - 8.2At first glance, Chime looked like it could be a knockoff of Tetris. However, it proved to be much more than that when it was released last year. Now, Developer Zoe Mode has taken that same formula and expanded upon it for Chime Super Deluxe. Players will rotate and combine irregular shapes on a set board while also creating a unique music remix depending on their placement. The goal is to put together “quads” of blocks in an attempt to cover the game board completely within a...
10 months ago - SHIFT 2 Unleashed - 8.7
Almost two years ago, Slightly Mad Studios delivered a new way to experience Need For Speed with the introduction of SHIFT, a less-in-your-face but still ferocious, violent and noisy racing game for Electronic Arts. It left a solid impression among racing fans avid of the thrills and managed to find a nice seat a few rows away from the two other award-wining popular race simulators (Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo) left vacant by Codemasters’ own racing title, Race Driver...
SHIFT 2 Unleashed - 8.7Almost two years ago, Slightly Mad Studios delivered a new way to experience Need For Speed with the introduction of SHIFT, a less-in-your-face but still ferocious, violent and noisy racing game for Electronic Arts. It left a solid impression among racing fans avid of the thrills and managed to find a nice seat a few rows away from the two other award-wining popular race simulators (Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo) left vacant by Codemasters’ own racing title, Race Driver...
10 months ago - WWE All Stars - 8.6
Can you smmmeeeeeellllllll....wait, too cliched, right? Cause Stone Cold sai...um...no, that’s night right either. Whatcha gonna do brother, when the 24” pythons and Hulka......sigh. Ok, so I think we should just skip the iconic quotes altogether. Not that they are bad or anything. Quite the contrary actually. These quotes have transcended their intended audience altogether and now they are used over and over again. I only bring this up because this same level of transcendence...
WWE All Stars - 8.6Can you smmmeeeeeellllllll....wait, too cliched, right? Cause Stone Cold sai...um...no, that’s night right either. Whatcha gonna do brother, when the 24” pythons and Hulka......sigh. Ok, so I think we should just skip the iconic quotes altogether. Not that they are bad or anything. Quite the contrary actually. These quotes have transcended their intended audience altogether and now they are used over and over again. I only bring this up because this same level of transcendence...
11 months ago - Dragon Age II - 8.8
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 - 8.8It 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...
11 months ago - (PSN) Slam Bolt Scrappers - 6.2
Puzzles games are typically great distractions, but when played with friends they can lead to evenings that run much longer than expected. The latest puzzle title to grace the PSN is called Slam Bolt Scrappers, an amalgamation of different puzzler types and action games developed by independent studio Fire Hose Games. While the idea is certainly unique, the execution and downright difficult learning curve makes it a game that may turn friends into exes. The premise behind Slam Bolt Scrappers...
(PSN) Slam Bolt Scrappers - 6.2Puzzles games are typically great distractions, but when played with friends they can lead to evenings that run much longer than expected. The latest puzzle title to grace the PSN is called Slam Bolt Scrappers, an amalgamation of different puzzler types and action games developed by independent studio Fire Hose Games. While the idea is certainly unique, the execution and downright difficult learning curve makes it a game that may turn friends into exes. The premise behind Slam Bolt Scrappers...
11 months ago - MLB 11 The Show - 8.5
I don’t know if it’s because I miss the Montreal Expos or because the Blue Jays are simply unable to accomplish anything worth rooting for (I guess that Mets fans have it worse), one thing is certain: baseball has taken a hit in my sports interest list over the last two years. Heck, hockey managed to surpassed it last year (I may be Canadian but the NFL as well as NCAA pigskin/basketball are my Top 3). And to top it off, this year’s entry in Sony’s long-running...
MLB 11 The Show - 8.5I don’t know if it’s because I miss the Montreal Expos or because the Blue Jays are simply unable to accomplish anything worth rooting for (I guess that Mets fans have it worse), one thing is certain: baseball has taken a hit in my sports interest list over the last two years. Heck, hockey managed to surpassed it last year (I may be Canadian but the NFL as well as NCAA pigskin/basketball are my Top 3). And to top it off, this year’s entry in Sony’s long-running...
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