The LV. Cap: 3D Dot Game Heroes Review

Retro games are great. Taking time to play some of the games of the past is a much for all gamers. So, is there a game takes retro style of games with modern gaming perks? 3D Dot Game Heroes is that game. You are warrior sent by the king of Dotnia to get rid of the evil that rules the land. Is this retro style journey worth the time or have you played this game a long, long time ago?


3D Dot Game Heroes
Playstation 3
1 Player
Developer: Silicon Studio
Publisher: Atlus USA
ESRB Rating: E10+ For Everyone 10 & Older
Price: $39.99



Pros
Gameplay: If you’ve played the older Zelda games, then you’ll be just fine playing 3D Dot Game Heroes. You’ll gain items throughout your adventure like a trusty boomerang, bow & arrow, hookshot, and more. Each will have their uses in dungeons and will help you reach areas contain treasure and other goodies. You will be getting different swords to help you through the dungeons. Unlike Zelda, your sword is giant and can stretch across the screen to kill enemies. Of course, you’ll need full health to use your sword at full strength. or you’ll end up with a stub. Modern gaming features are added into the game. Saving anywhere and fast travel are going to be the most used. These modern features add life into the retro gaming style. There are also minigames that resemble other retro games, which is always nice. Overall, 3D Dot Game Heroes has classic Zelda gameplay with modern features and huge freakin’ swords.


Graphics: 3D Dot Game Heroes has a unique look. It takes the 2D from retro games and adds some 3D in there. The characters are in 3D, but you can see every pixel on them. When an enemy dies, you can see every pixel roll around on the floor. The areas look pixelized as well and the water sparkles like crazy. Overall, the graphics look great and pay tribute to 2D sprites in a new fashion.


Funny & Tons Of Easter Eggs: 3D Dot Game Heroes pokes fun at itself. There will be dead sprites of translators and developers in dungeons that give you funny advice or just speak to you in Engrish. There are also many easter eggs to be found. Anything from Demon’s Souls and Mega Man to Final Fantasy and Bionic Commando shows up in the game and it’s actually funny. Keep an eye out for even more easter eggs and Engrish speaking sprites.


Character Creator: If you ever wanted to play as Mario in a Zelda-type game, then here’s your chance. 3D Dot Game Heroes has a complete character creator that allows you to make your own sprite to use in the game. You’ll be able to make your character pixel by pixel. You WILL spend a lot of time creating characters from other games or original ideas. This is a great tool that makes the retro style of the game special.



Cons
Retro Difficulty: One thing about retro games is that sometimes, they can be hard as hell. 3D Dot Game Heroes keeps the difficulty and it can be a pain. Enemies will rush you, bottomless pits galore, and puzzle can get frustrating. If you don’t have an item to get through a dungeon, you will have to go back to the other dungeon and get the item. If you are use to the difficulty of older games, this won’t be a biggy. If you don’t play many retro games and have a tough time with modern games, you will get frustrated.


Lack Of Direction: Like in Zelda, you’ll have to read carefully to find out where to go next. It’s easier in 3D Dot Game Heroes to know where the location is, but getting there is a different story. There will be detours to take to get around areas. Rocks and other structures will block your way and there aren’t many signs out in the field. Let us hope you have a good sense of direction because you are going to need it.


Stuck: On several occasions, I got stuck in an area and couldn’t get out. I tried countless times to try and squeeze out there, but no luck. I had to reload my last save and end up at a dungeon across the map. Hopefully, they can fix this glitch soon.


Verdict
Fans of retro gaming and have a Playstation 3 should definitely get 3D Dot Game Heroes. For everyone else with a PS3, rent the game. The Zelda-like gameplay, graphics, and character creator make this game worth a playthrough. Lets just hope you have a good sense of direction and can withstand the retro difficulty.


Want to use the Brain Child in your adventure on 3D Dot Game Heroes? Get him here!

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 18 May Permalink

The LV. Cap: Super Street Fighter IV Review

It’s been a solid year and two months since Street Fighter IV was released. This year, we’ve possibly been graced with its successor in Super Street Fighter IV. I have to be honest, when this game was announced, I was one of many people who cried FOUL on Capcom. As we got closer to the release of this game, and the modes and changes that were announced, the excitement made me want to get this game into my XBOX360 console. Again, I thought this game shouldn’t have even been made. I felt the changes and new characters could have been added through patches and DLC (Downloadable Content). However, I stand here today, corrected. This game brings you 8 new fighters, some new modes and new ultras to feed your street fighting appetite. It’s time to see if this game is a ‘must buy’ or you pass and wait for another fighter to come out. GO FOR BROKE, it’s Super Street Fighter IV!


Pros:
Graphics and Visuals: You can tell a slight difference between SFIV and SSFIV in graphics. Yes, they still keep the same style from last game, but improve upon it a little bit. The game still looks pretty good and the new stages they’ve added look just as good.


Continuations Can Be Good Too: It’s obvious this game is continuing the story from SFIV when you go through arcade mode. However, with the addition of the new characters, it leaves you to wonder what their place would be in the story. This game showcases that, and in a pretty good way.


Easier To Combo: Not saying I’m the most awesome person ever at doing combos on a street fighter game. However, it seems to be a bit easier in this game, than it is in SFIV.


Replay Channel: I like it, the end. Actually its not the end, because they give a variety of channels for you to view many types of replays on. It works flawlessly, and you get to save someone elses replay that has been uploaded to the SSFIV server to your 360 and view it anytime you want.


Seth’s Buffing was a Bluff: A well done job by Capcom to tell everyone that they were going to make the most annoying boss in the street fighter series EVEN MORE ANNOYING! That’s not the case, as I was able to actually fight Seth without him spamming me and being a cheap a-hole.


Online: Playing other people online was pretty solid. There was no lag, and it took no time for me to connect to a match. While you still have your regular Ranked matches, you have the “Endless Battle” lobby that you can either join or make one of your own. It holds up to 8 Players (counting yourself) and something they should have had in SFIV.


Cons:
Cammy is a C Word: I don’t think I need to explain this any further.


The Whole Gang is Unlocked!: I put this as a negative because I believe in unlocking characters. It worked in Tekken cause you were unlocking other physical things and they had the whole customisable character thing going for them. Street Fighter however, I think you need to have that certain thing that pushes you to go through Arcade Mode without thinking, “Should I really be doing this?”. Also (to contradict myself) it’s kinda cool that they gave you everyone to use immediately and get used to.


No Tournament Mode…Yet: Kinda disappointed that the Tournament Mode was in the game. Its probably cause they are trying to work out some kinks, but it would have been nice to have it as a launch mode. Upside to this, it tells you this in the game manual that the mode will be in a Title Update. So only time will tell when we’ll get this particular mode.


Overall/Verdict: Super Street Fighter IV brings some welcomed tweaks and some cool modes. Street Fighter fans will rejoice when they go out and grab this game to see what capcom has done with it. Also, it doesn’t hurt your pockets with the $40 price tag either. I say you need to go out, buy this game, and enjoy the new tweaks that makes this game eaiser to play without getting TOO Frustrated.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 28 April Permalink

The Level Cap: God Of War 3 Review

God Of War III dropped this week with game websites giving this game high praise. Its our turn now to tell you if you should go and get this game or not. God Of War III is the…well….third installment and final in this trilogy. Its one of the biggest releases of this year that has gotten more hype than the Backstreet Boys on tour back in the 90’s. Does God Of War 3 finish the job or leaves the gamer wanting more? Find out right here, right now.


Pros:


Visuals: I have to admit, from the demo to the final release of this game. The graphics have improved a hell of a lot. You’ll notice the small stuff that just looks fantastic in this game. How the blade trails look cool and how the weapons look. Everything is well done and I applaud SMS (Santa Monica Studio) for doing a great job on it.



Controls: If you’ve played the last two God Of War games, you’ll be pretty familiar with God Of War 3’s. On top of the old controls, some new moves have been added with the new weapons you gain control of in this game. It all works very well.


Boss Battles: Some are Hard, some might seem easy. Its a pretty good balance between both difficulties. I have to say so far the craziest but pretty easy boss battle i’ve gone through is Hades, you’ll see what I’m talking about when you get this game.


Story: The story in this game is pretty good. It continues (obviously) from God Of War 2, and you see the awesome scar Zeus leaves him from that game as well. Well, lets just say that scar has given Kratos enough motivation to do what he needs to do. This was well written and the dialogue is very good.


Cons:


Detection: Sometimes when I was in front chest, it didn’t show the button prompt like it should. Its a minor thing and doesn’t happen all the time, but it happens enough.



Makes You Feel Stupid: Here’s what I mean by that, most to nearly all of the puzzles can be figured out in a good amount of time. There are some puzzles that make you feel a bit stupid though. The answer is obviously in front of you but you STILL go about it your own way and find yourself stumped. This isn’t the game’s fault, just human error. I’ve just had those type of moments at least once or twice playing this game.


Overall/Verdict: This game is an awesome game, it brings you brutality at its best and a great story to boot. Graphics will leave you in awe and listening to the great voice acting in this game will probably make you want to nominate this game for Game Of The Year. I say go out and buy this game, Its not perfect but it meets expectations.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 20 March Permalink

The LV. Cap: Bioshock 2 Review

Bioshock was released in 2007 to critical acclaim. It offered a fantastic story, sandbox style gameplay, and pretty damn good graphics for the time. It was a huge success. Then in late 2008, Bioshock 2 was revealed through a series of online teasers and viral marketing. It offered a continuation on the story where Bioshock may or may have not left off. It also had another thing up its sleeve, multiplayer. But, would these be enough for the sequel to fill the shoes of its predecessor or would it leave Rapture flooded with dismay? Find out below!


Bioshock 2
PC, PS3, & Xbox 360
Singleplayer: 1 Player
Mutliplayer: 2-10 Players
Developers: 2K Marin, 2K Australia, 2K China, Digital Extremes
Publisher: 2K Games
ESRB: M Mature
MSRP: $49.99 (PC), $59.99(360 & PS3), $99.99 (SE)



Bioshock 2 takes place 10 years after the events of Bioshock with Rapture under control of psychiatrist Sofia Lamb. She has taken over the “leadership” position with her ideas in human progression, which provides a good contrast between hers and Andrew Ryan’s. You take the wheel of “Subject Delta,” one of the first prototype Big Daddy protectors tasked with protecting the little yellow eyed girls infamously known as the “Little Sisters.” Through a series of events you find your self in 1969 looking for a Little Sister that was “assigned” to you. You have a connection to her that will be revealed throughout the course of the game, but Sofia Lamb and the “Big Sisters” do not like this. They are hell bent on stopping getting to this Little Sister and reaching the surface no matter what the cost. Lets get to the specifics shall we.


Good:
Lets Get Spliced Up!: Plasmids make a full return in Bioshock 2 with new and exciting upgrades for all of them. The coolest part about the plasmids in this game is that you can pretty much “level” them up like in the first game. But there is a catch! Instead of the plasmid powers being just more “powerful” as you level up they actually have different functions with each level. For example ice blast (my favorite) can actually freeze more than one person as it goes higher and be used to block-in larger opponents so you can dwindle their health down. You can also combine different plasmid powers together to create traps to be used against your enemies. These really make the plasmids feel like that they have an integral part of the game compared to the previous one.


I Missed You Rapture: One of the most important things that made Bioshock 1 great were the themes and settings. Bioshock had a certain film noir to it with the 50’s style music, costuming and attitude that made it feel like something very different. Luckily Bioshock 2 has returned with the same aesthetic. Some have argued this is not true but it actually has, it just has a little more age to it all. After all it has been 10 years since the previous game and things still seem familiar but “used” at the same time. For many fans this “theme” or “setting” is what defined the first Bioshock, so it is nice to see that it has returned in full force for the second game.



Big Daddy Strategies Inc.: A recurring event throughout Bioshock 2 is that of defense. Throughout the game you are tasked with defending little sisters as they “gather” ADAM from dead bodies aka the “angels.” You are given time to strategically place mini-turrets, hack robots that need to be hacked, and place traps galore. The same defense stratgies apply to battles against the Big Sisters. When the battle does happen you are either kicking the enemies ass or the enemy is kicking yours. This really adds a little strategy to a game that previously was just “run and gun.” The battles are almost renascent of the battles between yourself and the big daddies throughout the first game, however with you being the Big Daddy. There is a lot of forethought and careful planning before each gather and each Big Sister battle which if done a certain way could either end you are help you. It feels like there is a definitive choice on how you want to do things. Less linear perhaps, but it does make for some interesting gameplay choices that gamers will remember for a while.


Big Sister Doesn’t Want Me Playing With You: Speaking of Big Sisters this is probably one of the coolest ideas 2K Marin added to game. The idea that the “protector” program was not limited to males only. Throughout the first game I asked myself several times “How come there are no female Big Daddies?” Big Sisters are a pain in your arse in this game and not to mention scary. This addition makes you wary of what you do. If you are unprepared for a battle with her, you are going to get your ass kicked all over the place. If you are prepared, the battle will still be tough but you have a chance of killing her.


On The Fence
Multiplayer: The neat thing about the multiplayer in Bioshock 2 is that it is a prequel of sorts for it takes place before the events of the first game. It is interesting on how 2K was able to meld this with the games canon. However the multiplayer game play has a few issues, like any at launch. The first issue is that of matchmaking. It is hard to find people to play with in the middle of the day on a weekday. Maybe this has to do with school or whatever but it’s no fun waiting for a 30 minutes before a game starts. The second issue is that of lag. Most games on launch have a lag issue or two with multiplayer, but the issues with the connections in game are kind of a nuisance. However, with the issues the multiplayer is also a very very addicting game. Multiplayer features 7 different game modes, customization, and upgrades to keep you busy for a while. The best part of the multiplayer is that of the random placement of the big daddy suit, a suit when picked up by one team will be used as heavily offensive teammate. Multiplayer is a great addition to the Bioshock lore, but it needs some work done to it in order to be a highlight of the game. It is plagued with small nuisances but at the same heavily addictive.



Bad:
Wait What?: Plot holes, no not pot holes, are a recurring theme throughout Bioshock 2. I wouldn’t know if to call them plot holes or not but for the sake of this review I will. Throughout several points in the game there are references back to the first game, be it with a recorded journal or one of the main characters speaking you directly. Most of these references tell us where new and old characters in Bioshock 2 were during the events of the previous game. But something doesn’t sink well with this. For example one character was locked in a prison during the whole thing but for the player it doesn’t seem feasible. How can one character go locked up through the first game without even being mentioned once during that experience? Also one character in from Bioshock made a short appearance in the sequel and then just disappeared shortly after without any word. These few things were bothersome.


No Daddy I’m Bored!: A new addition to Bioshock 2 is the ability to gather ADAM from bodies through the means of a little sister. This proves to be a hell of a time creating a defensive strategy, as I stated above, to protect the little sister while she gathers. However, after doing this for the 5th time it gets boring. You seem to focus more on gathering the ADAM rather than exploring and finishing the story. These experiences make it feel like a chore instead of something you have “chosen” to do out of your own kindness.



In the end, I have no doubt that Bioshock 2 is a solid game. Is it Game of the Year worthy? No. But, this game is a testament to the love for the fans and the developers of the series. The game has its problems but it also has its highlights. It is a game that will stay with fans of the series until the possible next installment. Not all will love this game, some may even hate it. For that I believe this game is a BUY only to those who are fans of the first game and a RENT for those who skeptical in buying it. For those who are grade savvy and so on I am giving this game a HIGH 3 star rating or an 80%. Disagree with anything? Let us know below!

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 15 February Permalink

The LV. Cap: Mass Effect 2 Review

Commander Shepard, the man the saved the galaxy once from the Reapers is back! Mass Effect 2 is here and it has some upgrades. An upgraded combat system, new ways to explore the galaxy, new characters, and much more. Michael ‘Rhodes’ O’Neal, Norman ‘Norm’ Rhodes, and Chris ‘Ace’ Pacheco made a squad to take down this review. Does Mass Effect 2 have the upgrades to pass its predecessor or does the fail?


Mass Effect 2
XBox 360 & PC
1 Player
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA Games
ESRB Rating: M For Mature
Price: $59.99



Pros:
Gameplay
Rhodes: Being a sequel of a highly successful game. there is not much room for improvement. However, Mass Effect 2 improves what was done so well with its predecessor to make a hell of a game. Such improvements from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2 make the game more streamlined and entertaining. This biggest improvement and coolest is that of the radial menu. This new improvement in the menu enables you to select several powers at once to unleash a barrage your enemies will soon not forget. It also enables you to combine devastating combos and powers. Sniping also has also had a huge overall done to it, no longer will you be sighted down your rifle to have it sway back and forth more than a swing set. Instead you have a more “realistic” feel to it that makes sniping more devastating than ever.


Norm: I like the new way of hacking in Mass Effect 2. Its a bit more challenging than having to press a bunch of buttons and  then get the prize type thing. This pretty much makes you focus on what you’re doing a bit more than trying to complete a combination of button presses.


Ace: Gameplay got a giant upgrade from the first game. The way you scan planets and hacking were completely redone.  There is no more MAKO (Thank you BioWare). Out of those upgrades, I believe that combat had the biggest upgrade. Instead of overheating weapons, your guns have ammo. Along with ammo, you now have access to heavy weapons like grenade launchers and missile launchers. These will definitely come in handy since you’ll be fighting tougher enemies. Combat itself is more fast pace and cover is your friend. If you don’t take cover, you WILL die. Also, there aren’t as many side missions as there were in the first Mass Effect. This is because you’ll have to do loyalty missions for each person that can join your squad. These missions add character development and you get to knows more about the character. Overall, the gameplay was upgraded and it was for the better.


Story
Norm: After playing through single player, the story was simply epic. Without spoiling the story for you guys and gals, there are decisions you make, and things you do, that make this story one of the best ways to start off the new year.


Ace: Mass Effect 2 is the second part of the three part epic and it does a great job continuing the story. Human colonies are disappearing and Shepard is the one man that can find out what’s happen. There are twists and turns that keep the story interesting and it’ss more engaging than the first Mass Effect’s story. It’s more cinematic than the first game as well, which adds to the story telling experience. The story is great and everyone will enjoy how it unfolds.


Customization
Rhodes: If there were one selling point to set Mass Effect 2 apart from other games on the market, it would be its “personalization.” Mass Effect 2 does a great job of involving YOU into the story and universe. It makes you feel like Han-Solo or Malcolm Reynolds kicking ass around the verse. Customization and interaction between other characters makes you feel as if you were in the game. There is so much involvement within the game you will be wishing that the Mass Effect universe existed so you can beat up a Krogan. The customization of Armor is also an interesting thing Bioware did with this game. Instead of finding random armors  on mission to upgrade for yourself and your team, you instead have a set Alliance armor that you can customized with upgrades and different colors to better suit you and the situation at hand. These little additions make the game that more enjoyable that surely will be remembered by those who play.


Ace: Mass Effect 2 gives customization over how the story plays out in the game. You can decide to save people or kill people. Just like the first game, you’ll have paragon and renegade choices to make but there are now instant choices during cut scenes. You can choose to do a paragon action or renegade action during certain scenes. This adds more to the personal playing experience. Also, classes and your character is completely customizable. Your face, as well as your choices, can be transferred from your Mass Effect game save or you can create a different Shepard. Your armor can now be personalized as well. You can switch up the colors and equipment to your fitting. The game gives a great amount of customization and every bit of it is fantastic.



Cons:
Cover System
Rhodes: This is my biggest of all gripes about the game. Bioware means well by adding a cover system and by all means it is awesome but it has some serious issues. On numerous occasions, I have ran to cover to only jump over the cover, after being placed in it, and have my back exposed to be royally screwed by a raging Krogan. Sure its fine if it happens once or twice but when it more than a handful of times then it is annoying.


Norm: While unlike the other writers in this review, the go into cover and immediately jump over it thing didn’t happen until LATE in the game for me. However, the cover system is at least a little better, but still has its flaws. One is magically leaving cover during battles causing you to die. You don’t hit a button, you just magically stand up and boom, you’re dead.


Ace: This is the biggest con of the game, the cover system. You will need to take cover in Mass Effect 2 or you will die. Staying in cover is the hardest part of the cover system. Sometimes, you’ll vault over your cover accidentally and that will lead you to your death. They could have kept the old cover system but, the new system is a work in progress. Hopefully in Mass Effect 3, they’ll get it just right.


Graphic Glitches
Rhodes: Another problem with the game is the random graphic glitches that occur mostly during conversations or events. The first time I encountered this when I was in a conversation with someone and I see my teammate Miranda running back and forth in the background as if she was on a never ending walking platform. Although funny at times, it is very distracting when a serious situation is going on.


Husk/Abomination
Norm: These *bleep*rs are annoying as *bleep*. These are probably the only thing that I’m pretty much going to start comparing to the flood from Halo. Then again, its probably my frustration talking.


Planet Exploration
Ace: I like what they did with planet exploration but, it’s pretty damn boring. You’ll be mining for minerals to make upgrades for your guns/characters or looking for side missions. This can take a long time and you will get bored probing planets for the minerals. Not sure if they could have done anything to spice up the exploration more but, who knows.



Verdict:
Rhodes: 2010 is going to the be yet another year of blockbuster titles and crappy games. Luckily for us, Mass Effect 2 is an amazing way to start off the year. If you are looking to kick some interstellar ass and have a fun time, buy this game. It will leave  you wanting more and more after your first play through.


Norm: You have an epic story that will keep you focused on this game, good gameplay and a game that pretty much shows why BioWare are one of the best developers in the game today. I say you go out and buy this game, and never look back!


Ace: Mass Effect 2 is a hell of a start for 2010. The epic story and fast pace combat really make this game shine. If you played through the first Mass Effect or you need a new RPG/shooter to play, Mass Effect 2 will surely keep you busy. Go out and buy this sucka now!

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 30 January Permalink

The LV. Cap: The King Of Iron Fist Returns!! TEKKEN 6 Review

There was a time in the industry when fighting games ruled most gamers who shared the competitive nature of the brawl. And while the fighting era of gaming was a great one, it has become clear ( especially since the rise of online gaming and first-person shooters using the platform to it’s fullest ) gamers have found other ways to satisfy the thirst for competition in their lives with the fighting game taking a humble backseat. But, I started to notice something. Between the awesome releases this year of Soul Calibur IV, Street Fighter IV and the 2-D sickness that is BlazBlue, gamers are getting the fight back in their eyes. And anytime that happens, best believe that there’s a King of Iron Fist Tournament not far behind.

Tekken 6
Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PSP in NOV.
Developer: Namco Bandai
Publisher: Namco Bandai
ESRB Rating: T For Teen
Players: 1-2
Price: $59.99

This year’s entry to the franchise made for some good gaming at arcades. From minor refinements to the gameplay, pick up and play appeal for newbies as well as in-depth strategies for vets and some of the most beautiful visuals in the land. TEKKEN 6 did very well for fans and newcomers alike. But, did any of this port well to home consoles ? Absolutely. The core fighting system as well as the defining gameplay translates to home consoles with a near perfect port of the arcade game. The game as a whole however, isn’t without its shortcomings but let the Agent get back to you on that in a sec.

Right off the bat, the visuals kick you in the teeth. Namco has sent a warning shot to game publishers by raising the bar on the game’s look. Character models look so much more solid and yet, move with the same kinetic speed that the franchise is known for. The games stages, now more expansive, haven’t been changed too much on their own but coupled with the fluid animation still look awesome in their own right. The game’s presentation also has a new streamlined darker look which replaces the bright fiery orange motif used in Dark Resurrection and almost every Tekken game to date. The main menu even looks more grown up. It’s a small thing but it really helps to make the package look sexy. The game’s roster is a beast in itself as your treated to 40 characters from the get go, the most seen in any installment yet. Included is nearly every character in the story’s canon (still breathing at least ) and six new to the line up, four of whom made their debut in the original Tekken 6 cabinets and 2 pulled from the Bloodline Rebellion expansion released a few months later. And believe me kids, every single one of them plays like a dream. Controls are so precise, newbies are going to be button mashing their faces off to victories in no time while vets are going to have a blast stringing those intricate combos and head games together that the series is known for. The fighting system really does a great job of balancing the unique play styles of each and every character and doesn’t let any two characters play the same. A perfect example is using King and Armor King. While both are exactly the same in terms of fighting style, they play very much different from each other, forcing the player to really sit down and study all aspects of each character to truly understand their numerous slips and tricks. It’s a fulfilling experience when you can pick apart an opponent with the precision the game allows. The new additions to the roster all kick arse and fit well into the existing character line up, with a special shout out going to Alisa Boskonavitch… the cyborg butt kickin’ daughter of Dr. Boskonavitch from Tekken 3. With a move set that includes chainsaws, jet packs, rockets and a move where she removes her head and hands it to opponents before it explodes, she’s easily going to turn into a fan favorite quickly.

Sound design is vintage Tekken. Awesome “Neo-Kill-Rock” plays in the background no matter where you are, and every punch, kick, crack and bite can be heard without so much as a hiccup. Nothing crazy awesome , but what is here sounds great. The customization system from previous installments is back and has been beefed up a bit as well. Once again, players are gonna spend hard earned fight money to purchase clothing, hair pieces, masks and all sorts of doo dads to doll up their fighters. Currency can be earned in any of the numerous play modes with Arcade, Ghost Battle, Team Battle, Time Attack and Survival all returning. Some gamers will even get to enjoy some rewards new to the franchise… achievements. That’s right kids, Xbox 360 owners no longer have to feel left out as Namco has finally brought the Iron Fist to Microsoft’s happy box and more importantly, to Xbox Live. Tekken Dojo has been cut this time around but the ranking system is stilll intact and is now linked to all the other modes, so promotions are still possible and are reported to you on that sexy new main menu screen mentioned earlier. All in all, the core Tekken Arcade experience is intact and has never felt better and for that gamers can rejoice. Unfortunately, your boy has a few gripes that mar the total experience a bit and just can’t be ignored… the Scenerio Campaign.

Flat out, Scenario Campaign sucks. But let’s be honest folks… with the exception of Tekken Bowling and whatever that beach/volley ball thing inTekken 2 was, every “extra mode” in the franchise ( I’m looking at you, Tekken Force) hasn’t been done very well. What could have possibly been a great way to engage players further into the story (senseless as it is) turned out to be an obvious afterthought. Environments look shabby with what look like late Dreamcast quality back drops. Character models look awesome but tower way too much in quality in comparison to the backgrounds. And while I’m sure you can pull off most (if not all) of the tricks in a characters move set, the gameplay is so blatantly awful that it’s just not worth trying. Button mashing and hitting nothing but air is one thing but god forbid, you try and give what this game tries to pass off for a lock-on system a try. You’ll be frustrated with the whole experience before you get to your first boss fight, which aren’t anything special either. Accessory junkies will no doubt tackle this mode just to earn cash, but I promise you they ain’t gonna like it. And the worst part: those awesome character endings we’ve grown accustomed to now have to be earned through the arena mode which is directly linked to the campaign. So, you must beat your fave character as a boss first, THEN you can play through arena to see the characters story ending … lame. About the only thing I can’t rag on in this mode is the voice acting. But that’s just because I can’t speak Japanese…. gimme a year.

The second bit of tarnish on this otherwise polished fighter is something that’s plagued us all since the beginning of disk based gaming… the load times. This game loads for everything. Character models pop up late, changing modes requires more loading, and there’s even a half second tick when un-pausing that is barely noticeable but still there ( I CAN SENSE IT !! ). Scenario Campaign is especially guilty of this as sometimes you are forced to watch an in-game cinematic, then load for 15 seconds just to watch another. Plenty of times, your left with the impression that you just wanna fight already. Keep in mind, although the game takes a second to warm up so to speak, once the action begins it’s non-stop mayhem. Online battles flow beautifully too, but purest will notice a slight bit of lag in SOME matches. I haven’t spent enough time online with the game to give a 100% call on the lag issue, but as far as I can tell, it’s tolerable. So far, it seems to run great with problems popping up only on the worst of connections. Fighting in every other mode (albeit the campaign) runs awesome, it’s just the slight loading issue that keeps everything from seeming perfect. One last gripe for 360 owners: The controller takes just a little bit of time to get used to. It’s not too bad though. My main problem was getting used to the D-pad being below the analog stick (my thumb is still programed to play with a Playstation controller) but, like I said, You do get used to it. Does any of this kill the total package ? Not really. But, it does leave a slight aftertaste that you just wish could have been addressed in the games creative pot before serving to hungry gamers.


PROS : *** Gorgeous Character models, fluid animation and top notch game presentation make this the most eye appealing entry to the series to date.
*** Superb fight mechanics and precise control brings to the table some of the best one on one action around, both for newcomers to the series as well as those that mastered those ten-hit combos years ago.
*** Xbox Live … ‘nuff said


CONS: *** Scenario Campaign is gonna make you want to punch a kitten.
*** Loading times make you want to wake the kitten up, and punch it again.


Tekken 6 shouldn’t be put on the back burner for the few things it fails on. When all is said and done, gamers have a lot of awesome fighting to look forward to in this entry. If you can get past the few quirks and that god awful campaign mode ( which most purest will ) your gonna have a blast destroying opponents for quite a while.
 

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 30 October Permalink

The LV. Cap: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Review

Naughty Dog has finally released probably the most anticipated sequel for the Playstation 3 since Metal Gear Solid 4. Uncharted 2 is the direct sequel to Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Nathan Drake picks up right where he left off in this game.



Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Playstation 3
1 Player Story Mode/10 Player Online
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Price: $59.99


Pros:
Story Mode: Uncharted 2 has one of the best single-player experiences I’ve ever played. At one point in the game an old man tells you that “You think your adventure is over but what if it’s only beginning.” And the old man is dead right. At that point in the game, you think “Ok, I’ve seen the climax and the majority of the action this game has to offer.” But you really have only scratched the surface. This game really could be a movie. The story is long enough. The characters have substance. I fully expect Hollywood to do something with Nathan Drake.


Gameplay and Parkour: You are going to have a lot of good gunfights in this game. The gunplay isn’t as true to life as a Call of Duty game but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. The best part of the gameplay, however, is the parkour/free running. At one point you will find yourself in a village somewhere in Asia to experience the best free running ever to be put into interactive entertainment. Also a major plus is that the annoying Sixaxis in the first game are gone.


Graphics/Soundtrack: This game is MASSIVE. The sheer size of it will amaze most gamers. The game is beautiful. The water looks real. The forest is green and lush. Naughty Dog has set the standard for graphical presentation with this game. The soundtrack will please your ears. The only word to describe the score is epic. If you look up Webster’s definition of epic, well i mean that’s it. I can’t describe it any better than that. I really wish I had a home entertainment system to experience all the sounds offered by this game. And Chloe’s ass looks fine….


Multiplayer: Uncharted 2 was built around single-player and you can tell it. However, the multiplayer is not to be overlooked. Those who played the demo can expect the same maps with the edition of a few more. Also, a few more boosters and multiplayer skins are available. There is also a ranked option and the ability to choose deathmatch only, elimination only, objective only, co-op objective and co-op arena.



Cons:
Frustrating: The game isn’t overly hard but it can be frustrating at times. There were some times when I was confused as to where I should go or what I should do. The game will give you hints but sometimes it doesn’t really help. Also a few of the gun fights are very trying. There is also a boss fight in the middle of the game that feels very forced and not really fluid with what has been going on around you.


No Super Hot Threesome with the Two Female Leads: I’m having a hard time thinking of cons here so I thought I would point this out. I wanted to see some girl on girl action with Elena and Chloe.



Verdict: It pretty much goes without saying that if you own a PS3, you need this game. Games that have this much time and attention to detail put into them are very rare. If you like gun fights, free running and good stories then this is for you. And Chloe’s ass is fine.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 16 October Permalink

The LV. Cap: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Review

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii
1-4 Players/ Online Play
Developer: Vicarious Visions, Savage Entertainment, n-Space
Publisher: Activision
ESRB Rating: T For Teen
Price: $59.99

Activision hit the gold mine with Marvel Ultimate Universe and various scenarios were shown at the end of the first game that could lead up to the sequel. Guess what? None of those were used. Instead MUA2 was loosely based on the popular comic events Secret War and Civil War. Just like Civil War, MUA2 puts the heroes against each other rather than pit them against villains. The hero war has you choose a side: Iron Man, Shield, and Pro-Registration Heroes fight for public safety or Captain America, the White Stars, and Anti-Registration for personal freedom.

Pros:
Story: The story does what the comic crossovers it is inspired by couldn’t do. Stripping away from the shock value moments and mischaracterizations we are instead left with a story purely about an ideology war after a national tragedy caused by super heroes. The bout between Iron Man and Captain America becomes more than Marvel’s big two going toe-to-toe as they both become a symbols for their causes. What the story does better than Civil War is show the positives of both stances fairly as well as shows the drawbacks. The same debate that sparked division of comic fanboys will definitely re-ignite.

Graphics: Effin’ Awesome. It’s like someone slapped an epileptic with a rainbow. From the power effects to the cutscenes and down to the character design the game treats your eyes like a faithful muslim going to heaven to receive a bunch of willing virgins.

Character Management: K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid. To the advantage of the players this philosophy works extremely well in the sequel. Gutting the equipment aspect of RPGs that carried over from X-Men: Legends to Marvel Ultimate Alliance, the sequel removes that aspect of personal equipment and instead puts into place party badges that bring stat bonuses to the entire party. With a simple press of the select button you don’t have to go through the actual pause menu to add points or equip the part badges. Instead a “short” menu pops up in the upper left corner where you can spend points after leveling or equip new badges. Another thing that MUA2 improves the ability to change up your party right in the middle of play. No longer do you need to go to a save point.

Camera: Re-worked and fantastic. The horrible camera issues in the first game are completely reworked by giving a Semi-fixed view. You still have some control over the camera with the other analog stick but if MUA camera was porn camera work, MUA2 upgraded to a summer blockbuster. No phallic objects in the foreground will block you from the action. Giggity.

Fusions: New mechanic that makes the game even more enjoyable. Fusions allow you to combine the powers of two characters to do devastating damage to a single or an army of villains. Depending on your party, fusions will vary on the two heroes you pick to team up. Personal favorite is Luke Cage teaming up with Storm to toss a large rock infused with electricity at a boss.

Cons:
Character Costumes: All secondary costumes are unlocked by killing 50 enemies. Some depend on the side you chose during the war as well as having the 50 enemy requirement. Guess what? All the secondary costumes fails harder than a blind nazi playing hide and seek with Anne Frank. Don’t get me wrong, the added costumes are welcomed and are nods to various comic interpretations. The primary problem is that graphically they look like an afterthought. The level of detail given to the primary costumes does not transfer over to the earned secondary costumes.

Power Selection: In order to use the heroes special powers you hold down the right trigger. In MUA you were able to tell the difference between which move was on what button. In MUA2 unfortunately this isn’t the case. If you have a poor memory you are going to be holding down the right trigger and pressing various buttons in order to pull off the one move you actually want. No helpful visual hints for the on-screen power display.

Multiplayer Lag: Lag was always an issue with MUA and continues to be an issue with MUA2. I don’t know if it’s the crappy connection in California but if you want to play this game multi-player, I say skip the Xbox Live or PSN multiplayer, invite your buddies over and enjoy it from your couch.

Verdict:
As much as I enjoyed the game from a comic fan standpoint, for the average gamer this will be a solid must play. Unfortunately it is NOT A BUY but a RENT. For the comic fans though, BUY this ASAP.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 18 September Permalink

The Level Cap: Batman Arkham Asylum Review

Batman, he doesn’t like chocolate ice cream. What he does enjoy is beating the living pulp out of the Arkham Asylum inhabitants, groovy huh? Batman Arkham Asylum takes us under the cowl as Batman to fight some of his most known enemies and stop them from taking over the island. Not to mention that the Joker is also in full force in this game and is to blame for Arkham going to hell in a hand basket. With Joker being the figurative thorn in Batman’s side, Arkham Asylum should make for one of the most interesting and intelligent games out on the market. But with many Batman games in the past falling flat on their faces, will Arkham Asylum prove to be one of the  hottest games this year or will it too suffer the same fate as other licensed games? Find out below!

Batman Arkham Asylum
PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
1 Player
Developer: Rocksteady
Publisher: Eidos
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Price: $59.99, $49.99 (PC)

Pros:
Stealth Action To The Max: The first and foremost important thing about Arkham Asylum is its delivery of the stealth game play. When you are stalking through the shadows hunting your pray you FEEL like Batman not like Sam Fisher or Altaïr and thats what is important. Although it is easy to draw comparisons to Assassins Creed or Splinter Cell, Arkham Asylum in its own right is not like these games, although feels like it is. What is also interesting is the ability to be stealth or not to be stealth. You have a lot of freedom when it comes to this, as you can either go in batarangs blazing or sneak in for the silent take down. Although, some missions do require you to be super sneak. What also adds to the “Stealth Action To The Max,” as I call it, is the ability to duck in and out of vents, floor coverings and grapple on to stone gargoyles. Also sneaking up on a thug and choking them out never gets old.


Environments: This is another great feature that Rocksteady delivers on. They were able to capture the madness of the inmates and create and that showcased that this island is Arkham Island not Gilligans Island. Each area, from the outside to the twisted corridors of the buildings had a certain madness to them, almost capturing the atmosphere of the island perfectly. My personal favorite area was the Botanical Gardens with its rich colors and design.


Graphics: Like any great game on the next generation market, Batman Arkham Asylum has some damn good graphics. Utilizing the Unreal Engine 3, the game delivers not only a beautiful looking game but an interesting one. Along with the environments, the graphics help immerse the player into the game for a better experience. Having played the PS3 demo and the 360 version, the PS3 overpowers the 360 in terms of graphics. Not to fuel any fanboy wars but, the game does look much more streamlined on the PS3. However, with that said the game looks simply downright gorgeous. So if you are a graphics connoisseur Batman is the game for you.

Story: What good is a game without a good story? Not good at all. Not to worry though, Arkham Asylum does a great job story telling, ever-so-much that it feels like you are reading a comic book. What’s important, however, is that everything and everyone has its place in the story and it all pans out very well and nothing seems out of place. What is also important is that there are no plot holes in the story, at least that I can remember. The story also puts you into the mindset of the Joker and his planning, everything has a cause and effect with Jokers plans.


Riddles, Gadgets, and Detective Mode: Along with the stealth gameplay this is also what makes Batman what he is. In the game you have eight different gadgets that you collect and earn while progressing through the game. Each of the different gadgets has its use with the Batarang being the most notable. One of those gadgets, which you automatically have, is the “Detective Mode” which enables you to see things that you wouldn’t normally see. Some of those things being little riddles that a dear old friend has left around the Asylum for you to solve. When unlocking the gadgets as you progress you are able to find more clues and riddles and ultimately get that achievement or trophy.

Scarecrow Halluciantions: At first I was undecided if I wanted to put this in my review but then I realized that this was an important aspect to the game. Without spoiling anything the Scarecrow hallucinations were a nice break from the standard third-person over the should gameplay. When entering said hallucinations you go into a platform-side-scrolling type game. This may seem kind iffy but it really brings more to the game.

Cons:
Boss Fights Are A Cake Walk: This is where Arkham Asylum falls flat on its face. When going into the game you are faced with some mean villains that are holding a hell of a grudge on you. First thing I thought was “Boy they sure are going to kick my ass.” But I was severely wrong. Almost every boss fight had you facing off against a super villain while you chucked your Batarang at their face until their ultimate demise. Mind you I was playing on Normal on my first play through and I barely had any problems fighting the bosses. Needless to say this is something I wish Rocksteady would’ve addressed better.


Countering:This is another issue with the game. During a fight if you are approached by an enemy you have to counter their attack no matter what you are doing. You can be doing a take down and still have to counter said attackers lead pipe or knife. This is a small gripe that can hopefully be improved or fix, but for now it is a little frustrating.

In the end Batman Arkham Asylum is an amazing game that was undeniably underwhelmed for me when released. I did not expect it to be such a smart, fun and immersive game. If you are looking for something that is different than many of the other games on the market than this is the game for you. So Batman Arkham Asylum gets a BUY or for you savvy star people it gets a 5 out of 5 stars.


Side note: One thing I would love to see Rocksteady do is make an open world game like Arkham Asylum but focused in Gotham City. You know, being able to run across rooftops and run around in the sewers while fighting super villians. Yeah thats a dream, Rocksteady take note. :)

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 28 August Permalink

The Level Cap: Greatest Game Ending Ever

This isn’t really a rage or a rant but I want I to get your opinions on the greatest closing of a game and give you my pick.

Hands down the greatest video game ending of all time comes from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Chills run through my spine every time I watch it. When Big Boss is walking down the hall to meet the President in full uniform after basically completing the greatest wartime mission of all-time all the while Eva is explaining the true story behind his mission. And I’m not going to lie I have to fight back the tears when Big Boss salutes the Boss’s grave. I watch it at least once a week. Hideo Kojima can bring you into a game better than any other developer in the game today and I’m going to post the video to prove it. It’s a 9 minute scene but for your own sake watch it.


I want to see your picks for the greatest of all time so post them in the comments section.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 11 July 3 Permalink