Video Games
Review: Plants vs. Zombies (Vita)
Reviewing Plants vs. Zombies seems kind of ridiculous, at this point. I mean, honestly, what platform is this game NOT on? It’s on PC, it’s on XBLA, it’s on PSN, it’s on iOS, it’s on Android, it’s on WP7, and more, more, more. It’s even on BLACKBERRY, for crying out loud! Aside from the drivel known as Angry Birds (I don’t like Angry Birds), I honest...[Read More]
Review: Rayman Origins (Vita)
Late last year, I had a chance to review Rayman Origins on my Xbox 360. I found it to be the best platformer of this generation of gaming, and one of the best platformers I’ve ever had the sheer, unadulterated, so good it should be illegal joy of playing. It has become one of the games I recommend most to people, and the first game that comes to mind when talking about its genre. Now, it has...[Read More]
Review: Binary Domain (PS3)
Going into last year’s E3, I was a bit skeptical about Binary Domain. I have an unashamedly vocal love affair with the 2010 SEGA-published Platinum Games third-person shooter Vanquish, and hesitated at the thought of another third-person shooter published by SEGA, set in the future against robots. How could I help but be disappointed when I would naturally draw comparisons to Vanquish? Seein...[Read More]
Review: Nexuiz (XBLA)
The third entry in the House Party event for this year, Nexuiz is fast. More than any other word, that one best describes the frenetic and exhilarating experience of any of the game modes that Nexuiz has to offer. Sure, the name may be a dorky carryover from the Quake mod that inspired it, and yeah, you might find a deeper story in a Gallant and Goofus comic from a Highlights magazine you pick up ...[Read More]
Review: Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack (Vita)
Launch lineups are typically less than stellar (Fantavision and Perfect Dark Zero anyone?), so skepticism is expected. The Vita manages to have a lot of big names attached to it, names like Uncharted and Ninja Gaiden, gearing up to be a full console experience in a handheld. Yet, the highlight of the Vita may just be Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack, the cheapest title available. A hilarious ...[Read More]
Review: Warp (XBLA)
The first of this year’s House Party titles, Warp is an incredibly complex and deep adventure that metaphorically addresses a plethora of key societal and political issues within the guise of experimentation on a captured alien in a secret underwater laboratory. Free will, gender and race equality, political corruption, and more all make appearances in the most intelligent game I think ever ...[Read More]
Review: Alan Wake’s American Nightmare (XBLA)
I have never played the original Alan Wake. I have not tried the demo, I have not rented or borrowed the game, I have not had the game, in any format, within the confines of my home, or even in my hand as a possible purchase at a store. I’m not really a fan of horror or thriller games in general, which is why Alan Wake never really held any interest for me. Now, with Alan Wake’s Americ...[Read More]
Review: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (PS3)
Hype is a dangerous thing. Setting the bar too high assures that success is impossible. When Curt Schilling, a man that was never known for a lack of confidence, set out to make an RPG, he treated it like an All-Star Game. He brought the most high profile talent he could grab. Fantasy powerhouse R.A. Salvatore, comic visionary Todd McFarlane, and Elder Scrolls luminary Ken Rolston make the design ...[Read More]
Review: Shank 2 (XBLA)
Shank shank shank. Shank shank shank. Shank your Xbox. Shank your Xbox! As a disclaimer, I hold absolutely no responsibility or liability for you actually shanking your Xbox. I don’t recommend it in any way whatsoever. What I do recommend, however, is Shank 2, Klei Entertainment’s sequel to its well received side scrolling gorefest, Shank. I love that word, and I warn you that I may en...[Read More]
Review: Quarrel (XBLA)
Growing up, I loved playing time-intensive board games. Monopoly? I’m down. Clue? You know it. Risk? At the drop of a hat. I also loved playing word games. Boggle? Oh yeah. Upwords? Of course. Scrabble? I’m a Scrabble fiend… Half a year ago, Quarrel, a beautiful combination of Risk and Scrabble, was released on iOS, and I was instantly enamoured. Now, the original XBLA concept be...[Read More]
Review: NeverDead (360)
The best advice I can give you if you’re planning on playing NeverDead is not to take it too seriously. Sure, the subject matter may have some heavier elements to it…the burden of immortality, loss, demons, love…but in much the same way that you wouldn’t take Army of Darkness or Plan 9 from Outer Space seriously, I reiterate: NeverDead is not a game to take seriously, becau...[Read More]
Review: Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PS3)
Since its humble beginnings on the NES, Final Fantasy has left an indelible mark in gaming, and that legacy has held strong for generations. Recently, the mantle of Final Fantasy has suffered from fan disappointment and a development strategy that can’t seem to decide between tradition and innovation. Although I was a tremendous fan of Final Fantasy XIII, the criticisms over linearity and overwrou...[Read More]