Video Games
Review: Trine 2 (XBLA)
I’ve noticed an issue with reviewers using words like “beautiful” and “stunning” to describe anything ranging from the truly beautiful and stunning to the simply above average and well executed. I am far from innocent of this practice, but it’s a practice I’m trying to adjust and do away with. Why is this relevant? Overuse of a word like “beautiful&#...[Read More]
Review: Final Fantasy VI (PSN)
All of my favorite Final Fantasy games were pre-VII. I don’t really care for VII or the later Final Fantasy iterations; the classic NES/SNES visuals and systems are definitive features of the series for me. The last ditch effort of the original Final Fantasy game spawned a franchise which has grown so strong that even an entry widely regarded as a failure is incapable of damaging interest an...[Read More]
Review: Joe Danger: Special Edition (XBLA)
Not having owned a PlayStation 3 prior to June, there were a lot of PSN exclusives that were lost to me, much to my chagrin and disappointment. I remember when Joe Danger was first released, half a year before our PS3 came into our lives. I found myself desperately wishing that it would eventually become a multi-platform title, because it just looked like…fun. Well, children, sometimes wishe...[Read More]
Review: Apples to Apples (XBLA)
There’s a great knock-knock joke that I like to tell every now and then. It goes a little something…like this: “Knock-knock. Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Knock-knock…etc.” This continues until the teller decides to change it from “Banana” to “Orange,” and the punchline changes to “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana again?...[Read More]
Retro Review: Resident Evil 2 (PSX)
Ah, I remember getting this game from Santa Claus when I was 9 years old. I remember thinking later on that he must have hated me; this game scared the heck out of me, along with my other Christmas present, Clock Tower. Later on, however, I grew to absolutely love this game. Resident Evil 2 is one of the main reasons why I’m going to school for Game Design right now. I used to make maps of m...[Read More]
Retro Review: Frogger (PSX)
The year is 1997. It’s a dark time to be a frog. The traffic is relentless and there are crocodiles and sentient lawn mowers everywhere. One wrong move and I could become a chew toy. I make my way quickly across the road, weaving in and out of traffic. I finally make it across and try to make it across the water…only to jump at the wrong moment and dive into the calm stream, causing me...[Read More]
Review: Scene It? Movie Night (XBLA)
Trivia style games have always appealed to me. As a registered member of MENSA with a genius-level IQ and a penchant for useless information, success in trivia comes naturally. As a movie lover, I have had the time and opportunity to build a strong foundation of trivial knowledge on the subject. As an individual with self-esteem issues, the thrill of shoving my superior intellect in the collective...[Read More]
Review: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (360)
You know, I had never played a Metal Gear or Metal Gear Solid game before this Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. Nearly thirty minutes after I started the first game in the Collection, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, I finally understood the inside joke within the gaming community about the length of the Metal Gear Solid series’ FMVs and cutscenes, since I had yet to actually play the game. W...[Read More]
Review: Voltron: Defender of the Universe (XBLA)
When I first heard that a Voltron game was coming to XBLA, I was pretty excited. As a kid, it was one of the staple cartoons that I would watch. What’s not to love? Giant mechanical lions piloted by space heroes, an even more giant mechanical hero that the lions transform into, and ridiculous dialogue from even more ridiculous enemies; everything you could want in a classic, as the later Pow...[Read More]
Review: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
This Thanksgiving, we have many things to be thankful for. Some are thankful for the blessings in their lives, while some are thankful for having such loving friends and family. I’m thankful to have a new Zelda game to play through, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Link’s first true adventure for the Wii. The question is, however, does it soar above the clouds or does it plummet to the ground?
Review: Assassin’s Creed Revelations (360)
I started playing Assassin’s Creed Revelations with the plan to spend a good 10-15 minutes once I arrived in Constantinople free running around, familiarizing myself with the city, and refamiliarizing myself with the mechanics so that I could be sure that I kept my motion fluid and that I knew where my escape routes were. George Takei’s signature “Oh Myyyyy…” suddenly...[Read More]
Review: Rayman Origins (360)
Even now, I can still remember the first time I played Super Mario Bros. I have vivid recollections of my first time playing Sonic the Hedgehog. I will never forget my first experience with Prince of Persia. Earthworm Jim, Aladdin, and, for nostalgic reasons specific to my own life, Yo! Noid all made indelible impressions on me that will be with me until time starts erasing all of my memories. I h...[Read More]