Showing posts with label Gaming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gaming. Show all posts
If you can believe it or not, I've never played a game of Dungeons & Dragons before. I've seen them enough in the past; they're littered across TV series and movies. Twitch also has a steady stream of content, some even created by the likes of Geek & Sundry and Nerdist, to get your fill. But as a gamer, this was a series I never fully played through firsthand myself. (There was that one time my high school friends tried to start one. We failed MISERABLY and gave up 10 minutes in!)
As of this year, one of the websites I write for - The Young Folks - started up their own D&D adventure. I jumped at the chance to sign up. You know me: I love games, trying new things and I'm a bit competitive. All of that was right up my alley.
We're already six episodes deeps (my character joined in the third) and things are getting pretty heated. I play Alexandrus Tillart, a human cleric who serves the Grave domain for Kelemvor. I won't get too deep into my character's backstory, but let's just say there's a mission I need to complete and things will get a bit spooky.
If you want to join in and watch, we stream Mondays starting at 9 p.m. ET. You can check out past episodes on Twitch, YouTube and can download the podcasts on Apple Podcasts, to name a few.
We all have our favourite characters - they're the ones we've mastered and tend to go to when it comes time for a match. Whether it's their interesting backstory or fighting style, they're a favourite for a reason. But what about the unlikable fighters?
For every new addition in a video game fighting roster, there's bound to be one or two other characters that fail to make a mark. The Mortal Kombat series is a polarizing one for one. I love the series! It's one of my favourite fighting series, but more often than not, I've scratched my head (or yelled) at certain characters who I've had to play as simply to get their final ending. Similar to what I've done in the past for the TEKKEN and Resident Evil series, I've creating another Top 10 list. This one, however, is least favourite characters.
Note: As with any ranked list, this is my opinion and chosen based on my thoughts for their story, fighting style and design. You may have your own opinions and choices.
10. Jarek
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Special ForcesJarek is a generic Kano clone to me. In fact, he was actually designed that way! He was essentially created as a substitution for the villainous character to fight alongside (then against) Sonya Blade and Jax. Even his ending during Mortal Kombat 4 is less to be desired. He has nearly the exact same moves, attitudes and character backstory. Let's just say I wasn't exactly heartbroken when he didn't return for any of the future selective character rosters.
9. Darrius
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deception
Darrius isn't a bad character; he has his (very tiny) moments in Deception. The problem is that he doesn't stand out from all the many other Mortal Kombat characters - and there are a lot of them in this series! His one note character design, generic fighting moves, and barely-there backstory make him a forgettable character in comparison. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he was only created to serve a point for one of the other realms introduced in Deception. However, from the characters on this list, I think with a little reworking and updating, he could be a better fighter/character in the future.
8. Meat
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 4
What do we know about Meat? He's a character who was a failed creation of Shang Tsung and he's completely skinless. That's it! Meat looks and fights like a character that was quickly slapped together because the designers needed to add another fighter to the roster. His fighting is average at best and there is no distinction to him that makes him stand out as who he could've been. If I ever had to describe him, he is a background/peripheral character getting his story told but not worth your time. It's harsh, but it's true.
7. Dairou
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deception
Meh. Dairou is an average and mediocre character in comparison to some of the more fleshed out fighters. There is little explained about him except that he is a mercenary and was jailed for killing the man who murdered his family. While I enjoy a bit of his special attacks and fatalities (particularly the "Tombstone Drop"), he falls flat everywhere else. Similar to others on this list, he is completely forgettable.
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Two words: generic minion. There's nothing about Hsu Hao that stands out above more developed characters. It's no surprise Deadly Alliance was his only main entry into the series, with exception to Armageddon where everyone returned. In a video game where all the main starring characters were retired, Hsu Hao felt like a filler character mean't to support another character's, and organization's, backstory. What a waste...
5. Ermac
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 3
"Ermac?!" I know, you must be scratching your head wondering why I even included him. He's not here because of his fighting moves, character design or backstory. In fact, I quite like his villainous nature and his inclusion in some fighting rosters - he's a powerful fighter. But that's why I also don't like him: he's too powerful. This is of personal preference completely, and I understand that I will get flack for this, but I detest fighting against/with Ermac. I like a challenge, but some players have used him to death to get the easy win. We can't all agree on certain fighters.
4. Shujinko
Shujinko is a debated character for me. His fighting style is a combination of moves from different Mortal Kombat fighters; it makes him unique from other copycats but yet he doesn't feel original. We go on this adventure with him and see his story progress; though in the end, it's like we know nothing about him. I do have sympathy for him being manipulated by a more powerful and strong-willed evil. However, if he wasn't so insufferable from the moment you start the campaign, I wouldn't have found so much pleasure at getting the chance to stop using him the second the story mode was over.
3. Liu Kang
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (Original)
I detest Liu Kang. Ever since the original Mortal Kombat game on Super Nintendo, I find him to be so generic as a character. He's written as the "be-all-end-all" fighter who is the only one that can stop the villains. It even makes him sanctimonious, like his attitude at the end of the Mortal Kombat reboot. He's (more or less) been in every Mortal Kombat video game and nothing has changed about him - at least the other main characters have grown. His flying spinning kick and fireball deliver too much damage for one character; I find him frustrating to fight whenever I compete against him online. Some gamers absolutely LOVE Liu Kang (he is a main star, after all) but, in my opinion, not having him in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance felt like a breath of fresh air.
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 3
Let's get this out of the way - Motaro is no Goro or Kintaro. His creation and addition to the series is somewhat of a joke. A centaur with overpowered attacks and a larger than necessary character design? Please no. While he had to return for the reboot of the series, I won't deny that it was a joy to see him quickly dispatched from the storyline. The concept might've sounded original in the beginning, but the execution just didn't work.
1. Mokap
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Rounding out the best of the worst is Mokap. Can someone honestly say Mokap is their favourite character? (Or even a good idea?!) He is the epitome of last minute, filler characters. His character is supposed to be an average motion capture human actor with martial arts and fighting skills who is continually pulled into the world of Mortal Kombat. To sum all that up: he's the low-rent Johnny Cage. I hate wasted opportunities and filler spaces in a complex fighting roster; we only get so many spots to play as a character to hear their backstory, whether main character or secret. To think of all the potential characters who could've made their introduction to the series...but we got stuck with Mokap. I'm not having any of it. Mokap earns the title of the worst Mortal Kombat character.
Rounding out the best of the worst is Mokap. Can someone honestly say Mokap is their favourite character? (Or even a good idea?!) He is the epitome of last minute, filler characters. His character is supposed to be an average motion capture human actor with martial arts and fighting skills who is continually pulled into the world of Mortal Kombat. To sum all that up: he's the low-rent Johnny Cage. I hate wasted opportunities and filler spaces in a complex fighting roster; we only get so many spots to play as a character to hear their backstory, whether main character or secret. To think of all the potential characters who could've made their introduction to the series...but we got stuck with Mokap. I'm not having any of it. Mokap earns the title of the worst Mortal Kombat character.
Agree or disagree with the rankings? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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This year marks the second time that I've gone to Fan Expo Canada. For a guy who has plenty of geeky interests and writes a blog with "Geekiness" in the title, you would think I would have visited sooner? I know...I'm ashamed of myself. My nerdy and cosplayer friends let me have it this weekend. Still, I made the trek and spent four days capturing photos and attending panels.
Now that the weekend is up, it's time to clear out my storage space and share these photos with the world. I have an appreciation for cosplayers as they spend a lot of time perfecting their outfits and look, so naturally I captured more photos of the costumes.
Here are 10 cool costumes I spotted at Fan Expo (sorry if any of the photos are blurry):
CAPTAIN FALCON
GAMING #1
GAMING #2
LINK & PRINCESS ZELDA (THE LEGEND OF ZELDA)
LUIGI (SUPER MARIO BROS.)
PSYCHO MANTIS (METAL GEAR SOLID)
SKULL KID (THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: MAJORA'S MASK) & ARIEL (THE LITTLE MERMAID)
PIKACHU & SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
THE PURGY: ELECTION YEAR
YUNA (FINAL FANTASY X-2)
Which outfit was your outfit? Was there one you spotted at Fan Expo that you liked better? Share your thoughts in the comments.
A good multiplayer video game can be so hard to find. Sometimes it's simply tacked on to a primarily solo story game with little care or it holds a multitude technical problems that prevent the experience from growing. I've played plenty of multiplayer video games through my console and PC gaming history. But when I find a really great game with an amazing multiplayer experience, I always come back for more. And the video game I will be reviewing today is definitely on of those games. On this video game review article, I'll be reviewing the first-person shooter multiplayer video game: Evolve.
The Story: Set on the distant planet of Shear, dangerous monsters have attacked the human settlements and nearly wiped out the population. No creatures are more so dangerous than the titans. They are the most powerful on the planet and they prove to be evolving at a rapid rate.
Players can take on the role of either a Hunter or a Monster. Hunters are from a crack team of military exterminators, specializing in roles like Media, Trapper, Support and Assault. There are plenty of different characters to choose from while Monsters, the sole competing enemy, is one of three different types of titans.
Where To Play: Evolve is available to play on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
The Good: Evolve sets its sights on delivering a good multiplayer experience, and it does it pretty well. The concept is simple: you're either the Monster plotting to defeat the Hunters or vice versa. Evolve features a collection of unique characters and roles to choose from for each match. Instead of the stale monotony of playing the same five characters over and over again, each role has at least three different characters with unique weapons, powers and features to help take down the competing side. Plus, each role and character is styled differently, such as one female Trapper has a pet animal who tracks the Monster down while another Trapper is basically a cowboy. Variety is a big strength for Evolve.
The environments in Evolve are also a big takeaway. Each location is visually beautifully and offers something different for the players competing in that specific location. Also, each location contains their own set of mini-monsters and obstacles that could kill a Hunter. You wouldn't believe how many times I did from being eaten by a plant!
The Bad: With any multiplayer-based game, there are always some technical problems and glitches around that could be fixed. Evolve has its few issues where I've noticed that it impacted my online experience. Sometimes a game would lag or crash and I would need to restart a match. I've had my character miss several important hits because of a technical snafu where my character turned around or attacked on its own. The issue wasn't because of my internet connection as I was able to reconnect in the next match. Those small little things just added up as the game went out.
Another point which I want to bring up, which could be viewed as good or bad, is that Evolve is a hard game. Whether you're a Hunter or a Monster, winning a match isn't easy. Depending on which Monster or which Hunters you're facing, it could become really difficult to win the game. I groan whenever I notice I'm facing against a Wraith or a certain Medic/Trapper character. It takes a lot of determination, evolving, team coordination (an absolute must!) and evolving to win.
The Results: 9/10!
I really liked Evolve. Evolve offered a change of pace for a multiplayer game and didn't over-complicate the experience with complex mechanics. The environments were beautifully created and each character was designed differently, albeit sometimes on the stereotypical or cliche side. The video game does have its fair share of tiny technical glitches that could ruin a good online match. However, these barely occur few and very far between. Evolve is a perfect game for gamers who love a first-person shooter or enjoy playing against other gamers online.
A survival-horror video game is nothing without its environments. The music, the buildings, the creatures that lurk in the shadows - it all plays a part in how truly terrifying a game can be. Without the right creepy area for a hero to explore, you might as well just be going through the motions of the story. The extra touches make all the difference!
I have a guilty pleasure for a good horror video game. I can't resist finding a new game and getting into the story; battling the monsters and getting scared every once in a while. There are a few places in video games that have caused me to jump more than once and I couldn't help but think about which ones are my favourites. I've decided to rank my ten favourite scary locations in video games. Let's start with #10...
Note: This is a personal list of my favourite locations, so you may have your own choices. Also, I've excluded general locations of cities (i.e. Raccoon City from Resident Evil, Silent Hill) as they contain multiple scary locations. This list is set for specific places, buildings, areas and mansions.
10. Barrows Mansion - Clock Tower: The First Fear
A creepy mansion secluded in a forest is a bit of a cliche nowadays as a horror trope. However, when I was a young kid playing the original Clock Tower, I was petrified. The Barrows Mansion is an ominous and dilapidated building with many twists and turns that set out to kill the main heroine, Jennifer Simpson, at every turn. Plus, we can't forget the serial killer with the large pair of scissors! My teachers always told me never to run with scissors and this video game may be one of the biggest reminders why I never did.
9. The Forest - Slender: The Eight Pages
I'm not a nature person. I don't tend to hike through the woods or go out camping on a hot summer day; I'd much rather enjoy some time playing a video game or a night out. One of the reasons may be how creepy the woods are at night. Slender: The Eight Pages reminded me how scary it is to be out at night, lost and lonely in the woods with the fear that someone may pop out to scare you. Sure, playing a game of manhunt in the woods with your friends is all well and good, but finding pieces of paper with warning messages of a killer would freak me out.
8. Himuro Mansion - Fatal Frame
This may be a simple explanation for why Himuro Mansion made its way onto the list. There are ghosts...lots and LOTS of ghosts. You can see them. They come out of the walls, move through the hallways, stand on the rafters. There are ghosts everywhere and it's apparently a normal thing. The mansion has a sordid history with death and anyone who ventures there is practically destined for a gruesome murder. I mean the only thing that protects you is a camera and yet the ghosts keep coming. Fatal Frame is a scary game and for the first entry in the series, Himuro Mansion set the tone for more ghostly adventures to come.
7. Moyer's Lumber Mill - Deadly Premonition
Deadly Premonition is more of a quirky investigation drama than an outright horror video game. However, whenever Agent York would visit a crime scene and enter the Other World, the tone would change and the monsters would come out to play. From all the different locations, the Lumber Mill serves as the scariest location. It's where York encounters the Raincoat Killer, where he ventures deeper into the mystery, and a crime scene that was more bloodier than the first few locations in the video game.
6. Bart's Department Store - Condemned: Criminal Origins
Mannequins creep me out. I don't mean the headless mannequins you see in most retail stores at the mall. It's the ones with the plaster heads that almost look too lifelike. As someone who has worked in retail and during the late shifts, mannequins are creepy and this level in Condemned: Criminal Origins still scares me. The video game as a whole is terrifying and this level in particular is one of the reasons why it took me years to finish this game.
5. Underground Facility - The Evil Within
The Evil Within is hard to pin down in defining a location. I won't spoil the major twist or plot points to the story; you can get a better idea from reading my video game review. But, if there was one place in particular, I would choose the underground facility where you encounter the sharp traps and the spider-like monster. Whenever I play survival-horror video games, I get uncomfortable when the character enters a sewer or a dark underground area because I know that things are about to become intense and the monsters are sure to come out.
4. Freddy Fazbear's Pizza - Five Nights At Freddy's
Who knew a pizzeria could be so scary? Five Nights at Freddy's takes place at a children's entertainment centre where a few animatronic costumes go haywire and set out to kill the gamer. It's not just the animals that make the game terrifying, it's the location. Let alone that you have to use a surveillance camera to watch every part of the building, but it's a dark and massive location with many unnerving posters and props hanging everywhere. Why couldn't someone just turn on a light?
3. The Spencer Mansion - Resident Evil
Resident Evil is one of the first survival-horror video games I played as a child. The zombies scared me to the point that I had to have my brother in the room to play the game. The Spencer Mansion is a large building located in the woods not far from Raccoon City. As compared to the other mansions on this list, the Spencer Mansion holds many traps and monsters popping up in every room and every hallway to stop the player. The building of the Spencer Mansion only scratches the surface of the true horrors it holds.
2. Mount Massive Asylum - Outlast
Similar to a large mansion in the woods, the asylum is a common trope in horror video games. Outlast, on the other hands, is a terrifying story in part to the sordid history, and recent destruction, of its asylum. Mount Massive Asylum is falling apart at the seams and the patients are running wild, either tearing the building apart or looking to murder the main character. Countless people are dead and it shows; the asylum is dark, menacing and it never lets you forget that there is no safe way out.
1. Toluca Prison - Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill is a scary video game series. No matter which entry, there are plenty of different locations and stories that are meant to mess with the mind and the senses. Since there are many locations within the town of Silent Hill that could be included in this list, I only chose the one that still gives me the creeps. Toluca Prison in Silent Hill 2 is home to many terrifying creatures and dark hallways that James Sutherland has to encounter. Silent Hill 2 is the best in the series and with horror locations like this, I can see why.
What are your favourite scariest locations in video games? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Survival-horror is my favourite video game genre. I love the atmosphere, the tension, the horror and the sense of urgency of someone (or something) chasing you. It keeps me at the edge of my seat! If a game can master this mix of horror just right, I consider it a success. For those of you familiar with this blog, I tend to cover and review many survival-horror video games. Resident Evil 6, The Evil Within and TellTale's The Walking Dead are perfect examples of this. For 2015, there is a new game I'm eagerly anticipating...and it's one for a console I don't own. This video game is a PlayStation 4 exclusive.
Until Dawn is an upcoming survival-horror video game that is inspired by many teen slasher movies. The plot follows eight friends heading to a cabin in the snowy mountains for a weekend of drinks and fun. Unbeknownst to the clueless teenagers, a killer is stalking their every move. Similar to The Walking Dead, players will get to have the chance to make choices for how this horror movie plays out. Apparently there are hundreds of different actions and endings where each choice and movement of the eight teens ultimately affects who lives, who dies and how the movie will end. As a lover of horror movies and video games, I'm excited to say the least.
The video game is set for a release this Summer 2015. No doubt I'll be writing a blog post and a new review for you all once I get to play it. My brother has a PlayStation 4 and I've given him the heads-up. Until the warmer months arrive, you can check out a closer look of the game with the Until Dawn announcement trailer below.
I love survival-horror. Ever since the early days of Clock Tower, Silent Hill and Resident Evil, I was pulled into these extreme worlds of scary monsters and dark adventures. There's something about venturing into the unknown and fighting evil that really connects with me as a gamer. It's one of my favourite gaming genres. Unfortunately, as the years have gone by, the landscape of survival-horror games have changed and it's no longer just a scary world out there - it's the hybrids that reign supreme. One of the games released this year promised to head back to the survival-horror roots of gaming. Did it live up to its hype? The video game I'm going to be discussing today is the bloody supernatural adventure: The Evil Within.
The Story: Players take on the role of Detective Sebastian Castellanos as he's pulled into a nightmarish world of monsters, death and a mystery spanning the unknown. After responding to a police report at Beacon Mental Hospital, Sebastian encounters the villainous apparition known simply as "Ruvik" who leads Sebastian on a horrifying adventure that bends reality. Joining Sebastian on his 15 chapter story includes fellow detectives Juli Kidman and Joseph Oda, Dr. Marcelo Jimenez and his patient Leslie, and a nurse who knows more than she lets on.
Where To Play: The Evil Within is available on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and the Xbox One.
The Good: The Evil Within plays to its strength when it comes to horror. Dark and confined spaces, grotesque monsters, blood and unexpected surprises - the game wasn't missing its mix of survival-horror. I quite enjoyed that for a few portions throughout its story, I was pleasantly scared. (Seriously, there were mannequins...lots and lots of mannequins!) I miss the scare factor of survival-horror games and before I even began this game, I was a little hesitant that it wouldn't live up to its "horror" hype. I wasn't fully blown away, but I did enjoy the horror element.
There's one fact you will come to understand when playing The Evil Within: you will die - A LOT. This is no easy game. Around every corner, every room, there are potentially many hidden ways to die. You would be surprised at the number of times I was killed by traps, common enemies and big boss battles. The Evil Within is a tough game to play and coupled with low ammunition/supplies, finally completing all 15 chapters felt like a real accomplishment.
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The Bad: The Evil Within has an interesting twist to it with its story. These articles and reviews are spoiler-free so I won't go into details beyond the bare bones of the plot. However, as I progressed through the many chapters, it became hard to get a clear grasp of the overall plot timeline. I understood many of the plot points about the villain, the deaths and missions but the overall arc was all over the place. A lot was happening at the same time and Sebastian was being pulled to different areas while given bits and pieces to try and determine the story. I had made a tiny logical guess by Chapter 4 and it proved somewhat right by Chapter 11, but I still needed to Google search a few articles and videos to fill in the story from people who pieced this together already. I like a story that makes me think so I was conflicted once the game was completed.
Also, I just want to throw this out there. I like Resident Evil 4, it's a good game that blended action and horror together. However, as I played the game, The Evil Within reminded me too much about RE4 to the point that I considered it nearly the same game. With the exception of The Evil Within being bloodier and scarier, the game was reminiscent to that vibe. The action, the mechanics, the male lead, the minions - it felt like a next generation spin-off.
The Results: 7/10!
The Evil Within strived to relaunch the roots of the survival-horror video game genre. It was creepy, it was bloody and it was a tough game to play. Through the eyes of Sebastian, you get to explore many locales that bridge on the horror cliché, like a mental hospital, graveyard and a large mansion. Monsters were plenty throughout the 15 chapters and they could sometimes feel a tad too familiar from other games, especially with the mindless villagers you face. The downside to The Evil Within is that the game doesn't offer anything new. Many of the locations, the enemies and bosses could have been inspired from horror tropes in the past. With the exception of a few items, like the agony bow or the plot twist, there wasn't much new ground covered, but with over 20 years of horror games already out (Wow, I feel old), it's hard not to expect some certain things to appear again. If you're a fan of horror, whether it's games or movies, The Evil Within might be your thing to play.
Where To Play: The Evil Within is available on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and the Xbox One.The Good: The Evil Within plays to its strength when it comes to horror. Dark and confined spaces, grotesque monsters, blood and unexpected surprises - the game wasn't missing its mix of survival-horror. I quite enjoyed that for a few portions throughout its story, I was pleasantly scared. (Seriously, there were mannequins...lots and lots of mannequins!) I miss the scare factor of survival-horror games and before I even began this game, I was a little hesitant that it wouldn't live up to its "horror" hype. I wasn't fully blown away, but I did enjoy the horror element.
There's one fact you will come to understand when playing The Evil Within: you will die - A LOT. This is no easy game. Around every corner, every room, there are potentially many hidden ways to die. You would be surprised at the number of times I was killed by traps, common enemies and big boss battles. The Evil Within is a tough game to play and coupled with low ammunition/supplies, finally completing all 15 chapters felt like a real accomplishment.
Also, I just want to throw this out there. I like Resident Evil 4, it's a good game that blended action and horror together. However, as I played the game, The Evil Within reminded me too much about RE4 to the point that I considered it nearly the same game. With the exception of The Evil Within being bloodier and scarier, the game was reminiscent to that vibe. The action, the mechanics, the male lead, the minions - it felt like a next generation spin-off.
The Results: 7/10!
The Evil Within strived to relaunch the roots of the survival-horror video game genre. It was creepy, it was bloody and it was a tough game to play. Through the eyes of Sebastian, you get to explore many locales that bridge on the horror cliché, like a mental hospital, graveyard and a large mansion. Monsters were plenty throughout the 15 chapters and they could sometimes feel a tad too familiar from other games, especially with the mindless villagers you face. The downside to The Evil Within is that the game doesn't offer anything new. Many of the locations, the enemies and bosses could have been inspired from horror tropes in the past. With the exception of a few items, like the agony bow or the plot twist, there wasn't much new ground covered, but with over 20 years of horror games already out (Wow, I feel old), it's hard not to expect some certain things to appear again. If you're a fan of horror, whether it's games or movies, The Evil Within might be your thing to play.
The Dark Knight returns for another installment of the hit Arkham games. I absolutely fell in love with last year's Batman: Arkham City after secretly playing my brother's copy and it was hands-down the best game of the year. Never did I think that a superhero game could achieve more than as simply as a movie tie-in. The series surpassed my expectations and suffice it to say, I was excited to check out the latest game in the series. The latest video game I will be reviewing is the Arkham prequel: Batman: Arkham Origins.
The Story: Set years prior to the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum (the first game in the series), Bruce Wayne has started his adventures as the Dark Knight and began his mission toward ending the criminal control in Gotham City. Batman: Arkham Origins takes place on Christmas Eve when criminal mastermind and mob boss Black Mask issues a cash challenge to several highly-trained and powerful assassins to rid Gotham City of Batman.
Batman: Arkham Origins delves into the early days of Batman, as well as the beginnings of several notable characters and villains like (the future) Commissioner Gordon, the Penguin, Deathstroke, Bane, Barbara Gordon (the future Batgirl/Oracle), and the clownish psychopath Joker to name a few.
Where To Play: Arkham Origins is available on PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii U.
The Good: Batman: Arkham Origins excels with its immerse storyline and open world. The success of the previous game proved that the developers could integrate its characters, the landscape and the extras together to make a cohesive story. While there was a linear plot to follow, I enjoyed all the hidden easter eggs and side-missions that deviated from the main story.
The Bad: Arkham Origins only suffered from two negatives that left me questioning certain aspects. The first were the technical glitches that kept popping up during loading screens and saving. At first I wondered if there was an issue with my console, but the problems persisted when the game froze/stopped at certain points and wouldn't transition to the loading screen. While it only happened a few times, it was still enough to notice.
The Results: 8/10!
Batman: Arkham Origins had a lot to live up to in terms of expectations. Since it's a prequel compared to a sequel, a lot of what was introduced was exposition and reintroduced many aspects to people new to the Batman universe. Characters, whether main or supporting, delivered great performances and were more than just filler of having a character on screen. The technical glitches presented a slight problem with the gameplay and the lackluster conclusion didn't payoff after what was up until that point a satisfying story. If you're a fan of Batman (or like action games), this is the game for you. It's also a great filler until the next Arkham game is released that continues the story after Arkham City.
Agree or Disagree with the review? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
I love gaming. I like zombies. And I can't wait for the next generation of consoles. Obviously, combining all three together would sound like a pretty enticing topic. I have yet to purchase the Xbox One - I'm still holding out until my birthday - but when I do, I believe that this game will be the first game I will purchase to welcome my new console. The open-world zombie survival-horror game: Dead Rising 3.
My first purchase for the Xbox 360 was the original Dead Rising and I was equally excited for the sequel a few years back. Now that the series is continuing to the next generation, the game has been equipped with new features, characters and a continuation to the storyline that will make the wait so much better.
Dead Rising 3 is currently out today but if you're still unsure about the purchase, check out the recent trailer released by Gamespot.
It's the zombie apocalypse and the dead are coming back to life... well, almost. I'm pretty new to the whole Walking Dead series: I'm up-to-date with the television show (started during the break) and I've recently completed the first season of the episodic video games. Apparently, a new episode for the game was released each month (for five months) that added to the story and changed based on the choices made by the user. Even though the video games were released in 2012, I received the game on disc for Christmas. The game that I will be reviewing today is the post-apocalyptic zombie adventure series: The Walking Dead.
The Story: Set in the once-serene state of Georgia, the world is plunged in a state of horror as the dead start to attack the living. The player takes on the role of Lee Everett, a former respected professor of history at the University of Georgia, who was arrested and sentenced to spend life behind bars for murdering a senator (who just happened to be having an affair with Lee's wife). A car crash saves Lee from heading to prison but as luck would have it, the crash was just the beginning in a long and harrowing battle for survival.
The Walking Dead features five episodic entries where the story changes based on the decisions made by the player. Certain characters could die, dialogue can change and every quick-time action matters. Throughout the five episodes, Lee interacts with a unique cast of characters like: family man Kenny, headstrong Lilly, news reporter Carley, curious kid Duck, his caring mother Katjaa and naive farmer Hershel Greene. Also, part of the dynamic of the game focuses on the father-figure relationship between Lee and a little girl Clementine.
Where To Play: The Walking Dead is available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Mac, and as an iOS mobile app.
The Good: The Walking Dead proved that episodic gameplay can be a great idea when done right. Choices made from one episode could impact the decisions and characters in the next one (if they're alive that is). Downloadable content (DLC) in most causes is an add-on that includes a new chapter, levels or even multiplayer extras. While a new episode was available for purchase each month, the individual episodes continued the game going without becoming disjointed or pointless to the overall story. The experience and storyline had a clear ending for the season.
Characters and dialogue play an important part to the series. While the game doesn't focus primarily on action, the story propels the character forward. The best I could describe it would be a point-and-click adventure where talking to characters and finding items is the basis. Don't get me wrong, fighting zombies and the quick-time actions were amazing. And yes, there are plenty of those moments to love! However, making the choices for what Lee said, how he interacted with other characters or what he did helped to round out the game.
The Bad: While I could have enjoyed more zombie-fighting moments, there was really only two negatives that I had. The Walking Dead had long loading times and noticeable glitches. Between setting up to play an episode or loading a scene, the game would stop for several seconds until it would finally begin again. Usually this isn't a problem but when it happens mid-conversation, I would wonder if there was a problem with my console.
The Results: 8.5/10!
The Walking Dead was a refreshing change to my game collection. I usually don't play point-and-click games but I gave this try and I ended up loving the story. Characters were more than one-liners and the choices I made actually made a difference from episode to episode. The long loading times ruined some of the suspense and I did notice some glitches that the developers forgot to edit it out in the final version. Though, I'd still recommend to play the game, especially if you love The Walking Dead television show or graphic novels. Change things up and try a game primarily for the story, you might end up loving it.
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