The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Twilight Princess is truly the second greatest adventure of all-time. It shows off the innovation of the Wii, while also showcasing the visual output the console is also capable of attaining. Twilight Princess is long and challenging while simple and engaging enough to keep you at the controls.

The one negative this game does have against it is the all too familiar feel from Zelda games of old. However, since most of those, if not all, are considered gaming masterpieces it’s not a huge blemish on the game. In fact Twilight Princess also adds to the Legend with redesigned weapons, crazy new dungeons bosses, and of course thought inducing puzzles. The game is huge, but of course with so many familiar locales it makes the gamer feel more at home than overwhelmed. With all the missions, dungeons, side quests, and secrets hidden throughout Hyrule traversing the overworld is fun and relaxing.

The Wii controls feel comfortable and intuitive. Never before has a game of this magnitude been so accessible. From sword to bow and arrows to anything in you inventory it is all just so easy and literally at you fingertips. The menus are easy to read and uncluttered providing an easy viewing format for veteran gamers as well as the novice.

Nintendo did a fantastic job melding the traditions from such a long standing game as Zelda with innovations in gameplay. While certainly not the best Zelda ever, I think that title still belongs to Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess is a great showcase for the Wii now and in the future. The game is an absolute masterpiece and a definite must own for any self respecting Zelda fan or Wii owner out there.

Graphics: Certainly a glimpse of what the Wii is capable of graphically. Hyrule is visually stunning whether during the day, night, or even in twilight.

Story: Many of the elements have been used before in other Zelda’s, especially Ocarina of Time. Twilight Princess isn’t groundbreaking or original, even within the Zelda series, but the game executes and delivers so well that no matter how over used the story is it still feels fresh enough to play through. Although I will say, come sooner or later they will need to start mixing it up again or run the risk of being overly repetitive.

Gameplay: The Wii controls are perfect, innovative and make this game accessible to gamers of all experience. The continuity and familiarity of content and controls give a sense of comfort, while the enhancements keep the game from felling stale. It’s a masterpiece in control and artistic style.

Music and Sound FX: The lack of voice acting is somewhat disturbing… no matter what excuse Nintendo wants to use. There is no reason why NPCs should not be voiced. Other wise the music is stellar as usual and the sound effects compliment the visuals wholeheartedly combining for a realistic experience.

Game Over: Twilight Princess ushers in the era of the Nintendo Wii and innovative control in a resounding manner. Link is truly a badass in this game whether in human or wolf form. And everything from the mood to the visual style complements one another and shows the team took the time to ensure of it. On the flip side how many times can we play virtually a variation of the same game before we grow tired of it completely? Ocarina of Time by far is the gold standard, possibly in all of gaming, but what made that game so great were the innovations that it introduced. Note to Nintendo not every Zelda game needs to be its clone.

4 out of 5

GT Pro Series

Have you ever been at the arcade and seen, or better yet, played the game Initial D? If so you just might enjoy Ubisoft’s very familiar offering of GT Pro Series. I use the word familiar because to those of you who know Initial D will find plenty of similarities between both games and for those on the import scene will know this game as a port of a Japanese Gamecube game. Unfortunately one of the really awful similarities with GTPS and ID are the craptastic visuals and the cheesy ‘80’s trance music.

If you can get over the, understatedly, lackluster graphics then you’ll find one of the most refined controls schemes for a racing game, especially with the default controller. Yes after awhile your hands begin to tire, but the tilt system installed is so tight and responsive that you’ll likely play through the pain. The controls are so good that you’ll be asking yourself how you made due with buttons and analog sticks.

GT Pro Series features over 80 licensed cars and various amounts of parts to add visual and performance enhancements your ride. But even with the deep roster none of the cars is an absolute beast and all the cars are actually pretty balanced. While customization helps most of the races you will run in will be competitive.

The major issues with this game, beyond the lack of visual flare, are mostly with the lack of variety and therefore its longevity. The main mode you will be playing will be Championship, which other than pitting you against 11 other drivers allows you to unlock and obtain cars and parts. This simplistic approach can be breezed through in under 10 hours, during which more and more of the games flaws will rear there ugly heads. For one you cannot accept any of the results at race end, so if you failed to finish top 3 you can look forward to playing the course over until you do. The game also has major catch up problems as you can pretty much wipeout terribly, on an early lap of course, and still manage to get yourself at least a top 5 finish, if you have the skills. Car specific races drove me absolutely bonkers, how many crappy (i.e. slow) eco friendly cars can one man drive before he snaps, and licensing before running at a higher level is a complete waste of time.

All-in-all I really liked this game, once I got the hang of the controls, and used to not having peddles with my steering wheel, but some things some people might not be able to let go. Like the worst graphics since the N64, the lack of things to do, or the short amount of time this game will inevitably last you. GT Pro Series is top notch at it best, but at its worst, wow I don’t even want to think about the level of crap. If just to try the controls you should rent this game, you might just find yourself completely hooked.

Graphics: Ubisoft, really, shame on you, these visuals aren’t even viable on the Gamecube let alone the Wii, this game looks like a port of a N64 game. To have non-gamers comment on how bad it looked, it’s just embarrassing.

Story: N/A

Gameplay: The controls have a bit of a learning curve but once you get used to them you’ll wonder how you did without them before. Unfortunately, there are limited tracks to run on and although there are a variety of cars and parts to unlock running the same races over and over again will eventually get tired.

Music and Sound FX: Not exactly the type of music I listen to, but there are two songs, of the ten, that I actually enjoyed, but trust me I wouldn’t blame you if you listened to something else, because you wouldn’t be missing out on anything.

Game Over: I really enjoyed this game and had I stopped an hour in I would have rated it a 2, but after playing through it felt like a 4 (especially after becoming accustom to the controls), but after hearing that this was a port of a Japanese Gamecube game and giving it sometime to digest the lack of longevity the game has and the piss-poor visuals I decided to split the difference. If you can handle really craptastic graphics, the learning curve, and don’t mind running through the same tracks until you know every turn then you’ll enjoy, if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea I suggest you give it a weekend rental.

3 out of 5

Wii Sports

Who could have predicted that a free pack in game be the springboard of the Nintendo Wii? Yeah Zelda was great and all, not that I’m dismissing it, but no game this season was more addictive, simple, and talked about world wide than Wii Sports. Its ease of play has garnered the attention of what seems every age group and made Nintendo a media darling once more. And the enthusiasm it has provoked has led to many an incident and even a cult following stemming from the faulty wrist fasteners. Whether it be a grandparent talking trash on their way to victory against their grandchild or another broken TV there’s no doubt that Wii sports is a blast to play.

However, don’t think that this game doesn’t carry its share of flaws. While it is the best showcase of the Wii-mote it also shows its limitations. While baseball, bowling, and for the most part, tennis show the responsiveness, simplicity and accessibility of the new controller boxing and golf can be frustrating and unresponsive, especially boxing when a flurry of punches fails to connect or even register with the sensor bar. Even golf can become a trial in patience especially on the putting green where for some reason the controller loses all bearing and constantly fails to measure the accuracy in force for a putt. These flaws make it more than apparent that the Wii-mote while revolutionary is still far from being perfected.

Overall Wii Sports is a fun game that will, at the very least, intrigue many of your friends and family and at the worst cut into your play time as they get a fix of their new addiction. It’s easily a favorite around my house and the office and once some one sees you playing it will most likely become one in your home or office as well.

Graphics: Not exactly pushing the limits of the Wii hardware, this game is more about the gameplay and much less about the visuals. (example: Wii baseball, 8 out of the 9 players don’t even have legs).

Story: You and me, 1v1 I will so win. Besides that it’s a sports title.

Gameplay:  For a pack in game to merely show off the capabilities of the Wii-mote this game controls and feels more intuitive than most of the launch titles. Tight, responsive, and overly addictive controls are what make this game shine so brightly.

Music and Sound FX: Nothing you’ll be humming at work or school, but nothing that will make you want to mute your audio. It kind of just blends into the background, and if you play anything like me and my people you’ll be talking too much trash to even hear it.

Game Over: Is Wii Sports perfect? Far from, but it is an overall fun experience that brings gamers ever so closer to their games by showcasing the right way of using the Wii-mote. Yes there are glitches in the control, but this is the closest and simplest method we have ever had in simulating our actions in game. Hopefully other studios learn to harness the potential of the Wii-mote and not just install it as a gimmick - I’m looking at you Open Season.

3 out of 5

Cars

In 2006 Disney and Pixar unleashed another one of their joint mega-blockbuster animated movies and the young ones loved it. Now coming off the Cars Movie craze comes Cars the Videogame. Honestly I never watched the movie, although I do want to watch it, so I don’t know exactly how the movie plot goes or it’s correlation to the game. What I can guess is that the game takes place after the movie, because of what the trailers show, and Lightning McQueen now lives in Radiator Springs with all his car friends.

The gameplay is free-roaming allowing you to choose what order you want to do your missions. These missions include collecting items and racing, they are accepted by interacting with the citizens of Radiator Springs. Although the collection missions are simple, by nature, the races are both in the form of Piston Cup competition and challenges from other cars and increase in challenge as you move further into the game. The controls will ultimately be the deciding factor because while the fetch quest are always an annoyance the racing aspects of the game will either drive you to the brink or allow you to cruise into victory lane. They’re not horrible, but then again not really executed correctly, it’s really more hit and miss and those who put in ample time with the game will undoubtedly figure it out.

Visually the game resembles the movie but has nowhere near the graphical polish its movie counterpart was able to put out. While the gap is closing between computer generated movies and their games it is still very easy to see the difference.

This game is best summed up by its controls some will be put off and some will adjust, get use to them and really like the game. I mean it’s not a bad game, but on that same not it’s not for everyone and for its intended audience its does what it’s supposed to – tie in with the movie and enhance that experience. And for those that do find this game fun multiplayer will be a complete joy.

Graphics: Interactive media is getting closer to the cinematic experience.

Story: Unlike the movie, which focused on friends and family (thank you IMDb), this game focuses more on the races.

Gameplay: The hit or miss controls will eventually determine how much Cars you’ll play, but definitely a different approach to a licensed game.

Music and Sound FX: The actual actors’ voices are used, but the song selection is weak.

Game Over: In the end if you liked the movie you’ll most likely like the game, as it has a lot to offer, but don’t expect it to be overly complicated. It’s definitely a kid’s game that I think plenty of kids will enjoy.

2 out of 5

Avatar: The Last Airbender

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Publisher: THQ Developer: THQ Studio Oz Platform: Wii, DS, PSP Genre: Action Adventure Players: Single Input: Wii Remote, Nunchuk Cartoon Violence Related Links Wii News Wii Games Wii Accessories Discuss This Game

I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a fan of the show as it brings so many old school elements together that have somewhere along the way been taken away from so many shows on television. It’s a show that can be watched by virtually anyone because of its wit, story, and character interactions. Shows now-a-days are so generic and watered down, especially shows aimed at kids and Avatar is a refreshing change. Now what’s this have to do with the game? Unfortunately a lot as the Avatar: the Airbender game for the Wii has none of these things in common with the show it is based off. Yes you follow the crew of Aang, Katara, Sokka and for some reason Haru (seeing as he has only been in one episode) but instead of following the story from the show the game creates its own taking pieces from the first season but fitting them in an odd manner.

Besides the story the game also falls flat in its graphical representation as the cel-shaded graphics look horrible, with jagged edges on all the characters. I mean how hard is it to make a cartoony looking game based off of a cartoon? Aang looks like the Gerber baby, and sadly even the blue arrow on his head even has a deformed outline. The game fails to engage from the beginning and really provides no sense of urgency or even of importance for any of the missions given to you. But even worse is that most of the games missions are of no importance and feel more like filler material than an essential part to moving on. Most of these fillers are fetch quest that are somehow required to get new information for the main quest (Oh you say your friends been captured, be a good Avatar and find my kids toys for me and I’ll tell you where they’re holding her).

Alas there is nothing to encourage a play through, as the story doesn’t add to the show, the gameplay is weak, and you’ll be entirely bored mid-way through just the second section full of its boring tedious missions. When will developers learn that just putting stale gameplay mechanics together with a licensed game is not a good idea?

Graphics: If you love the animation from the show you’ll cry when you see what they have done here… it’s bad, like PS One bad.

Story: Doesn’t follow the show but instead takes apart some of the stories and puts them back together in what can only be described as some Avatar parallel universe. Honestly they would have been way better off just following and recapping the events from the first season.

Gameplay: Go into a new town, see who needs help, fight some random local animal, fight local Firebender faction, fetch whatever it is the villagers need, fight boss. That’s it every level. The worst of the worst are the Momo quests, yeah I know how much everyone loves the little lemur, but just randomly searching for items for no apparent reason… insert generic put down here.

Music and Sound FX: On a good note the voice actors actually do the voices to their character in the game, besides that I don’t have many good things to say about this game.

Game Over: Really there’s not much if anything good in this game, instead of spending upwards of $60 on this game use that to buy season 1 and 2 on Itunes instead. It’s unfortunate that the game wasn’t given the same treatment as the show as it could be so much more fun being the Avatar, however not this time around.

1 out of 5

Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

Right off the bat I’ll say I’ve never seen the show, but after playing the game I’ll simply say that the humor is right up my alley. The Grim Adventures of Grim and Mandy, both the television series and this game based on the show, sport this cutesy looking artistic visual style with what I can only call a slightly darker undertone.

The main protagonists interact in, at best, some scenes that will make you chuckle and, at worst, are completely obnoxious. The strongest point of this game is the brief amount of time you have to play it. Seriously. This game is a brawler to the max without the pedigree or any sort of name recognition. Sure series viewers can take control of their favorite character but in this matter it’s sure to be a disappointment. To me video games are the best format for allowing us to have an experience unlike any other, to be some one else, to step into those shoes we thought we never could. Unfortunately most of the time, especially with licensed content, it turns into shovel ware and easy pickings on kids and their parent to purchase this crap cake they dare call a game. Yes I am a little irked, even more frustrated, but the only way these people will learn is when we stop buying this crud.

This game is fun, at least for the first twenty minutes or so, then it’s a steady decline on cruise control into Lamesville. The biggest flaw in the game is the lack of substance in order to continually be engaging and entertaining. There is only the slightest difference between the characters and their fighting styles, if you can call them that. This game quickly turns into an all out button masher and has no signs of any strategic element. The level design is curious and can be considered one of the games highlights, my favorite being one of the latter levels in the story mode which includes a gigantic, and controllable, Cerberus, but really offer little to boost this game from depths mediocrity.

You can play through a story mode as any of the main and unlockable characters but basically it is the same storyline every time, oh and was it just my disc or did some of the cutscenes cut out early. There is also a battle mode in which you can take on the computer solo, with a CPU helper, or with/against a friend. Yeah the multiplayer could add to the game and its overall value but why bother when there are better choices, like Smash Bros. or even a free game like Wii Sports.

Usually I say that if you like what ever license the game is based on that you should at least test the waters and see if you like, with this game I’d say spend your money on some of the DVDs or something. I bet the source material is a ton better than this game can ever demonstrate.

Graphics: Not bad, but it looks more like a Gamecube game… I wonder why?

Story: Grim’s lost his Mojo balls and they’re turning everyone that comes in contact with them aggressive, everyone you play as has to beat the snot out of them and get them back.

Gameplay: A pure button masher that only satisfies the most carnal of instincts, to pummel your opposition in no particular fashion and with no strategically intelligence.

Music and Sound FX: Boy does it ever get annoying hearing the same intros over and over again.

Game Over: In the end not much can be said to merit the purchase of this game. the game does have some elements of fun, but overall lacks the polish and substance to merit the value of actually going through the game more than once. If you really, really like this show and would like to beat the snot out of Billy, Mandy, Grim or any of the other characters then give it a whirl, but heed my warning stay way… far away.

4 out of 10

NBA 07

NBA 07 follows in the tradition of a yearly update but is it a new experience or the same game with a new cover man and better visuals? Unfortunately I’m here to tell you to pass on this one. Read more

Trauma Center: Second Opinion

Sweaty palms.  Quickened pulse.  Death grip over the controller.  Diagnosis = awesome FPS game?  Fighting game?  Try “Medical Drama Simulation.”  Trauma Center: Second Opinion may not look like it can create the same kind of intensity as a Survival Horror game or an action game, but that’s not the case at all.  As it turns out saving lives on the operating table is just as exciting as shooting down bloodthirsty aliens/zombies/Nazis.  Who knew?  Well maybe real life surgeons do.

The game starts out slow and simple to acclimate you to the trials and tribulations of the rest of the game.  It’s not to say that the game becomes impossibly hard down the road.  Only that how well you do later depends on how well you do now.  If you barely managed to get past one operation, it’s going to come back and bite you in the butt later on when a similar but more stringent version comes up.  That’s the true beauty of this game.  The game builds you up with harder and harder operations that really prepares you for the tougher operations.  You really will feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the game.

Great games are always coupled with great control, and here the Wii-mote shines.  Without a radical change in how the game is played, Trauma Center would have been impossible to play with a regular controller.  The Wii-mote pointer acts like a mouse in Trauma Center, and like a mouse, it is very accurate and responsive.  Zipping from one end of the screen to the other or anywhere in between can be done with great accuracy and speed, and count your blessings that it is this responsive and accurate because with some of the tougher operations you’ll really need it.

With all this talk of what shines, Trauma Center does have some blemishes though.  The story may not be groundbreaking stuff or anything, but that’s not the problem.  All of the storyline is delivered by a portrait with a textbox right next to it with a rendered photograph of an empty room in the background.  At one point, a man is delivering a speech to a “crowd” of people, but the back ground picture is still that of an empty auditorium.  This style of story delivery is pretty common across the pond, but around here, it just seems like lazy design.

Another slight blemish is the occasional use of trial and error to finish an operation.  Sometimes, you come across a new disease, and no one is going to be able to tell you what to do to get rid of it.  That’s when you try out every tool you have until something discernible happens.  It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s not a good feeling.

Finding games that really challenges you is pretty rare, especially on the Wii.  Don’t let this game get below your radar just because it’s a strange, medical game.  Try it out, and feel the power of the scalpel in your hands.  Your patients are depending on you.

Graphics: Anime portraits and photos of empty rooms don’t exactly tax the Wii’s graphics engine.  Depictions of internal organs are mercifully kept at a non-retching level

Story: Nothing truly special to be found here, but all it needs to do is give you a reason to operate on someone

Gameplay: With the help of spot on controls, the gameplay is intense and very skill based.

Music and Sound FX: Just to make sure those beads of sweat will fall from your forehead, the music keeps you on the edge of your seat to compliment the intensity of the gameplay.

Game Over: Let your inner surgeon come out and play.  It’ll be worth it.

4 out of 5

Rampage: Total Destruction

Going into this game I knew there was a possibility I’d be playing crap, it turned out to be a half truth. I’ve played Rampage before, although that was a few console generations ago, but still I kind of knew what to expect.

The biggest disappointment with the game is that it is virtually unchanged from the game I played years ago. Yes, it is entirely fun terrorizing and destroying building upon building but the scope of the game remains far too narrow. In Total Destruction you take down one city block at a time, literally. You start the level “fenced” in to the level that holds anywhere from 5 to 12 buildings at max, and that might be a little generous. In this day in age where games allow you to traverse open ended environments to be so restricted was a huge disappointment, especially with a franchise that seems like such a perfect fit for a go anywhere, destroy anything mentality.

Rampage also sports the same gameplay from previous entries into the series – basically you go into a city and level it to the ground. You and your on screen monster rep cause ruckus and terror all for the sake of points and power ups, which are hardly any better than your standard move set. Unfortunately, this game is also marred by terrible controls that become so wonky and unintuitive at times that you feel like chucking your controller.

I love the goof ball feel to the game and its simple premise, but with simple execution and aging gameplay this Rampage game feels like it was passed by time.

Graphics: The monsters show some detail, but the backgrounds look like they might still be from the 80’s.

Story: Oh just your basic run-of-the-mill dudes get mutated into monsters and the go on a rampage.

Gameplay: Fun but awkward at times, still the same simple design that was fun years ago but restricting in the open ended design era.

Music and Sound FX: Please some one shut that guy up, the announcer talks about weather and traffic… monsters are destroying the city, news worthy may be?

Game Over: If you haven’t played a Rampage game in awhile this game will be fun, at least for a little bit, but be full aware that this game has been passed by other games of its ilk that let you do more than just punish a certain section of real estate at a time.

6 of 10

Madden 2007

Thousands call in sick, significant others are ignored, and stomachs are left unfed. That’s right the new Madden just dropped and again its as enthralling as ever, but does it stand up to its storied past? Madden 07 marks the franchises first foray on to the latest Playstation console and unfortunately when compared to the great recently released entrances in the Madden mythos this game fails miserably… outside the gridiron. Read more

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