Blazing Angels

I like Ubisoft they make some fantastic quality games, but on the other hand they have some licenses that be best forgotten about. Unfortunately for Ubisoft this has been a rough launch in which they have released plenty of substandard games. Blazing Angels happens to be another one of them. Read more

Super Swing Golf

Pangya! And just like that you’ll either like the game or entirely hate it, and sometimes even switch back and forth all in the same play through. Super Swing Golf is one of those rare games that is really hard to review because it can be such a different experience for everyone. Read more

Elebits

“Elebit, what’s that?” That’s exactly what I said when I saw this game, yeah I had heard about the little creatures that would soon warm my heart, and apparently my house, but I still had no idea what to expect. And with that I started my journey and soon knew that this game was awesome. Read more

Full Auto 2: Battlelines

Can you even imagine driving at breakneck speeds, all the while avoiding your competitions artillery, drifting some crazy curves, and using your own wreck inducing gadgets to win a race? Well believe it, again, because Full Auto is back with more cars, more weapons and some of the craziest races you’ll ever drive.

Saying these races are hectic is an understatement as at any time any of the competitors can be unleashing a devastating course altering attack. Unfortunately, this is one of the problems with the game as the action on the course can get so frenzied that it will leave you visually impaired and often time you’ll find yourself wrecking into a barrier after taking a blind turn.

While not all the cars handle similarly, the disparity between them isn’t too great and the way races are divided by class leaves you with nothing to worry about, as you’ll always have a fair shake at finishing 1st or dead last. The toughest task is to learn the courses and all of their nuances as this will help when the actions gets to a frenetic high. But by far the most important key to the game is weapon selection as having the right combination can win you a lot of races. While the weapon roster has some depth not all the weapons are useful and you’ll find yourself usually going with the same combo race after race.

The biggest issue with Full Auto 2 is its limitations. It has a fun variety and mix of cars and weapons but lacks the gameplay depth to do much with them. There are some variations in the gameplay but this game is all about the thrill of the kill and best enjoyed in arcade mode or with multiple players so you can pass the time wrecking and trash talking you way past your friends to victory.

Graphics: Not exactly what you’d expect from the PS3, think more arcade port visuals and you’d be dead on.

Story: They tried to add a story but I wasn’t feeling it.

Gameplay: The game is very enjoyable just don’t expect it to be very deep. Definitely a game to you can enjoy shredding others to pieces and laughing in their humiliated faces before taking the win.

Music and Sound FX: I’ve heard much better music to race to before, but the sound fx are decent, I mean the cars sound like hmm cars, but you might want to push the mute and provide your own tunes.

Game Over: If you enjoy vehicular carnage you’ll love this game, even if you don’t pummeling your opponents into babbling, crying babies is well worth getting behind the controls on this one, just don’t expect the same reactions to the destruction in hour eight than you did in hour one, because it gets old and fast.

3 out of 5

Disney’s Chicken Little: Ace in Action

I have to say that before popping the disc into the Wii and plopping myself on the couch I was, to say the least, skeptical. I thought it would be another run of the mill children’s targeted movie add-on cash cow, but to my surprise wow this game really stands on its own. Read more

Fight Night Round 3

I’ll start by telling you all that I’m not the biggest boxing aficionado, and that I’m not as into the sport as I used to be. Just a little more than a decade ago boxing was still huge you had Iron Mike, Evander, and a young Roy Jones with others to help the sweet science continue as a mainstay. Read more

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

What happens when you throw together a movie license, in this case a children’s movie, and a video game? Honestly this go around, not what many would have expected. Ice Age 2: The Meltdown delivers a fun, enjoyable gaming experience. Read more

Open Season

Not much needs, nor should be said about this game. It is disappointing that a company like Ubisoft would release a game of this caliber. Yes the game has its moments but it does not justify charging us the full price, or even charging extra because it is for a new console. The game is even too simple for its intended target, but far too violent for a younger age group, even too violent for the 10 to 12 year olds this game was intended for. Visually the game looks good, but beyond that nothing really stands out and gameplay becomes far too repetitive. I’d recommend renting it if you liked the movie, but for everyone else there are better alternatives.

Graphics: I’ve seen a lot worse, but this game does nothing spectacular.

Story: Loosely follows the story from the movie by having similar events and the same premise, but really doesn’t offer much insight into the movie. In the end the game is just about getting Boog, the bear, back home, and eventually saving the forest from the hunters.

Gameplay:  The Wii-mote really doesn’t add anything to the mix and really feels more like a gimmick than a gameplay feature. Nothing really stands out as the game consists of fetch quests, straight forward mini-games, and easy to solve puzzles.

Music and Sound FX: The music is weak plain and simple, except for the song played in the store at the beginning of the game, and the voice of Elliot, the deer, becomes annoying after just a couple of minutes of playing.

Game Over: Even for kids this game will be on the simple side, and the only redeeming quality was the fact that the game allowed us to be so violent - throwing the deer at hunters, throwing hunters into the fire, throwing anything and everything over the cliffs - even including it into the gameplay, yeah parents pretty violent for its intended audience. The game is also very short clocking in at a little less than 7 hours. It does have its fun parts, but as a whole it underachieves. Beyond that this game is your run of the mill rip off that tries to capitalize on the parents and children who enjoyed the movie.

2 out of 5

Metal Slug Anthology

The Metal Slug games have always been a challenge, one not easily accepted by all. These games throw you right into the action and pit you against immeasurable odds, from a rogue militia army to extraterrestrial invaders the Metal Slug squad has taken them all out. This game is hard, sure you can go through free play and beat the game easily but where’s the challenge in that you pansy. For the seasoned gamer, especially the hardcore, this collection calls you, your mom, and your entire family tree out. It’s like going back in time to relive the glory days of unfair odds, ridiculous screen filling barrage attacks, and memorizing the patterns that will save your life.

While the gameplay may appear simple at first, only using a couple of buttons (basically no matter what control setup you prefer) on the control, you quickly realize this isn’t your run of the mill everyday baby game. This game brings it to your door step, kicks you in your special place, and stands there waiting for you to retaliate. Awesome. The main issue with the anthology though is that every game is basically the same thing but with different enemies and locations, and after awhile that can become a bore.

While the gameplay is awesomely old school, unfortunately, the visuals are as well. It’s not the worst of the worst, but if you have a nice TV consider it a visual waste. Play this game on a tube TV and enjoy the old school feel of the event.

While the Metal Slug Anthology may not be the pinnacle of gaming it offers a unique challenge, for those who accept. For the rest this game can be another 2D ‘90s game that pushes you around like a school yard bully. Play or don’t play just know this game is out there and its’ waiting for you to hand over your lunch money.

Graphics: The graphics look decent, I mean they’re no match for the graphical juggernauts we have the privilege to play now-a-days, but for an old school game it wont kill your eyes or leave you wondering what you’re looking at. The visuals get better as the series moves along, and even though MS6 was recently released the graphics are intended to give you a mid-90s look and feel.

Story: Definitely not the games strong point, so if you’re looking for a deep, engaging story look somewhere else.

Gameplay: This is where the game shines, the gameplay is amazing, and if you don’t appreciate the thrill of a challenge this game will kick you on the butt and throw you on the curb. However if you do this game can be rewarding in its’ challenge and execution. The gameplay is simple yet not easily perfected.

Music and Sound FX: You could supply your own soundtrack and not miss a thing.

Game Over: I definitely had a love hate play through with this game. I love to take on a challenge but hate needlessly dying over a bogus hit, on the other hand Jeff loves it and takes it as an affront to his manhood. All I have to say on the matter is Jeff – 1, MSA – 0. Did I mention this game may not be for everyone?

3 out of 5