Aronos

Wow! This game was brilliant. I just got done playing it, (yes it came out in 2007, and I'm writing this in 2012 lol) Anyway, this game was near perfect, at least for me. The graphics were exceptional for a semi-launch title, as long as you don't get too close on character faces. The music fits very well with tracks for talking, environments, and bosses. The gameplay and story is where this game really makes an impact. Before buying the game, I didn't know practically anything about it. However this game does a fantastic job with pacing, mixing in clever situations, the writing never gets dull and always keeps you interested and wondering what's next and who dunnit, optional quests, items, and a very excellent difficulty curve. My only little gripe with the game is the feeling that the XAxis motion control parts were a little tacked-on. The game forces you to use multiple directions and motions for absorbing the Ids from the tougher and bigger enemies, and bosses. I would normally be fine with it, but during many times they have you fighting multiple enemies that require you to absorb their Ids as others are fighting you. The game doesn't pause, so if you really want their Ids, which isn't neccessary, but really rewarding. Then you have the near impossibility of either killing all but one, or some how passing the motion test without getting hit by the other enemies, as that cancels your attempt. Long story short, this game was a real "hidden gem" or game that most people owe it to themselves to check out. You don't have to buy it, but at least play this fantastic game, where the use of motion comics, CG cutscenes, art, interesting areas, amazing sountrack, and story that is probably the most interesting to playthrough I have been through in awhile.

This game was brilliant, the same way other adventure or point-and-click games were in the past. Some people might be turned off from the graphics, though I personally loved them. I'm glad the developer took the time to de-grade the graphics to like a 16bit form, instead of a fancy over the top type. It made me remember the glory days of monkey island, and i really enjoyed seeing all interesting BG's. The gameplay itself is interesting, in that you aren't just clicking to move and interact. Sometimes you partake in fire fights, which turn the game into a kind of strategic gun fight involving cover, aiming, and reloading. Another interesting addition was the mini-games, hidden characters, special steam achievements, and added commentary to a playthrough. The audio and music was also very well done, and fit beautifully in creating a thick environment and universe. The kind that makes me now want to get the OTS. The only complaint I have is you can't just access your inventory or menu, unless you first click on a "hotspot" area. Anyway, I urge all retro-adventure gamers to try the game out. I believe there's a demo version from the official website.

This game really brought me back to the 16 bit days, when performing high altitude dunks meant something than just winning the game. This game is a much needed break from regular sport titles that try to be too simulation-like, and offers an altenative to when having fun can come from just about anything and anywhere. I was going to purchase the Wii version, but when I heard this title would be coming out, I waited to see just what it actually includes, in case it wasn't just a nerfed version of the retail copy. First, this game doesn't have the "Remix Mode" or boss battles that the retail version does. However this one is only $15 and includes; enhanced gameplay, better AI, improved online features, XP, unlockables, and challenges, and improved rosters. This game provides hours and hours or fantastic gameplay, audio, and more. Playing the game with co-op is even better imo, because you can pull off ridiculous moves and unlock tons of content. One main reason I see people picking up this version is for the better online. Out of the many games I played, I think I only had like 2-3 that were laggy. Even if you play offline games, you will still be able to earn xp, purchase teams, players, and other stuff, and get the whole experience, minus a few "Arena" challenges. Overall, this game is well worth the price to play it, and if the game has DLC or updates down the road, I probably would have no problem paying for those as well. Yes the people who bought the retail version might feel a little bit ripped off, but I urge anyone familiar with NBA Jam or any arcade sports games to give it a shot. I'm rating this game a 9/10. As it is very close to being perfect. The reason it's not a 10 is because they removed the "Remix Mode" and boss battles, which imo would have added even more gameplay and hours to the game.

Sideway: NY is the kind of game that is mixing 2D with 3D elements. The story is rather simple, like many platformers, in that you're girlfiend got kidnapped and you have to go save her. The core of the game comes from making your way through the buildings and scenery by moving along the walls of the buildings like graffiti. This works very well, and is indeed unique. The developers also used this mechanic to create many hidden or secret areas that you can explore and hunt down for "tags", "upgrades", and other goodies. The game has a nice smooth dificulty curve, in that around each level you will probably earn a new ability, and the levels are designed to challenge you to use all the abilities you have gained so far, as well as, having you replay some levels in order to get all the unlockables that you might have missed. The bosses themselves are nothing too hard, except for the last ones, and the designers made them unique and colorful to not get stale or just look like larger enemies. The audio tracks were also very fitting and worked well to compliment the overall style and game. The only downside is I think I only heard like 2-3 songs throughout the entire game. Sometimes they just looped, other times I had pure silence throughout the levels. For a $10 PSN title, this was a well deserved playthrough. Yes, the game was kind of short. I think I 100% it around 5 hours. The trophies are also not very hard, and since it's a PSN title there really were only like 12 or less. Regardless, if you want a break from all the AAA titles, or love quirky platformers, I say give it a shot. It's only $10, has a unique style and gameplay mechanic, funky sound, and has co-op. Anyway, a solid 7.5 from me, though I guess I would round it to an 8.

For $10, this game is well worth the price and even a steal. Sure you could probably cruse through the game in about 8 hours or so, but you'd be missing the gorgeous graphics, excellent use of color and style, and the creative way the designers use puzzles, platforming, and powers. This game is very well paced and the difficulty does go up gradually, with each new ability learned, it tests you to use that ability from hence forth. Enemies are varied enough to where just hacking and slashing your way through them well only result in your demise. The bosses are huge and take a few tries to develop a pattern and strategy of attack, and the music was very well crafted and used throughout the adventure. A few minor drawbacks are the lack of replay value, which I will say only comes from the arcade mode, which allows you to replay areas and marks of the gods, which are little collectibles hidden throughout the game. And trophies I guess. As for controls, they were very responsive, and the jumping mechanics was really the nly thing that took a little bit to get used to, if you are a gamer who is used to mario or a more traditional platformer. Overall, I would have to rate this game a solid 8/10. I would rate it a 9, if there was any kind of local co-op, but I can see why the developers only put in an online mode.

This game is hands down the best Roguelike like I have played as of writing this. The graphics are charming, the items unique, and the shear amount of replay value is through the roof. The game has you choose your difficulty, then permadeath on or off, then your starting skills. If you are like me, then choosing random skills with permadeath on is the best way to have fun and use survival skills to try for a high score or see how far you can make it. Some negatives about the game are you can't customize, change, or even see any equipment changes to your cahracter. You will always be the young lad with large eyebrows. I'm sure the developers could add a character creator, but to not see your character wearing that kick ass skull sword, fury wand, or goggles, is kind of dissapointing. The game also doesn't take itself seriously at all. There is so much humor and parodies packed into this game that it's oozing out from the seams. You can't pick an item up, kill a monster, or read dialogue without seeing some of the funniest RPG nerd jokes. As it stands, for $5 on Steam, you have no reason not to pick this title up and support the developers who really put their blood and sweat into making a game they obviously really cared for. If you are a dungeon crawling gamer, or love roguelike games, I urge you to check it out. If not, and you have some cash, try it out. The few flaws far outweigh the great time you will have for hours and hours this game provides.

First things first, many remakes to older games and retro styled HD games usually will be enjoyed by fans of the orginal games. Like, Megaman 9, Bubble Bobble, and Bomberman to name a few. If you are in any way a fan of the orginal Elevator Action, you will most likely find this game to be really fun and a great upgrade from the previous game. I never played the Saturn one, but this is nothing like that one. In fact, they even include the original game with this one, just in case you don't own a copy. Anyway back to the review of sorts. Fans of the previous game like me, will instantly love how you can still squash, shoot, and knock lights down on the enemies. This game adds new elements to make it feel fresh, with things like door kills, knockouts, bombs, switches, and even medals to earn. There is a story, but that's not why you'd buy the game, so it's not really important. The game also has a high replay value, in which it has leaderboards, medals to earn, 4-player co-op, and the orginal game. I really wish they had the Saturn one so I could finally play and own that one, but oh well. I would have to rate this game an 8/10 for fans of the previous game, and a 7/10 for newcomers. The only flaws being the jump is much faster now than the old game had, which can be both good and bad, and the game could've had more graphical sprucing.