Redz0ne

It's okay. The initial concept was clever, and made for some rather interesting game-mechanics... But it felt a bit like a novelty and once that novelty wore off, it got kinda boring. I wasn't able to finish the game because I just couldn't really get myself amped up enough to care about finishing. So, maybe I'm missing out on something big and wonderful, but I just couldn't work myself up enough to do it. That said, as a puzzle-platformer, it was decent. Not necessarily the GOAT, but decent enough. I wouldn't suggest buying it unless you can get it on sale, or you really, REALLY love puzzle-platformers.

You inevitably feel a scintillating rush once you get good at the controls and fly around the map. But that's the thing. The controls. The game itself is very well done. Visually it hearkens back to the iconic aesthetic set out by the initial games but with just enough of an upgrade to make it feel fresh and new. The story is classic Star Fox fare but with a few twists and turns as should be expected of a modern story and the voice acting is perfect for the game. The corny one-liners are there but they're delivered in such a way as to feel believable and enjoyable. Music is also wonderfully done. When the music swells when you're about to enter a dogfight with Star Wolf, you feel it. But the controls. Yes, this is the biggest sticking point for a lot of people. Some even go so far as to suggest that the controls ruin it. I disagree. I disagree wholeheartedly. Previous Star Fox games had the game revolving around a balancing act of choosing two options. either you're flying or you're shooting. You rarely do both and only the most skilled players could. The motion controls and dual screens actually lower the bar so that even newbies to the series can shoot, fly, dodge and weave like the pros without having to rely on a delicate balance of shoot vs fly. Yes, you need to practice to get good at this. This is especially true since this kind of control scheme is rare and most players are simply not used to this kind of approach. Star Fox Zero breaks the mould in this sense and while it can be very, VERY intimidating at first, after a while and with some solid practice, you eventually come to a point where the controls in this game are actually better than previous incarnations because it gives you a lot more freedom to do more which makes this game feel like a true spaceship flying, enemy blasting, dodging, weaving, shooting game. Will this game be for everyone? Most certainly not. And that's okay. Will this game feel "off" for some hardened Star Fox players? Sure. But if you want a game that gives you a challenge and will make you feel heroic once you get good at it, this game is it. Now, as for the content itself, the change in the map is something to keep in mind. Previous games had the map be more like a progress indicator. This one gives you the option of going back and re-playing stages without having to start a new run through it all. This put me off at first but after getting about half-way through my first play through, it made sense. Having this freedom of choice is a distinct improvement and helps encourage playing through individual levels so as to practice and improve your skills as well as the satisfaction of just playing casually. There are some down-points, however. Mainly the last battle. No spoilers but it does force you to juggle between the walker and the arwing. It works, but you will probably get the feeling that the developers were either given their marching orders to make the walker "a thing" or that they were in love with it maybe a bit too much. That's one reason why I cannot give it a perfect score. But to be honest, the controls are actually improved and this is reflected in the fact that isn't a game for casuals who expect to have the game spoon fed to them without earning it. If you want to beat the game, you have to, as they say, "Git gud." And that's refreshing to see nowadays. It is actually one of the ways this game captures the essence of classic video gaming. So, to sum this all up. If you want a game that will give you a challenge and shows you what can really be done with a gyro control system on top of the usual game-pad inputs, this game does it well. Some bruises but otherwise a solid game and definitely adds to the genre and takes it in a refreshingly new direction with a classic game-play experience you won't soon forget. Hat's off to Nintendo and Platinum. This one is a keeper!

Full disclosure: I am a big fan of this franchise. So, take that into consideration when reading this review. I will try to be fair but it still does warrant being mentioned. So, the game itself is nice. The graphics are noticeably improved (anti-aliasing and what seems like a depth blurring in some shots) and that's a very good thing... On the down-side, it's clear this was developed primarily for the current/new gen of hardware and the PS3 felt more like a port as in some cases there was some lag and frame-rate drops. The mechanics of play were also good but there IS a new level of sluggishness with the characters that a lot of players may not notice but I did and it took some getting used to. It made me have to be more aware of my surroundings so as to properly anticipate jumps and other things. If this were tightened up to be closer to Swap-Force's controls, it'd be perfect. That being said, it's a lovely game on it's own. The new trap-mechanic is actually pretty nice and really changes the meta-game of the whole thing. For players new to the franchise, you're likely going to have your skylanders figures maxed out quickly but if you have a collection already then this is a great game to swap to different characters. All the previous characters are back and play similarly. That said, with some characters there were some tweaks that may not be noticeable for some. It's a minor point and I think that helps the balancing of characters over-all so as much as I may have been spoiled with the attack speed of my Terrafin character (my go-to figure) it's fair that it's been nerfed a little bit. The levels are fantastic, however... They're massive but not TOO long. You can burn through a level quickly or you can take your time and hunt down secrets. And that's the best thing, the secrets are actually SECRET this time around. You MUST be thorough to find all of them where before with Swap-Force, the levels were a little on the linear side. That said, the levels here are still somewhat linear but there's enough put in there to keep you (or your kids if that's who you are buying it for) occupied and it will introduce them to some solid level design. Each level is actually pretty good and very nicely crafted. The colour and aesthetics are still vibrant when necessary and are rarely garish or jarring. There are flaws, however... The Trap-masters are OP. So, chances are if you are playing to win, you're likely going to be finding yourself using them far more often. Also, the secret doors are limited to trap masters now. That seems like a direct and blatant hit to the wallet (if you want my honest opinion.) Don't get me wrong, it does kinda make sense from a marketing PoV but let's be honest, it's a bit cheap. Also, this introduces two new elements which are kept secret until you've added one to your arsenal. This is a nice change in a sense because it opens up new avenues but it's going to make your wallet bleed a little more. The story itself is as you can expect... Kaos is back... But there's a twist... But I'm not going to spoil it. Needless to say, it's refreshing and I'm sure you may find yourself enjoying the story as it plays out. It's fresh, interesting and above all, it's a very good game. I cannot give it full marks though because of it's flaws (And I do admit I actually prefer Swap-force since it's game-play mechanics are far more tight and responsive but that's kinda how I like it.) So, for new players, it's a great introduction to what's becoming a loved franchise... For existing players, it's may hold the potential to be not-as-impressive as previous games if you have discerning tastes. But all in all, it's worth the price of admission. And one last point... I want to offer my sincere condolences towards your wallet. ;)

All in all a somewhat okay game. The graphics may be a little dated and the sound is a mix between cheap effects and somewhat decent voice acting for some characters... But considering the platform it's acceptable. The story is allright. It is a little predictable and cliche at times but it is not completely bad. It does suffer from being a little too grandiose given the subject matter. The gameplay, however, gets tiresome after a while. It is a somewhat clever execution butit gets rather stale and kinda boring after the first few fights. I would have liked to see more variety and creativity. Basically it is a watered down game that mixes simon with checkers in an odd kind of way with QTEs littered at surprisingly confusing points. It's an okay game over all. It likely won't have you in rapture or engaged for very long but it's an adequate game to play while you're on the toilet at the very least.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

I simply cannot find any reason to give this game anything less than a full score here. The visuals are simply gorgeous, the gameplay is deceptively simple and yet it's very engrossing and the music and sound are as close to perfect as mortal hands could make to the point where it's a very engaging experience and more times than not will leave you with the feeling that you've played something that doesn't come around very often. That said, it IS an odd-duck and for gamers that are more used to the usual games on offer, this might make them be less impressed. But, if you can step outside of your usual game expectations and just let it take you in, you may find yourself with an experience that will likely leave a lasting impression on you. Sure, it's a short game... you can beat it in 2 hours on average... However, in the "Quality vs Quantity" argument, it wins the "Quality" award many times over. That said, if you're a gamer that prefers your games to be intense in action and with a fast-paced feel to them, this might not be your cup of joe... the game is (I hate to say it because it will sound incredibly poncy) more a work of art and if you simply cannot stand a game that likes to take it's time you might not find this game as enjoyable as other games you may have in your library. Still, if you are willing to give it a chance and are okay letting yourself get swept up in a truly immersive experience then this might be a game that will give you memories that you'll carry with you for a long, long time.

As a standard pokemon game on it's own, it's decent enough. The story is a familiar trend that many seasoned pokemon fans will remember, the battle system is nicely updated and the overhaul of the graphics themselves are a welcome change to the series. However, given that this game has some rather nasty bugs to them (the save-game corruption glitch when you save in certain towns) and the lack of 3D in the overworld all serve to bring this title down significantly. A deeper analysis of the system shows that when the 3d effect is on and in battles, the game engine doesn't seem to like rendering it and as such there are noticeable flickers from the frame-rate drop which leads me to believe that the reason of "we wanted it to be beautiful" doesn't seem to hold much water. This is not surprising given that there IS a cultural issue here in that it's often that you'll have someone say something untrue if it would lead to them not losing face amongst their peers... and since Pokemon has a global impact there is a giant amount of pressure on the developers to save face. However, all that said the more likely reason why 3D was disabled was that these other clues noticed make me believe that the game's engine was poorly optimized. There is a ray of hope here in that it is now possible to patch games post-release but for a game to suffer from these difficulties and with such a high-profile franchise such as Pokemon, this could be the stinker in the series for failure to live up to the buzz that was generated during development. Still, it's a decent game in and of itself so it's not a total wash but the failings here are a bit too hard to overlook. It's a shame because the 3DS needs some solid franchises to help solidify it's presence in the gaming market as the game's library has and still remains it's most pernicious negative. Gameplay, well, it's pokemon. And it's end-game content is about on par with the other games... so, it's not really anything new or spectacular since the 3D effect being off most times leaves one wondering why they even bothered with the 3D in the first place.

Given the history of the game's development it makes sense where this game has it's limitations... the plot seems decent if a bit anemic at times however that is secondary to the gameplay experience itself. It is certainly a game for mature audiences what with the violent content and copious amounts of blood and gore. This game isn't a game for kids in any way, shape or form... the puzzles are quite difficult and it doesn't hold your hand through any of it save for the initial "this is what a puzzle looks like" in the first act. Also, the game is satisfyingly difficult giving you the chance to really challenge yourself. There are some spots where the difficulty seems just a bit too much but again, this game will not hold your hand and "tell you a story" with a few gameplay events here and there... so, if you're looking for a game where you can lose yourself in the story and not be bothered with too much difficulty, then this game may not be for you. It is also paced well... with just the right amount of slow points to give you a chance to catch your breath. It's not a perfect game... it has it's "Derp" moments... However, try and understand the game's history and how it came to development and you'll understand why this game wasn't as good as it could have been. All in all, a hidden gem for gamers looking for a game that will give them a tough challenge, immersive environment and rewarding gameplay. Hardcore gamers will love this game... casual gamers might find it a bit too intense.

First and foremost, this is a bit of a departure from the classical Castlevania gameplay that most die-hard fans will have come to know and love. That being said, it is executed beautifully and so well that if you're willing to dive in, it's worth getting. the flaws, however, come as it's not a classical castlevania game, it feels more like a mish-mosh of God of War and Shadow of the Colossus... Also, if you're not playing this on an HD television, it's very difficult to see what you're playing at times... I understand that HD is the way the industry is going but it feels like a bit of a let-down because the game is difficult to play on a non-HD television, harder than it ought to be sometimes. the story is a little on the linear side so the replayability does suffer but there is enough of that classic "metroidvania" gameplay style that you can find yourself going back to previous levels to uncover more things you may have missed or were unable to get. decent, good story, exceptionally beautiful and plays well enough... a solid 9

All in all, this is a good Katamari game for fans and newcomers alike. It's refreshing to play a game where there is a great deal of challenge which makes the eventual victory all the sweeter. the graphics are what you'd expect from a Katamari game and the way that they've treated it and updated it add to the charm and quirky feel to the game. there are some levels that might be a little too tough for some players but that just adds to the level of satisfaction for when you eventually beat them. if you're a katamari fan, this is a must have in your collection... if you've not played these games before, it's a good introduction... all over, it's a solid 9... doesn't really innovate too much but it does deliver classic Katamari gameplay like we've all come to know and love.

All in all, it's a decent game... Though it has it's flaws such that in some situations the controls might bug out a little bit and picking up weapons is a little tricky in the heat of battle, the story is thought out enough such that it's engaging with enough twists to keep it interesting. Given the fact that this game is dated by today's standards, it's nice to see that it does hold up well enough. the gameplay mechanics are also good. I can't give it a solid 10 as those flaws do break the immersion occasionally but for what it's worth, if you're into a decent cover-shooter game with a few tricks that hadn't been tried before it's time, you may be surprised.

This is not a game, this is a painting application. Just thought i'd get that out of the way first so there's no confusion. that being said, it's a rather robust and somewhat intuitive painting application and the inclusion of painting in 3d (which is actually more like slices akin to the multi-planar camera from animation days past) is pretty darn good! IF you don't have an artistic bone in your body and you can't even draw a stick figure to save your life, avoid this application as you're probably going to consider it wasted money... IF, however, you like painting/drawing or you're keen on learning, it's certainly worth considering. the screen size is a bit of a trade-off for portability but that's a rather small price to pay in my personal opinion.

I told myself "Self, This game is actually going to be good... for once Sonic Team has done something right and won't disappoint me like pretty much every other sonic game since sonic 3 on the genesis has.."...... I should have ignored myself....... Seriously, it's well past time for Sonic Team to retire the blue blur. This is a painful game to play not just because of the absolutely weak amount of content or the gameplay being as insipid (as is come to be expected, sadly) as it is... but the bugs... oh lord the bugs. you would think that a multimillion dollar corporation would have the resources to at LEAST pay for a decent beta testing team but it seems not to be the case. I tend to think of the old rock-star adage... "it's better to go out in a blaze of glory than it is to fade away with a whimper." because at this point, all i can think is that Sega is merely trying to milk this franchise but this cow's gone dry many years ago.

For fans of tactical strategy games, this game will surely give you a LOT of entertainment. for those that are not very familiar with this genre, it's simple enough and the way that it guides you through the earlier levels will surely arm you with what you need to know to play this game and play it well. combat mechanics are smooth and will be familiar to veterans of this genre of game. honestly surprised that i found this with a bargain price of $20 (at my local zellers... not sure if it's everywhere or if this was merely an overstock clearance sale.) but if you see it, it's worth adding to your library.

This game is not the greatest game out there. Though the graphics are passable for a new console, the frame-rate drops to a snail's pace if there are more than one or two characters on screen. if you like button mashing games then this might be worth considering but it does lend credence to the whole "movie tie-in games usually ****." IF (and this is a BIG if) the new firmware update and patching of games allows it to be patched so that it isn't such a slug, there may be hope because it isn't altogether a terrible game that you should completely avoid... but that IS a biiiiiig "IF" and delving into Griptonite's track record, that "if" seems less likely to happen. frankly, i'm surprised that Nintendo signed off on this game at all because of the woeful bugs that make this game nearly unplayable. seriously, Griptonite, what the f*** is wrong with you? do you not know how to build a game within a system's specifications? I purchased this on sale for $15 and i still think i paid too much for it. Shame, Griptonite, Shame on you... YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER BY NOW.

For retro gaming fans, this is a classic game that you will want in your collection. for the rest of us, however, it's shallow gameplay shows it's age and though the updated 3d treatment is nice, it isn't enough to save this game from being played mostly once or twice then quickly forgotten. There are some games that are worth bringing back from the annals of history but this one doesn't manage to cut it unless you're a very big fan of retro games.

If you are a fan of the pink puffball and want to play a game that has a retro feel to it in 3d, this is a must-have. it is a faithful port of the original NES game and has the difficulty of the games of yesterday. the price is right as well since it's a lot of value for only $6.99+taxes.

Quite simply one of the best 3ds titles out there. Yes, we know it's a port, Yes, we know that you've played it on the N64 but given that the graphics were given an overhaul as well as the sound/music, this game is certainly a "must have" for any serious gamer that has a 3ds. They've even been so faithful to the game that the water temple is still as infuriating as it was on the N64 as well as how Navi can be so very annoying "hey, Hey, Listen, Hey, watch out, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, listen, hey, listen, listen, watch out" but without all those little things, would it truly be a faithful 3d rendition of one of the best selling games that surely deserves the accolades that come with it? no... I tip my hat to Nintendo for releasing this on the 3ds and i am eagerly awaiting when/if Majora's Mask might get the same treatment (because, let's face it, OoT and MM are two of the best zelda games that Nintendo has produced.)

Gaming veterans should be pleased that the majority of this game still holds to the spirit of the classic NES version. updated graphics and some improvement in the sound effects also add to the charm of this title. the 3D update is a novel touch! the Difficulty is about what you'd expect for a game from the NES era (as in, actually holds a decent challenge) but for newer players that aren't used to the levels of difficulty that we older-gamers grew up with, it's a worthy addition to your library. Now's your chance to either relive the bygone days of your youth if you grew up with this title... or it's the chance for the younger crowd to see just what games used to be like back in the 8-bit days. Certainly a challenge and more than worth the price of admission.

This game works very well on the 3ds and it manages to keep the retro-gaming feel without feeling like it's pandering to the player. surprisingly large amount of content for such a well priced game. the difficulty curve is about what you'd expect for a game of this generation... the earlier levels might feel way too easy (or i may just be seasoned enough as a gaming veteran that the difficulty wasn't as tough as it would be for a younger/less-seasoned gamer.) still, it's a good value for the price and if you're not sure you would enjoy it, currently (as of this writing) there is a demo you can try in the eShop.

A decent addition to the Resident Evil franchise that seems to go back to it's roots (RE 1 and 2) in that it's holding true to the claustrophobic, tense and eerie atmosphere. Capcom did a wonderful job. there ARE some criticisms, however... the control scheme of the game is a little tricky on it's own and it is highly recommended that if you get this game, get the circle-pad-pro for it as well as that will certainly make the game that much easier to control. graphics are stunning, voice-acting feels genuine and doesn't feel forced. the fact that you play through from different perspectives to get different points of the story is clever and works well. it isn't a perfect game but it comes very, very close.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Kart racing at it's best! the 3d works flawlessly and the sheer amount of content is awesome! but the best part is the multiplayer... which makes this game constantly challenging (when you're not racing against someone on the buggy Wuhu track to be a dirty, shameless cheater.) can't give this game a perfect score because of the bugged track(s.) otherwise, if you are looking for a racing game that's fun, frantic and will keep you coming back for more, this is the game you've been looking for.

Beautiful game! Solid and faithful port from the n64 version with some updated graphics. gameplay wise it's okay and kinda sufferable when you use the gyro controls (which i think is more **** but i played through most of the game with it off.) all in all, if you like these sorts of games, you'll love this. if you're not a fan of shooters, however, might want to hold out as it is a fairly short game with a moderate-to-low amount of replayability.

I initially passed this game by when it first came out as it didn't look all that engaging. when the price-drop happened and it was on sale for $20 i picked it up and BOY were my initial impressions so very, very wrong. this game is quite simply one of the most technically beautiful games for the 3ds early launch and the gameplay is quite good. it could have benifitted from a circle-pad-pro option since the shooting in the 8 directions felt a little odd at first... but i got used to it. there is a decent amount of content and it's quite polished EXCEPT FOR THAT ONE BOSS BATTLE where i had to turn the 3d off (as it was seriously and severely buggy to the point of unplayability in 3d.) if you're a fan of shmups, you'll more than likely love this game but if you're just looking for something to fill the void between releases, it's worth getting as it's an addicting and engaging game that doesn't force you to read or watch movies to understand the plot... the plot is quite simple... you're a nanite ship and you have to destroy bacteria and virii and other biological things. that's it. simply gorgeous, good gameplay, Priced just right for the cheapskate in the family and a downright STEAL for shmup fans.

You're better off getting the DS version as it's basically a direct port and the lack of 3d (Save for the demon fusing and other small 3d bits) doesn't make it worth getting. only reason i'd suggest trying it is if you loved this game on the DS and want that 1 extra day. past that, the game is a decent tactical rpg. the characters feel fleshed out well enough and the voice acting wasn't ear-bleedingly awful. the graphics are pretty much the same as the DS copy. in all seriousness, this game should have been passed by or at the very least given an overhaul. Altus, i would think, is getting lazy with this one. save your money, get the DS version... you'll get (almost) the exact same experience but you'll be saving money and telling companies like Altus to not be lazy gits and actually give us some actual 3d for a 3d game.

Though a little on the pricey side for most gamers, it's worth looking into. the mechanic of using the portal is novel and rather ingenious as it is a successful bridge between the toy and video game world. I was put off by the fact that if you want to get 100% completion on the game, you're going to be shelling out quite a bit of money but on it's own with no additional characters this game is pretty good! The biggest difference between this game for the 3ds and the wii/xbox/ps3 version is that the gameplay is more in line with the classical "spyro" feel in that it's a platforming game which surely benefits from the 3d. the characters' designs and it's presentation belies it's target demographic being the younger crowd and i'm sure that they would likely enjoy it. for the mature gamer, however, it still holds enough appeal to the point where it's not a complete dissapointment. so, pros... a solid platformer that benefits greatly from the 3d, cute and charming character designs, rich and detailed worlds and surely reminiscent of the old spyro games of old. cons...: the fact you have to shell out money for the figures feels like a cash-grab, figures are consistently out of stock so finding new characters is an uphill battle and surely a frustrating affair, losing the figures or the base will screw you out of being able to swap out characters. a solid 7. not the best game in the world but definately not the worst... though the fact that this game comes packaged with a whole slew of diehard fans (whom will surely take the time to tell you why you're wrong if you like this game in the most annoying and childish manner) is a down point... but, i'm not going to punish the game itself for the slew of insufferable fanatics that have gravitated to this game. (and if you pay attention, most of the whining is because the game is a departure in design and theme from the old... but, if the gaming industry never took chances and tried new and daring things, we'd still be stuck playing pong, pacman and space invaders.)

This game shows exceptional polish in a lot of spaces but the controls may be on the frustrating side for gamers that aren't used to this sort of configuration. With that said, the stand that comes packaged with it helps a great deal. Music is phenomenal in that it is high quality, emotive and sets a good tone. the story itself i can't claim to know all of it as i have only played through about 4 missions so far... and from what i can tell it seems as if they're trying to lay the groundwork for an experience that seems like it's poised to go deeper. It had an enormous amount of hype leading up to release so naturally there is a sort of "high" for a lot of users (and i can't claim to be immune either) but from what i can tell, it's a solid game with a lot of extras as well as the difficulty scale which can be adjusted to suit your gaming experience. do you want to be challenged and have a brutally tough gaming experience? you can have that. do you want to coast through the game, you can have that as well. all in all, it's a solid 9. it gets points taken from the controls (which will feel clunky to people new to this sort of configuration until they learn to adapt to it) but otherwise a solid title that feels poised to re-launch the KI franchise with a good success.

I have never in my life as a gamer played a game that was more boring and uninspiring as this one. it looks pretty on the 3ds, but that's it''s only redeeming feature (and playing a game merely because it's "pretty" is doing a massive disservice to the gaming industry.) the combat is interesting in that it's a departure from your typical turn-based combat, but that doesn't even begin to make up for the fact that the characters are contrived, cookie-cutter parodies. I could not once find a moment in this game where i felt any sort of emotion for the characters. this game may appeal to your typical jRPG fans, but then anything that's even remotely "anime" will appeal to them, even if it is a steaming pile with "cute anime eyes" slapped on. overall, best to avoid this game unless you want to play an uninspiring game where the story is forced and predictable.