Xenugears

The Danganrompa series is the only reason my Vita isn't collecting dust at this point so I jumped at the chance to play this unique episode. Ultra Despair Girls manages to retain the quirky charm and self awareness of past, text-based Danganrompa games while mixing up the formula to include third person shooting elements. Somehow, it works. The game's personality, however, goes a long way because if this was just some random Japanese shooter I would not have liked it as much. While the ability to select different truth bullets is inspired, the gameplay here is the weakest element but it's existence is entirely appropriate given the premise. UDG features Komaru Naegi (adorable sister to D1's "average" protagonist) as she banters/battles her way through a world overrun by demonic children and of course Monokuma(s) in all his robotic glory. Many other familiar faces from the past two games appear as well. I appreciate that this game gives us a chance to encounter the apocalyptic events only mentioned in past games first hand. That alone is reason to experience this rather odd spin-off. Bottom like: if you liked those games and don't mind a departure from the interactive novel approach you will probably enjoy this game.

As much as I would like to see a proper console follow-up to Symphony of the Night I have to applaud the direction that Lords of Shadow 2 takes the franchise in its closing chapter of this ambitious trilogy. This game attempts to innovate and implement new ideas while also preserving what made the first LoS work and for the most part it's successful. The God of War meets DMC gameplay is solid, the puzzles are much improved and more intuitive and the story is compelling. That's all I can ask for. There are still flaws (I agree that the open world aspect could have been more... open) but it's far from mediocre as the review aggregates seem to indicate. Playing as a version of Dracula who has awoken in a modern world and mad as hell is something I've been waiting for since the mindblowing ending of the first game. Konami delivers. This is a character that is understandably haunted by his past and attempting recover his full power so that he can finally find peace and while the get-your-powers back plot device may not be original, it's an effective mechanic that, for once, actually makes sense within this game universe. I even found myself enjoying reading about the history and mythos surrounding Dracula that took place after Lord of Shadows. This game offers the deepest protagonist/antagonist in Castlevania history. That's more than enough to bump this game into the green. 8.5/10 but I'll round up to 9.

This is a welcome update to a RPG classic. I got my Elf Mage all ready to go and was, for the most part, enjoying the game until I realized there are no Steam achievements. What the drek?! I'm happy to support this game and while I know it's irrational to not play a game due to a lack of admittedly arbitrary achievements (what can I say: I'm OCD about this), not including them these days just seems lazy (or Nintendo) so I'm tapping out of Shadowrun. Back to XCOM. The developers say they may add them later to which I say I may play it (and revise my score) later.

The first season of the Walking Dead earned its many Game of the Year awards. The short but exciting 400 Days is a fitting continuation of that experience filled with compelling new characters that I look forward to seeing in future installments. At the same time it also feels as the player's role has been reduced even more to something resembling a passive "reader" rather than player. Not only is this game easier (and the puzzles non existent) but it practically plays itself in most sections. The thrill of making one decision or another has been dulled quite a bit since season one due to a lack of agency on the player's part. I think it's time to refine certain aspects of this series. Namely, gameplay. A renewed emphasis on exploration and puzzle solving for Walking Dead season two is, in my opinion, crucial to keep this series relevant.

A $15 open world 80s cyber action game starring Michael Biehn! What's not to love here? Blood Dragon is not just good for a DLC but a fantastic, fully realized game in its own right and one of the most entertaining first person shooters of this generation. I've been rocking Blood Dragon every day since it came out and have to stop for a second and appreciate it when a DLC does something this mind boggling unique rather than the usual cash grab offerings of new maps or a few more hours of the same levels in an epilogue or prequel. The last time a DLC title this ambitious was attempted happened was Undead Nightmare and with the (hopeful) success of this rad new beast I hope these kinds of re-purposed games become more common. Making an entirely new game from ashes of an enjoyable older game is a great way to test out new ideas. It breeds innovation and, in this case, DRAGONS!

Immensely addicting. Perhaps $10 is a little high for just three tables but (a) the tables are a blast (pun intended) and (b) the Star Wars themes are a perfect fit for pinball. This game does for pinball what Pac-Man Championship DX did for, well, Pac-Man.

I always up for calling EA out when they screw up (which is a lot) but this isn't one of those times. The original Dead Space took the reigns from Resident Evil 4 as the best survival horror game around. It was fresh and exciting. Dead Space 3, like Resident Evil 5 and 6, shifted the focus from a rich atmospheric world that one revels in to a more action heavy experience that one blasts their way through. It is no longer the best survival horror game (that honor goes to Alan Wake and/or Deadly Premonition) but, instead, it will have to settle for being a quality if not mind blowing action title with a deep weapon system and engaging (enough) story. That's not acceptable from the looks of many other user reviews and I can respect that opinion but it's not one that I hold. Do it wish it were more like DS1, sure I do, but that doesn't mean I can't be happy with what's here. I'm not sure where this franchise is heading as the new generation approaches but after three solid games I'm going to give Visceral the benefit of the doubt. Unlike Bioware, they somehow figured out how to keep EA from ruining their brand.

A remarkable and refreshingly original title. As much as I enjoy stealth/action games like Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell and of course Metal Gear sometimes I get the urge to play, you know, a stealth/STEALTH game. To be a ghostly assassin or, in this case, a ninja. Allowing me to do that in an expressive and brilliantly designed 2D side scrolling field is a revelation because it works so well yet has been so underused by video games in general outside of cult classics like Flashback and Out of this World. In a year full of high profile disappointments (Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed 3) it's nice to be greeted with a genuine surprise. In my book this is the sleeper hit of the year and a worthy contender for GOTY.

Decided to play this to get in the mood for the 2013 re-re-boot. While not as good as the Big 3 Splinter Cell games for the Xbox it's a vast improvement over Double Agent for the 360. The move away from stealth is lamentable but not a deal breaker because blending sneaky stealth gameplay with Uncharted-esq 3rd person shooting is enjoyable. So much so that I am able to forgive Sam for his sojourn into Bro-dom. That this is the last we'll ever see from Michael Ironside Sam I have to commend this series for ending Sam's tale on a decent note.

Assassin's Creed has lost it's edge in my opinion. The spectacle is there but the specialness (for lack of a better word) is gone. The setting is different this time around and I appreciate that but the formula is basically the same. Don't get me wrong, the series is still passable and (almost) worth $60 and I'm going to keep buying them but with a little less joy and excitement. Yearly releases is only hastening my exasperation. Remember Me is going to be the next Assassin's Creed and will hopefully add a surge or energy to this stealth/memory genre.

Console gaming needs more titles like this! I bought XCOM the same day as Dishonored and will be playing it long after that game (as well as many other fall releases). This game is a breath of fresh air that is in the same league as Valkyria Chronicles.

The game's biggest --perhaps only-- flaw is its inability to wrap the complex narrative up in a memorable way. Considering how rich the rest of the game is (both in terms of mythology and gameplay) I was sad at the non-ending that greeted me upon the end of Corvo's rather straight forward "save Emily" quest. Maybe they're pulling a Fallout 3 and planning on releasing the ending in DLC form. Or maybe they're pulling a Bioshock and planning on giving us a proper ending with a direct sequel. Either way, a huge opportunity was lost and, in the process, Dishonored went from being a probable Game of the year to simply a very good game.

I love it when a game comes out and polarizes to such a degree. It makes for some lively debate. I can't shake the feeling however that if this game was not part of the Resident Evil series proper, or not related to it at all, then people might be a little more forgiving. Same thing happened with the underrated Ninja Gaiden 3 earlier in the year. In both cases many seem to be caught up in the past and focus on what the game "should" have been rather than what it is, which, in the case of RE6, is a more traditional action horror experience. The combat is a vast improvement over RE4 and RE5. As are the less tank-y controls. The inventory is also less of a drag. The story, while nowhere near as memorable and iconic as 4, is serviceable at best and unintentionally hilarious at worst. I also really enjoy the co-op experience in the story mode. Sure, that takes away from the horror elements but this isn't really that kind of game. To be fair the game is very inconsistent and lacking in a clear vision but after the mess that was RE5 (why do more players/critics give that one a pass?) I'll take the varied atmosphere of 6 any day. I think at this point Capcom just needs to take a look at people's reactions and branch the series into two, allowing the main series to return to "it's roots" (survival horror) while perhaps creating a spin-off series of Resident Evil games that act as the logical evolution of the more combat oriented approach began by the trailblazing Resident Evil 4. You know what, I'd gladly play both.

I'm just glad they didn't try to make this into an first person shooter. As a modern point and click adventure it hits all the right notes. This series is really going to help me get through the annual summer video game drought.

This game is simultaneously overrated and underrated. Overrated because critics and fanboys blindly gave the game a pass without addressing its glaring, near deal-breaking faults such as a curious lack of choice, wonky dialogue, a cumbersome cover system, vague journal entries, Jessica Chobot, James Vega, an inexcusable glitch not allowing me to import my Shepard from ME1 and 2 (really, Bioware?) and the now infamous ending. However, I would argue that ME3 is also slightly underrated because, well, the game STILL has solid combat, fun weapons (I love the Scorpion, a heavy pistol that shoots out sticky proximity mines), great music and a some genuinely rich emotional moments that strike a chord. The game's horrible conclusion and inability (or unwillingness) to weave "my Shepard's" actions from ME1 and 2 may not enough to "ruin" the game/series entirely and, for that matter, retroactively (a la Matrix Revolutions) but it's certainly enough to elicit a sense of regret over what could have been the best science fiction story of this current console generation (Portal 2 is safe!). Bottom line: an ominous shadow has been cast over this nearly spotless series.

If you like the Ninja Gaiden series there's a good chance you will like this game and an even better one you will spend all your time whining about what it's not (the original) rather than what it is (a passable attempt at a action-heavy reboot). The combat is especially solid and I have yet to grow tired of slicing my through legions of sobbing enemies. Sure, it's a step down from NG1 and 2 but I give it points for trying something different. How many different game franchises today can we say that about? Certainly not Mass Effect, Modern Warfare, Assassin's Creed, Halo, God of War, Uncharted etc. If this game was called Ninja Destruction or something similarly random I think it would be considered a cool if excusably flawed action experience on par with something like Ninja Blade more than the first two classic Ninja Gaidens. Bottom line: underrated. Ninja Gaiden 3 is a fun if not deep experience.

One of the best games of the year. A FPS with a brain (and an augmented one at that). There is a real sense of vision here that is absent from most other game releases. HR does justice to the first game although I'm one of those people who also loved Invisible War so I may be biased here. Flaws like a bad ending and a drab protagonist (I know noir characters are required to be deadpan but, really, Jensen goes too far) don't keep Deus Ex from soaring like Icarus (the mythological character not the in-game tec) except without the crashing and burning part.

I tried to avoid this game but I cracked and bought it. I'm able to enjoy it for what it is--nothing special but entirely serviceable which is all I need it to be. Addicting multiplayer is of course the selling point but the uninspired single player holds the series back and prevents it from every really evolving. One flaw that can and should be easily fixed: since MW3 fans are so annoying there really needs to be be a mute-all option.

Aesthetic perfection. The balled-like flow to combat is as enjoyable as ever. I still prefer Arkham Asylum (it was my GOTY) because the game world was big enough to explore but small and contained enough to allow the story to be more focused. While City is technically bigger it feels unfocused and strangely small. If you're going to do a open world game then do it right and make Batman: Gotham City.

A very, very, very good game. Not a great game though. When Uncharted 2 came out I re-played it immediately on crushing and got a Platinum. And while the first is not as popular I still play it to this day. I just don't feel the same connection to 3. It was fun for a few hours but now that it's over it's over. It doesn't help that the final level is underwhelming and ending is curiously bland. An 8 is too low and a 9 is too high--8.6

Only about 20 hours in but Skyrim just keeps getting bigger and bigger. This is a staggering experience that will be in my game rotation for months to come. My only gripe is the cumbersome menu and load times.

Now that the year of gaming has come to an end Portal 2 is safe in it's spot as the best game of 2011. Despite a lot of good games released nothing came close. Not just GOTY but GOTD (D=decade).

Now that the year of gaming has come to an end Portal is safe in it's spot as the best game of 2011. Despite a lot of good games released nothing came close. Not just GOTY but GOTD (D=decade).