The original Dark Souls stands not only as one of the best games of the last generation, but perhaps one of the greatest games ever made. Its atmosphere, gameplay, and difficulty made it an experience unlike any other before it. In this regard, Dark Souls II had large shoes to fill. Thankfully, FromSoftware’s latest entry into the series successfully rekindles the magic of the first game by advancing its gameplay and accessibility. One excellent aspect of Dark Souls II is its gameplay. The Souls series is known for its impeccable mechanics, and Dark Souls II is no exception. Everything from swordplay to sorcery maintains its high level of detail and complexity. However, these mechanics have been greatly polished, allowing the gameplay experience to be far smoother. These refined controls are accompanied by the traditional and crippling difficulty of the series. Throughout a playthrough, a player will encounter seemingly insurmountable obstacles that test his or her desire to win. The game is also peppered with confrontations with opponents vastly superior in strength, size, and tenacity. To many people, this difficulty may seem tedious and unappealing. However, the difficulty is what makes the game special. Every failure is the player’s fault, and the game centers itself on learning from defeat. Some of the most exhilarating and fulfilling moments in gaming come from finally besting an enemy after hours of seeming defeat. The fulfillment felt from each victory makes Dark Souls II a remarkably satisfying game to play. On a technical level, Dark Souls II far surpasses its predecessor. The original Dark Souls struggled to maintain a decent frame rate, and at certain areas the game became nearly unplayable. Dark Souls II, however, is able to run smoothly, never once dropping below 30 frames per second. The improved frame rates, coupled with the reworked graphics, ensure that the game is the series’ most technically sound entry. These enhancements allow the difficulty of the game to stem from actual obstacles rather than unintended technical problems. The most interesting aspect of Dark Souls II is how it delivers its story. Rather than being presented directly to the player, the narrative is presented subtly. Players are dropped into a world with minimal background information and instructed to piece the big picture together themselves. The lore of the game comes from the enemies fought, locations visited, and items collected. This approach to a narrative makes the game world feel far more natural, as though it existed for thousands of years before you first enter it. And while the melancholy tale of the rise and fall of the kingdom is Drangleic is admittedly less interesting than that of the original Dark Souls, it is still a story worth uncovering. As a whole, Dark Souls II is superb. FromSoftware has succeeded again in making a punishing yet fulfilling game. The main problem with Dark Souls II, however, is that it doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor. While Dark Souls II is more accessible and easier to play, it feels more like a game and less like a true experience. The original Dark Souls was remarkable in both design and atmosphere. The creativity and enjoyably depressing nature of the original produced a remarkable experience unlike any game made before it. Dark Souls II does not live up to this mold. It tries very hard to rekindle the magic of its predecessor, but in doing so it fails to find its own identity. Dark Souls II is a better game, but it is not a better experience.
This game has a lot a hype behind it. Going into it, I was told Uncharted would be one of the greatest games I would play. Unfortunately it never really lived up to the hype. The game has a great story, interesting characters, and a cool setting. The issue is the gameplay. The third person shooting mechanics aren't that interesting. After playing games like Vanquish, I really can't appreciate the shooting in Uncharted. Occasionally the fights get really difficult. However, it's not difficult in a fun way like Dark Souls. It's just a pain in the ass. However, the game as a whole is actually pretty good. I'd recommend it.
I expected nothing less than an amazing action game from the people that brought me Bayonetta. I was right to assume this. Metal Gear Rising Revengeance is an awesome action game, it might just be one of the best ones out there. The combat is fluid and fast, and the action never stops. Great game, worth every cent. 8.7/10
This game is far from perfect. Very far from perfect. But holy crap is it fun. Imagine taking a fighter jet, crashing it an enemy base, only then to zip-line into the base to attack the remaining forces. It's a balls-to-the-wall action game, and it's awesome.
The best way to describe this game is as a breath of fresh air. Catherine is unlike any game I've played, combining puzzle gameplay, horror, and romance together seamlessly. The interesting story along with the creative and soul-crushingly difficult nightmares help to make this one of the best games of this console generation. The presentation is spot on, the characters all unique and interesting, and the soundtrack is golden (they have techno remixes of Chopin songs. Need I say more?). This is not a game for everyone, but I'd recommend everyone at least give it a shot.
Probably the best FPS on the XBox. Games like Dead Space and F.E.A.R. wish they are this awesome. Everything about Doom 3 is excellent. Naturally the graphics are killer, the sound design is freaky, and the attention to detail is ridiculous. It's not the most frightening game you'll ever play, but it's still good for a few scares here or there. A definite must own for any FPS fan.
Usually when I revisit old games, it disappoints me and I realize that many old games just don't age well. Metal Gear Solid, on the other hand, is still masterful. This game hasn't aged a bit. Playing it today is just as fun as it was over 10 years ago. Everything about this game is damn near perfect: the story, graphics (well, by PS standards), the music, and the gameplay. It's a cinematic masterpiece and one of the greatest stealth games ever made.
God of War is one of the most satisfying action games around. The story rooted in Greek mythology is awesome, as is the music. The gameplay is solid and intuitive, full of weapons to use and difficult challenges to conquer. The only issue with this game are the qte, which just ****. It's a great game in general.
At the time of its release, GoldenEye 007 might have been the greatest game ever made. Everything about it was just awesome. However, after a decade, it just hasn't aged well. Regardless, it's still one of the best and most influential games around.
Meh, it's okay. Half-Life 2 does a lot of things right. It looks great, plays great, has a large interconnected world, and has a fairly interesting story with cool characters. Except the game feels somewhat tedious. Every level is similar to the last later on in the game. You kill the same/similar enemies over and over again. Every now and then there is a driving section to break up the tedium, but those ****. This game is really overrated. I've played much better FPS games than Half-Life 2; games that were far less tedious and less boring. It's a good game, just not that great.
Meh, it's okay. Half-Life 2 does a lot of things right. It looks great, plays great, has a large interconnected world, and has a fairly interesting story with cool characters. Except the game feels somewhat tedious. Every level is similar to the last later on in the game. You kill the same/similar enemies over and over again. Every now and then there is a driving section to break up the tedium, but those ****. This game is really overrated. I've played much better FPS games than Half-Life 2; games that were far less tedious and less boring. It's a good game, just not that great.
Definitely one of, if not the best 2D platformer on the Wii. The levels are creative, the visuals stunning, and the soundtrack classic donkey kong. This is a truly great game, however it has one issue. Motion control. In order to roll, you have to waggle the Wii-mote. While this sounds like a minor issue, it's actually quite a problem. The levels are very difficult (which is great. I love challenge) and the motion control just makes them ridiculous some times. Really that's the only thing holding this game back. It is definitely worth your time, though.
The absolute best Metal Gear game around. The Bosses are all awesome, the graphics are great, the music is intense, and the gameplay is solid (pun intended). The story of MGS3 is amazing, too. It perfectly depicts the back story of the entire Metal Gear series, leading you through the Cold War era in a believable and interesting way. Really, the only minor flaw with this game is the voice acting, which is excellent for the most part. However, some of the voices are, well, out of place (namely the Boss's voice, which is way too over dramatic at times). It's a must own game that no one should miss. It's quite possibly the best game on the PS2.
Sonic Adventure 2 is one of the best Sonic games around. The story (while ridiculous) is entertaining, the characters are awesome (such as Shadow, who's the coolest character ever in this game) and the gameplay is very well done. After this Sonic game, the quality of games began to deteriorate. So in a way this game is symbolic. It was the last good Sonic game before his slump in quality (until Sonic Colors). Also, I'm pretty sure I put over 200+ hours into the Chao garden.
People always talk about how they put in, say, 100+ hours into a game like Skyrim. You know how much time I put into Kirby Air Ride? If my calculations are correct, about 350+ hours. The game is addictive and awesome that if you have a group of friends it just never gets boring. The real gem here is City Trial, which is an awesome mode that is full of surprises. A definite must own.
This is the point in the Mario Party games started getting repetitive. After Mario Party 4, they just all began to get worse and worse. This is the last great Mario Party, however it's not as good as the ones on the N64.
It's essentially the same game as the SNES version, except now you can also play as Luigi. That's not a bad thing, considering this is one of the best games of all time.
If you're looking for a unique game on the 360, this is definitely one to pick up. The narrative is engrossing (except for the ending), the graphics are dark yet vibrant when light comes out, and the sound direction is among the best I've ever heard. While the atmosphere is unsettling, it's never really scary. I wish this game had adopted elements of a survival horror game. It's more of a light thriller than a horror game. Give this game a shot. It's really pretty cool.
Mario Kart Wii is without a doubt the biggest Mario Kart to date. It had over 32 courses, 16 new (each one awesome) and 16 old (with revamped graphics). There are more characters to choose from, more cars, and now there are motorcycles. There's even an online component to the game that works really well, never once lagging. The only issue with this game is its reliance on chance. No matter how good I got at this game, a blue shell could always best me, leaving me in 8th place. For latter installments, I recommend an item select screen, similar to that of Super Smash Bros, in order to fix this issue.
It's classic Mario Kart, only with tighter controls and a two-person twist. The courses are great, the multiplayer as awesome, and the game never seems to get boring. Pick this one up if you want a fun racing game. It's not the best racer on the GameCube, but it's definitely up there.
Back in the day, this game was awesome. However, playing it today, I can see how poorly it's aged. The controls feel slippery, the courses aren't as cool, and it just doesn't have the same level of polish as later games. It's a good game, it just isn't as great as it used to be.
Arkham City is a very good game that builds upon the foundation of the first game. The open world elements are all nicely implemented and the combat is smoother. Really, if you like Batman or action games, you can't go wrong with this game.
Why spend $60 on a new game when you can spend only $30 on 5 games? The Orange Box is one of the best deals in gaming. It contains Half Life 2, Half Life 2: Episode 1, Half Life 2: Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. So, essentially you're getting one of the best FPS games, one of the best puzzle games, and one of the best multiplayer games all in one bundle. There really isn't much more to say. Just play it for yourself.
There're two ways to view this game. You can say that it's amazing because it's all fan made AND it's free, or you can be critical of it by comparing it to past Mega Man games. I'll be doing to former. When compared to other Mega Man games, Street Fighter X Mega Man is a bit disappointing. The level designs aren't as cool and the weapons aren't as cool. However, the boss battles against Street Fighter characters are all awesome. Also awesome is the music, which is all remixed Street Fighter music. When compared to Mega Mans 1 through 6, Street Fighter X Mega Man can't hold its own weight. However, it is better than Mega Man 7 and 8 (I can't stand those games). There's no reason not to play this game though. After all, it's free.
Star Fox 64 is the best Star Fox game to date. Everything about it, from the awesome graphics to the crazy shooter action, is near perfect. You can't go wrong with this game. The only gripe I have with this game is Peppy the freaking toad. God, he's annoying.
When I first started to play Minecraft, I had no clue what to do. After a while, I began to figure things out, building mud shacks. As I got better, I built bigger and cooler buildings. There was a point while I played this game where I was addicted, trying to build giant structures, spending hours at a time completely immersed. It was really cool. And then it got boring. After a while, the game just loses its original charm and becomes a chore to play. My fun while playing Minecraft is like a parabolic curve. I started off bored, got really into it, then at the end got really bored. The first two weeks are still a blast, so I'd recommend giving it a shot.
The original Metroid Prime was a masterpiece, without a doubt, so Metroid Prime 2: Echoes had I a lot to live up to. While it's not as good as the original, it's still pretty fun. The mechanics are just as solid as the first, the world is large and full of interesting environments, and the boss battles are all well done (except for the Boost Guardian). The light and dark world mechanic is interesting, but it really doesn't make the game any more fun. If anything, going back and forth between worlds is just a bit tedious. Also, the dark world is very annoying. This is still a great game, however it is a bit disappointing given it's outstanding first installment.
This is probably the weakest of the main series Halo games. It's not bad, it just doesn't do much. The story is far weaker than the first Halo, the combat isn't much different, and the graphics are only a little better. The only improvement here is the multiplayer, however that alone can't make a game good. All around, it was disappointing.
Paper Mario is a very fun RPG. The gameplay is well designed and executed, the story is standard Mario fare with a twist, and the music is pretty enjoyable. The special parts to this game are the graphics and dialogue. Graphically, the game resembles, well, paper. All the characters a 2D in a 3D cardboard cut out world, and it just looks great. The graphics still look nice to this day, and that shows how good they must have been back 10 years ago. Especially well done is the dialogue. It's just a quirky and well written as the games spiritual predecessor, Super Mario RPG. You'll find yourself laughing at some of the hilarious bits of narrative that you read throughout the adventure. All in all, it's a great RPG that any N64 fan shouldn't miss. 8.5/10
Super Mario 64 might just be the best 3D platformer around. Every level is interesting, full of secrets and stars to collect. The controls are near perfect. The music is amazing. Yet the most stunning things about this game is that it's for the N64. Had a game like this been released today with better graphics, it would be considered amazing. And yet this game was released over 10 years ago. This speaks volumes as to why this game is a masterpiece. If you haven't experienced Super Mario 64, you haven't experienced what gaming is all about.
This is my favorite Assassin's Creed game to date. Brotherhood takes everything that made the first two Assassin's Creed great and refines them to a point of perfection. The city of Rome is large and is full of secrets and side missions. The story is, in my opinion, the last good story in the Assassin's Creed games (Revelations and 3 were disappointing). Your new abilities are awesome, such as running an Assassin Brotherhood and being able to use crossbows. It's just a very well done, well polished game.
This game is a sequel done right. Every aspect of the first game is beefed up, making it bigger, better, and more remarkable. The various cities you visit are all detailed and large, the story is interesting, with a lot of emotional moments and an ending that'll completely shock you. Bonus points go to Ezio's uncle Mario, who promptly says, "It'sa me, Mario!" when you meet him. This game is just spectacular. It's worthy of anyone's time.
The real jewel in Halo: Reach is its campaign mode. One of my main issues with Halo 3 was its bland campaign. Halo: Reach fixes this issue. The story here is awesome, full of cool characters, awesome set pieces, and actual moments of grief and sadness. It's probably the best story of any Halo game to date, and it continues to impress me even after multiple playthroughs. Another awesome addition to reach was the improved Forge mode. Nothing is more fun than going to Forge world, giving your characters super human abilities (like jumping up 20 meters and running faster than a vehicle) and having an all out brawl. The multiplayer is just a refined version of Halo 3, which is not a bad thing. Reach is one of the best Halo games to date, and it's definitely worthy of your attention.
Halo 3 is an all around good game. However, there are a few issues with it. For one thing, the FPS mechanics are very uninteresting. Other than a few cool guns, the game just doesn't have much else as far as mechanics go. Also, the story is really bland at times. It doesn't seem cohesive and fails to engage the player. The multiplayer, too, it a bit bland, feeling more like Halo 2 with better graphics. It's a good game, just a bit uninspired. I constantly hear that this game is the best in the series, however I'd have to disagree. To me, the original Halo will always be the best.
Portal 2 is a creative and hilarious game that everyone should experience, full of clever puzzles, hilarious one-liners, and awesome game mechanics. You just can't go wrong with this one.
The most important of aspect of a COD game is the gameplay. The gameplay in Modern Warfare 2 was a refinement of the original Modern Warfare's excellent system. The guns feel great, each varied and easy to customize. The shooting mechanics are spot on with no apparent issues. Admittedly, the story can be a little bland and the multiplayer can get annoying, however the best part of this game is neither of those. It's the Spec Ops mode. Spec Ops is awesome, plain and simple. I'd spend Saturday afternoons with my cousins just playing Breach and Clear over and over again, trying to lower our times. It's a blast. It's a good game. However when compared to other FPS games, Modern Warfare 2 just doesn't stand out.
This game is full of glitches, a terrible frame-rate, pop in issues and boring side missions. Then why does it get a 9? Because everything else in the game is amazing. The gameplay is tight, full of RPG elements that keep it continuously interesting. The characters are all great, and the sense of freedom is spot on. However, the best aspect of Mass Effect is its story. The story in the original Mass Effect is, in my humblest of opinions, the most complete and well worked of any in the series. By the end of the game, you'll feel satisfied with the game's conclusion, something that I didn't get from the other two Mass Effect games. Yes, the game has issues, a lot of them in fact. However, it is easy to overlook them when everything else is this good.
Before playing episode 5, be sure to have a box of tissues to your side, because you'll be needing it. While I don't believe that the Walking Dead is the first example **** with minimalist gameplay and excellent story, I do believe that it's one of the best. Any game that can bring me to tears deserves my recommendation. 9.4/10
If you're looking for a unique game, LA Noire is a definite "must own" game. The whole is just very well done. The motion capture system used is spot on and the game has a sense of realism I have not seen in any other game. Really, the only flaw with this game is the gameplay, which by the third disk gets a bit stale and repetitive. If you like to try new things, give LA Noire a shot.
We all know that Rockstar can make some awesome open world games, however Red Dead Redemption might just be their best work. There are many reasons why this game is fantastic. The story perfectly meshes with the whole wild west theme of the game, as does the music. All the characters you meet are unique, very well acted, and memorable. The gameplay is terrific and never gets stale, not even 30 hours into the game. Really, the best part of this game is just riding your horse through Mexico without any destination in mind just to take in the scenery. An awesome game all around 9.4/10
Okami is a very creative and enjoyable game. The graphics are gorgeous, the music is amazing, and the game's creativity never fails to impress. The use of brush techniques (especially with the wii-mote) is intuitive and responsive. At times, it can get a little repetitive, however this occurs very rarely. It's a very fresh and creative game worthy of anyone's time.
At first, you'll think to yourself that Dark Souls is the hardest game ever. Every enemy can kill you in a few seconds, the world is covered in Bosses and booby traps, and you continue to die frequently. However, after about 5 hours, you realize that the game really isn't difficult: It's strict. It's not like the deaths are unfair. The game just has a set of very specific rules that it wants you to follow, and if you don't, you will die. In that regard, the game is masterful. It teaches you how to play the game with every death you have rather than with the use of extended tutorials and menus. You begin to develop strategies, calculate risks, and explore further. For this reason and many more, Dark Souls is one of the best games around. It's a must play.
Madworld is an insane beat 'em up made by one of the best developers around, Platinum Games. Graphically, the game takes on a black and white comic book style, and it just looks awesome. The only other color you see other than black and white is red, lots and lots of red. The mechanics of Madworld are those of any typical beat 'em up. However, the game is structured such that you can use your environment to your advantage by beating people with spare tires, sign posts, or by pegging them into giant spiked walls. There are a lot of ways to interact with your environment, which keeps the game fresh. The game is full of amazing boss battles against unique and downright weird enemies. Nothing is more fun than defeating a boss, only them to finish them off with your chainsaw arm. By the way, you have a chainsaw arm in this game. Need I say more? One of the coolest aspects of this game is the soundtrack, which is entirely made up of intense rap and hip-hop music. I don't even like rap, but I still loved the soundtrack. The only thing I disliked about the game were the motion control quick time events. The reason I disliked them is because they just didn't work. It'd say swing left, and I'd swing left, but it wouldn't work. That was especially annoying during boss battles where these quick times events are crucial. You should do yourself a favor and pick this game up. I got a copy for literally $5, so there's no reason to miss out on this. Games like Madworld and No More Heroes show that the Wii isn't just a console for 5 year old children and that there are badass games on Nintendo's platform.
Over the years, the Halo franchise has grown into a Goliath of sorts. It has gained an insane amount of popularity, however I've never really cared much about it. I played Halo 3, and that was okay. Halo Reach was a decent game too, but they never felt spectacular. However, I decided to go back and play the original. The original game Halo: Combat Evolved is by far my favorite game in the franchise. Even after playing through later iterations, I can still say that this game is the best. The game is comprised of very open maps, excellent story elements, great mechanics, and outstanding music. You really can't go wrong with this game. I can see why this game sold Xboxs so well. I definitely recommend it.
As a kid, I remember playing the first Super Smash Bros., saying to myself, "It just can't get better than this". Later, Melee came out and I was proven wrong. After playing Melee for a solid 100 hours, I said, "There's no way it can get any better than this!" Then, Brawl came out, and I was proven wrong yet again. Brawl is, without a doubt, the most complete Smash Bros. game to date. There are tens of characters to play as, dozens of stages (not to mention you can build your own), hundreds of trophies, and many different gameplay modes to mess with. There's also a pretty good story mode, which is a change for the series. The only flaw with this game is the online play with random strangers. Saying that there's lag is an understatement. All in all, this is the best Smash Bros. yet. There's no way it can get better than this (or can it... WiiU?)
Metroid Prime 3 is a great game to end of the Prime Trilogy. The graphics are slick and detailed, the planets are all unique and well designed, and the new control scheme is very intuitive. This is one of the few games that shows of the wii-mote's capabilities successfully, allowing for a point a shoot style of gameplay that works very well. One very cool addition in the game was the inclusion of voice acting. It helps make the various characters you interact with more interesting while not intruding on the personality of Samus, as she still remains silent (cough cough OTHER M cough cough). This really is a fantastic FPS and an excellent Metroid game. It's worth every penny.
Asura's Wrath Part IV: Nirvana is, in my opinion, one of the greatest endings to any video game ever. It has many sad, ridiculous, and satisfying moments in it that perfectly tie together the world of Asura's Wrath and provide closure. This really is something that all fans of Asura's Wrath should experience. Then why is my score only an 8? The ending is DLC. I've never before heard of a company that sells the ending ****, the most significant moment, as DLC. Capcom is the first, and hopefully the last. It's insane to think that a company can essentially rip out a significant moment in a game just to make a quick buck off of it and still get away with it. I don't believe that people should purchase this. That would only further support the terrible practices of Capcom. Rather, I'd recommend watching the ending online. Given the anime style of the game, it's essentially the same as playing it. This really is one of the best endings I've ever experienced. If it hadn't been sold as DLC, I would have given it a perfect score.
Punch-Out!! for Wii is awesome, plain and simple. Every match is intense, every victory is satisfying, and every defeat acts as a learning experience. Your hands will sweat and your nerves will kick in late into intensely difficult matches as you try to best your opponent. It's a great game. Highly recommended.
