Game Review: Gratuitous Space Battles (PC)
Add Comment
Posted on December 17th, 2009 by
The name says it all. This is a quality budget title that takes an idea and breaks it down into its core gameplay, making that gameplay all it can be. You’re presented with a battle against an alien fleet. Given limited resources (basically cash and a number of pilots), put together a fleet of ships to challenge the aliens. Once you’ve assembled your fleet and given them the barest of strategy advice, hit the play button, sit back, and watch the battle unfold in all its glory. Don’t look for any plot here, Gratuitous Space Battles is a fun little diversion for anyone who likes smashing things together to see how they hold up.
more…
Guest Review: Chaotic: Shadow Warriors (PS3)
Posted on December 15th, 2009 by
Chaotic: Shadow Warriors is a popular trading card game and TV cartoon show, and now it’s a video game for all the major consoles (PS3 version reviewed here). For this review, though, I enlisted the help of kid Chaotic expert James Young to write the majority of the review. Read on for his take on the game:
Game Review: LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (Wii, 360, PS3, PS2)
Posted on December 14th, 2009 by
Unlike Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, where chocolate and peanut butter go great together, video games and popular movie franchises rarely combine to make something good. Perhaps it is the addition of one more ingredient, LEGOs, but the LEGO series of video games based off of Star Wars, Batman, and Indiana Jones continue to prove popular both with gamers and critics. The newest release is a revisit to Indiana Jones. While it might not be the best game of the series so far, it is more than enough of a game to recommend highly for fans of exploration games with enough puzzles to interest older gamers and gameplay safe enough for anyone in your family.
Game Review: Tales of Monkey Island: Episode 5: Rise of the Pirate God (PC, WiiWare)
Posted on December 10th, 2009 by
In the final episode of Tales of Monkey Island, Guybrush Threepwood: Mighty Pirate™ has just been killed by his arch-nemesis, the zombie pirate LeChuck. Now it’s up to ghost Guybrush to figure out how to escape from the spirit realm and defeat LeChuck once and for all in this epic conclusion to TellTale’s point and click adventure series.
Nintendo DS RPGs: Two Too New To Ignore
Posted on December 9th, 2009 by
I’ve been playing two different role playing games on my Nintendo DS lately. Both Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky are solid titles that have the basic explore, search, and grow mechanic that tends to draw me in to RPGs. While they both have a sort of Nintendo-esque take on life (no horror or graphic violence here) each one plays out distinctly differently. While the new Mario & Luigi title has a sort of puzzle/platform mixed into the game, the Mystery Dungeon title might be best described as a Pokemon adventure without having to capture any Pokemon.
more…
Game Review: World of Zoo (Wii, DS)
Posted on December 4th, 2009 by
What if, instead of going to the zoo and seeing the animals from afar in captivity, you could jump right in and really interact with the critters? Play with them, feed the animals, and make friends with all creatures great and small. Well now you can with World of Zoo on Wii and DS (Wii version reviewed here).
Brutal Legend
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 by
I
think when reviewing this game it’s a must that you demonstrate your “hard core” bonafides by pointing out that Tim Schafer makes unique, wonderful yet criminally under-selling games. All of that is true, but I firmly believe that at least half the reviewers saying this haven’t actually played a Tim Schafer game. All you need to know is his games are funny and good. Just like Brutal Legend. It’s brilliant, imaginative, loving, funny and more. It’s an achievement! It’s an RTS! An action shooter! A music rhythm game! It’s all part of a rock and roll fantasy — so why do I generally not like it?
Game Review: Copter Crisis (WiiWare)
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 by
Get ready to use your Wii remote as a flight stick as you pilot a rescue helicopter in this WiiWare game. For 500 Wii points, you can partake in 3-D rescue missions, drop-offs, and target practice while maneuvering around the landscape in canyons and caves.
Game Review: Junior Brain Trainer (DS)
Posted on December 2nd, 2009 by
Junior Brain Trainer is an educational brain-training game for elementary school-aged children. It teaches early math, reading, and English skills, and it’s like having your very own school workbook right on your Nintendo DS.
Hardware Review: Leapster 2
Posted on December 2nd, 2009 by
A long time ago, I was asked to review the Leapster handheld video game system from Leapfrog. It had recently been released to target the 4-8 year old bracket and I was supposed to check out some of the educational-oriented games that worked with the system. I was pleasantly surprised to find them both entertaining (well, for the right age group) and fairly educational. Since that time, I continue to be impressed at how Leapfrog manages to produce quality products that are both fun to play and contain educational components. Fast forward to the present, and Leapfrog now has a Leapster 2 system available. How does it stack up? Compatible with all previous Leapster games, it has a few hardware and software improvements that make getting the newer model a smart move for anyone looking to invest in one.
