(Xbox, PS3; $149.99; www.streetfighter.gameshark.com)
Coinciding with the earlier release of "Street Fighter IV" last Spring, peripheral manufacturer MadCatz released a line of controllers meant to recapture the nostalgic feeling of smokey arcades and button mashing. MadCatz, who's quality of past peripherals were sometimes the subject of debate, came out swinging with the "SFIV" Fightpad ($40) and Arcade Fightstick ($80)- both looked great and offered a much better amount of control and durability for the classic fighting game than anything else out there.
But the pièce de résistance of the line, by far, was the "Tournament Edition" fightstick. This hefty, classically designed joystick was constructed with authentic Sanwa Denshi parts- the same parts that go into the arcade cabinets of the game and sought after by fighting fanatics. So well-received was the "Tournament Edition" fightstick, that even at the $150 price tag, it was sold out and nearly impossible to locate. Indeed, at the time of my review of "Street Fighter IV," and of the less expensive Fightpad and standard Fightstick, I was not able to get my hands on one for review.
Knowing a holiday money-maker, MadCatz announced the "Round 2" versions of their "Street Fighter IV" peripherals, and included a refresh of the "Tournament Edition." With new, understated artwork and packaged in a collectible display case, the "Tournament Edition" is again available for those who want the best arcade experience at home. The pricetag may be spit-take inducing, but for the purist who wants unquestionable control, and a stick that's worthy of using in competitions, or to relive the joy of retro arcade games, the "Tournament Edition" fightstick is a perfect gift.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Review
(PS3; $59.99; Rated T for Blood/Language/Suggestive Themes/Violence; www.unchartedthegame.com)
(five stars)
Everything that was fantastic about the original "Uncharted" returns in its sequel "Among Thieves." Namely, players can expect huge action set pieces, big explosions, exciting gun fights, and rock-solid visuals. Everything that needed revision from the first game- more engaging puzzle exploration, improved combat, and a less-hokey third act- has been improved, making "Uncharted 2" the most solid action-platformer since... well... since August's "Batman: Arkham Asylum."
But before that, you had to go back to 2007's "Uncharted" to play something this solid.
Honestly, if you can only afford to purchase "Batman" or "Uncharted 2," I don't envy you. My advice is to go with your gut: do you like stealthy superheroes or Indiana Jones better?
Familiar faces and voices all return for this Hollywood-level blockbuster as roguish, opportunist/treasure hunter Nathan Drake seeks the lost fortune of Marco Polo. As if being shot at by terrorists and chased by helicopters wasn't bad enough, Drake also has to juggle the affections of his current partner-in-crime with that of "last year's model" war-time journalist, Elena Fisher.
But when you're the rough-and-tumble handsome-type like Drake, that comes with the territory.
The pacing of "Uncharted 2" is brilliant- with intense action sequences followed by quiet, environmental platforming sections that allow players to take in just how beautiful every piece of artwork is. The pacing, engaging story, incredible motion-capture and voice acting make the game all too easy to play for hours just to see what's around the next corner.
And when its all said and done, "Uncharted 2" adds an online multiplayer and cooperative mode to keep players returning for more. The multiplayer takes everything that's great about cover-based shooting, ala "Gears of War," and gives it verticality. Yes, this is a platforming shooter, and it works surprisingly well.
For a thrill-ride of an adventure, and for a game that's as much fun to watch as it is to play, "Uncharted 2" is the best first-party title on the PS3.
(five stars)
Everything that was fantastic about the original "Uncharted" returns in its sequel "Among Thieves." Namely, players can expect huge action set pieces, big explosions, exciting gun fights, and rock-solid visuals. Everything that needed revision from the first game- more engaging puzzle exploration, improved combat, and a less-hokey third act- has been improved, making "Uncharted 2" the most solid action-platformer since... well... since August's "Batman: Arkham Asylum."
But before that, you had to go back to 2007's "Uncharted" to play something this solid.
Honestly, if you can only afford to purchase "Batman" or "Uncharted 2," I don't envy you. My advice is to go with your gut: do you like stealthy superheroes or Indiana Jones better?
Familiar faces and voices all return for this Hollywood-level blockbuster as roguish, opportunist/treasure hunter Nathan Drake seeks the lost fortune of Marco Polo. As if being shot at by terrorists and chased by helicopters wasn't bad enough, Drake also has to juggle the affections of his current partner-in-crime with that of "last year's model" war-time journalist, Elena Fisher.
But when you're the rough-and-tumble handsome-type like Drake, that comes with the territory.
The pacing of "Uncharted 2" is brilliant- with intense action sequences followed by quiet, environmental platforming sections that allow players to take in just how beautiful every piece of artwork is. The pacing, engaging story, incredible motion-capture and voice acting make the game all too easy to play for hours just to see what's around the next corner.
And when its all said and done, "Uncharted 2" adds an online multiplayer and cooperative mode to keep players returning for more. The multiplayer takes everything that's great about cover-based shooting, ala "Gears of War," and gives it verticality. Yes, this is a platforming shooter, and it works surprisingly well.
For a thrill-ride of an adventure, and for a game that's as much fun to watch as it is to play, "Uncharted 2" is the best first-party title on the PS3.
Borderlands Review
(Xbox, PS3; $59.99; Rated M for Blood/Gore/Intense Violence/Mature Humor/Strong Language; www.borderlandsthegame.com)
(four and a half stars)
Many shooter-fans have waited in anxious anticipation for "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's" release this week. The juggernaut of a game is sure to garner record-breaking sales, and those who have only the budget for one or two games this season will likely focus their attention on the latest in the "Call of Duty" series.
Which is a shame because many will have passed up the charm, cooperative fun, and compelling action of October's "Borderlands."
Take the run-and-gun of "Call of Duty" and "Halo," add the loot-hoarding of "Diablo," sprinkle the RPG and co-op of "World of Warcraft," and bake in a "Mad Max" landscape, and you have "Borderlands" - a First-Person Shooting, Role-Playing Game that delivers everything shooter fans wanted from last year's role-playing, but not-quite-an-FPS, "Fallout 3."
The paper-thin plot allows up to four players to control four different classes of characters- from heavy gun-toters to stealthy saboteurs- and blast through main and side quests in pursuit of "The Vault," a hidden treasure-trove of alien technology. The real reason players will sink 30+ hours into this game, however, is the unending amount of weapons and loot found throughout the world. Touting a "bazillion" different weapons, "Borderland's" random gun generator means that no two guns are alike: from a scoped shotgun that fires acid bullets, to a combat rifle that actually regenerates its own ammunition, the only real problem players will have is finding enough time to experiment with whatever they find.
The tongue-in-cheek nature of the characters and the cel-shaded visuals of the game mean that in a sea of all-too-serious shooters, "Borderlands" embraces its quirkiness; the drop-in, drop-out nature of its multiplayer gives it an almost party-like quality to the game. Like the obsessive questing of "World of Warcraft" players, jumping into "Borderlands" with three other friends is the perfect way to melt away a long holiday weekend together.
Developer, Gearbox Software should be proud of the experience they created. While the sheep are blindly playing "Modern Warfare 2" over Thanksgiving, reward Gearbox's good effort by getting a party going in "Borderlands" and never regret a moment.
(four and a half stars)
Many shooter-fans have waited in anxious anticipation for "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's" release this week. The juggernaut of a game is sure to garner record-breaking sales, and those who have only the budget for one or two games this season will likely focus their attention on the latest in the "Call of Duty" series.
Which is a shame because many will have passed up the charm, cooperative fun, and compelling action of October's "Borderlands."
Take the run-and-gun of "Call of Duty" and "Halo," add the loot-hoarding of "Diablo," sprinkle the RPG and co-op of "World of Warcraft," and bake in a "Mad Max" landscape, and you have "Borderlands" - a First-Person Shooting, Role-Playing Game that delivers everything shooter fans wanted from last year's role-playing, but not-quite-an-FPS, "Fallout 3."
The paper-thin plot allows up to four players to control four different classes of characters- from heavy gun-toters to stealthy saboteurs- and blast through main and side quests in pursuit of "The Vault," a hidden treasure-trove of alien technology. The real reason players will sink 30+ hours into this game, however, is the unending amount of weapons and loot found throughout the world. Touting a "bazillion" different weapons, "Borderland's" random gun generator means that no two guns are alike: from a scoped shotgun that fires acid bullets, to a combat rifle that actually regenerates its own ammunition, the only real problem players will have is finding enough time to experiment with whatever they find.
The tongue-in-cheek nature of the characters and the cel-shaded visuals of the game mean that in a sea of all-too-serious shooters, "Borderlands" embraces its quirkiness; the drop-in, drop-out nature of its multiplayer gives it an almost party-like quality to the game. Like the obsessive questing of "World of Warcraft" players, jumping into "Borderlands" with three other friends is the perfect way to melt away a long holiday weekend together.
Developer, Gearbox Software should be proud of the experience they created. While the sheep are blindly playing "Modern Warfare 2" over Thanksgiving, reward Gearbox's good effort by getting a party going in "Borderlands" and never regret a moment.
DJ Hero Review
(Xbox, PS3, Wii; $119.99; Rated T for Mild Suggestive Themes/Lyrics; www.djhero.com)
(four stars)
Video games and Rap/Hip-Hop music have been a mixed bag. On the one hand, "Karaoke Revolution" and "Singstar" have shown that Radio-friendly Hip-Hop has a place in karaoke-based games; on the other hand, Rap-only karaoke games like "Get On Da Mic" and the Hip-Hop based fighting game "Def Jam Vendetta" prove the music genre to be misguided in gaming.
With the success of Rhythm-based games like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band," fans showed developers and publishers how much they love to pretend to make music. But with both of those titles being so steeped in guitars and the culture of Rock, the poorly-tapped audience of club-goers were left without a game to call their own.
Thankfully the king of exploitable franchises, Activision, figured out a way to serve both the denim-wearing fist-pumpers in "Guitar Hero," while breaking through to the block-rockin' bass-heads in "DJ Hero."
And I'll be darned if "DJ Hero" isn't the pick-me-up the music genre needed. Like playing a plastic guitar or drums for the first time, it taps into the "I can't believe I'm really doing this in a video game" feeling. It's new, and with the right music, it's addictive.
In part, it's because of the song mashups- 100 individual songs make for over 90 unique mixes that span the range from forgettable to incredible. Though players have to trudge a bit at the earlier levels, the art of turntablism is really showcased in some of the later mashups by historic DJs. Grand Master Flash, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Davis' own hometown favorite, DJ Shadow all contribute their own original mixes that show their craft. I especially appreciated the artistry in mixing of songs that I would never think could go together- Jazzy Jeff's combination of "Bittersweet Symphony" with LL Cool J's "Rock the Bells" particularly had me grinning ear to ear.
The other half of the fun in "DJ Hero" comes from the included turntable peripheral, with which players will scratch, drop, and crossfade the music in the game. The controller is well-crafted and a blast to play with. Cutting the turntable back and forth to create a scratch sequence taps into my inner air-guitarist- like my euphoria when nailing a guitar solo in "Guitar Hero," getting through a complex crossfade-and-scratch sequence and coming out the other side on beat in "DJ Hero" is amazingly rewarding.
Though the mechanics and gameplay aren't as intuitive as "Guitar Hero," making this feel much more like a puzzle-game than its predecessors and requiring a solid learning curve, the uniqueness of the controller and the music should ensure fans of the club atmosphere to come back for more...
And maybe even bring a few cynics along the way.
The hefty $120 price tag is the biggest problem "DJ Hero" has going for it; though the novelty should be tried by everyone, only the most hardcore will invest in the cost to play this game. Why Activision didn't eat the cost of the controller in order to sell the game at a reduced price and get it into more homes is beyond me. If "DJ Hero" fails to move this holiday season, it won't be as a result of the music it's spinning.
(four stars)
Video games and Rap/Hip-Hop music have been a mixed bag. On the one hand, "Karaoke Revolution" and "Singstar" have shown that Radio-friendly Hip-Hop has a place in karaoke-based games; on the other hand, Rap-only karaoke games like "Get On Da Mic" and the Hip-Hop based fighting game "Def Jam Vendetta" prove the music genre to be misguided in gaming.
With the success of Rhythm-based games like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band," fans showed developers and publishers how much they love to pretend to make music. But with both of those titles being so steeped in guitars and the culture of Rock, the poorly-tapped audience of club-goers were left without a game to call their own.
Thankfully the king of exploitable franchises, Activision, figured out a way to serve both the denim-wearing fist-pumpers in "Guitar Hero," while breaking through to the block-rockin' bass-heads in "DJ Hero."
And I'll be darned if "DJ Hero" isn't the pick-me-up the music genre needed. Like playing a plastic guitar or drums for the first time, it taps into the "I can't believe I'm really doing this in a video game" feeling. It's new, and with the right music, it's addictive.
In part, it's because of the song mashups- 100 individual songs make for over 90 unique mixes that span the range from forgettable to incredible. Though players have to trudge a bit at the earlier levels, the art of turntablism is really showcased in some of the later mashups by historic DJs. Grand Master Flash, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Davis' own hometown favorite, DJ Shadow all contribute their own original mixes that show their craft. I especially appreciated the artistry in mixing of songs that I would never think could go together- Jazzy Jeff's combination of "Bittersweet Symphony" with LL Cool J's "Rock the Bells" particularly had me grinning ear to ear.
The other half of the fun in "DJ Hero" comes from the included turntable peripheral, with which players will scratch, drop, and crossfade the music in the game. The controller is well-crafted and a blast to play with. Cutting the turntable back and forth to create a scratch sequence taps into my inner air-guitarist- like my euphoria when nailing a guitar solo in "Guitar Hero," getting through a complex crossfade-and-scratch sequence and coming out the other side on beat in "DJ Hero" is amazingly rewarding.
Though the mechanics and gameplay aren't as intuitive as "Guitar Hero," making this feel much more like a puzzle-game than its predecessors and requiring a solid learning curve, the uniqueness of the controller and the music should ensure fans of the club atmosphere to come back for more...
And maybe even bring a few cynics along the way.
The hefty $120 price tag is the biggest problem "DJ Hero" has going for it; though the novelty should be tried by everyone, only the most hardcore will invest in the cost to play this game. Why Activision didn't eat the cost of the controller in order to sell the game at a reduced price and get it into more homes is beyond me. If "DJ Hero" fails to move this holiday season, it won't be as a result of the music it's spinning.
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