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Hydrophobia: Prophecy [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 11/08/2011 - 09:01
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Overall Feeling: 

Back once more, Hydrophobia: Prophecy is yet another attempt at refining the Hydrophobia experience and it’s honestly the best attempt so far.  Hydrophobia: Prophecy doesn’t forgo the previously established formula but instead opts to enhance it through improved controls and completely new sections.  There are still a few problems in the game like sections that drag on and gameplay elements that could be refined, but as it stands now Hydrophobia: Prophecy is an enjoyable 3rd person action game that isn’t the greatest thing ever but it’s definitely worth checking out.

The Pros: 

+ New areas add a lot of needed dimension and variety to the game.

+ Added plot beats and minor changes give the narrative a bit more depth.

+ The water effects are still cool to see and aren’t a complete gimmick.

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The Cons: 

- Certain missions drag a bit and aren’t too much fun.

- Voice acting is still a bit hokey, though it’s gotten better compared to previous iterations.

- Gunplay is still a bit dull in some respects and is still solely lacking key enemy variety.

- PlayStation Move controls are manageable, but aren't quite perfect.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

It’s somewhat rare these days to see a game be transformed within a matter of months or a year once it’s available on retail shelves of the physical or digital variety.  Often a game will receive some considerable upgrades through the wonder that is patching, but we hardly ever see a developer do a take 2 or a take 3 with a game and completely retool it or add so much substantial new content that it goes beyond being a director’s cut of sorts.

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 07:26
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Overall Feeling: 

You shouldn’t let the name fool you or cloud your perception as GoldenEye 007: Reloaded isn’t as great as either of the things that inspired it, the 1995 film or the classic Nintendo 64 game.  As a James Bond adventure the reimagining of GoldenEye is passable to an extent but is lacking the character and entertainment value of the source material – which may not be real-world era gritty but still holds up well today.  Game wise GoldenEye 007: Reloaded is simply another average FPS game that maintains a consistent level of action which is hardly enhanced or is varied in any way.  It would’ve been great to receive a modern day version of GoldenEye that could live up to the original but instead we have a thoroughly average licensed FPS game.

The Pros: 

+ Original soundtrack is amazing.

+ It’s easy to blow through the game in one setting if you’re looking for an afternoon rental.

+ Daniel Craig is still a boss, even in video game form.

The Cons: 

- Missions are completely dull and in some cases are broken up in a weird way.

- Gameplay is responsive for the most part but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before (think CoD: 007).

- Reimagined GoldenEye plot has some nice beats but feels odd and well-known characters become mere throwaways.

- No major 007 style presented at all.

- Online modes are laggy and the net code as of now (at least on the PS3) is really poor.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
4

Video games are in a way the last true source of creativity we have going on today.  Every now and then we get a film or TV show that breaks the mold by trying something different, but for the most part its video games that allow us to have our imaginations go wild due to the creativity that we’re experiencing and interacting with.

House of the Dead: Overkill - Extended Cut [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 11/03/2011 - 11:04
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Overall Feeling: 

As an on-rails FPS game House of the Dead: Overkill – Extended Cut offers plenty of thrills and tons of laughs from the moment you start the game up until the cliff-hanger ending.  There’s not much in the way of genre defining elements in Overkill but the grindhouse vibe and comedic elements does help elevate the game beyond just being yet another run-of-the mill arcade title.  The only downside to the raucous romp of blood and comedy is that some of the action drags a bit and certain boss battles are only tolerable when you have a buddy helping you out.  House of the Dead: Overkill – Extended Cut may not be great, but it’s a more than passable on-rails game that in a way is a one of a kind product.

The Pros: 

+ The grindhouse presentation is handled in the perfect way without feeling too gimmicky.

+ Humor may be adults only type of fair but it’s really damn funny and never over stays it’s welcome.

+ Bonus mini-games are a nice time-waster.

+ Local co-op play is an always appreciated addition.

The Cons: 

- Boss battles tend to drag on far too long and with no major change in attack scenarios.

- Some of the levels drag on for way too long without the immediate rollercoaster ride factor that’s expected from most on-rails games.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

Video games are supposed to be fun but rarely are they completely balls to the wall whacky when the situation calls for it.  Each game is supposed to have its own identity and tone, but it’s rare that we see a video game that tries to make us laugh or opts to provide an experience that is filled with so many weird moments that it in a way eclipses the general gameplay.

Capcom Preps PS3 Port Of Resident Evil Wii Games

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 07:21
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HD remakes are the rage these days and since the PlayStation Move’s key usage is as a pointer in light gun games we’re receiving the Resident Evil Chronicles HD.  Comprising of HD remakes of both former Wii exclusive Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, the RE Chronicles HD will bow on the PS3 with you guess it – support for the PlayStation Move.

Child of Eden - PS3 [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 06:30
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Overall Feeling: 

Child of Eden is a game that may not be understood by all but it’s an absolute jewel in the rough.  Featuring simple mechanics that are easy to get a hold of, Child of Eden basically gives gamers a two hour long eye orgasm due to how pretty it is thanks to gorgeous visuals and amazing set piece moments that are unbelievable.  There may be a few blemishes in Child of Eden such as a short campaign length and the occasional bug or two, but the game is still a smile inducing experience that is synesthesia in its best form.

The Pros: 

+ Gameplay is simple but feels really satisfying.

+ The music is so good that Daft Punk would likely be pleased with the buttery beats the game dishes out.

+ They may not make a lot of sense, but the visuals are gorgeous and extremely vibrant.

The Cons: 

- Having to replay stages in order to advance breaks the rhythm of the game.

- Some weird bugs pop up here and there which sometimes require restarting a stage.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

As a gamer I strive to experience things I haven’t seen or played before instead of just following one genre and calling it a day.  I definitely have my go to games that I know will deliver the goods like Uncharted, but I like to play things that are either so trippy it makes me think about what I’m playing or that simply show that video games can evolve beyond their core foundations.

LittleBigPlanet 2: Move Pack - The Rise of the Cakeling [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 09:34
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Overall Feeling: 

LittleBigPlanet 2: Move Pack – The Rise of the Cakeling is easily the best addition to hit the world of LBP and the best use of the Move in a core PlayStation 3 game.  Using the Move to manipulate objects or guide loveable Sackbots is easy and never once feels gimmicky given the context and world of LBP2.  With 13 wonderfully designed and rather addicting levels, the Move Pack has a nice amount of content only made more enticing by the new tools available in the Create Mode – which does indeed allow gamers to create Move enabled creations.  Those who already own LBP2 really should check out the LBP2 Move Pack as it takes an already amazing experience and simply makes it better.

The Pros: 

+ The Move controls are terrific in how they’re executed and devised.
+ LBP is always humorous but the Rise of the Cakeling story is LBP humor at its best.
+ The mini-games unlocked via the story mode offer a lot of variety, good Move control and nice bonuses.
+ Price point is perfect for the content that’s offered and the length of the main adventure.

The Cons: 

- There are only 13 Media Molecule created levels. I WANT MORE!

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
10

I’ve already documented some of my feelings concerning the PlayStation Move thus far and I of course wholeheartedly stand by my opinions.

Find Out When Cole MacGrath Will Return In Infamous 2: Festival of Blood

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 05:34
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Infamous 2 may have had endings that resolved things nicely depending on which path you decided to take, yet the journey of Cole MacGrath isn’t over just yet.  Announced out of the blue at Gamescom last month, Sucker Punch will be giving us the Infamous 2: Festival of Blood DLC which is going all Edward Cullen/Eric Northman on us due to the inclusion of vampires.

This Changes Nothing: Looking Back At One Year Of The PlayStation Move

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 09:50
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A lot of cool and unexpected things have occurred in the video game industry in the last six years – one of which was the reveal of the PlayStation Move.  When Nintendo first unveiled the main direction of the Wii back in 2005 I think gamers across the board were either distraught, puzzled or flat out laughing at the direction Nintendo opted to take their console in as motion based gaming seemed to be silly.

Activision Preps A Special GoldenEye: Reloaded Bundle For The PS3

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 07:57
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Once again we’re getting a James Bond video game but there isn’t a whole lot of fanfare for it since it’s a mere HD port of an existing game. In a way gamers should still be excited that the recent Goldeneye remake is coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360 but personally I would’ve preferred an original James Bond such as the one Raven Software was formerly working on. But c’est la vie and having played a bit of GoldenEye 007: Reloaded I’m slightly warming up to the concept of spending some time with a James Bond FPS once more.

Resistance 3 [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Fri, 09/09/2011 - 05:11
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Overall Feeling: 

The Resistance franchise may have had some high and low points but Resistance 3 is a perfect way for the series to go out.  Featuring a robust single-player campaign that has amazing variety and a terrific weapons upgrade system, Insomniac Games has fixed all the wrongs they committed in Resistance 2 and then added a ton of Resistance 1 nostalgia in for good measure.  Resistance 3 is a simply gritty and surprisingly emotional action experience that doesn’t fall victim to being incredibly shallow like so many other games today.  Thankfully the multiplayer experience isn’t a mess and instead offers some old-school style fun that does indeed have a level of strategy and skill to it.  Gamers may have been intensely burned by Resistance 2, but Resistance 3 is honestly a step in the right direction as it matches and slightly exceeds what we received five years ago with the first Resistance.

The Pros: 

+ The mood created in the game through the visuals and scenarios is superb.
+ Upgrading specific weapons is fun and allows the game to have a tailored experience.
+ Level pacing is right on the mark since nothing ever drags.
+ Boss battles are still a bit predictable but are more intense and generally look better.
+ Graphically the game really shines when it comes to the art design.
+ Multiplayer totally rocks as of now and is filled with action while not being too chaotic.

The Cons: 

- A few action segments are too scripted.
- The multiplayer mode is balanced but there are a few kill streak bonuses that could throw things off.
- Not having some lingering plot points resolved is disappointing considering what transpires at the end.
- Graphical quality is a bit hit and miss in some areas.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Developing and ultimately releasing a worthy sequel can often be a tough thing to do, even for the most adept developers out there such as Hideo Kojima or Peter Molyneux.  Having an established formula that works is good and all but the somewhat difficult task of deciding how much to change and what to keep the same often rears its ugly head when a studio is deciding what should be included in their next potential blockbuster video game.

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