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Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:11
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Overall Feeling: 

The Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection offers gamers a chance to play two stunning games that despite their age are still amazing in every possible way.  While not offering up any previously unseen gameplay content, veterans of both Ico and SOTC will likely be taken aback by the refined visuals which almost make both games seem like entirely new experiences.  With only a few minor control issues here and there that can be shaken off quickly, the Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection is by far the best HD remix Sony has put out so far.

The Pros: 

+ Both games look even more amazing than they already did thanks to the HD upgrade.

+ Protecting Yorda and solving puzzles in Ico still feels timeless and perfect in every way.

+ Going up against massive beasts in Shadow of the Colossus still offers plenty of heart pounding moments.

The Cons: 

- Controls for both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus still have a few unresponsive moments.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
10

As video games have gained more popularity throughout the years and as technology has become more advanced there’s been the ever growing debate of whether games can be considered art.  For something to be considered art there is usually the notion that it has to make you think deeply or reflect in such a way that it strikes an immediate emotional chord with you – either out of joy, amazement or even hatred.

Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 06:54
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Overall Feeling: 

Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge is pretty much the best rugby game ever made – it’s simply that damn good.  Featuring a nice amount of international teams, Rugby Challenge doesn’t go light on the content front as the modes are engaging and the game is just filled with detail and sheer enjoyment due to how the smooth it plays.  There isn’t a steep learning curve to Rugby Challenge since the basics are easy to get a hold of and developer Sidhe has managed to faithfully recreate the key aspects of rugby without any compromise.  

The Pros: 

+ Controls are responsive and don’t take too long to master.

+ The graphics and animations do an excellent job of conveying a sense of realism to the game.

+ Having licensed teams such as the New Zealand All Blacks is a terrific addition. 

+ Presentation is top notch and getting replays on key moments is greatly appreciated.

The Cons: 

- A.I. for the opposing team can be a bit too easy to manhandle.

- Online offerings are a bit meager. Where’s the online league or tournament support?

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

Last month I shared with you all one thing about me that you may have never known: I’m a rugby freak.

Tetris Axis [Review]

Submitted by Casey White on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 22:17
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Overall Feeling: 

Quite easily the worst port of the classic puzzle epic ever made. The 3D features of the game make no sense for a 2D puzzle game, and can hinder the over-all experience. The ARG features seem like they are nothing more than a technical demonstration of the 3DS hardware, and are pretty much unplayable. 

The Pros: 

+It's Tetris

The Cons: 

-The ARG implimentation is annoying at best and destructive at worst.

-3D doesn't really add anything.

-The game ignores the analog stick

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
3

In the grand debate on which is the greatest video game of all time, I've always put forward Tetris. It is gaming in its purist form, and better than that it's become modular. Tetris has adapted and evolved over the years to reinvent itself for each new generation, taking advantage of the hardware provided and supplying the same addictive qualities that it had since the start. It is puzzle-gaming at its finest and most pure... That's why Tetris Axis is potentially the most disappointing game that I've played this year.

Resident Evil 4 HD [Review]

Submitted by Israel Vazquez on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 21:13
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Overall Feeling: 

A re-release of one of the most successful Resident Evil game in its franchise, Resident Evil 4 HD is a worthy download complete with a HD makeover and some new achievements/trophies to unlock.

The Pros: 

+ New HD Shine

+ Achievements & Trophies Added

The Cons: 

- Some control issues

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

It has been six years since the initial release of Capcom's Resident Evil 4 for the Nintendo GameCube, and eventual port to PlayStation 2. Now Capcom is providing the option once again to either replay the experience all over again or take part in the adventure for the very first time.

RAGE [Review]

Submitted by Casey White on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 21:01
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

The unique character design, impressive world that has been created and stunning use of idTech5 along with their 'megatextures' do little more than provide a breath-taking mask to otherwise bland shooter. At the end of the day RAGE feels little more than a re-skinned version of DOOM made by a group of people that were inspired by Mad Max and Borderlands.

The Pros: 

+Unique story telling

+Graphically impressive

+Awesome character design

+Unique weapons

+Solid co-op experience

+Ammo types drastically influence battle

The Cons: 

-Mediocre Feeling FPS

-Buggy, especially without install

-Doesn't have a real 'wow' factor beyond its look

-Repeative mission structure

-'Open world' is just a juncture between repeating zones

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

RAGE is something that I've been personally waiting for on bated breath. When it was originally announced back at QuakeCon 2007, it was the 'mega textures' and 'idTech5' showcase that started to blow everyone away. Beyond that though, the game was looking like it was going to take everything that Borderlands had already done, and ramped it up with all kinds of improvements to the style and specifically the graphics of the game.

Dead Nation: Road to Devastation [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 10:39
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Overall Feeling: 

Dead Nation: Road to Devastation is what more DLC add-ons should be – simple, to the point and cheap to buy.  Now focusing on a round based branching path adventure, Road to Devastation adds a wee bit of strategy to the Dead Nation experience as it allows gamers to somewhat tailor their zombie killing experience.  Even without the addition of any major new weapons or enemy types, Road to Devastation is DLC that’s worthy of forking your cash over since it’s well made and adds tremendously upon the base product.

The Pros: 

+ Branching paths add a lot to the game and offer a nice amount of variety amongst each other.

+ Multi-kill score mechanic is nice and further adds an arcade dimension to the game.

+ Level variety may not be that different compared to what Dead Nation already offered us, but there are still a lot of cool set-piece moments in the game.


 

The Cons: 

- Not being able to save in between rounds and having to restart upon dying is a pain.

- Would’ve preferred if level variety (art design, setting) was handled better.


 

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

The ever continuing zombie fad may be something that is further drawing the ire of gamers and people in general, but every now and then we do get a gem out of whatever undead mayhem surfaces.  There still is definitely an easy route that video game developers can take with their undead action but for some reason Dead Nation just clicked with people. At first it seemed like the game had two strikes against itself seeing as how it’s a twin-stick shooter and a zombie game that doesn’t have the name Resident Evil bandied about anywhere.

Supremacy MMA [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:36
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

As a mixed martial arts video game Supremacy MMA doesn’t deliver the goods due to a combat system that’s shallow and feels stiff throughout.  Offering unrestrained MMA action really isn’t a main detraction in Supremacy MMA since the no-holds barred aspect hardly comes into play or simply isn’t pushed in some areas.  With a limited roster of fighters that truthfully don’t feel that different when compared to each other, Supremacy MMA is a game that is more or less trying to appear to be a MMA game when it simply isn’t. 

The Pros: 

+ Damage modeling on the characters lends a nice impact to the attacks.
+ There’s an easy pick up and play nature to the game.
+ The overly edgy attitude of the game will certainly be appreciated by those who own an Affliction shirt for every day of the week.

The Cons: 

 

- Combat is sluggish and there aren’t any distinct characteristics between fighters.
- Graphics are merely average if not slightly dated, but the ropey character models and animation is distracting.
- The story mode is somewhat pointless since the story is more annoying than entertaining and there isn’t any real drama or motivation in continuing the journey.
- Having only two female fighters almost makes the whole thing pointless.
- Presentation is very simple all around but what’s up with the lack of fighter voices and knock-out replays?
- Online multiplayer offerings are extremely limited and as of now the community is a near ghost town.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
4

Sports are a big part of our culture since it allows us to witness amazing feats of skill and in some cases proves who the better person is in a physical bout.  Since people love a good challenge and anything that has somewhat restrained acts of violence, the sport of mixed martial arts has caught on tremendously in such a global scale that it’s actually surprising.  Honestly, when was the last time a sport managed to captivate an entire nation and go on to become a multibillion dollar industry?  Sports like rugby get meddling excitement in certain overseas markets but MMA is

Burnout Crash [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 09/27/2011 - 08:35
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Overall Feeling: 

Burnout Crash is a nice experiment in taking the core Burnout formula to a new territory except that it completely fails in the process.  Having an easy to pick-up and play arcade action game is fine but following up the prestigious lineage of the Burnout series and knowing the obvious talents of developer Criterion Games makes Burnout Crash hard to accept in any form.  There are some fun moments in Burnout Crash but the sheer simplicity of the game and how it throws away core trademarks of the Burnout franchise far outweigh whatever slight fun is to be had. 

The Pros: 

+ The controls in general are easy.
+ Some of the special hazards are entertaining, even if they’re totally ridiculous.

The Cons: 

- The Crash Junctions lack an overall amount of skill and careful planning.
- Visually the game is basic, even by PSN/XBLA standards, which leads to uneventful crashes/explosions.
- Commentator/radio personalities make my ears bleed.
- Game feels a bit cheap at times which leads to more frustration than immediate satisfaction.
- Online/Autolog features are rather slim and leaderboards are limited to friends only.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
3

It may not seem like it, especially to those who started gaming with the PS3 and Xbox 360, but Burnout is a pretty huge franchise.  Obviously stating as such isn’t too much of a surprise considering Criterion released five core Burnout entries for various platforms, but as a whole Burnout is important for one key thing: it kept the arcade racing genre alive for the last ten years.  Arcade style games aren’t as prevalent as they used to be but Criterion managed to do something special with Burnout and it caught on with people.

Warhammer: Space Marine [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 09/26/2011 - 07:47
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

Warhammer: Space Marine is a well put together action sci-fi game that may not be completely perfect or groundbreaking but offers some decent action.  Controlling a huge space marine with a badass British accent is cool but the combat does wear thin over time and is plagued with repetition as far as the mechanics and missions are concerned. With a nice plot that isn’t too heavy on the Warhammer mythos, Space Marine is definitely entry level material for those new to the Warhammer universe which in the end makes the game worth checking out even if it has a few faults.

The Pros: 

+ Killing Orks feels just right thanks to the Execution Moves and the visual representation of combat.
+ The art design is really good in how it gives the settings an aged look that isn’t too cartoony or contrived.
+ Combat system is easy to get into and the gunplay feels tight.
+ Mark Strong’s voice acting is truly badass.

The Cons: 

- Mission variety is lacking in a lot of ways, whether it’s through the sheer linear nature or lack of boss battles.
- Combat is a bit too simple and would’ve benefited from more moves to bring some depth to everything.
- The story is good but takes a long time to pick up any steam and at times can drag a bit.
- Multiplayer modes are nothing to write home about.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

Somehow over the course of the last few years sci-fi properties of any kind have lost their luster.  Despite the advances that have been made from a technological perspective in both films and video games, there just aren’t too many things that really push the uniqueness that one typically expects from the sci-fi genre.  I won’t go on a mass tirade about the decline of sci-fi films, but even sci-fi video games have fallen by the waste side for some reason.  There are a few good sci-fi games left these days with a universe that’s engaging such as Dead Space or Mass Effect but

Renegade Ops [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Fri, 09/23/2011 - 06:24
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Overall Feeling: 

It may be yet another twin-stick shooter filled with explosions, but there’s just something thoroughly fun about Renegade Ops.  With a basic premise that doesn’t over stay its welcome, Renegade Ops offers plenty of action and hammy dialogue to keep things entertaining – even during a few slow spots or sudden repetitious moments towards the end.  Developer Avalanche Studios may have put their necks out there developing a smaller title, but their risk paid off as Renegade Ops is visually pleasing, fun to play and is a perfect laid back co-op action game.

The Pros: 

+ Game is easy to get into thanks to simple controls and straight forward objectives.
+ The camera may never get extremely close to the action, but the graphical details are impressive and the game is just nice to look at all around.
+ The plot is a bit shallow but it has the perfect amount of cheesiness to it complete with G.I. Joe elements.

The Cons: 

- The action is fun but it does get repetitive towards the end.
- Having a moderately thin plot is fine, but having some more detail and character to the Renegade Ops team would’ve been nice.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

At this stage in the current video game generation we’re used to seeing two things pop up consistently: action filled experiences with little reasoning behind them and twin-stick shooters.  Twin-stick shooters have in a way been a staple of the video game industry as a whole but for some reason at the start of this generation something just clicked with gamers and developers which is why we usually see at least a dozen or so major releases in the genre every year.  I probably don’t need to delve into why popcorn action games are popular these days since most people like to turn of

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