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Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns Arcade Hits Pack [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Wed, 09/01/2010 - 14:25
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Overall Feeling: 

The Gunblade NY and LA Machineguns Arcade Hits Pack is a terrific product that encapsulates a prime era in both the history of arcade gaming and Sega as a company. With gameplay that’s still addicting to this day and a perfect price point of $29, anyone who has a passion for arcade gaming and that owns a Wii should pick up this combo of awesome since it’s the epitome of timeless arcade gaming.

The Pros: 

Both games offer an amazing amount of fun. The visuals may not be awe-inspiring but they look good from a retro perspective (yes mid 90s arcade gaming is now retro -_-). Online leader boards and bonus weapon abilities add even more replayability to both games.

The Cons: 

It would’ve been nice if Sega perhaps added another mode or included an entirely new adventure mode exclusive to the Wii.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

When it comes to video games, Sega is probably known for two things in particular: the widely popular blue hedgehog Sonic and the plethora of arcade games the company has released in the past 25 years. While the arcade industry has all but waned in the wake of console gaming, the late 80s and 90s were a tremendous highlight of Sega’s talent when it came to producing a quality arcade game.  With classics such as Outrun, Virtua Fighter and Virtual On, Sega cranked out arcade games that were beloved by all, and still to this day hold a place close to the hearts of many gamers.

Mafia II [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 08/30/2010 - 08:36
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Overall Feeling: 

For a market flooded with crime based action games and sandbox/open-world games, Mafia II has lived up to its core potential of delivering a memorable period based mafia epic. With an experience that is well-rounded and executed well, the game doesn’t have many weak points aside from one chapter at the mid-point and a few small gameplay and story issues. Don’t let the 1940s setting fool you into thinking Mafia II isn’t as good as GTA as it certainly is.

The Pros: 

Amazing atmosphere created in part by the acting, music and visuals. Most of the missions are exciting and often intense. Both the hand-to-hand combat and gun battles have a nice visceral and realistic feel to them. The world of Empire Bay is beautiful and so are the vehicles. The original score ranks as one of the best game soundtracks I’ve heard this year.

The Cons: 

Certain aspects of the story could’ve been fleshed out or pushed further. Cover mechanics are slightly awkward. It would’ve been nice if there was at least one side activity in the game instead of just searching for Playboy magazines. Some of the mission checkpoints are spread too far apart. The ending is a bit too abrupt.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

As I drive along the snow laden streets of Empire Bay listening to a nice medley on the radio I feel a certain level of apprehension. My destination is located in a sketchy part of the city, more so than the parts of the Bay I’m familiar with, and the task at hand is far from being legal. Stealing a car can sometimes be an easy thing but when you’re stealing a gorgeous high-end car from an African-American gang, things could go a bit haywire.  After slowly jumping a fence to enter the target destination, I’m immediately faced with a fist-fight, of which I easily win.

Shank [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 08/26/2010 - 16:22
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Overall Feeling: 

Shank is a game with terrific art design that’s well produced but doesn’t have everything at optimum levels as far the gameplay side of things is concerned. Klei has laid down a good foundation for the side-scrolling action of Shank, but things don’t feel as entirely fleshed out as they could be and ultimately the last few stages get really repetitive. Despite the gameplay issues, Shank still feels like a fresh experience in the side-scrolling genre and should be checked out by those looking for an entertaining brawler.

The Pros: 

The comic book/cartoon inspired art design is amazing, both in the cutscenes and the in-game visuals. Shank has a nice arsenal of weapons at his disposal which are all fun to use. Even though it’s short, the co-op mode is fun. Fun boss battles all of which surpass the standard run and gun mechanics.

The Cons: 

Combat doesn’t feel as deep as it could be. The slight button input delay can be slightly annoying at times. The game gets really repetitive towards the end with only a few standout sections. Unless you look online, the game doesn’t tell you what the criteria are for unlocking the bonus costumes.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

Most games these days often rely on style over substance. Of course such a thing is to be expected at times since video games are often meant to be showpieces of amazing graphics and awe-inspiring art design.  That’s not to say every video game follows the Michael Bay mantra of “blow sh!t up, have cool camera angles and everything else is just fluff” but that’s most often the case these days.  Klei Entertainment’s side-scrolling brawler Shank is a game that’s high on the style and originality department.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 21:53
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Overall Feeling: 

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a game that takes no prisoners on all fronts. Featuring a hard-edged story that is acted wonderfully, the game may not take the gameplay risks or feature the improvements one would hope for but it’s still a blast to play. Aside from a lack of variety in the campaign mode and a few issues concerning the amount of action, K&L2 is an exceptional action game whose originality and implementation of special camera effects should be applauded.

The Pros: 

The story is tight and the acting is beyond amazing. While the levels may not be filled with original set-pieces, the tension is still high which makes for entertaining battles. Shanghai is recreated with an insane amount of detail which really sets the tone for the game. The post-processing camera effects add a lot of character to the game and are really cool. All the online modes are fun to play despite the small learning curve.

The Cons: 

Most of the missions follow the same structure which gets a tad boring eventually. Enemies at times take too many bullets to take down and have slightly stiff animations. Game is short and can be completed rather fast when playing with a buddy.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

When it comes to most video game sequels, we often expect a small gradual improvement.  Most of the time developers and publishers feel no need to reinvent things drastically since they already have a proven formula.  This often leads to games that merely feel like 1.5 versions instead of a proper sequel that actually moves things forward in every department.  There are of course games that are exceptions to that rule such as Uncharted 2 which take the core formula but amp it up to such an incredible level that it feels like you’re experiencing the franchise for the first tim

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light [Review] [Summer of Arcade]

Submitted by Casey White on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 15:49
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light feels like a rebirth for the Tomb Raider franchise. It is a reminder that this series was once a pinnacle of gaming, and could be again in the right venue with the right "vibe".

The Pros: 

The best Lara Croft-centric title in years. Addictive arcade-themed gameplay: challenge rooms, bonus objectives, score, and co-op. Best co-op experience for Xbox Live in quite some time. Plenty of content for re-runs both co-op and solo.

The Cons: 

After you've played co-op the solo campaign can feel a little lacking. Live co-op disabled 'til Sept 28th, wtf?

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

 

Monday Night Combat [Review] [Summer of Arcade]

Submitted by Casey White on Thu, 08/12/2010 - 20:09
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

A blend of tower defense and third-person class-based shooters, MNC is a unique take on two genres that works a whole lot better then I would have originally expected.

The Pros: 

Quick, easy fun. Interesting character/level design art. Unique characters that provide for every game-type. Addictive game-play that will bring you back over and over.

The Cons: 

Really only one game-type varied in two ways, so not much change up.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Yesterday the fourth instalment of Xbox’s Summer of Arcade series dropped: Monday Night Combat. This is a game that I’ve been following with a medium level of anticipation. It’s a great concept with some goofy marketing that seemed like it could end up falling quite easily on to either side of the fence. So when I finally got around to downloading a copy for myself, I approached with a very cautious optimism. For those unaware, the basic idea of the game is a blend between tower defense and third-person class-based shooters.

Clash of the Titans: The Video Game [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 08/12/2010 - 09:41
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

Clash of the Titans: The Video Game is an epic waste of time to play. Those who enjoyed the movie are likely to be burned by a game that is extremely dull and fails to capture the Greek mythology essence. Even those looking for a mindless action game are sure to be disappointed by a combat engine that feels like it belongs in a PS1 game.

The Pros: 

There’s laughter to be had by some of the bad voice acting and production values. Smashing skeletons to pieces is mildly entertaining for the first twenty minutes.

The Cons: 

Visually unimpressive in almost every way, especially the lifeless cutscenes. The combat lacks a spark and doesn’t offer much we haven’t seen before. Most of the missions and levels are extremely boring.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
4

Being an avid gamer, I like to support as many games as I can, whether they’re big budget AAA titles or lesser known IPs/indie games. Sometimes my openness to support a game, not necessarily hyping it up to others, can backfire on me in such an ugly way that I can’t help but feel like an ass.  One such game that my anticipation of has completely punched me in the gut is the game adaptation of the recent Clash of the Titans remake. 

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair [Review] [Summer of Arcade]

Submitted by Casey White on Fri, 08/06/2010 - 08:29
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

It feels like a Gameboy Advance title that got lost somewhere in Konami's vault and then was thrown on Xbox Live Arcade without anyone bothering to check if it worked, or was worth paying money for.

The Pros: 

6-person multiplayer, that's rare for any title. The core gameplay works alright. Collecting gear for your character could definitely be addictive with the right group of people.

The Cons: 

Terrible graphics. Eye-hurting menu systems. Ridiculous decisions for playing from a map-view, which when zoomed in upon feels like you just blew up a thumbnail (and distorted the image). Single-player experience feels almost broken. Loading pages are annoying.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
4

The third entry in Xbox Live’s Summer of Arcade series has now come and gone, and honestly this one has been the hardest for me to try and formulate an opinion on. You see the problem is that I’m a pretty big fan of the Castlevania series, and the road to the title had me all kinds of hyped for the game… unfortunately it turned out to be… well not so great. Castlevania Harmony of Despair feels like a cheeky little ploy to throw “HD” in the title, and in the menus on the Xbox they actually do abbreviate it down to just “Castlevania HD” which in the end becomes ironic.

Starcraft II [Review]

Submitted by Casey White on Fri, 08/06/2010 - 07:59
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

One of the most value-packed PC titles that I've experienced in sometime, Starcraft II offers a whole lot of awesome in one small pack. Both the multiplayer aspects and the single player game are fantastic and expansive. This is definitely a must-have title for all gamers (RTS fans and non alike).

The Pros: 

Plenty of game-types to choose from. Wide, expansive single player campaign, with branching story-lines that allow for multiple play-throughs. Deep multiplayer experiences that are as fun as our memories of the original title. Plenty of game modes including: campaign, challenges, multiplayer matches, and even an arcade shooter to take an in-game break from the war.

The Cons: 

Honestly? I can't think of even one thing that could have improved this title.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
10

For the last week or so I’ve been trying to decide on how to approach a review on a series that, honestly, I felt under-qualified to write about. Writing a review of a wildly popular RTS for PC is something that can be a bit tricky when you don’t particularly enjoy RTS games, and your preferred medium is the console for gaming.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane [Review] [Summer of Arcade]

Submitted by Casey White on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 10:57
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

A slick upgrade on the classic arcade franchise, Hurricane offers the return of everything that drew people into the original along with some sexy graphical updates and plenty of new gameplay.

The Pros: 

Classic arcade racing action, modernized. Split-screen multiplayer, that can go online! Sleek new models for the classic boats. Tons of new play types. Original arcade/fun feel to everything.

The Cons: 

Not the original voice over for announcer. Unable to smash boats into the air with boost. Control of some boats changed to much for them to be used in the same fashion as the previous title.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

One of my favourite things about the Xbox Live Arcade platform is the ability to resurrect old arcade/console classics and bring in modern graphics and features (especially online play). This week’s Summer of Arcade release returns one of my all-time favourite arcade classics, and allows me the opportunity to jump online and really test my skills behind the wheel… of a power boat.

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