It’s soon Christmas folks!
That’s it for reviews of 2010, it’s been a good gaming year and I’ll be back next year with more reviews of new releases. I may write a "Looking back" feature or a top 2010 list of something. Maybe, maybe not.
Until next time though, have a great Christmas and a happy new year! \o/
I’ve pretty much played through all the important holiday releases so far, before I’ve even got my pressies! Since this is probably my last entry of reviews this yea,r I’ll go through three games in one post.
Released: 2010
First up is Metro 2033. It’s set in the post-apocalyptic world of 2033 after the nukes have wiped out mankind and, yes, it does sound like a Fallout game, but this they are quite different. Firstly, its not an RPG, and while it may remind you of titles Fallout 3 or the STALKER visually, Metro 2033 is a fairly straight forward first person shooter.
So, while the game pushes you mostly from A to B in a typical, but fairly wide, corridor fashion, while offering some stealth options, what Metro 2033 truly is about, is the atmosphere and the feeling of desperation underneath the surface of a nuked-out Moscow. The story is simple, you must deliver a message to a far off subway station, while dealing with mutants that have grown out of the radioactive ruins of mankind.
This makes for some hideous looking enemies and many scares, but what is truly creepy, is the main story of a mutant creature that is rumoured to be the next step in evolution, beyond humans. This eerie, overhanging creepiness and flashback scenes of this new creature, build a lot of Metro’s fantastic atmosphere.
Metro 2033 uses minimal amounts of HUD on screen, focusing more on the visual clues as to when guns are getting dirty or need reloading. As you fight your way through subway stations, abandoned halls, sewer systems and hideouts, you get accustomed to taking care of your guns and ammo reserves. This lack of HUD, helps keep you focused, and what’s even more exciting, is that you have to wear a gas mask on the surface.
Believe me, when you're breathing heavily inside a gas mask, in a snowstorm, with huge cracks in visor, while shooting at creatures and generally having a hard time surviving, you truly feel sucked into the dark and dismal scenario. This is the games strongest point, it truly submerges you into the feeling of being there in the hopelessness and having to fight your way to survive.
It plays fairly solid too, with a precise gun feeling. Side tasks like changing filters on your gas mask or recharging your batteries with a manual pump for your torch and night vision goggles, bring further authenticity and variation into the gameplay. Having to these tasks in the middle of a firefight, really brings an element of pressure to the player.
The environments look fantastic and ooze atmosphere, even though you mostly are in underground settings. Be it subways, sewers or abandoned buildings. The diverse look of the surface locations are great too, allowing the player to see the brutal and cold world under the bright sky. Sadly, the animation of people, enemies and the voice overs are mediocre. They're stiff and lack a lot of fluidity. This is such a shame, since the rest of the visual side of Metro is great.
I really enjoyed the dark and desperate moments of Metro 2033, the underlying fear of the next step in evolution and the stressing moment sin combat with limited ammo and gas mask filters needing changing. I felt like I was there and it was frightening.
However, the abrupt ending, left me a little baffled. It felt like a game that could have been a couple of hours longer. Looking back it was a fantastic ride, but I would have liked something amazing at the end and I would have maybe liked some more flashbacks to a time before the nukes fell from the sky. All in all, it ends as a game with a lot of potential for a possible sequel.
Released: 2010
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, up next. This is a direct sequel of the story and main character from AC2. If I haven’t mentioned it before, I will now, I absolutely love the AC series.
Review
Played on: Xbox 360Released: 2010
First up is Metro 2033. It’s set in the post-apocalyptic world of 2033 after the nukes have wiped out mankind and, yes, it does sound like a Fallout game, but this they are quite different. Firstly, its not an RPG, and while it may remind you of titles Fallout 3 or the STALKER visually, Metro 2033 is a fairly straight forward first person shooter.
So, while the game pushes you mostly from A to B in a typical, but fairly wide, corridor fashion, while offering some stealth options, what Metro 2033 truly is about, is the atmosphere and the feeling of desperation underneath the surface of a nuked-out Moscow. The story is simple, you must deliver a message to a far off subway station, while dealing with mutants that have grown out of the radioactive ruins of mankind.
This makes for some hideous looking enemies and many scares, but what is truly creepy, is the main story of a mutant creature that is rumoured to be the next step in evolution, beyond humans. This eerie, overhanging creepiness and flashback scenes of this new creature, build a lot of Metro’s fantastic atmosphere.
Metro 2033 uses minimal amounts of HUD on screen, focusing more on the visual clues as to when guns are getting dirty or need reloading. As you fight your way through subway stations, abandoned halls, sewer systems and hideouts, you get accustomed to taking care of your guns and ammo reserves. This lack of HUD, helps keep you focused, and what’s even more exciting, is that you have to wear a gas mask on the surface.
Believe me, when you're breathing heavily inside a gas mask, in a snowstorm, with huge cracks in visor, while shooting at creatures and generally having a hard time surviving, you truly feel sucked into the dark and dismal scenario. This is the games strongest point, it truly submerges you into the feeling of being there in the hopelessness and having to fight your way to survive.
It plays fairly solid too, with a precise gun feeling. Side tasks like changing filters on your gas mask or recharging your batteries with a manual pump for your torch and night vision goggles, bring further authenticity and variation into the gameplay. Having to these tasks in the middle of a firefight, really brings an element of pressure to the player.
The environments look fantastic and ooze atmosphere, even though you mostly are in underground settings. Be it subways, sewers or abandoned buildings. The diverse look of the surface locations are great too, allowing the player to see the brutal and cold world under the bright sky. Sadly, the animation of people, enemies and the voice overs are mediocre. They're stiff and lack a lot of fluidity. This is such a shame, since the rest of the visual side of Metro is great.
I really enjoyed the dark and desperate moments of Metro 2033, the underlying fear of the next step in evolution and the stressing moment sin combat with limited ammo and gas mask filters needing changing. I felt like I was there and it was frightening.
However, the abrupt ending, left me a little baffled. It felt like a game that could have been a couple of hours longer. Looking back it was a fantastic ride, but I would have liked something amazing at the end and I would have maybe liked some more flashbacks to a time before the nukes fell from the sky. All in all, it ends as a game with a lot of potential for a possible sequel.
Review
Played on: Xbox 360Released: 2010
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, up next. This is a direct sequel of the story and main character from AC2. If I haven’t mentioned it before, I will now, I absolutely love the AC series.
I’ll happily admit that AC1 was flawed in many areas but the general idea was amazing and so the sequel, last year, blew me away. Not only did it fix small nuisances of the original, it added so much more. Side quests from the main story, the ability to upgrade, not only your armour and weaponry, but also rebuild a small village. Brotherhood, in other words, had quite a bit to live up to.
AC:B is not a true AC3, it’s more like a sequel to AC2. Don’t get me wrong, it isn't an extension pack, it’s a full game with the same, if not lengthier, story like AC2.
AC:B is not a true AC3, it’s more like a sequel to AC2. Don’t get me wrong, it isn't an extension pack, it’s a full game with the same, if not lengthier, story like AC2.
It continues closely to the where AC2 left off and if you still haven’t begun on any AC games, then begin with AC2 before delving into Brotherhood. AC:B only lets you roam in one town, but the size of Rome is incredible and actually makes it seem larger than any AC game to date. In fact, the sheer amount of things to do in Rome is amazing and will take you ages.
The main quest is to bring down the Borgia dictatorship in Rome, but along the way you encounter many exciting and historical side stories. Everything from finding Romolous’ armour, to experimenting and trying out Leonardo Da Vinci’s many strange vehicles and machines.
The main quest is to bring down the Borgia dictatorship in Rome, but along the way you encounter many exciting and historical side stories. Everything from finding Romolous’ armour, to experimenting and trying out Leonardo Da Vinci’s many strange vehicles and machines.
You'll also get the choice to invest in shops, banks and buildings to help build Rome from ruins. Taking over the city, one part at the time, as you assassinate local leaders and take control yourself.
If you really enjoyed AC2, without hesitation, take part in Ezio Auditore’s rebuilding of Rome, I guarantee you’ll love Brotherhood.
Released: 2010
Last game of the three: Pac-Man Championship Edition DX. It’s a deluxe version of 2007’s Championship Edition, which I never played. So far, I've really enjoyed this kinds of remake of the traditional ac-Man formula.
If you really enjoyed AC2, without hesitation, take part in Ezio Auditore’s rebuilding of Rome, I guarantee you’ll love Brotherhood.
Review
Played on: Xbox 360Released: 2010
Last game of the three: Pac-Man Championship Edition DX. It’s a deluxe version of 2007’s Championship Edition, which I never played. So far, I've really enjoyed this kinds of remake of the traditional ac-Man formula.
It's addictive, very addictive.
It takes a twist on the traditional Pac-Man gameplay and lets you try to make as many sleeping ghosts wake up and follow you as possible. As they form a massive que behind Pac-Man you try to collect as many of the traditional dots as possible and the bonus fruit. When all dots are eaten, a fruit will appear and this, will in turn, unlock a new route of dots and sleeping ghosts.
There are power up dots, but the temptation here is to collect as many ghosts behind you, before eating one. Once you do, you can turn around and eat them all in a massive chain bonus. Thus giving you insane amounts of points! The trick though, is that when the chain of ghosts becomes very long, the margin for error is much smaller.
The use of slow-motion as you face the ghosts, allowing you a few seconds to change direction. It helps make this Pac-Man more forgiving, yet last longer as a session for each level. Combined with flashy and neon coloured HD visuals, synced with a thumping, fantastic techno soundtrack, it's real visual vista to behold.
It takes a twist on the traditional Pac-Man gameplay and lets you try to make as many sleeping ghosts wake up and follow you as possible. As they form a massive que behind Pac-Man you try to collect as many of the traditional dots as possible and the bonus fruit. When all dots are eaten, a fruit will appear and this, will in turn, unlock a new route of dots and sleeping ghosts.
There are power up dots, but the temptation here is to collect as many ghosts behind you, before eating one. Once you do, you can turn around and eat them all in a massive chain bonus. Thus giving you insane amounts of points! The trick though, is that when the chain of ghosts becomes very long, the margin for error is much smaller.
The use of slow-motion as you face the ghosts, allowing you a few seconds to change direction. It helps make this Pac-Man more forgiving, yet last longer as a session for each level. Combined with flashy and neon coloured HD visuals, synced with a thumping, fantastic techno soundtrack, it's real visual vista to behold.
This is a great arcade purchase for a really addictive experience and new take on Pac-Man! I even reached the top 1000 players at one point, which was really fun!
Until next time though, have a great Christmas and a happy new year! \o/