Tag: Video Games

Game Review: Assassin’s Creed (PS3)

Authored June 2008, Originally appeared at GameSpot

Finally finished this game (which I started long ago) off.

Like the UBISoft classic “The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” this game works hard to provide compelling narrative explanations for game mechanics. In this case a fairly generic young man, Desmond, has been captured by a mysterious, powerful organization. He’s hooked up to a computer system which can replay ancestral memories, in this case those of a 12th century assassin named Altair. Apparently Altair was the last to know the whereabouts of a mysterious religious artifact lost during the Third Crusade that the organization wants. You must control Altair through a period of his life in order to learn the location of this artifact.

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Game Review: High Velocity Bowling (PS3)

Authored December 2007, Originally appeared at GameSpot

This downloadable game implements SIXAXIS motion controls to simulate the motions of real bowling. Although this game will suffer many (and many ignorant) comparison to Wii Sports Bowling the games are really in two different (bowling) leagues.  Where Wii Sports excels at being a “kiddy” game High Velocity Bowling takes a much more realistic tack and provides many more options for deeper play.  A large selection of balls and throwing styles are available.  You can even review the wax pattern on the boards if you wish.

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Game Review: Jak 3 (PS2)

Authored December 2005, Originally appeared at GameSpot

An amazing experience and a great capstone to the Jak Trilogy. Sony really does have the action platformer genre locked up.  Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank and Sly Cooper are the kings of that hill now (and this is coming from a serious Nintendo fan).

If you were scared off by the difficultly of the second game don’t worry – this one is easier although by no means a cake walk (some missions are downright frustrating).  Thankfully the most frustrating missions are optional (unlike the second game which I nearly abandoned a half-a-dozen times).

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Game Review: Grand Theft Auto, San Andreas (PS2)

Authored December 2005, Originally appeared at GameSpot

Well – I finished the story missions.  I could still do a lot, but I probably won’t – I’ve already spent over 90 hours on the game.  I finished the story, got most of the export cars, got mostly gold in most of the schools, did all but two of the “asset property” missions, dated all but one of the girls (but never got 100% with any of them), reached “hitman” skill in all weapons, bought all of the safe houses, did the pimping missions, maxed my driving and motorcycle skills, got all 100 gang tags, got all 50 horseshoes, did all of Zero’s RC missions, and got 100% of the available neighborhoods in the turf wars.

With all of that my “percent complete on the game” isn’t even 80%.

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Game Review: Rag Doll Kung Fu (PC)

Authored October 2005, Originally appeared at GameSpot

In many ways the game really is an achievement.  A single programmer (and I presume some friends) did it and also produced downright hilarious 70’s Kung Fu movie parodies for the cut-scenes.

The game looks and sounds impressive as well – there’s no sense of amateurishness here.  Essentially the game is a side-scrolling brawler.  “Street Fighter” or “Final Fight” style with 3-D characters.

Game play is intriguing and innovative… but, I think flawed.

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Game Review: Lego Star Wars (PS2)

Authored October 2005, Originally appeared at GameSpot

This is surprisingly one HELL of a great little game!  It’s easy enough for kids but never dull and so remarkably well put together any adult will have just as much fun.

Essentially the game features several chapters for each of the three prequel movies using Dexter’s Diner as the central hub.  It can be played with one or two players and players can enter and leave the game at will (when they enter they take on the role of a friendly and when they leave that friendly goes back to computer control).

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