Solider of Fortune Review

Solider of Fortune

Developer: Raven Software

Publisher: Activision

Genre: FPS

Release: 2/29/2000

Platforms: Windows, Linux, Dreamcast, PS2

Modes: Single-player, Multi-Player

Availability: Uncommon. Not in any online stores.

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Info:

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        The version I played was the Community Edition on the PC, which is made compatible with modern systems and resolutions, additional graphical effects, and new server browser support.

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Story:

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        The story of Solider of Fortune is about 4 nukes being stolen from a Russian facility and organized gang violence that took over a subway. You play as John Mullins, a mercenary working for an organization called the shop, is sent to deal with these situations with his partner Aaron Hawk. The plot is minimalist and is told during briefings for each mission. It’s not deep, but it carries the plot along well enough.

Casual Game Reviews

Luxor:

Developer/Publisher: MumboJumbo

Genre: Arcade, Shooting

Release: April 5, 2005

Modes: Single-player

Platforms: Windows, Android, PSP, iOS, Xbox 360, Wii, Mac OS

Availability: Online stores

It looks simple, but it's hard

         Luxor is about shooting orbs and destroying the ones that are traveling down the track. To destroy the orbs, you must ether, match up three colored orbs by shooting them with a matching color, make the orbs collide by destroying orbs between them, or using a power up to destroy them. It sounds easy but it isn’t as the orbs will keep coming until the bar on the bottom is filled up. Firing indiscriminately is the fastest way to lose. You need to be strategic with your shots and focus on racking up combos.

         The platform that you control with your mouse can switch between two orbs. The game in the early stages will almost always give you the color orb you will need, but in the latter stages, after level 5, it doesn’t do as well. I have had stages where the orbs are near the pyramid and I needed a certain color, but it kept giving me the wrong colors I didn’t need at the moment. It’s not a big flaw that you can’t work around it. For the fast majority of the time, losing is entirely your fault and success is based on your skill.

         The game has around 20 stages that will start to repeat once you get to level 5. There are 12 levels with 5 or more stages between. If you lose all your lives, you will start at the beginning of the level. I have had fun with this and I recommend it to anyone that wants a fun yet challenging arcade game.

Quick Incomplete Game Thoughts

Quick Incomplete Game Thoughts

         These are quick thoughts of games I didn't beat or play long as I didn't like them or found them boring. Since I didn't beat them, I don't feel comfortable calling them reviews. Rather then write out a boring 2 – 3 page review of why they are not worth buying, I keep it brief.

Commando Jack:

         Commando Jack is a tower defense game that was originally on mobile and it shows. The menu interface, the coins, and the bad aiming sensitivity are all examples of how it's a mobile game. It's an easy game regardless of difficulty or game mode. The only thing difficulty does is change how mach damage the enemies take and there being more obstacles blocking jacks ability to shoot the aliens. An interesting feature is you can take control of Jack or the rocket towers and participate in the fighting yourself. This also makes the game easy as all you need is 4 turrets to plow through the enemies. After 15 minutes, you have seen all this game has to offer. It's a mediocre game that isn't worth buying. I got it for free in a giveaway.

Earth Defense Force 2025 Review

Earth Defense Force

Developer: Sandlot

Publisher: D3 Publisher

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3

Release: February 18, 2013

Genre: Third Person Shooter, Arcade

Modes: Single-player, Local Co-Op, Online Co-Op

Availability: Xbox Market Place, PlayStation Store, Online Stores

Disclaimer:

- This review is for the Xbox 360 version

- I got this game for $15 on Amazon

- I don't have Xbox Gold so I didn't try multi-player

- Laser Chainsaws are cool

- Images are from the official press release that was taken from IGN.

Info:

          The “Earth Defense Force” series started as game under the Japanese discount brand know as “Simple 2000” series for the PlayStation 2. These were budget priced game that were made by small developer teams. The first game was titled, “Monster Attack”, which got a European release. “Global Defense Force” was the sequel and also got a European release. While they were sequels, they had nothing to do with each other story-wise. None of the games got a North American release as the Publisher feared that Americans would not like that kind of game. “Global Defense Force” would get a Japanese sequel know as “Global Defense Force Tactics”.

PC Game Pad Info

                                                      PC Game Pad Info

    When it comes to playing games on the PC, sometimes a controller is better to use then a keyboard and mouse. 2D games, fighting games, and driving games are more comfortable with a controller. Some games are programmed badly and a controller naturally works better then the keyboard and mouse. Other times, you may want to play on the couch and find a controller more comfortable. Whatever the reason is, picking a good controller and getting it to work is important. Games these days are programmed to recognize a Xbox 360 controller and you may not have one to use for your pc. These suggestions might help.


Xbox One Controller:

    When it comes to PC game-pads, the Xbox One controller is probably the overall best one to use for the PC. The direction pad is improved over the Xbox 360 controller and it has all the functions needed for direct input and Xinput games. Unlike other controllers, it doesn’t has significant issues like analog sticks having big dead zones, triggers not analog, or buttons not being responsive. It can also use any USB to Micro USB cable. Some games that use Xinput might not work correctly due to the drivers being different then the Xbox 360 controller drivers. This can be fixed though by following these instructions at this website.

    Driver Fixes:

    http://www.videogameperfection.com/2016/02/19/xbox-one-controller-a-review-for-pc-gamers/
    http://www.videogameperfection.com/2016/02/24/xbox-one-controller-alternative-drivers/

    Buy:

    http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-One-Wireless-Controller/dp/B00YJJ0OQS/ref=pd_sim_147_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=41FsRKU0B0L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=010AB2YM2DHC04XSX36W


Using Other Controllers:

Red Dead Redemption Review

Red Dead Redemption

Developer: Rockstar San Diego

Publisher: Rockstar Games

Release: May 18, 2010

Genre: Third Person, Open World

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Modes: Single-player, Multi-player (online)

Availability: Xbox Market place, PlayStation Network, online stores.

Disclaimer:

- This is the Game of the Year edition

- Got it for $20 on amazon

- I have played other Rockstar games such as

Grand Theft Auto 3 and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

- Review is based on the PS3 version

- This review doesn't cover the Undead Nightmare expansion.

- Screenshots taken from http://www.rockstargames.com/reddeadredemption/

-Played on hardcore mode and beat the game with 96 % completion

Info:

          Red Dead Redemption was made by Rockstar San Diego, formerly known as Angel Studios. They were known for games such as Midnight Club series, the Smuggler's Run games, and Red Dead Revolver. Rockstar North, known for the Grand Theft Auto series, helped out with the game development. The Game of the Year edition was released October 11, 2011 with all the DLC and the Undead Nightmare expansion. Included is a new hardcore mode for the original game, and one scene of nudity being censored.

Story:

          The year is 1911 and the Wild west is coming to an end. Red Dead Redemption is about a former outlaw by the name of John Marston who's family is being held hostage by the U.S. Government. They want him to hunt his old gang members that are terrorizing the last of the Wild West. With no choice, he sets out find them and bring them to justice. One way or another.

Translation Issues

                                                      Translation Issues

          In these past years, there have been lots of discussions about the quality of translation in games. Games like Xenoblade Chronicles, Fatal Frame 5, and Fire Emblem Fates have been in the fore front of the issues. With dialogue changed and things removed, it as stirred lots of displeasure among fans. Translations when it comes to game media is a mess. You got people who translate 1:1 and people who translate well. Then you got people who translate poorly or so different that it becomes a different product. Video games and Anime are the only mediums were translations can vary so much. It makes no sense.

          There are people who say 1:1 translations are not good because they are dry. What defines “dry”? Is a written work dry because it doesn’t have swear laid about or any talk of memes? That's called changing the work. Regardless of what anyone says, by making something less “dry” you are altering the tone and potential meaning of the text. Who are you to say what needs to be changed or not? Doing that isn't respecting the source material, but making your own derivative product.

Atelier Rorona Plus Review

Atelier Rorona Plus

 

Developer: Gust Entertainment

Publisher: Koei-Tecmo

Genre: RPG

Platform: PS3, Vita

Release: 6/24/2014

Availability: PSN, and other online stores.

Mode: Single-player

Disclaimer:

- I played the PS3 version

- I like management sims

- I like RPG's

- Screenshots from official website

http://www.ateliergames.eu/roronaplus/#home

Info:

          Atelier Rorona Plus is a remake of the 2009 “Atelier Rorona” by the publisher NISA. The Atelier series is a long running series that started in 1997 and through 16 games, not including remakes and ports, is about alchemy. Atelier Rorona Plus is a remake of the 11 game of the series. At the time, the game was very hard, with the game-play being tough to figure out. When Koei-Tecmo acquired the right to the series, they started working on plus versions of the Arland Trilogy and the Dusk series for the PS Vita. These plus versions, contained all the DLC integrated in the games, had various game improvements, and extra content not found in the PS3 counterparts. This time, they decided to release the Remake on both the Vita and the PS3 with the same content.

Reviews on Other Sites

 Note: This a short opinion piece about my thoughts on reviews.

            I was browsing various games sites to read their reviews and I noticed that mostly big name games get 2-3 page reviews. If it wasn't a big name release then it typically got only a page. Even for RPG's like the Tales series, they would be just 1 page long compared to big name RPG's like Fallout 4. Even NBA 2016 would get a 3 page review. It's not really fair that only certain games get a full length review, while others are merely summarized. I understand that paid reviewers have many games to review, but they do deserve better. They don't all have to be 3 pages long, but at least long enough to do a game justice. It doesn't do many games justice to merely summarize them as it will eventually make them sound all the same. There is more to gaming then the big name titles that are out there.

3D Dot Game Heroes Review

3D Dot Game Heroes

Developer: Silicon Studios

Publisher: From Software (JPN), Atlus (NA)

Platforms: PS3

Release: 5/11/2010 (NA)

Genre: Action-Adventure

Modes: Single-Player

Availability: Online Stores like Amazon ($30 New)

Disclaimer:

- I'm not a professional reviewer.

- A Link to the Past was my first Zelda game.

- I enjoy classic style games like this.

Info:

“3D Dot Game Heroes” is made by Silicon Studios who have developed; Operation: Darkness, Bravery Default 1 and 2, FANTASICA, and other games.

Story:

          The plot involves the player character being a descendent of the legendary hero that stop evil from taking over Dotinia Kingdom. Years latter the popularity of the kingdom wanes so the king decides to make the world 3D in order to make the world more appealing. Unfortunately, this strengthened evil and put the kingdom into peril again. So it's up to you to save the Kingdom.

          The writing is light hearted and silly with many tributes to classic games like Dragon's Quest, Final Fantasy, and of course, Zelda. There is plenty of 4^th wall breaking references that acknowledged the silly game-play and story tropes that appear in many games. It's nether obnoxious or in your face, but subtle humor.

Graphics:

          The game is rendered as millions of tiny cubed pixels known as voxels. From the game world to the characters, it helps give it a retro NES/SNES feeling to it. Looking at the character from a flat perspective or from far away on an overhead view, they can almost be mistaken for sprites. When you play for the first time, the colors may look flat and muted. You will need to adjust the brightness and color setting, in-game, to make it look it's best. Too much color and brightness will hide the outlines of the voxels and blend some colors together. You may also have to adjust it in the volcano and wind valley sections where the HDR can make things hard to see. It's a minor issue, but it's something that can be easily fixed.

Katamari Forever Review

Katamari Forever

Developer/Publisher: Namco Bandai Games

Release: September 22 2009 (NA)

Platform: PS3

Genre: Rolling game

Modes: Single Player, Offline VS mode, Offline Co-operative

Availability: Online stores (Amazon for $20)

Disclaimer:

- I have completed all levels in all modes with mostly

100 and 120 points for them.

-I have collected 97% of objects and almost

all the cousins and presents found in the levels.

-I don't have a second controller so I couldn't play multi-player

-I'm new to the series

-I got it for $20

-"Katamari Forever" is  primarily a best of collection of levels

Story:

          The story begins with the prince show the King of the Cosmos how high he can jump. Eager to show the prince what he can do, the king leaps into space, but a space object knocks him in the head and gives him amnesia. So the prince and his cousins decide to make Robo King to temporary replace the King of the cosmos, but Robo King goes out of control and destroys the cosmos. So it is up to the prince and his friends to fix the cosmos and cure the King's amnesia.

          It's a silly and charming story that you don't take seriously. The rest of the story is filler of what the queen does in the mean time, and the jumbo man team's antics. These story movies can be re-watched in the movie theater option. Quirky dialogue is what makes up the rest of the game and adds to the charm of the game. You have characters like the Robo King is a sympathetic character who's self depreciating dialogue is charming and silly. It's not grating or obnoxious so it can be appreciated by anyone. The writing adds plenty to the quality of the product that would not be the same without it.

Super Stardust HD Review

Super Stardust HD

Developer: Housemarque

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Genre: Twin-stick shooter

Release: 6/28/07 (PS3), 12/8/08 (PSP)

Platforms: PS3, PSP

Modes: Single-player, Co-operative Multi-player

Availability: PlayStation Network Store

Disclaimer:

-I'm not that great at arcade shooters.

-I only played on easy mode, which

was hard enough for me.

- Completed arcade mode, but still

have two planets to go on planetary conquest mode.

-I don't have a second controller so I couldn't play co-op.

-I didn't purchase the dlc for the game,

though they are variations of arcade mode.

Graphics:

          Super Stardust HD is visual treat with plenty of shiny and glowing effects that give it a visual vibrancy that most games don't have. The style of vibrant lighting helps with the alien sci-fi visual theme. Texture wise, they are simple and nothing to write home about, but the intense visual effects compensate for it.

Game-play:

          Super Stardust HD is a twin stick arcade shooter where you guide a small ship around a 3 dimensional sphere and destroy as many enemies and rocks as possible in each wave. Each wave has a certain amount of rocks and enemies that need to be destroyed before you can advance, but new ones will drop in on you as you play. Surviving 4 waves on a planet will trigger the boss fight that can only be hurt from his weak point. Once you beat a planet, you will unlock it in it's respective mode and will have to beat 4 more planets.

          As it is an arcade shooter, there are plenty of power-ups to utilize in your survival. There are extra lives, shields that let you take a free hit, points, and ammo powers. You have access to three weapons for the three types of rocks you encounter. It is possible to destroy rocks with other weapons, but they are not as effective as their color coded counterpart. The green rock cutter, the red gold cutter, and the blue ice cutter. The rock cutter shoots thin beams that go fast but has a moderate effective range. Gold cutter is like a flamethrower that has shorter range, but can lock onto multiple enemies without aiming. Ice beam shoots thicker projectiles that travel far, but are slower then the other two. Bombs are limited, but can destroy everything on screen. Enemies don't have any weapons they are weak to so you are free to use any beam that is strong enough and effective.

Armored Core: For Answer Review

Armored Core: For Answer

Developer: From Software

Publisher: Ubisoft

Release: 9/26/08 NA

Genre: Mech Combat

Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360

Availability: Can be found used for decent prices

Modes: Single-player, Multi-player

Disclaimer:

• This is my first Armored Core game
• I reviewed the Xbox 360 version
• I bought this game used at a cheap price
• I like blowing stuff up
• I completed 2 endings, 75% of normal S-ranks
  and 50% of Hard mode S-ranks.

Story:

          Armored Core: For Answer is the sequel to Armored Core 4. It takes place 10 years after the AC4, where you play as a new Lynx, who performs mission for the various corporations that fight among each other. Depending on which missions you chose the course of the story changes.

          My synopses of the story is brief due to most of it being spoilers and that it's not a big story. You could describe the entire story, with spoilers, in a single paragraph. The plot is confusing at first, until you get two of the endings and beat the Orca arena, where it all makes sense. It is an interesting story, but it fails being a compelling factor to playing the campaign. While there is more back-story to the Armored Core 4 universe, it too is sparse. Both the back-story and the main plot waste potential to become more then what they are. You don't get to know the characters or there motivations in what they do. They come and go like cannon fodder. You're not going to buy this game for it's story.

About This Site

      I made this blog to post various game reviews I felt like writing. At first the were quick bullet point outlines, but I didn't feel satisfied, and I wondered if I could write a review well. Hence why reviews from Thief 2 and on-wards are fully written.

Generally speaking, I've never been satisfied with game reviews as they lack details or don't paint a picture in my head of what a game is. I'll read a review and latter see a video of the game which ends up being quite different then what I imagine it to be. Also, I always find myself think about how a game works while playing and how other regard it. I know it's not easy thing to convey and our feelings about a game will not be the same, but I feel like trying to at least convey as accurately as I can what a game is. I'm not perfect and I might miss details that I didn't think of writing or not do as good of a job as I would hope in convey what the game is.

      Always feel free to point out mistakes, inaccuracies, ways I could convey a detail better, etc. You can criticize me.

      I post game reviews once a month due to life, game length, difficulty witting a review, and trying to not have a review drought.

Fallout Shelter Review

Fallout Shelter

Developer: Besthesda Game Studio's

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Genre: Management Simulation

Release: IOS- 6/14/15, Android- 8/13/15

Modes: Single-player

Platforms: Android and IOS

Price: Free

Disclaimer:

-I like management simulations

-I'm harsh and picky.

-I'm not a professional journalist.

-I try to 100% games unless it's pointless or tediously stupid.

-Todd Howard did not bribe me with his body.

-I'm not big into mobile games.

Graphics:

       Technically, the 3D visuals are low resolution, blurry crap that you would see if you play a game at the lowest visual setting. It sticks out like a sore thumb despite not being needed. They are not detailed or use lots of colors so there is no need for them to be blurry. You will notice this when you zoom into a room. As for the 2D visuals, they are fine at any screen size due to there paper look. They are nothing to write home about, but are okay. Characters are based on a modified version pip boy character.

Netherworld: Beyond Time I Stand Review

Netherworld: Beyond Time I Stand

Alternate title: Agni: Queen of darkness / Inferno: Where Death Is Your Only Ally

Developer: Irrational Games (former)/ FX Labs

Release: 4/13/2009

Genre: Action-Adventure

Platform: Windows

Modes: Single Player

Availability: Unknown

Disclaimer:

-I play on the highest difficulty

-I'm harsh and picky.

-I'm not a professional journalist.

-I try to 100% games unless it's pointless or tediously stupid.

-No bribes were taken.

-No bribes were offered.

-Good luck finding this game
-DRM Free

Story:

           The Story is about a woman named Amanda who one day finds her daughter kidnapped/ murdered (never made clear) from her apartment. Distraught, she thinks about jumping off a bridge, but is stopped by a conductor of a train, who give her a choice. To go into hell and save her daughter. Scared, but determined, she sets out to find her daughter.

           The story is one of the better parts of the game, both for good and bad reasons that will be covered latter. The story it's self is isn't too complicated or really deep, but it is compelling. Rescuing your child from the depth's of hell is a plot that a (decent) parent can understand and relate to. Along the way, Amanda meets interesting characters who at first regard her as a wimpy human, but soon respect her skills. They change from a rag tag bunch of scoundrels into a team that shows some of the positives of humanity.

Netherworld: subway car puzzle solution

Cryostasis: The Sleep of Reason- Old review

Cryostasis: The Sleep of Reason

Developer: Action Forms
Publisher: 505 Games (EU)/ 1C Company (NA)
Platform: Windows/ MAC
Release: May 6, 2009 (NA)
Genre: FPS, Psychological Horror
Availability: GOG, Steam, GamersGate

Disclaimer:
- I'm not a professional journalist
- I play games on the highest difficulty settings
- This is an old review that I wrote 3 years ago
- I'm good at fps games
-This game is DRM free

         Cryostasis is an amazing Russian survival horror/FPS that was lucky to be released in Europe and North America. Not often do game like this reach American shores or even into Europe. The game is very story focused in that you want to play this game more for the story than game play. That is not to say that the game play is bad, as it's great. The graphics are also an amazing that immerses you into the environment to make you feel like you are there. Read on to learn more about this amazing game.

Story:

          The story is about a meteorologist named Alexander Nesterov that is sent to the Arctic Circle to investigate a Russian ice breaker trapped in the ice. Things go terribly wrong when his sled falls into a pit of ice and must take shelter in the ship. As you investigate the ship you will find bodies that can change the fate of the people. During these segments you will learn more about what happened on the ship and how they all died.

Chameleon Full Review

Chameleon

Developer: SilverWish Games

Publisher: Take 2, Cenega Czech

Platform: Windows

Release: May 19, 2005 Czech republic

Genre: Stealth, Third-Person Shooter

Modes: Single-Player

Available: Rare. Not in any English stores.

Disclaimer:

-I love stealth games

-I play on the highest difficulty

-I try to be as quiet as possible, but I knock out all enemies I can.

-I'm harsh and picky.

-I'm not a professional journalist.

-Most of my reviews are usually the PC version. I am the PC master race.

-I try to 100% games unless it's pointless or tediously stupid.

-No bribes were taken.

-No bribes were offered.

-I'm a ghost who hides in the shadows.

-Played with English patch that was made for the Russian version.
-Game uses Starforce DRM

Story:

The plot is about a man who lost his parents to a sniper 15 years ago., in 1975. Not being able to get over it, he gets fired from the CIA and decides to set out on his own to find the killer. The story of Chameleon is very bare-bones that lousily connects each mission to the overall plot. Mission briefings are sparse that can be summed up as this person is a lead, go here. It's a shame as the story is really what this game has going for it and even the revelation is lackluster. It feels like the developers had no idea what to do for the plot so they just made everything up as they went along.

Thief 2: The Metal Age Full Review

Thief 2: The Metal Age

Developer: Looking Glass Studios

Publisher: Eidos Interactive

Genre: First Person/ Stealth

Release: March 23, 2000

Available: Steam, GamersGate, and GOG

Price: $7-10

Platforms: Windows

Mode: Single-Player

Disclaimer:

-I love stealth games

-I play on the highest difficulty

-I try to be as quiet as possible, but I knock out all enemies I can.

-I'm harsh and picky.

-I'm not a professional journalist.

-Most of my reviews are usually the PC version. I am the PC master race.

-I try to 100% games unless it's pointless or tediously stupid.

-No bribes were taken.

-No bribes were offered.

-I'm a ghost who hides in the shadows.
-DRM free

         *Thief 2 is hard to review then when it was originally released. Playing Thief 2 out of the box requires you to instal the fan made 1.9 – 1.21 Tafferpatch. This leads to to issue of what was changed from what Looking Glass Studios had intended. Unfortunately, there isn't any full documentation of the 1.9 patch. The patch also contains optional visual enhancements and a community fix patch which changes more things. Then you have the issue of did you install the patch that has the New Dark Engine or the Old Dark engine.

          This makes it hard to guaranty that my review will be the same as to how you experience the game and how the game originally was. Now it is possible to run Thief 2 with the 1.8 patch, but it requires a lot of work to get it to run on modern operating systems like Windows 7. Mostly this is the technical and visual qualities of the game. The basic core thief experience will still be the same no matter what patch or enhancements you are using.

This review will be based on the New Dark Engine with Tafferpatch 1.21.