Finally! Here at last, is Guitar Hero III. This review might be a little long, but you'll survive. I've yet to play every single song, but I've played the core of the game, and I'll give a "full" review when I get the game in a few days.
Graphics: 4.25/5 They really aren't impressive, I almost think the Guitar Hero II look is better. The character models in Guitar Hero III look pretty awesome, and the venues look pretty decent, but when compared to little things, like the fans, or the set on the venue, it just looks funky. It doesn't even matter though - who cares about graphics in Guitar Hero? Certainly not me.
Sound: 5/5 Has to be a five out of five. 46 songs in the game, mostly of which are master tracks. Even the covers, such as "Paranoid", sound almost exactly like the real thing. The soundtrack isn't the greatest thing in the world. There are a few boring songs in the mix, but for the most part, this is one fantastic soundtrack.
Control: 5/5 Most people will notice the "hit window" for the notes has changed - it's bigger, so it's easier to hit notes. It's not real big, but there's definitey a difference. With the new Les Paul controller, Guitar Hero III feels really good. [See bottom of page for Les Paul review.] Besides the bigger hit window, this game controls almost exactly the same as Guitar Hero II did.
Fun: 5/5 Awesome game. The one thing I don't care about is a small thing, but I don't like the leaderboards. They are more in depth, but there's a reason I don't like them. It shows your wins for certain modes in online play, but not your losses. You could be the worst player in the world and play a million songs a day and be on top of the leaderboard - higher than someone that's amazing at the game but rarely plays. Still, Guitar Hero III is nearly flawless. Sure, there are less songs than Guitar Hero II, but you'll live. The Co-Op career is fun, although there are some bass sections on songs that are quite lame. Some songs are also quite challenging on expert, including the "One" solo, and, as everyone knows by now, "Through the Fire and Flames" - but who doesn't like a challenge? Guitar Hero III is a lot of fun to say the very least, and with online play, and the new Guitar Hero Community at GuitarHero.com, Guitar Hero III will be played well into '08 and probably even '09 by many, I'm sure.
5/5
-Les Paul-
4.75/5 When I saw the pictures on the computer, I was hardly impressed. I thought the controller looked pretty stupid, honestly, but in person, it's great. It has a glossy black covering, and it just looks much better built than the Xplorer that came with Guitar Hero II, in comparison - there is no comparison. The Les Paul looks much better and realistic than the Xplorer. I'm not too crazy about the buttons on the controller, though. The strum bar is wider than the Xplorer, which is definitely a good thing, and it's quite a bit quieter when you strum, which is really good - but the fret buttons almost feel broken. They are a bit harder to push down, and they make less noise. I'm just not liking that feeling. You can also purchase faceplates for your Les Paul at the price of probably $20-$40 - I'm not sure. All-in-all, the Les Paul is almost perfect, although a little expensive. It's also wireless, which may or may not be a good thing. Sure, there is obviously no wire, but if you play for a long time, you will be using a lot of batteries up, so make sure to have rechargable ones - or use the Xplorer if you have that one from Guitar Hero II.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Game Review ( skate. DEMO - 360 )
Graphics: 4.25/5 I'd probably get criticized for rating the graphics so low if someone met me on the street, but they aren't that great - they're deceiving. The character models look quite good, the levels look pretty decent, and the far away environments look pretty bad for the most part. Especially the weird looking trees.
Sound: 4/5 Hard to hear much besides faint music in the background and the skateboard rolling and grinding. Give it a 4 for averageness.
Control: 4.5/5 Of course, this is what makes skate. drastically different than the Tony Hawk games. In skate., virtually everything you do is controlled by the right analog stick. The ollies, the flip tricks, all board movement. The controls definitely take getting used to - I still found myself trying to use A to jump, when that button in skate. simple makes you skate.
Fun: 4.25/5 I couldn't get much out of the demo, it's only a demo - it's only one small level. Still, I see myself playing the full version eventually, just maybe not too soon, with Guitar Hero III, Call of Duty 4, and Rock Band coming out. I'm sure the full version of skate. is a lot of fun. I'll probably review it within the next month or two.
4.25/5
Sound: 4/5 Hard to hear much besides faint music in the background and the skateboard rolling and grinding. Give it a 4 for averageness.
Control: 4.5/5 Of course, this is what makes skate. drastically different than the Tony Hawk games. In skate., virtually everything you do is controlled by the right analog stick. The ollies, the flip tricks, all board movement. The controls definitely take getting used to - I still found myself trying to use A to jump, when that button in skate. simple makes you skate.
Fun: 4.25/5 I couldn't get much out of the demo, it's only a demo - it's only one small level. Still, I see myself playing the full version eventually, just maybe not too soon, with Guitar Hero III, Call of Duty 4, and Rock Band coming out. I'm sure the full version of skate. is a lot of fun. I'll probably review it within the next month or two.
4.25/5
Game Review ( Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - Xbox )
Graphics: 4.5/5 I don't know exactly what qualified as amazing back in '03 when this game was released, but I do know that for an Xbox game, especially one that came out in '03, this is a pretty good looking game. In old reviews from websites, they stated this was one of the best games ever. Of course now, it's not so. The game lags quite a bit, even when there isn't much going on on screen, which is pretty annoying, but like I said, I don't know what was expected four years ago.
Sound: 5/5 One of the best games with voice overs. This game must have THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of lines read by actors. There is very little you actually need to read. The sound effects are also top notch, and the music is Star Wars music, of course. The game sounds great.
Control: 4.5/5 Not too difficult. At first, you may have some trouble doing a few things, but after about thirty minutes, you should settle in. It basically controls like most RPG games. Controls quite well.
Fun: 4.75/5 I'm only about an hour into this game - I've done virtually nothing yet. Still, I know what to be expecting. This game is considered by many the best Star Wars game ever - and it's an RPG. Think of it as Star Wars Galaxies for the PC, but on a console and with single player. It'd be great to see in the future another KotOR, but with online play. If you haven't played this game yet, you need to play it now. You'll find it for about $20 new and even cheaper used.
4.75/5
Sound: 5/5 One of the best games with voice overs. This game must have THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of lines read by actors. There is very little you actually need to read. The sound effects are also top notch, and the music is Star Wars music, of course. The game sounds great.
Control: 4.5/5 Not too difficult. At first, you may have some trouble doing a few things, but after about thirty minutes, you should settle in. It basically controls like most RPG games. Controls quite well.
Fun: 4.75/5 I'm only about an hour into this game - I've done virtually nothing yet. Still, I know what to be expecting. This game is considered by many the best Star Wars game ever - and it's an RPG. Think of it as Star Wars Galaxies for the PC, but on a console and with single player. It'd be great to see in the future another KotOR, but with online play. If you haven't played this game yet, you need to play it now. You'll find it for about $20 new and even cheaper used.
4.75/5
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Game Review ( Guitar Hero 3 DEMO - 360 )
The GHIII demo was released today (10-23) on Xbox Live and features five songs: "Lay Down", "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", "Even Flow", "Rock You Like A Hurricane", and "The Metal". I'll just review each song, one-by-one. [Note: I play on Expert, so my review's based on that difficulty.]
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"Lay Down"/"Hit Me With Your Best Shot": 3.5/5 I'll just review these two songs together. While they're both somewhat catchy, they aren't too fun to play on Guitar Hero. They're quite repetitive, and very easy.
"Even Flow": 4.5/5 While it has a somewhat repetitive main riff, Pearl Jam is a great band, and this is one of their best songs in my opinion. While not strenuously difficult, in anyway, it's fun to play.
"Rock You Like A Hurricane": 4.75/5 Difficult, and a lot of fun to play. For the most part, the song is very easy, but the whole guitar solo in the song are far from easy. Getting the first star power sequence your first time trying the song won't be likely. One of the best, if not the best, songs in the demo.
"The Metal": 4.75/5 A pretty short and fun song. The main riff is a lot of fun to play, and the song has some hard to get chords, but you'll get it eventually. Not the hardest song ever to be in Guitar Hero, but it's definitely fun.
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The Guitar Hero 3 DEMO isn't really fantastic, but isn't bad at all. There are three very fun songs, but two songs that are really boring and easy to play. Hopefully, Neversoft has less of the bad, and more of the good in the final game. We'll just have to see on the 28th.
4.25/5
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"Lay Down"/"Hit Me With Your Best Shot": 3.5/5 I'll just review these two songs together. While they're both somewhat catchy, they aren't too fun to play on Guitar Hero. They're quite repetitive, and very easy.
"Even Flow": 4.5/5 While it has a somewhat repetitive main riff, Pearl Jam is a great band, and this is one of their best songs in my opinion. While not strenuously difficult, in anyway, it's fun to play.
"Rock You Like A Hurricane": 4.75/5 Difficult, and a lot of fun to play. For the most part, the song is very easy, but the whole guitar solo in the song are far from easy. Getting the first star power sequence your first time trying the song won't be likely. One of the best, if not the best, songs in the demo.
"The Metal": 4.75/5 A pretty short and fun song. The main riff is a lot of fun to play, and the song has some hard to get chords, but you'll get it eventually. Not the hardest song ever to be in Guitar Hero, but it's definitely fun.
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The Guitar Hero 3 DEMO isn't really fantastic, but isn't bad at all. There are three very fun songs, but two songs that are really boring and easy to play. Hopefully, Neversoft has less of the bad, and more of the good in the final game. We'll just have to see on the 28th.
4.25/5
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Game Review ( KartRider - PC )
KartRider is a game that apparently is extremely popular in South Korea. According to Wikipedia, 15,000,000 South Koreans have played the game, meaning 25% of all South Korean's have played the game at least once. KartRider is essentially Mario Kart, but to me, it feels like it has Diddy Kong Racing in the mix there too. Here is my review on KartRider.
Graphics: 4/5 Not amazing, but still look great. Even on 256MB-512MB of RAM, the game will run perfectly smooth. There is some lag around, but that's expected for a game like this. The maps look good, the characters and karts do as well, very well done.
Sound: 3.75/5 It's kind of lacking. The music in the menu and in-game is pretty catchy, I must say, but the music on the snow levels sounds strikingly similar to the songs in the game Diddy Kong Racing. There are also little things. When in game lobby's, you can do face combinations, such as: >.< , <3 , TT, LOL, and more, and your character will do the action, which is pretty cool.
Control: 4/5 The game controls fine, it's just that the amount of money it costs to buy a go-kart isn't even worth it, as the karts seem to run the same speed, and control the same way. The only difference is the look of them. Very simplistic controls, but the drift is pretty much useless in most situations, and there's no point of it, at least in Item races.
Fun: 4.75/5 KartRider is just SURPRISINGLY deep. There are maybe 12 tracks, ( Not too sure ) but there is great variety. Some of them look similar to those of Mario Kart and Diddy Kong Racing tracks, but that's not at all a bad thing. KartRider is basically a Go-Kart RPG, and it's a lot of fun. It's not perfect, but it's a lot of fun. And the BEST thing about it? It works on some older computers quite easily, AND it's absolutely free.
4.75/5
[Mainly because of the $0 pricetag, and addictiveness.]
Graphics: 4/5 Not amazing, but still look great. Even on 256MB-512MB of RAM, the game will run perfectly smooth. There is some lag around, but that's expected for a game like this. The maps look good, the characters and karts do as well, very well done.
Sound: 3.75/5 It's kind of lacking. The music in the menu and in-game is pretty catchy, I must say, but the music on the snow levels sounds strikingly similar to the songs in the game Diddy Kong Racing. There are also little things. When in game lobby's, you can do face combinations, such as: >.< , <3 , TT, LOL, and more, and your character will do the action, which is pretty cool.
Control: 4/5 The game controls fine, it's just that the amount of money it costs to buy a go-kart isn't even worth it, as the karts seem to run the same speed, and control the same way. The only difference is the look of them. Very simplistic controls, but the drift is pretty much useless in most situations, and there's no point of it, at least in Item races.
Fun: 4.75/5 KartRider is just SURPRISINGLY deep. There are maybe 12 tracks, ( Not too sure ) but there is great variety. Some of them look similar to those of Mario Kart and Diddy Kong Racing tracks, but that's not at all a bad thing. KartRider is basically a Go-Kart RPG, and it's a lot of fun. It's not perfect, but it's a lot of fun. And the BEST thing about it? It works on some older computers quite easily, AND it's absolutely free.
4.75/5
[Mainly because of the $0 pricetag, and addictiveness.]
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Hardware Review ( Skullcandy Earbuds )
Today I had to buy new headphones for my iPod, since the stock ones broke, as well as my old PSP ones. I decided to buy these ones. They were comewhat pricy at $31, but they looked cool, and I heard good things about them.
Appearance: 5/5 From what I saw at Best Buy, they only have black and white headphones. I got the white ones since my iPod is already black. Anyway, they look pretty cool for earbuds. They are shaped nicely, and appear to be well made. The 'phones come with a few extra rubber ear piece things, for people with bigger or smaller ears.
Performance: 5/5 Can't ask for much more. The cord is plenty long enough, actually almost too long at I believe 1.2 meters. These are pretty unique ear buds. Instead of being placed inside the ear and nesting there, these ones have a rubber doo-hicky at the end, and you shove them in your ear so they don't fall out. Your ears may pop, but it's worth it - it basically works like an ear plug, with only the music going into your ear, which is really cool. They are very comfortable as well. Another thing some people may be happy about is that there is a volume slider switch in the middle of the wire, so you can turn up and down your music as you please without having to reach into your pocket and adjust it from there. ( It looks like you're doing something else when you do that, anyway. ;] ) Better yet, your iPod can be on "hold", and you can still adjust the volume with the headphones. You can absolutely blast music LOUD out of these things.
Overall: 5/5 Virtually perfect headphones/earbuds, but it's either a love them or hate them situation. Some people may really hate the fact they go so far into your ear, and others may really like it. I think you know what my opinion is. You'll hear your music better than ever, they look cool, they come with a few extra supplies, including a case to put your headphones/earbuds away at anytime if neccessary as well. I don't think people that don't use Q-Tips would want to use these, as they can pick up some earwax when you take them out, and/or oil. Thankfully, I do use Q-Tips. The 'phones are about $31, so they aren't cheap, but I think they're worth it. If you need new 'phones, try and get these ones.
5/5
Highly Recommended.
Appearance: 5/5 From what I saw at Best Buy, they only have black and white headphones. I got the white ones since my iPod is already black. Anyway, they look pretty cool for earbuds. They are shaped nicely, and appear to be well made. The 'phones come with a few extra rubber ear piece things, for people with bigger or smaller ears.
Performance: 5/5 Can't ask for much more. The cord is plenty long enough, actually almost too long at I believe 1.2 meters. These are pretty unique ear buds. Instead of being placed inside the ear and nesting there, these ones have a rubber doo-hicky at the end, and you shove them in your ear so they don't fall out. Your ears may pop, but it's worth it - it basically works like an ear plug, with only the music going into your ear, which is really cool. They are very comfortable as well. Another thing some people may be happy about is that there is a volume slider switch in the middle of the wire, so you can turn up and down your music as you please without having to reach into your pocket and adjust it from there. ( It looks like you're doing something else when you do that, anyway. ;] ) Better yet, your iPod can be on "hold", and you can still adjust the volume with the headphones. You can absolutely blast music LOUD out of these things.
Overall: 5/5 Virtually perfect headphones/earbuds, but it's either a love them or hate them situation. Some people may really hate the fact they go so far into your ear, and others may really like it. I think you know what my opinion is. You'll hear your music better than ever, they look cool, they come with a few extra supplies, including a case to put your headphones/earbuds away at anytime if neccessary as well. I don't think people that don't use Q-Tips would want to use these, as they can pick up some earwax when you take them out, and/or oil. Thankfully, I do use Q-Tips. The 'phones are about $31, so they aren't cheap, but I think they're worth it. If you need new 'phones, try and get these ones.
5/5
Highly Recommended.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Game Review ( The Simpsons Road Rage - Xbox )
Graphics: 4/5 For a 2001 Xbox game, it looks very good for the most part. The characters look good, the vehicles you drive in look great, and the environments look okay. It really varies. A bigger problem in this game is the framerate. You can definitely tell when there are a lot of cars on screen. But like I said, for an early Xbox game, this game looks mostly fantastic.
Sound: 4/5 If you play Road Rage a lot, you'll realize that there are a LOT of repeated lines between characters. Still though, it's great to hear new bits of audio from characters from the show, as well as stuff from episodes in the show. Really, there's nothing to hate here. Besides repetitive dialogue here and there, the cars all sound different. Everything is above average.
Control: 3.75/5 Very simple controls with two different schemes. I prefer the RT to drive, LT to brake/reverse. Cool enough, each character's car controls differently, and pretty realistically. Otto's bus has slow acceleration and turns terribly, while a car like Bart's Honor Roller goes really fast and has wicked tight turns. It's just that some cars surpass others and are much better. Basically, the cars are unbalanced. You'll find yourself playing with the same car over and over again after a few plays.
Fun: 4/5 This score may seem high, but since the game has (for quite awhile) fallen to $20, or even less if you find it on sale, and just makes it all the more worth getting. This isn't necessarily a game to play for a long period of time straight, but more for 30-60 minutes of play at a time - it just gets a repetitive. This is just a great game. Better than the game it "ripped-off", Crazy Taxi. That's all it is, just with Simpsons characters, and it's a lot of fun, especially since there are a lot of different locations that you drop and pick characters off at that are in the show. The "Missions" are pure jokes, though. There are only ten of them, and you get nothing for completing them, and they should only take 30 minutes or so to beat them all. When you play the "Road Rage" mode, you get money that you can use to buy cars and starting locations, which adds to the playability. There is also a mode where you can drive around by yourself and explore, which is pretty cool, and you can also play head-to-head with a friend. For $20, and if you're a Simpsons fan, this is just a must buy - moreso because it can be played on the Xbox 360.
4/5
Sound: 4/5 If you play Road Rage a lot, you'll realize that there are a LOT of repeated lines between characters. Still though, it's great to hear new bits of audio from characters from the show, as well as stuff from episodes in the show. Really, there's nothing to hate here. Besides repetitive dialogue here and there, the cars all sound different. Everything is above average.
Control: 3.75/5 Very simple controls with two different schemes. I prefer the RT to drive, LT to brake/reverse. Cool enough, each character's car controls differently, and pretty realistically. Otto's bus has slow acceleration and turns terribly, while a car like Bart's Honor Roller goes really fast and has wicked tight turns. It's just that some cars surpass others and are much better. Basically, the cars are unbalanced. You'll find yourself playing with the same car over and over again after a few plays.
Fun: 4/5 This score may seem high, but since the game has (for quite awhile) fallen to $20, or even less if you find it on sale, and just makes it all the more worth getting. This isn't necessarily a game to play for a long period of time straight, but more for 30-60 minutes of play at a time - it just gets a repetitive. This is just a great game. Better than the game it "ripped-off", Crazy Taxi. That's all it is, just with Simpsons characters, and it's a lot of fun, especially since there are a lot of different locations that you drop and pick characters off at that are in the show. The "Missions" are pure jokes, though. There are only ten of them, and you get nothing for completing them, and they should only take 30 minutes or so to beat them all. When you play the "Road Rage" mode, you get money that you can use to buy cars and starting locations, which adds to the playability. There is also a mode where you can drive around by yourself and explore, which is pretty cool, and you can also play head-to-head with a friend. For $20, and if you're a Simpsons fan, this is just a must buy - moreso because it can be played on the Xbox 360.
4/5
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Game Review ( Guitar Hero 2 Indie Label Pack - 360 Arcade )
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Indie Label Pack:
"Detonation" - Trivium
"Ex's And Oh's" - Atreyu
"Bury The Hatchet" - Protest The Hero
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The newest GH2 pack available for download is a very good one to say the least. This pack was released pretty recently, ( September 28th ) but I just got it. I had only heard of the band Atreyu in this pack, and didn't, and still don't, know who Trivium or Protest The Hero are. These songs are pretty difficult, and at first was disappointed in myself for buying it. After learning how to play the songs, GASP. I liked it more! Hah. Here's le review, as the French would say.
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"Detonation": 5/5 Amazingly catchy song, and a very nice challenge. This song has it all. It was very difficult at first, but it's easy to learn if you're a good Guitar Hero player. I can't say much else. I didn't care for this song at all the first time I played it, but the second time, and each time I play it, I liked it more. One of the best songs in the game.
"Ex's And Oh's": 4.75/5 A fairly easy song to play but AWESOME fun to play. There are a lot of chords, which gets repetitive, but the solo is of perfect difficulty. Not too hard to ace, but a lot of fun to play. Atreyu in Guitar Hero. It has finally happened!
"Bury The Hatchet": 5/5 Amazingly catchy song like the other two. Nothing to say about this song. Just one of the best songs to play on Guitar Hero, and the song sounds great to.
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Some people may not like this pack because of the genre. It's basically a pack of Metal songs, but it contains three of the best songs in the entire game, if not the best songs. A better pack than the MCR one in every single way. Without hesitating, you should buy this pack. It costs 500 MSP like the other packs, but this pack is worth it more than any of the others.
5/5
Indie Label Pack:
"Detonation" - Trivium
"Ex's And Oh's" - Atreyu
"Bury The Hatchet" - Protest The Hero
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The newest GH2 pack available for download is a very good one to say the least. This pack was released pretty recently, ( September 28th ) but I just got it. I had only heard of the band Atreyu in this pack, and didn't, and still don't, know who Trivium or Protest The Hero are. These songs are pretty difficult, and at first was disappointed in myself for buying it. After learning how to play the songs, GASP. I liked it more! Hah. Here's le review, as the French would say.
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"Detonation": 5/5 Amazingly catchy song, and a very nice challenge. This song has it all. It was very difficult at first, but it's easy to learn if you're a good Guitar Hero player. I can't say much else. I didn't care for this song at all the first time I played it, but the second time, and each time I play it, I liked it more. One of the best songs in the game.
"Ex's And Oh's": 4.75/5 A fairly easy song to play but AWESOME fun to play. There are a lot of chords, which gets repetitive, but the solo is of perfect difficulty. Not too hard to ace, but a lot of fun to play. Atreyu in Guitar Hero. It has finally happened!
"Bury The Hatchet": 5/5 Amazingly catchy song like the other two. Nothing to say about this song. Just one of the best songs to play on Guitar Hero, and the song sounds great to.
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Some people may not like this pack because of the genre. It's basically a pack of Metal songs, but it contains three of the best songs in the entire game, if not the best songs. A better pack than the MCR one in every single way. Without hesitating, you should buy this pack. It costs 500 MSP like the other packs, but this pack is worth it more than any of the others.
5/5
Game Review ( Guitar Hero 2 My Chemical Romance Pack - 360 Arcade )
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My Chemical Romance Pack
"Famous Last Words" - My Chemical Romance
"Teenagers" - My Chemical Romance
"This Is How I Disapeer" - My Chemical Romance
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The My Chemical Romance Pack was released August 14th at the familiar price of 500 MSP, and just over a month after the fourth track pack was released for download. This is the first pack released on Xbox Live that doesn't feature Guitar Hero songs. I was pretty stunned to see that they were My Chemical Romance songs. One, because I was, like others, expecting Guitar Hero I songs, and second, I don't particularily care for My Chemical Romance. Here's my review. Sorry if it's hella long.
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"Famous Last Words": 4.5/5 I might be rating this a little high, but it's a good song. The song is very catchy, but it's a song that isn't very Guitar Hero-esque. It's mainly constant chords, with a pretty easy guitar solo. It's also pretty long, clocking in at over 5 minutes, and it's repetitive. A lot of surprising fun in this song though.
"Teenagers": 4.25/5 A very easy song. "Teenagers" has a few hoppy chords and what-not, but it's an easy song that a beginner to Guitar Hero's Expert mode could probably beat. It's a good song though with lyrics that will probably be stuck in your head one time or another.
"This Is How I Disappear": 4/5 Good song, but strains the hands of many down strummers, like myself. It's not necessarily difficult, but your strumming hand will likely be sore by the end of the song. It is much like "Famous Last Words", in that it is mostly chords.
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So what do I think of this pack? It's worth the 500 points. There could have been better songs available for download besides these, but these songs are different, and they are pretty catchy and fun to play for the most part. Still, if you have a computer, and the Xplorer guitar for the 360, you should download Frets on Fire. It's Guitar Hero for the computer, and you can download these songs and play them for free. Although it's just not as much fun. No leaderboards, and you can't downstrum at all. But like I said, worth the points, definitely should be bought. MCR fan or not, download it if you haven't already.
4.25/5
My Chemical Romance Pack
"Famous Last Words" - My Chemical Romance
"Teenagers" - My Chemical Romance
"This Is How I Disapeer" - My Chemical Romance
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The My Chemical Romance Pack was released August 14th at the familiar price of 500 MSP, and just over a month after the fourth track pack was released for download. This is the first pack released on Xbox Live that doesn't feature Guitar Hero songs. I was pretty stunned to see that they were My Chemical Romance songs. One, because I was, like others, expecting Guitar Hero I songs, and second, I don't particularily care for My Chemical Romance. Here's my review. Sorry if it's hella long.
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"Famous Last Words": 4.5/5 I might be rating this a little high, but it's a good song. The song is very catchy, but it's a song that isn't very Guitar Hero-esque. It's mainly constant chords, with a pretty easy guitar solo. It's also pretty long, clocking in at over 5 minutes, and it's repetitive. A lot of surprising fun in this song though.
"Teenagers": 4.25/5 A very easy song. "Teenagers" has a few hoppy chords and what-not, but it's an easy song that a beginner to Guitar Hero's Expert mode could probably beat. It's a good song though with lyrics that will probably be stuck in your head one time or another.
"This Is How I Disappear": 4/5 Good song, but strains the hands of many down strummers, like myself. It's not necessarily difficult, but your strumming hand will likely be sore by the end of the song. It is much like "Famous Last Words", in that it is mostly chords.
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So what do I think of this pack? It's worth the 500 points. There could have been better songs available for download besides these, but these songs are different, and they are pretty catchy and fun to play for the most part. Still, if you have a computer, and the Xplorer guitar for the 360, you should download Frets on Fire. It's Guitar Hero for the computer, and you can download these songs and play them for free. Although it's just not as much fun. No leaderboards, and you can't downstrum at all. But like I said, worth the points, definitely should be bought. MCR fan or not, download it if you haven't already.
4.25/5
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Game Review ( The Simpsons Game DEMO - 360 )
Graphics: 5/5 Your style or not, these graphics are cel-shaded, and the best The Simpsons can look on the 360. Sure, some edges might be sharpened, but this is the best it gets. The animation and everything is good, too.
Sound: 5/5 In the demo, Harry Shearer, Nancy Cartwright, and Dan Caselenetta, do a great job with the voices. Some lines you can hear are right from the show, and you'll know if you watch it a lot.
Control: 3.5/5 I'm being generous with a 3.5. The controls are actually quite terrible. The camera wobbles sometimes for no reason, running around corners is sometimes a pain, and walking on little ledges is difficult because you can easil fall off. The camera angles aren't the only thing that suck. The auto-aim system does too. If you look at something and try to auto-aim with LT, you won't necessary lock-on to the thing you're aiming at, which is really frustrating.
Fun: 3.5/5 I expect much better come release. The game looks and sounds fantastic, but the controls almost ruin it. Being a huge Simpsons fan, I'd hate to see The Simpsons next-gen first appearence be a far less than impressive one.
3.5/5
Sound: 5/5 In the demo, Harry Shearer, Nancy Cartwright, and Dan Caselenetta, do a great job with the voices. Some lines you can hear are right from the show, and you'll know if you watch it a lot.
Control: 3.5/5 I'm being generous with a 3.5. The controls are actually quite terrible. The camera wobbles sometimes for no reason, running around corners is sometimes a pain, and walking on little ledges is difficult because you can easil fall off. The camera angles aren't the only thing that suck. The auto-aim system does too. If you look at something and try to auto-aim with LT, you won't necessary lock-on to the thing you're aiming at, which is really frustrating.
Fun: 3.5/5 I expect much better come release. The game looks and sounds fantastic, but the controls almost ruin it. Being a huge Simpsons fan, I'd hate to see The Simpsons next-gen first appearence be a far less than impressive one.
3.5/5
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Game Review ( Bomberman LIVE: Bomb-Up Pack #2 - 360 )
The second Bomberman pack was released a few weeks ago now, but I just decided to buy it because... what the hell, it was only 200 MSP. Anyway, this pack is much like the first. It adds some more clothes, two new arenas, and one new mode. I personally think the clothes included in this pack are much better than the first, and you can now make better looking combinations of clothes. For instance, an old man ballerina, or a pimp. The two new arenas aren't what they say in the description. Instead of the maps being Speed Racer and Dreamland, they are Full Tilt and Medieval Times. Both maps are quite interesting. Medieval Times is much like High Stakes from BUP #1 because it can have anything played in it. This pack also includes what are called Bomb Shelters, which sound like they'd be a cool addition, but instead, really aren't. Actually, they're stupid and pointless. Bomb Shelters can be included on any map, (excluding Plundering Isles ) and I don't know what they are used for. They don't protect you from bombs or do anything to save you. The only thing I think they do is make it harder for players to see where you're at, which is completely useless in 1-on-1 games. One final thing I have to point out is that Hudson glitched this pack. In order to use the new costumes in this pack, you have to have downloaded the first one, too, which is a bummer for people that didn't do that. Bomberman LIVE BUP #2 isn't quite as good as the first, but it's cheaper, and has better costumes. It's just quite a shame that very few people even still play Bomberman LIVE, otherwise this pack would be more worth getting. But at 200 MSP, it isn't like you're throwing money away. You're only paying a little over two dollars here. The pack isn't spectacular, as you are only getting two new arenas, useless Bomb Shelters and some new clothes, but It's hard to not recommend, especially for Bomberman fans.
4.25/5
Recommended.
4.25/5
Recommended.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Game Review ( Halo 3 - 360 ) -Review #2-
It's now been a week since I've had Halo 3... it was definitely a quick week. Now that I've beaten campaign and played well over 100 matches on Xbox Live, this is my final opinion on Halo 3 for the 360.
Graphics: 4.5/5 Far from what they could be. Halo 3 shines in some areas, but in others, it just looks like an average 360 title. The character models look very well done, and the lighting is really amazing, but some of the textures are a little off, and just don't look quite as good as other games on the system, such as the nearly year old Gears of War. Still, the game lags very little to none in most matches online, no matter how much chaos is going on. That is definitely a solid plus. Many people complained about the graphics big time saying they looked "too much like Halo 2"... what game are they playing? Halo 3 looks much better and sharper than Halo 2. There is virtually no comparison.
Sound: 5/5 Just as good as Halo 2, actually, maybe a bit better. Some of the guns, such as the SMG, sounded different in Halo 2, but everything sounds super good. The explosions, rest of the guns, the music... everything about it. Simply adds to the experience.
Control: 4.75/5 A little switched up for the 360 to play better on the 360 controller. At first, I kept pressing X to reload, and I drained some health, dropped random bubble shields and whatnot for quite awhile. But after a little while, I got really used to the controls, and they work quite naturally really. I still think I prefer Halo 2's controls, though.
Fun: 5/5 This 5/5 may be awfully generous, for several reasons. First of all, the campaign won't last you long at all. Even on Legendary, it should only take you 7 or so hours on average if you play with a few friends. Also, the matchmaking is severely flawed. You'll be seeing yourself playing a LOT of Shotty/Snipers and the same maps over and over again. It's actually an amazing feeling when you play a map that you don't normally see in matchmaking just because you do usually play the same 4 or 5 maps constantly. Still, this game is Halo. It will keep most players playing for a very long time. Although the maps after awhile do get old (the ones you play a bajillion times a day) you can always play a custom match, or fool around on Forge, in which you can have you and a few friends fiddle with stuff on maps. If you mess around enough, you may find out you can actually play Mario Kart Double Dash Halo 3 style on Mongooses, as well as baseball. Halo 3 is just an epic game that everyone knows about, gamer or not, and even though it might have been overhyped, it was worth the wait. Halo 3 is a very well done game.
4.75/5
PROS:
Online co-op.
Forge.
It's Halo 3.
CONS:
Some may be unimpressed with the graphics.
Relatively short campaign.
Matchmaking needs to get fixed by Bungie.
Only 11 maps, some of which are recycled from Halo 2, just spiffied up to look different.
Graphics: 4.5/5 Far from what they could be. Halo 3 shines in some areas, but in others, it just looks like an average 360 title. The character models look very well done, and the lighting is really amazing, but some of the textures are a little off, and just don't look quite as good as other games on the system, such as the nearly year old Gears of War. Still, the game lags very little to none in most matches online, no matter how much chaos is going on. That is definitely a solid plus. Many people complained about the graphics big time saying they looked "too much like Halo 2"... what game are they playing? Halo 3 looks much better and sharper than Halo 2. There is virtually no comparison.
Sound: 5/5 Just as good as Halo 2, actually, maybe a bit better. Some of the guns, such as the SMG, sounded different in Halo 2, but everything sounds super good. The explosions, rest of the guns, the music... everything about it. Simply adds to the experience.
Control: 4.75/5 A little switched up for the 360 to play better on the 360 controller. At first, I kept pressing X to reload, and I drained some health, dropped random bubble shields and whatnot for quite awhile. But after a little while, I got really used to the controls, and they work quite naturally really. I still think I prefer Halo 2's controls, though.
Fun: 5/5 This 5/5 may be awfully generous, for several reasons. First of all, the campaign won't last you long at all. Even on Legendary, it should only take you 7 or so hours on average if you play with a few friends. Also, the matchmaking is severely flawed. You'll be seeing yourself playing a LOT of Shotty/Snipers and the same maps over and over again. It's actually an amazing feeling when you play a map that you don't normally see in matchmaking just because you do usually play the same 4 or 5 maps constantly. Still, this game is Halo. It will keep most players playing for a very long time. Although the maps after awhile do get old (the ones you play a bajillion times a day) you can always play a custom match, or fool around on Forge, in which you can have you and a few friends fiddle with stuff on maps. If you mess around enough, you may find out you can actually play Mario Kart Double Dash Halo 3 style on Mongooses, as well as baseball. Halo 3 is just an epic game that everyone knows about, gamer or not, and even though it might have been overhyped, it was worth the wait. Halo 3 is a very well done game.
4.75/5
PROS:
Online co-op.
Forge.
It's Halo 3.
CONS:
Some may be unimpressed with the graphics.
Relatively short campaign.
Matchmaking needs to get fixed by Bungie.
Only 11 maps, some of which are recycled from Halo 2, just spiffied up to look different.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Ten ways to get good at Halo 3. Now.
There are well over a million people that already have played Halo 3, and there were billions of games logged into Halo 2. But if you didn't play Halo 2 much, or just got Halo 3, I have a few tips that should probably have you being a better player. Some tips may seem obvious, but others may not. Some ideas may be ideas a "pro" would tell you, and some would be what a "n00b" would tell you.
1.) First things first, try beating the campaign on Heroic and/or Legendary. If you can't do it alone, ( Not many can. ) try doing it with only one other person. It will teach you how to learn strategies, and just overall get better at the game.
2.) This is an obvious one, but learn what gun combinations work best, and at what range. It should be pretty easy to figure out, and it shouldn't take you more than a few games.
3.) MELEE! - Meleeing is surprisingly overpowered in Halo and it should be used to your advantage. Learn to use it when you're up close to someone rather than shooting... unless you have a shotgun.
4.) Try to somehow stay in at least groups of two with someone, so in case one of your shields go down, the other one with full health can start firing on the other team while his/your shield replenishes.
5.) Crouch behind corners after running away from someone. You won't be picked up on their radar, and they will almost always run past you, giving you a free kill most of the time.
6.) Play Social matches when you first get online... Ranked matches are just for more experienced players, and it's harder to do well in.
7.) While using a gun other than the sniper, try to aim for the body rather than the head. The head may cause more damage, but it's a much smaller target, and it's just easier to shoot the torso. With the sniper, it definitely is better to go for the head, as it takes one shot to kill someone, rather than two it takes to shoot someone twice anywhere else on their body.
8.) Throw grenades! You might not feel natural doing it or something, but give a good strong throw, even at random times, and you may score yourself a kill. If not, you'll likely deplete an opponents shield, making it super easy for him to die.
9.) Get in a vehicle... this is one noobish tip, but it will score you a lot of kills, most of the time, if you're a good driver. Getting into a Banshee on Valhalla off the start won't do anything for you but kill you if you don't exit the cockpit soon enough, but if you're in a Ghost or on the turret of a Warthog, be ready to be getting quite a few kills... as long as you can avoid grenades and people hijacking you.
10.) The obvious, practice. Practice makes better, and if you practice a lot at the game, you'll naturally learn how to do well... unless you're flat out bad at videogames, then you're hopeless.
I doubt this will help much, but it's something.
1.) First things first, try beating the campaign on Heroic and/or Legendary. If you can't do it alone, ( Not many can. ) try doing it with only one other person. It will teach you how to learn strategies, and just overall get better at the game.
2.) This is an obvious one, but learn what gun combinations work best, and at what range. It should be pretty easy to figure out, and it shouldn't take you more than a few games.
3.) MELEE! - Meleeing is surprisingly overpowered in Halo and it should be used to your advantage. Learn to use it when you're up close to someone rather than shooting... unless you have a shotgun.
4.) Try to somehow stay in at least groups of two with someone, so in case one of your shields go down, the other one with full health can start firing on the other team while his/your shield replenishes.
5.) Crouch behind corners after running away from someone. You won't be picked up on their radar, and they will almost always run past you, giving you a free kill most of the time.
6.) Play Social matches when you first get online... Ranked matches are just for more experienced players, and it's harder to do well in.
7.) While using a gun other than the sniper, try to aim for the body rather than the head. The head may cause more damage, but it's a much smaller target, and it's just easier to shoot the torso. With the sniper, it definitely is better to go for the head, as it takes one shot to kill someone, rather than two it takes to shoot someone twice anywhere else on their body.
8.) Throw grenades! You might not feel natural doing it or something, but give a good strong throw, even at random times, and you may score yourself a kill. If not, you'll likely deplete an opponents shield, making it super easy for him to die.
9.) Get in a vehicle... this is one noobish tip, but it will score you a lot of kills, most of the time, if you're a good driver. Getting into a Banshee on Valhalla off the start won't do anything for you but kill you if you don't exit the cockpit soon enough, but if you're in a Ghost or on the turret of a Warthog, be ready to be getting quite a few kills... as long as you can avoid grenades and people hijacking you.
10.) The obvious, practice. Practice makes better, and if you practice a lot at the game, you'll naturally learn how to do well... unless you're flat out bad at videogames, then you're hopeless.
I doubt this will help much, but it's something.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Halo 3 is B.S.
First and second day: I'm doing good,owning people left and right. I'm on a good team that knows what their doing.
Last two days: I'm doing terrible, and it's all because my teams have always been SUCKING yesterday. I don't know how the f*ck my teammates can even be so bad at this game. Every time I'm on the losing team, I'm in first on that team.
Also, I've experienced some sh*tty hit-detection. For example, a grenade at a guy, I see his shield deplete, I shoot him a few times, and I die. WTF is that? Whatever. Maybe I just need to not play for a couple hours. Still, this is absolute garbage.
Last two days: I'm doing terrible, and it's all because my teams have always been SUCKING yesterday. I don't know how the f*ck my teammates can even be so bad at this game. Every time I'm on the losing team, I'm in first on that team.
Also, I've experienced some sh*tty hit-detection. For example, a grenade at a guy, I see his shield deplete, I shoot him a few times, and I die. WTF is that? Whatever. Maybe I just need to not play for a couple hours. Still, this is absolute garbage.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Game Review ( Halo 3 Maps - 360 )
I'm bored. But I'm obsessed with Halo 3 pretty much, so I've decided to review each and every map in the game... here goes.
Construct: 4.5/5 The first map I played in Halo 3. Construct is a map that I think would feel right at home in a Metroid Prime game. It's pretty small, has a few levels, and is sure to be a grenade throwing/tagging fest. This is one of many maps in the game that make me wonder "Am I playing Star Wars Battlefront or Halo 3?". Definitely was pleased with this map.
Epitaph: [Not yet played.]
Guardian: 4.5/5 I'm sure you probably played Halo 2. If so, this is JUST LIKE the map "Lockout", but instead of being in snowy conditions, it's in what seems to be a jungle. It's almost identical. Except I like this version more. Definitely a lot of fun to play.
High Ground: 4.75/5 Another fantastic map in the game. High Ground looks great first off, and the layout is very well done. The only problem I have with this map are the spawn points, which seem a little faulty. My team's spawn will switch with the other team's spawn quite quickly, and before I know it, they spawn and kill me immedietely in the back. Regardless, High Ground is a lot of fun most of the times.
Isolation: 4.75/5 One of the best maps in Halo 3. This map looks like it's in a jungle, or something, with a few bunkers and underground caves. The map looks amazing, and is a LOT of fun to play on.
Last Resort: 4/5 The remake of the ever-so-popular map Zanzibar from Halo 2. Last Resort is very similar to Zanzibar, just with some different colors, and bigger... and that's not much of a good thing. While I liked Zanzibar, I always thought it was overrated. This map, even with 10 people, seems under-populated, and is pretty boring. I actually prefer Zanzibar to Last Resort, but that's just me.
Narrows: 4.25/5 This is another map that could easily fit in to a Metroid Prime game. Narrows to me is a lot like Construct, except that it's... well, narrow. The map has two levels, allowing teams to flank. A good map, but there's nothing real special about it. There is what I call a "booster" you can use to fly from one side to the other, but that's the only thing unique on it. A pretty average map that's surprisingly fun to play - especially with team rockets.
Sandtrap: 4.5/5 At first, this map didn't appeal to me much at all. But after learning the map, and driving a few vehicles around and gunning some guys and vehicles down, it's actually a lot of fun. Sandtrap is one of the few maps in Halo 3 with a lot of vehicles in it, and it's super fun. This map reminds me a lot of the map Dune Sea in Star Wars Battlefront on Tatooine. That's not a bad thing at all. It actually makes me like it more... this map is definitely under-rated.
Snowbound: 5/5 Yeah. This map REALLY reminds me of a Star Wars Battlefront map. Hoth. If you've played Star Wars Battlefront, you'll know what I'm talking about. This map has bunkers just like that one did, but instead of this map being HUGE like Hoth, it's quite similar, but very small in size, which is actually a good thing. Snowbound has proved to be one of, if not, my favorite map in Halo 3. A lot of fun.
The Pit: 4/5 An average warehouse map... it just looks like you're in a giant Costco or something... most games have a map that looks similar to this one, and it's usually "filler". I must say, this definitely is a filler map. It's only kind of fun to play on because it's a Halo 3 map.
Valhalla: 5/5 Another fantastic map. Valhalla is one of the very few maps in Halo 3 with air-flight vehicles, and it's an awesome one. I can't honestly describe this map, besides that it's a LOT of fun. It kind of, no, it REALLY sucks when you're stranded in the middle of the map without a vehicle or a team-mate, but after you learn where you're supposed to be and at what times, you'll likely enjoy Valhalla a lot too.
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The Halo 3 Maps are just unbelievable. As of now, I haven't played them all, but from what I have played, just about all of them are spectacular. That's about it - I'm gonna go play some more Halo!
4.75/5
Construct: 4.5/5 The first map I played in Halo 3. Construct is a map that I think would feel right at home in a Metroid Prime game. It's pretty small, has a few levels, and is sure to be a grenade throwing/tagging fest. This is one of many maps in the game that make me wonder "Am I playing Star Wars Battlefront or Halo 3?". Definitely was pleased with this map.
Epitaph: [Not yet played.]
Guardian: 4.5/5 I'm sure you probably played Halo 2. If so, this is JUST LIKE the map "Lockout", but instead of being in snowy conditions, it's in what seems to be a jungle. It's almost identical. Except I like this version more. Definitely a lot of fun to play.
High Ground: 4.75/5 Another fantastic map in the game. High Ground looks great first off, and the layout is very well done. The only problem I have with this map are the spawn points, which seem a little faulty. My team's spawn will switch with the other team's spawn quite quickly, and before I know it, they spawn and kill me immedietely in the back. Regardless, High Ground is a lot of fun most of the times.
Isolation: 4.75/5 One of the best maps in Halo 3. This map looks like it's in a jungle, or something, with a few bunkers and underground caves. The map looks amazing, and is a LOT of fun to play on.
Last Resort: 4/5 The remake of the ever-so-popular map Zanzibar from Halo 2. Last Resort is very similar to Zanzibar, just with some different colors, and bigger... and that's not much of a good thing. While I liked Zanzibar, I always thought it was overrated. This map, even with 10 people, seems under-populated, and is pretty boring. I actually prefer Zanzibar to Last Resort, but that's just me.
Narrows: 4.25/5 This is another map that could easily fit in to a Metroid Prime game. Narrows to me is a lot like Construct, except that it's... well, narrow. The map has two levels, allowing teams to flank. A good map, but there's nothing real special about it. There is what I call a "booster" you can use to fly from one side to the other, but that's the only thing unique on it. A pretty average map that's surprisingly fun to play - especially with team rockets.
Sandtrap: 4.5/5 At first, this map didn't appeal to me much at all. But after learning the map, and driving a few vehicles around and gunning some guys and vehicles down, it's actually a lot of fun. Sandtrap is one of the few maps in Halo 3 with a lot of vehicles in it, and it's super fun. This map reminds me a lot of the map Dune Sea in Star Wars Battlefront on Tatooine. That's not a bad thing at all. It actually makes me like it more... this map is definitely under-rated.
Snowbound: 5/5 Yeah. This map REALLY reminds me of a Star Wars Battlefront map. Hoth. If you've played Star Wars Battlefront, you'll know what I'm talking about. This map has bunkers just like that one did, but instead of this map being HUGE like Hoth, it's quite similar, but very small in size, which is actually a good thing. Snowbound has proved to be one of, if not, my favorite map in Halo 3. A lot of fun.
The Pit: 4/5 An average warehouse map... it just looks like you're in a giant Costco or something... most games have a map that looks similar to this one, and it's usually "filler". I must say, this definitely is a filler map. It's only kind of fun to play on because it's a Halo 3 map.
Valhalla: 5/5 Another fantastic map. Valhalla is one of the very few maps in Halo 3 with air-flight vehicles, and it's an awesome one. I can't honestly describe this map, besides that it's a LOT of fun. It kind of, no, it REALLY sucks when you're stranded in the middle of the map without a vehicle or a team-mate, but after you learn where you're supposed to be and at what times, you'll likely enjoy Valhalla a lot too.
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The Halo 3 Maps are just unbelievable. As of now, I haven't played them all, but from what I have played, just about all of them are spectacular. That's about it - I'm gonna go play some more Halo!
4.75/5
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Game Review ( Halo 3 - 360 )
Here's my review on what is one of, if not the, biggest game and what some say the most overrated game, of all-time. I've only played it for about 6 hours, so I will probably be editing this review. This is my first impression. ( Note: I didn't play the beta. )
Graphics: 4.5/5 Look quite good, but don't really blow you away. The character models for the most part look phenomenal, and the environments do as well. Still, it's not the most impressive looking game out there right now. Hell, to all the whiners, I'd rather have an okay looking game that runs smoothly than a fantastic looking game that lags a lot.
Sound: 5/5 Top notch. The talking throughout your men in campaign is really well done. The voice acting in the cut scenes are also great. You will likely never hear the same thing twice in battle. The explosions and guns still sound fantastic too. Everything Halo 2 sounded like, but better.
Control: 4.5/5 Not quite perfect. In my opinion, Halo 2 had better controls for a 360 controller. Still, Halo 3 doesn't control bad, but it does take some getting used to. Such as you having to learn how to use the RB button to get in vehicles and pick up guns and what-not, as well as reload, instead of using the X button used in Halo 2. Still controls very well though.
Fun: 5/5 I must say, this game left a great first impression. I started with Campaign first, and was less than surprised at the start, mainly because the game kept on lagging. But once the game started going, the Campaign got pretty fun. And, in case you don't already know, you can have four person co-op, which makes Legendary quite a bit easier to play through. ( Still not a sinch in any stretch of the imagination though. ) I could review this game all day. The single player, co-op, Forge, multiplayer, all the maps, how the guns hold up, the AI, the ability to record your games, and what not. All I really need to say though, is it's worth it. There aren't many maps currently available to play on Halo 3, but just about all of them are a lot of fun. If you don't think they are at first, go ahead and play them a few times. The game looks good, controls great, and sounds fantastic. Almost everything about this game that I've seen so far is top notch.
5/5
Graphics: 4.5/5 Look quite good, but don't really blow you away. The character models for the most part look phenomenal, and the environments do as well. Still, it's not the most impressive looking game out there right now. Hell, to all the whiners, I'd rather have an okay looking game that runs smoothly than a fantastic looking game that lags a lot.
Sound: 5/5 Top notch. The talking throughout your men in campaign is really well done. The voice acting in the cut scenes are also great. You will likely never hear the same thing twice in battle. The explosions and guns still sound fantastic too. Everything Halo 2 sounded like, but better.
Control: 4.5/5 Not quite perfect. In my opinion, Halo 2 had better controls for a 360 controller. Still, Halo 3 doesn't control bad, but it does take some getting used to. Such as you having to learn how to use the RB button to get in vehicles and pick up guns and what-not, as well as reload, instead of using the X button used in Halo 2. Still controls very well though.
Fun: 5/5 I must say, this game left a great first impression. I started with Campaign first, and was less than surprised at the start, mainly because the game kept on lagging. But once the game started going, the Campaign got pretty fun. And, in case you don't already know, you can have four person co-op, which makes Legendary quite a bit easier to play through. ( Still not a sinch in any stretch of the imagination though. ) I could review this game all day. The single player, co-op, Forge, multiplayer, all the maps, how the guns hold up, the AI, the ability to record your games, and what not. All I really need to say though, is it's worth it. There aren't many maps currently available to play on Halo 3, but just about all of them are a lot of fun. If you don't think they are at first, go ahead and play them a few times. The game looks good, controls great, and sounds fantastic. Almost everything about this game that I've seen so far is top notch.
5/5
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Game Review ( The Bigs - 360 )
Graphics: 3.75/5 Very mixed bag here. The graphics and textures of the jerseys and stadiums and what-not look really good, but a lot of the players faces look like they were glued on, and have no expression. The game looks pretty good, kind of next gen, but they certainly could be better.
Sound: 3.75/5 A pretty average soundtrack, and a pretty decent commentary, although when you start hitting a lot of homeruns, the announcer does get pretty repetitive. Still, the game has good sound. Especially in-game when you hit home runs and stuff.
Control: 4/5 The only thing that's not too hot about the controls in this game is the baserunning. Instead of pressing a button to advance to another base, you run with the analog stick. It works well most of the time, but sometimes, it will mess you up. Your runner will sometimes run halfway to a base, and if you don't control him, he'll be out. Other than that, this game controls pretty well.
Fun: 4/5 The Bigs is a game for anyone, like Slugfest was. Baseball fan or not, you'll likely enjoy playing this game. Hitting balls at unbelievable lengths, and pitching balls at impossibly fast speeds. It's quite fun. There are several modes, including Rookie Challenge, in which you create your own player and take him through the Major Leagues by playing in MLB games, and participating in batting and fielding practice to gain experience and different apparel to let him wear. It really seems like an RPG element. It's fun, but does get repetitive. Another thing worth noting are the difficulty levels. Medium should be Very Easy, and Easy shouldn't be a difficulty choice. This game is very easy for the most part. No one should have much trouble. I won a game 14-0 and it was only a 5 inning game. Albeit it was on Medium, but it shows how not-so-challenging this game is. Still, this is a very fun baseball game. Fun on single player, but it's a game meant to be played with friends, in my opinion. Well worth a few week rental from Gamefly, because it is a lot of fun, but you should definitely think twice before paying full price on this game.
4/5
Sound: 3.75/5 A pretty average soundtrack, and a pretty decent commentary, although when you start hitting a lot of homeruns, the announcer does get pretty repetitive. Still, the game has good sound. Especially in-game when you hit home runs and stuff.
Control: 4/5 The only thing that's not too hot about the controls in this game is the baserunning. Instead of pressing a button to advance to another base, you run with the analog stick. It works well most of the time, but sometimes, it will mess you up. Your runner will sometimes run halfway to a base, and if you don't control him, he'll be out. Other than that, this game controls pretty well.
Fun: 4/5 The Bigs is a game for anyone, like Slugfest was. Baseball fan or not, you'll likely enjoy playing this game. Hitting balls at unbelievable lengths, and pitching balls at impossibly fast speeds. It's quite fun. There are several modes, including Rookie Challenge, in which you create your own player and take him through the Major Leagues by playing in MLB games, and participating in batting and fielding practice to gain experience and different apparel to let him wear. It really seems like an RPG element. It's fun, but does get repetitive. Another thing worth noting are the difficulty levels. Medium should be Very Easy, and Easy shouldn't be a difficulty choice. This game is very easy for the most part. No one should have much trouble. I won a game 14-0 and it was only a 5 inning game. Albeit it was on Medium, but it shows how not-so-challenging this game is. Still, this is a very fun baseball game. Fun on single player, but it's a game meant to be played with friends, in my opinion. Well worth a few week rental from Gamefly, because it is a lot of fun, but you should definitely think twice before paying full price on this game.
4/5
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Call of Duty 4 Beta... tragically flawed.
At first glance, the Call of Duty 4 Beta seemed near perfect. But after a few days of playing, I've finally found out a pretty big "chip in the paint". When shooting at an opponent, sometimes nothing hits him. Even though the cross hairs are on him. In the Kill-Cam, it shows me not even aiming at him. It's just super frustrating. If this error is also in the full version of the game, I might not purchase it.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Game Review ( Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Beta - 360 )
Graphics: 5/5 One of, if not the best, looking games on the 360. It runs extremely well with little lag. ( All depends on the host. ) The game looks amazing. It will probably look even better once the full version of the game is released.
Sound: 5/5 Best sounding game on the 360 for sure. The back-talk, explosions, and guns, sound better than any other game available.
Control: 4.75/5 Feels just like Call of Duty's 2 and 3 on the 360, but a tweaked a little bit. They actually feel a little bit better. There are still some frustrating moments, though, such as when your teammates won't get out of your way when you're running.
Fun: 5/5 Only 3 maps, and you can only get to level 16 max, but it's still an amazing game, for sure. I don't know how long I'll be playing the beta, since it's so restricted and has such few things to do on it, but it's a TON of fun. Actually, to be honest, there is almost too action in this game for its own good. I can't wait for the full version of the game.
4.75/5
The Maps:
Vacant: 4.75/5 A very good map. Vacant is a pretty small map, based mainly inside a square building, with the ability to go outside. This map is super close quarters... it's also awesome. Non-stop firefights make this one of the bests maps I've played on any shooter.
Overgrown: 3.75/5 Purely average. Overgrown reminds me a lot of the map Harvester on SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs for the PS2. It's really, really average. It looks a bit like something out of a Call of Duty 2 or 3 games at times, too. It's a pretty big map, with little shelter. Really a sniper's paradise. Not very good.
Crash: 5/5 Amazing to say the least. Crash is a small/medium sized map that has a wrecked helicopter in the middle of the map. ( a la Black Hawk Down? ) The atmosphere of this map is spectacular. There are several buildings to go in and on to shoot from, plenty of ground to run around... and whatnot. This map will be liked mainly by run-and-gunners, like myself. Fantastic map.
Sound: 5/5 Best sounding game on the 360 for sure. The back-talk, explosions, and guns, sound better than any other game available.
Control: 4.75/5 Feels just like Call of Duty's 2 and 3 on the 360, but a tweaked a little bit. They actually feel a little bit better. There are still some frustrating moments, though, such as when your teammates won't get out of your way when you're running.
Fun: 5/5 Only 3 maps, and you can only get to level 16 max, but it's still an amazing game, for sure. I don't know how long I'll be playing the beta, since it's so restricted and has such few things to do on it, but it's a TON of fun. Actually, to be honest, there is almost too action in this game for its own good. I can't wait for the full version of the game.
4.75/5
The Maps:
Vacant: 4.75/5 A very good map. Vacant is a pretty small map, based mainly inside a square building, with the ability to go outside. This map is super close quarters... it's also awesome. Non-stop firefights make this one of the bests maps I've played on any shooter.
Overgrown: 3.75/5 Purely average. Overgrown reminds me a lot of the map Harvester on SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs for the PS2. It's really, really average. It looks a bit like something out of a Call of Duty 2 or 3 games at times, too. It's a pretty big map, with little shelter. Really a sniper's paradise. Not very good.
Crash: 5/5 Amazing to say the least. Crash is a small/medium sized map that has a wrecked helicopter in the middle of the map. ( a la Black Hawk Down? ) The atmosphere of this map is spectacular. There are several buildings to go in and on to shoot from, plenty of ground to run around... and whatnot. This map will be liked mainly by run-and-gunners, like myself. Fantastic map.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Game Review ( Uno Decks: Kameo and PGR )
Uno has been out for well over a year now, and these packs have been out for a long awhile themselves. However, I just bought them. I can say right now they are worth the measly 100 points each. The Kameo deck is based off the 360 game Kameo, and it has one really unique feature. You can swap your hand with someone elses. It's cool, but can also be frustrating at the same time. The PGR deck is based off Project Gotham Racing 3 for the 360. The special thing about this deck is Gotham TV. With it, you can see one of another player's hand, which is really handy. Overall, I'd say the PGR deck is better, because it's simpler, I like the added element more, ( Gotham TV ) and it's a deck with cars on the cards. Still, both decks are very fun to play and add longevity to the time you will play Uno. Well worth it, at least for an Uno fan. For the price, it deserves a:
5/5
5/5
Drink Review ( Mountain Dew Game Fuel )
After looking in several stores, I finally found and bought a 12-pack of this limited edition drink.
Taste: 4.5/5 It definitely is different. It's supposed to taste like cherry citrus. The drink is orange though, for some reason... anyway, it tastes quite good. Some say it tastes like cough syrup, but it really doesn't. If you ask me, it tastes like Baja Blast from Taco Bell mixed with Mountain Dew Code Red. It's pretty good.
Smell: 4.5/5 It really smells like it tastes. Has a cherry smell. Not much else to say.
Look: 5/5 The can looks very cool. It's black, blue, and orange, and has Mountain Dew Game Fuel written on one side of the can. The other side has Master Chief and the words Halo 3. It's not saying much, but it's the best looking can of pop/soda I've ever seen. The box that the 12-pack comes in look much like the can. As for the actual drink, it's a very cool looking neon orange color. It looks just like Mountain Dew Livewire. I don't know why the drink is orange, though, as the drink has cherry flavor.
Overall: 4.5/5 Mountain Dew Game Fuel should be bought by any can collector, Halo fan, NRG drink drinker, or anyone that likes pop/soda. It's not the BEST drink in the world, but it is very good. It is only available for a limited time, so you might want to get some - now!
-You can find Mountain Dew Game Fuel anywhere pop/soda is sold. It's actually selling out pretty quick, so if you want some NOW, you should try LOOKING now.-
Taste: 4.5/5 It definitely is different. It's supposed to taste like cherry citrus. The drink is orange though, for some reason... anyway, it tastes quite good. Some say it tastes like cough syrup, but it really doesn't. If you ask me, it tastes like Baja Blast from Taco Bell mixed with Mountain Dew Code Red. It's pretty good.
Smell: 4.5/5 It really smells like it tastes. Has a cherry smell. Not much else to say.
Look: 5/5 The can looks very cool. It's black, blue, and orange, and has Mountain Dew Game Fuel written on one side of the can. The other side has Master Chief and the words Halo 3. It's not saying much, but it's the best looking can of pop/soda I've ever seen. The box that the 12-pack comes in look much like the can. As for the actual drink, it's a very cool looking neon orange color. It looks just like Mountain Dew Livewire. I don't know why the drink is orange, though, as the drink has cherry flavor.
Overall: 4.5/5 Mountain Dew Game Fuel should be bought by any can collector, Halo fan, NRG drink drinker, or anyone that likes pop/soda. It's not the BEST drink in the world, but it is very good. It is only available for a limited time, so you might want to get some - now!
-You can find Mountain Dew Game Fuel anywhere pop/soda is sold. It's actually selling out pretty quick, so if you want some NOW, you should try LOOKING now.-
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Game Review ( Bomberman LIVE: Bomb-Up Pack #1 - 360 )
Bomberman LIVE has been out on the XBLA for just over a month now, and downloadable content has been released. In this pack, there is one new game mode, "Most Frags", in which the player with the most frags, wins. There are also two new levels. "High Stakes", and "Zeppelin". In "High Stakes", you play on what seems to be a poker table. You can use any arena feature you want on it. On "Zeppelin", you're playing on a zeppelin, with mini tornadoes moving throughout the level. If you walk into one or one hits you, you get stunned until it goes away. Both are fun, but I think Zeppelin is the better level because the tornadoes really add to the experience, especially since they move all over the level. In addition to those features, there are also 10 new characters, including a rabbit, alien, dinosaur, devil, and many more. Note that these costumes automatically go to your shop, and you don't have to pick up costume balls to get them. All-in-all, the Bomberman LIVE: Bomb-Up Pack #1, I'd say, is worth the money only for a serious Bomberman fan. The two levels are definitely a welcome addition, the new costumes look pretty cool for the most part, and the new game mode, "Most Frags", will soon be a popular Xbox Live game mode. For 250 points, ( $3 or so ) it's definitely worth downloading if you are a Bomberman fan. ( Who isn't? )
4.5/5
4.5/5
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Drink Review ( Buzz Cola )
I had this awhile ago, and figured I might as well review it along side the Duff and Flaming Moe NRG drinks.
Taste: 4.25/5 It's just RC Cola. That's all it is. If you don't believe me, look at nutrition facts on the computer. If you like that, you'll like this. If you haven't had it, it tastes a little bit like flat Coca-Cola to me.
Smell: 4/5 It's just RC Cola! That's what it smells like. Again, if you haven't smelled RC Cola, it just smells like Coca-Cola or Pepsi.
Look: 5/5 Looks exactly the same as on the show. It's somewhat bland color-wise, just red, yellow, and black lettering, but it's really cool.
Overall: 4.5/5 Buzz Cola won't be drank by most people. It's likely bought as a collectors item. If I were you though, I'd buy one to drink like I did. You can ... look cool with the one, or even a pack, and keep the other can, or pack.
-At the time of this post it's 8-23-07. Nearly all 7-11's should have run out of this by now. The only real place to buy it would be eBay.com.-
Taste: 4.25/5 It's just RC Cola. That's all it is. If you don't believe me, look at nutrition facts on the computer. If you like that, you'll like this. If you haven't had it, it tastes a little bit like flat Coca-Cola to me.
Smell: 4/5 It's just RC Cola! That's what it smells like. Again, if you haven't smelled RC Cola, it just smells like Coca-Cola or Pepsi.
Look: 5/5 Looks exactly the same as on the show. It's somewhat bland color-wise, just red, yellow, and black lettering, but it's really cool.
Overall: 4.5/5 Buzz Cola won't be drank by most people. It's likely bought as a collectors item. If I were you though, I'd buy one to drink like I did. You can ... look cool with the one, or even a pack, and keep the other can, or pack.
-At the time of this post it's 8-23-07. Nearly all 7-11's should have run out of this by now. The only real place to buy it would be eBay.com.-
Monday, August 20, 2007
Drink Review ( Duff Energy Drink )
I drank a Duff Energy Drink - yay. Like the Flaming Moe NRG drink, this one apparently came out awhile ago. Here's another review - hurray.
Taste: 4.5/5 Quite good. Not as good as the Flaming Moe NRG drink, but still good. It tastes a lot like orange pop/soda, really. One of the better NRG drinks I've had behind Flaming Moe NRG drink. If you ask me though, for whatever reason, Duff goes down easier/you can drink more faster.
Smell: 4/5 This has a very faint orange-like smell. There's not much to it, smells like orange pop/soda, but just a little different. Not a strong odor, but it smells nice.
Look: 5/5 The can, while bland, looks exactly like the one from the show. It has the exact same design, beside the fact it says Energy Drink below Duff. Still, like I said, looks like the one from the show.
Overall: 4.5/5 Duff NRG Drink shouldn't disappoint. Many picky people may find the taste pretty disgusting ( it, in a way, has a slightly bitter taste, I guess. ) but I really liked it. Most people won't even drink this ( or the Flaming Moe one ) and will just keep it as a collectable. If you ask me, you should buy two of each can so you can drink one of each.
4.5/5
Notable Nutrition Facts: 12 Oz. Can, 160 Calories, 190mg Sodium, 42g Carbs, 40g Sugar, four different B Vitamins, (Vitamin B5 has 1000% of your daily value - that's not a typo. ) 1000mg Taurine, 120mg Caffeine, and other extracts.
-If any of you are wondering where you can buy a Duff NRG Drink, you can find them at stores such as Spencer's and Hot Topic.-
Taste: 4.5/5 Quite good. Not as good as the Flaming Moe NRG drink, but still good. It tastes a lot like orange pop/soda, really. One of the better NRG drinks I've had behind Flaming Moe NRG drink. If you ask me though, for whatever reason, Duff goes down easier/you can drink more faster.
Smell: 4/5 This has a very faint orange-like smell. There's not much to it, smells like orange pop/soda, but just a little different. Not a strong odor, but it smells nice.
Look: 5/5 The can, while bland, looks exactly like the one from the show. It has the exact same design, beside the fact it says Energy Drink below Duff. Still, like I said, looks like the one from the show.
Overall: 4.5/5 Duff NRG Drink shouldn't disappoint. Many picky people may find the taste pretty disgusting ( it, in a way, has a slightly bitter taste, I guess. ) but I really liked it. Most people won't even drink this ( or the Flaming Moe one ) and will just keep it as a collectable. If you ask me, you should buy two of each can so you can drink one of each.
4.5/5
Notable Nutrition Facts: 12 Oz. Can, 160 Calories, 190mg Sodium, 42g Carbs, 40g Sugar, four different B Vitamins, (Vitamin B5 has 1000% of your daily value - that's not a typo. ) 1000mg Taurine, 120mg Caffeine, and other extracts.
-If any of you are wondering where you can buy a Duff NRG Drink, you can find them at stores such as Spencer's and Hot Topic.-
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Drink Review ( Flaming Moe Energy Drink )
Finally, I drank one. The Flaming Moe NRG Drink was worth the wait. It came out awhile ago, but, like I said, I finally had one. My quick little review.
Taste: 5/5 Very good. NRG drink fans will love it. It tastes a lot like a Red Bull, but it has a hint of bubblegum flavor in there somewhere. It's not much, but it's there. One of the best, if not the best, NRG drinks I've ever had.
Smell: 5/5 Smells almost better than it tastes, surprisingly. It would make one amazing candle. It smells like it tastes. It has a Red Bull aroma, mixed with bubble gum.
Look: 4.75/5 The can looks almost perfect. It's bright, colorful, and unique. There is really only a few flaws. First, the energy drink on the can is seen orange, but the drink on the show is purple. Second, there is a quote on the can that says "Fire Made It Better", but the quote actually said from the show is "Fire Made It Good". Still, it looks really cool. As for the drink itself, it's a red-orange color, maybe a bit pinkish.
Overall: 5/5 This long of a review for an NRG drink? What can I say, I'm a Simpsons fan. Anyway, this is a fantastic drink. It's not the same color as it is on the show, but it smells and tastes great, and it may be the best energy drink you've ever had.
5/5
Notable Nutrition Facts: 8.4 Oz. Can, 110 Calories, 170mg Sodium, 30g Carbs, 28g Sugar, four different B vitamins, 1000mg Taurine, 120mg Caffeine, and other extracts.
-If any of you are wondering where you can buy a Flaming Moe NRG Drink, you can find them at stores such as Spencer's and Hot Topic.-
Taste: 5/5 Very good. NRG drink fans will love it. It tastes a lot like a Red Bull, but it has a hint of bubblegum flavor in there somewhere. It's not much, but it's there. One of the best, if not the best, NRG drinks I've ever had.
Smell: 5/5 Smells almost better than it tastes, surprisingly. It would make one amazing candle. It smells like it tastes. It has a Red Bull aroma, mixed with bubble gum.
Look: 4.75/5 The can looks almost perfect. It's bright, colorful, and unique. There is really only a few flaws. First, the energy drink on the can is seen orange, but the drink on the show is purple. Second, there is a quote on the can that says "Fire Made It Better", but the quote actually said from the show is "Fire Made It Good". Still, it looks really cool. As for the drink itself, it's a red-orange color, maybe a bit pinkish.
Overall: 5/5 This long of a review for an NRG drink? What can I say, I'm a Simpsons fan. Anyway, this is a fantastic drink. It's not the same color as it is on the show, but it smells and tastes great, and it may be the best energy drink you've ever had.
5/5
Notable Nutrition Facts: 8.4 Oz. Can, 110 Calories, 170mg Sodium, 30g Carbs, 28g Sugar, four different B vitamins, 1000mg Taurine, 120mg Caffeine, and other extracts.
-If any of you are wondering where you can buy a Flaming Moe NRG Drink, you can find them at stores such as Spencer's and Hot Topic.-
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Game Review ( South Park Rally - Nintendo 64 )
Graphics: 4/5 As good as it gets for a South Park game. Looks just like the show.
Sound: 3.75/5 Lines from the show, and that's the only good sound in the game.
Control: 3.5/5 I'll say they're just somewhat frustrating, to be nice.
Fun: 3.5/5 The items ruin this game. They're so unbalanced, and controls aren't good.
Sound: 3.75/5 Lines from the show, and that's the only good sound in the game.
Control: 3.5/5 I'll say they're just somewhat frustrating, to be nice.
Fun: 3.5/5 The items ruin this game. They're so unbalanced, and controls aren't good.
DVD Review ( Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Volume 3 )
I recently got TMNT: Volumes 3, 4, and 5. Here is my Volume 3 review.
NOTE: Volume 3 is the first part of the third season. Volume's 4, 5, and 6 are also all parts of the third season.
-----
[*] Indicates a "Volume Great"
[*] Beneath These Streets: 4.5/5 The turtles find that Shredder and Krang are still alive, and that they have stolen a Protein Silicon Brain Computer. Splinter is shot with the laser, and he goes into a coma. The turtles try to find the P.S.B.C. to reverse the beam so they can save Splinter.
Turtles on Trial: 4.25/5 The turtles go on a TV show to try and prove to a television host that they are not causing trouble in New York; Krang listens to Shredder and attempts to go to Earth and finish of the turtles for himself.
[*]Attack of the Fifty Foot Irma: 4.75/5 April accidentally zaps Irma with a ray that makes things grow in size. Irma becomes fifty feet tall and wreaks havoc accidentally around the city. Donatello soon makes his own tablet for her to take that helps her shrink in size.
Sky Turtles: 4.25/5 Krang and Shredder come up with an anti-gravity generator and try to take care of the turtles by getting them whie defenseless. However, the Turtles get anti-gravity boots and escape. Krang and Shredder end up escaping once again.
[*]Maltese Hamster: 5/5 Shredder goes around the city to try and find a hamster statue which has a formula to make him the most popular person in the world. Donatello, being the only uncaptured turtle, helps his brothers and gets the statue destroyed.
[*] The Old Switcheroo: 4.75/5 In a mishap between lasers, Shredder and Splinter switch personalities. The turtles manage to figure out that Shredder is actually Splinter's personality, and vice-versa. The turtles trick Shredder's personality into going to the place to get switched back to normal.
April Fool: 4.25/5 Shredder swipes April accidentally, not knowing it was her, and gives her back for a piece of Lydium 90, which would power the Technodrome. However, after Shredder tries to escape with it, the turtles stop him.
[*] The Fifth Turtle: 4.75/5 A little kid ends up getting one of the turtles's Turtle Coms and uses it to act as a fifth Ninja Turtle. Soon, he gets captured by Shredder. The Turtles get him back, and recognize him as a real turtle member and they give him a Turtle Com for saving their hinds.
[*] Turtles at the Earth's Core: 4.75/5 The turtles and Shredder find a way to the past, and the turtles befriend a dinosaur they name Dippy. Shredder tries to get a crystal that will power the Technodrome. After Shredder drops it, Krang says he screwed up and the crystal won't work because of its crack. Dippy, with the help of fellow dinosaurs, break into the Krang's hut and cause a big fiasco.
[*]Enter the Rat King: 4.5/5 April is told to do a report on how rats are taking over the city. April gets captured by the Rat King, and the turtles try to save her. However, while attempting to do so, Splinter temporarily goes under power of the Rat King. The Turtles get Splinter back and defeat the Rat King - for now.
Burne's Blues: 4/5 Burnes becomes a news reporter because of Vernon's statement that he is "too old and fat" to be a detective. Burnes takes Vernon up on that, and becomes a detective, leaving April to do a report on air conditioners not functioning correctly.
Attack of Big MACC: 4.25/5 A robot from the future escapes and comes to the turtle's aid. However, Shredder also wants MACC on his side, and tries to turn him over to "the dark side" if you will. MACC fights Shredder's powers, rescues the captured turtles, and goes back into the future.
-----
Overall, in the DVD order, the episodes for the most part are best in the middle of the set. There are some absolute classic episodes in this section of the season. As you can see, 7 of the 12 are "Volume Greats", and rightfully so. If you're a fan of the show, this volume is a must buy - no doubt.
4.5/5
NOTE: Volume 3 is the first part of the third season. Volume's 4, 5, and 6 are also all parts of the third season.
-----
[*] Indicates a "Volume Great"
[*] Beneath These Streets: 4.5/5 The turtles find that Shredder and Krang are still alive, and that they have stolen a Protein Silicon Brain Computer. Splinter is shot with the laser, and he goes into a coma. The turtles try to find the P.S.B.C. to reverse the beam so they can save Splinter.
Turtles on Trial: 4.25/5 The turtles go on a TV show to try and prove to a television host that they are not causing trouble in New York; Krang listens to Shredder and attempts to go to Earth and finish of the turtles for himself.
[*]Attack of the Fifty Foot Irma: 4.75/5 April accidentally zaps Irma with a ray that makes things grow in size. Irma becomes fifty feet tall and wreaks havoc accidentally around the city. Donatello soon makes his own tablet for her to take that helps her shrink in size.
Sky Turtles: 4.25/5 Krang and Shredder come up with an anti-gravity generator and try to take care of the turtles by getting them whie defenseless. However, the Turtles get anti-gravity boots and escape. Krang and Shredder end up escaping once again.
[*]Maltese Hamster: 5/5 Shredder goes around the city to try and find a hamster statue which has a formula to make him the most popular person in the world. Donatello, being the only uncaptured turtle, helps his brothers and gets the statue destroyed.
[*] The Old Switcheroo: 4.75/5 In a mishap between lasers, Shredder and Splinter switch personalities. The turtles manage to figure out that Shredder is actually Splinter's personality, and vice-versa. The turtles trick Shredder's personality into going to the place to get switched back to normal.
April Fool: 4.25/5 Shredder swipes April accidentally, not knowing it was her, and gives her back for a piece of Lydium 90, which would power the Technodrome. However, after Shredder tries to escape with it, the turtles stop him.
[*] The Fifth Turtle: 4.75/5 A little kid ends up getting one of the turtles's Turtle Coms and uses it to act as a fifth Ninja Turtle. Soon, he gets captured by Shredder. The Turtles get him back, and recognize him as a real turtle member and they give him a Turtle Com for saving their hinds.
[*] Turtles at the Earth's Core: 4.75/5 The turtles and Shredder find a way to the past, and the turtles befriend a dinosaur they name Dippy. Shredder tries to get a crystal that will power the Technodrome. After Shredder drops it, Krang says he screwed up and the crystal won't work because of its crack. Dippy, with the help of fellow dinosaurs, break into the Krang's hut and cause a big fiasco.
[*]Enter the Rat King: 4.5/5 April is told to do a report on how rats are taking over the city. April gets captured by the Rat King, and the turtles try to save her. However, while attempting to do so, Splinter temporarily goes under power of the Rat King. The Turtles get Splinter back and defeat the Rat King - for now.
Burne's Blues: 4/5 Burnes becomes a news reporter because of Vernon's statement that he is "too old and fat" to be a detective. Burnes takes Vernon up on that, and becomes a detective, leaving April to do a report on air conditioners not functioning correctly.
Attack of Big MACC: 4.25/5 A robot from the future escapes and comes to the turtle's aid. However, Shredder also wants MACC on his side, and tries to turn him over to "the dark side" if you will. MACC fights Shredder's powers, rescues the captured turtles, and goes back into the future.
-----
Overall, in the DVD order, the episodes for the most part are best in the middle of the set. There are some absolute classic episodes in this section of the season. As you can see, 7 of the 12 are "Volume Greats", and rightfully so. If you're a fan of the show, this volume is a must buy - no doubt.
4.5/5
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Game Review ( Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 5/5 One of the best looking games on the SNES.
Sound: 4/5 Thwack, bang, boosh, smack, that's about it.
Control: 3.75/5 Not many special moves. A button masher fighting game.
Fun: 4/5 A hard game. Still not too bad though.
Sound: 4/5 Thwack, bang, boosh, smack, that's about it.
Control: 3.75/5 Not many special moves. A button masher fighting game.
Fun: 4/5 A hard game. Still not too bad though.
Game Review ( Bart's Nightmare - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 4.5/5 Graphics look very good for an early SNES game.
Sound: 3.5/5 Sound isn't very good for an early SNES game.
Control: 3.5/5 Controls aren't very good for an early snes game.
Fun: 3.75/5 It's an early SNES game. Not much to this - it makes an okay 5 minute game.
Sound: 3.5/5 Sound isn't very good for an early SNES game.
Control: 3.5/5 Controls aren't very good for an early snes game.
Fun: 3.75/5 It's an early SNES game. Not much to this - it makes an okay 5 minute game.
Game Review ( Krusty's Super Fun House- Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 3.5/5 About average for an early generation Super Nintendo game.
Sound: 2.5/5 Krusty sounds like Milhouse's dad, and the music is VERY annoying.
Control: 2.5/5 All you do is jump and pick up bricks. Boring.
Fun: 2.5/5 Like I said, jump and pick up bricks. An uninteresting game.
Sound: 2.5/5 Krusty sounds like Milhouse's dad, and the music is VERY annoying.
Control: 2.5/5 All you do is jump and pick up bricks. Boring.
Fun: 2.5/5 Like I said, jump and pick up bricks. An uninteresting game.
Game Review ( Ren and Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 3.5/5 Early gen SNES game. Looks pretty bland.
Sound: 3.75/5 Repeated soundtrack, but it isn't all that bad.
Control: 3/5 Quite confusing how this game is layed out.
Fun: 2.75/5 This game is VERY bad. It's hard, and not very Ren and Stimpy esque.
Sound: 3.75/5 Repeated soundtrack, but it isn't all that bad.
Control: 3/5 Quite confusing how this game is layed out.
Fun: 2.75/5 This game is VERY bad. It's hard, and not very Ren and Stimpy esque.
Game Review ( Rocko's Modern Life: Spunky's Dangerous Day - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 4/5 The colors look good for the most part, but they could be better.
Sound: 3.5/5 There are is a little dialogue here and there, but the music stinks.
Control: 3.25/5 Way too simple. Move and kick, and that's about it.
Fun: 3/5 It's hard to find out what you have to do, and the game isn't very fun.
Sound: 3.5/5 There are is a little dialogue here and there, but the music stinks.
Control: 3.25/5 Way too simple. Move and kick, and that's about it.
Fun: 3/5 It's hard to find out what you have to do, and the game isn't very fun.
Game Review ( Looney Tunes B-Ball - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 4.75/5 Look very sexy on the SNES, but there's only one court to play on.
Sound: 4.25/5 Pretty repetitive sound. Repeated sounds galore, but they sound good.
Control: 4.5/5 Pass, shoot steal, made very simple. Even some L.T. tricks, too.
Fun: 4.5/5 This game is as fun now as it was when I was a kid. A lot of fun.
Sound: 4.25/5 Pretty repetitive sound. Repeated sounds galore, but they sound good.
Control: 4.5/5 Pass, shoot steal, made very simple. Even some L.T. tricks, too.
Fun: 4.5/5 This game is as fun now as it was when I was a kid. A lot of fun.
Game Review ( Nickelodeon GUTS - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 4/5 Don't look too bad on the SNES.
Sound: 3.75/5 Repetitive background music, and that's about all you hear.
Control: 2.5/5 Butchers the game. Very annoying controls on most events.
Fun: 3.5/5 Most events are really repetitive. This game was fun as a kid, though.
Sound: 3.75/5 Repetitive background music, and that's about all you hear.
Control: 2.5/5 Butchers the game. Very annoying controls on most events.
Fun: 3.5/5 Most events are really repetitive. This game was fun as a kid, though.
Game Review ( King of the Monsters 2 - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 4.75/5 Awesome looking old school game. The characters and environments rock.
Sound: 4.5/5 The explosions and music is all you hear, but it sound really good.
Control: 4.75/5 It's a button masher and uses two buttons, but it is a lot of fun.
Fun: 4.5/5 Only 3 monsters to use, but this is a very fun arcade style game.
Sound: 4.5/5 The explosions and music is all you hear, but it sound really good.
Control: 4.75/5 It's a button masher and uses two buttons, but it is a lot of fun.
Fun: 4.5/5 Only 3 monsters to use, but this is a very fun arcade style game.
Game Review ( Itchy and Scratchy: The Game - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 4.5/5 Not anything too special, but looks great on the SNES.
Sound: 3.5/5 Repetitive, repetitive, repetitive.
Control: 3.75/5 You have to hit Scratchy dead on if you want to take off health.
Fun: 4/5 A fun little Simpsons game that isn't very well known.
Sound: 3.5/5 Repetitive, repetitive, repetitive.
Control: 3.75/5 You have to hit Scratchy dead on if you want to take off health.
Fun: 4/5 A fun little Simpsons game that isn't very well known.
Game Review ( Beavis and Butthead - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 4.25/5 Nice bright colors. Captures the B&B world quite well.
Sound: 3.75/5 The classic theme, the occasional, "Huh,huh", not much else.
Control: 3.75/5 I have only recently played on an emulator, so hard to judge controls.
Fun: 4/5 The emulators aren't that fun, but this was a blast on the SNES and Genesis.
Sound: 3.75/5 The classic theme, the occasional, "Huh,huh", not much else.
Control: 3.75/5 I have only recently played on an emulator, so hard to judge controls.
Fun: 4/5 The emulators aren't that fun, but this was a blast on the SNES and Genesis.
Game Review ( F-Zero - Super Nintendo )
Graphics: 4/5 Looks good, and runs very well on the SNES.
Sound: 5/5 Words can't describe the sound in this game - best sounding game on SNES.
Control: 4.5/5 Feels really good on the SNES controller, not on computer emulators.
Fun: 4.25/5 A short, but difficult, single player game. No multiplayer - what a shame.
Sound: 5/5 Words can't describe the sound in this game - best sounding game on SNES.
Control: 4.5/5 Feels really good on the SNES controller, not on computer emulators.
Fun: 4.25/5 A short, but difficult, single player game. No multiplayer - what a shame.
Game Review ( The Simpsons Bowling - Arcade )
A few months back I got to play this game at the arcade. This will be a rarity that I review an arcade game.
Graphics: 4/5 Having been released in 2000, I thought the game looked mighty impressive. The bowling lane is the same all the time, it looks like Barney's Bowl-O-Rama from the show, and the characters look pretty decent, too.
Sound: 3.5/5 The characters occasionally say a few words here and there, but that's it. Then it's just the bowl rolling, and the pins falling.
Control: 4/5 Pretty simple controls. You move your character into the position you want and roll the ball as fast or as slow as you want, pretty cool. You use what is called a TrackBall - I'm sure most arcade players have used it before. it's a ball that's half in the table and half out, and you use it to roll the ball.
Fun: 4/5 For 25c or 50c for six frames (depending on where you live) this is well worth it. The game lasts a decent amount of time, and it's a pretty good arcade game. Definitely worth a few plays.
Graphics: 4/5 Having been released in 2000, I thought the game looked mighty impressive. The bowling lane is the same all the time, it looks like Barney's Bowl-O-Rama from the show, and the characters look pretty decent, too.
Sound: 3.5/5 The characters occasionally say a few words here and there, but that's it. Then it's just the bowl rolling, and the pins falling.
Control: 4/5 Pretty simple controls. You move your character into the position you want and roll the ball as fast or as slow as you want, pretty cool. You use what is called a TrackBall - I'm sure most arcade players have used it before. it's a ball that's half in the table and half out, and you use it to roll the ball.
Fun: 4/5 For 25c or 50c for six frames (depending on where you live) this is well worth it. The game lasts a decent amount of time, and it's a pretty good arcade game. Definitely worth a few plays.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Game Review ( Superman Returns - 360 )
Graphics: 2.75/5 VERY bad - one of the worst looking games I've seen on the 360. The effects look okay, pretty good actually, but the city looks boring, and some parts look excruciatingly bland.
Sound: 2.5/5 The music score is very repetitive, and the only stuff you hear other than that is just the wind, and the storms.
Control: 2.75/5 Doesn't control too terribly, but they aren't always responsive, and the camera angles are pretty damn bad.
Fun: 2.75/5 Virtual hell to play through. Almost all people will RENT this game and only for achievements, if you do, prepare for some absolute HELL. The only thing that is DECENT about this game is that you can use your wind super power to blow cars down the street and into buildings. That's a lot of fun, actually. Also, you can use cheats in this game, and the achievements still count - uber bonus! Other than that, this game is garbage - one of the worst games on the 360.
2.5/5
Sound: 2.5/5 The music score is very repetitive, and the only stuff you hear other than that is just the wind, and the storms.
Control: 2.75/5 Doesn't control too terribly, but they aren't always responsive, and the camera angles are pretty damn bad.
Fun: 2.75/5 Virtual hell to play through. Almost all people will RENT this game and only for achievements, if you do, prepare for some absolute HELL. The only thing that is DECENT about this game is that you can use your wind super power to blow cars down the street and into buildings. That's a lot of fun, actually. Also, you can use cheats in this game, and the achievements still count - uber bonus! Other than that, this game is garbage - one of the worst games on the 360.
2.5/5
Saturday, August 11, 2007
DVD Review ( Full House: Season 3 )
It's been awhile, but here's my review for Full House: Season 3.
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[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
Tanner's Island: 3.75/5 The Tanner's get stuck on an island and get lost, but find their way back home.
[*] Back To School Blues: 4.75/5 Stephanie gets worried about having to go to school with DJ in Junior High; DJ gets mad because her and Kimmy have none of the same classes; Jesse and Joey play golf to impress a client.
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (In 22 Minutes): 4.25/5 Jesse and Rebecca find out it's normal to not want to do everything else your partner wants to do.
[*] Nerd For A Day: 5/5 Stephanie finds out it's not fun being teased.
Granny Tanny: 4/5 The family acts miserable when Grandma Tanner comes to visit, so they don't have to do anything; Michelle is thrilled when she finds out she's getting a "big girl bed", but is scared when she ends up getting it.
[*] Star Search: 5/5 Joey tries to fulfill his life long dream of being on and winning on Star Search.
[*] And They Call It Puppy Love: 4.5/5 The girls find a stray dog that has puppies and is able to keep one. They eventually name it Comet.
[*] Divorce Court: 4.5/5 Joey, Jesse, and Danny compete in a foot race live on Wake Up, San Francisco! to see who is the better athlete.
[*] Dr. Dare Rides Again: 4.5/5 Jesse finds out he isn't as big of a dare devil he was when he was younger.
[*]The Greatest Birthday On Earth: 4.5/5 Jesse and Stephanie try to keep Michelle's birthday fun while they are locked in a gas station.
Aftershocks: 4/5 Danny gets confused when Stephanie clings to him, and he doesn't know why.
Joey & Stacy... and Jesse: 4/5 Joey pitches an idea without asking Jesse first.
No More Mr. Dumb Guy: 4/5 Jesse feels threatened by one of Becky's old teachers.
[*] Misadventures In Baby Sitting: 4.5/5 DJ gets a job as baby sitter to try and get enough money to have her own phone.
Lust In The Dust: 4.25/5 Everyone finds out why Danny is so particular about girls.
Bye, Bye Birdie: 4.25/5 Michelle tries to do stuff herself but simply does everything wrong in the process.
[*] 13 Candles: 5/5 The guys over react after they spy on DJ's 13th birthday party.
[*] Mr. Egghead: 5/5 Joey gets to be host of his own show as Mr. Egghead, and he accidentally breaks Stephanie's nose - the day before picture day.
[*] Those Better Not Be The Days: 5/5 The adults and kids switch roles for a day, and Danny thinks about what the future could be like.
[*]Honey, I Broke The House: 4.75/5 Stephanie drives Joey's car through the house accidentally, and decides to go to Mexico; Jesse gets jealous when he finds out Becky is going out with a football player.
[*]Just Say No Way: 4.75/5 Danny and the guys accuse DJ of drinking at a school dance, but they find out what really happened when a couple of people come clean.
Three Men And Another Baby: 3.75/5 Jesse and Joey babysit a baby named Tony for a little while, and Michelle gets jealous.
Fraternity Reunion: 4/5 The guys go to a reunion as girls, and Jesse finds out driving in the woods on a motor cycle isn't the best idea.
[*]Our Very First Telethon: 4.5/5 Danny stays up for over 24 hours to practice for a telethon, but falls asleep, leaving DJ, Stephanie, and Michelle, as well as many others, to keep the telethon going.
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For every good episode in this season, there is a bad episode, just like most TV shows. However, the majority of Season 3's episodes are best in the beginning, with hiccups in quality episodes throughout. Still, this is one of the best seasons of Full House ever.
4.75/5
-----
[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
Tanner's Island: 3.75/5 The Tanner's get stuck on an island and get lost, but find their way back home.
[*] Back To School Blues: 4.75/5 Stephanie gets worried about having to go to school with DJ in Junior High; DJ gets mad because her and Kimmy have none of the same classes; Jesse and Joey play golf to impress a client.
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (In 22 Minutes): 4.25/5 Jesse and Rebecca find out it's normal to not want to do everything else your partner wants to do.
[*] Nerd For A Day: 5/5 Stephanie finds out it's not fun being teased.
Granny Tanny: 4/5 The family acts miserable when Grandma Tanner comes to visit, so they don't have to do anything; Michelle is thrilled when she finds out she's getting a "big girl bed", but is scared when she ends up getting it.
[*] Star Search: 5/5 Joey tries to fulfill his life long dream of being on and winning on Star Search.
[*] And They Call It Puppy Love: 4.5/5 The girls find a stray dog that has puppies and is able to keep one. They eventually name it Comet.
[*] Divorce Court: 4.5/5 Joey, Jesse, and Danny compete in a foot race live on Wake Up, San Francisco! to see who is the better athlete.
[*] Dr. Dare Rides Again: 4.5/5 Jesse finds out he isn't as big of a dare devil he was when he was younger.
[*]The Greatest Birthday On Earth: 4.5/5 Jesse and Stephanie try to keep Michelle's birthday fun while they are locked in a gas station.
Aftershocks: 4/5 Danny gets confused when Stephanie clings to him, and he doesn't know why.
Joey & Stacy... and Jesse: 4/5 Joey pitches an idea without asking Jesse first.
No More Mr. Dumb Guy: 4/5 Jesse feels threatened by one of Becky's old teachers.
[*] Misadventures In Baby Sitting: 4.5/5 DJ gets a job as baby sitter to try and get enough money to have her own phone.
Lust In The Dust: 4.25/5 Everyone finds out why Danny is so particular about girls.
Bye, Bye Birdie: 4.25/5 Michelle tries to do stuff herself but simply does everything wrong in the process.
[*] 13 Candles: 5/5 The guys over react after they spy on DJ's 13th birthday party.
[*] Mr. Egghead: 5/5 Joey gets to be host of his own show as Mr. Egghead, and he accidentally breaks Stephanie's nose - the day before picture day.
[*] Those Better Not Be The Days: 5/5 The adults and kids switch roles for a day, and Danny thinks about what the future could be like.
[*]Honey, I Broke The House: 4.75/5 Stephanie drives Joey's car through the house accidentally, and decides to go to Mexico; Jesse gets jealous when he finds out Becky is going out with a football player.
[*]Just Say No Way: 4.75/5 Danny and the guys accuse DJ of drinking at a school dance, but they find out what really happened when a couple of people come clean.
Three Men And Another Baby: 3.75/5 Jesse and Joey babysit a baby named Tony for a little while, and Michelle gets jealous.
Fraternity Reunion: 4/5 The guys go to a reunion as girls, and Jesse finds out driving in the woods on a motor cycle isn't the best idea.
[*]Our Very First Telethon: 4.5/5 Danny stays up for over 24 hours to practice for a telethon, but falls asleep, leaving DJ, Stephanie, and Michelle, as well as many others, to keep the telethon going.
-----
For every good episode in this season, there is a bad episode, just like most TV shows. However, the majority of Season 3's episodes are best in the beginning, with hiccups in quality episodes throughout. Still, this is one of the best seasons of Full House ever.
4.75/5
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
DVD Review ( Friends: Season 9 )
[*]The One Where No one Proposes: 4.5/5 Neither Ross or Joey propose to Rachel; Mr. Gellar finds Monica and Chandler having sex in a closet; Joey tries to avoid watching Rachel breast feed.
The One Where Emma Cries: 4.25/5 Ross breaks his finger trying to punch Joey; Monica and Phoebe try to stop Emma's crying.
The One With The Pediatrician: 4.25/5 Rachel finds out Emma only has hiccups; Monica and Chandler discuss Tulsa.
[*]The One With The Sharks: 4.5/5 Monica thinks Chandler likes shark porn when he's in Tulsa; Joey thinks he slept with someone in an apartment he visited, but can't remember her name.
[*]The One With Phoebe's Birthday Dinner: 4.5/5 Phoebe's birthday with friends turns out to be a birthday with only Joey.
[*]The One With The Male Nanny: 4.5/5 Ross makes fun of his male nanny; Chandler gets upset when Monica says someone else is the funniest person she's ever met; Phoebe and Mike exchange apartment keys.
[*]The One With Ross's Inappropriate Song: 5/5 Ross makes Emma laugh to "Baby Got Back"; Joey and Chandler find what they think is a sex tape of Monica and Richard.
The One With Rachel's Other Sister: 4.5/5 Amy thinks that she could take better care of Emma alone than Chandler could.
[*]The One With Rachel's Phone Number: 5/5 Joey thinks Monica is cheating on Chandler, but she's just seeing Chandler and he doesn't know about it; Rachel gives her phone number to a guy in a bar; Ross and Mike try to hang out but they have nothing to talk about.
The One With Christmas In Tulsa: 4/5 One of Chandler's co-workers come on to him; Chandler quits his job to go back to New York.
The One Where Rachel Goes Back To Work: 4.25/5 Rachel tries to get her job back because she fears that she might permanently lose it, but she finds out the guy that took her place is a nice guy; Joey gets a spot for Phoebe on his soap.
The One With Phoebe's Rats: 3.75/5 Ross begs Joey to stay away from his new nanny for Emma; Mike learns that Phoebe has pet rats.
[*]The One Where Monica Sings: 5/5 Monica thinks she's a good singer, but guys are just starring at her boobs; Chandler helps Joey with his messed-up eye brows.
The One With The Blind Dates: 4/5 Joey and Phoebe set Rachel and Ross on bad dates on purpose; Monica has to baby sit Emma and gets mad.
[*]The One With The Mugging: 4.5/5 Ross finds out that Phoebe mugged him years ago; Chandler's advertisement job gets a good start.
The One With The Boob Job: 4/5 Joey gets mad at Chandler and tells Monica that Chandler told him she should get a boob job; Phoebe finds out Mike doesn't want to get married.
[*]The One With The Memorial Service: 5/5 Chandler makes fun of Ross on his college website, and the two go back and forth with insults; Joey doesn't let Emma have his stuffed animal.
The One With The Lottery: 4.25/5 Monica buys a lot of lottery tickets, but Phoebe throws them away; Rachel thinks Emma is close to saying her first word.
[*]The One With Rachel's Dream: 4.5/5 Rachel dreams about Joey; Phoebe bothers customers at Monica's restaurant by playing guitar.
[*]The One With The Soap Opera Party: 4.5/5 Ross meets a girl named Charlie; Chandler is stuck at a play alone, which is hilarious, and which is why I give this episode such a good rating. That is one of my favorite jokes in the show. Lol.
The One With A Fertility Test: 4/5 Rachel tries to go to a new masseuse and hopes Phoebe doesn't see her; Ross hides his feelings for Charlie in front of Joey.
The One With The Donor: 4/5 Ross practices for a presentation at Barbados; Phoebe bumps into David; Rachel's mean to Charlie.
The One In Barbados (Pt. 1): 4.25/5 Ross tells Charlie how he feels; Rachel struggles to tell Joey how she feels about him; David and Mike propose to Phoebe.
[*]The One In Barbados (Pt. 2): 4.5/5 Charlie and Joey break up and Rachel tells him how she feels; Monica and Mike go head-to-head in a ping-pong game.
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Friends: Season 9 is another great season. The plus side to this season is that there are virtually no terrible episodes, but the down side is that there aren't many awesome episodes. Still, this season averages a bout a 9/10.
4.5/5
The One Where Emma Cries: 4.25/5 Ross breaks his finger trying to punch Joey; Monica and Phoebe try to stop Emma's crying.
The One With The Pediatrician: 4.25/5 Rachel finds out Emma only has hiccups; Monica and Chandler discuss Tulsa.
[*]The One With The Sharks: 4.5/5 Monica thinks Chandler likes shark porn when he's in Tulsa; Joey thinks he slept with someone in an apartment he visited, but can't remember her name.
[*]The One With Phoebe's Birthday Dinner: 4.5/5 Phoebe's birthday with friends turns out to be a birthday with only Joey.
[*]The One With The Male Nanny: 4.5/5 Ross makes fun of his male nanny; Chandler gets upset when Monica says someone else is the funniest person she's ever met; Phoebe and Mike exchange apartment keys.
[*]The One With Ross's Inappropriate Song: 5/5 Ross makes Emma laugh to "Baby Got Back"; Joey and Chandler find what they think is a sex tape of Monica and Richard.
The One With Rachel's Other Sister: 4.5/5 Amy thinks that she could take better care of Emma alone than Chandler could.
[*]The One With Rachel's Phone Number: 5/5 Joey thinks Monica is cheating on Chandler, but she's just seeing Chandler and he doesn't know about it; Rachel gives her phone number to a guy in a bar; Ross and Mike try to hang out but they have nothing to talk about.
The One With Christmas In Tulsa: 4/5 One of Chandler's co-workers come on to him; Chandler quits his job to go back to New York.
The One Where Rachel Goes Back To Work: 4.25/5 Rachel tries to get her job back because she fears that she might permanently lose it, but she finds out the guy that took her place is a nice guy; Joey gets a spot for Phoebe on his soap.
The One With Phoebe's Rats: 3.75/5 Ross begs Joey to stay away from his new nanny for Emma; Mike learns that Phoebe has pet rats.
[*]The One Where Monica Sings: 5/5 Monica thinks she's a good singer, but guys are just starring at her boobs; Chandler helps Joey with his messed-up eye brows.
The One With The Blind Dates: 4/5 Joey and Phoebe set Rachel and Ross on bad dates on purpose; Monica has to baby sit Emma and gets mad.
[*]The One With The Mugging: 4.5/5 Ross finds out that Phoebe mugged him years ago; Chandler's advertisement job gets a good start.
The One With The Boob Job: 4/5 Joey gets mad at Chandler and tells Monica that Chandler told him she should get a boob job; Phoebe finds out Mike doesn't want to get married.
[*]The One With The Memorial Service: 5/5 Chandler makes fun of Ross on his college website, and the two go back and forth with insults; Joey doesn't let Emma have his stuffed animal.
The One With The Lottery: 4.25/5 Monica buys a lot of lottery tickets, but Phoebe throws them away; Rachel thinks Emma is close to saying her first word.
[*]The One With Rachel's Dream: 4.5/5 Rachel dreams about Joey; Phoebe bothers customers at Monica's restaurant by playing guitar.
[*]The One With The Soap Opera Party: 4.5/5 Ross meets a girl named Charlie; Chandler is stuck at a play alone, which is hilarious, and which is why I give this episode such a good rating. That is one of my favorite jokes in the show. Lol.
The One With A Fertility Test: 4/5 Rachel tries to go to a new masseuse and hopes Phoebe doesn't see her; Ross hides his feelings for Charlie in front of Joey.
The One With The Donor: 4/5 Ross practices for a presentation at Barbados; Phoebe bumps into David; Rachel's mean to Charlie.
The One In Barbados (Pt. 1): 4.25/5 Ross tells Charlie how he feels; Rachel struggles to tell Joey how she feels about him; David and Mike propose to Phoebe.
[*]The One In Barbados (Pt. 2): 4.5/5 Charlie and Joey break up and Rachel tells him how she feels; Monica and Mike go head-to-head in a ping-pong game.
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Friends: Season 9 is another great season. The plus side to this season is that there are virtually no terrible episodes, but the down side is that there aren't many awesome episodes. Still, this season averages a bout a 9/10.
4.5/5
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
DVD Review: ( The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season )
So it's finally here, The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season. This is my review on what is arguably the last "good" season of the series.
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[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
[*]Lard of the Dance: 4.75/5 Homer finds out that grease can be sold for money, and takes Bart out of school to do it as a side job; Lisa can't find a partner for her school dance, but finds out it doesn't matter in the end because the boys don't want to dance with the girls, and vice versa.
[*]The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace: 4.75/5 Homer realizes he has wasted half of his life doing absolutely nothing, and become fond of Thomas Edison. Homer ends up inventing, for the most part, useless and stupid inventions, with the exception of a hammer than Thomas Edison gets credit for in the end.
[*]Bart The Mother: 4.5/5 Bart accidentally shoots a bird he didn't mean to, and he decides to take care of the eggs. He eventually finds out, though, that the eggs aren't bird eggs, but lizard eggs. The town wants to kill the lizards because they kill the birds in Springfield, but Bart wants to keep them. Eventually, the lizards find a way to freedom, mass produce, and kill birds again.
~~~~~~~~~~
Treehouse of Horror IX:
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[*]Hells Toupee: 4.5/5 Snake is executed for getting "3 strikes" at the Quik-E-Mart and vows to have revenge on Apu and Moe. Homer gets a hair transplant, and takes half of the form of Snake. Homer kills Apu and Moe, and while trying to kill Bart, Homer pulls the wig off, turning back to normal.
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[*]The Terror of Tiny Toon: 4.5/5 Bart puts a plutonium rod inside the families remote control for the TV and he and Lisa eventually end up in an Itchy and Scratchy show, where Itchy and Scratchy want to kill them. Homer eventually "rescues" them.
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Starship Poopers" 4.25/5 Maggie grows a fang and tentacles, so Marge tells Homer that Maggie might not be his daughter. Bart suggests they go on the Jerry Springer show to settle the dispute.
~~~~~~~~~~
When You Dish Upon a Star: 4.25/5 Homer bumps into Kim Basinger and Alex Baldwin (Literally) and they decide to make him their butler, pretty much. Homer shares with everyone that he is friends with the two of them, they find out, and they "fire" Homer.
D'oh In The Wind: 3.75/5 Homer finds out his middle name is Jay, and he becomes a hippie. Homer ruins a couple of guys's juice company, but manages to get in back in track in the middle of the night.
[*]Lisa Gets An "A": 4.75/5 Lisa becomes addicted to a video game of Bart's and misses a couple days of school. When she returns, she has to do a test on a book she never read. She meets with Nelson and gets a cheat sheet. Ms. Hoover gives her an A+++. Lisa confesses to cheating but the school gets a grant. Meanwhile, Homer fattens up a lobster to sell for money, but ends up becoming attached to it.
Homer Simpson In: "Kidney Trouble": 4.25/5 Grampa needs a new kidney after holding his pee too long due to Homer's negligence. He agrees to let his dad have one, but he flees right before the operation. On a ship he tells people about his story, and they tossed him overboard because of how despicable he treated his dad. Homer eventually offered to offer Grampa a kidney again, fleed again, and then got crushed by a car, resulting in him having to go to the hospital anyway.
[*]Mayored to the Mob: 4.75/5 Homer kicks nerd ass at a Sci-Fi convention, and Mayor Quimby hires him as his body guard. Homer gets Fat Tony locked up for giving rat milk to Springfield Elementary. At a musical, Fat Tony swears to get revenge, and does on Mayor Quimby, despite Homer's efforts at protecting him.
[*]Viva Ned Flanders: 4.5/5 Flanders realizes he has wasted 60 years of his life doing absolutely nothing, and Homer takes him to Las Vegas to do something exciting. While there, Homer and Ned get drunk. They wake up finding out they have two wives. They get kicked out of Nevada, and walk home.
[*]Wild Barts Can't Be Broken: 4.5/5 The kids get a curfew for doing something they didn't do, and do a huge protest throughout Springfield. Soon, the kids pretty much run Springfield, but they are soon stopped. Eventually, there is a curfew for anybody under the age of 70. ( It's tough rating this episode because the beginning half of the episode is really the best part. )
[*]Sunday, Cruddy Sunday: 4.75/5 Homer gets tickets to the Super Bowl, but they turn out to be fake. Homer and a group of friends break into the Super Bowl and get arrested. Dolly Parton breaks them out, and they manage to get into the locker room for the after party.
Homer to the Max: 4/5 Homer watches a TV show called Police Cops that has a main character named Homer Simpson. Homer likes being well-known, but Police Cops changes their character from an intelligent cop, into an ignoramus. Homer then changes his name to Max Drive, but then changes it back.
[*]I'm With Cupid: 4.5/5 Apu tries to make up to his wife Manjula by giving her 7 presents, one a day, for the week of Valentine's Day. Everyone in Springfield becomes jealous, and Homer tries to prevent Apu from writing I <3 Manjula in the sky.
[*]Marge Simpson in: "Screaming Yellow Honkers": 4.75/5 Homer buys a Canyonero SUV, but finds out it's a "Soccer Mom" car, and Marge starts driving it. She starts becoming aggressive behind the wheel, and gets stamped with road rage, which she needs to take a class for. Rhino's start stampeding at a zoo that Homer, Bart, and Lisa are at due to a stupid mistake by Homer, and Marge comes to the rescue.
[*]Make Room For Lisa: 4.75/5 Homer ruins the Bill of Rights and a company called Omnitouch builds a cell phone tower right on the roof. The control room takes over Lisa's room, causing her to move into Bart's room. Lisa and Homer end up in sensory deprivation tanks. Lisa realizes she has been too hard on Homer, and in the end Homer takes her to a demolition derby.
[*]Maximum Homerdrive: 5/5 Homer eats a "Sirloin A Lot" steak in a contest between a defending truck driver. The driver dies, and Homer feels bad, so takes himself and Bart into his truck to take over his shipment. Meanwhile, Marge and Lisa buy a new doorbell that constantly rings and doesn't stop. Homer confronts a group of truck drivers who tell him that there is a thing on the trucks that drive it for the driver automatically. Homer promises not to tell, but does anyway. Soon, all the truck drivers in Springfield are after him, but he gets away.
The Simpsons Bible Stories: 4/5 While at church, Marge, Lisa, and Bart, fall asleep and dream about biblical stories. Marge: Dreams she is Eve and Homer is Adam. Lisa: Dreams that her and Milhouse rule Egypt. Bart: Spoofs himself as David taking on Goliath. I would give this episode a lower rating for its absolutely bizarre and unrealistic Treehouse of Horror ending, but the stories are pretty good.
Mom and Pop Art: 3.75/5 Homer buys a bareque pit that he has to make himself, and makes it incorrectly. On his way to take it back, a woman says it's artwork, and Homer starts making more mistakes as art. Homer's fans become bored of his repetitiousness so he decides to flood Springfield for attention. I really liked the beginning of this episode, about the first 1/3, but the last 2/3 I really didn't care for.
[*]The Old Man and the "C" Student: 4.75/5 After Bart ruins the opportunity for the Olympics to come to Springfield, every child gets 20 hours of community service. Bart and Lisa work at the Retirement Castle. Bart decides the old people need more fun in their lives, and rents a yacht. As the boat sinks, Homer's springs save them.
Monty Can't Buy Me Love: 4.25/5 Burns gets angry that he isn't a popular billionaire, and flies out to Scotland to find the Lochness Monster, and bring it back to Springfield.
[*]They Saved Lisa's Brain: 4.5/5 Lisa and a group of the most intelligent people in Springfield and control the city; Homer takes sexy pictures for Marge.
[*]Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo: 4.75/5 The Simpsons get tickets to go to Tokyo. While there, they lose their money, and have to participate on a Japanese game show to get plane tickets back to Springfield
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Well, it took me nine days of steady watching, but I finished the season. I honestly think season 10 is one of the best Simpsons seasons ever. After looking back, there are 15 "Season Greats" - 15! That is more than half of the season. Another positive side to this season is that there are very few bad episodes. The bonus features on this DVD are also cool too, including all the prank calls done by Bart to Moe's Tavern through the years, a sneak peek at how they draw the DVD menus, and Buttfinger commercials, as well as the Australian CC's chips commercials, and more. I did notice, however, that Matt Groening missed several commentaries this season, which I thought was strange since he only missed a few total the previous nine seasons. Still, The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season is somewhere in my top four season DVDs for the Simpsons now. Definitely well worth picking up.
4.75/5
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[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
[*]Lard of the Dance: 4.75/5 Homer finds out that grease can be sold for money, and takes Bart out of school to do it as a side job; Lisa can't find a partner for her school dance, but finds out it doesn't matter in the end because the boys don't want to dance with the girls, and vice versa.
[*]The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace: 4.75/5 Homer realizes he has wasted half of his life doing absolutely nothing, and become fond of Thomas Edison. Homer ends up inventing, for the most part, useless and stupid inventions, with the exception of a hammer than Thomas Edison gets credit for in the end.
[*]Bart The Mother: 4.5/5 Bart accidentally shoots a bird he didn't mean to, and he decides to take care of the eggs. He eventually finds out, though, that the eggs aren't bird eggs, but lizard eggs. The town wants to kill the lizards because they kill the birds in Springfield, but Bart wants to keep them. Eventually, the lizards find a way to freedom, mass produce, and kill birds again.
~~~~~~~~~~
Treehouse of Horror IX:
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[*]Hells Toupee: 4.5/5 Snake is executed for getting "3 strikes" at the Quik-E-Mart and vows to have revenge on Apu and Moe. Homer gets a hair transplant, and takes half of the form of Snake. Homer kills Apu and Moe, and while trying to kill Bart, Homer pulls the wig off, turning back to normal.
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[*]The Terror of Tiny Toon: 4.5/5 Bart puts a plutonium rod inside the families remote control for the TV and he and Lisa eventually end up in an Itchy and Scratchy show, where Itchy and Scratchy want to kill them. Homer eventually "rescues" them.
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Starship Poopers" 4.25/5 Maggie grows a fang and tentacles, so Marge tells Homer that Maggie might not be his daughter. Bart suggests they go on the Jerry Springer show to settle the dispute.
~~~~~~~~~~
When You Dish Upon a Star: 4.25/5 Homer bumps into Kim Basinger and Alex Baldwin (Literally) and they decide to make him their butler, pretty much. Homer shares with everyone that he is friends with the two of them, they find out, and they "fire" Homer.
D'oh In The Wind: 3.75/5 Homer finds out his middle name is Jay, and he becomes a hippie. Homer ruins a couple of guys's juice company, but manages to get in back in track in the middle of the night.
[*]Lisa Gets An "A": 4.75/5 Lisa becomes addicted to a video game of Bart's and misses a couple days of school. When she returns, she has to do a test on a book she never read. She meets with Nelson and gets a cheat sheet. Ms. Hoover gives her an A+++. Lisa confesses to cheating but the school gets a grant. Meanwhile, Homer fattens up a lobster to sell for money, but ends up becoming attached to it.
Homer Simpson In: "Kidney Trouble": 4.25/5 Grampa needs a new kidney after holding his pee too long due to Homer's negligence. He agrees to let his dad have one, but he flees right before the operation. On a ship he tells people about his story, and they tossed him overboard because of how despicable he treated his dad. Homer eventually offered to offer Grampa a kidney again, fleed again, and then got crushed by a car, resulting in him having to go to the hospital anyway.
[*]Mayored to the Mob: 4.75/5 Homer kicks nerd ass at a Sci-Fi convention, and Mayor Quimby hires him as his body guard. Homer gets Fat Tony locked up for giving rat milk to Springfield Elementary. At a musical, Fat Tony swears to get revenge, and does on Mayor Quimby, despite Homer's efforts at protecting him.
[*]Viva Ned Flanders: 4.5/5 Flanders realizes he has wasted 60 years of his life doing absolutely nothing, and Homer takes him to Las Vegas to do something exciting. While there, Homer and Ned get drunk. They wake up finding out they have two wives. They get kicked out of Nevada, and walk home.
[*]Wild Barts Can't Be Broken: 4.5/5 The kids get a curfew for doing something they didn't do, and do a huge protest throughout Springfield. Soon, the kids pretty much run Springfield, but they are soon stopped. Eventually, there is a curfew for anybody under the age of 70. ( It's tough rating this episode because the beginning half of the episode is really the best part. )
[*]Sunday, Cruddy Sunday: 4.75/5 Homer gets tickets to the Super Bowl, but they turn out to be fake. Homer and a group of friends break into the Super Bowl and get arrested. Dolly Parton breaks them out, and they manage to get into the locker room for the after party.
Homer to the Max: 4/5 Homer watches a TV show called Police Cops that has a main character named Homer Simpson. Homer likes being well-known, but Police Cops changes their character from an intelligent cop, into an ignoramus. Homer then changes his name to Max Drive, but then changes it back.
[*]I'm With Cupid: 4.5/5 Apu tries to make up to his wife Manjula by giving her 7 presents, one a day, for the week of Valentine's Day. Everyone in Springfield becomes jealous, and Homer tries to prevent Apu from writing I <3 Manjula in the sky.
[*]Marge Simpson in: "Screaming Yellow Honkers": 4.75/5 Homer buys a Canyonero SUV, but finds out it's a "Soccer Mom" car, and Marge starts driving it. She starts becoming aggressive behind the wheel, and gets stamped with road rage, which she needs to take a class for. Rhino's start stampeding at a zoo that Homer, Bart, and Lisa are at due to a stupid mistake by Homer, and Marge comes to the rescue.
[*]Make Room For Lisa: 4.75/5 Homer ruins the Bill of Rights and a company called Omnitouch builds a cell phone tower right on the roof. The control room takes over Lisa's room, causing her to move into Bart's room. Lisa and Homer end up in sensory deprivation tanks. Lisa realizes she has been too hard on Homer, and in the end Homer takes her to a demolition derby.
[*]Maximum Homerdrive: 5/5 Homer eats a "Sirloin A Lot" steak in a contest between a defending truck driver. The driver dies, and Homer feels bad, so takes himself and Bart into his truck to take over his shipment. Meanwhile, Marge and Lisa buy a new doorbell that constantly rings and doesn't stop. Homer confronts a group of truck drivers who tell him that there is a thing on the trucks that drive it for the driver automatically. Homer promises not to tell, but does anyway. Soon, all the truck drivers in Springfield are after him, but he gets away.
The Simpsons Bible Stories: 4/5 While at church, Marge, Lisa, and Bart, fall asleep and dream about biblical stories. Marge: Dreams she is Eve and Homer is Adam. Lisa: Dreams that her and Milhouse rule Egypt. Bart: Spoofs himself as David taking on Goliath. I would give this episode a lower rating for its absolutely bizarre and unrealistic Treehouse of Horror ending, but the stories are pretty good.
Mom and Pop Art: 3.75/5 Homer buys a bareque pit that he has to make himself, and makes it incorrectly. On his way to take it back, a woman says it's artwork, and Homer starts making more mistakes as art. Homer's fans become bored of his repetitiousness so he decides to flood Springfield for attention. I really liked the beginning of this episode, about the first 1/3, but the last 2/3 I really didn't care for.
[*]The Old Man and the "C" Student: 4.75/5 After Bart ruins the opportunity for the Olympics to come to Springfield, every child gets 20 hours of community service. Bart and Lisa work at the Retirement Castle. Bart decides the old people need more fun in their lives, and rents a yacht. As the boat sinks, Homer's springs save them.
Monty Can't Buy Me Love: 4.25/5 Burns gets angry that he isn't a popular billionaire, and flies out to Scotland to find the Lochness Monster, and bring it back to Springfield.
[*]They Saved Lisa's Brain: 4.5/5 Lisa and a group of the most intelligent people in Springfield and control the city; Homer takes sexy pictures for Marge.
[*]Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo: 4.75/5 The Simpsons get tickets to go to Tokyo. While there, they lose their money, and have to participate on a Japanese game show to get plane tickets back to Springfield
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Well, it took me nine days of steady watching, but I finished the season. I honestly think season 10 is one of the best Simpsons seasons ever. After looking back, there are 15 "Season Greats" - 15! That is more than half of the season. Another positive side to this season is that there are very few bad episodes. The bonus features on this DVD are also cool too, including all the prank calls done by Bart to Moe's Tavern through the years, a sneak peek at how they draw the DVD menus, and Buttfinger commercials, as well as the Australian CC's chips commercials, and more. I did notice, however, that Matt Groening missed several commentaries this season, which I thought was strange since he only missed a few total the previous nine seasons. Still, The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season is somewhere in my top four season DVDs for the Simpsons now. Definitely well worth picking up.
4.75/5
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Game Review: Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80's
NOTE: This will likely be my last review of a PS2 game.
Graphics: 4/5 Slightly improved, but for the most part, look the same. The venues look the same but with a few added things around it to make it look like it's set in the 80's. The characters also have an 80's look. Still looks a lot like Guitar Hero II.
Sound: 4/5 The sound varies in this game. The covers go from pretty bad to decently good. Many of the songs are good ones, but not fun ones to play on Guitar Hero.
Control: 4/5 The game feels just like any other Guitar Hero game. On expert the game plays very well like always.
Fun: 4/5 Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80's is, to me, a dissapointment. Only about 1/3 of the songs are fun to play, another third are okay to play occasionally, and the last third are absolute terrible to play. Rocks The 80's will be bought no matter what by a huge Guitar Hero fan, but is it really worth playing a good 10 songs for $50?
4/5
Graphics: 4/5 Slightly improved, but for the most part, look the same. The venues look the same but with a few added things around it to make it look like it's set in the 80's. The characters also have an 80's look. Still looks a lot like Guitar Hero II.
Sound: 4/5 The sound varies in this game. The covers go from pretty bad to decently good. Many of the songs are good ones, but not fun ones to play on Guitar Hero.
Control: 4/5 The game feels just like any other Guitar Hero game. On expert the game plays very well like always.
Fun: 4/5 Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80's is, to me, a dissapointment. Only about 1/3 of the songs are fun to play, another third are okay to play occasionally, and the last third are absolute terrible to play. Rocks The 80's will be bought no matter what by a huge Guitar Hero fan, but is it really worth playing a good 10 songs for $50?
4/5
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Game Review ( Bomberman LIVE - 360 Arcade )
Graphics: 4.25/5 Kept pretty simple, but they look very sharp. The maps vary greatly and look well done, and the explosions from the bombs are pretty simple, but sexy.
Sound: 4.5/5 FANTASTIC for an XBLA game. The music is different pretty much anywhere you go, and changes depending on the map. The announcer gets annoying if you play for long periods, but still, Bomberman LIVE sounds very good.
Control: 4.5/5 Simple - ALMOST too simple. Walk around behind walls, press A. That's just about all you have to do - except when you get certain power-ups. You can kick and throw bombs and other objects, also.
Fun: 4.5/5 Bomberman LIVE may very well be the best game in the XBLA as of today. You can play with up to 8 players on Xbox Live with little to no lag most of the time, there are leaderboards that are very in depth, and you can even customize your character. All you have to do is play Bomberman LIVE, find "costume bells", and you can change the look of your Bomberman. This game is an absolute STEAL at only 800 MSP. You will likely be logging many, many hours into Bomberman LIVE - and you won't even realize it.
4.5/5
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Achievement Difficulty: 8/10
One of the toughest arcade games to get achievements for. Most of the achievements are ones that will take a long time, and/or some friends to get. For example, "Girl Power!" and "The Good, The Bad, And The Bombed" require you to dress up entirely in an outfit, and do something specifically in a match. The odds of ever getting the achievements out of the blue would be EXTREMELY rare. There are some more hard achievements to get. Winning consecutive games isn't easy period, and you have to now do it on Xbox Live. Bomberman LIVE has some VERY tough achievements, so an achievement whore wouldn't want to play it then? No. Bomberman LIVE is so good anyone would play this game for a decent period of time.
Sound: 4.5/5 FANTASTIC for an XBLA game. The music is different pretty much anywhere you go, and changes depending on the map. The announcer gets annoying if you play for long periods, but still, Bomberman LIVE sounds very good.
Control: 4.5/5 Simple - ALMOST too simple. Walk around behind walls, press A. That's just about all you have to do - except when you get certain power-ups. You can kick and throw bombs and other objects, also.
Fun: 4.5/5 Bomberman LIVE may very well be the best game in the XBLA as of today. You can play with up to 8 players on Xbox Live with little to no lag most of the time, there are leaderboards that are very in depth, and you can even customize your character. All you have to do is play Bomberman LIVE, find "costume bells", and you can change the look of your Bomberman. This game is an absolute STEAL at only 800 MSP. You will likely be logging many, many hours into Bomberman LIVE - and you won't even realize it.
4.5/5
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Achievement Difficulty: 8/10
One of the toughest arcade games to get achievements for. Most of the achievements are ones that will take a long time, and/or some friends to get. For example, "Girl Power!" and "The Good, The Bad, And The Bombed" require you to dress up entirely in an outfit, and do something specifically in a match. The odds of ever getting the achievements out of the blue would be EXTREMELY rare. There are some more hard achievements to get. Winning consecutive games isn't easy period, and you have to now do it on Xbox Live. Bomberman LIVE has some VERY tough achievements, so an achievement whore wouldn't want to play it then? No. Bomberman LIVE is so good anyone would play this game for a decent period of time.
Game Review ( Small Arms - 360 Arcade )
Graphics: 4.5/5 This game looks purely like an Xbox 360 title - you wouldn't even know it was from the arcade. The colors look good, the characters ( for the most part ) look really cool, and most of the maps are nice to look at.
Sound: 4.25/5 Pretty sharp. The guns sound like... guns, and each of the 12 characters talk here and there. The music also fits the game very well. Still, the sound could be better.
Control: 4.5/5 Think of Small Arms as Super Smash Bros. with guns. That's almost exactly what this game is. You use the right analog stick to aim, right and left triggers to shoot, X to melee, and so on. Small Arms controls are probably the best of any game in the XBLA.
Fun: 4.25/5 The core of Small Arms is really fun, but short unless you have Live. The single player plays ( like I said ) exactly like Super Smash Bros., but after awhile that will get stale. There is also a "Challenge Mode" where you fight waves of opponents, and "Shooting Range" where you shoot targets to get a highscore. Small Arms really is fun offline or on Live, and there is even downloadable content - with more to come, I'm sure. For $10, you can't go wrong with picking this game up.
4.25/5
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Achievement Difficulty: 4/10
Small Arms really has mostly SIMPLE achievements. Complete training, complete mission mode, win 10 matches, and so on, but some may take awhile. The challenge achievements may take awhile to get unless you get lucky and the AI "glitches", which happens sometimes. The AI will randomly spawn and run off the spawn for no reason - this pretty much hands you achievements. Others are self explanatory - win. Just win a certain number of matches and "Achievement Unlocked". This game doesn't have the hardest achievements, but it has ones that are fun to get.
Sound: 4.25/5 Pretty sharp. The guns sound like... guns, and each of the 12 characters talk here and there. The music also fits the game very well. Still, the sound could be better.
Control: 4.5/5 Think of Small Arms as Super Smash Bros. with guns. That's almost exactly what this game is. You use the right analog stick to aim, right and left triggers to shoot, X to melee, and so on. Small Arms controls are probably the best of any game in the XBLA.
Fun: 4.25/5 The core of Small Arms is really fun, but short unless you have Live. The single player plays ( like I said ) exactly like Super Smash Bros., but after awhile that will get stale. There is also a "Challenge Mode" where you fight waves of opponents, and "Shooting Range" where you shoot targets to get a highscore. Small Arms really is fun offline or on Live, and there is even downloadable content - with more to come, I'm sure. For $10, you can't go wrong with picking this game up.
4.25/5
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Achievement Difficulty: 4/10
Small Arms really has mostly SIMPLE achievements. Complete training, complete mission mode, win 10 matches, and so on, but some may take awhile. The challenge achievements may take awhile to get unless you get lucky and the AI "glitches", which happens sometimes. The AI will randomly spawn and run off the spawn for no reason - this pretty much hands you achievements. Others are self explanatory - win. Just win a certain number of matches and "Achievement Unlocked". This game doesn't have the hardest achievements, but it has ones that are fun to get.
Game Review ( Brothers In Arms - DS )
Graphics: 4.25/5 I can tell you right now, the graphics are the only thing that is right in Brothers In Arms. We all know the DS isn't nearly as powerful as the PSP, but the DS really goes far and delivers the best graphics it can without disrupting the gameplay.
Sound: 3.5/5 The guns sound alright, the music is okay too, but ( obviously ) there are subtitles instead of audio for messages. Sounds okay, but it's overall really quiet.
Control: 2.5/5 At first, the game seemed to control great, but quickly, you will find yourself dying when it's not even your fault. You're supposed to be able to walk up to something for cover, but 80% of the time your guy will jump over it instead of into it, which will cause you hopping back and forth over something until you finally die. The aiming system is unique and works well, but the main reason this game fails is because of the controls.
Fun: 2.5/5 Brothers In Arms had potential to be one of the few great shooters on the DS. It looks and sounds like it would be good - hell, it has almost the exact same idea behind it as Call of Duty 2 and 3 did. There are 3 campaigns that you can play, but after that, all you can do it try to get unlockables by playing back through. There is multiplayer, but it's not infrastructure, so you're left just playing with people nearby. Brothers In Arms is one dissapointing game.
2.5/5
Sound: 3.5/5 The guns sound alright, the music is okay too, but ( obviously ) there are subtitles instead of audio for messages. Sounds okay, but it's overall really quiet.
Control: 2.5/5 At first, the game seemed to control great, but quickly, you will find yourself dying when it's not even your fault. You're supposed to be able to walk up to something for cover, but 80% of the time your guy will jump over it instead of into it, which will cause you hopping back and forth over something until you finally die. The aiming system is unique and works well, but the main reason this game fails is because of the controls.
Fun: 2.5/5 Brothers In Arms had potential to be one of the few great shooters on the DS. It looks and sounds like it would be good - hell, it has almost the exact same idea behind it as Call of Duty 2 and 3 did. There are 3 campaigns that you can play, but after that, all you can do it try to get unlockables by playing back through. There is multiplayer, but it's not infrastructure, so you're left just playing with people nearby. Brothers In Arms is one dissapointing game.
2.5/5
Friday, July 13, 2007
My preview ratings of some of the games that were at E3.
As we all know, E3 just ended, but I'm sure a lot of people watched the stuff on G4. The number I put is from 1-5 on a "Psych Meter", meaning obviously how badly I want the game.
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Halo 3: 4/5 Halo 3 is likely the biggest launch in game history. However, I kind of fell out of the "want" for Halo 3. There is nothing we know about the story, the online will be great like in Halo 2, but I'm just not THAT excited about it... yet.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl: 4/5 I haven't seen much on this game, but I've been wanting to play a SSB game way back just after Melee came out. Looks pretty good, but again, don't know a lot about it.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: 5/5 Infinity Ward is back into the CoD franchise, but this time they go from the history books to modern times. Call of Duty 4 looks absolutely amazing. The RPG elements that go into online play sound super cool, and the graphics are nothing short of spectacular. Definitely dying to play this.
Assassin's Creed: 4/5 I had no idea what this game was until E3. I had no interest in it - mainly because I didn't even know what it was - but It actually looks like it will be a very good game. Don't know TOO much about it, but it looks very good and should be top notch... I mean, it's made by Ubisoft, so you know it will be.
Grand Theft Auto IV: 4/5 So, it takes place in New York. That's all about I know - or most people know, for that matter. Still, who doesn't want to get their hands on this game? Looks great.
Super Mario Galaxy: 3/5 Not so interested in this game - for whatever reason. Call me crazy - but I don't understand the game at ALL. So what, you're Mario... in outer space... running around planets or something? Doesn't seem interesting to me. The game looks good, but let it prove me completely wrong when the game is released in November.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock: 5/5 Six out of five, anybody? I'm MORE THAN DYING to play this game - I've been playing GH2 on the PS2 and 360 for what seems AGES... I want to play something new! Guitar Hero III looks to me the ultimate Guitar Hero experience. Enhanced graphics, new and better songs, online play, improved multiplayer in general, and boss battles with legends including... SLASH! This game will be a blast, for sure.
Rock Band: 5/5 This for me goes up and beyond what I'm expecting from Guitar Hero III because of one obvious reason - it's the whole band! Not just that, but you can join or create a band online, make a band name, make your own apparel and logo - this will be an amazing game - AND there will be downloadable tracks every week! Must have game right here.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: 4/5 All I got from the trailer is that you play as Darth Vader's apprentice - that right there sold me. I have no idea what kind of game this is, though, ( Action? Action adventure? RPG? ) but one thing is for certain - I want it. It's a Star War's game, and it looks sweet.
Mario Kart Wii: 4/5 No one knows much about this game since it was so briefly shown at E3, but HEY - It's Mario Kart, it comes packaged with a steering wheel, and it's confirmed to have online multiplayer. Those reasons alone should make any Nintendo fan drool.
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames: 4/5 There isn't much buzz about this game right now, but this game is going to be almost a guaranteed award winning title if you ask me. The game looked GREAT in videos, and there is hop-in/hop-out co-op multiplayer. Mercenaries 1 was almost perfect - JUST lacking multiplayer. Now we have it. You know what that means...
Tony Hawk's Proving Grounds: 3/5 Another Tony Hawk game, huh? Meh. Tony Hawk games have just been becoming worthy rentals for me recently, and I don't see what should make this game more special. Sure, you can choose your career path... but what else could we possibly see in this game besides new levels? We'll have to see.
Burnout Paradise: 4/5 Burnout is one of my ( if not my ) all-time favorite racing game franchises ever. Get a car, blast it at wicked speeds, and fly through or into intersections with great results either way. Not too much known about this game, but there will be a mug-shot feature enabling you to see the person you made crash's face, and you can save them. The worst thing about Burnout Paradise? We have to wait until "Winter" to get it.
The Orange Box: 2/5 It's Half-Life 2 with some extras in the bag. When I first learned about this game awhile back, I was totally stoked about getting it. But lately, I honestly wouldn't want to do more than rent it. Team Fortress 2 looks fantastic, but I wouldn't pay $50 for just that.
The Simpsons Game: 4/5 Not getting much hype - at all. Looks great, and it's The Simpsons. Maybe the last two words of that sentence scares people off. The Simpsons hasn't had the best video games of late, but this one may be different. Maybe my hype over the movie is what makes me want this game, too.
Medal of Honor: Airborne: 4/5 I thought this game was coming out awhile back, but it still hasn't been released. Well, E3 made me want this game even more. You get on a plane, jump out, and start the level from where you land. If that's not good enough, there's obviously multiplayer, and VERY spiffy graphics.
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And that's about it. There are a few games out there that look interesting, but they aren't coming out for awhile.
-47
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Halo 3: 4/5 Halo 3 is likely the biggest launch in game history. However, I kind of fell out of the "want" for Halo 3. There is nothing we know about the story, the online will be great like in Halo 2, but I'm just not THAT excited about it... yet.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl: 4/5 I haven't seen much on this game, but I've been wanting to play a SSB game way back just after Melee came out. Looks pretty good, but again, don't know a lot about it.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: 5/5 Infinity Ward is back into the CoD franchise, but this time they go from the history books to modern times. Call of Duty 4 looks absolutely amazing. The RPG elements that go into online play sound super cool, and the graphics are nothing short of spectacular. Definitely dying to play this.
Assassin's Creed: 4/5 I had no idea what this game was until E3. I had no interest in it - mainly because I didn't even know what it was - but It actually looks like it will be a very good game. Don't know TOO much about it, but it looks very good and should be top notch... I mean, it's made by Ubisoft, so you know it will be.
Grand Theft Auto IV: 4/5 So, it takes place in New York. That's all about I know - or most people know, for that matter. Still, who doesn't want to get their hands on this game? Looks great.
Super Mario Galaxy: 3/5 Not so interested in this game - for whatever reason. Call me crazy - but I don't understand the game at ALL. So what, you're Mario... in outer space... running around planets or something? Doesn't seem interesting to me. The game looks good, but let it prove me completely wrong when the game is released in November.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock: 5/5 Six out of five, anybody? I'm MORE THAN DYING to play this game - I've been playing GH2 on the PS2 and 360 for what seems AGES... I want to play something new! Guitar Hero III looks to me the ultimate Guitar Hero experience. Enhanced graphics, new and better songs, online play, improved multiplayer in general, and boss battles with legends including... SLASH! This game will be a blast, for sure.
Rock Band: 5/5 This for me goes up and beyond what I'm expecting from Guitar Hero III because of one obvious reason - it's the whole band! Not just that, but you can join or create a band online, make a band name, make your own apparel and logo - this will be an amazing game - AND there will be downloadable tracks every week! Must have game right here.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: 4/5 All I got from the trailer is that you play as Darth Vader's apprentice - that right there sold me. I have no idea what kind of game this is, though, ( Action? Action adventure? RPG? ) but one thing is for certain - I want it. It's a Star War's game, and it looks sweet.
Mario Kart Wii: 4/5 No one knows much about this game since it was so briefly shown at E3, but HEY - It's Mario Kart, it comes packaged with a steering wheel, and it's confirmed to have online multiplayer. Those reasons alone should make any Nintendo fan drool.
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames: 4/5 There isn't much buzz about this game right now, but this game is going to be almost a guaranteed award winning title if you ask me. The game looked GREAT in videos, and there is hop-in/hop-out co-op multiplayer. Mercenaries 1 was almost perfect - JUST lacking multiplayer. Now we have it. You know what that means...
Tony Hawk's Proving Grounds: 3/5 Another Tony Hawk game, huh? Meh. Tony Hawk games have just been becoming worthy rentals for me recently, and I don't see what should make this game more special. Sure, you can choose your career path... but what else could we possibly see in this game besides new levels? We'll have to see.
Burnout Paradise: 4/5 Burnout is one of my ( if not my ) all-time favorite racing game franchises ever. Get a car, blast it at wicked speeds, and fly through or into intersections with great results either way. Not too much known about this game, but there will be a mug-shot feature enabling you to see the person you made crash's face, and you can save them. The worst thing about Burnout Paradise? We have to wait until "Winter" to get it.
The Orange Box: 2/5 It's Half-Life 2 with some extras in the bag. When I first learned about this game awhile back, I was totally stoked about getting it. But lately, I honestly wouldn't want to do more than rent it. Team Fortress 2 looks fantastic, but I wouldn't pay $50 for just that.
The Simpsons Game: 4/5 Not getting much hype - at all. Looks great, and it's The Simpsons. Maybe the last two words of that sentence scares people off. The Simpsons hasn't had the best video games of late, but this one may be different. Maybe my hype over the movie is what makes me want this game, too.
Medal of Honor: Airborne: 4/5 I thought this game was coming out awhile back, but it still hasn't been released. Well, E3 made me want this game even more. You get on a plane, jump out, and start the level from where you land. If that's not good enough, there's obviously multiplayer, and VERY spiffy graphics.
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And that's about it. There are a few games out there that look interesting, but they aren't coming out for awhile.
-47
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Game Review ( Guitar Hero 2 Track Pack 4 - 360 Arcade )
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Track Pack: 4
"I Wanna Be Sedated" - The Ramones
"Smoke on the Water" - Deep Purple
"You've Got Another Thing Comin'" - Judas Priest
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Track Pack 4 was released on July 11th - exactly three months after the first three were released - and I was actually dissapointed with this track pack. The songs are very easy. ( even on expert )
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"I Wanna Be Sedated": 3.5/5 Not a fun song to play. 90-95% of the whole song is just constant chords, and it's really repetetive. ( What do you want, it's the Ramones ) I can beat this song without missing a note just by strumming one way. ( even though it does start to hurt ) I'd say this is the worst song of all 12 of the downloadable songs available.
"Smoke on the Water": 4/5 Smoke on the Water... a classic song, but REALLY repetetive in Guitar Hero. The solo isn't too bad, it's probably the best part. Still, Smoke on the Water is a classic song and plays decently.
"You've Got Another Thing Comin'": 4.25/5 My favorite song of the three. I've liked Judas Priest for the longest time, and it was pretty nice to play Y.G.A.T.C. in the original Guitar Hero. The song still plays well this time around, and it's fun.
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Overall, the GH2 Track Pack 4 is somewhat dissapointing. Hardcore Guitar Hero fans will buy every pack - no matter what songs are included, so that doesn't matter, but those of you who aren't willing to fork out 500 MSP for just three songs will likely not have much interest here. Another big flaw about this track pack is that there are NO leaderboards for the three songs. The songs are listed on the leaderboards, but there is nothing there to see. So leaderboard whores, you're S.O.L. My overall recommendation: Wait for the next track pack or buy one or more of the previous packs released if you haven't already. This one should be easy to pass up.
3.75/5
Track Pack: 4
"I Wanna Be Sedated" - The Ramones
"Smoke on the Water" - Deep Purple
"You've Got Another Thing Comin'" - Judas Priest
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Track Pack 4 was released on July 11th - exactly three months after the first three were released - and I was actually dissapointed with this track pack. The songs are very easy. ( even on expert )
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"I Wanna Be Sedated": 3.5/5 Not a fun song to play. 90-95% of the whole song is just constant chords, and it's really repetetive. ( What do you want, it's the Ramones ) I can beat this song without missing a note just by strumming one way. ( even though it does start to hurt ) I'd say this is the worst song of all 12 of the downloadable songs available.
"Smoke on the Water": 4/5 Smoke on the Water... a classic song, but REALLY repetetive in Guitar Hero. The solo isn't too bad, it's probably the best part. Still, Smoke on the Water is a classic song and plays decently.
"You've Got Another Thing Comin'": 4.25/5 My favorite song of the three. I've liked Judas Priest for the longest time, and it was pretty nice to play Y.G.A.T.C. in the original Guitar Hero. The song still plays well this time around, and it's fun.
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Overall, the GH2 Track Pack 4 is somewhat dissapointing. Hardcore Guitar Hero fans will buy every pack - no matter what songs are included, so that doesn't matter, but those of you who aren't willing to fork out 500 MSP for just three songs will likely not have much interest here. Another big flaw about this track pack is that there are NO leaderboards for the three songs. The songs are listed on the leaderboards, but there is nothing there to see. So leaderboard whores, you're S.O.L. My overall recommendation: Wait for the next track pack or buy one or more of the previous packs released if you haven't already. This one should be easy to pass up.
3.75/5
Monday, July 09, 2007
Game Review ( Mad Tracks - 360 Arcade )
Graphics: 3.5/5 The game rarely if ever slows down, but the graphics aren't all that great - they are really bland.
Sound: 3.5/5 Okay soundtrack, but it gets old after awhile. Still, it sounds better than most XBLA titles.
Control: 4/5 Controls are done pretty well, and they are somewhat frustrating for this reason, believe it or not. Still, the controls work very well with most of the games.
Fun: 3.75/5 Surprisingly fun game. There are 15 different mini-games, ( There are I believe 24 now thanks to new downloadable content ) many of which are just "meh". I highly recommend you play this game with a friend or on XBL because the game won't last long if you play it just on single player.
3.75/5
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Achievement Difficulty: 6/10 Just about anyone can easily get 90 points out of this game, but some aren't so easy. Ones where you have to collect items and finish the race are hard because the pieces seem impossible to get, and the "Ultra Fast Food" achievement I SWEAR to you is impossible. This really isn't an achievement getting XBLA title.
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Sound: 3.5/5 Okay soundtrack, but it gets old after awhile. Still, it sounds better than most XBLA titles.
Control: 4/5 Controls are done pretty well, and they are somewhat frustrating for this reason, believe it or not. Still, the controls work very well with most of the games.
Fun: 3.75/5 Surprisingly fun game. There are 15 different mini-games, ( There are I believe 24 now thanks to new downloadable content ) many of which are just "meh". I highly recommend you play this game with a friend or on XBL because the game won't last long if you play it just on single player.
3.75/5
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Achievement Difficulty: 6/10 Just about anyone can easily get 90 points out of this game, but some aren't so easy. Ones where you have to collect items and finish the race are hard because the pieces seem impossible to get, and the "Ultra Fast Food" achievement I SWEAR to you is impossible. This really isn't an achievement getting XBLA title.
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Friday, June 29, 2007
Game Review ( Shrek The Third - 360 )
Graphics: 3/5 While the character models look pretty decent, and the worlds do too, they just don't look nearly as good as they could, since this is an Xbox 360. Also, there are no expressions when the people talk. The mouth moves, and that's about it.
Sound: 3/5 The actors voices sound very good at times, but often they don't, and you can tell they aren't the real actors.
Control: 3/5 Hop around with A and press X to attack. That's about all you do. Pretty repetetive controls.
Fun: 3/5 The mini-games are fun, but only for a short period and the story won't take the average gamer 2-3 days to beat at most. However, there are unlockables such as costumes, commentary, and other difficulties. ( Two that you need to purchase to get the achievements ) Shrek The Third is only really worth a rental and nothing more - the game is just way too shallow and it's really not interesting at all, either.
3/5
Sound: 3/5 The actors voices sound very good at times, but often they don't, and you can tell they aren't the real actors.
Control: 3/5 Hop around with A and press X to attack. That's about all you do. Pretty repetetive controls.
Fun: 3/5 The mini-games are fun, but only for a short period and the story won't take the average gamer 2-3 days to beat at most. However, there are unlockables such as costumes, commentary, and other difficulties. ( Two that you need to purchase to get the achievements ) Shrek The Third is only really worth a rental and nothing more - the game is just way too shallow and it's really not interesting at all, either.
3/5
Game Review ( Rainbow Six Vegas: Red Edition - 360 )
The "Red Pack" was released April 18th and I just thought I'd review it along with the Black Pack.
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The Red Pack costs 800 MSP ( $10 ) and features two new modes, Assassination and Conquest. In Assassination, the defending team has to extract a VIP ( Who is randomly chosen among the group of players on that team ) to one of two extraction points. In Conquest, you have to capture satelites. There are three on each map, and whoever gets to the set score first wins the match. The pack also includes 3 new maps: "Doscala Restaurant" , "Marshalling Yard" , and "Roofs", and two old maps dubbed "Redux". Border Town and Killhouse get re designed, but you can still play the original version of each both maps.
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Assassination: 5/5 A fantastic new mode. It's quite unoriginal, but it's perfect for R6V. But why does the VIP look like Dr. Phil?
Conquest: 4/5 A solid addition. Not many people play Conquest, but it's a pretty cool mode, but it's nothing special.
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Doscala Restaurant: 5/5 One of the BEST maps in the whole game. Doscala Restaurant is what it is - an Italian restaurant inside Las Vegas. On this map, there is the whole restaurant, a mini-casino, and you can go outside the restaurant onto the streets and into a parking garage. Amazing map - one of the best, if not the best map in the game. Map Size: Small/Medium
Marshalling Yard: 4/5 Marshalling Yard is basically a a train station with a lot of buildings around. It's a good map, but a lot better with a lot of people. There is no real mode that works best with Marshalling Yard, but I'd say Assassination plays well on it. Map Size: Very Big
Roof: 3.5/5 Just another one of "these". Roof is almost like the map designers threw Presidio and Kill House into one. ( Of course, Presidio was released in the Black pack, but still... ) A pretty boring map. Map Size: Pretty Small
Border Town (Redux): 3.75/5 Border Town is the first of two Redux maps in this pack. The map is a little bit different - it takes place at a different time of day, and one of the spawns changed drastically. I wasn't a fan of Border Town to begin with, and Border Town Redux isn't much better. Map Size: Medium/Big
Killhouse (Redux): 4.25/5 Killhouse - my least favorite Vegas map finally gets redone. Killhouse Redux is about a million times better than the original. It's essentially the same exact map, but there are blue skies, and it's easier to see opponents on the map - this is the way Killhouse should have been from the start. Map Size: Small/Medium
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And that's my review of Vegas: Red Edition. It has two new modes, and some new maps, but only some of the maps are really a lot of fun. Still, Vegas: Red Edition is well worth $10.
4.25/5
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The Red Pack costs 800 MSP ( $10 ) and features two new modes, Assassination and Conquest. In Assassination, the defending team has to extract a VIP ( Who is randomly chosen among the group of players on that team ) to one of two extraction points. In Conquest, you have to capture satelites. There are three on each map, and whoever gets to the set score first wins the match. The pack also includes 3 new maps: "Doscala Restaurant" , "Marshalling Yard" , and "Roofs", and two old maps dubbed "Redux". Border Town and Killhouse get re designed, but you can still play the original version of each both maps.
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Assassination: 5/5 A fantastic new mode. It's quite unoriginal, but it's perfect for R6V. But why does the VIP look like Dr. Phil?
Conquest: 4/5 A solid addition. Not many people play Conquest, but it's a pretty cool mode, but it's nothing special.
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Doscala Restaurant: 5/5 One of the BEST maps in the whole game. Doscala Restaurant is what it is - an Italian restaurant inside Las Vegas. On this map, there is the whole restaurant, a mini-casino, and you can go outside the restaurant onto the streets and into a parking garage. Amazing map - one of the best, if not the best map in the game. Map Size: Small/Medium
Marshalling Yard: 4/5 Marshalling Yard is basically a a train station with a lot of buildings around. It's a good map, but a lot better with a lot of people. There is no real mode that works best with Marshalling Yard, but I'd say Assassination plays well on it. Map Size: Very Big
Roof: 3.5/5 Just another one of "these". Roof is almost like the map designers threw Presidio and Kill House into one. ( Of course, Presidio was released in the Black pack, but still... ) A pretty boring map. Map Size: Pretty Small
Border Town (Redux): 3.75/5 Border Town is the first of two Redux maps in this pack. The map is a little bit different - it takes place at a different time of day, and one of the spawns changed drastically. I wasn't a fan of Border Town to begin with, and Border Town Redux isn't much better. Map Size: Medium/Big
Killhouse (Redux): 4.25/5 Killhouse - my least favorite Vegas map finally gets redone. Killhouse Redux is about a million times better than the original. It's essentially the same exact map, but there are blue skies, and it's easier to see opponents on the map - this is the way Killhouse should have been from the start. Map Size: Small/Medium
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And that's my review of Vegas: Red Edition. It has two new modes, and some new maps, but only some of the maps are really a lot of fun. Still, Vegas: Red Edition is well worth $10.
4.25/5
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Game Review ( Rainbow Six Vegas: Black Edition - 360 )
The Rainbow Six Vegas: Black Edition pack was released 6/26, and for whatever reason, it has been pulled off of the marketplace. Temporarily, or forever, no one knows right now, but this is my review for those of you who didn't get the chance to download it.
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Red Lotus: 5/5 Why not review the best map first? Red Lotus is the best map of the five in my opinion, and one of the best in the game. If you played single player, Red Lotus is that giant red casino you play in. Another fantastic thing about this map is that there's an outside to the map where you can see Fremont Street - it's just too bad you can't go in there. Map size = Medium
Wartown: 4.5/5 Wartown is another great map. The thing some people may not like about it is its gargantuan size - this is easily the biggest map in R6V. The BEST thing about this map is that it... looks like a Wartown - it looks like something straight out of a Call of Duty game. Map size = HUUUGE!
Neon Graveyard: 4.5/5 Another great map here, too. Neon Graveyard is a pretty big map, but there are a lot of different places to go. There's a shack, a building, and a whole outside strip great for shoot outs. This map is good for Conquest. Map size = Somewhat big
Presidio: 3.75/5 One of the worst Vegas maps - Presidio is a map from Rainbow Six 3. This map looks to me basically like another Kill House. Presidio is a small map, and a repetetive map. Not very fun. Map size = Small
Streets: Redux: 4/5 Streets is a very popular R6V map, and it has gotten a re-do. In Streets: Redux, ( Or as I call it: Streedux ) the map is just about 100% the same, still the same map, just night time. I personally didn't like Streets that much to begin with, and I dislike night maps, but this one is actually pretty good.
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There you have it. My review of R6V:BE. As most people know, it costs 800 MSP ( $10 ) and it is WORTH it. If you're a Vegas fan, that means you have already downloaded it, ( most likely ) and even if you're NOT that big of a fan, this pack will definitely add to the longevity. So everyone make sure when the pack comes available again to download it.
4.5/5
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Red Lotus: 5/5 Why not review the best map first? Red Lotus is the best map of the five in my opinion, and one of the best in the game. If you played single player, Red Lotus is that giant red casino you play in. Another fantastic thing about this map is that there's an outside to the map where you can see Fremont Street - it's just too bad you can't go in there. Map size = Medium
Wartown: 4.5/5 Wartown is another great map. The thing some people may not like about it is its gargantuan size - this is easily the biggest map in R6V. The BEST thing about this map is that it... looks like a Wartown - it looks like something straight out of a Call of Duty game. Map size = HUUUGE!
Neon Graveyard: 4.5/5 Another great map here, too. Neon Graveyard is a pretty big map, but there are a lot of different places to go. There's a shack, a building, and a whole outside strip great for shoot outs. This map is good for Conquest. Map size = Somewhat big
Presidio: 3.75/5 One of the worst Vegas maps - Presidio is a map from Rainbow Six 3. This map looks to me basically like another Kill House. Presidio is a small map, and a repetetive map. Not very fun. Map size = Small
Streets: Redux: 4/5 Streets is a very popular R6V map, and it has gotten a re-do. In Streets: Redux, ( Or as I call it: Streedux ) the map is just about 100% the same, still the same map, just night time. I personally didn't like Streets that much to begin with, and I dislike night maps, but this one is actually pretty good.
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There you have it. My review of R6V:BE. As most people know, it costs 800 MSP ( $10 ) and it is WORTH it. If you're a Vegas fan, that means you have already downloaded it, ( most likely ) and even if you're NOT that big of a fan, this pack will definitely add to the longevity. So everyone make sure when the pack comes available again to download it.
4.5/5
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Game Review ( Shadowrun - 360 )
Graphics: 3.75/5 The races look okay, but the lighting, environments, and spells look absolutely awesome - especially the magic smoke. Another plus, the game normally runs smoothly.
Sound: 3.75/5 Above average... the guns sound very good, the explosions do too, the spells... everything passes and it sounds good.
Control: 3.75/5 Although Shadowrun takes a lot of time to get used to ( Swapping magic, tech, and so on ) after awhile it comes fluidly and works well. The game pretty much controls like most FPSs.
Fun: 4.25/5 Shadowrun is just a load of fun. There are 4 races, several weapons, magic, other things you can do to wipe out your opponents. You need to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of every race, and you and your team need to work together, and that is one of a few reasons why this game isn't perfect - you will find a lot of people that play this game like it's Halo and just run out into the battlefield and die right away. You need to stay in groups and help eachother out if you want to succeed. There are also other flaws. Shadowrun only features 9 measly maps, many of which are just average, and only 2 very similar game types. Basically, get the artifact and get it to the extraction. Only 9 maps? 2 game types? This game isn't even worth a rental! Right? Definitely wrong. This game is just so addicting it is worth quite a few rentals. I personally wouldn't fork out $60 for a game that's lacking so much ( no single player, either ) but this game should be played by an XBL player. Another thing in this game that is also quite annoying the the constant random disconnections out of rooms, and the mediocre match making. If you've played Halo, it's very similar. Create or join a party, and then you join a random room on a random map. ( unless you have preferences, a nice addition ) That's enough talking for me - go play Shadowrun.
4.25/5
Sound: 3.75/5 Above average... the guns sound very good, the explosions do too, the spells... everything passes and it sounds good.
Control: 3.75/5 Although Shadowrun takes a lot of time to get used to ( Swapping magic, tech, and so on ) after awhile it comes fluidly and works well. The game pretty much controls like most FPSs.
Fun: 4.25/5 Shadowrun is just a load of fun. There are 4 races, several weapons, magic, other things you can do to wipe out your opponents. You need to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of every race, and you and your team need to work together, and that is one of a few reasons why this game isn't perfect - you will find a lot of people that play this game like it's Halo and just run out into the battlefield and die right away. You need to stay in groups and help eachother out if you want to succeed. There are also other flaws. Shadowrun only features 9 measly maps, many of which are just average, and only 2 very similar game types. Basically, get the artifact and get it to the extraction. Only 9 maps? 2 game types? This game isn't even worth a rental! Right? Definitely wrong. This game is just so addicting it is worth quite a few rentals. I personally wouldn't fork out $60 for a game that's lacking so much ( no single player, either ) but this game should be played by an XBL player. Another thing in this game that is also quite annoying the the constant random disconnections out of rooms, and the mediocre match making. If you've played Halo, it's very similar. Create or join a party, and then you join a random room on a random map. ( unless you have preferences, a nice addition ) That's enough talking for me - go play Shadowrun.
4.25/5
Game Review ( Cartoon Network Racing - DS )
Graphics: 3/5 While the characters look pretty good, most of the tracks are ugly, boring, random, and uninspired. There are some tracks that are based off of TV shows in Cartoon Network, but very few. Only average graphics.
Sound: 2.5/5 Some sample clips of what seem to be the real actors doing voiceovers in this game, but that's about it. There is very annoying and repetetive background music on the tracks too.
Control: 3/5 Hold down A for about 6 minutes for each track, 4 times until the tournament is over. That's about it.
Fun: 3/5 It's hard to recommend this game. There are two mini games that are pretty fun. ( One where you sketch Cartoon Network characters, one that's shuffleboard ) The game is just really missing a lot of what's really neccessary in a good racing game nowadays. The maps for the most part are boring and the weapons are shear ripoffs of the Mario Kart and Diddy Kong Racing series. There are a lot of unlockables, though - there are SEVERAL unlockable racers, two minigames, some episodes of TV shows, and more. Cartoon Network Racing is really only worth a rental, and only maybe a buy for hardcore Cartoon Network fans, or little kids.
3/5
Sound: 2.5/5 Some sample clips of what seem to be the real actors doing voiceovers in this game, but that's about it. There is very annoying and repetetive background music on the tracks too.
Control: 3/5 Hold down A for about 6 minutes for each track, 4 times until the tournament is over. That's about it.
Fun: 3/5 It's hard to recommend this game. There are two mini games that are pretty fun. ( One where you sketch Cartoon Network characters, one that's shuffleboard ) The game is just really missing a lot of what's really neccessary in a good racing game nowadays. The maps for the most part are boring and the weapons are shear ripoffs of the Mario Kart and Diddy Kong Racing series. There are a lot of unlockables, though - there are SEVERAL unlockable racers, two minigames, some episodes of TV shows, and more. Cartoon Network Racing is really only worth a rental, and only maybe a buy for hardcore Cartoon Network fans, or little kids.
3/5
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Game Review Quiki ( Shadowrun DEMO - 360 )
Graphics: 3.75/5
Sound: 3.25/5
Control: 3.5/5
Fun: 4/5
From the demo, I thought Shadowrun was pretty impressive. The graphics are only average, the sound is nothing special, the control takes a LOT of getting used to, but the game is a lot of fun. I will make a whole review if and when I get to play the full version of Shadowrun. From what I've played, this is a good game. Definitely play it.
Sound: 3.25/5
Control: 3.5/5
Fun: 4/5
From the demo, I thought Shadowrun was pretty impressive. The graphics are only average, the sound is nothing special, the control takes a LOT of getting used to, but the game is a lot of fun. I will make a whole review if and when I get to play the full version of Shadowrun. From what I've played, this is a good game. Definitely play it.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Game Review ( The Sims 2 - DS )
In The Sims 2, you play the roll of a lone Sim that takes control of a hotel in Strangetown and it's up to you to keep visitors coming to pile up some money, therefore meaning this Sims game is drastically different than others - you play as one Sim the whole game, and you don't even get to make your own house. However, the game still makes for a surprisingly fun experience.
Graphics: 4.25/5 This game came out in late '05, and it looks pretty good. The rain effects when outside look great, and the game runs great. The colors look nice, and the environments are fantastic. The game's main graphical flaws are in the lack of furniture you can buy, and the HUGE lack of customization on characters.
Sound: 4/5 Sounds alright, quite a bit of music, but you will definitely hear quite a bit of repetition in sounds - especially when chatting with Sims.
Control: 4/5 Above average. The game controls surprisingly well. The camera angles are controled using the shoulder buttons, and there aren't any problems. You can also zoom in and out of your character's perspective, too. Not much to complain about here. Very surprisingly good.
Fun: 3.5/5 The Sims 2 for the DS is a game that should be more rented than bought. There are A LOT of things you can do: play slot machines, play a card game at the casino, scratch lottery tickets, and of course, buy and sell furniture. The overall story is pretty stupid, not the part where you take over the hotel, but when the aliens come into the picture and periodically steal furniture from hotel vistor's rooms - it's just a stupid and useless idea. While this is a good game, it's drastically flawed. You will find yourself with little to do after you buy a new room at city hall - it takes REAL TIME eight hours until you can visit the room - not Sim time - and that is just aggrivating. Also, you will constantly be over playing cards, lottery tickets, slot machines, finding rods, and so on, just to get a few extra bucks in your pocket. You also have to take care of yourself so you don't meet Grim. You have to sleep, bathe, eat, and so on, just to keep "sane". ( There is a "sanity" meter on the bottom of your screen, and when it gets to zero, you respawn in your hotel room. ) The best part about The Sims 2 is its, this will sound stupid, atmosphere. The game's layout is really, really cool. Other than that, this game is just slightly above average. It's a nice step away from other Sims games, but it's only really worth a rental. Overall - good game, many things to do, just repetetive, and there's a lot of time to waste playing this.
3.5/5ish
Graphics: 4.25/5 This game came out in late '05, and it looks pretty good. The rain effects when outside look great, and the game runs great. The colors look nice, and the environments are fantastic. The game's main graphical flaws are in the lack of furniture you can buy, and the HUGE lack of customization on characters.
Sound: 4/5 Sounds alright, quite a bit of music, but you will definitely hear quite a bit of repetition in sounds - especially when chatting with Sims.
Control: 4/5 Above average. The game controls surprisingly well. The camera angles are controled using the shoulder buttons, and there aren't any problems. You can also zoom in and out of your character's perspective, too. Not much to complain about here. Very surprisingly good.
Fun: 3.5/5 The Sims 2 for the DS is a game that should be more rented than bought. There are A LOT of things you can do: play slot machines, play a card game at the casino, scratch lottery tickets, and of course, buy and sell furniture. The overall story is pretty stupid, not the part where you take over the hotel, but when the aliens come into the picture and periodically steal furniture from hotel vistor's rooms - it's just a stupid and useless idea. While this is a good game, it's drastically flawed. You will find yourself with little to do after you buy a new room at city hall - it takes REAL TIME eight hours until you can visit the room - not Sim time - and that is just aggrivating. Also, you will constantly be over playing cards, lottery tickets, slot machines, finding rods, and so on, just to get a few extra bucks in your pocket. You also have to take care of yourself so you don't meet Grim. You have to sleep, bathe, eat, and so on, just to keep "sane". ( There is a "sanity" meter on the bottom of your screen, and when it gets to zero, you respawn in your hotel room. ) The best part about The Sims 2 is its, this will sound stupid, atmosphere. The game's layout is really, really cool. Other than that, this game is just slightly above average. It's a nice step away from other Sims games, but it's only really worth a rental. Overall - good game, many things to do, just repetetive, and there's a lot of time to waste playing this.
3.5/5ish
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