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Tag: review

  • Bastion – Can the Kid save the world?

    I love stories. A good, well told story can make or break a video game regardless of graphics or special features. And Bastion delivers on story. Oh, boy does it deliver on story.

    The gameplay mechanics are a super fun hack-n-slash with a unique platform element. The world literally comes up around you as you move around and fight your baddies. It’s great fun and makes navigating what would have been a complex world a complete joy. There’s a great weapons library and unlocking new weapons requires collecting materials to do so, which works very well and doesn’t feel like a burden or too monotonous.

    But the story. The story shines. The deep history and world comes to life through some of the best narration I’ve ever heard in a game. As you play through the story and accomplish the next objective the narrative kicks in and more of the story is revealed. It’s definitely one of the best story mechanics I’ve ever played. And the soundtrack is fun, fits the game and propels the story and emotions forward. Seriously. The soundtrack is amazing.

    Bastion is a gem. If you haven’t played it yet, pick it up today. If you have played it already, drop me a comment and let me know what you think of the game.

    Bastion is available on PC, Xbox 360, iOS, Mac, Linux and Chrome.

  • L.A. Noire Review

    It’s rough business, but someone has got to do it.

    la_noire

    I’m talking about L.A. Noire, the mysterious new title from Rockstar Games, developed by Team Bandi. And let me tell you, they’ve done a bang-up job.

    Dropped right into the thick of policework in post-world-war-II Los Angeles, rookie officer Cole Phelps has just come home from his service in the war. The story is thick and deep and weaves throught the submissions seamlessly. Like most Rockstar games in the past, story is everything here.

    The game mechanics are awesome too. Have time to develop solid gameplay over the GTA titles it translates perfectly to L.A. Noire. Driving is very fun, although the ability to car-jack or run people over is absent (it IS a cop game now, don’t forget) and the driving feels very smooth. The city is massive and extremely detailed with places like shops and buildings to enter and talk to people. The game centers not around gun play (although it is there too!) but around examining crime scenes, collecting evidence and interviewing suspects and witnesses. While this may sound dull, it most definitely is not. Several times I caught myself extremely involved with the the interview process and racking my brain for the details, trying to make the perp talk and give me what I needed for a conviction.

    L.A. Noire is very liniar, which if you’ve played GTA games in the past is quite different, but not a bad thing. However, once a mission is completed you can return to the main menu and replay that mission, looking for perfection. By collecting all the evidence, interviewing the people correctly and doing as little damage to the city and it’s people in the process, you can earn up to 5 stars on the mission performance reviews. I’ve only earned 4 star reviews so far, but my second playthrough should net some better results on the cases.

    I recommend you check the game out. Keep in mind this game is rated M for a reason. Language, violence and drug use runs throughout the game, but this is the seedy underbelly of L.A. we’re talking about here! Get out there and catch some crooks.

  • Spark 360 Review

    There is a special place in my heart for technology. I’ve grown up around gadgets and gear and spent plenty of time programming, building and replacing hardware and the like. So I love it when technology pieces fit together. One of those pieces is an Android app that brings the joys of Xbox Live to my mobile Android device.

    Spark 360 is an Android application to connect you with your friends and fellow gamers over Xbox Live, even while you’re away from your console. Actually, I use it while I’m on my console as it’s easier to message people with the app than with a controller!

    The interface is clean. Super clean. Beautiful in fact. I can access messages (and send, which is great!), see who’s online and track games I’ve played. There’s even a Microsoft Points conversion tool built in. The latest update offers a favorite users function (just star your close friends in the app and filter for that) and message notifications.

    If you are a gamer and an Android user, Spark is a must have app.