Archive for March, 2009

Review: Afro Samurai

Cel-shading has come a long way. In fact, just a few short years ago whenever it was introduced, it was laughed at. Just look at The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Its reception was lukewarm at best, and much of it had to do with the look of the entire package. Fast forward a few years, and titles such as Prince of Persia and Eternal Sonata are revered for their gorgeous art direction. One thing that can be said about the video game translation of Afro Samurai is that its cel-shaded art oozes style, but tends to lose its direction in terms of substance. Even with that said, this is by far one of the best anime-to-video game releases out there.

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News: iPod Touch/iPhone Becoming Veritable Gaming Platform

It’s no question that Microsoft has a successful gaming console on its hands. The 29 million Xbox 360s that made their way home with proud new owners are evidence of its popularity. As a result, it’s gained tremendous support from a myriad of developers across the board. Now, a familiar contender is rising in popularity. This morning, Apple was pleased to announce that the company has sold a whopping 30 million combined iPod Touch and iPhone units worldwide, surpassing the amount of Xbox 360s currently out in the wild.

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Review: 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

After 50 Cent was given his own video game, most gamers mourned the future. Really? 50 Cent? What, was there no pool of gaming mascots to make a kart racer out of? 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is (of course) Fiddy’s return to the gaming world in a brand new, Gangsta (TM) adventure. However, you should keep your reservations at the door for this one. What is basically a derivative, repetitive, exercise in uttering the F-bomb every five minutes is also one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences I’ve had in quite a while. Perhaps one of the reasons I found so much to love about this game was that it proves you don’t need an artsy, critically-acclaimed title simply to have some fun. Besides, isn’t that what gaming is all about?

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Review: Boing! Docomodake DS

Some games would never work well on any other platform save for the DS. Some are just too silly, or too quirky, or ingenious. This is the case with Boing! Docomodake DS from Ignition. An adorable mascot for a cell phone company turned into an intriguing and equally cute puzzler, Docomodake is a worthy contender for your time and attention. From its infectiously endearing character design to its fun, yet challenging gameplay, it’s a great way to spend some quality time with your DS.

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Review: Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack

Halo 3 is in no danger of losing its steam. With the release of Halo Wars and the pending arrival of Halo: ODST, gamers are still in for real treats regarding the franchise. Recently, I got a chance to check out the Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack, containing three brand new maps ripe for play. Unfortunately, if you find they just might be to your liking, keep in mind that they’re currently only available to those who had the presence of mind to preorder Halo Wars. So, if you haven’t got on that, why not visit a friend who has to get a look at them? In the meantime, I’ve written my impressions of the maps for your reading pleasure.

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