If I’m going to stick with a new FPS, you’ve gotta get me hooked right from the beginning. Grab my attention and give me a reason to plug away at every random baddie who pops up and wants to lodge a bullet between my eyes. Kaos Studios’ Homefront does this, but only during its Call of Duty-esque, heavily stylized introduction, during its schlocky moments of “shocking” violence as a child watches his parents massacred before his eyes, and its initial setup. And as I took up arms and followed some freedom fighters to a temporary safety, that interest dwindled. And dwindled. And dwindled until I was ready to move on, as is often the case with modern shooters that attempt to imitate the greats.
Archive for March, 2011
Impressions: Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
On March 28, 2011
In Impressions, PSP
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The third time out on American shores for the Tactics Ogre franchise is most certainly a charm. Following a fantastic debut on the Super Famicom, the isometric strategy-RPG moved on to the PlayStation, and also the Game Boy Advance for portable tactical battles to take on the go. Square Enix’s dazzling return to form, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together for the PlayStation Portable, is a remake of the original Super Famicom release and later Sega Saturn port that had an entire generation of gamers enamored with its memorable characters, intertwining storylines, and deep gameplay. For what is arguably one of the best tactics adventures ever developed, this PSP edition does the fanbase a fantastic service and makes it even better.
Review: Fallout: New Vegas: Dead Money DLC
On March 25, 2011
In DLC, PC, Review
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Fallout: New Vegas certainly isn’t without fault, but it did serve as a succinct followup to one of my favorite PC adventures of the past few Christmases, Fallout 3. After choosing to go the way of Steam for that adventure and this one in turn, I found myself engrossed in a world I couldn’t quite escape from – until I was met with saving issues and other wonky glitches that desperately needed ironing out. But surviving the wasteland quickly consumes you, and I knew without a doubt I’d be looking forward to the first available DLC. I should have been leery for all intents and purposes once said package, Dead Money, was announced, but as the release date neared and I was given the opportunity to evaluate the latest addition to the Fallout saga, I was ready. But only if Dead Money could transcend the disappointment and feelings of being disenfranchised that Mothership Zeta so readily inspired. I’m happy to say that it does, if only by a tiny bit. It’s not the fantastic “The Pitt” DLC, but it’s a start.
Review: Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!
On March 25, 2011
In PSP, Review
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Etna, fan-favorite Disgaea vixen, has a problem: her panties have been pilfered. This demon princess simply can’t stand for lingerie being lifted, so off fly 1000 Prinnies to retrieve the garments in question. And how are they going to go about it? By collecting rare items (soda cups, anyone?) and trapping the panty-raiding son-of-a-gun by using those gathered items as bait. It’s awkward, it’s hilarious, and it’s, well…expected. Welcome to Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!
Review: Phantom Brave: Heroes of the Hermuda Triangle
On March 25, 2011
In PSP, Review
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Fans of the wildly popular strat-RPG series Disgaea are likely familiar with spinoff of sorts Phantom Brave, which takes much of Disgaea’s quirkiness and attitude and ramps things up a bit with a lighthearted narrative and intuitive sans-grid battle system. It takes a sharp turn from Disgaea in terms of tone and even the way things play out, but rabid NIS fans flock to it for much of the same reason they eagerly devour parts of the Disgaea saga. Phantom Brave: Heroes of the Hermuda Triangle is not the third in what you would assume is a series of Phantom Brave outings, but is in fact the third reissue of the fantastic game that first appeared on the PlayStation 2. After a successful Wii port with substantial upgrades and additional content, NIS America has brought the action to the PSP to take the show on the road. The same source material is here, as well as some new content, but is the third time a charm? Is this the definitive Phantom Brave?