The past few Spider-Man video games have been decent. They weren’t fantastic by any means, but they were but they were playable and even enjoyable. Sure, Spidey was a whiner who loved Mary Jane’s present more than life itself in Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, but the game’s go anywhere and do anything sandbox stylings made for a frenetic good time. Since Spidey has free reign over most areas he travels to thanks to his famous webslinging, it only makes since to offer large, open areas which players can explore. Those are the venues in which I enjoy playing as Spider-Man the most, and the games that typically work.
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Review: Gladiator Begins
If you’re into beating fellow Roman slaves to a pulp, then Gladiator Begins is probably the game for you. It does this fantastically and with gusto. Good thing, as that’s all you’ll ever really do during your time with the PSP brawler. As a newbie gladiator hopping into the ring to fight for what could eventually be your freedom, you’re tasked with dueling to the death in a claustrophobic pit while aristocrats and free citizens ravenously cheer you on. As Adam Lambert might croon, you’re there for their entertainment.
Review: Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
On October 5, 2010
In Review, Xbox 360
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I saved rock with a lizard, a man-boar, a steampunk goddess, and the Headless Horseman. I teamed up with this motley crew for the sole purpose of preserving rock as we know it. Atreyu and Fall Out Boy slipped through, but overall, it was a job well done. Unfortunately, this journey smacked of sameness, squandered potential, and an unsatisfying track list. After all this time and all of its facelifts, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock is still Guitar Hero, even with its cast of characters (plus new faces) sporting gaudy Halloween costumes.
Review: Space Invaders Infinity Gene
On September 23, 2010
In Review, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade
With Comments Off on Review: Space Invaders Infinity Gene
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Space Invaders Extreme was an interesting departure. . Space Invaders Infinity Gene completely changed the way I looked at the 30+ year-old arcade classic. I thought a simple injection of color and thumping techno were notable additions to the Space Invader scene, but Infinity Gene’s unique approach blew those simple augments out of the water. As the latest in a long line of ports from the iPhone/iPod Touch to XBLA and PSN services, this reimagining never ceases to keep things fresh with a minimalistic approach, existential quotes, and trance/synth tunes to keep you grooving all the way through each evolution of the original manifestation. Despite the fact that it turns what you know about Space Invaders on its head, it’s distinctly familiar and approachable. If this is the future of all arcade classics, then count me in.
Review: Dead or Alive Paradise
If you’ve never seen a real woman, don’t count on Dead or Alive Paradise to placate your desire. In fact, even if you were a fan of the sometimes entertaining Dead or Alive: Xtreme Volleyball, you won’t find much to enjoy with Tecmo’s latest PSP iteration. In a strange bid to attract what I can only assume are the most hardcore fans of the ladies of Dead or Alive, yet another excursion to New Zack Island has been released, this time to a handheld that can’t quite hold up to the standards needed to render the ladies properly. Robotic, stuttery minigames, scattershot gameplay, and a thin plot are reason enough to pass over this travesty of a “game.”
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