hofuldig's GameSpot Friend's Reviews hofuldig's GameSpot Friend's Reviews hofuldig's GameSpot Friend's Reviews en-us Copyright (c)1995-2013 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. http://www.gamespot.com 20 Sat, 18 May 2013 17:55:18 -0700 GameSpot hofuldig's GameSpot Friend's Reviews http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/shared/promos/misc/gs_logo.gif http://www.gamespot.com 135 40 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:54:02 -0800 mccoyca112 reviewed The Walking Dead: Episode 5 - No Time Left for the PC... http://www.gamespot.com/the-walking-dead-episode-5-no-time-left/user-reviews/803544/platform/pc/ ...and gave it a 9.0!

When it comes to the story aspect in games, there are many that invoke passionate or hateful feelings; You'll either be waiting ever so patiently for the next cutscene, or be on the verge of breaking your controller due to the inexplicably poor performance that, as icing on the cake, is impossible to skip.

But, how many are able to have you biting your nails almost singlehandedly for the story. For whatever the reason, that's what it's come down to with the walking dead ever since the pilot release. That's not to say it should be dismissed by any means in the gameplay department. First & foremost, it's a point & click adventure. That means being quick on your feet(or hands), solving puzzles, and putting 2&2 together in advance for quick reactions.

The Walking Dead Game is from up & coming Telltale Games. Bias being nothing of the sort, they just don't have the greatest track record among players or critics. That's in regards to the story, gameplay, & general quality. But they managed to gather a loving fanbase with their latest project, The Walking Dead Game.

The Walking Dead is ultimately about the characters. Not the city destruction, or even the zombies. It's the characters. You'll love some, you'll adore a few, and you'll absolutely detest others. And it's intentional. People wont always feel the same as you, and might be looking out for themselves. Others might be reckless due to ignorance, or a heart just too big to let something slide. While the game IS about choice, It's not fallout. The game follows a standard tree branch story. It tailors to how you play. You'll make choices based on what you would do, and they can in fact save you or bite you in the ass later on... If it's a minute from then, or nearing the end of the game. That's what's incredible however. Even though the choices can be ultimately meaningless, it can be gut wrenching thinking about what you would actually do in the circumstance. It makes you feel guilt, and relief. And bittersweet takes no backseat ride, because of this.

Getting onto it, You, as protagonist lee, end up being saved in the most unlikely of events. You are escorted out of the city. Cuffed in the back of a patrol car, and things quickly go from bad to worse. From there, you meet a special person who is going to (surprisingly) steal your heart from the start, and have you invest your care into her.

You'll meet plenty of people along the way. Some will come & go, some will stay, & others will live or die, because of you. You'll even see some familiar faces along the way if you're keen about the other Walking Dead mediums. Of course, you'll also be facing your fair share of enemies. The point is, you're choices can sometimes be a deciding factor on what the next move is. When the conversation is involved, you're silence can play a key factor. It can pan out alright, but it's not always the best option, and can lead to consequences later on. You'll lose trust just as quick as you earned it sometimes, and it's important to think ahead.

With all the drooling over the story, that isn't to say it's absolutely perfect. There are scenes that have you thinking "Seriously? Why/how would...wow".
There are also(although these are very rare) some plotholes, the biggest imo being in episode 5, nearing the end involving a garage. But, it is what it is.

While the game sometimes has some weird bugs & oversights in the animations, it will usually prove to be a minor problem. There are also some glitches, at least on the PC version, that end up tanking your choices. Things you picked wont be represented as such in the following episode. I've never run into anything like this, but I've heard it mentioned. It's also worth nothing that almost everyone I've heard mentioning this is running windows 7, so take that for what you will. Again, I've run into zero problems, aside from occasional weird animation twitches.

As far as the actual gameplay. It's satisfying, and straight to the point. Walking dead doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It doesn't throw waves and waves of walkers to fight through, but instead paces that factor. During the downtime(or things in a similar manner), it throws plenty of world objects at you to fiddle with. You'll examine these things, and get lee's thoughts. A bit of "detective" work plays a part in nearly all episodes as well. That plays in part with the puzzles. The puzzles themselves aren't difficult, and I think chapter 3 was the most time consuming in regards to them. After the downtime moments, you'll be treated to an action sequence, and as the game gets farther along, you'll typically face larger crowds during the given times. It makes for an exciting roller coaster that has you wondering if the next threat is internal, or just outside the safe walls making for suspenseful punches to the gut after each episode climax.

In the end, it's just a really well done point & click game with an incredibly strong story(and it's partially a tie in to boot) that does the job admirably, and in good taste. And again, it knows exactly what it wants to be, and is better because of it. An easy recommendation for story fiends.

Length: About 10-15 hours

Positives: Story, acting, set pieces, pacing, replay value

Cons: Some animation glitches, weird game bugs, the graphics have a really weird style which can actually be distracting sometimes, breaking immersion.

Neutral: The gameplay. It's not deep, but does what it does exceptionally well.

Get the full article at GameSpot

]]> http://www.gamespot.com/the-walking-dead-episode-5-no-time-left/user-reviews/803544/platform/pc/ Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:55:41 -0700 Newsboy reviewed FIFA Soccer 13 for the Wii... http://www.gamespot.com/fifa-soccer-13/user-reviews/800744/platform/wii/ ...and gave it a 1.0.

This game, other than a different soundtrack and updated rosters, is EXACTLY like FIFA 12 for the Wii. Well not exactly, in FIFA 12 you could save multiple cities to the same console where that seems to have been disabled in this one as well. Dissappointing and ridiculous to say the least. Where do we go from here when a software developer thinks selling a title as poor as this for $50 is okay? I wrote them an e-mail insisting they make it right.
Why is no one review sight bringing this up? This is another concern of mine. Shame on you for neglegence which allows a company to get away with something like this! Aren't you supposed to inform gamers about things such as this??
I know the Wii is on it's last legs but I don't see that as an excuse to rob the consumer in this way. I want to see some action, seriously!

Get the full article at GameSpot

"Newsboy reviewed FIFA Soccer 13 for the Wii..." was posted by Newsboy on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:55:41 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/fifa-soccer-13/user-reviews/800744/platform/wii/ Sun, 27 May 2012 14:07:01 -0700 racing1750 reviewed Forza Motorsport 4 for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/forza-motorsport-4/user-reviews/794827/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 9.5!

The Forza series all started when MS assembled a team to create a rival to the highly iconic Gran turismo series from Polophony Digital. This game was going to have to be something special to compete with what was considered the premier racing series!

Since Forza launched in 2005 it has been highly praised worldwide and usually averaging 90 + on metacritic.

Forza 2 was the first attempt on High definition consoles and it was a successful start to the growth of the series. FM2 had more cars, better physics, and a fantastic online experience. With a 90% score on MC it had once again delivered, if not quite matching FM1s 92%. It was a terrific sim but it clearly had room to grow.

2 years on at E3 2009 we had a very confident Dan Greenawalt announce what was to be the definitive racing game of this generation of consoles! We now had the 3rd entry, Forza motorsport 3!

This game had much improved graphics, 400 cars, Bigger career, more track variety and many more! FM3 went on to get incredible critical reception and was given a 92% MC rating along with a 9.5/10 on Gamespot itself, so it was a great step in the right direction but even this game had a lot of room for improvement and that brings me on to the game in question, Forza motorsport 4.

If you check out the Gamespot homepage for this game, you'll see it missed the AAA mark and only mustered an 8.5/10 and on first glance would appear Turn 10 dropped the ball but you'd be wrong, very wrong!

Forza motorsport 4 is a lot larger than any other Forza. The game contains 500 cars out of the box and every single one of them drive different and have a completely different character. One thing Turn 10 nailed was the distinction of each vehicle. An Audi RS4 is predictable and easy to push with it's all wheel drive system, where a Mercedes C63 AMG can snap at the back if you apply too much power mid corner. This distinction between each of the 500 cars available to you, is what truly impresses and that's not to forgot the 500 different engine noises in the game. It's truly motoring heaven if you like anything with four wheels. The 500 car list is so varied that's it's unlikely you'll not find anything you would like driving. Unless of course you wish to drive an F1 car or even a rally car, these are still absent from the franchise but really don't take away from the game.

As touched on above the physics are terrific. With the new simulation steering mode Forzas car now behave even more unpredictable. Jerk the wheel too fast and the car reacts with violence and 95% of the time it's into the wall as it snaps with force. The cars now feel as good as they've ever felt and the more realistic behavior from the cars have pushed it up a notch.



The career is huge! Now you can race in over 290 events and trust me on this, you'll be driving a long time before you finish your career! I've put in over 100 hours of driving and that has got me to 72% career completion! This should give you some idea of the scope of this game.

Drag racing, Point to point, Circuit, Autocross, etc!!

There is plenty to get your teeth sunk in to!

Visually Forza motorsport 4 looks absolutely gorgeous! The IBL really pushes the 360 to the limit and this game is just a thing to behold and is a considerable improvement over FM3 which never reached the hype Turn 10 put behind it graphically. The shine of your brake lights in a tunnel is a fantastic little detail as is the reflection of your cars bonnet, it's just fantastic! turn 10 also fixed the poor original cockpits and now they look pretty much identical to how GT5 presents them. Now when you turn the wheel it actually moves more than 90 degrees and looks just so much better. It's little details like this that have made Forza that bit better to play. The car now has a blur effect at high speed that adds to the sensation of driving exotic cars at the ragged edge. The sense of speed has been noticeably increased and all of those additions were very welcome.

New to the series is a mode called "autovista" This is a mode where you can sit inside beautifully rendered cars and start them up and basically pretend you're in the showroom viewing cars you'll never ever afford in your lifetime. The cars narrator talks you through different elements of each car and explains in detail how it all works and it's very informative. There was from launch 26 cars and all of them had Clarkson either praising them or putting them down but it was this Top gear partnership that made this mode even better. My criticism is once you've unlocked all the cars and listened to the narration, there is no real reasons to revisit it. I realize that to of done say 100 Autovista cars would of taken a long time but just 26 cars seems too low a number and it would of helped if Turn 10 added two cars every month as an update to keep the mode relevant and interesting, but it's there if you want to revisit it.

Forza 4 introduces a few new tracks and like always are welcome additions and great to drive on. However, Turn 10 for some reason unknown to myself, removed tracks? Amalfi coasts long track version which I was a big fan off was removed and left was the short version. I was disappointed by this move and wished they'd of at least offered it in free DLC if space on the disk was an issue. Regardless of this the tracks are all worthwhile and with the graphical upgrades you can now appreciate them even more. The famous Nurburgring has had a nice update with a foggy effect and looks more authentic this time around.

Another new addition is Rivals. This mode is a great way to compete with friends on laptimes. You can race a Kia Cee'd around the Top gear test track and try to set the best time possible! No ways possible to give yourself an advantage. It's you, the car, and your own abilities, and nothing else! I like this mode and visit it often.

Not a big Multi - player guy but Forza 4 did have some fun modes like the new Top gear soccer mode where you can play football with cars just like the boys did on Top gear itself. Apart from the playground modes, I'm not really into the circuit racing online as it's usually 50/50 who you race against and most of the time you get a demolition derby fanatic!

Some have criticized Forza 4 for not improving enough on Forza 3 and while it may appear that way on the surface, Forza 4 does exactly what it needs to do and refines and perfect an already polished racer. The little things have combined together to push forza 4 to racing perfection, and as a result of that Forza 4 is my new favorite racing game of this gen and probably of all time!

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Forza Motorsport 4 for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Sun, 27 May 2012 14:07:01 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/forza-motorsport-4/user-reviews/794827/platform/xbox360/ Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:27:52 -0700 itwiz90 reviewed SSX for the PlayStation 3... http://www.gamespot.com/ssx/user-reviews/789758/platform/ps3/ ...and gave it a 9.0!

I have played this series since the PS2 version. I believe "Cool Boarders" was the thing on PS 1. This is the better of the last two version of this game. The game play is easy to handle, but the level are challenging enough to keep to trying for the gold. The world networking is awesome. You can get credits even when not playing. Your friends can challenge you online or play against your ghost when you are not online. You have to earn a lot of credits to buy the really cool and useful items, but if you play frequently, the credits add up quickly.
The only drawback is sometimes you get caught in between some rocks and/or trees and you have to rewind to get out of it. It seems some of the moves are hard to pull off - the AI players get 2,000,000 pts. in the first 1/8 of the course and you are steadily playing catch up and sometimes to no avail. I miss the half-pipe.
It's a great game, very challenging and the ghost network thingy is really cool. If you are into snowboarding this game is for you.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"itwiz90 reviewed SSX for the PlayStation 3..." was posted by itwiz90 on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:27:52 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/ssx/user-reviews/789758/platform/ps3/ Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:34:26 -0800 racing1750 reviewed Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3/user-reviews/780948/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 7.0.

The call of duty series has had this uncontrollable dominance in the industry. Ever since Call of duty 4 the series has had a huge following. However MW3 like MW2 has the been there done that feeling and this time around the familiar feeling and same old MP etc just doesn't cut it anymore.

SP

The single player is how you'd expect from a COD game. You shoot bad guys and are thrown into epic set pieces that no doubt will give you a thrill. The story I'll not go into, although I will say MW3 nails the cinematic atmosphere with great voice acting and that hollywood action feeling. The problem I have is the SP has too many close call set pieces that you are thrown into and can't control. It really feels like run for a checkpoint and watch epic set piece, repeat, repeat. Not that this is a bad thing as those set pieces are pretty dam awesome to behold and is one area MW3 does well.

Graphics.

Don't expect anything out of the ordinary folks. MW3 has nothing you've not seen before. Same 60FPS with good lighting. It's what you witnessed in 2007 and now in 2011 you'll be underwhelmed. The 60FPS does make for smooth fluid gameplay though.

MP

The one thing COD has done well since it's creation and MW3 fails to deliver. The map design is horrid this time around and for me it's overly complicated in it's design rather than simple well though out maps, it's cluttered and in my opinion is not compelling in the least. The rest is the same old COD with kill streaks and a zillion campers. Still, the HC modes are fun and can get addictive if you get in a game with some nice people.

Spec ops.

There is now a horde mode which you can play with only two people. You kill waves upon waves of enemies and that's pretty much it. Fun if you can get a friend in on it but the lack of 4 players is wasted potential.

Verdict.

As you probably noticed I'm not singing MW3s praises. The don't broke don't fix it excuse doesn't cut it anymore. COD is not evolving at all and does absolutely nothing to innovate or bring anything new to the franchise. The MP is the same COD MP we all played 4 years ago and the SP while a good thrill is short and has no memorable moments. If you enjoy CODs SP then I highly recommend you rent this and enjoy it. If you want a new MP experience, well put in your copy of COD4 and enjoy that instead as MW3 brings nothing interesting or different enough to get you excited. In short MW3 is a good game but in 2011 this franchise is showing it's age and is in need of reboot.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:34:26 -0800
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3/user-reviews/780948/platform/xbox360/ Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:03:04 -0700 SaintLeonidas reviewed Red Dead Redemption for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/red-dead-redemption/user-reviews/768160/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 7.5.

So once again, in my unfortunate quest to be behind in the world of gaming, I just now got around to playing something that was talked about constantly a year ago. That game would be 'Red Dead Redemption', a western style action-adventure about a former outlaw forced to track down and kill his former friends by government officials who have taken his wife and son. Now that all the hype has died down...along with the price, I decided to pick it up last week.

Going into it I pretty much expected 'Grand Theft Auto: Wild Wild West Edition' and in many ways that is what I got. With its beautiful and expansive world with such great scenery and and ability to travel across the open plans of the west, while also shooting and stealing ca...wagons made it at times a real treat. But as much as I loved those aspects of it they just weren't enough.

The two biggest issues I had were as follows. First would be the lack of any sort of consequences to your actions within the game. Pretty much the only time when something you do effects game play is if you kill someone and are then chased by the law, fun but easy to escape. I personally would have preferred a much greater level of complexity to the story and control over the decisions your character makes. Like when you fight with the rebels and the army in Mexico towards the middle of the game, it would have been better if you could chose a side and which ever you helped would be the victors and drastically change the outcome of that area of the map. I also would have liked smaller decisions available like greater custom choices, the ability to form your own posse and the ability to stage crazy bank robberies. I mean what was there to do outside of the story? Hunt, which got old fast. Play card games which also weren't very satisfying. Kill people? Again, gets old. And a few other things. Given the subject matter, there was just so much opportunity to mix the sandbox world with an RPG-like ability to customize more, have more mini-games, end game consequences, etc....maybe it is just the Bioware fan of me speaking when I say that...please don't be hatin.

The second big issue I had was with the main character. I realize many people seem to really like him but I could not stand him and his warped moral code/personality/double standards. The way he was just so passive about things annoyed the hell out of me. I understand his reluctance to do anything that would jeopardize his chances of helping his wife and son, but having not really known them or knowing anything about his relationship with them I didn't really see why I (the person controlling, playing him) should want to fight to save them. When he got to points in the game when he was helping a group of soldiers kill rebels one minute, then the next minute going and helping the rebels all the while talking about how he didn't care who won and that neither side knew what was good or bad was just ridiculous. I'm sorry John, but the group raping women and killing children are clearly the bad guys, but if you don't want to help them then I really don't care about your stupid wife and child...this issue was just more of a personal thing, most probably looked past it and went with the narrative of the story, but I couldn't help but hate how it progressed and how John handled it all.

Outside of those two things it was fun and the ending was fantastic. Visually it was one of the more beautiful games I have ever played. When it was all over though I definitely regretting having not waited for the price to drop even lower. It is nothing that I would really play through again because of the lack of really anything to do outside of the story and because without any multiple consequences and different outcomes to plot lines (especially end game stuff) then the first play through of the story was good enough.

So in the end, if you like this style of game and if you like the western genre then it is a buy. For anyone else it is surely worth a rental and at least one play through.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"SaintLeonidas reviewed Red Dead Redemption for the Xbox 360..." was posted by SaintLeonidas on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:03:04 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/red-dead-redemption/user-reviews/768160/platform/xbox360/ Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:20:06 -0700 racing1750 reviewed Red Faction: Armageddon for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/red-faction-armageddon/user-reviews/767899/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 7.0.

Apparently RFA is more story focused taking away the large openness of RFG and giving you less space?

Maybe it's just me, but isn't RF all about blowing S**t up?

If they thought we would buy into this more story focused element, well they were wrong. Because from the start of the game to the finish of the game I couldn't give a crap what happens. I couldn't care if there was some alien invasion and they were hunting us for our blood! All I wanted from this game was to find creative new ways to take down a large building.

In RFA these moments are just not present. Sure, you can blow up the odd building, but for 75%..maybe 80% of the game you're constrained in underground caves with little to destroy. Thankfully pretty much anything you can see, you can destroy. This makes for some hilarious moments when enemies are grabbing onto pillars etc.

The weapons in the game are extremely entertaining to use and really make you miss the setting of RFG. The magnet gun is my favourite. Simply shoot onto another object and then shoot again at whatever you want to kill/damage. This means you can think of new ways to take down enemys in the game. Other new features is the ability to fix whatever you destroy. For example - You can hide behind a building and peek out to attack an enemy and then when they attack whatever you are hiding behind just fix it and repeat - this feature is very helpful with lots of enemies attacking you at once.

So what about the length? Well, RFA is not a very long game. Maybe around the 6-8 hour mark? Still, it's a blast.

Overall I enjoyed the SP for the sheer destruction. Some frustrations like too many enemies at once and the setting itself, but RFA is still a good solid 3rd person action game that is worth a rental at the least.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Red Faction: Armageddon for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:20:06 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/red-faction-armageddon/user-reviews/767899/platform/xbox360/ Mon, 30 May 2011 23:02:53 -0700 r4v3gl0ry reviewed Fallout: New Vegas - Dead Money for the PC... http://www.gamespot.com/fallout-new-vegas-dead-money/user-reviews/766129/platform/pc/ ...and gave it a 6.0.

Though Dead Money introduces a slew of new gameplay mechanics and elements, its style just doesn't fit in with te rest FO:NV. While new features and additions are appreciated in DLCs, this particular DLC just feels awkward to play.

For one, it takes place in a small and undetailed setting--the Sierra Madre, a hotel long-forgotten after the bombs dropped some 200 years prior. Though there are smaller maps and districts within the hotel, there are virtually no differences between the buildings. The lighting might change, but around every corner is an unkempt courtyard with fountains at its sides. It's all very maze-like and the same textures are, simply put, recycled. The Medical District is no different from any other regular residential district.

Then there are the tacky new mechanics. One new feature is the toxic cloud, a common Fallout Pokemon one will encounter in alleyways, nooks and crannies, and just about eerywhere within the maze. They're not annoying per se, but they do kill you over time, and it makes the game that much more frustrating and tiring when the game gives you very few stimpacks and many a tough zombie to fight.

Yes, you lose your equipment when you enter the Sierra Madre, and are equipped with an energy rifle. Yes,things get that much more exciting when the generic man on the radio gives you your orders and reminds you that the zombified Ghost People are most effectively killed through means of dismemberment (and guns aren't effective for dismemberment, despite what you may have known previously in NV).

In other words, you'll be running through poison clouds with no stimpacks, melee weapons, glitchy companions who do not follow you (if you bring them along), and several tough enemies behind you. It all sounds like a breath of fresh air from the rest of the game, and believe me, it really is tense at times, but it's more frustrating than it should be. This is especially true for characters untrained in the melee and unarmed arts.

Other features include the bomb collar, which beeps faster and faster when the player is around a radio source and eventually explodes, and stealth sequences in which the player must manipulate or avoid armed holograms.

Honestly, the last two new features are the only commendable ones. And even with them, the DLC feels as if it drags on unnecessarily, even though it is short.

Content-wise, there are a few noteworthy pieces of equipment you'll be able to lug out of the Sierra Madre.

Also, the game tries to evoke curiosity through computer logs and notes about the history of the Sierra Madre. It certainly sounds like a hotel gone to hell. With holograms that act as employees and merchants and holograms that act as enemy sentries, the place is pretty darned frightening. In a way, I do wish that the original game had more of this.

But, of course, it's annoying. It bugs your companions. It is bland and features the same enemies. It takes place in a small and tight setting; the game's signature clunkiness and overall feel do not go well with claustrophobic environments.

Players might notice how disconnected it feels from the rest of the game. It's supposed to be. But with the current engine, it proves (as FO3 once proved with Operation Anchorage) that the best type of DLC for an open world Fallout game is one that simply adds to the original map and features explorable areas.

Hope this clarifies things a bit. Thanks for reading.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"r4v3gl0ry reviewed Fallout: New Vegas - Dead Money for the PC..." was posted by r4v3gl0ry on Mon, 30 May 2011 23:02:53 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/fallout-new-vegas-dead-money/user-reviews/766129/platform/pc/ Sun, 29 May 2011 16:11:49 -0700 racing1750 reviewed Shift 2: Unleashed for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/shift-2-unleashed/user-reviews/766035/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 4.0.

2009 NFS Shift comes along and is surprisingly good with it's sense of speed and solid if slightly over the top physics.

Fast forward to 2011 and we get the sequel which is not only not worth a buy..It's not even imo good enough to be a rental.

Simply put this game plays AWFUL. The feeling of the cars feels off. You try to turn a bend and hope for the best only to go wide and have a AI car smash you out the way so aggressive, you'd think this was a game of bumper cars and who hits the guy the hardest wins! and no It's not me failing at taking turns it just how the game controls.

I suppose I should take about the difficulty? Well put it on the hardest and die a fast and painful death or put it on easy and die a...fast death again. The AI is far too aggressive for a racer. The handling of each cars feels the same and there is no satisfaction from the driving.

I didn't try the MP since I needed a pass code and I was so fed up with the frustrations and unsatisfying driving model that I got my Shift 2 disc and put it back in it's sleeve and posted it back to Lovefilm, where some other poor soul will have to put up with the same frustrations.

I think you've gathered I really didn't like shift 2 and that is correct. I have little positive to say other than good visuals and a nice sense of speed.


Overall - You're better of with the recently released Dirt 3 and if you have to have a new NFS title, then go straight back to the far superior NFS Shift from 2009!

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Shift 2: Unleashed for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Sun, 29 May 2011 16:11:49 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/shift-2-unleashed/user-reviews/766035/platform/xbox360/ Fri, 27 May 2011 09:01:35 -0700 TheNewDestiny reviewed Ys Origin for the PC... http://www.gamespot.com/ys-origin/user-reviews/765851/platform/pc/ ...and gave it a 9.0!

YS Ark of Napishtim follows the path of adventurer Adol Christan as he and his friends find themselves running from the Romun Fleet on the high seas. They escape from the Romun only to be swallowed up by a powerful storm vortex and deposited on an ancient island chain. Adol discovers that many veiled & nighted secrets about the ancient land of YS rest quietly amongst ancient ruins scattered throughout the island chain. It doesnt take Adol long to discover new allies & enemies along the course of his adventure. Solving puzzles, gaining new weapons, items & spells are pivotal classic YS elements as well as that always epic YS soundtrack. Expansive rich environments offer fun & challenge whether or not you are a seasoned YS player. The story & plot follow the same formula of previous YS games that make the series a unique fun loving classic. Single Player
RPG Review by: Jamie Noe.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"TheNewDestiny reviewed Ys Origin for the PC..." was posted by TheNewDestiny on Fri, 27 May 2011 09:01:35 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/ys-origin/user-reviews/765851/platform/pc/ Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:14:49 -0800 racing1750 reviewed Gran Turismo 5 for the PlayStation 3... http://www.gamespot.com/gran-turismo-5/user-reviews/750997/platform/ps3/ ...and gave it a 9.0!

GT5 review



Gran turismo 5 - Where do you start? This game has been in development for half a decade. The hype and anticipation is sky high - The review I wanted to do for this would take me a while just to do such a big project justice. I hope you enjoy this review and I'll make sure to be as fair and balanced as possible.

Career - Single player

GT5 gives you 20,000CR to choose your 1st car. You're choice as you might imagine is limited. You don't need to choose a 16hp fiat, but you won't be able to jump into anything exotic, so choose wisely. I myself picked a G20 with 139hp that handled well and was competitive.

A-SPEC

This is where you do all your racing. There are different seasons to race in, Beginner, Amateur, Professional, Expert, Extreme, and endurance. The events are pretty easy even for some casual racers, so for any real challenge you'll need to get to the extreme events. The races require a certain car, but no HP limit at all, so you can quite easily tune your car to win races. It's not a flaw, but it makes the SP a bit of a walk over for someone decent like me. The good news is you can take all the aids off to spice it up a little - GT5 gives you great control over the Driving aids. You can choose for example TCS 1-10 - The controls over the setting means you can get the car to your liking without going into the more in-depth tuning setups.

The AI in GT5 is a mixed bag. On early races it seems they have no idea you're on the track and in later races they seem more professional. The AI certainly isn't perfect, but I did my own test not long back and discovered that they do try to avoid you even in tight bends. This shows a significant improvement over the previous games and goes in the right direction for the series.

Onto GT life. This gives you the option of the following - Practice, Tuning shop, licences, special events, GT auto, photo travel, dealerships, used car dealerships. All of it is within easy race and is easy enough to navigate.

The menus aren't the problem, but some of PD's design choices. For example to obtain a colour for say your Focus ST, you need to buy a car in the colour you want for your ST, resulting in you spending a good lump of money on a tin of paint. Thankfully in the latest update PD now award you 10 paint items for logging into your account, so the problem isn't solved, but it's been mended :P

Other odd choices come in the shape of having to keep watching movies of each new car you buy. The car is bought and then you need to watch a movie of the car each time you buy one. So if you have the cash to spend you'll need to keep watching - Minor quibble mind though.

Graphics

GT5 has beautiful premium models mixed with mediocre standard models. PD's decision is in my opinion very wrong to mix the old school with the new school. Even so, the standard models handle well and are very true to life. The thing is you can't access these 800 standard cars at one time, you need to keep watching out for a specific car. Still I'm not going to lie the standard models have helped me when I needed a car for a specific event.

The tracks look very good and sometimes flat out ugly. The famous Nurburgring is astonishing! The track looks like the real thing. The track in GT5 is without a doubt the best representation of the track I've seen - Kudos to PD for recreating the track to look so authentic. Others like the Go-Kart tracks look *meh*

Overall GT5 is a beautiful game with a lot of inconsistencies.

B- SPEC

GT5 has it's own little manager mode. At first I really wasn't liking this mode my Bob showed no understanding of race tracks and half the time he didn't listen to me when I instructed him to overtake. Thankfully as he progressed he managed to win me races and showed a big improvement. This mode is great for when you want to chill and earn cash when you have other things to attend to in your life - Please note you can't earn XP for A - SPEC in B - SPEC, but you can earn money as mentioned above.

Physics/Driving model

Let me just say GT5 has absolutely brilliant physics. Drive a Mclaren F1 fully tuned around the Ring then you'll see exactly how good each car drives. The game demands concentration with all aids off - If you spin out then it's your fault, the cars don't drive their-selfs, you need to put the effort in just like in the real world. I do think the bumps on a track like Le-man is slightly, just slightly exaggerated. Overall GT5 drives brilliant with the best cockpit experience you'll find on a console. The sense of speed in the cockpit works well, shame about the 3rd person view which I avoid using myself.

Car list

The premium list is for myself a big disappointment. 200 cars is plenty, but when you include old models and mix it with garbage like the prius it makes you wonder?

For example - in the Ford list you have the *old* ST and a lot of newer desirable cars missing, and it continues with Aston martin with no rapide, DBS, DB5, etc...

Multiplayer

I can say I haven't touched the MP. Reason being MP in racing games don't work with random strangers for me personally, not trying to generalize. I don't race online in any other racer, so it's the same for GT5.


Top Gear test track

I like everyone who loves TG is happy PD included this iconic track. However PD never included the Reasonably priced cars which is a huge missed opportunity!

Track creator

I'll keep this brief..it's crap. Your customization is limited to ajusting sliders to change elements of the track. Disappointing to say the least.

GT TV

This is a great feature. You can watch the latest videos of car testing, GT5 , Etc. Overall I'm pleased with this feature.

Weather

GT5 has weather and it's ok..It does affect handling I'm happy to report, but it isn't visually represented on the car. Still it does the job and the night to day transition is gorgeous!

Well I've covered a fair amount of this enormous game so here is the pros and cons...




Pro's

Fantastic simulation

Great tracks to race on

Excellent attention to detail

Mechanical damage works well

Runs smooth

Photo mode quality is exceptional

Realistic lighting has to be seen to be appreciated

Rally, nascar inclusion is a great one

Con's

Mediocre track creator

Questionable design choices

Poor premium car list

Visual damage not good enough

Some screen tearing

engine sounds a mixed bag


Verdict

GT5 has design flaws. Some frustrations. In the end it's still a great package with opportunity to grow and get bigger. The launch was bumpy and the game still needs some TLC, but this is a fantastic simulation that oozes car passion out of it's every pour

9.0/10

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Gran Turismo 5 for the PlayStation 3..." was posted by racing1750 on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:14:49 -0800
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/gran-turismo-5/user-reviews/750997/platform/ps3/ Fri, 10 Dec 2010 07:56:40 -0800 GlassDominion reviewed Infinity Blade for the iPhone/iPod... http://www.gamespot.com/infinity-blade/user-reviews/747993/platform/iphone/ ...and gave it a 8.0.

Chair who was behind my favorite game for the xbox 360 has struck again, this time hitting the iOS platform and sporting unbelievable graphics for a mobile device.

I played this game on my iPad last night and was able to get the hang of the game. the best way to describe this game would be Punch-Out!! meets an dark RPG.

you must observe your on screen enemy and look for patters, learn how to counter your enemies attacks, then force them to open up to finally plunge your sword into their heart.

you dodge by pressing a button on the bottom of the screen, one button for dodge left and one for right. you have a shield button, which has limited use as the enemy starts to break your guard. where the hardest to pull off, but best to use is your parry. you need to slash in the opposite dirrection the enemy is going to slash from. hes attack from the right? you need to move your finger from left to right. being able to time this and do it quickly can be a trick. I often slash too soon before the attack comes so i miss the parry, but i'm getting better. its all part of learning how to play I suppose.

attacking is pretty self explanatory you slide your finger across the screen the way you want your character to slash. look for openings or when you have stunned your enemy and go all out on the offensive.

as you fight and progress through the game you level up, you can get more health, do more damage, increase your shield uses, or increase your magic ability. pretty basic RPG elements, but I always look forward to leveling.

equipment adds a little customization, but i havent noticed any gameplay differences. I'm pretty much left doing the same thing, just with a different look or some different stats. so once again basic RPG elements.

you move through the castle, fighting knight after knight that challenges you. you grab gold when you look around, and open chests, all to get more money to buy new equipment. getting to the god king is unexpectedly easy. a handful of knights stand between you and him. then you challenge the god king, something you will do over and over.

the game doesnt have a whole lot of variety, you will fight the god king till you die, then you get a new character 20 years later and you once again aim to fight the god king, keeping all your stats and equipment from your past character. so the better you are at the game, the less "next generation" sequences you are going to go through. i'm sure if you are good enough you can kill the god king the first time through.

interesting concept, backed by solid gameplay and graphics, i wish the game was a bit deeper on the RPG elements and had more to it than fighting through 10+ knights to the king each time.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"GlassDominion reviewed Infinity Blade for the iPhone/iPod..." was posted by GlassDominion on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 07:56:40 -0800
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/infinity-blade/user-reviews/747993/platform/iphone/ Thu, 04 Nov 2010 07:57:28 -0700 racing1750 reviewed Vanquish for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/vanquish/user-reviews/743577/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 9.0!

Vanquish is a game you might miss in the mist of other big name titles. You might be wary of a brand new IP. But don't worry, because Vanquish is a thrill ride from start to finish.

Story. (from wiki)


Vanquish takes place in the near future where the planet's human population has exploded so rapidly that nations of people around the globe are fighting for the scarce available resources. The United States of America has attempted to alleviate its own energy problems by launching an O'Neill Cylinder space station harboring a solar energy-driven generator to provide them with an alternative source of fuel from the sun. However, the government of the Russian Federation on Earth has been overthrown in a coup d'état by ultra-nationalist forces calling themselves the Order of the Russian Star.
Russian forces capture this space station and divert its harvested solar energy into a blast wave that destroys San Francisco, aiming to force the US into a total and unconditional surrender. The main antagonist, known as Victor Zaitsev, demands that the American government surrender or he will choose New York City as his next target.[2].
The President of the United States of America, Elizabeth Winters, refuses to back down in the face of such a threat. Instead, she takes Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Burns, a decorated war veteran, and puts him in charge of a newly-commissioned task force called Bravo Company. This team consists of several space-faring special forces, veteran Marines, and the remnants of the defending US forces on board the space station. On top of that, she also gives them the game's protagonist and playable character, Sam Gideon (voiced by Gideon Emery in the English version.)
Sam is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) researcher equipped with an Augmented Reaction Suit (ARS), a cutting-edge mechanical suit outfitted with a vast array of functions, including jet boosters attached to both arms and legs. He is armed with an experimental weapon system called BLADE, which is capable of scanning any existing weapon and then transforming into a perfect replica of that weapon. Its ability to store three scans at a time means that at any given time the BLADE can shapeshift between three completely different guns.
On the surface, this mission gives DARPA the perfect chance to test out the new ARS on the Russians. But both the President and the Secretary of Defense give Sam classified orders to rescue a scientist named Dr. Francis Candide, who was working on-site when the station was attacked. The Doctor has decided to take matters into his own hands and is trying to disable the array himself before it can be used to destroy another city.

Now onto my views on the game. The story for me never happened. Throughout the entire game I was far too busy shooting robots to care about any story. And anyway, Vanquish isn't getting a good reception because of it's story. It's all about the fast paced awesome combat!

The awesome combat

Vanquish is hugely fast paced. You can slide on the floor. You can slide in slow motion as you pick of unaware enemy robots. The game just keeps your eyes on the screen from start to finish. The weapons in the game are the key to vanquish. You have you usual Assault rife, Shotgun, Hand grenades. But you have more powerful weapons such as a rocket launcher, or a gun that targets parts of a enemy and fires automatically. Overall the combat is hugely satisfying.

The Boss battles in Vanquish are challenging. You will need to concentrate, or you'll not last. Each boss battle is incredibly fun. You can kill a boss in anyway you want. Melee them until they fall over. Shotgun em. Or let your AI teammates get killed when you take cover like a wimp. Either way, Vanquish has some of the most satisfying boss battles in a long time.

The visuals though are the stand out in this game. I don't know the tech side stuff, but if my eyes aren't deceiving me, this game looks brilliant. Long draw distances. Smooth framerate no matter how many enemys you encounter. It's all there.

The downside is the length. Vanquish clocks in at 4 hours long. Hugely disappointing for such a quality bit of software. Still, you can't have everything in life, so the short length you'll have to deal with and just enjoy this fantastic TPS!

Rent or buy? Well if you're ok with the short SP, then by all means buy this game, but a rental might be suitable if your short on cash.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Vanquish for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 07:57:28 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/vanquish/user-reviews/743577/platform/xbox360/ Sat, 02 Oct 2010 23:49:21 -0700 r4v3gl0ry reviewed Mirror's Edge for the PC... http://www.gamespot.com/mirrors-edge/user-reviews/739260/platform/pc/ ...and gave it a 8.0.

Mirror's Edge is probably the most beautiful game I've come across this generation (no joke). It's visually appetizing and the world it portrays is...well, beautifully portrayed by the story.

While the story is not intricate, there's more to it than one would expect. Faith's story is revealed, and there are a few twists in the game. It's not entirely basic, and it's definitely satisfying. (NOTE: the game is set in a totalitarian world, but don't expect a game heavily based on totalitarian themes. The game portrays life within a totalitarian world, and the smaller scope is what allows for this type of game in the first place.)

The free running is absolutely exhilarating. The controls are responsive and employing maneuvers is never frustrating on a keyboard + mouse. Sliding, running on walls, jumping--all of that can be accomplished in a few keystrokes.

What keeps free running from being repetitive is the variation in environments. One level takes place at nighttime, when police snipers are out and about and skyscrapers shine a blue and orange. In another level you will run through a mall (imagine sliding down escalators, sneaking through vents and shaft). You'll even find yourself down in the sewers, which have waterfalls and can have ceilings much higher than the Sistine Chapel. Motion blur exists, though it is not annoying in the least sense.

This brings me to my next point: the visuals. The color palette includes white and several bright colors. Walls of rooms/buildings are split between white and another bright color, resulting in a stark but very clean contrast of colors. Things are easier to identify and generally easier on the eyes.

Color also plays an important role in helping you determine where to go, what objects to jump off of. Planks, pipes (essentially monkey bars) and other objects that are vital to bringing you to your objective are red, while less important objects may be blue or plain white.

Combat maneuvers are basic and not hard to execute with the keyboard. You can slide and kick, punch, jump and punch, and disarm opponents; this initiates a random takedown animation.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"r4v3gl0ry reviewed Mirror's Edge for the PC..." was posted by r4v3gl0ry on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 23:49:21 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/mirrors-edge/user-reviews/739260/platform/pc/ Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:22:39 -0700 racing1750 reviewed Mafia II for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/mafia-ii/user-reviews/738900/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 8.0.

I'm not going to lie, but Mafia 2 disappointed me before even touching the game. Apparently Mafia 2 is a story driven title, with a open world thrown in the middle just to tie in with the story. So even before playing the game it was a case of bad story = bad game. Thankfully, Mafia 2 is a solid game, with a story that keeps you gripped from start to finish.

Story.

You play as Vito Scaletta. A WW2 veteran. As you play through the game you interact with different families, and eventually rise to the top. The whole story had me gripped, wanting to know what happened next. Vito is a likeable guy, but you get the feeling he doesn't like the lifestyle. Mafia 2 has 15 chapters to play through. So for me to continue i would have to give away some spoilers, so, what i will do is tell you in one sentence what i thought.

Mafia 2 has one hell of a good story. Honestly it does. Maybe it's because the developer focused his time on one area of the game, rather than trying to mix story, open world gameplay, side missions, etc, etc...

Visuals

Mafia 2 looks pretty good. Character models are well done. The buildings look great. The cars are well modelled. Overall impressive.

Controls

Mafia 2 has solid TPS controls. Vito sticks to cover when you click the A button. He shoots his gun when you fire it. honestly no complaints.

Bad points

Mafia 2 has it's bad points like any game. While you have a brilliant story, you will be done with this game very quickly. I played through in 11 hours on hard difficulty, keeping in mind i wasn't blasting my way through. This means you're actually better just renting this game, since you'll have nothing to do once it's over. The car handling is also a bad point. It's not terrible, but it's a bit too floaty for me. Although the car acceleration is incredibly realistic.

Verdict.

mafia 2 has one hell of a good story. You can't help but applaud 2k for trying to suck you into the world of Vito. The characters all behave like real men. The sad part is you're better off just renting this title, but the story pulls the score up to 8.0/10.

If you want a brilliant story, this is the game you've been waiting for.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Mafia II for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:22:39 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/mafia-ii/user-reviews/738900/platform/xbox360/ Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:45:37 -0700 itwiz90 reviewed Mafia II for the PC... http://www.gamespot.com/mafia-ii/user-reviews/738270/platform/pc/ ...and gave it a 8.5.

This is my first shot at playing Mafia series and I began with Mafia II. The storyline was pretty decent a little far-fetched, but immersing at times. The cut scenes were very good and graphics were borderline: The characters in the prison all looked the same in their particular race.
I played it twice so far and one part of the game made my scratch my head. It's in the beginning when Vito's sister needs $2000 to pay off their fathers debt. I crushed enough cars to make over $4000 and I still had to wait till I did the job where you end up taking Henry to El Deco or whatever his name is for medical help. WHats up with that if I aleady had the money to pay it off. All in all it was a direct bite off of GTA in a lot of ways, but that made it entertaining.
I would have gave it a 8.7, I liked the fight mechanics, the cover system was OK , sometimes he covered himself against a wall in the open, if you weren't faced properly.

Where do you get the hookers...LMAO..?

Get the full article at GameSpot

"itwiz90 reviewed Mafia II for the PC..." was posted by itwiz90 on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:45:37 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/mafia-ii/user-reviews/738270/platform/pc/ Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:59:19 -0700 racing1750 reviewed Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/kane-and-lynch-2-dog-days/user-reviews/737300/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 7.0.

kane any lynch 2 DOG DAYS REVIEW SP game review

The original Kane and lynch wasn't exactly a success. From the controversial review on Gamespot, all the way to it's mediocre meta critic rating. Kane and lynchs start to the videogame world hasn't be a smooth one, but Kane any lynch 2 offers a different take.

Visual style.

Kane and lynch 2 tries to be different, with a new visual style. The game is described as having a new visual style inspired by documentary films and user-generated content, and it delivers. The different look is so fresh and different. I applaud the developers for trying a different style.

Story.

Dog Days has players take control of James Seth Lynch for most of the game (while the second player in co-op is Adam "Kane" Marcus). After the Venezuela incident in Dead Men, both Kane and Lynch part ways. Lynch starts a new life in Shanghai with a girlfriend named Xiu although being involved in a crime organization led by English-born ex-pat Glazer. After Glazer tells Lynch about a high paying operation involving smuggling guns to Africa, Lynch calls Kane for aid in return for a split in the deal. Not only the job would help them retire but also benefit Kane's estranged daughter Jenny (who survived the events in Dead Men).

The story for me was good. I did like the scene where lynch is...spoilers incoming...naked. Yes, he is naked. In this scene he has to get to lynch, and i found this slightly disturbing, but violent, and exactly what this game is all about

The voice acting is good, but far too much swearing for my liking. This games story is really all about shooting cops and bad guys, and going to the next place, and shooting more..

The length of K&L2 is the BIGGEST flaw with the whole game. I must of completed this game withing 4 hours, maybe less.

Gameplay

K&2's controls are solid. The shooting mechanics take some time to get used to at first, but then you realize it's verging on a realistic, with shots in bursts. Some think it's broken, i myself found it fine.

The cover sytem even works pretty well (surprise)

In closing - K&L2 is a better game than the first. The innovative style along with a decent SP campaign is the right way forward. However, the terribly short SP means you're better off just renting this one. There is a arcade mode for practice for MP, but this won't add. The MP is something i didn't try, because i just didn't see the need for it, and i'm a SP guy.

Overall, this is a solid rental

7.0/10

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:59:19 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/kane-and-lynch-2-dog-days/user-reviews/737300/platform/xbox360/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:06:37 -0700 racing1750 reviewed Halo 3: ODST for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/halo-3-odst/user-reviews/736421/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 6.0.

When i heard we had another Halo game in 2009, i was all for it. Bungie never fail to deliver with the Halo series, but ODST is the exception.

So, what's the issue? Well, how about how short the game is? After a few hours the credits will roll, and you'll wonder why you didn't just watch the story on youtube.

The SP itself is repetitive. It's pretty much the exact same as Halo 3, except you are a ODST, and you can't jump as high :P

The dark gritty city setting was a nice new look at first, but after a while you realize it's not enough to make the experience fresh. The visuals are pretty much the same aswell - keeping in mind this is a 2009 game, and released along with games like UC2, Forza 3, it feels incredibly dated.

The SP story didn't interest me if i'm honest. The whole ODST SP was just a blur of repetitive killing, and dark city streets.

Now onto the 2nd disc. Bungie decided to include a Halo 3 MP disc including all the maps. This is a nice thing to include, but most halo fans will have bought these already.

To sum it all up Halo 3 ODST is a massive disappointment. The familiar Halo gameplay is still here, so you could enjoy it if you're a massive fan, but for me you're better off just renting this.

Still with it's halo gameplay, it gets a 6.0/10 by the skin of it's teeth.

EDIT: Thanks to those who recommended this review :)

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Halo 3: ODST for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:06:37 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/halo-3-odst/user-reviews/736421/platform/xbox360/ Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:36:28 -0700 racing1750 reviewed Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2/user-reviews/735673/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 9.5!

Geometry wars 2 is imo the best arcade game you can buy on your Xbox 360 today. The original from 2005 was solid, but the sequel is better in every single way.

Price

800MS points = bargain

Today most top rated XBLA titles are costing 1200 points, and GW2 can go toe to toe with any of them.

Game modes.

I'm not going to list them all, but instead list my personal favourites.

Pacifsm (bad spelling)

This mode has you going through gates to destroy your enemies. You can collect geoms to help boost your score. This mode is dangerously addictive. I've spent literally 30 hours playing this mode itself.

Evolved

The most challenging to get a high score. literally every enemy in the game is thrown at you.

KING

A new mode for this version. You're in circles, and must keep moving in to these to shoot enemies around you.

There is local MP modes aswell.

Overall

Fantastic is all i can say.

Buy it now.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:36:28 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2/user-reviews/735673/platform/xbox360/ Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:27:09 -0700 racing1750 reviewed Forza Motorsport 2 for the Xbox 360... http://www.gamespot.com/forza-motorsport-2/user-reviews/735671/platform/xbox360/ ...and gave it a 8.0.

Forza 2 is now over 3 years old, and ultimately it shows!

The visuals in Forza 2 were always up for debate. The art direction has always looked unrealistic, and more game than photo realism.

Forza 2's secret weapon is too be found in it's content - 300 cars, lots of real world tracks, a fantastic online community, and a ton of ways to tune upgrade your car etc....

Forzas physics have always been up there with the best on consoles, and forza 2 is no exception. Cars handle how they should. For example a mustang handles just how a mustang would - A small hatchback handles predicable with it's FWD drivetrain.

Forza 2 does have it's flaws. The game only allows up to 8 players online, and you could say it's running at 60fps, but i think at least 12 should of been possible.

Verdict

Forza 2 is now extremely cheap to buy. The game is over three years old, so it does feel it's age.

Forza 2 makes a fantastic buy - GET IT!





PS

Forza 2 is now three years old, and i decided to review the game on todays standards, since i'm doing the review in 2010.

Get the full article at GameSpot

"racing1750 reviewed Forza Motorsport 2 for the Xbox 360..." was posted by racing1750 on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:27:09 -0700
]]> http://www.gamespot.com/forza-motorsport-2/user-reviews/735671/platform/xbox360/