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Community => Video Gaming and Computers => Topic started by: Inquisitor Yoda on August 3, 2005, 10:59:31 AM

Title: The Game Review thread
Post by: Inquisitor Yoda on August 3, 2005, 10:59:31 AM
OK then, so here is the games reviewing thread. Basically you select a game you have and simply write up a review of the good and bad points and give it a score if you want and say basically if you would reccomend it to people or not. Also say what kind of gamer it would appeal to because if you're a Halo nut and say something's great someone who is into RPG's may have a rather different opinion of it.

A good example of what not to do is this:

Game: Halo 2
Genre: FPS
Platform: Xbox
Good: Halo roxorzzzzz!!!!
Bad: Nuffin it's well good man!
Score: 100/10
Other comments: Halo is teh best you gotta get it!!1!11!!!

This is way too short, and also a fine example of fanboyism. Please avoid doing either in your review/s.

What would also be nice is just one review per post, of a reasonable length and as little fanboyism as possible. If you wish to include spoilers make sure people are warned well in advance. And also I could link them all to the first post so they're easy to find and such :)

Advance Wars: Dual Strike (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1210011#msg1210011) ~ By Seeroftheavatar
Age of Empires III (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1312769#msg1312769) ~ By crazyguy832
Battlefield 2/ BF2 Special Forces/BF2 Euroforce (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1316253#msg1316253) ~ By Canadian Kamikazee
Burnout 3: Takedown (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1227315#msg1227315) ~ By Fadingjew
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1178632#msg1178632)  ~  By Erenthal
Counter Strike (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1149509#msg1149509)  ~  By Rebirth, the Beat of Life
Doom 3 (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1180696#msg1180696)  ~  By City Living
Eldar Scrolls 3, Morrowind. Game of the year edition (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1107999#msg1107999)  ~  By Killersquid
Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1369983#msg1369983) ~ By Possum
Enter the Matrix (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1144528#msg1144528)  ~  By Tanith Ghost
Everquest II (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1101008#msg1101008)  ~  By Cervantes-
Final Fantasy X-2 (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1107820#msg1107820)  ~  By O Fortuna
God of War (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1138298#msg1138298)  ~  By Adarachir
Half Life 2 (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1147232#msg1147232)  ~  By Hybrid Soldier
Halo II (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1100799#msg1100799)  ~  By Aronius
IL-2 Sturmovik + Expansions (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1100756#msg1100756)  ~  By Dark Exodus
Korsun Pocket (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1100689#msg1100689)  ~  By Erenthal
Metal Gear Solid 3 snake eater (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1100776#msg1100776)  ~  By Greenstuff
Meteos (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1129169#msg1129169)  ~  By Seeroftheavatar
Operation Flashpoint: Resistance (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1138477#msg1138477)  ~  By Col.Ryek
Otogi (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1107876#msg1107876)  ~  By Jai'jenn
Painkiller (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1129722#msg1129722)  ~  By Scythe
Phantom Crash (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1122451#msg1122451)  ~  By Killersquid
Playground of Destruction (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1162536#msg1162536)  ~  By Hybrid Soldier
Postal 2 (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1107865#msg1107865)  ~  By Cervantes-
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1178190#msg1178190)  ~  By Fading Jew
Psychonauts (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1121296#msg1121296)  ~  By FadingJew
Red Faction II (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1100799#msg1100799)  ~  By Aronious
Rome: Total War (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1124478#msg1124478)  ~  By Luke Skyscraper
Skies of Arcadia: Legends (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1101307#msg1101307)  ~  By Wurzelmaniac
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1101510#msg1101510)  ~  By Cervantes-
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille Zur Macht (http://www.40konline.com/index.php?topic=94435.msg1261929#msg1261929) ~ By The Ace of Spades


Disclaimer: I will not be going around changin the names of who wrote the reviews if you change your name if I see that you have done so, it's just waaaay to much effort, but if you really want the credit so badly then don't change it.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Erenthal on August 3, 2005, 11:44:04 AM
Game: Korsun Pocket

Genre: Operational Strategy

Quick overview: Korsun Pocket is a strategy game dealing with one of the major battles on the eastern front of WW2. In 1944, large german forces found themselves with the back against the Dnepr. The soviets quickly seized upon this opportunity, and with a decisive battle they trapped the germans.

This game allows you to fight this battle from start to finish. You can play it either as germans or soviets. The graphics are old-fashioned 2d, and the game is hex and turn based. The smallest regular unit you control is a regiment. Although it might seem simplistic at first, the system underneath the hood is extremely advanced, taking a huge number of factors in account. Supplies, morale, terrain, previous combat and movements, air cover and much more is calculated.

The graphic is as mentioned 2d, although it is very detailed, and particularily the terrain map is very well done.

Good: Realism, that just-one-more turn feeling, brutal AI, incredible replay value.

Bad: Takes a LONG time to play if you want to finish the whole battle, simplistic unit graphics, too advanced to just pick up and play.

Score: 90/100 (If you are a strategy fan), 30/100 (If you only like fast paced action)

Who is this game for: Strategy fans, WW2 buffs, desktop generals.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Dark Exodus on August 3, 2005, 12:43:27 PM
Game: IL-2 Sturmovik + Expansions

Genre: Flight sim

Platform:
PC

Overview: Including its expansions IL-2 is very possibly the best flight sim ever. The singleplayer is a WW2 sand-box, minus most of the ground elements. The quick mission builder is a good way to get some practice in without having to fly for half an hour on patrol and if you prefer to fly for ages the pilot careers should suffice. Difficulty can be tweaked hugely, from ultra-realism to ultra-unrealism. You can control whether their are clouds, blackouts, stalls etc. Even with this the game does have quite a big learning curve.

Graphics are good enough although the inflight messages look quite bad its not a major detriment to the games overall looks. The pacific fighters expansion adds a lot of improvements in that area.
Sound is good for aircraft though non-german/soviet voices can sound sub-standard at times.

Multiplayer is excellent and really makes the game, the engine allows for a lot of matches and mismatched battles and this means lots of amusing tales of dogfightery. Custimisation in the form of user created skins is also a plus.

You will need a decent joystick to play though, other than that its a great game.

Good:
Realism, damage and performance modelling, difficulty control, excellent multiplayer

Bad: Joystick, Inflight messages, Big Learning curve

Score: 95/100

Who is this game for: Flight sim fans or people who wan't to be one, People with joysticks

Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Greenstuff on August 3, 2005, 01:02:34 PM
game: metal gear solid 3 snake eater
genre sneak about
platform ps2
overveiw quite possibly the greatest sneaking game ever made. far surpasses number 2. excellent graphics, easy controls, can be quite challenging at time, lots of little side missions to complete, excellent story line, incredible music.
good everything
bad can ge a bit cliched sometimes .
and the ugly yoda :)
score 9.5/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Aronious on August 3, 2005, 01:32:50 PM
Game: Red Faction II
Genre: First Person Shooter
Platform: XBOX
Overview: A futuristic FPS game, with new ideas and weapons. Takes place with a plot and setting that will remind you of the words "Rebellion against Communism" even though it has nothing to do with Communism at all.
Plus -The ability to BLOW THROUGH WALLS! w00t!
         -Sniping was actually difficult.
         -Maps really force firefights with more than 2 people.
Minus -Not a whole lot of new ideas.
         -A little too easy.
         -Some maps were too big.

Score: 7/10

Game: Halo 2
Genre: First Person Shooter
Platform: XBOX
Overview: FPS with very futuristic style, plot, and setting. Sequel to Halo.
Plus -Really sets the stage for what First Person Shooters should be like.
        -Varying difficulties, so you can always go from |337 to n00b.
        -Amazing multiplayer that never gets boring.
Minus -Was overrated. I really expected a lot more from this game.
         -Should have been more like Halo. It was too big of a jump overall, and Bungie went overboard with trying new things. I wasn't able to use my Halo skills at all in Halo 2.
         -Seemed too Americanized. In the game, every country is supposed to be united, but the only different nationalities were African-Americans, Caucasians, and Hispanics. None of the Marines were from Asia. But they also changed a lot of the music in Halo to have electric guitar which really emphasized ther American feel that I don't think Bungie intended to do.

Score: 7/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Inquisitor Yoda on August 3, 2005, 02:24:34 PM
Just out of interest here Dark Exodus what does IL stand for?

Also Greenstuff I'm sure there are a few bad points about it :P There is no game in the world I haven't found numerous problems with.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Dark Exodus on August 3, 2005, 03:35:20 PM
Illyushin, a russian plane manufacturer. The IL-2 was a ground attack plane during WW2 and  is the 'posterplane' of the game.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Pandamonium on August 3, 2005, 04:05:34 PM
Game:  Everquest 2

Genre:  MMORPG

Platform:  PC

Overview:  A sequel to the original Everquest (and it's thousands of expansions).  Set 500 years after EQ1, giving players a much more immense and very different world to explore.  Players can opt to be good or evil based on the race you choose.  Evil starts in Freeport and Good starts in Qeynos.  About 15 or 16 Races to choose from, 4 Archetypes, 12 Classes and 27 Subclasses can lead to unique and different characters.  The customization of your character when you first starts out will give you a 1/1,000,000,000 chance of having the same looking character as someone else.

Pros:  Customization, beautiful environments, new rules to help players go against negative play (i.e., farming,
stealing quests), and best of all - Housing

Cons:  I can only see two things wrong with this game - Monthly Fee, Need  SERIOUS good computer parts to run it

Score:  9.75/10

Other Comments:  Biggest and best looking MMORPG out there with no rivalry from any other MMORPG.  For serious gamers only
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Wurzelmaniac on August 3, 2005, 08:30:03 PM
I think I'll sticky this, it's a handy thread.

Game: Skies of Arcadia:Legends
Genre: RPG
Platform: Gamecube (also Dreamcast in a less refined form)
Good: Fun characters, interesting plot, bright and enjoyable world, Ship to Ship combat.
Bad: Not the best graphically and a slightly clunky foot combat system. Also if you finish the game you get no chance to go around completing the side quests so you might well remain Vyse the Fallen Pirate.
Score: 9.7/10
Other comments: This game is really hard to find.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Pandamonium on August 4, 2005, 12:26:08 AM
Game:  Star Ocean:  Till the End of Time

Genre:  RPG

Platform:  PS2

Good:  Open story line, several endings, Characters are very different.  Very good combat system, though some opponents are a little too strong.  Very good twist about halfway through the game.  LOTS of mini-activities

Bad:  Most bosses are usually 50x stronger than what's seen in the dungeon.  Can get repetitive and boring through some parts

Score:  8/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Pandamonium on August 8, 2005, 07:42:42 PM
Game:  Final Fantasy X-2

Genre:  RPG

Platform:  PS2

Good:  The Hundreds of combinations possible with each Dress Sphere, the New Battle System, New Game + option, the Special Dress Spheres for each character

Bad:  Story line was a bit stale, bosses a little too easy, Blitzball

Other Comments:  Even though people say this game is terrible, it's really quite good and challenging aside the story line.  The main reason why I imagine most players to come back and play is cause of the Battle System, it's like the old FF's where you run into random battles but in the battle it's real time, not turn based.  The Dress Spheres gave the game a new look so if you happen to have the wrong type of fighter, just switch and you're ready to go.

Score: 9/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Dux Aurelius Elysius on August 8, 2005, 07:58:31 PM
GAME

Please don't make posts like this in the future, keep them constructive, on topic and written in a fashion where people knowwhat you're on about.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Inquisitor Yoda on August 8, 2005, 08:10:22 PM
Bad:Sort of short.
Just like your review. Sorry, I intended for this to be for decent reviews with some description of the game and a good overview of the goods and bads, the example i showed was what not to do, yet you seem to have done one almost as short, without the fanboyism yes, but still abysmally short.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Pandamonium on August 8, 2005, 08:28:04 PM
Hmm...  Lets go for a bad review...

Game:  Postal 2

Genre:  FPS  (S stands for "Something" not "Shooter")

Platform:  PC

Good:  I have seen nothing that I would even call good inside of this game

Bad:  Just read the overview

Overview:  This game was meant to be hateful and funny, like South Park.  But guess what?  It's not.  This is the most vile and disgusting game I've had the pain to play.  You start off by kicking your own dog.  Afterwards you go out into the word and just kill.  Sure that sounds like fun, little shoot 'em up...  No.  Inside this game, it includes a coin-operated game called "Fag-Hunter", which is just incredibly disgusting and hateful. 

Other Comments: Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT get this game unless you happen to be a very disturbed human being, and on that note, I also wish to include that I am not joking.

Score:  0/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Sox'li on August 8, 2005, 08:47:20 PM
Game: Otogi

Genre: Hack'n'Slash

Platform
: Xbox

Overview
: You play as an undead warrior, Raikoh, in a world modeled after feudal Japan, filled with demons from Raven Yashas to invisible cat-creatures that can cut you up like a fish. Fight through levels, destroying everything in your path, as you are guided by a mysterious 'princess' (nothing but a voice really) as you try to save the 'city' from being breached by even more demons. Or something like that. Truth is, I was too stunned by the incredible graphics and exploding particles. Magic in this game is simple: charge it up and let it go. Very fast-paced game with a very fun combat system, where you can fight in the are about as much as you can on the ground. Weapons in this game can span from two-handed weapons, to short swords, to twin weapons at once.

Good: Interesting music, GREAT graphics, fun hack'n'slash gameplay, ariel combat is fun, completely destroyable environments, tons of hidden weapons/magic, tatical use of weapons. Did I mention the great graphics? Oh, and the CRIMSON DOGGIE-BAGGING KING!!!

Bad: a bit short, some bosses are really annoying, gameplay CAN get repetetive.

Overall: 9/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Lord of Winter and War on August 8, 2005, 11:07:18 PM
Game: Eldar Scrolls 3, Morrowind. Game of the year edition

Genre: RPG

Platform: Xbox, P.C.

Overview: Open gameplay RPG with no boundrys and hundreads of quests, dozen of guilds and a massive landspace. Also Good storyline and setting.

Good: -Very good and creative Character creation
                   -Very nice atmosphere
                   -Lots of quests, you will allways have somthing to do
                   -massive amount of replayability
                   -Nice water
                   -For me the night sky is beutiful.
                   -Is realativly Cheap $ wise.
                   -Has stealth, Combat and magic and 7 skills for each.
                   -P.C. Version has mods which improve the game as a whole and a very nice mod maker thing that comes with game.
Bad: -Out dated graphics
            -Combat could be better,
            -Magic Items have a silly plastic glow,
            -Long load times, Not a game for an impatient person.
            -can crash with long use, so save often
            - If you die you have to load your last save, and if you have none, then you lose your character. And you may die alot.
  Overall: Xbox, 7/10
                P.C    9/10 (due to mods if nothing else)

Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Kitsune Tsuki on August 28, 2005, 11:10:16 PM
Game; Psychonauts
System; Xbox/ PC/PS 2
Genre; Puzzle solving/Adventure
Overview; Fun, unique gameplay. Rank system mixes in some RPG elements.
Good; Creative, comical and very unique. Addicting. Storyline and background are very in-depth.
Bad;Rank system, along with merit badge keeo you from advancing too far in the game. Very linelear(sp?) and storydriven. A little wierd at a few pionts. A little short and boss battles are a little easy sometimes.
Overalll;A great Rent, or buy second handed.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Chuckles, The Space Marine Clown on August 29, 2005, 02:34:11 PM
Nice. These could do with being longer though
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Lord of Winter and War on August 29, 2005, 04:24:20 PM
Game: Phantom Crash

Genre: Shooter/mech game thing.

Platform: Xbox (as far as I know no other system)

Good: -graphics are really good.
                   -diffrent types of Mechs (henceforth known as S.V.'s)
                   -Very high amount of cusmombility (change guns,legs,color,stickers and whatnot.)
                   -been out for a while so it's less money to buy.
                   -effects (missiles, muzzle flashes) and First person view are pretty neat.
                   -Custom soundtracks you can make in game with pretty good music of all types.
Bad:
                  -Not good if you do not like mech games, or anime characters in game.
                  -Can't upload music downloaded onto xbox.
                  -only 3 S.v's  and companies to buy S.V.'s
                  -Not much of a storyline as one can really tell, and alot of 'running into people' who talk about stuff.
                  -*not X-box live enabled*, but can have multiplayer offline.
                  -over shadowed by newer games and is hard to find.
Overview:
  This is one hell of a mech game, and if you don't mind games with not much of a storyline with lots of shooting with highly cusomized mechs this is the game for you. I say that it is a definate rent.
Overall: 7.5/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Inquisitor Yoda on August 30, 2005, 05:39:47 PM
The links on the first post have been updated, nice work people, we're up to 14 nice reviews now. Keep 'em coming :)
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Chuckles, The Space Marine Clown on August 30, 2005, 05:55:56 PM
Game: Rome: Total War

Genre: Real Time Strategy/Turn-based Strategy (parts of the game use both y'see)

Platform: PC

Good:
- mightily impressive graphics during the battles
-fantastic battle control system (mostly)
-huge single player campaign, is almost literally endless
-outstanding multiplayer fun to be had

Bad:
-an improvement on Medieval: Total War, but hardly a revolution
-battles can get a little hectic and dissolve into a frenzy of clicking
-slightly odd limitations in terms of what you can do during the game
-battles take forever to end sometimes, when a persistent enemy unit keeps on running away at the exact same speed as your units
-not the best end-game reward I've ever seen
Overview:
Best in the series. No doubt about it. Certainly not perfect, but top notch fun that you will repeatedly come back to.
Overall: 9/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Sgt. Sota on September 2, 2005, 02:34:22 PM
Game: Meteos

Genre: Puzzle

Platform: NDS

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Q Entertainment

Good:
-Adictive gameplay
-Many, many unlockables
-Solid graphics
-Intuitive control
-Best puzzle game since tetris

Bad:
-This game will be moving to fast for you after ten minutes into the game, making stock matches over ten unenjoyable against the computer

Overview: I did a much longer overview before the server roll back and I've come to the conclusion the game can't be explained. Basically it's a falling block game, but it uses a unique way of clearing the blocks and touch screen controls.

Score: 10/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Scythe on September 2, 2005, 10:39:24 PM
Game: Painkiller

Genre: FPS

Platform: PC

Publisher: Dreamcatcher

Developer: People May Fly

Overview: There hasn't been a FPS like this since the genres founding fathers Doom & Quake were created. Painkiller is a chip off the old block. Add a dead human (Daniel Garner) in a type of purgatory being infiltrated by the armies of Hell. Give him some of the coolest collection of unbelievable weapons with two weapon modes each, the Painkiller, Shotgun/Freezer, Stakegun/Grenade Launcher, Rocket Launcher/Chaingun, Electrodriver. Add in piles of demons whose imagery represent those who have gone to Hell over the centuries, add a few more creatures that don't exist, then put two hundred of them in a themed level. Add the fact that you get locked in each room until you kill all the demons which appear out of thin air all around you. Pain.

This would be an interesting FPS if the game stopped there. But it doesn't. Each Painkiller level has gold coins in explosive barrels, boxes, chests, coffins. As well as secret places, and finally souls. See each demon you killl leaves a green floating soul where he died which last for a few seconds, simply stepping into the soul will allow you to gain some health back. When you have collected 66 souls in consession you yourself turn into a demon. In demon mode you are completely invulnerable, and can kill instantly just by pointing and clicking. Add in the fact that the world goes shades of white and the demons glow like fire, gaining that 66 soul at the right moment could mean you could massacre the 15 odd demons running at you in a few flashes. Of course demon mode only last for 30 seconds, but that is a long time in Painkiller.
 
And now we finally come to the biggest bonus of Painkiller. The Tarot Cards. Each level has an unlock tarot card critera, ranging from completing the level, too killing 30 demons in one go in demon mode (one of the hardest things to do in the level that required it). Once you have unlocked the either silver (peramnently active) or gold (use once per level) tarot card, between levels you can equip 2 silver and 3 gold, at a cost of gold. The same gold you collected in the main game. Every card adds some new ability, either from having more base health (silver), sucking souls towards you (gold), or tripling the speed at which you fire (gold).

Finally Painkiller is all wrapped up in a nice little story featuring some beautifully crafted CG clips. The story I'll leave you to find out.

Good:
- The graphics are brilliant for when this game came out.
- General gameplay is fun, and often challenging.
- The use of the Havoc2 physics engine was excellent. If you've never seen someone been hit by a stake, fly back and get pinned to the wall, your missing out.
- Tarot Cards (see above)
- Souls (see above)
- The difference in levels (ranging from an Opera House to a an Arab Palace, to an Air Force Base, to a Monastry)breaths fresh air into each level you play.
- Brilliant music score, using alot of industrial and metal tracks, played each time you come into a new area with enemies.

Bad:
- The difficulty in fufilling some of the Tarot Card criteria. (Walkthroughs are often needed)

Score: 10/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Adarachir on September 9, 2005, 08:01:31 AM
Game: God of War

Genre: Action

Quick overview: The greek god of war, Ares, has laid siege to Athens, the city of Athena. Because of an edict laid down by Zeus, the gods cannot attack each other directly. In a bid to stop Ares, the other gods enlist Kratos, a spartan warrior who once was a devout follower of Ares, but now has a chip on his shoulder for his onetime master.

The game has a smooth play, with a nice mix between hack-and-slash, platforming, and puzzles. It takes the best parts of Devil May Cry, Prince of Persia, and countless platform games, and mix it into a seemless whole. There is little loading to notice, which help imensely. The graphics are also very nice...very nice indeed... The various ways inwhich to terminate foes also helps Zombies f.ex can be grabbed, and then either stabbed(repeatedly), torn on half, or thrown into other enemies. This game takes the most violent parts of greek mythology and some artistic license, and combine it into a game that won't meet it's mtch in a long time indeed.

Good: Lots of options, many surprises("Hey, I didn't notice that one the last time!"), good graphics, and a very smooth play. The wealth of enemies and the variation is also very good.

Bad: Not much, exept that sometimes the IA makes all enemies block your attacks, even as more opposition home in on your position, making it into a very nast war of attrition(which can easily be lost if you donæt watch your six). This is especially the case when you are to make the sacrifice to Poseidon...

Score: 98/100. Unless a hack-and-slash RPG game isn't your thing.

Who is this game for: Anyone who isn't squimish about violence.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Librarian Nikol on September 9, 2005, 11:28:07 AM
Game: Operation Flashpoint: Resistance

Genre: FPS+RTS+Sim

Platform: PC

Good: -extremely faithful to modern day armies
         -A mix of everything.(flying, ground pounding and driving)
         -Brilliant gameplay engine, allows for large squad based missions
         -Engine allows for intricate orders to squads
         -Built in mission editor


Bad: -Graphics aren't up to much
       -Multiplayer can be quite slow, even with relatively low ping
       -mission editing relies heavily on being able to script


Overview:  A brilliant mix of strategy/shooter with a well knit storyline.if you enjoy games like BF1942 (to a certain extent) and Medal of Honour: European Assault, then this is the game for you, even if it is almost 4 years old.


Overall: 8.5/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Tanith Ghost on September 14, 2005, 10:53:46 PM
Game: Enter The Matrix
Type of game: fighting/ adventure
review: well this game got not the greatest reviews  but here is one that will give it what it deserves.
Good points:
-great combination of movie and game
-fun combat, with a ton of combos
-two different playable charters to chose from
-a lot of guns
-HDTV 1080i
-bullet time for cool matrix moves
Now the bad points
-graphics are not the best but not the worst
-all the guns feel the same even the there is like 30 different ones
-combat system is a little of the same thing over again
-combat system works to fast when your the one hitting and two slow if your the one getting up
-AI for some guys is very stupid
-focus runs down to fast sometimes
- Car missions and hovercraft missions are stupid and have no point
Now the weird point
-who fights a SWAT helicopter?
-why is multy player a hack u have to unlock?
-was it really necessary to add 2 playable characters?
- How many police guards are at a post office?
-And how many SWAT members can fit in a helicopter?

In the end: well all things considered, once u get past some of the rough edges of the game your left with a surprisingly good game, the game was good but for some reason they just couldn’t make it fulfill its potential, there is still potential for a great game, so lets hope the next one(The Matrix: path of neo) is a better one.
7 out of 10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Dr. Ravingburger on September 17, 2005, 02:41:37 PM
Half Life: 2
Type FPS
Review: Excellent game, quite possibly the best game I have ever played.
Good: Great Graphics, Smart AI, Fun vehicles, Gravity Gun, Lots of Mods,  Comes with CS:S and HL2 DM.
Bad: Puzzles are sometimes difficult. Need a very good computer to run it.
99/100
Great game overall, I can't wait for the expansion.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Pandamonium on September 19, 2005, 07:36:43 PM
Game:  Counter-Strike (Any of them)
Platform:  PC
Genre:  FPS

Good:  Counter-Strike has to be one of the best multiplayer FPS series around.  It has real-time recoil and live animation for all the characters as well as good sound engine.  Also, it is most likely that it is the most realistic FPS around (aside from the grenades).  Good all around gun basis, most guns act like they should in real life (except maybe the awp...)

Bad:  The actual bullet time is bad.  A bullet doesn't instantly hit it's target on the time you pull the trigger.  Unrealistic shooting at times (i.e., while jumping, your bullet will go 1000 ft in some directions at times).  The HE Grenades and Smoke Grenades (HE should do more damage regardless of kevlar and you shouldn't see through smokes)

Score:  8/10  All in all, it's a terrific FPS game with low requirements (other then an internet connection if you're going to play online)
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Dr. Ravingburger on October 1, 2005, 01:54:20 PM
Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction
Platform: PS2 and X-Box
Genre Action


Pros: Huge levels, wide variety of weapons and vehicles, thrusts you right into the action, you don't need to do the objectives, good graphics, You can work for the Russian Mafia.

Bad: Extremely difficult at times, can't save during a contract, and if you order something from the Russian Mafia and they can't deliver it, it still charges you.

Score 9/10 Great game overall. Just got this one yesterday, and I am addicted to it already.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Kitsune Tsuki on October 15, 2005, 10:54:41 PM
Game:  Prince Of Persia: Sands of Time
Platform:  Xbox, PS 2, Gamecube
Genre:  Action-Adventure/Puzzle

Good: Very simple, yet innovative gameplay. Puzzle are fun and make you think. Combat is simple, but fun.
Graphics are amazing during both gameplay and cutscenes. And nlockable bonuses.
Bad: Over use of the R-trigger and the game is fairly linear. Some puzzles can be rather hard and annoying. In addition, some really hard fights can make you want to give up. Finally, it's relatively short, roughly 7 hours.
Score:  9/10, if you like games Action-Adventure/Puzzle games.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Erenthal on October 16, 2005, 11:43:38 AM
Game:  Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Platform:  Nintendo DS
Genre:  Platformer action

Overview: Step once again into the shoes of Soma Cruz. Infiltrate and butcher your way through a huge castle filled with evil minions in order to stop the bad-guy.

Good: Very large castle to explore. Tons of enemies to fight, some very memorable bosses. Also, the soul-system from the previous game has been slightly revamped and works great! The music and sound is very good. Charming graphics.

Bad: Graphics are still pixels, so less than impressive compared to some games on the PSP for instance. Somewhat short for the experienced platform-player.
 
Score:  8/10. Buy this if you enjoy old-school hack-and-slash platforming. Buy this if you are a fan of Castelvania. Heck, just buy it already!
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Wind Walker on October 18, 2005, 11:15:39 AM
Game: Doom 3

Platform: PC (But also available on X-Box, though I haven't played it on that)

Genre: FPS

Overview: I was pretty sceptical when I first sat down to play it. Everyone I knew had told me how bad this game was. My first thoughts were that this game is not going to be anywhere good as it's predecessors. However, despite the rather cliché female robotic voice that narrates the prologue, I got into the atmosphere very
quickly.
The first and most obvious thing that I noticed were the amazing graphics. Where games such as Half-Life 2 aim at realizm, it's pretty obvious that Doom 3 created it's skins and graphics for a sheer 'wow!' effect. Combined with the impressive lighting effects and sounds, combat can be a really exhilerating
experience.
The story is pretty straightforward with not too many things too many things to distract you from the main flow of things. I really like the fact that this time the game has real depth. Sure, it's fun to blast away at monsters without thinking too much, but I really enjoyed the way things spiralled out of control until you are thrown into the
action.
Anyway, I'll explain my thoughts on the combat. Firstly, I can't stress enough how great it is to enter a clausterphobic room with flickering ligths and zombies staggering towards you. The skins are so good, and the way the monsters recoil and spit blood every time they are hit really took my breath away when I first played this game. The guns are quite nice, with the pistol looking especially reminiscent to it's predecessor. The gun sounds were great too, and I loved firing the shotgun and hearing it reload. Some fights can be very intense, and the realism really pays off when you see a huge Hell Knight stomping towards you.
Doom 3 also has some really nice little touches that make the game just that little bit better. The background sounds of combats in the other rooms really adds a sense of desperation to the already chilling atmosphere, and the occasional graphic of a zombie crawling out of a ventilation system, despite being a very cheap way of instilling fear, is really quite enjoyable.
However, I did find it very dissapointing that there was almost no physics at all. It really ruins the realism that the rest of the effects helped to create.

Good: - Wonderful graphics.
                   - The sounds contribute very nicely to the adrenaline.
                   - A good, straightforward story.
                   - Great combat.
                   - A beautifully chilling atmosphere.

Bad:   - An almost complete lack of physics.
                   - Annoying music.

Score: 9/10. There are a couple of things that spoil this game, and because there are so many good things, the mistakes really become very obvious. This is undoubtedly one of my favourite games. An yes, it did scare me  :)
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Inquisitor Yoda on October 23, 2005, 01:08:08 PM
Aaaaaaaaaand we're up to 26. Looking good. I've updated the list at the start finally. Keep those great reviews coming :)
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Sgt. Sota on November 15, 2005, 09:02:11 PM
Game: Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Genre: Turn Based Strategy (TBS)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo DS

The Good:
- Good graphics and animation
- Same great gameplay as the last Advance Wars games
- New units
- New Terrain
- Tons of War Room maps
- Touch screen map editor
- Challenging Campaign mode
- New Combat Mode
- Multiplayer
- Skills and experience system
- New COs
- Multiplayer can be played with one DS

The Bad:
- Combat mode isn't all it could have been
- There are easy War Room maps, and hard ones, there seems to be little in between.
- Can get a little boring if you don't have anyone to play against
- Some of the new units are of questionable value.
- No single card multiplayer, which is important if you use FoW when your friends don't have a copy of the game.

Description:
Advance Wars is my favorite game on the Gameboy Advance, so I was pumped for this sequel. If you havn't at least played it... you're a loser. Seriously though, you're missing out. In Advance Wars every turn you can move and produce new units. Your goal is to either rout the enemy completely or capture their HQ. Each faction takes turns moving and attacking, with 4 factions playing in a game possible. The games also feature a stroy driven campaign, multiplayer and a War Room mode, where you complete a battle for a score based on speed, power and technique.

For those vets of the series I'll skip to something more relevant. There are 2 new OS COs, and 1 new one for GE, BM and YC. Also BH has 4 new COs (although 2 are just new versions of old ones). There are also several new units. There are now Stealth planes (fighter bombers), Aircraft Carriers, Black Boats (can transport infantry type and heal 1 hp to nearby units), Black Bombs (A suicide air unit), Pipe Runners (An indirect unit that targets both land and ground and moves on pipes and bases) and the Mega Tank (Unlike other tanks, it doesn't form a squadron) which costs the same as a Battle Ship and can wipe out Tank Squadrons in a single attack.

Overview: A good game, that offers everything good about the last ones with more. There's too much content for me to cover in a concise review. A definate buy if you like strategy games.

Score: 9.5/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Kitsune Tsuki on December 3, 2005, 12:08:05 AM
Game Burnout 3: Takedown
GenreRacing
Platforms PS2, Xbox

Good Graphics, tracks, fun game modes, crashes, cutscenes
Bad Generic cars, Repetitive tracks, annoying challenges, ridiculous times in 'Time Attack'

Description Burnout 3 (B3) is a racing game, with a twist. A newly created sport, known as Burnout, has been invented. The piont? Fast cars, big crashes, and big rewards. The controls are fairly simple. You got an accelerate(R-trigger), brake (L-trigger) steer with joystick/D-pad, and A/Square boosts. Heres the twist you been wondering about. You can takedown you opponents. Slam then in the back, push them againest the guard rail, or my them drive in an oncoming car, allll ways to takedown you opponent. But remember, they can take you down too. Even when you crash, you can 'steer' the wreckage you onced called a car into other cars. This is called aftertouch.

 In the game, you can go on tour and try your hand at different events, from USA to Italy, to India. Events can consist of different game modes. Theres your generic race, trying to takedown your competition to slow them, and keep them from taking you spot. Time attack is you driving the track in 1 lap trying to get under a certain time. Road Rage, my personal favorite, is trying to get as many takedowns as possible. Crash is trying to pile up cars and get big crash cash.

New cars are unlocked by earning different types of points. Cash from crash, points from race and time attack, and take downs from Road Rage. Cars have 3 different colour schemes, normally Red, blue and black.

The music that is played is pretty good, mostly alternative rock. The DJ striker can get annoying, but he has some humorous moments, and hints at how to get signature takedowns.

On the downside, some games get repetative, time attack can be very short and the cars are really generic.

Overview Great, simple racer. Very pick-up and play control. And crashes are very cool!
Score8.5/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Pandamonium on January 8, 2006, 02:20:21 PM
Game:  Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille Zur Macht
Genre:  RPG
Platform:  PS2

Summary - Xenosaga is a german space epic based off of a novel.  It is set in the future of mankind where three forms of life exist - Humans, Realians and Gnosis.  Humans are still the same looking, same ordinary strength; with the exception of the highly advanced weaponry from the Government Technology company known as Vector.  Realians are artificially created human beings, though they are not human.  They've been gifted with extraordinary range of emotions and lifelike structures and some advantages.  The Gnosis are the alien that threatens to destroy the cosmos as everyone knows it.  Untouchable and seemingly invincible to normal bullets.  All I can say that won't ruin the game is that there is a Civil War being fought between the U-TIC organization and the rest of humanity

Pros
- Very diverse characters, beautiful imagery and landscapes.  The AGWS (pronounced eggs) are animated perfectly.  Very mysterious and ever changing storyline

Cons -  Majority of people say this game was just too long (I spent 80+ hours and I couldn't get enough =\).  Combat engine is extremely boring, could've been better.  Storyline could confuse you at any point in the game

Score - 9/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: crazyguy832 on April 14, 2006, 02:40:38 PM
Well, I feel I might as well contribute.  Many people will hate me for this, but it's just one man's opinion.   :D

Game: Age of Empires III

Genre: RTS

Quick overview: Before I begin, let me say that (collectively) I have easily put 100+ hours into AoE and AoE II (plus expansions ;)) and AoM (now that's a game with some ideas).  Now that that's over, onto the very quick overview.

The game is fun enough.  I doubt there are a lot of people who haven't heard about this (overrated) game yet.  Personally, when I heard about AoE III and that it was coming out... let's just say I just about seizured in ecstacy.  Guns?  In Age of Empires!?  HELLS YEAH!  Ten minutes into the game (half of which I spent trying to figure out what my barracks looked like as my little outpost was being stormed  ::)), I realized it sucked.  There was nothing new to it.  It wasn't innovative in the least (I hold all strategy games up to Rome - Total War), and just felt identical to the previous games.  Yes, it looked good... but if your computer isn't totally new it won't look amazing like in those screenshots.

My reccomendation is to get the demo.  If you don't get bored playing the demo all the way through, plus a couple skirmish missions, then yeah the game's worth it to pick up.  Otherwise, no... don't even bother.

On a side note, I did not play the multiplayer aspect.  It is of my belief that any game which sucks in singleplayer as it does... well... why would I bother trying multiplayer?

Good: - BEAUTIFUL!  I cannot say enough how absolutely gorgeous this game is
- Ka-BOOM!  Go guns and cannons!
- It's a really solid game
- Fun?  Fun is good!
- I hear multiplayer absolutely kicks ass
- Nice little bit of innovation with the home city
- Story's decent

Bad: - My machine isn't even that old (year and a half or so) and it can't run it that well
- We've done this before... MANY times
- Campaign gets boring fast, as... well... I refer you to my previous point
- I didn't like the home city thing, felt tacked-on almost
- Innovative?  Not by a long shot
- Everything fell apart with the guns and cannons...
- Ships are virtually worthless
- Hype?  Just a little...

Score: 4/10 - Slightly below average, nothing special and a very mediocre game

Who is this game for: People who love the AoE series (and aren't sick of the same old thing), RTS lovers, people who want to play an RTS but haven't played one yet

Reccomendation: Pick up Rome - Total War instead. Turn based economics, real time strategy, and just so much more fun and innovative.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Canadian Kamikazee on April 17, 2006, 10:36:59 PM
Game: Battlefield 2/ BF2 Special Forces/BF2 Euroforce

Genre: Online FPS

Good: Hectic gameplay, good graphics, plenty of vehicles and maps, lots of people playing, ranking and unlock system, advanced command system, 8 different classes

Bad: has some bugs, long load times, some (few)maps are unbalanced, EA downloader bugs me (personal thing)

Overview: This game seems to me like it will be around for a long time. And for a good reason. You can fly jets, go spec ops on the other team and blow up their special equipment with c4, pilot tanks, etc. The maps are huge, and as a result every game you play turns out differently. You can also get promoted by playing on ranked server and can eventually unlock new, more powerful weapons such as the M95 for the sniper, or the G36 for spec ops. Theres at least two unlocks for each class. Unfortunately though, the game is a system hog, has long load times, and has some weird bugs. Don't let this fool you into thinking this a bad game though

Score 9/10

Just a great game
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Possum on May 31, 2006, 10:41:43 PM
I'll give this a try, I play video games enough its time to give something back.

Game: The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

Creator/Publisher:Bethesda Softworks, 2K Games

Genre:RPG/Action

Overview:A game featuring a customizable character, in-depth plot, non-linear game play and great graphics. Set in the fantasy world of Tamriel, you are a prisoner who freed by an escaping Emperor. Before he is killed in front of you the Emperor tasks you with finding his long lost heir and stop an invasion from Oblivion(Tamriel's version of a hell/alternate dimension). After this you are free to do as you please whether it be stop the invasion or go and kill everyone in the towns.

Good:-Great graphics
-the AI in the NPCs creates a "living" world
-Hundreds of side quests and great plot
-Combat system has also been greatly improved upon from Morrowind
-Good physics as well.
-For PCs the ability to create and use mods
-For 360/PC official plugins give new professional content

Bad:-Can be hard on PCs that arent up to recommended specifications
-occasionaly a bug or glitch rears its ugly head
-Not as much variation for clothing and armor as in Morrowind
-Not many factions to join.
-Not many voice actors

Rating:9/10

Audience:A must have for RPG/action lovers, a pure action person could still have fun hacking and slashing. The abilities system is much simpler than other RPGs allowing for an easier grasp of the concepts. A good game for most people.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Dux Aurelius Elysius on June 2, 2006, 07:09:23 PM
Kind, gracious, benevolent.  I display all these qualities.

So yeah, I updated the beginning list on your behalf Xiou.  If anyone notices a mistake with it, spam my PM box and I'll sort it :)
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Seth the Dark on August 18, 2006, 06:08:45 PM
Game: Suikoden I

Genre: RPG

Platform: PSOne

Overview: Based on the ancient Chinese literary work The Water Margin, Suikoden I and its sequels are loosely based off of this story. As a teenager, you are the son of a prominent general within the Scarlet Moon Empire who is beginning his career in the military/civil service. Unwittingly you are thrust into the arms of rebels who are fighting the corrupt Scarlet Moon Empire.

Good: This is a great RPG in which all of the classic elements of an RPG are present. In additions to battles and a decent storyline, you get to build a Castle by recruiting more people into your army.

Bad: Very rare and expensive. 1995 graphics can be a turn off to some.

Score: 8/10
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Fire Chicken on October 10, 2006, 12:16:08 PM
My turn :)

Game: Dawn of War...  er no lets try Company of Heroes.  They are almost the same.

Genre: RTS

Platform: PC

Overview: From the makers of Dawn of War we bring you WWII  (again).  It may be an over played setting but this one works.  You are drawn into the setting, the game feels right and you have an exciting time.  The one play story is gripping and is much longer than the DoW tiny adventure.  The (14?) many levels are long but each has a unique challenge.

Good: There are so many.  The story is #1.  It really draws me in.  The units are smart (sorta), they seek cover, move up in cover and really take advantage of the world.  They hide along the busshes not stand beside them.  Units also level up and get tougher.  It is hard when you lose a lvl 3 ranger to enfilade fire!  And you can get some of the high lvl units back in the next mission by buying them in the barracks.  The tech tree is simple and intuitive and each part is useful to most styles of play.  You can choose from 3 armies: infantry, paratroops and tanks.  Each has unique units and abilities to aid you.  You get power ups for these through "battle points' that you earn through killing enemies.

Bad: Take some GPU power to get the most of the beautiful graphics, but it's very playable in medium setting.  There is a small pathing insure (things get in each others way) that you need to watch out for.  It takes more multi tasking than my slow brain can manage to effectively use the many units..

Score: 9.5/10  If you loved DoW for more than the nifty 40K spiffy models then you will love this game.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Loki Hades on November 1, 2006, 04:07:39 PM
Hello, First of all, I'm a newcomer to 40K Online, now lets get to the review.

Game: WarHammer 40K:Dawn of War Dark Crusade Expansion Pack

The Good: -2 Races, the Necrons, and the Tau
                -1 New unit for each race
                -Continues to use the excellent styling of DoW
                -Has multiple strategies to each race that are deeper than most common RTS'
                -Better campaign than the first
                -Eyecandy Graphics

The Bad: -Balance issues in certain races (See Overview)
              -Too many full squads on the screen even for a high end computer makes the game go laggy
              -The new unit for each race does little for some teams, and way too much for others (goes in turn with
              unbalance)
              -Though the new campaign can get annoying when up against the Necrons (they abuse the Resurrection
              Orb)
              -Painful on the Lower end PCs
              -Horrible multitasking on large scale battles!

Overview: This game takes all the good points of Dawn of War and improves the game with two new races, to add to the previous four (or five, should you own the Winter Assault Expansion).
The problem is, with these new races comes *dun dun dun* new balance issues.
The Necrons, while very slow, have the great ability of thier troops being able to ressurect by chance (certain troops only), now you may think this is fair, but as the Necrons do not cost much resources to build (The Warriors are FREE mind you), and that they only capture strategic points to increase their speed of creation, which is when things get overwhelming... Since they build armies free, and regenerate them, they tend to zerg their enemies, and heres where it gets worst: The Necron Lord. Now, he's not the best of the "Heroes" characters, but he has a unique ability to add things called artifacts to him... One in particular is the Ressurection Orb... You think its bad that they regenerate quickly? Well this thing MASS Ressurects on command and passively increases the rate of ressurections for troops around him... With Necron Warriors free, this gives him the unfair unlimited Zerging effect...
Now, done with that rant, move on to the next Balance Issue.
A more minor issue goes with the Tau's Stealth Suits, they are quite unfair, because for one they can't be detected without detectors (and alot of people forget that), they have weapons that are anti everything, they can have commanders, and they can have extra squad leaders...
Now more on the goodstuff, the graphics are pure eyecandy, with each unit having its individual animation played at one time (one of your warrior squad member's may be bash a guy on the head in melee, while the other squad member might be lowblowing him, all at their own times, so you don't see them doing it over and over again in the same few seconds). They also made spectacular effects, and the terrain gets marks from war (craters specifically, which can be used as trenches). Also, when a unit dies, its body remains, leaving the scars of battle (and an unfair advantage to necrons, and the Kroot Carnivores who gain health bonuses by canibalizing corpses).
Lets get to the sound, its indeed spectacular, as you can hear the sounds of weapons clashing, screams of dying men, when you zoom up close to the battle, and world shattering explosions, and the musical score does well to fit the mood of the 40K Universe...
Onto the Gameplay, its absolutely brilliant. Each unit is a squad for infantry, each squad usually composes at default of 3-4 basic members... Now, as your HQ upgrades, you get various upgrades you can add to your squad at the cost of resources... Default if additional squad members, but certain buildings allow you to make them wield different weapons (everything from Plasma guns, Heavy bolters, Flamethrowers, and the occasional grenade launcher), and upgrading the HQ allows you to add Squad leaders (Even to scouts!).
As for Vehicles, they don't benfit from these upgrades, but are extremely tough, and can cause multitudes of damage...
Vehicles and Infantry have seperate population caps making it slightly easier to manage...
Now the bad part of it, the multitasking and micromanagement... Its horrible, on large scale battles.... If you'd prefer you can select everything an rush, but then again, if they used artilary, you could be blown to shreds... So, managing becomes more of a choir than a task, and thats a bad part...
Overall the game does lots to impress, and doesn't lack any polish, there are some minor collision issues, but that can be resolved (happens on large scale selection)...
Every man that gets hit, bleeds, every man dies and blood comes out, it's really impressive in large scales, and it'll get your heart pumping to see the outcome of huge battles (Every try 4v4 Large Scale no holding back full armies? Lag aside, it feels like 40K Heaven)... This game is truly worther of the Warhammer 40K Title...

Score: 9.45/10 If you love 40K, if you love RTS, and if you love large scale wars that can take up to 3 hours (my longest game) this game is definately for you!  ;)
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Plague Tower of Nurgle on February 1, 2007, 09:58:40 AM
One note. Dark Crusade is not an expansion but a stand alone.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Chuckles, The Space Marine Clown on February 1, 2007, 11:54:08 AM
Objection: sustained (http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/warhammer40000dawnofwarexp2/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs)
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Warboss Gutzmeg on February 17, 2007, 05:31:35 PM
Game Warhammer Mark Of Chaos

Genre Rts

Platform - PC

The Good - Amazing Graphics, in depth story line, Useful tutorial

The Bad - Huge requirements to play, a bit laggy if you only have the minimum settings to run it, Doesnt have many different units to play, Similar to the tt but on the computer it isn't turnbased, fairly difficult to play

Score - 8.5/10

Appeals to most rts gamers though not for all.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: ETHERLORD on April 28, 2007, 11:42:06 AM
game: star wars: knights of the old republic II (the sith lords)

genre: RPG

platform: PC

the good: be a jedi, sith or grey knight. all of the game is determined as to what your choices are. you can have most weapons in the SW universe. and the story is very good.

the bad: very little, exept the bosses are fairly easy to beat on the "normal" difficulty setting.

score: 9.5/10

~EL~

Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: cyborlox on May 30, 2007, 07:07:51 PM
Game: Gears Of War

Genre: Shooter (1st and 3rd)

Platform: Xbox 360

Rating M for Mature (but who cares?)

Overview: You are Marcus Fenix. you were locked up in prison after E-Day (i'll not ruin what this is for you). Your friend busts you out and you're back in the army. the army is fighting creatures called locusts. Time to kick some locust butt!

The Good: great graphics, sweet guns, amazing ability to "hug" cover, great missions, can play co-op.

The Bad: Some missions are very hard if not played on co-op. You need the help of an extra person.

Score: 8/10

Not for those who are faint of heart or are scared easily.

Game: Saints Row

Genre: 3rd Person Shooter

Platform: Xbox 360

Rating: M for Mature

Overview: you are recruited into the gang the 3rd street saints. you must own the streets and gain respect from everybody else.

The Good: Crazy Weapon Selections. Lots of different vehicles. Very Realistic world, people will do things as if it was a real day. ie: people might get robbed/mugged at random.  Like the GTA series except better. HUGE world environment.

The Bad: none really.

Score: 9.5/10

Game: Final Fantasy XII

Platform: PS2

Rating: T for Teen

Overview: from what starts off as a rebellion against a government, changes into a full blown war between countries!

The Good: Great graphics. Super duper big weapon/armor options.  Can customise characters in ANY way. Great storyline. Enough side quests to keep you busy for a looong time. crazy twists and turns in the story.

The Bad: Some optional bosses for like lvl 99s only. Some uber hard-to-navigate-through areas.

Score: 10/10

For anyone who like RPGs

Do not triple post, use the (https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv158%2Fmrpeanut%2FHugeSolidGoldModifyButton.jpg&hash=5690d56306f7659fe82614f84545718bff2e1d50) button to update posts.
Also, added bolding.  -Mr.Peanut
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: ETHERLORD on June 6, 2007, 01:49:02 PM
Game: monsters game
Genre: vampires .v. werewolves
platform: P.C (internet)
Rating: none, its an internet game but if you are under ten (which i dont think many of you are) then you may want an adult to check your PMs as anyone can be talking to you.
overveiw: you take the roll as a vampire or werewolf, you can start your own clan get pets (called sentinals) upgrade your hideout from a shack to a stately home, make a clan hideout, forge alliances and hunt for vampires or humans.
the good: is quite addictive gameplay, the interface is so easy to use its a dream for the sort of game it is, its also great fun being in/making a clan be cause you can make the clan hideout into a fortress and rise through the ranks, you can also shop for weapons poyions and armour aswell as trinkets such as rings and amulets.
the bad: not reckomended for people who like to see everything because it is a browser game.

and the link: if you want to try it out use this link: http://world5.monstersgame.co.uk (http://world5.monstersgame.co.uk)
but it would be nice if you could help me and click the link in my sig, but be warned only do this if you want to be a werewolf!!! (ps i have not just said "click the link in my sig to get to the site" be cause that would be un fair and misleading)
if you are a wre wolf on world 5 then please join my clan(the legion of the clawed deamon[LTCD] ), but if you wish to start your own please feel free and i wish you the best of luck! if joining other clans beware of catches such as members being active almost all the time!

~EL~
hope this was alright even though it is a web game!
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Inquisitor Yoda on June 6, 2007, 02:04:11 PM
Game: Nexus War
Link: www.nexuswar.com
About: Another browser game, AP based. You start as a lowly mortal, then as you get towards the maximum level 30 you can choose one of many character classes to be, good, evil or neutral morality divide them. Big and Small factions populate the game, it's co-operatively based, helping others and having others help you. There are guns, swords, magic, kerazy powers and all sorts, great fun. Customise your character to the extreme, the options are immense.

Good: Fun, addictive and interactive. Generally fun just to see what you can do, great for wasting a few minutes when you have nothing else to do online.

Bad: There's a lot to learn sometimes, depending on what you want to do, and how.

Rating: 9/10



And I suppose I should update the list on the first page at some point.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: pinkers on August 17, 2007, 02:53:19 PM
I'll throw my hat into this.

GAME:City Of Heroes and or City of Villains

Genre:MMORPG

Overview:City of heroes is an online game(much to the same type as world of warcraft, EVE ect ect). Although a couple of years old, the game still has good develoment support.You play as a hero in Paragon City(yes, its kinda corny) fighting bad guys, defusing bombs, saving hostages ect ect. City of villains is the exact oppisate, you play as a villain in the Rouge isles, and do evil stuff.City of villains is a couple years younger than city of Heroes, so has better visuals.

PROS:Thses games have decent visuals, not mind blowing but good enough for a few year old games.The games still recives updates(patches) and even new stuff added(issues).In the latest(issue 10) they added a new area called the Rikti war zone, and revamped an old enemy faction.There is also plenty to do, and player-set-up-groups you can join on both side makes the game alot deeper.It also has a good community,with not many a***** about, only a few spammers in the chat channel, and a few whiners.It also has one of the best character costume maker ive ever seen in a game.

In Between:(in other words, things that are good and bad)the player vs player, like many mmorpgs, these games seem to have tried to balance the pvping, but failed. The villain side, (as pvp is between the 2 sides in most places, but theres a special place where you can fight people from your own side)is much more powerfull one on one then the heroes.The heroes are better in a team, but that unfortunatly leads onto the bads......

CONS:The game is dieing, population is going down and its hard to find a team on coh, and virtully impossible to in cov.(This is the main reason im cancelling my subscription)It also costs money per month, which can hurt your wallet.Cov is better for loners however, so amybe im getting paranoid.The gameplay, whilst altogether good, begins to feel like a grind once you reach the mid 30s, maybe because of the way you start to get filtered into single areas, whilst before in lower levels, there was more variety.


OVERVIEW:The games are good, if only for a short break from other, more hardcore MMORPGS. As the 2 have been rerealised in a bundle, 'Coh/Cov, good v evil combined edition', now is a good time to pick it up.Unfortunatly, the games run out of steam in the higher levels, ans so i will be leaving the community, and many friends i made there.I wouldnt expect these games to be going in 3 years time, and if they still are, ill be pleasently surprised.

FINAL REVIEW:\this is hard because i desparingly love this game, and now need soemthing to fill the gap, any recommendations would be helpfull, but i wont get anything until i hear how tabula rasa does)    80/100
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: The Screamer-Killer on August 23, 2007, 01:33:34 PM
Game:
Super Smash Bros. Melee

Genre:
Fighter/Brawler

Platform:
Gamecube

Good:
Super Smash Bros. Melee is a fighting game involving the characters of the Nintendo World. Although the game looks quite simple at first, and many may dismiss it as "another cash cow for Nintendo" at a glance, the game can become quite complicated. Super Smash Bros. Melee has about 25 different characters to choose from, each character sporting his or her own style in the game. Some characters are "clones" of others, which means they have the same moveset of the character they are cloned from but have different skins. Even with these clones, however, differences appear. I'll not spoil which ones for you, but the game is unique in every fashion imaginable.

The battle system revolves around a percentage meter, which is lined up on the lower screen along with your opponent's percentage meter. The objective of the game is to kill by hurling the opponent out of the ring, or by "smashing" them out, as it is called in the game. There are a variety of different arenas in the game, and as a result some techniques can be executed and some cannot. Again, I won't spoil what levels are unique, but the whole game itself is quite fun. Now, there are a few different game modes - specifically Time, Stock, Coin and Bonus matches. Timed matches are timed, just like it says - you attempt to get the most K.O.s in the time limit and turn out the winner. Stock is the most commonly played game - you have a number of lives, and you attempt to deplete the lives of your opponent before he depletes yours. Coin matches are timed matches played for coins, which you knock out of people by hitting them. Bonus matches are timed matches played for points in skill, different from the amount of kills you land.

The Adventure Mode in the game is fun but linear. You basically run through the stage to get to the end and fight the boss. This occasionally is interrupted by spontaneous fights with characters in the game, and can be a good way to waste some time if you need to. The Classic Mode is like the last Super Smash Bros. game: fast and, well, classic. You must clear 10 stages, three of which are event modes, another three of which are special fights with or against a team or huge person. A new part of the game is added, called All-Star Mode. This is basically the Endurance Mode for Super Smash Bros. Melee, as you beat up all the opponents before fighting a multitude of Mr. Game and Watches at the end of the whole thing.

Event Matches are, again, fun, but most of them aren't that hard. You can unlock a maximum of 51 matches, each one using different characters and putting forth different objectives. Again, another good time-waster while you wait for your friends to arrive to play. The three Event Modes you play in, however, can each unlock you an extremely secret stadium from the old game - so get playing those if you desire those stages.

This is quite a good game, all-around; but it shines in Multiplayer, moreso than any other mode.


Bad:
The single-player modes are shallow, slightly. The CPUs are annoying, mainly because they force you to play crappily against them and not learn anything against regular humans. The game does not have on-line modes ( D: ), as it wasn't seen as a big deal by the Gamecube when it first came out. Some characters have insane advantages over others (i.e., Marth vs. Bowser, completely unfair match), but that's in all fighting games, isn't it?

Score:
9/10

Other comments:
Overall, a very good buy. The next version, Brawl, is coming out, so pick that up if you have a Wii and liked this review. Brawl will have a far better story than Melee does...and it will actually be a story, unique to each character.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Salami on October 18, 2007, 01:16:32 PM
Game: Half-Life 2: Episode 2

Genre: FPS

Platform: PC

Story: After escaping from city 17, Gordon and Alyx must make their way to a resistance base in White Forest, where a space rocket is waiting for important data Alyx recovered from the citadel.

Good: Half-life 2 remains one of the most well-scripted games around, and Episode doesn't dissappoint. The characters come off as believable in every way, and when tragic things happen, you feel bad for them. The term "interactive film" comes to mind, as that is what it is for a great deal. As usual, control is never fully taken away, Gordon doesn't speak and no cutscenes are present. This helps keep you firmly in the role, and deepens the gameplay. Which brings me to point two, the gameplay. It's good. The game contains one new weapon, the strider buster, designed to take out the towering striders. It's basically a sticky mine, though you have to shoot it to get it to explode, instantly taking it out. Speaking of striders, in the final battle, you square off against a whole group of them. Protecting the striders are the new enemy unit, the hunters. Smale-scale striders, these guys are incredibly mobile and very tough, making for some interesting and fierce battles. And finally, graphics. The Half-life 2 engine is still one of the finest around, and it's been improved with motion blur, which is far better than you'd suspect, as well as cinematic physics. Which basically means that bridges collapse realistically, and buuildings get blown up by strider cannons, sending debris in all directions.

Bad: It's a bit on the short end, and apart from a rather interesting director's commentary, the plot is firmly on rails, so offers little incentive for replayability. Also, only one new enemy and one new weapon isn't exactly an overwhelming amount of new content.



Game: Portal

Genre: FPS Puzzler

Platform: PC

Story: You are Chell, a test subject for Aperture Science. You use the portal gun to overcome a series of tests, under the direction of the AI GLaDOS, who literally has a few screws loose. It is set in the Half-Life universe.

Good: Portal is a very interesting little game. You use a portal gun as the one and only available weapon. It enables you to create a sort of wormhole inbetween the two portals, enabling you to go in one portal and come out the other. Momentum is maintained so you can do interesting things like making portals on the floor and higher on a wall. You jump through the floor-portal, whereupon you fall into the floor-portal, causing you to reappear thorugh the wallportal at considerable speed (i.e. the speed whith which you were falling.) The possibilities are endless, and several interesting test scenarios really make the most of it, increasing replayability by so much. And yet, in a game requiring so much ore lateral thinking than a normal FPS, you rarely get stuck on puzzles, not knowing what to do, and never for long.
Another great thing is the comedic writing. GLaDOS, the slightly broken AI, is by far the most interesting character in the last couple of years, combining quirky writing, a well-acted robotic voice, and a weird obsession with cake (which, as you no doubt have heard, is a lie). She has a childish sort of attitude sometimes and is a pretty humourously crappy liar. Especially near the ending, I nearly failed becaause I was listening so much at what was being said. The voices for the turrets have also been redone, into innocent childlike voices. They call out: 'Hey, put me down!' when you pick them up, and say things like: 'I don't blame you.' when you knock them over.

Bad: It is short. Really short. I spent a total of four hours on it, and when I replayed it, it was down to two. Of course, higher replayability means more time spent, and the excellent dialogue means a few more runs are always a good idea.

In total: Both games are shining examples of Valve's excellence in game design. They play fluidly and smoothly, and never gets boring. Continual little visual scenes make the levels lively and believable, and it's the attention to these sort of details which really demonstrates the level of polish these games have. In my opinion, money well-spent. I give them 95/100, with the shorter length the only real downside.
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Chosen40k on January 10, 2008, 09:27:14 PM
Game: Warhammer 40k,000: Squad Command
Genre: Turn Based Strategy
Platform: Nintendo DS

Good:
-Well done gameplay.
-Lots of weapons.
-The ability to play 40k on a handheld.
-Nice strategy element.
-Fully destructable enviroments.
-The Multiplayer. Just amazing.

Bad:
-Frame Rate
-Story sucks.
-You only control Ultramarines in Single Player.

Quick Overview:
40k: Squad Command for the DS is a good game. It has well done gameplay, and a nice strategy element to it. There are over 20 weapons to augment your squad of 6 men/vehicles. Units are armed with a primary weapon with infinite ammo, and a powerful, secondary weapon with limited ammo. All units have Acion Points, which are used when the unit shoots or moves. The environment is almost fully destructable, ensuring that there are a very few places to hide that can't be chewed through. The SP Campaign with 15, SMurf-tactic missions is good, but the story is almost non-existant. The best part of the game however, is Multiplayer. With Wifi and almost 30 Imperial and Chaos units to take control of on 9 maps, it should not be missed.
Overall, Squad Command is a good Turn Based Strategy Game. A definite buy for 40k fans, who can enjoy playing Kill-Team with vehicles wherever they can bring their DS.

Score: 4/5
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: The Guy in the Blue Chair Named Phil on September 9, 2010, 03:27:43 PM

Game: Battlefield 1942 Anthology

Genre: FPS ish...you can choose 3rd person while in vehicles.

Quick overview: Battlefield 1942 Anthology is a collection of 3 WWII games, and oddly enough, something not WWII. You get to play as the average soldier, and fight in many, many places and battles of WWII. There are 5 main classes, The Assault who has an assault rifle, the Anti Tank, which is kind of obvious (Bazooka, Panzershrek, Blah blah blah) Medic, which can heal and is very well suited for anti infantry (SMG) Scout, which can order down artillery and snipe, and engineer, who can repair vehicles, sabotage vehicles, and blow stuff up. Each Extension pack changes the classes A TINY bit, but not much. The package it self comes with: Battlefield 1942, two extension packs, each one different from the other (One focusing on Italy and France, the other focusing on Special Weapons and Equipment) and Battlefield Vietnam.

Good: CHEAP!!! (you get 4 games at 10 USD) Incredibly replay-able, Fun multiplayer, Interesting classes, 4 games in one package, adjustable AI, Authentic languages (if you play as a Russian trooper, and choose a radio command, your guy speaks Russian) Authentic weaponry, easy to pick up.

Bad: Works best only on Windows XP, facial detail is really crappy, AI is stupid...always stupid, Disc quality of BF Vietnam is crappy most of the time (scratches upon opening package), causes laptops to over heat A LOT, multiplayer doesn't have many modes, your punished for not being able to choose your class in under 10 seconds.

Score: 70/100, 80/100 for WWII Buffs

Who is this game for: FPS Lovers, WWII Buffs, Casual Gamers that dont go online
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Mr.Peanut (Turtleproof) on February 20, 2015, 12:17:46 PM
(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FsN2jHRo.jpg&hash=50c07862682743a6ff6ff4958fe6c5639b5cee60)

I finished Among The Sleep earlier this week.  I did not expect to be so unsettled by such a stylized game about being a toddler in a nightmare world.  The controls are easy to use, responsive, and climbing up ledges rarely makes the player beg.  Aesthetically, the visuals are delightful, reminiscent of American McGee's "Alice," excellent voice-overs beckon the player into the story.  They do a convincing job of gameplay as a baby, you're slow, small, and unarmed, but you can motor around quite fast when crawling and have some baby super strength to make physics puzzles possible.  Little details like audio cues and randomly falling over when running are authentic to that age.  There was a collection sequence that was made a bit tedious by the maze-like map and ambiguous swamp layout, and an instant-death creature that appears far too often, something that would become hair-pulling in a full length game but this one can be completed in about six hours.  If you like psychological horror games I recommend this one, everything is scary has hell when you're a tiny, vulnerable baby!

If you like this game, I recommend the movie The Babadook.

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FbUEjHEj.jpg&hash=26907404393defbf43a1b1484073c69f1ffe5a11)

I was morose to find out that Silent Hills isn't coming out until 2016, to get my fix I tried out Silent Hill: Alchemilla.  This is a Source mod from a Russian design team, so it has that unique flavor of Eastern European horror as well as a first person perspective.  It looks pretty darn good and plays well enough.  The soundtrack is quite good, mainly comprised of altered tracks from the Konami games as well as some original pieces.  Voice acting is original and is competent enough (better than the first Silent Hill game or the entire Resident Evil series, for instance!).  The first person perspective works just fine and the game does a passable job of getting that Silent Hill atmosphere.  There were several areas that had me spooped.
It does suffer from a lack of a map feature or other navigation tools.  At Least One Hundred Years Ago, when Silent Hill came out, nearly every horror game had a map that was barely useful or none at all.  Harry Mason, however, was smart enough to pick up maps he found and would scribble corrections on them to mark blocked roadways, broken doors, and such.  James Sunderland went to college, I guess, so he knew how to mark where puzzles were, sometimes doodles and notes, or even how to draw a map from scratch when there wasn't one.  This is in itself a clever narrative detail, since both the character and he are lost and trying to escape.
Boris Russian Guy, however, doesn't, which isn't a problem in the outdoor areas that are set up to intuitively lead the player along.  When indoors, apparently this part of Silent Hill has a locksmith because there aren't nearly as many broken locks, so there are many rooms to navigate and each floor of a building or a given area isn't always easy to discern from the other.  This is especially troubling when you can't find "that one room" on "that one floor" that has the puzzle you've found the clues to solve or the locked door you have the key to.
The puzzles are another point.  About half are novel and tickle the brain enough without stumping you.  Some are so oblique that the logic or goal isn't even apparent, thankfully Boris sometimes murmurs clues so you at least know the rules or framework of the puzzle.  The worst is when the sheet of paper or other item that is necessary to understanding the puzzle is... who knows where.  There is one technique they use that involves finding symbols or words hidden throughout the entire area, except the game doesn't tell you that the symbols are on the walls or give any hints as to where they are, another case in which it would be handy to have a map, especially one where the character doodled those symbols on those spots in the map.
The core of any good the two or three good Silent Hill games is the plot which this one does set up well enough.  The character wakes up in a hospital and is unsure how he got there.  Strange things happen and he wonders if a doctor did something to him, if they're hallucinations.  There is some progression, hints at his past, clues to a villain, and the ambiguity about whether or not the protagonist himself is responsible is good.  For me, there wasn't a payoff at the end and after searching on the Internet for a while there seems to be only one ending.  The ending felt abrupt and inconclusive.

I only recommend this because it's free to play.  It's called a mod but those not tech savvy needn't worry, it's a self-contained package with it's own installer with simple instructions.

Get it here: Silent Hill: Alchemilla mod for Half-Life 2 - Mod DB (http://www.moddb.com/mods/alchemilla-mod)
Title: Re: The Game Review thread
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on February 20, 2015, 03:01:50 PM
Home | H1Z1 | Zombie Survival MMO For PC (https://www.h1z1.com/home)

I was kind of surprised by this game.  Normally zombie survival games aren't my thing, I find the game play really slow and just not interesting.  But a bunch of friends got into it and someone sent me a copy on Steam, and I have to say I am really enjoying it.  It really gives you the feel that the most terrifying part of a zombie-pocalypse is not the zombies, but everyone else.

You can play on PvP or PvE servers.  PvE are the way to go if you want to learn the game mechanics and find your way around the map.  Right now there is no in game map, so if you want to find out where you are, you have to open the map in a browser, which if done at the wrong time can get you killed.  PvP servers are where the real enjoyment can be found though.  If you are on your own, you have to be really cautious while looking for supplies, and it can really get your heart pounding if you are being chased, even if it's only two people.

There is a simple crafting system in place, where you can pick make different items depending on what you have on you or is near by.  A bunch of sticks and some cloth can make you a makeshift bow and arrows, which is probably the best weapon.  Guns are loud and can be heard from KM's away, they also suffer from ammunition being scarce, where as you only need to find some sticks to make some arrows.

One of the most interesting experiences so far has been with a group of friends doing a supply run into the towns.  The large amount of resources available generally means you can expect to run into some other players, and that is when amphetamine parrot really starts to go down.

Overall, I am pleasantly surprised by the game, and even though it is still in Alpha, I recommend people pick it up.