Xbox 360 Reviews

Mafia II Review

The Italian Mafia gimmick is rarely shown the spotlight in video games, Godfather 1 and 2 being the most prominent and well-known video games involving mafia-type figures. Even then, the reason we know those games is because they’re based off the hit movies. Mafia 1 was released in 2002 and at the time was truly something special. Since then, that long eight year gap has given birth to many hit open-world games and somewhere along Mafia II’s development cycle, they forgot that years were advancing and games were getting progressively better and more inventive.

Little League World Series 2010 Review

It is a time of the summer when the crack of the bat is replaced by an aluminum ping and the average player goes from being 6′ 5″ to more like 5′ 4″. It is a time when Williamsport, Pennsylvania, plays host to kids from all over the world who care more about getting their homework done than a seven-figure salary as they all vie for a shot at the world title.

Kane and Lynch 2 Double Review

Here comes a game, that is so average… it kind of makes you want to scream. If it is any constellation, Lynch on the cover of the game is trying to put on his best angry face. As you can see as well, Kane wants him to stop… what a glamorous couple those two make–Lynch also has a very muscular if that excites anyone out there. 

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Review

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light puts an interesting spin on an old idea… A spin that was very long over due. After a series of lack luster Tomb Raider titles, Crystal Dynamics took the helm and delivered a fresh Lara Croft adventure. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is a beautiful blend of exploration, puzzle-platforming and arcade style combat. All three of these characteristics work together in perfect harmony and embody why downloadable arcade style gaming is still so important.

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair Review

I’d like to say that Castlevania: Harmony of Despair somehow transcends the mere trappings of being a boss rush, where the game requires a player to find and kill a boss within 30 minutes. It doesn’t, and if anything, it regresses the ideas the series has advanced in its Metroidvania era to a pre 1994 era of gaming. There are no save spots, menus can only be accessed in set locations, there are limited item spots, players don’t level up, it goes on and on. Maybe that’s the beauty of the game…the developers knew that the game they were making was not modern or user friendly.

Monday Night Combat Review

Summer of Arcade 2010 has featured a lot of really strong XBLA titles so far. This year’s line up is a nice balance between new takes on established franchises and completely original properties. Original properties like this weeks release from Uber Entertainment. Monday Night Combat is a class based third person shooter set in a goofy stylized future where the masses tune in to watch human clones duke it out in an arena. It comically spoofs gladiatorial combat while offering a satirical take at our own professional sports.

Madden 2011 Review

This year, on Tuesday August 10, there is a holiday for a small, yet dedicated faction of American citizens. The calendars say that Labor Day is the next official day off, but for NFL and sports game aficionados, the day that Madden hits the retail shelves should be a paid holiday. Timed for release in the first half of August, right around the time NFL preseason is beginning, Madden has become a digital program (as in the magazine style books they sell at the stadiums) for the NFL fan. Free agents are on the rosters of their new teams,  the April’s draft class is ranked and added to the mix—even mega-busts like David Carr and JaMarcus Russell once brought hope—and fans have a simulated, virtual set of Football cards to pour over, trade, and best of all, play with.

Alan Wake “The Signal” Review

Alan Wake’s “The Signal” DLC picks up right where the main game ended. Serving as the seventh “episode” of the game, it opens up refreshing our memories with the “previously seen on” trailer utilized through the main game and explains exactly what happened at the end in case we weren’t too sure. Alan has succeeded in saving his wife Alice by destroying the darkness’ avatar in the long deceased Barbara Jagger, but in the process has trapped himself within the darkness. Now, in a twisted and constantly shifting dark mirror of Bright Falls, Alan must find a way out of the darkness before succumbing to the encroaching madness while also figuring out what new presence Alan is fighting against that is using shadows of his memories to try to steer him off the proper path.

The Impossible Game Review

One would think a virtually unbeatable game would be overwhelmingly frustrating, but The Impossible Game is quite the opposite. The concept is simple; you’re an orange square whose only objective is to jump over black squares, all the while avoiding spikes. The game progresses you under its own power, so all you have to do is press A to avoid the obstacles. Simple right? One would think so, but it wouldn’t be called “The Impossible Game” if it wasn’t easier said than done.

Deadliest Warrior Review

Microsoft officially kicked off their Summer of Arcade 2010 last night with the release of Limbo, but considering my next review subject was just released last week, I don’t see why it couldn’t be part of this awesome event highlighting original XBL titles. Of course, I am talking about Spike Games’ Deadliest Warrior: The Game available now.

Based on Spike’s TV show of the same name, Deadliest Warrior: The Game takes seven combatants from the first season and the Roman Centurion from the second and pits them against each other in one of the most fun and brutal fighters to have come along in some time. With only eight fighters and five arenas to do battle in, this game works perfectly as a XBL title; available for 1000 Microsoft points (roughly $8).