Week 15

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This doctor`s having a bad day

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Welcome to week 15 of Press Start to Play Article Edition. Sorry for the long period between articles but school has been hectic. This time I promised to review a classic game so I chose to play Dino Crisis for the Playstation.

Dino Crisis was developed and published by Capcom who brought you the Resident Evil and Street Fighter series. This game shows a lot of similarities to the Resident Evil series so you will see me referring to the style of those games quite a bit.

Dino Crisis’ protagonist is Regina who is a soldier on a mysterious island to search for a missing scientist along with her team. As you progress through the game you come across weird activity on the island. Dinosaurs have somehow infested the island and are killing everyone and everything in their sight. The story can have different endings and paths depending on decisions you make throughout the game.

The game is similar to that of Resident Evil. As you aim, you can rotate and aim straight, up or down. The menu system and basics of the game are also similar to Resident Evil. The game offers much variety with different weapons and lots of puzzles to progress through the story line. Enemies include some of the fiercest dinosaurs in the world. Your main enemy is the velociraptor which offers fast thinking and strategies to get rid of them. As usual, ammunition is scarce so knowing when to run or shoot is key.

The game offers great variety and development. During your progress, you will come across button command sequences which require the gamer to focus on every aspect of the game. The camera angles make the player play cautiously because anything can be around the corner. The soundtrack is tense and is right for a survival horror. The soundtrack mixed with the camera angles and gameplay offer one of the best experiences in the survival horror genre.

The graphics for the game are common Playstation graphics. Characters are polygonal and the environments look great for 1999. The opening sequence looks great and it’s understandable since Capcom is on familiar grounds with the great stuff we’ve seen from Resident Evil.

All in all, Dino Crisis is a great game and offers a lot of fun and scares. If you haven’t played this game, then you can get it from the Playstation Store on the PS3 or see if you can find it for the Playstation. I give Dino Crisis 4 out of 5.

Don’t forget to check the Press Start to Play Podcast at pstp.podbean.com which is hosted by Ricardo and Patrick. Also check out the new and upcoming site, Gaming Pirates at www.gamingpirates.com.

It’s been a long hiatus and I have lots to review. Be sure to come back for the next several weeks for great game releases that I’ve played. Next week is a good one. Thanks for reading. Good luck gaming!

Week 14

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The oh so wonderful Hades

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Welcome to Week 14 of Press Start to Play Article Edition. This week`s game is certainly one of the most anticipated of the first quarter. This week I`ve been playing God of War 3 for the Playstation 3.

GoW 3 is an action adventure game published by and developed by SCEA. This company has done the previous GoW games as well as a lot of Sony`s big name games.

GoW 3 stars Kratos the anti-hero of the Playstation world. The game throws you right into the battle as the story from God of War 2 continues. Kratos has a mission to exact revenge on the Gods of Olympus. His main target is Zeus but getting to him will have you fight against many enemies. The story telling is similar to previous GoW games and if you can`t remember what happened in the previous games, this one will be sure to refresh your memory.

The game play is again similar to previous GoW games but they add a little more flare. In GoW 3 it`s the little things that you notice. There are the same button command sequences but again it`s the little things that are noticed. Button commands are placed in more sensible locations on screen.. Kratos` evade roll is more distinct and different movies are added. Magic attacks vary from different weapons. Instead of choosing a magic power, you choose weapons that have its own unique power. There are also other magic powers to use while roaming.

GoW 3 offers a lot of variety. There are four different weapons but 3 of those weapons feel like they play the exact same. A little disappointing but it allows you to quickly change weapons between combos to unleash devastating damage. There are also the common collectibles we have seen before as well as prized possessions scattered throughout the world. After finishing the game, you can enjoy movies of the development of the game and try your skill in arena battles and challenges.

The graphics of GoW 3 show the true power of the PS3. The lighting gives the right effect a game like this needs. Everything is well detailed even backgrounds are given that finishing touch. Characters models show the hard work that went into this game. Each one is well detailed and the voice acting is terrific. The actors they got for this game is a star cast in its own. Just seeing the amount of blood and the detail on certain effects is amazing. The score is amazing as well. Just walking through different parts of Olympus and hearing a great orchestra is amazing and mix that with great camera angles and you have one of the best feel for an epic game ever.

GoW 3 is a great end to Kratos` quest for revenge. It will run you around 8-10 hours the first time through but a good experience those hours will give. It`s too bad a game this epic had to end so soon. If you can`t afford it then it`s still a really good rental. For those that want the Playstation exclusive for their collection this is definitely a good buy. I give God of War 3 4.5 out of 5.

Don`t forget to check out the Press Start to Play Podcast at pstp.podbean.com which is hosted by two of my affiliates Ricardo and Patrick. If you have any games you would like me to play and review then you can reach me at ric_edone@hotmail.com.

Next week will be a break from the newer games and the return of the Classic Critique. Be sure to come back next week. Good luck gaming!

Week 13

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Welcome to week 13 of Press Start to Play Article Edition. I know I made a promise to review a 2010 game this week but it’s taking me longer than I thought to beat. In the mean time I will review a game I’ve played for a while. That game is DJ Hero for the X-Box 360.

DJ Hero is another simulation game Published by Activision Blizzard and FreeStyleGames. Activision Blizzard is the company behind games as Guitar Hero and Call of Duty: World at War. This is FreeStyleGames’ second game previously releasing B-Boy.

DJ Hero starts you off with a three part tutorial to get you use to the feel of the controls and the concepts and tricks you will see in the game. There is no real career mode in DJ Hero. There is no story or anything. You go to the main menu and you have a collection of set-lists that you can play through. More set-lists are unlocked when you earn enough stars from previous set-lists.

There is a bit of content in DJ Hero but nothing that is not easily attainable. You earn stars during set-lists to unlock new characters, decks, skins, venues and DJ sound effects used in game. Now the most important thing in DJ Hero is the controller. When you buy the game you get a turntable. This turntable has the cross fader, equalizer, the euphoria button and the turntable itself. It’s not too complicated to handle but will take some practise to get use to.

DJ Hero gives you difficulties to start practising. The only problem is that the game is a lot more fun when the difficulty is higher. There is just more stuff to do that you enjoy yourself more and you feel like you’re getting a challenge. There are parts of a song where you can do your own freestyle sound effects and even rewind to replay a certain part. Unlike star power in the Guitar Hero franchise you get euphoria in DJ Hero. This is used exactly the same in DJ Hero.

The real deal that make rhythm games are the songs. DJ Hero features 90 tracks with songs new and old. The only problem I have with some of the tracks is that they recycled some songs and mixed them with something else. This doesn’t really show that they went to the extent to create a good set-list. The special edition version comes with tracks done by Eminem and Jay-Z. The turntable that comes with the special edition has a more metallic feel and feels sturdier than the regular.

The graphics look just like a Guitar Hero game so there is nothing new there. I will say though that the venue design is superb. I really enjoy watching the backgrounds and hearing the crowd come to life. Lighting is very good.

If you’re looking for another simulation game and have not played this yet than you should go ahead and purchase DJ Hero. I give DJ Hero 3.5 out of 5.

Don’t forget to check out the Press Start to Play Podcast at pstp.podbean.com hosted by Patrick and Ricardo and if you have any suggestions for games you can reach me at ric_edone@hotmail.com.

Next week will be the game I promised so don’t miss it. Until next time, good luck gaming!

Week 12

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Welcome to week 12 of Press Start to Play Article Edition. Happy New Year and to celebrate I played the first game from 2010, Darksiders for the X-Box 360.

Darksiders is an original game published by THQ and developed by Vigil Games. These companies have seen success with the WWE video games and in development is Warhammer.

Darksiders throws you right into battle with the protagonist War. War is one of the four Horsemen who must keep the balance between Earth, Heaven and Hell. When a plot to take over the realms is taken out, all hell breaks loose and War must restore and punish those that contributed to the war.

The game play is very similar to games we’ve seen before. Zelda and God of War is the base for Darksiders but it works and it is very enjoyable. There is much to do in Darksiders. You will constantly come across puzzles to progress and some take good thinking to get past. War has collectibles scattered throughout the world that reward him with souls which is the currency in the game. There are also 3 weapons to War’s advantage and a variety of gadgets. Some gadgets may remind you of things you have seen before.

The combat is great. After dealing enough damage to enemies you get a button prompt to watch a gruesome finish to your enemies. Darksiders does not let up on the blood and there is a lot. You can also purchase upgrades and new moves from the merchant Vulgrim. Special moves can be bought but some must be found in the world.

The story of Darksiders is very well made. The characters are also intriguing. You come across a lot of friends and foes and each push the story further. Some enemies look different but they fight the same which is a downside. The boss fights though are spectacular and are fun to play over and over.

The graphics in Darksiders are good but there are a few technical issues. During the game you will witness tons of screen tears and some lagging but it doesn’t affect the experience of the game. It would be a better polished game if this problem was fixed. The voice acting for the characters work perfectly and the graphics show colours and details phenomenally.

If you’re looking for a game to start 2010 with then Darksiders is a perfect game. There are others out there but definitely try this one. It will run you about 12 hours and a good 12 hours that is. If you are looking for a great action adventure game go with Darksiders. I give Darksiders a 4 out of 5.

Don’t forget to check out the Press Start to Play Podcast at pstp.podbean.com which is hosted by two of my affiliates Ricardo and Patrick. You can also find the podcast on iTunes. If you have any suggestions for games you can reach me at ric_edone@hotmail.com.

Darksiders will always be something to remember and who knows what other games I’ve been playing. Be sure to tell your friends and come back next week for another great game from 2010. Good luck gaming!

Week 11

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Join us every week for insightful anecdotes and funny insights into the world of video games

Welcome to week 11 of Press Start to Play Article Edition. I’ve been addicted to the runner up to the Game of the Year award, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. I have played the game for both the X-Box 360 and the PS3.

MW2 is a sequel to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare released back in the fall of 2007. Infinity Ward and Activision work together to make this epic game come to life. Activision is known for the Tony Hawk series and most movie adaptation games.

The story of MW2 continues 5 years after the dramatic ending of MW. You control 5 different characters through different parts of the world including Brazil, Afghanistan and the States. The game controls are the same as the previous ones so there is no new lesson to be learned. A little disappointment is that the campaign as usual is too short. The experience is good but they could have made it longer.

The new Spec-Ops mode pits you alone or with a partner in hectic missions that take skill and hunger to complete. At the end of each mission you are evaluated by a star system. 3 stars is the highest rating and there are 69 stars to get. You definitely will not finish Spec-Ops mode anytime soon. It adds more depth to the story and it is really fun.

There are also solid extras to keep you playing for awhile. Each stage contains intel for you to collect and some trophies/achievements require you to complete a certain task in specific stages. The multiplayer is also lengthy. Prestige level has been moved to 70 and there are the usual gun unlockables and perks. The new addition is the ability to assign certain kill streak rewards. They are unlocked by your choosing and some can be devastating. The best perk is a 25 kill streak which gives you a nuke and the game automatically ends. The only difference between the two systems is the online servers. The PS3 servers tend to go down without notice but when they are up they are just like playing on the 360.

MW2 has great graphics. Everything looks so real and the physics are excellent. The stages are well made and the voice acting is superb. There has not been this much talking during fire fights before. Lots of sound effects and great design make the presentation of this game perfect.

If you own any next generation system then you must already have MW2. If not go and pick it up. This game is definitely worth the money. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is going to be at the top of the shooter list for a long while. I give Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 a 5 out of 5.

Don’t forget to check out the Press Start to Play Podcast at pstp.podbean.com which is hosted by two of my affiliates Ricardo and Patrick. If you have any suggestions of games you would like me to review you can contact me at ric_edone@hotmail.com.

Well I have given out my first perfect score to a well deserving game. I’m sure there will be more to come soon so don’t miss it. Thanks for reading and see you next week. Good luck gaming!

Week 10

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Join us every week for insightful anecdotes and funny insights into the world of video games

Welcome to week 10 of Press Start to Play Article Edition. The classic critique is making its triumphant return with an equally triumphant game of its time. This week’s classic is Mortal Kombat for the SNES.

Mortal Kombat is an arcade fighting game made to compete with the then very popular Street Fighter. Creators Ed Boon and John Tobias teamed with Midway to make this action packed game come to life. Midway went on to create other games such as Spy Hunter and Rampage.

To tell you the truth there is no real story to Mortal Kombat. As said earlier it is an arcade game so no one really cared about the story. What they really wanted was a fighting game that entertained and controlled well. That’s exactly what Mortal Kombat has come out and done.

The four face buttons control different levels of attacking such as high kick, low kick, high punch, low punch. There is also the block button which I feel trumps Street Fighter’s way of blocking. Unfortunately this early in its creation the game is not too fast paced. It may feel slow and attacks may feel slow to your button commands.

All you do in Mortal Kombat is pick one of the 7 available characters and go through fights against A.I controlled fighters. There are also challenges during the arcade mode such as Test Your Might, a button mashing sequence to see if you can break a certain solid. There are also endurance matches where you as one fight two opponents.

The variety of moves in Mortal Kombat makes each character unique. Each one has their own special attacks as well as two very brutal fatalities. Fatalities are performed at the end of a match by pushing a command sequence and you bask in the glory of watching your character perform a brutal finisher to your poor opponent.

Graphics are good for the SNES. I just wish that you were able to see the characters faces but that was obviously improved on in Mortal Kombat 2. The music during fights is definitely arcade tracks that get you into the game. The level designs are also good and they have a lot of vibrant colours.

If you’re a Mortal Kombat fan then you must have played this. If not then go get it and learn some history about where Mortal Kombat started from. For the amateur gamer this game is a good starting point and you should definitely try it. I give Mortal Kombat 4.5 out of 5.

Don’t forget to check out the Press Start to Play Podcast at pstp.podbean.com which is hosted by two of my affiliates Patrick and Ricardo.

If you have any suggestions of games you would like me to review for classic critiques you can contact me at ric_edone@hotmail.com.

Next week I’m reviewing the most anticipated game of the year. Don’t miss it. Thanks for reading and return back next week. Good luck gaming!