Godless Killing Machine

Killzone 2 - 7.0

Well made game, but follows the same old FPS formula.

I was very excited about this Killzone 2, mostly because it is one of the few PS3 exclusive titles which, probably unfairly, gives the game an undeserved sense of anticipation. The opening cinematic sequence is awesome. But after the first couple of stages the game loses the cinematic feel that it began with. Killzone 2 slowly descends into mediocrity, and falls into the end trap of an exciting, formulaic, overly annoying boss battle.

The Good

> Some amazing cinematic features.

> Massive battle sequences.

> Well crafted multi-player

The Bad

> Can only carry one weapon at a time.

> Long loading time after being killed.

> Some checkpoints spawn you in awkward spots.

The Ugly

> Game turns into a formulaic FPS

> One of the most annoying final bosses.

> Have to watch the first few seconds of opening film. ‘our history will be written in blood!’

 

Dead Space - 7.5

Score: 7.5 Good

Dead Space is a good game, however it does little to escape the tired survival horror genre.

It is tough to describe how I feel about Dead Space. I want to say this game is garbage, but I know that it is the survival horror genre that I want to bash not the game itself. So, I will put it this way. For a survival horror game, Dead Space is an excellent game. However, if you do not like the survival horror genre, then run... run from this game.

My biggest problem with the game was that its enemy triggers became so tired and obvious that the edginess of the game is lost very early. After the first couple of stages the triggers become pretty telegraphed, with most of them taking place right after entering rooms and picking up key items. Once the pattern is picked up there is little left in the horror department.

The plus side to this game is that it is well made. The game introduces an interesting shooting strategy where you are rewarded for aiming for limbs instead of the head. Dead Space also has well done voice acting and the story is nicely blended in brief cut scenes and "logs" scatter throughout the stages.

So here is the breakdown:

Good:
> Engaging story line with depth
> Innovating enemy combat
> Good stage length and good game length 10-12 hours

Bad:
> Fairly annoying controls
> Couple of obnoxious mini-game boss battles
> Equipment upgrade system stupid

Ugly:
> Predictable enemy triggers
> Some lengthy, boring objectives 

Afro Samurai - 8.0

Score: 8.0 great

Under rated game. Awesome look. Awesome music. A bit short and some frustrating glitches, but a good buy.

Don't get hung up on the score. Afro Samurai is a fun game. Whether you want to just mash buttons and slice topless female ninjas in half, or if you want to master combos and soak you screen with blood the game's got it. Good stuff. Just too short and annoying at times. A few times during the game, especially during the platform jumping, you will die and be forced to watch a cut scene or start a few jumps back. Also, the camera does a bad job of following action, but you get use to it after a while. Boss fights are either very easy or very frustrating. But, the disappointing boss fights are balanced by some awesome fights during the stage when the action pauses, a great song comes in and you get swarmed by a bunch of enemies to slice and dice. Which brings up the greatest upside of this game... the soundtrack. When I put in the game, I would turn up my sound system and get immersed into the beautiful mic of hip-hop and eastern inspired music. Not a classic, but still one of the more enjoyable games I've played in a while. Oh yeah.. amazing music.

Heeeeey..... Jimmy!

(David Maialetti / Staff Photographer)

Fable 2

Just started playing Fable 2 and so far it is fantastic. The creators of the game also included a very interesting innovation as well. During the first mission you come across a treasure chest that asks you to log onto the website www.fable2.com to something about ancients and all that jazz. You log on and after figuring the only thing on the site must be what they are talking about, you go through a flash game and get some prize. While the whole thing was a bit of a waste of time; I found the whole idea incredibly fascinating. I can see how this interaction between the console gaming and your computer could make some very interesting possibilities. Most people who are playing games have a computer and internet connection, and most are probably like me who have the internet open while they are playing. While some are going to consider this concept just another way for shameless advertisement inside games, I really think that this innovation will open new doors in interactive gaming. Oh, and the game is really good too.

What is Pissing Me Off Today... Vol 1

Sony. That's what is pissing me off. I just got the PlayStation 3 and am all psyched that the Firmwear 2.40 is going to be released which add trophies. And, what does Sony do? Pulls the update because some people were having problems. Now, the reason this really irks me is because it has kept me from really playing Metal Gear Solid 4. Since, I know that the trophies are coming, it makes no sense to really get into the game before the update. So I sit here, on my hands, waiting to see if they post the update... hopefully soon.