Posted on Nov 30, 2010 under Wii |
The Good:
Fantastic level design
Hidden collectibles give a substantial reason to replay levels
Vehicle sequences are loads of fun
Strong artistic design
Catchy soundtrack.
The Bad:
Occasionally clumsy controls
There’s a time and place for innovation, but you certainly can’t expect a tie-wearing gorilla to lead the charge into unexplored territory. As the name suggests, Donkey Kong Country Returns is a trip down memory lane, and this tightly crafted collection of classic platforming tropes shows that clever level design can be just as engaging as brand-spanking-new ideas. Even without cutting-edge features to distinguish it from other 2D platformers, Donkey Kong’s latest adventure is exciting because it constantly messes with your expectations. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Nov 23, 2010 under PS3 |
The Good:
Huge, beautiful city stuffed with amazing details
Lairs and other platforming sequences are fantastic
Long, with lots of fun and varied activities
Economy is more meaningful than before
All sorts of improvements, big and small.
The Bad:
Main story is disappointing
Assassin recruitment is contrived and ultimately meaningless
Glitches.
The ladies of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood have both bark and bite. If you played Assassin’s Creed II, then you already know Caterina Sforza, the comely Italian countess with a soft spot for sly, rugged assassins. She’s not the only female character with an important role to play in Brotherhood, however. Claudia Auditore is no longer just a submissive bookkeeper, but rather a strong young woman who eventually learns to handle a blade. And then there’s Cesare Borgia’s cunning sister Lucrezia, whose sharp tongue is matched by her severe, almost vampiric appearance. These willful women are ensemble players in the continuing drama of Ezio Auditore, the self-assured star of Assassin’s Creed II. His story continues in Brotherhood, which begins directly after the events that closed its predecessor. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Nov 20, 2010 under Nintendo DS |
The Good:
Story is smartly written and suspenseful
Rewarding puzzles
Multiple pathways and endings provide replay value.
The Bad:
Gameplay sometimes takes a back seat to reading
Starting over forces some repetition
You wake up on an ocean liner. You have been chosen to take part in a deadly game. Along with eight others, you must find a way through a series of rooms that offer no easy exit, or die trying. Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors pulls you into this grim circumstance through its absorbing storytelling and through puzzles that engage your wits but rarely frustrate them. The terrifying dilemma the characters are forced to confront is not one most people would ever want to face, but this excellent adventure game makes vicariously experiencing that horrific situation tough to resist. Read the rest of this entry »