Gran Turismo 5

 

When realisim is wanted from a racing game, the best of the best is Gran Turismo.

The series made it's debut on the original PlayStation in 1997, and has since had a few sequels and spinoffs, and the series motto "The Real Driving Simulator" fit's the bill perfectly.

 

GAMEPLAY

Gran Turismo 5 keeps to the series standard, having a mode called Arcade, with time trials, and grand prix mode, for up to four players.  It also contains a updated version of the classic Gran Turismo Mode, in which the player con pass license test's, buy cars, complete races, and play online.  All 1,083 cars handle exactly like they do in real life, and in GT mode, you can upgrade the engines.  DLC is available for those who want more tracks, and cars.

GRAPHICS

Graphicly, this is one of the best games for PS3, with the same graphical detail, I mean this game is "The Real Driving Simulator".  The cars look amazing, and the enviroments are pretty.  This game is like the difference beetween most games on PS2, and GT 4.

 

AGE

All ages can play this game, but you do need a understanding of how to brake on the curves.  You also need to make sure that smaller children don't click on the buy DLC buttons, because then you'll spend real money from your PSN wallet.

 

CONCLUSION

If your looking for a realistic racing game on PS3, this is the way to go.  With some of the best visuals I've seen, I give this 9 out of 10.

 

DETAILS

Gran Turismo 5 was developed by Polyphony Digital and released by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2010.  It's Rated E by the ESRB.

Uncharted: Drakes Fortune

Ever wanted to be like Indiana Jones and search for lost treasures?  Ever wish he could move like Mario?  Well in this game, you get an action platformer, downright amazing game, that goes to uncharted lands.

GAMEPLAY

The gameplay in Uncharted is like helping a really awesome movie going along.  You have to jump on ledges, and do odd platform tasks, with third person shooting in the mix.  The gameplay in Uncharted is totaly amazing, having a hint of Call of Duty, mixed with Jak and Daxter.  It's actually presented as one huge cutscene, being streamlined without loading screens (with the exeption of when you start).  Sixaxis controls come into effect for, example, when your throwing grenades.  Again as mentioned, the platforming is fun, but it's hard to tell what to climb on, as I am used to more straight foward climbing, like in Mario.

GRAPHICS

The lush jungles you explore detailed, when I first popped it in, I was impressed(it was the second game I popped in my PS3 2 days ago when I got it, the first being Gran Turismo 5), but Uncharted 2 does have much better graphics.  The charcter models do suffer when compared to other games, but the environments do make up for this.

STORY

A modern day tresure hunter, find's a clue to the lost city of El Dorado in a 400 hundred year old coffin.  His search leads him to a small uncharted island, and soon the search turn's very dangerous, with enemies, and exciting plot twists this action game's got it all.

AGE

Uncharted features blood when you shoot people, smoking, some suggestive comments, every here and there, and alot of cursing.  Age 14+.

CONCLUSION

Uncharted is a no brainer for anyone with a PS3, and I reccomend it.  With action better than the average movie, and good graphics, I give thus 7 out of 10.

DETAILS

Uncharted: Drakes Fortune was developed by Naughty Dog, and released by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2007.  It's rated T for Blood. Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco and Violence by the ESRB.  

Ford Vs. Chevy

When it comes to racers, I'm picky, and game like Ford vs. Chevy are the reason why.

GAMEPLAY

Ok, so take a racing game, and water it down, that means....

Dumb AI, teamates that don't help you, and a poor overall set-up, if your looking for fun, don't play this game!!!

STORY

Two guy's that were rivals, bought cars, one a Ford, one a Chevy.  After a while, they started to street race, and some others joined in, and voila-you've got the premise of the game.

GRAPHICS

Mediocre at best, not even good for 2005.  It's supposed to be realistic, but not when compared to Gran Turismo 4, or Need for Speed.

CONTENT

Unless you consider two old men having the Ford or Chevy argument violent, there nothing offensive in this game

CONCLUSION

If your in the mood to play the one of the worst racing games for PS2 and Xbox, then this one is for you.  With a lot of flaws, including the premise(we all know Ford is better), I give this one...

 3.5 out of 10.

DETAILS

Ford Vs. Chevy was developed by Eutechnyx and released by 2K Games.

It's rated E by the ESRB.   



Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies

I've never really loved simulation games, but if there's a shining light in the genre, Ace Combat 04 is one of them.  This was the 6th or 7th PS2 game I purchased (I got 2 at the same time, this one, and Sly Cooper). 

GAMEPLAY

Ace Combat is a flight simulator, so it mainly involves flying around the map, shooting down enemy planes, and bombing targets.  The levels are decently sized, open area maps, in which you can fly around freely to your objectives.  Most of the missions take 15 to 30 minutes, and there are 18 of them.  My personal favorite mission involved stopping missiles in the artic.  There's also a 2 player split screen mode, which involves 1 on 1 dogfights.  You can replay any of the missions after you've defeated the game, so that feature adds the replay value.

GRAPHICS

The game worlds have realistic terrain, Mountains, desert canyon, urban cities etc.

While the environments aren't that detailed, you can easily tell what's going on.

STORY 

The game takes place on a fictional version of earth, on the continent Usea.  After a mega astroid crashes into Usea in 1999, 500,000 people are killed and many are left with nothing.  The continent became occupied eventually and a war started.  Now during this, a young boy, was riding his bike to school, when he see's a dogfight going on above him.  After watching a plane marked Yellow 13 shoot down a fighter, it crashes into his family's house, killing his parents, leaving him orphaned.  After moving into the city with his drunken-bum uncle, the boy meets a bartenders daughter, and eventually begins to hangout with her, at their bar.  The Bar ends up being the hangout of the yellow sqaudron.  He l befriends, Yellow 13, and begins spying on him for the resistance.  During the game, you play as Mobius 1, an ISAF fighter pilot, who is top ranked, and eventually shoots down Yellow 13.  The games cutscenes are a long letter from the now grown boy to Mobius 1.

AGE

While rated E, there's surprisingly cursing in the game.  There is violence, but it only involves shooting down other aircraft, and is mild.

CONCLUSION

AC04 has a very interesting story, that kept me hooked, and great gameplay.  I recommend this if your looking to find a airplane/combat game for your PS2.   

Even with the outdated graphics, it's very much worth playing, and especially since it can be found for under $5.

7 out of 10.

DETAILS

Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies was developed by Project Aces, and released by Namco in 2003.  It's rated E for violence and mild language by the ESRB.          

  

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell

Being a spy is a dream of many people, so I'm guessing your one of those people.  This game is like a window into a awesome world of espionage.

 

GAMEPLAY

In Splinter Cell you sneak around, your equipped with a gun, nightvision goggles, and a bunch of other gadgets.  In the game, you actually don't have to kill any one, you just need to knock them out.  The guns can kill, but are there for you to shoot out lights and cameras.  Light and dark are principle of the Gameplay.  There is some jumping, that kind of comes across as platforming to me.  After you shoot people, they don't disappear, so you have to hide the body's in the shadows.  Lockpicking, extracting top-secret computer files, and disarming bombs is all a normal day in this game.

 

GRAPHICS

Splinter Cell has good graphics for the time window it was released.  The light coming from a certain points, rather than from nowhere, adds a very bold, realistic feel.  The best graphics for the game come on the PS3 remastered version.



STORY 
Former U.S. Navy Seal Sam Fisher has been recruited by the NSA, to find 2 missing agents in the fall of 2004.  He eventually becomes a Third Echelon operative, and operates missions all over the world.  With his trusty Silenced Pistol, and Nightvision goggles, he perfects his missions, leaving no trace of being there.

AGE
The game has no blood, besides one part in a morgue.  There is violence, and a very deep plot, that I can't fully follow.  Some cursing, so age 13 and up.

CONCLUSION
Splinter Cell is a great stealth action game.  Combining a witty plot, with inovative gameplay, this is a game you don't want to miss (actually since your reading this review in 2012+ you've already missed it).  I give this totally wicked game a 9.7 out of 10 

DETAILS
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell was originaly devloped by Ubisoft Montreal and released by Ubisoft in 2002 for Xbox, and has since been ported to PS2, Gamecube, Windows, Mac, N-Gage, Mobile Phone, GBA, and been remade in HD for PS3.  It's rated T for blood and gore, and violence by the ESRB.

Blinx: The Time Sweeper

 

Every console has a family friendly mascott, Nintendo has Mario, Sega has Sonic, Sony had Crash, so shouldn't Microsoft have one two?  This review will tell you why they don't.

 

GAMEPLAY

So Blinx has basic platforming, mixed with the ability to control time.  The time controls don't add ANYTHING to the gameplay.  The other thing, is that you can't jump on enemies, you have to suck stuff into your vacuum-gun thingy, and shoot it back at them.  The only collectibles in the game are the cat medals, which there are three of in a stage.

 

GRAPHICS

The graphics are quite cartoonish, and are very detailed, they might actually be the only thing good in this game.  But just because the graphics are good, dosent mean that there's no problems, the camera get's in the way to much.

 

STORY

Besides that Blinx is a time sweeper, cleaning up time crystals, and saving the princess from the evil pigs, that's it story wise.  Throughout the game, there's only 2 cutscenes, one in the beginning, and one at the end.

 

AGE

No offensive content, ages 4 and up.  Despite this, they're most likley the only people who will like the game.

 

CONCLUSION

If your looking for a bad game, you've found it here.  I don't think anyone would enjoy this game.  I give it a very bad 1.9 out of 10.

 

DETAILS

Blinx: The Time Sweeper was developed by Artoon, and released Microsoft Game Studios in 2002 for Xbox.  It's rated E by the ESRB.  It was followed by a sequel, Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Space.

 

 

Burnout 3: Takedown

 

Street Racing, is a major subject in VG's, Burnout 3 is one of those games.

 

GAMEPLAY

Burnout's gameplay involves, going around the track, and being the first to cross the finish line.  But Burnout rewards you for being stupid, by giving you "Boost" for your stupidity, and the game state's Risk=Reward.  By supid, I mean, wreckng (TAKINGDOWN) your rivals, and barley missing traffic.  The damage is over the top in Burnout, instead of no damage, you get over the top, fun, cartoonish explosion's, and of course, cars flying way up above your head.  The best way to see the damage is, Road Rage mode, in which you try to takedown as many of your rivals possible, until your car explodes.  There is also a Crash mode, where you drive into a intersection, and try to cause as much damage as possibe.

 

GRAPHICS

The Graphics are extremly well for the PS2 and Xbox, and unlike other games, the Frames don't slow down with a ton of movement.  Very excellent for it's time.

 

AGE

Burnout 3 has street racing, and one curse word, that on the screen every now and then.  Age 10 and up.

 

CONCLUSION

Burnout 3 is a very fun, fast paced racing game.  It's more of arcade style, when compared to NFS: Most Wanted.  This is fun, destructive, title, that would be great in your collection.  8.2 out of 10.

 

DETAILS

Burnout 3: Takedown, was developed by Criterion Games, and Published by Electronic Arts in 2004.  It's rated T for Mild Language, and Mild Violence by the ESRB.

      

 

Medal of Honor: Vanguard

 

Medal of Honor is as mentioned, a very succesful shooter franchise.  The later games in the series generaly have really dumb AI, this game is not a exception.

 

GAMEPLAY

I thought that Vanguard would be a very fun game, because of the paratrooper segments.  I was wrong, the paratrooper drop moments are short, and really don't add anything to the core FPS game.  Vanguard, is very simular to European Assault, with the exception, that the health meter is swapped out for the blood on the screen thing, brought about by Call of Duty.

 

GRAPHICS

The game has the same graphics as European Assault on the PS2 version, so pretty bad.  I'm not sure about the Wii version, but I personally think that Rising Sun had better Graphics.

 

STORY

You are one of Americas first paratroopers in WWII, under the 82nd Airborn Division.

You participate in missions set during: OPERATION HUSKY (invasion of Sicily), OPERATION NEPTUNE (Airborn element of D-Day), OPERATION MARKET-GARDEN (attack on the Netherlands), and OPERATION VARSITY (crossing of the Rhine).  There is a total of 10

missions.





AGE
MOH: Vanguard is a T game, but does include some blood and language, so age 12 and up.

CONCLUSION
This game was very dry, and had me saying, "I want my money back!".  With stale gameplay, and bad graphics makes this one 3 out of 10.

DETAILS
Medal of Honor: Vanguard was released in 2007 for Wii, and PS2.
It's rated T for blood, language, and violence by the ESRB.

Star Wars Battlefront

Star Wars is a huge media franchise, the movies spawning cartoons, comics, audio dramas, books, and even video games.  One of my favorite Star Wars games is Battlefront.  The game allows you to be a soilder in the classic battles.

 

GAMEPLAY

Battlefront is literaly a battlefront, in which you can do anything from driving a speeder, or a x-wing.  Or choosing what classes of infantry you want to be, including plain infantry, snipers, pilots, and more.  The most amazing thing about the game is how much is going on at one time, all the other AI units continue the battle even after you die.  When you die,  it takes you to a class selection screen.  Each faction has 5 different units, each with thier own special weapons.  The game does not allow you to pick up weapons, so when you respawn is the only time you can change.  There are 3 different type of droids scattered through the map including: the ammo droid, the health droid, and the vehicle repair droid, they give you exactly whats in their names.  The maps are all based on places shown in the movies, such as Naboo, Geonosis, and Endor.  They are pretty big and basicly free roam, letting you do whatever it is that want to during the battles.  Also spread out accross the maps are Command Post, points at which you capture, or respawn at.  The core gameplay (yes i'm just now there) is to win the battles for the faction that you choose, by capturing all the CPs and holding them for 20 seconds, or wiping out the enemy forces.  There is a historical campaign which lets you play the battles in order, a galactic conquest mode, in which you choose your faction an capture the galaxy, and instant action, which lets you play any battle, when you want to.  The factions have to be in a time period against each other,so you can play in the Clone Wars (clones vs. droids) and the Galactic Civil War (Rebels vs. Empire).

 

GRAPHICS

The game has good graphics for 2004 on the systems it was released on, but even when compared to graphics seen on the same systems in 2006, they are pretty average.  Graphics really don't bother me so... it's all good.

 

AGE

While Battlefront doe's feature shooting, theres no blood, and it's no worse than the movies.  Age 9 and up.

 

CONCLUSION

If you have a system that this game is on, go get it, it's great!  If you love Star Wars, and are looking for a deep, unforseen plot, this game has no real story, so The Force Unleashed would be a better choice.  With many different ways to play, this ones a classic, which I give a 8 out of 10, may the force be with you.

 

DETAILS

Star Wars Battlefront was released in 2004 for Xbox, PS2, and PC.

It's rated T for Violence by the ESRB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call of Duty 3



Historical first person shooter games are very common, and Call of Duty has some of the best ones.  The series, has sinces shifted it's focus to the Modern Warfare franchise, but the "classic" Call of Duty games are still very good.  The third entry in the series, Call of Duty 3, is the last "classic" COD game.

GAMEPLAY
Like most other FPS games, the main point of the gameplay is to shoot people, in this case, Nazi soldiers.  The main thing that makes COD 3 fresher from earlier titles, are the moments in 1st person when you're in close quarters combat, driving a jeep, or lighting the fuse on a bomb.  There are 14 missions in COD 3, including some requiring you to drive a tank, and some that are stealth based.  This is the overall best WWII shooter for PS2, and Xbox, and a great game on newer consoles.

STORY
The game takes place during the Normandy breakout campaign, and is set in France.  You play as 4 differnt soldiers in the American, British, Canadian, and Polish armies.  All of the missions take place in a real battle, and backed somewhat by fact.

GRAPHICS
The last gen versions look very good, and are some of the best games visually on the Xbox and PS2.  The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions feature better graphics, with enhanced textures.  The Wii version is somewhere in between.

AGE
Call of Duty 3 has violence (obviously), a bit of blood when you shoot someone, but its mainly used to see where you hit the guy, as it disappears.  The bodies do lay after you shoot them, but no gore.  There is quite a bit of cursing, for a teen game, but it's mainly in the cutscenes.

CONCLUSION
Call of Duty 3 is one of the best FPS games around, and well worth your time.  I have not, played online, so I can't tell you how that goes, but the campaign is solid.  I give this 9 out of 10.

DETAILS
Call of Duty 3 was released in 2006 for Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, and Wii.
It's rated T for Blood, Violence, and Language by the ESRB.
     

Super Mario 64

Platform videogames are some of my favorite games.  The 3D platformer sub-genre can have 2 turnouts, good or bad.  Super Mario 64 was probably the first one to be good. 

 

GAMEPLAY

Super Mario 64 mixes the classic Mario jump n' stomp, with 3D enviroment's.  You have to guide, Mario through the course to find Power Stars.  Power Stars are collected by completing platforming challenges, defeating bosses, and by acompishing certain tasks.

Courses are opened, by jumping into paintings on the wall's, in the calstle's many room's.

Mario collects different kinds of cap's, which grant him a special ability for a short time, rather than the mushrooms and flowers of the earlier games.   Blocks contanin coins, 1up mushrooms, caps, and sometimes Power Stars.

 

STORY

Mario recives a letter from Princess Peach, saying that she has baked a cake for him and that he must come to her castle.  It turns out that Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach again, and the letter is a fake.  Bowser also stole the princesses power stars, which are required to open most doors in the castle.  Mario must find all 120 power stars, defeat Bowser, and rescue the Princess.

 

GRAPHICS

When Super Mario 64 was released for the N64 in 1996, nothing really compared at the time.  Now, in this day and time, the graphics aren't that great, but can hold up compared to other 3D games released in the 1996 period.  The DS version is a complete remake, sporting better graphics than the N64 version, more maps and stars, plus a bunch of mini games that use the touchscreen.

 

AGE

Mario has no offensive content, though you would need to know how to read, because the story is not spoken, but written.  I think you should at least be 7 to play Super Mario 64.

 

CONCLUSION

When speaking of classics, there is not a game more classic than this.  Super Mario 64 has great gameplay, fun challenges, and the pudgy plumber himself.  If you have a system that has this game, you can's miss it.  I give this 8.4 out of 10.

 

DETAILS

Realeased in 1996, for N64.  Has been re-released in 2004 for the DS, and later for the Wii Virtual Console.  It is rated E by the ESRB. 

 

 

  



Donkey Kong for NES, Arcade, and Wii

As mentioned with Galaga, the early 80s saw some of the best arcade games ever.  One of these was Donkey Kong.  

GAMEPLAY
The gameplay of Donkey Kong, is to guide Mario, to the top platform.  The ultimate goal of the game is to save Pauline, a damsel in distress.  The 3 levels include some platforming, but sadly they loop, and you keep playing the exact same levels.

Level 1
is the slanted frame of a building, at a construction site.  Donkey kong is trowing barrels down the frame.  Mario must climb ladders, and successfully dodge the barrels to reach the top.

Level 2

Mario must reach the platform closest to Pauline.  This stage includes a pully system, which you must time the jumps just right for, or die. Other challenges include seperated platforms, fires, and a jumpy thing that can hit you. 

Level 3

You must walk over the yellow squares, while dodging the fires.  Once all of the squares are gone, Donkey Kong will fall to the ground, leaving you and Pauline safe.

AGE

Donkey Kong has no offensive content.

CONCLUSION

Donkey Kong is a great arcade game, in which I really do love.  The graphics are not that great, but it is 1981 here.  The only bad thing I have against the game is the Mario was a Carpenter, not a plumber.  I give this classic 8 out of 10.  And remember that when you pop this game in, it's not just on, but "it's on like Donkey Kong".