modeps
03-22-2009, 11:16 AM
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For those of you who do not buy games on their release date and are still trying to see where your money should go, here is a collection of some of the more popular releases for the past weeks in the order of their overall scores. The scores and quotes are provided by Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/games/).
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CRM3RI?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001CRM3RI) (DS) - 94%
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a triumph, not just in terms of bringing a difficult game to a new platform intact, but because it actually improves it in the process, and demonstrates a mastery of DS form and function.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars continues GTA's legacy as the premiere "sandbox" game design. Though it might look like a lot has changed in the move to the handheld platform, more has been added than taken away.
My highest recommendation: Though I'm done with my review, I'm far from done playing. In spite of my early kneejerk dismissal, I can't get enough of this crazy little unregulated dystopia where you can get heavy assault weapons delivered to your doorstep.
Resistance: Retribution (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QCWSCE?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001QCWSCE) (PSP) - 82%
Probably one of the most complete packages ever to come to the PSP. It has an engaging storyline, a likeable main character, tons of reasons to play it again, and one of the greatest multiplayer outings we've ever seen on this system.
Resistance: Retribution is a worthy addition to Insomniac’s series. It adds an amazing story to the existing lore, and is a great standalone experience for those of you who haven’t played a Resistance game before.
Catering to a portable game console and still keeping Resistance fans happy is a tall order, but at the end of the day Resistance: Retribution pulls off these difficult tasks with flying colors.
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FS8BDE?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FS8BDE) (DS) - 81%
There isn’t much more that can be said about Hatsworth without coming right out and telling you to buy it, which is exactly what I’m doing. The game blends the action/patforming genre with traditional puzzle gaming very well, the music, visuals, character design, and story is all completely over the top, and the action elements are a total love letter to dozens of different games spanning a handful of different schools of design.
EA did an excellent job blending both genres and we enjoyed the humorous dialogue, cut scenes and gameplay, especially when Henry wrecks bad guys while piloting a giant robot. Fun, charming and addictive, Henry Hatsworth is one of the best games for the DS.
Hardcore platformer fans will find this a trying test of skills. Henry Hatsworth could have been one of the most unique and interesting games on the DS, but some baffling design choices hold it back from greatness.
TrackMania DS (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001L10OS0?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001L10OS0) (DS) - 76%
I'd definitely suggest Trackmania DS to anyone who was or is a fan of the PC title, and while the developers haven't managed to bring over every single detail to this handheld port, they've managed to really capture the essence of Trackmania to provide a great portable method of getting your fix.
Trackmania DS is a great game. But racing time trials and designing tracks starts to lose its appeal when you don't have anyone to share the experience with. If you're having trouble convincing your friends to buy the DS game, remember that the PC version of Trackmania is incredibly popular -- and free.
The core racing, platforming and puzzling is good, albeit hindered slightly by the visuals, but without the competitive edge that the PC game offered there's little here to make you come back.
For those of you who do not buy games on their release date and are still trying to see where your money should go, here is a collection of some of the more popular releases for the past weeks in the order of their overall scores. The scores and quotes are provided by Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/games/).
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CRM3RI?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001CRM3RI) (DS) - 94%
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a triumph, not just in terms of bringing a difficult game to a new platform intact, but because it actually improves it in the process, and demonstrates a mastery of DS form and function.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars continues GTA's legacy as the premiere "sandbox" game design. Though it might look like a lot has changed in the move to the handheld platform, more has been added than taken away.
My highest recommendation: Though I'm done with my review, I'm far from done playing. In spite of my early kneejerk dismissal, I can't get enough of this crazy little unregulated dystopia where you can get heavy assault weapons delivered to your doorstep.
Resistance: Retribution (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QCWSCE?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001QCWSCE) (PSP) - 82%
Probably one of the most complete packages ever to come to the PSP. It has an engaging storyline, a likeable main character, tons of reasons to play it again, and one of the greatest multiplayer outings we've ever seen on this system.
Resistance: Retribution is a worthy addition to Insomniac’s series. It adds an amazing story to the existing lore, and is a great standalone experience for those of you who haven’t played a Resistance game before.
Catering to a portable game console and still keeping Resistance fans happy is a tall order, but at the end of the day Resistance: Retribution pulls off these difficult tasks with flying colors.
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FS8BDE?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FS8BDE) (DS) - 81%
There isn’t much more that can be said about Hatsworth without coming right out and telling you to buy it, which is exactly what I’m doing. The game blends the action/patforming genre with traditional puzzle gaming very well, the music, visuals, character design, and story is all completely over the top, and the action elements are a total love letter to dozens of different games spanning a handful of different schools of design.
EA did an excellent job blending both genres and we enjoyed the humorous dialogue, cut scenes and gameplay, especially when Henry wrecks bad guys while piloting a giant robot. Fun, charming and addictive, Henry Hatsworth is one of the best games for the DS.
Hardcore platformer fans will find this a trying test of skills. Henry Hatsworth could have been one of the most unique and interesting games on the DS, but some baffling design choices hold it back from greatness.
TrackMania DS (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001L10OS0?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001L10OS0) (DS) - 76%
I'd definitely suggest Trackmania DS to anyone who was or is a fan of the PC title, and while the developers haven't managed to bring over every single detail to this handheld port, they've managed to really capture the essence of Trackmania to provide a great portable method of getting your fix.
Trackmania DS is a great game. But racing time trials and designing tracks starts to lose its appeal when you don't have anyone to share the experience with. If you're having trouble convincing your friends to buy the DS game, remember that the PC version of Trackmania is incredibly popular -- and free.
The core racing, platforming and puzzling is good, albeit hindered slightly by the visuals, but without the competitive edge that the PC game offered there's little here to make you come back.