It’s been a long time since I updated any details about games, and I’ve played thru (and beaten) a lot of stuff lately
NINTENDO DS
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
I came back to this game due to a lack of new DS games to play and my personal desire to complete the side missions I had previously ignored.
So all of the side missions are complete besides 3 of them, and I’m fairly certain that I won’t bother with the game in the future.
As I stated earlier, it was an incredible game and I’ll mos def be picking up the 3rd Castlevania on the DS (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia) which got an 85 out of 100 from MetaCritic’s average review scores.
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Now complete in both the regular mode and the “Julius Mode”, I’m extremely pleased with this game as it fits the usually perfect 2D Castlevania format very well.
I was surprised by the replayability of Dawn of Sorrow with the Julius Mode, which allowed me to instantly switch from Julius to Alucard or Yoko. I was a bit disappointed the extra mode didn’t feature the regular game’s menu that offers customizing and equipping of different weapons or skills and didn’t offer a status bar that stated how far you were from your next level or numbers of your strength/defense etc, but given it’s an extra mode to offer replayability, I can’t complain. One other annoyance is the occasional need to level grind before boss fights, but that’s too minor to cause much concern.
A few things I did particularly enjoy about Julius Mode is that you didn’t have to use the stylus after boss battled to draw a symbol on the screen, and you didn’t have to worry about status effects such as poison or curse.
Very strong game most worth a purchase for any DS owner that can appreciate a 2D action game with RPG elements.
PLAYSTATION 3
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
About 4 or 5 months ago, an AZHP member (Flygod) let me borrow this game along with Lair so that I could give them a try. Although I was aware that Sony had produced an Uncharted and PS3 pack, I didn’t expect a whole lot as I knew the game was one of the PS3’s early titles (launch title possibly) and I hadn’t heard too much about it.
Perhaps I had a lack of notice is because although I appreciated Naughty Dog’s published games (Crash Bandicoot/Jaxx), I wasn’t a big fan of them due to my lack of interest in platforming games.
Either way, this game turned out to be one of the best games I’ve played in a long time!
It’s a 3rd person action/platformer (similar to Tomb Raider or Prince of Persia) featuring a character named Nathan Drake who is looking for the treasure and history behind his ancestor Sir Francis Drake.
The action and battles include firefights using a cover system (similar to Gears of War) and is quite polished and easy to control.
The story is compelling and with the incredible quality voice acting and graphics, seems to flow like you’re playing a movie.
I’ve beaten this game 3 times already and continued to enjoy it.
My only complaint is a big one. The trophy system is extremely buggy, as there has been two occasions where I’ve received a medal (in game trophy) and the PSN trophy didn’t go thru correctly. The most frustrating part is I beat the game in “Crushing Mode” which is EXTREMELY difficult and although I received the medal, I didn’t receive the trophy. It’s the last trophy I need to earn in the game which allows me to unlock the Platinum trophy as well for a complete master of the game.
Although I have so many good things to say about the game and it’s story, going thru Crushing Mode again to unlock the trophy will be very frustrating; but considering the work I’ve put in thus far, I don’t feel as if I can abandon my desire to get 100% and I will do so.
I’ve read online about it, and I’m not the only one to have the problem. A few believe that you have to avoid any manual saves and just let the autosave do it’s job.
78% complete on trophies. Only “Crushing Mode” gold trophy left and my platinum should follow that automatically.
Pixeljunk Eden
Though this was one of the first games I bought from the PSN, I dismissed it after an hour or two as not being on the same level as my favorite Pixeljunk game to date, Pixeljunk Monsters.
Although I still don’t believe it’s near as fun as Monsters, it’s a different genre and is quite pleasant.
Although it’s tough to categorize Pixeljunk Eden in a genre, I’d have to say it’s a 2D puzzle platform game where you must jump and swing from abstract colored and shaped plants while collecting pollen to bud more plants. The objective is to acquire the “Spectras” of the level by reaching extremely high grounds thru pollen collection and swinging from plant to plant.
I’ve beaten the first 3 stages (out of 10 total before the expansion pack which I don’t own) and I’ve completed each one of the stages to 100%.
I will continue to play this game to it’s full extent and aim for my typical desire for 100% on trophies.
I’m continuously impressed by the Pixeljunk publishers and I’m looking forward to Pixeljunk Shooter on the PSN later this year.
Worms
Everyone and their mother has played or at least seen the Worms series, as the games have been produced since the early 1990’s. The most recent release (PSN and previously 360) is no different than the usual.
There’s nothing new about this particular Worms game, and it’s very scaled down compared to “Armageddon” or “World Party” but does offer Online play with up to 4 players and voice chat support.
It’s fun and then becomes painfully bland after an hour or two of total gameplay.
100% complete on trophies complete.
I won’t return to this game unless to occasionally play a local multiplayer game with a friend or two.
The Last Guy
The best selling PSN game in Japan never really hit the states with much hype or enthusiasm. As one of my first PSN purchases, this game (like Pixeljunk Eden) was on the back burner for a while to more intriguing games.
The Last Guy is a 2D puzzle platform game with a top down perspective that looks extremely similar to Google Maps on Landscape view where your objective is collect a large number of people from landscapes, buildings and landmarks and get a target number of them to an escape zone before the alloted time runs out.
The rescued people follow you in a long line that reminds you of the old cell phone Snake games and you must keep them safe on the way to the escape zone.
In your way stands multiple different types of zombies, each with their own attention spans and attack functions.
I had completed the first 5 or so levels with casual interest but deleted my game save and started anew due to added trophy support. It’s good to see a game released over a year ago get extra added support to give it more attention. Other developers should follow this example and do the same (coughSonyEntertainmentHOTSHOTSGOLFcough)
Currently at 17% of the trophies, I have a long way to go. Many of the trophies are relevant only to an add on pack also offered recently for an extra $2 to $3.
Crash Commando
This is Soldat with updated graphics for the console market.
It’s a fast paced 2D multiplayer shooter with jetpacks.
Although the graphics are better and there are vehicles available, I liked Soldat better due to superior control with keyboard and mouse.
I played thru the training missions and did a tiny bit of online multiplayer.
14% on trophies. Not sure I’ll spend much time on this game in the future.
Magic Ball
Magic Ball = Breakout on crack
Vertical breakout/pong with destroyable landscapes and powerups such as multi balls, machine guns, iron balls and more.
It’s fun for one playthru
85% on trophies and I’ll come back to it only to finish off the 2 trophies I haven’t got yet.
Wheel of Fortune
Self explanatory.
It’s fun playing local multiplayer games with others in the same room, but playing against the stupid CPU is no good and playing online gives people the opportunity to cheat via Google on a nearby computer.
100% on trophies and I won’t bother again unless I’m with a few friends and some beers.
Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer
European developed horizontal Shmup with typical powerups and necessary dodging skills similar to Gradius or R-Type games.
Although the graphics are great for a Shmup, the gameplay and weapons are average at best.
0% on trophies due to lack of play. Will play in the future when I’ve completed more compelling games.
Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars
What a title!
From the little bit of this game I’ve played thus far, it seems like a lot of fun.
It’s a multiplayer 3rd person game where you play soccer using vehicles to hit the balls around a futuristic arena with speed upgrades and a few attack and dodge moves.
Barely touched it so far.
0% on trophies due to lack of play. Will play in the future when I’ve completed other games.
Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic
Fighting game with a Super Smash Brothers feel that uses the SixAxis to do special moves.
It’s average at best.
Luckily I didn’t pay for it and got it free when Sprint sponsored the game free to download for 1 week.
19% on trophies so far. I will play in the future to experience a bit more when I’ve completed more compelling games.
Look for me online:
-FrankCastleAZ
