Forums > Recent Posts
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Posted by JoeTheDestroyer on February 02, 2012 at 04:55 PM:
It's decided, then. White Knight Chronicles it is. It'll be a bit because I'm covering another title for a different site, but once that's out I'll definitely hit this one.
It's decided, then. White Knight Chronicles it is. It'll be a bit because I'm covering another title for a different site, but once that's out I'll definitely hit this one.
Posted by Suskie on February 02, 2012 at 12:01 AM:
For the future: When a game releases on the last day of January, it's more than likely that people won't be reviewing it until February.
For the future: When a game releases on the last day of January, it's more than likely that people won't be reviewing it until February.
Posted by True on February 01, 2012 at 11:05 PM:
If I can work shit out financially, I'm totally snagging a Vita. So I may grab that Hot Shots option.
If I can work shit out financially, I'm totally snagging a Vita. So I may grab that Hot Shots option.
Posted by honestgamer on February 01, 2012 at 09:33 PM:
For the purposes of the bounty challenge, games that would typically have been classified as Adventure titles at the time (stuff like Zelda or Landstalker) are excluded.
For the purposes of the bounty challenge, games that would typically have been classified as Adventure titles at the time (stuff like Zelda or Landstalker) are excluded.
Posted by pickhut on February 01, 2012 at 09:21 PM:
Do "action RPGs" count? Like, say, something Zelda-ish? Then again, that could be considered adventure... Just curious.
Do "action RPGs" count? Like, say, something Zelda-ish? Then again, that could be considered adventure... Just curious.
Posted by honestgamer on February 01, 2012 at 06:58 PM:
I'm rolling this challenge into February, because there was only one entry this month. I'm also doubling the prize amount. Joe, your Astyanax review is eligible in February, despite being written in January. Please enter it in that topic.
I'm rolling this challenge into February, because there was only one entry this month. I'm also doubling the prize amount. Joe, your Astyanax review is eligible in February, despite being written in January. Please enter it in that topic.
Posted by honestgamer on February 01, 2012 at 06:50 PM:
Welcome to HonestGamers! This site features staff and user reviews for a variety of games old and new. I'd like you to be a part of the process, and I'm prepared to reward you!
What is the prize?
This month, the prize is one (1) $40 electronic Amazon.com gift certificate. You can apply it toward nearly anything on that site that is sold directly by Amazon.com. I'm not sure if it works on third-party marketplace purchases, but either way, an Amazon.com gift certificate is pretty sweet! I reserve the right to increase the size of the prize or the number of prizes awarded at my discretion.
Who is eligible?
Anyone other than myself who contributes a review to the site is eligible, as long as such contests are not void in his or her region of residence and that person is 18 or has permission from a parent or legal guardian, but only when contributing user reviews. If you review a game on assignment as staff or a freelancer, that review is ineligible.
How do I enter?
Write a review for a qualifying game and submit it. If the review is approved by a staff member during the accepted time period (no later than the last day of the month), then you can post a link to the review in this topic. Any one person may enter a maximum of 5 reviews during a given month.
What happens next?
Once the month ends, assuming that there have been 5 or more eligible reviews entered into the contest, I will compile a list of all qualifying reviews within the topic. Then I will post a new topic to encourage voting. In order to cast a vote, a user must have an HonestGamers account in good standing. Feel free to explain why you voted for that review. Users may not vote for themselves, and each user may only vote for one review during the voting period. At the end of that period (a week or two, depending on volume of activity), I will tally the votes. Obvious voting fraud will be ruled out and the winner will be determined. In the event of a tie, my vote will be the tiebreaker. Once I announce the winner, he or she will have 48 hours in which to contact me in order to make arrangements to receive the prize. I will then send the prize within the next 60 days.
Can I help make this contest even better?
You can! Make sure that you let people know about it on Facebook and Twitter, if you think they might be interested, or you can contact me if you'd like to sponsor the contest with prizes or donations. I'm easy enough to reach (you'll find a link to contact me by email in the right column on this very page). Remember that the more people who meaningfully participate, the more likely I am to increase the rewards. Everyone benefits when people are active.
So, what games are eligible for the contest this month?
The eligible titles during this one-month period are as follows:
*Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PS3, Xbox 360)
*NeverDead (PS3, Xbox 360)
*Silent Hill HD Collection (PS3, Xbox 360)
*SoulCalibur V (PS3, Xbox 360)
*Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (PS3, Xbox 360)
*Resident Evil: Revelations (3DS)
*The Darkness II (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
*Inversion (Xbox 360)
*Twisted Metal (PS3)
*Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Vita)
*wipEout 2048 (Vita)
*Hot Shots Golf: World Invitationl (Vita)
*UFC Undisputed 3 (Xbox 360)
*Tales of the Abyss (3DS)
*Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (Vita)
*BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND (PS3, Xbox 360, Vita)
*ModNation Racers: Road Trip (Vita)
*Lumines: Electronic Symphony (Vita)
*Rayman Origins (Vita)
*FIFA Soccer (Vita)
*Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom (PSP)
*Rhythm Heaven Fever (Wii)
*Little Deviants (Vita)
*Tekken 3D (3DS)
*Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D (3DS)
*Syndicate (Xbox 360, PC)
*Asura's Wrath (PS3)
*Touch My Katamari (Vita)
*Ridge Racer (Vita)
*Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen (Vita)
*Army Corps of Hell (Vita)
*SSX (Xbox 360)
*Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 (DS)
*Phantom Breaker (Xbox 360)
*Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 (PS3)
*Binary Domain (Xbox 360)
*Any RPG (Sega Genesis titles only)
*Any Jaleco-published game (NES titles only)
I reserve the right to add additional titles, and some titles (particularly those that are released late in the month) may be eligible next month, as well. Since HonestGamers is a site that appeals to a large number of retro gamers, I will always try to include some options so that retro reviewers can also get involved.
Welcome to HonestGamers! This site features staff and user reviews for a variety of games old and new. I'd like you to be a part of the process, and I'm prepared to reward you!
What is the prize?
This month, the prize is one (1) $40 electronic Amazon.com gift certificate. You can apply it toward nearly anything on that site that is sold directly by Amazon.com. I'm not sure if it works on third-party marketplace purchases, but either way, an Amazon.com gift certificate is pretty sweet! I reserve the right to increase the size of the prize or the number of prizes awarded at my discretion.
Who is eligible?
Anyone other than myself who contributes a review to the site is eligible, as long as such contests are not void in his or her region of residence and that person is 18 or has permission from a parent or legal guardian, but only when contributing user reviews. If you review a game on assignment as staff or a freelancer, that review is ineligible.
How do I enter?
Write a review for a qualifying game and submit it. If the review is approved by a staff member during the accepted time period (no later than the last day of the month), then you can post a link to the review in this topic. Any one person may enter a maximum of 5 reviews during a given month.
What happens next?
Once the month ends, assuming that there have been 5 or more eligible reviews entered into the contest, I will compile a list of all qualifying reviews within the topic. Then I will post a new topic to encourage voting. In order to cast a vote, a user must have an HonestGamers account in good standing. Feel free to explain why you voted for that review. Users may not vote for themselves, and each user may only vote for one review during the voting period. At the end of that period (a week or two, depending on volume of activity), I will tally the votes. Obvious voting fraud will be ruled out and the winner will be determined. In the event of a tie, my vote will be the tiebreaker. Once I announce the winner, he or she will have 48 hours in which to contact me in order to make arrangements to receive the prize. I will then send the prize within the next 60 days.
Can I help make this contest even better?
You can! Make sure that you let people know about it on Facebook and Twitter, if you think they might be interested, or you can contact me if you'd like to sponsor the contest with prizes or donations. I'm easy enough to reach (you'll find a link to contact me by email in the right column on this very page). Remember that the more people who meaningfully participate, the more likely I am to increase the rewards. Everyone benefits when people are active.
So, what games are eligible for the contest this month?
The eligible titles during this one-month period are as follows:
*Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PS3, Xbox 360)
*NeverDead (PS3, Xbox 360)
*Silent Hill HD Collection (PS3, Xbox 360)
*SoulCalibur V (PS3, Xbox 360)
*Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (PS3, Xbox 360)
*Resident Evil: Revelations (3DS)
*The Darkness II (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
*Inversion (Xbox 360)
*Twisted Metal (PS3)
*Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Vita)
*wipEout 2048 (Vita)
*Hot Shots Golf: World Invitationl (Vita)
*UFC Undisputed 3 (Xbox 360)
*Tales of the Abyss (3DS)
*Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (Vita)
*BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND (PS3, Xbox 360, Vita)
*ModNation Racers: Road Trip (Vita)
*Lumines: Electronic Symphony (Vita)
*Rayman Origins (Vita)
*FIFA Soccer (Vita)
*Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom (PSP)
*Rhythm Heaven Fever (Wii)
*Little Deviants (Vita)
*Tekken 3D (3DS)
*Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D (3DS)
*Syndicate (Xbox 360, PC)
*Asura's Wrath (PS3)
*Touch My Katamari (Vita)
*Ridge Racer (Vita)
*Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen (Vita)
*Army Corps of Hell (Vita)
*SSX (Xbox 360)
*Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 (DS)
*Phantom Breaker (Xbox 360)
*Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 (PS3)
*Binary Domain (Xbox 360)
*Any RPG (Sega Genesis titles only)
*Any Jaleco-published game (NES titles only)
I reserve the right to add additional titles, and some titles (particularly those that are released late in the month) may be eligible next month, as well. Since HonestGamers is a site that appeals to a large number of retro gamers, I will always try to include some options so that retro reviewers can also get involved.
Posted by overdrive on February 01, 2012 at 12:05 PM:
Currently in first place!
Therefore, I love this system.
Currently in first place!
Therefore, I love this system.
Posted by overdrive on January 31, 2012 at 12:16 AM:
Skyrim still be taking my time. Give me Genny RPGs for another month and I might get PStar2 done!
Skyrim still be taking my time. Give me Genny RPGs for another month and I might get PStar2 done!
Posted by JoeTheDestroyer on January 30, 2012 at 11:59 PM:
Almost forgot to post this here.
Currently enrolling my Astyanax review, if the contest is still on.
Almost forgot to post this here.
Currently enrolling my Astyanax review, if the contest is still on.
Posted by zippdementia on January 30, 2012 at 08:27 PM:
Time and lack of gaming money keeps me from participating as a reviewer. I'll be sure to join in with the vote, though!
Time and lack of gaming money keeps me from participating as a reviewer. I'll be sure to join in with the vote, though!
Posted by wolfqueen001 on January 30, 2012 at 06:00 PM:
White Knight Chronicles will likely win, but I'd like to see Darkstone simply because I think you'll write a better review of that game than I did (though it was my second review ever), and I'm curious to hear what you thought of it.
White Knight Chronicles will likely win, but I'd like to see Darkstone simply because I think you'll write a better review of that game than I did (though it was my second review ever), and I'm curious to hear what you thought of it.
Posted by wolfqueen001 on January 30, 2012 at 05:48 PM:
I hope some people have done this to some extent. I know I wanted to, and even started playing the game, but I've been busy with other things and haven't had time to finish it, let alone write a review.
I hope some people have done this to some extent. I know I wanted to, and even started playing the game, but I've been busy with other things and haven't had time to finish it, let alone write a review.
Posted by honestgamer on January 30, 2012 at 03:15 PM:
As we creep ever closer to putting January behind us, I thought it would be a good time to let you all in on the plans I have for HonestGamers in 2012.
In 2011, I spent a lot of time securing reviews from well-respected industry talent. Most noticeably, that led to a slew of reviews from Tom Chick. I really enjoyed posting each of his reviews, and I could tell from the responses that all of you generally enjoyed reading them (and perhaps, if only a little, the activity that they inspired from visitors to the site).
In 2012, that will change a bit. Tom Chick has retired from freelancing to write full-time for his own site, but even before word of that change reached me, I was thinking that it was time to allot my budget elsewhere and also to give more fresh faces a chance to cover the biggest games (stuff that previously I handled myself or sent to writers like Tom Chick). Does that mean I will no longer call in guest writers with a reputation and following on occasion? No, it doesn't. However, it'll happen a lot less frequently.
In 2012, I'm looking to spend a lot of money on the site--as much as I can, as I did in 2012--but I'm going to do it differently. There are three basic elements to my plans for coverage and day-to-day functions in 2012. I'll call them "initiatives," because it's a neat word that seems as apt as any other. The initiatives are as follows.
1) A writing team covering the games that matter.
I have assembled a team that consists of current writing staff and trusted freelancers. Many of those freelancers have been posting content for a year or more, off and on, but this year I've streamlined the system.
Each month, freelancers let me know what games they're interested in covering in the coming weeks. I mix all of that together, assemble a list and then I do what I can to secure the games our writers want to cover. They then turn around a review as quickly as is feasible. I copyedit the reviews and they go live shortly after games release.
The plan is to cover around 20 games a month. Some months will hopefully see more than that number and some will inevitably see less, but the goal is to ensure regular quality content to supplement reader contributions.
2) Community activities.
I have some efforts in place to reward community contributions. Those will be ongoing. I am working on a possible contest idea (with a potential prize), and I also am hopeful that we can have a month-to-month bounty program that rewards members of the community for reviewing current releases and certain retro titles. You saw that in January and there was next to no response, but January was an odd month. I plan to repeat the effort in February and beyond, as possible.
Additionally, I hope to make more of our social media followers aware of any community activities. This last week, for instance, I announced when overdrive won Review of the Week. I hope to make that a weekly thing, and to promote any contests.
I've also noticed that a lot of the contributions lately have been receiving more feedback from the community. I've been joining in (or sometimes initiating that feedback), and I plan to continue doing so, with your help. As more of us continue to let one another know what we think about contributions, community activity should continue to improve.
3) Social media.
Mostly, this comes down to Facebook, since efforts on Twitter are largely automated.
I've put some money into Facebook advertising over the last few months, as a means of seeing what sort of difference it made. The good news is that it does in fact make a difference. There are infrequent comments on the site's Facebook page, and (more importantly) there are visits every day from that same page.
What I find most encouraging is that the visits tend to be of the most desirable variety. People who click links from the Facebook page tend to stick around and read a bit (as measured by an especially low bounce rate), which is something that's not as true even when hits come from sites like GameRankings.
The conclusion I've reached: we need more Facebook traffic. I'll be investing as heavily as I can toward that end in the coming months, so watch for that number of Facebook fans to keep climbing.
---
I hope you're as excited about the site's potential future as I am. If you'd like to be part of that future, just keep doing what you're doing! Contribute quality content, leave feedback for the content others post, tell your friends about the site and its Facebook presence... stuff like that.
If you'd like to contribute in a monetary way, that's also welcome. You can donate through PayPal using the jasonventer AT yahoo DOT com address, or you can make sure that you stop here first the next time you're looking to buy something at Amazon.com.
Thank you for your support now and over the past decade or so. 2012 promises to be one of the site's most exciting years and I look forward to seeing where things are at this December!
As we creep ever closer to putting January behind us, I thought it would be a good time to let you all in on the plans I have for HonestGamers in 2012.
In 2011, I spent a lot of time securing reviews from well-respected industry talent. Most noticeably, that led to a slew of reviews from Tom Chick. I really enjoyed posting each of his reviews, and I could tell from the responses that all of you generally enjoyed reading them (and perhaps, if only a little, the activity that they inspired from visitors to the site).
In 2012, that will change a bit. Tom Chick has retired from freelancing to write full-time for his own site, but even before word of that change reached me, I was thinking that it was time to allot my budget elsewhere and also to give more fresh faces a chance to cover the biggest games (stuff that previously I handled myself or sent to writers like Tom Chick). Does that mean I will no longer call in guest writers with a reputation and following on occasion? No, it doesn't. However, it'll happen a lot less frequently.
In 2012, I'm looking to spend a lot of money on the site--as much as I can, as I did in 2012--but I'm going to do it differently. There are three basic elements to my plans for coverage and day-to-day functions in 2012. I'll call them "initiatives," because it's a neat word that seems as apt as any other. The initiatives are as follows.
1) A writing team covering the games that matter.
I have assembled a team that consists of current writing staff and trusted freelancers. Many of those freelancers have been posting content for a year or more, off and on, but this year I've streamlined the system.
Each month, freelancers let me know what games they're interested in covering in the coming weeks. I mix all of that together, assemble a list and then I do what I can to secure the games our writers want to cover. They then turn around a review as quickly as is feasible. I copyedit the reviews and they go live shortly after games release.
The plan is to cover around 20 games a month. Some months will hopefully see more than that number and some will inevitably see less, but the goal is to ensure regular quality content to supplement reader contributions.
2) Community activities.
I have some efforts in place to reward community contributions. Those will be ongoing. I am working on a possible contest idea (with a potential prize), and I also am hopeful that we can have a month-to-month bounty program that rewards members of the community for reviewing current releases and certain retro titles. You saw that in January and there was next to no response, but January was an odd month. I plan to repeat the effort in February and beyond, as possible.
Additionally, I hope to make more of our social media followers aware of any community activities. This last week, for instance, I announced when overdrive won Review of the Week. I hope to make that a weekly thing, and to promote any contests.
I've also noticed that a lot of the contributions lately have been receiving more feedback from the community. I've been joining in (or sometimes initiating that feedback), and I plan to continue doing so, with your help. As more of us continue to let one another know what we think about contributions, community activity should continue to improve.
3) Social media.
Mostly, this comes down to Facebook, since efforts on Twitter are largely automated.
I've put some money into Facebook advertising over the last few months, as a means of seeing what sort of difference it made. The good news is that it does in fact make a difference. There are infrequent comments on the site's Facebook page, and (more importantly) there are visits every day from that same page.
What I find most encouraging is that the visits tend to be of the most desirable variety. People who click links from the Facebook page tend to stick around and read a bit (as measured by an especially low bounce rate), which is something that's not as true even when hits come from sites like GameRankings.
The conclusion I've reached: we need more Facebook traffic. I'll be investing as heavily as I can toward that end in the coming months, so watch for that number of Facebook fans to keep climbing.
---
I hope you're as excited about the site's potential future as I am. If you'd like to be part of that future, just keep doing what you're doing! Contribute quality content, leave feedback for the content others post, tell your friends about the site and its Facebook presence... stuff like that.
If you'd like to contribute in a monetary way, that's also welcome. You can donate through PayPal using the jasonventer AT yahoo DOT com address, or you can make sure that you stop here first the next time you're looking to buy something at Amazon.com.
Thank you for your support now and over the past decade or so. 2012 promises to be one of the site's most exciting years and I look forward to seeing where things are at this December!
Posted by zippdementia on January 30, 2012 at 03:15 PM:
I wouldn't mind something modern. White Knight Chronicles.
I wouldn't mind something modern. White Knight Chronicles.
Posted by zippdementia on January 30, 2012 at 11:47 AM:
Are you planning to review Crysis, Suskie? I was curious to hear your opinion on the series in more depth.
Are you planning to review Crysis, Suskie? I was curious to hear your opinion on the series in more depth.
Posted by Suskie on January 30, 2012 at 01:54 AM:
Finished Crysis tonight. Wow, people really weren't kidding when they said the level design takes a dive toward the end. Absolutely adored the first two-thirds, but as soon as you enter the alien structure, Crytek pretty much abandons everything that made the game so enjoyable up to that point. Playing on the highest difficulty made the open-jungle stealth-shooting a lot more fun, but the aliens are fast and cheap and the final boss is frustrating as all hell. At its best, Crysis stomps all over its sequel, but Crysis 2 was definitely more consistently enjoyable.
Finished Crysis tonight. Wow, people really weren't kidding when they said the level design takes a dive toward the end. Absolutely adored the first two-thirds, but as soon as you enter the alien structure, Crytek pretty much abandons everything that made the game so enjoyable up to that point. Playing on the highest difficulty made the open-jungle stealth-shooting a lot more fun, but the aliens are fast and cheap and the final boss is frustrating as all hell. At its best, Crysis stomps all over its sequel, but Crysis 2 was definitely more consistently enjoyable.
Posted by yamishuryou on January 29, 2012 at 10:43 PM:
Godzilla 2, going off the assumption that it's a crappy game and you prefer to replay a game you've played before to get a better feel for it again before reviewing it, and by proxy I would be making you play a crappy game, because I'm a sadist at times :O
Godzilla 2, going off the assumption that it's a crappy game and you prefer to replay a game you've played before to get a better feel for it again before reviewing it, and by proxy I would be making you play a crappy game, because I'm a sadist at times :O
Posted by wolfqueen001 on January 29, 2012 at 07:43 PM:
Thanks, Jason, for getting this out so quickly. Congrats to the winners!
Thanks, Jason, for getting this out so quickly. Congrats to the winners!
Posted by SkylerBunderson on January 29, 2012 at 01:58 PM:
WKN, because I haven't been able to make myself play it and I want to hear about it.
WKN, because I haven't been able to make myself play it and I want to hear about it.
Posted by honestgamer on January 29, 2012 at 01:55 PM:
Darkstone gets my vote, though I wouldn't mind seeing your thoughts on City Connection. That game holds a special place in my heart. <3
Darkstone gets my vote, though I wouldn't mind seeing your thoughts on City Connection. That game holds a special place in my heart. <3
Posted by JoeTheDestroyer on January 29, 2012 at 01:36 PM:
YAY! Rob won!
Thanks for the placement! I also had a hard time writing the Eternal Eyes review. I think I went through about three different versions of the review, one of which making too many references to generic brands.
Congrats on your placement as well, Skyler. You pretty much hit the nail on the head with FFX-2, and the reason I don't much care for it. I don't think it's a terrible game, but I could never finish it because it was.....well, just not fully enjoyable.
YAY! Rob won!
Thanks for the placement! I also had a hard time writing the Eternal Eyes review. I think I went through about three different versions of the review, one of which making too many references to generic brands.
Congrats on your placement as well, Skyler. You pretty much hit the nail on the head with FFX-2, and the reason I don't much care for it. I don't think it's a terrible game, but I could never finish it because it was.....well, just not fully enjoyable.
Posted by JoeTheDestroyer on January 29, 2012 at 01:34 PM:
1) City Connection (NES)
2) White Knight Chronicles (PS3)
3) Darkstone (PSX)
4) Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters (NES)
1) City Connection (NES)
2) White Knight Chronicles (PS3)
3) Darkstone (PSX)
4) Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters (NES)
Posted by Genj on January 29, 2012 at 12:36 PM:
Judging from the demo, Amalur doesn't feel like a product worth spending $60 on. I'll reconsider it after a price drop., but I still have quite a few PS3 exclusives that can fill my gaming time up before ME3 drops.
I just finished Act 4 of MGS4. Zipp was right about the game taking a hit after Act 2. Act 3 was pretty poor. Specifically the whole tailing the resistance member. I can't see myself wanting to replay that section. Act 4 was much better but those cutscenes are getting really long now. Boss fight with Crying Wolf was pretty superb though.
Judging from the demo, Amalur doesn't feel like a product worth spending $60 on. I'll reconsider it after a price drop., but I still have quite a few PS3 exclusives that can fill my gaming time up before ME3 drops.
I just finished Act 4 of MGS4. Zipp was right about the game taking a hit after Act 2. Act 3 was pretty poor. Specifically the whole tailing the resistance member. I can't see myself wanting to replay that section. Act 4 was much better but those cutscenes are getting really long now. Boss fight with Crying Wolf was pretty superb though.
Posted by honestgamer on January 29, 2012 at 01:08 AM:
The self-scrutiny must have done you some good. This was one of your strongest reviews in a long time, a real pleasure to read (and informative to boot, I know as someone else who has played the game). Now let's see you win twice in a row!
The self-scrutiny must have done you some good. This was one of your strongest reviews in a long time, a real pleasure to read (and informative to boot, I know as someone else who has played the game). Now let's see you win twice in a row!
Posted by overdrive on January 29, 2012 at 12:42 AM:
HOLY CRAP!!!! I won an RotW???? Is this 2007 or something? At least it feels like that long since I won one...
The crazy thing is that I wrote that review over four days. I just could not find a hook and was second-guessing the way I was phrasing everything. I probably got as frustrated writing as I got playing the game. That I wound up putting together something you liked enough to put at the top is awesome!
HOLY CRAP!!!! I won an RotW???? Is this 2007 or something? At least it feels like that long since I won one...
The crazy thing is that I wrote that review over four days. I just could not find a hook and was second-guessing the way I was phrasing everything. I probably got as frustrated writing as I got playing the game. That I wound up putting together something you liked enough to put at the top is awesome!
Posted by honestgamer on January 29, 2012 at 12:15 AM:
This was a fantastic week, and I'm not just saying that. January may be a dead month, but there were some great review contributed over the last 7 days and I encourage everyone to check them out. Below are my picks for the top three.
---
Eternal Eyes (PlayStation) by JoeTheDestroyer
Joe submitted two great reviews this week. Both of them are retro reviews and both of them are good reads, but I liked this one slightly more. It's hard to explain why, except that in particular I enjoyed the bits that demonstrated just how much of a budget game it really is. The discussion of mislabeled spell effects was particularly appropriate and interesting, plus the description of the game elsewhere in the review gave me a good idea what it might be like to play. I actually own this game, but I've never gotten around to playing it. I'm not sure that this excellent review will hasten the arrival of that distant day when I finally sit down to play some Eternal Eyes.
Final Fantasy X-2 (PlayStation 2) by SkylerBunderson
This was a well-written review that covered some important details about a game that I would imagine a number of readers have forgotten even exists. The main thread woven throughout the review--the point that the game is neither as bad nor good as it is often represented--felt a bit forced at times, but it was referenced enough that at least it was presented consistently and with plenty of supporting facts. The bit about a pregnant Lulu looking the same as she did in the previous game (along with a few other examples) was also well chosen and gave the review the sense of authority that it needed. Solid word choice and sentence structure throughout also made for a pleasant read.
Scarygirl (Xbox 360) by overdrive
This was a tough week, and this review wins out for minor reasons. All three of this week's reviews left me feeling that as a reader I was in the hands of a writer who knew what he was talking about. All three were smoothly written, so that it was easy to go from beginning to end without stumbling across awkward phrasing or poorly supported points that tempted me to skip straight to the end. This review just put all of those points together in a manner that felt the most natural to me, and that slight edge was enough to net it the top spot on a close week that might well have gone very differently if someone else had put together the topic. But someone else didn't rank the review. I did! And so overdrive is teh winn4r!!!1
---
Thanks, everyone, for pitching in and making this such a great week. It was a joy to read about such a wide variety of games. I learned about titles I otherwise wouldn't have known anything about. Writing like we saw this week has always been a huge part of what makes it a joy to visit HonestGamers every day. I hope to see more like it from each of you.
Next week, it looks like wolfqueen is the judge. Make her work as hard then as you made me work tonight!
This was a fantastic week, and I'm not just saying that. January may be a dead month, but there were some great review contributed over the last 7 days and I encourage everyone to check them out. Below are my picks for the top three.
---
Eternal Eyes (PlayStation) by JoeTheDestroyer
Joe submitted two great reviews this week. Both of them are retro reviews and both of them are good reads, but I liked this one slightly more. It's hard to explain why, except that in particular I enjoyed the bits that demonstrated just how much of a budget game it really is. The discussion of mislabeled spell effects was particularly appropriate and interesting, plus the description of the game elsewhere in the review gave me a good idea what it might be like to play. I actually own this game, but I've never gotten around to playing it. I'm not sure that this excellent review will hasten the arrival of that distant day when I finally sit down to play some Eternal Eyes.
Final Fantasy X-2 (PlayStation 2) by SkylerBunderson
This was a well-written review that covered some important details about a game that I would imagine a number of readers have forgotten even exists. The main thread woven throughout the review--the point that the game is neither as bad nor good as it is often represented--felt a bit forced at times, but it was referenced enough that at least it was presented consistently and with plenty of supporting facts. The bit about a pregnant Lulu looking the same as she did in the previous game (along with a few other examples) was also well chosen and gave the review the sense of authority that it needed. Solid word choice and sentence structure throughout also made for a pleasant read.
Scarygirl (Xbox 360) by overdrive
This was a tough week, and this review wins out for minor reasons. All three of this week's reviews left me feeling that as a reader I was in the hands of a writer who knew what he was talking about. All three were smoothly written, so that it was easy to go from beginning to end without stumbling across awkward phrasing or poorly supported points that tempted me to skip straight to the end. This review just put all of those points together in a manner that felt the most natural to me, and that slight edge was enough to net it the top spot on a close week that might well have gone very differently if someone else had put together the topic. But someone else didn't rank the review. I did! And so overdrive is teh winn4r!!!1
---
Thanks, everyone, for pitching in and making this such a great week. It was a joy to read about such a wide variety of games. I learned about titles I otherwise wouldn't have known anything about. Writing like we saw this week has always been a huge part of what makes it a joy to visit HonestGamers every day. I hope to see more like it from each of you.
Next week, it looks like wolfqueen is the judge. Make her work as hard then as you made me work tonight!
Posted by zippdementia on January 28, 2012 at 12:48 PM:
Metal Gear Solid 4 becomes a lot less enjoyable after Act 2 (though there is one incredible act somewhere in the middle... if you're a Metal Gear fan, you'll know which I'm talking about when you get there). Get ready for more sillyness and even longer cutscenes. Ugh.
Metal Gear Solid 4 becomes a lot less enjoyable after Act 2 (though there is one incredible act somewhere in the middle... if you're a Metal Gear fan, you'll know which I'm talking about when you get there). Get ready for more sillyness and even longer cutscenes. Ugh.
Posted by honestgamer on January 28, 2012 at 12:10 AM:
Amalur was written by Salvatore, I think I heard. A beloved fantasy writer who has been writing for long enough that most of what we consider "generic" now is actually copying stuff he wrote years ago (though I also wouldn't call him a true pioneer; after all, Tolkien and a few others did come before him). I am interested in the game, but I'd say trust your instincts and pick up The Witcher 2 first. It does some really interesting things with classic fantasy elements and characterization.
Amalur was written by Salvatore, I think I heard. A beloved fantasy writer who has been writing for long enough that most of what we consider "generic" now is actually copying stuff he wrote years ago (though I also wouldn't call him a true pioneer; after all, Tolkien and a few others did come before him). I am interested in the game, but I'd say trust your instincts and pick up The Witcher 2 first. It does some really interesting things with classic fantasy elements and characterization.
Posted by Genj on January 27, 2012 at 10:55 PM:
Vanquish (PS3) - Beat it last night after work. I liked it a lot. Great fast-paced third person cover shooter with a couple of cool ideas that unfortunately only lasted me 5 hours. At least it hit the 3 hour mark unlike Madworld.
Metal Gear Solid 4 - Started this last night. At start of Act 2. This game has a lot of cutscenes and is very silly. The gameplay seems stuck somewhere between PS2 era Metal Gear & next gen 3rd person shooters, but it's surprisingly enjoyable and compelling in spite of this.
Kingdoms of Amalur Demo (360) - Finally gave this one a good playthrough. Honestly not all that thrilled with it. The combat is pretty buttony mashy and feels lifeless. The game world, dialogue, and back story seem generic as far as fantasy goes. The visuals aren't impressive, the presentation is sloppy. Initial impression is a less interesting version of Fable with the scale of an Elder Scrolls game. I'm thinking of passing on this one and I'll just wait for Mass Effect 3, Xenoblade, and Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition.
Vanquish (PS3) - Beat it last night after work. I liked it a lot. Great fast-paced third person cover shooter with a couple of cool ideas that unfortunately only lasted me 5 hours. At least it hit the 3 hour mark unlike Madworld.
Metal Gear Solid 4 - Started this last night. At start of Act 2. This game has a lot of cutscenes and is very silly. The gameplay seems stuck somewhere between PS2 era Metal Gear & next gen 3rd person shooters, but it's surprisingly enjoyable and compelling in spite of this.
Kingdoms of Amalur Demo (360) - Finally gave this one a good playthrough. Honestly not all that thrilled with it. The combat is pretty buttony mashy and feels lifeless. The game world, dialogue, and back story seem generic as far as fantasy goes. The visuals aren't impressive, the presentation is sloppy. Initial impression is a less interesting version of Fable with the scale of an Elder Scrolls game. I'm thinking of passing on this one and I'll just wait for Mass Effect 3, Xenoblade, and Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition.
Posted by aschultz on January 27, 2012 at 08:32 PM:
Nice--good to see a worthy new person hit the big board too. Hope they can do it again.
Nice--good to see a worthy new person hit the big board too. Hope they can do it again.
Posted by yamishuryou on January 27, 2012 at 07:07 PM:
Then if you don't have your copy anymore, you should buy a copy of TotA 3DS! It even includes all the voice acting still.
In other news, Capcom slashes Revelations down to $40.
Then if you don't have your copy anymore, you should buy a copy of TotA 3DS! It even includes all the voice acting still.
In other news, Capcom slashes Revelations down to $40.
Posted by overdrive on January 27, 2012 at 02:39 PM:
Ready to make the final rush through Skyrim over the next week. Also reviewing Scarygirl. Would have had it finished today, but I don't know, the writing just wasn't going smooth to where it was a struggle to make points concisely. So I figure I'll finish it tomorrow, after (hopefully) getting a better night's sleep than I got last night.
Ready to make the final rush through Skyrim over the next week. Also reviewing Scarygirl. Would have had it finished today, but I don't know, the writing just wasn't going smooth to where it was a struggle to make points concisely. So I figure I'll finish it tomorrow, after (hopefully) getting a better night's sleep than I got last night.
Posted by zippdementia on January 27, 2012 at 01:02 AM:
It is a pre-order bonus (I know because I bought it ^_^ )
My girlfriend has a thing for Twisted Metal. Comes out on Valentine's Day. how could I refuse?
It is a pre-order bonus (I know because I bought it ^_^ )
My girlfriend has a thing for Twisted Metal. Comes out on Valentine's Day. how could I refuse?
Posted by espiga on January 26, 2012 at 10:44 PM:
I'm American, sorry.
However, I've played Tales of the Abyss on PS2. It's one of my favorite games in the series.
I'm American, sorry.
However, I've played Tales of the Abyss on PS2. It's one of my favorite games in the series.
Posted by yamishuryou on January 26, 2012 at 09:16 PM:
A free copy of Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy upon proof that you have a 3DS
(Maybe)
A free copy of Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy upon proof that you have a 3DS
(Maybe)
Posted by overdrive on January 26, 2012 at 09:10 PM:
I'm not Espiga. I'm not British. I don't have a 3DS. But I have played (and reviewed) Tales of the Abyss. What do I win?
I'm not Espiga. I'm not British. I don't have a 3DS. But I have played (and reviewed) Tales of the Abyss. What do I win?
Posted by yamishuryou on January 26, 2012 at 06:48 PM:
Me = Superior Ryan
Other guy = Not-Superior Ryan
Problem solved!
espiga, aren't you British or am I confusing you with somebody else? If so, have you played Tales of the Abyss yet?
Me = Superior Ryan
Other guy = Not-Superior Ryan
Problem solved!
espiga, aren't you British or am I confusing you with somebody else? If so, have you played Tales of the Abyss yet?
Posted by jerec on January 26, 2012 at 02:10 PM:
Woo, got another Ryan on my friends list. This isn't going to get confusing at all!
Woo, got another Ryan on my friends list. This isn't going to get confusing at all!
Posted by JoeTheDestroyer on January 26, 2012 at 02:01 AM:
Thanks, Rob! Glad you enjoyed the review. Congrats as well to Mike and Jason.
Thanks, Rob! Glad you enjoyed the review. Congrats as well to Mike and Jason.
Posted by honestgamer on January 25, 2012 at 09:31 PM:
Yeah, though I think you might have to pre-order to get that bonus. The game comes out on Valentine's Day, too, I believe. Which sounds like a long time away to me, except it's really only three weeks...
Yeah, though I think you might have to pre-order to get that bonus. The game comes out on Valentine's Day, too, I believe. Which sounds like a long time away to me, except it's really only three weeks...
Posted by goatx3 on January 25, 2012 at 08:48 PM:
i'll be all over it. think i heard it comes with a download of twisted metal black, as well?
i'll be all over it. think i heard it comes with a download of twisted metal black, as well?
Posted by yamishuryou on January 25, 2012 at 08:37 PM:
Beat the main game of Ace Combat, trying some of the extra content out. Think I may finally come out of my two year reviewing hiatus to publish a review!
Anyways, my friend code is 2750 1251 1840, adding you other two guys
Beat the main game of Ace Combat, trying some of the extra content out. Think I may finally come out of my two year reviewing hiatus to publish a review!
Anyways, my friend code is 2750 1251 1840, adding you other two guys
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