Staff reviews, page 156

Secret Files: Tunguska review

In one scenario, a Russian military hospital that has Nina imprisoned in a rat-infested cell with only a stinking foam mattress for company, Max flies out to the rescue (for some reason, in Tunguska, everyone has a plane license, despite…

Gary Hartley · May 5, 2008

Staff PC HG exclusive

Utawarerumono review

Utawarerumono doesn’t start off particularly promising, and you’d be forgiven in thinking that, based upon its archetype-ridden beginnings, it would drown in a flood of clichés well before it hits endgame. But you would be largely mistaken.

Gary Hartley · May 3, 2008

Staff PC HG exclusive

Sins of a Solar Empire review

It’s not uncommon for a game to end with hundreds of ships on screen at once, engaged in constant combat while each player struggles for dominance. Frankly, the hours you’ve invested in this game only help to heighten the emotions brought…

Mike Suskie · May 2, 2008

Staff Turbografx-CD HG exclusive

Last Alert review

Last Alert's 'advanced speech' is in stark contrast to its visuals: the game uses an overhead view (much like the one employed by Guerrilla War) to chronicle the adventures of our favourite Guy, who happens to be a bruising special forces…

Marc Golding · May 1, 2008

Staff Wii HG exclusive

Super Paper Mario review

The lack of challenge is the game’s biggest issue, but it opens the playing field to people looking for a more casual experience.

Danyal Vierheller · May 1, 2008

Staff DS HG exclusive

Draglade review

As much as Draglade might sound like a cheap energy drink, it’s actually a DS action-RPG that feels like a cross between Pokemon and Megaman Battle Network, with an element of music-and-rhythm thrown in for good measure.

Paul Josua · April 28, 2008

Staff Wii HG exclusive

Bomberman Land review

Thing is, if you can dig through the gloopy mire of problems that plague Bomberman Land then you can find a decent collection of mini-games to play though. And, if you don’t have the patience, then you can simply fall back on the tried and…

Gary Hartley · April 27, 2008

Staff NES HG exclusive

1943: The Battle of Midway review

The game treats you much differently depending on the choices you make and it never coddles you. Souping up your special weapons right away so that you can fire amazing rapid-fire bursts or shell your enemies relentlessly with a barrage of…

Jason Venter · April 26, 2008

Staff PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Volume 2 review

It seems unusual to see the high-quality backgrounds swapped out from one game to the next, rather than simply finding them supplemented by a few new ones. Just the fact that things work like that, though, is a point in this compilation's…

Jason Venter · April 25, 2008

Staff Wii HG exclusive

Dream Pinball 3D review

When you're playing and the ball is moving too quickly, it seems like the camera just isn't ready to follow it appropriately. The developers chose a default perspective where not everything fits all in one screen and thus the view will…

Jason Venter · April 25, 2008

Staff NES HG exclusive

Stinger review

Part of the problem is that all three horizontal stages feel the exact same, as do the four vertical ones — with the only noticeable differences being the background graphics and the ferocity of the enemy waves. Each level, regardless of…

Rob Hamilton · April 25, 2008

Staff Wii HG exclusive

Battle of the Bands review

That will then send your chosen projectile toward your opponent, who should deflect it. If he doesn't, you score a lot of points and bragging rights. You're also rewarded by the sound of your own band singing. In heated matches, gangsters…

Jason Venter · April 24, 2008

Staff Xbox 360 HG exclusive

Assassin's Creed review

Altaïr’s actions are divided between socially acceptable and socially unacceptable, and you can switch between the two with the right trigger. Unfortunately, Assassin’s Creed is one of those sandbox games where the “cops” (i.e. the guards)…

Mike Suskie · April 23, 2008

Staff PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Obscure: The Aftermath review

All the kids are planning to hit up some exclusive frat party, but first — it's time to partake of the new awesome college party drug. Some mysterious new flower's pollen, if inhaled, bestows a really good buzz and some wacky…

Rob Hamilton · April 22, 2008

Staff PlayStation 3 HG exclusive

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue review

In Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, you're given the chance to drive an impressive array of vehicles. There are more than 60 in all. While the final package will no doubt increase that number substantially—and though a lot of the choices here are…

Jason Venter · April 21, 2008

Staff Xbox 360

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 review

In 1998, writer Tom Clancy released his novel Rainbow Six, the story of a counter terrorist organization. The organization’s roster was comprised of personnel from several NATO organizations with its home in Hereford, England, alongside…

Sam Cheung · April 20, 2008

Staff PC HG exclusive

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm review

Two more races, a rehashed Dark Crusade campaign, and new units that fill already occupied niches. The overall experience is...less than stellar, feeling less like a labour of love and devotion to a fanbase and more like one more attempt…

Will Roy · April 14, 2008

Staff PC HG exclusive

Sam & Max 204: Chariots of the Dogs review

We’re now at the point where the game even makes fun of itself for these limitations, and, while taking pot-shots at the forth wall is a Sam & Max staple, it’s a little hard to poke fun at crimes you commit yourself. Get ready for the…

Gary Hartley · April 14, 2008

Staff DS HG exclusive

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword review

Dragon Sword sports a three-dimensional feel that is one of the game's most striking elements. Ryu ventures through a variety of hauntingly beautiful environments. Team Ninja does here what Capcom did with the Resident Evil games and that…

Jason Venter · April 14, 2008

Staff Xbox 360 HG exclusive

Dark Sector review

There are countless ways to kill your enemies in Dark Sector. Most of them involve the glaive, and all of them end with a splash of fresh, juicy meat.

Mike Suskie · April 10, 2008