Staff reviews, page 184

The 7th Saga review

Enix went all-out to craft monsters that would test the mettle of even the most battle-tested adventurer. I faced instant-death attacks, brutal fireball and tornado spells and devastating melee attacks in fights with both bosses and…

Rob Hamilton · July 6, 2006

Staff Xbox 360 HG exclusive

Marble Blast Ultra review

As you race around the various stadiums trying to collect multi-colored gems ahead of your worthy opponents, you’ll find power-ups scattered all over the place. Some blow you up to giant size and let you send everyone who touches you…

Jason Venter · July 4, 2006

Staff Game Boy Advance HG exclusive

Castlevania Double Pack review

After playing the disappointing Castlevania Double Pack, the "Castlevania" name now brings back memories of emasculated bishounen dunderheads, forgettable filler music, long empty hallways, and tiresome backtracking. Quite frankly, this…

Zigfried · July 4, 2006

Staff Game Boy Advance HG exclusive

The King of Fighters EX: Neoblood review

It confuses me as to how some of SNK’s most memorable characters, like Billy Kane and Duck King, get excluded, while the bland ones keep coming back.

Brian Rowe · July 4, 2006

Staff Genesis

Devilish: The Next Possession review

It's such a genuinely zany concept that one wonders going in just how such a thing couldn't provide a quick burst of amusement. And it does. I actually chuckled at the wonderfully contrived story describing a prince and a princess turned…

Gary Hartley · July 1, 2006

Staff PlayStation 2

Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits review

Arc: Twilight of the Spirits often feels more about toil than reward.

Gary Hartley · July 1, 2006

Staff NES

Totally Rad review

And so, young and awesome Jake sets off into the wild blue yonder, endeavoring to complete five whole stages of magic and mayhem, rescue Allison, rescue Allison’s father (no clue how he fits into things, other than to give Jake another…

Rob Hamilton · June 30, 2006

Staff DS

New Super Mario Bros. review

There is one particular thought that you should dismiss from your mind before reading a review or perhaps even going out to purchase this game. And that is, do not expect this to be along the same monumental line as Super Mario 64, Super…

Branden Barrett · June 29, 2006

Staff Arcade

Martial Masters review

Martial Masters is, quite possibly, the greatest 2-D fighter you’ll never play.

Zack Little · June 28, 2006

Staff Xbox 360

Feeding Frenzy review

Fish you couldn’t eat moments before suddenly become your victims, sort of like how the sticky ball you rolled around in Katamari Damacy couldn’t pick up a mouse one minute, but later rolled up an entire skyscraper on a single pass. Of…

Jason Venter · June 24, 2006

Staff SNES

Plok review

The final area’s penchant for giving Plok strange tools and forcing him to use them to overcome obstacles reaches its peak at the very end of the game, as he must fight the final boss wearing a pair of spring shoes that force him to bound…

Rob Hamilton · June 23, 2006

Staff PlayStation 2

Suikoden V review

Suikoden V takes place in the Queendom of Falena, a magical land where bunnies with knives attack innocent travelers and giant, marauding werewolves drop 200 skill points when they die. It’s called a Queendom because the Queen rules just…

Zack Little · June 23, 2006

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Sagaia review

Due to the path I'm taking, my objective is the sea urchin-like monstrosity known as Leadain — a foul contraption with multiple deadly attacks and seemingly more lives than a cat. It kills me, forcing me to re-enter the fray with only a…

Rob Hamilton · June 21, 2006

Staff Xbox 360

Hexic HD review

In the end, despite the frustration and occasionally unfair situations that sometimes surface, Hexic HD is a great way to pass the day away with.

Branden Barrett · June 19, 2006

Staff PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Hitman: Blood Money review

Is it his style, his attitude, or the artistry in his skill? Maybe he is the manifestation of our own sadistic fantasies.

Brian Rowe · June 16, 2006

Staff DS HG exclusive

Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal review

I envisaged an epic struggle through the colourful floors of Monster Tower, fighting ancient beasts with fearsome spells. In hindsight, my expectations were a little high.

Freelance Writer · June 15, 2006

Staff Turbografx-CD HG exclusive

Motoroader MC review

In the tradition of the legendary Super Sprint, each Motoroader race is presented in a single-screen birds' eye view, so that you can see all the racers, all the obstacles, and all the action without any view-changing or mirror-flipping…

Zigfried · June 13, 2006

Staff PSP HG exclusive

Gradius Collection review

When the ship begins, it fires small pellets in a straight path. These are soon supplemented with peripheral shots, lasers and shields that give you a better chance against whatever the alien empire you’re battling happens to throw your…

Jason Venter · June 13, 2006

Staff Xbox HG exclusive

The Da Vinci Code review

On the one hand, this is a satisfying way to fight that emphasis mental power over the ability to simply button mash. On the other, it just doesn’t feel quite natural. Fights seem to happen in fits and spurts. Worse, fighting multiple…

Jason Venter · June 11, 2006

Staff PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Metal Saga review

I had no reason to go anywhere other than to get in fights and earn money to buy better equipment for my characters and their tanks. With no motivation beyond personal gain, everything I accomplished in Metal Saga seemed hollow — a…

Rob Hamilton · June 9, 2006