Reader reviews, page 208

Lords of Thunder review

There are two reasons gamers play scrolling shooters. The first is intensity. Yes, intensity, that nebulous, ubiquitous descriptor which encompasses hurtling projectiles, swarms of enemies, huge bosses, and fancy-looking weapon effects. If…

phediuk · May 6, 2006

Reader Xbox

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay review

I used to write articles on a monthly basis for my local newspaper. It was a great little job for me because I got to write about video games and movies and unlike these reviews, I actually got paid for it. I started a “Best Entertainment…

asherdeus · May 6, 2006

Reader PlayStation 2

Siren review

These days it seems like the Japanese have become the torch-bearers for quality horror movies. Frankly, the American formula was getting a bit old, a bit unimaginative, and a bit too action-oriented. Often times, I cannot differentiate the…

m0zart · May 6, 2006

Reader Xbox 360

Need for Speed: Most Wanted review

I’m not a racing game fan. I usually prefer an rpg with a good story and unforgettable characters. But once in awhile a great racing game comes out that I must play. One such game was Need for Speed Underground, which was the first of a…

enders_shadow16 · May 5, 2006

Reader Xbox 360

Condemned: Criminal Origins review

You’re walking down a dark hallway, littered with trash, torn-up, blood infested walls. The only light above is flickering rapidly, you hear deep breathing- footsteps. You’re holding a bloody shovel, right on the trail of the Torturer, a…

enders_shadow16 · May 5, 2006

Reader SNES

Gradius III review

First and foremost: Gradius III has some of the worst slowdown ever seen in a scrolling shooter. Yes, yes, this is a common issue in early third-party SNES games, and Gradius III was actually the first third-party game ever released on the…

phediuk · April 29, 2006

Reader PlayStation 2

SRS: Street Racing Syndicate review

From the old school arcade to the modern day consoles, racing games have developed a large following. Whether you’re a fan of tearing down the streets racing for pinks in games like Need for Speed or entering the circuit and chasing the…

True · April 27, 2006

Reader Xbox

Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse review

Imagine that after living a crappy life, you were murdered, just like that and even worse, when they threw your ass into a hole in the ground, no one cared. No one came to wish you your best as you began your journey into your afterlife…

asherdeus · April 27, 2006

Reader PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Tekken 5 review

Tekken 5 was out for more than a year before I even realized it existed. Kind of sad, really, when you consider I’m the guy who spent most of his teenage years pumping enough quarters into Tekken 3 to pay for college. Why? I just didn’t…

True · April 26, 2006

Reader PlayStation 2 Review of the Week

Top Spin review

Indisputably a revelation at its initial release, Top Spin spent its first two years of existence secluded in the land of Microsoft. But with the sequel tapped to expand the franchise fiefdom to Nintendo’s handhelds, Sony needed a piece of…

woodhouse · April 24, 2006

Reader DS

Tetris DS review

Did you ever have a friend that you would sit down and play Tetris with and they absolutely sucked at it? No matter what they did, no matter how far they leaned over on the edge of their chair and concentrated, you were still better than…

asherdeus · April 24, 2006

Reader SNES

Donkey Kong Country review

In 1994, Nintendo was in a bit of a pickle. The SNES was starting to be outmatched. 3DO, Jaguar, and now this newfangled "Sega 32X", with the Saturn and PlayStation due next year! And the N64 was still a ways off! How could Nintendo…

phediuk · April 22, 2006

Reader Xbox 360 Review of the Week

Full Auto review

I love explosions. Explosions are one of the best things to come out of the 80s. Fuck the big hair bands; give me the explosions of Rambo and Predator and I’m satisfied. And that my friend is what Full Auto gives us. Explosions abound in…

asherdeus · April 21, 2006

Reader Xbox

Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams review

After I played the original "Silent Hill", I was left wondering what direction the storyline would take in its sequel. I didn't expect a direct continuation, because the elements of that storyline were so conclusive. But I did at least…

m0zart · April 16, 2006

Reader Xbox 360

Condemned: Criminal Origins review

Poor Ethan Thomas, he got screwed over big time. Upon investigating a crime scene in a rusty, broken-down building, he and two police officers discover that the killer is still in the place. Sounds like a simple job, right? I mean, it's…

dementedhut · April 15, 2006

Reader Genesis

Space Harrier II review

Space Harrier is not a game. Space Harrier is an idea. I can envision a programmer at Sega fiddling around with some code during his spare time and creating a functional 3D checkerboard field. Cue the proverbial light bulb. The game really…

phediuk · April 14, 2006

Reader PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Resident Evil 4 review

The Resident Evil games never really changed that dramatically over the course of the series (up to recently). They never ventured very far beyond the boundaries of standard survival horror, even if the series had itself invented a lot of…

harvester · April 13, 2006

Reader PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Second Sight review

Do you like bald men? Yes? Like men with hair? Yes? Well then a person like you must be in a bit of a dilemma over which third-person action/adventure games to invest in. Well, for all those who base their purchases on the state of the…

harvester · April 12, 2006

Reader PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Darkwatch review

Jericho Cross, an outlaw in the wild west, holds up a train one night in an attempt to rob it of any treasure it may hold. However, he soon finds out that what is in the train is slightly more than he bargained for. By holding up the…

harvester · April 11, 2006

Reader Atari 2600

Pac-Man review

I remember Christmas 1981 so well. It was a season of anticipation for one of the few gifts I wanted that year -- a copy of the Atari 2600 port of "Pac-Man". That game had literally dominated the arcades since it arrived, and I was weary…

m0zart · April 10, 2006