Review Archives (Staff Reviews)

You are currently looking through staff reviews for games that are available on every platform the site currently covers. Below, you will find reviews written by all eligible authors and sorted according to date of submission, with the newest content displaying first. As many as 20 results will display per page. If you would like to try a search with different parameters, specify them below and submit a new search.

Available Reviews
	The Last Remnant review (X360) Reviewed on November 23, 2009 Some battles will be a bit more difficult than they could be and you'll catch vague references to towns you've never heard of, but odds are significant that you won't really feel that you're missing a thing. It's easy to assume that the names are being dropped in an effort to artificially add color to the environments. Complete a few side quests, though, and you'll find out how wrong such assumptions were.
	Assassin's Creed II review (X360) Reviewed on November 23, 2009 I’d barely hesitate to call this to the most beautifully realized game world of all time, a feat attributed to both its considerable knack for detail and its incredible draw distance – prepare to be wowed the first time you see Ubisoft’s rendition of Venice circa 1484 unveiled before you. The very act of exploring these locations and admiring their beauty is so satisfying that there’s an entire game mechanic based around climbing to high places and enjoying the view. And whereas the three major locales of the last game more or less felt like the same set of buildings shot on a different color of film stock, visual landmarks and a genuine push to instill variety into each district gives every city in Assassin’s Creed II a uniqueness all its own.
	Underwater Attack review (DS) Reviewed on November 20, 2009 As is usually the case when taking down entire world-conquering governments, the task falls to a single person piloting a prototype fighter who’s expected to defeat a globe-spanning military without a sniff of support. Underwater Attack‘s big gimmick is that, instead of the solitary fighter craft taking to the skies, you instead pilot a lonely submarine through the surprisingly un-murky depths. A submarine shaped like a cartoon shark.
	Fallen Earth review (PC) Reviewed on November 20, 2009 Easily dismissed at first glance as a Massively Multiplayer Fallout clone, no simple comparison can really do Fallen Earth justice.
	Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time review (PS3) Reviewed on November 18, 2009 The hunt for more weapons is one of the things that should keep you busy playing A Crack in Time. There actually aren't all that many unique locations to explore, but taking the paths less traveled can take awhile and prove worthwhile because you never know when you might find some new modification for your weapons. The gear that you might find serves as a practical reason to travel to every last nook and cranny. With such an excellent array of weapons, you won't want to miss a thing.
	Tales of Monkey Island: Chapter 4 - The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood review (PC) Reviewed on November 17, 2009 It’s rarely a chore to play through. The short length helps that, and the restrictive nature of the game world and its neatly intertwined objectives only contributes to the tightness. It raises plenty of smiles. But when it’s essentially becoming the same episode stuck on repeat ad nauseum, how much praise is it reasonable to lavish?
	Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim review (PC) Reviewed on November 15, 2009 Earlier this year I previewed Majesty 2. Back then I praised its novelty and commented on how the revolutionary management system could signal a whole new type of simulation-strategy game. There were moments where I felt like a massively multiplayer community director – assigning quests and handing out rewards to heroes. This made the title drastically different to other titles in the same genre and a pleasure to play. The whole preview was based on the concept that you don't truly control your kingdom's inhabitants and instead you recruit them at specifically-designed guilds. Then you simply allow them to roam free around the land. I found this to be a fascinating element and was the key reason behind me enjoying the beta so much. This unique feel has thankfully been carried through to the full version.
	7 Wonders II review (DS) Reviewed on November 14, 2009 There’s enough going on to ensure that 7 Wonders 2 is more than just another gem-matching puzzle game, but it doesn’t really build upon its unique traits enough to truly distinguish itself from the crowded masses. There’s enough going on to drive you through the entire game, but, once this is done, there’s little to drive you back again.
	Brutal Legend review (X360) Reviewed on November 13, 2009 Despite some high points, Brutal Legend doesn't take the concept anywhere meaningful, ends abruptly, and ultimately feels like the developers didn't know what they wanted to accomplish. The game reminded me of an inspirational era in music. Now that I've been reminded, I wouldn't mind if someone channels that inspiration into gaming.
	Revelations: The Demon Slayer review (GBC) Reviewed on November 13, 2009 Take SMT: Nocturne for example: in this game, you're alone. Without your monstrous allies, you'll be quickly overwhelmed. Here, it doesn't take long to gain one HUMAN ally and a second joins shortly after that. The monsters are more of a novelty than a necessity, as I never really needed their help to do anything in this game. And with many of them being more along the lines of "typical RPG beastie" than "SUPER-AWESOME GOD OF THUNDER", I didn't miss their presence.
	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 review (X360) Reviewed on November 11, 2009 As I ran through the buildings of a bombed out city, I saw one of my comrades fallen and lying in the field. As explosions rattled the structure around us, another soldier lifted the wounded man's body by the arms and began to drag him toward safety... until another bullet cut the hero down mid-stride. It was a set of events that I didn't have to watch. There was no cumbersome cutscene, no prerecorded dialog. It was just one of many such moments so typical of that level and many others, a moment made memorable precisely because no undue attention was called to it.
	Need for Speed SHIFT review (PS3) Reviewed on November 10, 2009 Those who have been listening to the hype should be well aware of EA’s intent to push the series deeper into simulation gaming. But this doesn’t mean that SHIFT is going to compete with Forza and Gran Turismo – far from it. In fact, the game is somewhat of an arcade/simulation mix that could appeal to gamers who were never quite satisfied with the work of Turn 10 Studios and Polyphony Digital.
	NHL 2K10 review (X360) Reviewed on November 10, 2009 NHL 2K10 is a flawed sequel. It doesn’t elevate the franchise in the way you may have hoped or expected, nor does it present a package that you haven’t already seen and played a year ago. But don’t skate away just yet – while this might not be the must-have sports game of the season, it is anything but unplayable.
	MagnaCarta 2 review (X360) Reviewed on November 10, 2009 Those who are willing to set jaded prejudices to the side and play along with MagnaCarta 2's ambitions will find a world of passionate youth and unfeeling beasts, wrapped up in a conflict that's not really about good versus evil. It's a study on the concept of sacrifice for the supposed greater good; national leaders are quick to sacrifice others while the idle populace, safely watching the war from home, praise their heroes' noble deaths.
	Naruto: Ninja Destiny review (DS) Reviewed on November 09, 2009 A quick character like Neji can blitz his light attacks, scraping his opponent off the ground by chaining together the same rudimentary combo over and over. However, a similar approach for Sakura results in weak, worthless slaps. Only by hammering her heavy punches can you beat down the AI with your eyes closed.
	The King of Chicago review (AMIGA) Reviewed on November 08, 2009 Prohibition in the Windy City: the good old days of bootleg booze, blazing bullets, and beautiful bitches. Just the sort of place where even a simple "legitimate businessman" such as yourself could one day rise from its blood-soaked gutters and claim his rightful place as the King of Chicago.
	Restaurant Empire 2 review (PC) Reviewed on November 05, 2009 What challenges await my Restaurant Empire next month? Liquor licenses and dumb waiters that cost an arm and a leg, but net long-term profits? Hiring additional staff and firing problem employees? Optimizing seating and serving paths for best results? From the looks of it, yes.
	The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles review (X360) Reviewed on November 05, 2009 The paranoid Duchess is convinced someone's out to get her, so you get to escort her inquisitor around town to solve this mystery. Whenever a citizen isn't being forthcoming enough for your tastes, just give the order and (to the townsperson's horror) he'll torture them with a good old-fashioned shock spell to loosen their lips.
	Order of War review (PC) Reviewed on November 02, 2009 If you like your RTS games simple, then this game is for you.
	The Hardy Boys: Treasure on the Tracks review (DS) Reviewed on November 01, 2009 Don't think the Hardy Boys are completely left out, though. They get to play the toe-tapping sequence later. Repetition is a theme of this entire graphic adventure; the same puzzles keep popping up over and over. What's clever the first time becomes busywork every time thereafter.

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