Burnout 3: Takedown is the greatest of the Burnout franchise, and one of the best racing games of all time. The Burnout series sets itself apart from other racing games by encouraging highly aggressive driving and causing as much destruction as possible. Burnout 3 sets itself apart from its predecessors by taking all the good parts of the previous games and making them better.
The game play of Burnout 3: Takedown is as simple as it is innovative. Gas, brakes and boost are all there, as is the steering, but the way that the game actually plays is fantastic. The game can get to blistering speeds, and it actually gives the sensation that you’re flying down the road at 200 mph in the opposite direction of traffic. Driving dangerously will gain boost for players, which has its obvious advantages of going faster, and can be used to accent the turns that you will drift around. Crashing your opponents off the road will help out too, as it increases the capacity of your boost gauge. Driving into opposing traffic, drifting, drafting, airtime and wrecking opponents will all go towards the cause of earning boost, though not without its consequences. As it turns out, the AI doesn’t like to wreck, so it does everything that it can to get back at you. The AI does get pretty darn difficult as you progress through the World Tour mode, as do the challenges.
The core meat of the game can be found in the World Tour mode. This is the single player mode where players unlock all the different stuff: cars, tracks, crash events and such. The way that the World Tour works, is that it’s set up like a map with different points marked, each with a set of events that are unique to that location. There are several different locations on each of the three different continents where the game takes place. Europe, The Far East, and the good ol’ US of A. Events consist of race, road rage (where the goal is to smash into and crash your opponents), time trial, and, of course, the signature crash mode. World Tour will consume a good portion of your time with Burnout 3: Takedown, and that’s not a bad thing. All the challenges are loads of fun and can get quite challenging, at that.
The primary challenge that you’ll be facing down is the signature crash mode. Each crash event is set up for the optimum amount of destruction, which can be obtained with precise movement. This is where Burnout shines the most. Crash mode is, and always will be, fun and the reason why we play Burnout. The graphics and physics in Burnout 3: Takedown make experiencing crash mode glorious. Every single piece of shrapnel, every car, every explosion is orchestrated to perfection. The beauty of crash mode is the amount of difficulty that comes with it. Careful timing, driving and patience can make for a huge payoff, with even bigger destruction.
One thing that really stands out about Burnout 3 is its impressive soundtrack. It’s a combination of punk, rock, and various other tracks of that nature, that all fit the pace and tone of the game. Fast, furious action. My Chemical Romance, Go Betty Go, The Ramones, The Von Bondies, and Jimmy Eat World, to name a few. The only complaint about the soundtrack is the fact that there are those obligatory bad songs to go along with all the rest, and the soundtrack isn’t entirely customizable. As in, you can’t turn every song off.
All in all, Burnout 3: Takedown is a brilliant game with a few short comings, but they’re negligible. It’s a fast paced, good looking, and fun game that should be in the collection of any respectable gamers library. -A
Friday, August 26, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
SoulCalibur
SoulCalibur is one of the greatest fighting games of all time. It sets itself apart by having a killer story, recognizable characters, and above all, blades. SoulCalibur is a smartly designed, beautifully crafted game that allows for mastering and just plain old button mashing with its easy to pick up and play game mechanics. Using clever 8-way run tactics and abilities, every single character has a diverse and over the top move set. There may be a few characters that have the same fighting style, or use the same weaponry, but each one manages to maintain their identity with their unique style, finesse, and looks. Each character can beat the other, there is no one character that is the ultimate.
The story of soulCalibur is different for each character that players take through the arcade mode. But all in all, everybody is after the sword for either personal reasons or the fate of the world or some such nonsense. The basic arcade mode takes players and whatever character they’ve chosen through eight stages which increase in difficulty. After running though the arcade mode a few times, you may or may not get bored, but for those that do get bored, you have options.
SoulCaibur does have quite a bit of content to keep people coming back for many, many hours. Training, multiplayer, and options are all there on the main menu, but for the hardcore there is weapon master mode. Weapon master mode is a giant map containing lots and lots of different challenges with varying conditions that change the battles so immensely that it becomes almost a controller-chucking frustrating challenge. Scratch that, it does become controller-chuckingly difficult. This is where the meat of the game is; however, there is a flaw with its unlocking system. Every challenge that you complete you earn gold. Rather than just unlocking more challenges by completing previous challenges or just simply buying them with the gold that you’ve worked so vary hard to obtain, the game forces players to buy art work. I guess they didn’t want the art gallery to get lonely. This is a bit of a frustration because only certain pieces of art work unlock new challenges for the weapon master mode. Sometimes it’s the more expensive one, sometimes it’s not. There is no indication of the piece, which are all impressive, that will allow you to progress through weapon master mode.
Speaking of art work, the game is beautiful, for its time, at least. Each character has a level of detail that blows other games, and other games of this genre, out of the water. Every character’s animation is smooth, fluid, and something to marvel at. The game environments are also something to marvel at. Even though everything in the background doesn’t really matter, and the only thing that you really should be paying any attention to is the squared circle and the other guy charging at you with a sword ready to cut your head off and mount over his fireplace, you still can’t help but have a sense of awe and wonder at the scenery. To add even more of a wow factor to the game, the weapons pretty much explode with fire and lightning to further enhance the oomph of each blow. Making each battle something of an epic proportion. It also helps that the soundtrack is one of the greatest in video game history… just saying.
Each level has its own score to accompany it and set the mood for bashing in someone’s skull. It’s and absolutely gorgeous soundtrack and it makes every single battle a glorious experience. Even when you completely trounce the other player, you still get a sense of triumph as the letters appear on screen and the announcer declares K. O.!
All in all SoulCalibur is a game that helps make the Dreamcast what it is. I’ve always been a fan of the series and have always enjoyed playing the games and seeing what they’ve become today. It’s truly a worthy opponent and a great addition to any respectable gamer’s library. With an impressive fighting system and a set of well balanced and unique characters and weapons, SoulCalibur, whichever number that you pick up (I recommend number two), is worth having. And it will keep you entertained for a long time. The legend will never die… A+
The story of soulCalibur is different for each character that players take through the arcade mode. But all in all, everybody is after the sword for either personal reasons or the fate of the world or some such nonsense. The basic arcade mode takes players and whatever character they’ve chosen through eight stages which increase in difficulty. After running though the arcade mode a few times, you may or may not get bored, but for those that do get bored, you have options.
SoulCaibur does have quite a bit of content to keep people coming back for many, many hours. Training, multiplayer, and options are all there on the main menu, but for the hardcore there is weapon master mode. Weapon master mode is a giant map containing lots and lots of different challenges with varying conditions that change the battles so immensely that it becomes almost a controller-chucking frustrating challenge. Scratch that, it does become controller-chuckingly difficult. This is where the meat of the game is; however, there is a flaw with its unlocking system. Every challenge that you complete you earn gold. Rather than just unlocking more challenges by completing previous challenges or just simply buying them with the gold that you’ve worked so vary hard to obtain, the game forces players to buy art work. I guess they didn’t want the art gallery to get lonely. This is a bit of a frustration because only certain pieces of art work unlock new challenges for the weapon master mode. Sometimes it’s the more expensive one, sometimes it’s not. There is no indication of the piece, which are all impressive, that will allow you to progress through weapon master mode.
Speaking of art work, the game is beautiful, for its time, at least. Each character has a level of detail that blows other games, and other games of this genre, out of the water. Every character’s animation is smooth, fluid, and something to marvel at. The game environments are also something to marvel at. Even though everything in the background doesn’t really matter, and the only thing that you really should be paying any attention to is the squared circle and the other guy charging at you with a sword ready to cut your head off and mount over his fireplace, you still can’t help but have a sense of awe and wonder at the scenery. To add even more of a wow factor to the game, the weapons pretty much explode with fire and lightning to further enhance the oomph of each blow. Making each battle something of an epic proportion. It also helps that the soundtrack is one of the greatest in video game history… just saying.
Each level has its own score to accompany it and set the mood for bashing in someone’s skull. It’s and absolutely gorgeous soundtrack and it makes every single battle a glorious experience. Even when you completely trounce the other player, you still get a sense of triumph as the letters appear on screen and the announcer declares K. O.!
All in all SoulCalibur is a game that helps make the Dreamcast what it is. I’ve always been a fan of the series and have always enjoyed playing the games and seeing what they’ve become today. It’s truly a worthy opponent and a great addition to any respectable gamer’s library. With an impressive fighting system and a set of well balanced and unique characters and weapons, SoulCalibur, whichever number that you pick up (I recommend number two), is worth having. And it will keep you entertained for a long time. The legend will never die… A+
Monday, August 1, 2011
Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption is one of the best games to come out during 2010. The game comes to us from Rockstar games, the studio behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise, as well as the Midnight Club games. Red Dead Redemption combines solid gameplay, gorgeous graphics, an authentic soundtrack, interesting, engaging, diverse and extremely well written characters, and a story that keeps players hooked until the very end.
The story of Red Dead Redemption follows a rough and tough cow boy named John Marston, who has been hired by the government to remove some undesirables from the state of New Austin. These undesirables used to be members of a gang that John Marston ran with. Throughout the game we learn more about the mysterious past of the main character, his motivations, his up brining, his hopes and dreams.
The gameplay of Red Dead Redemption is that of a cover-based shooter game. However, Rockstar keeps things diverse with a host of different side missions, and random instances that take place along side the road.
The core of the game is based around shooting and killing, this is a Rockstar game after all. The game has snap-to aiming, which means that when players aim, if they’re looking in the general direction of an enemy it will lock on. This keeps the game moving at a steady and fast pace when in a shoot out. Red Dead Redemption also has a “Dead Eye” mode, which players can go into while aiming their gun. Dead Eye throws the world into a sepia-toned Matrix by slowing everything down. The Dead Eye runs on a meter which drains as players use it. Players can increase their Dead Eye skills by completing challenges throughout the game.
Players will spend a large amount of time traveling from one point to another through the surprisingly beautiful landscape. The only drawback of this is the somewhat awkward controls when on horseback, but after a while it becomes easier to manage as you progress and get better horses. Along the way the game will throw random instances at players. These can be anything from helping a guy out who is being chased by wolves to catching fugitives who escaped from a local sheriff. Some random encounters can happen right in town, with locals coming up to John Marston and asking to help because someone gone and rustled their horse. Sometimes it’s to challenge him to a duel.
Every time John Marston gets in a duel it immerses the player in that classic moment of the showdown. Showdowns start off with the nail biting stare, then the screen flashes “DRAW”, the game goes into Dead Eye while the player marks places on their opponent. The ability to shoot the enemy in specific points can allow the player to end the duel in a single shot, or emptying their gun into their enemy, who signed their death warrant by challenging John Marston.
These different primary missions, side missions, and random instances earn players money, honor, and fame. Fame increases no matter what, as tales of John Marston’s actions spread throughout the land. Honor always seems to increase with every mission. Very few missions give players the choice to something dishonorable. However, doing something dishonorable doesn’t particularly suit the character of John Marston.
John Marston may be one tough bounty hunter who ruthlessly hunts for his former brothers in arms, but he is a gentleman at his core. He speaks with dignity, is polite to people he meets in town, and he honors the bonds of marriage. This is just John Marston, every single character, even the side characters, are this diverse. Having characters this deep and engaging creates a wonderful experience in and of itself. Everything in the game has an element of character, even the world in which Red Dead Redemption takes place.
Surprisingly the old west is gorgeous, and not just a bunch of sand and dead plants. Every different county of New Austin is recognizable by it’s vegetation, which may be vivid or sparse depending on the whereabouts you venture. From the crags and valleys of Gaptooth Ridge, to the great wide open plains of Hannigan’s Stead, to snaking ridges of Ojo Del Diablo. Every bit of Red Dead Redemption has character, and it is accompanied by an equally diverse, beautiful, and unique score that further enhances and immerses the player into a genuine cowboy experience.
The music of Red Dead Redemption is about as diverse as its characters. Each area has it’s own theme, which is piped in the background as you ride about the state of New Austin. This goes for the action sequences as well. every time there is someone shooting at you there is a piece that is particular to wherever you’re at in the game. There are only three licensed tracks in the game, and are used at the most opportune moment in the game, to truly enhance the sequence. Like when John Marston lands on foreign soil and travels along it’s lonesome roads in pursuit of his former gang members.
Also there is multiplayer.
Red Dead Redemption multiplayer puts players in free roam of New Austin. There are three different modes of multiplayer: Friendly, where players can’t kill other players, Normal, where players can kill other players, and Hardcore, where players can not only kill other players, but not see their tags over their heads. Multiplayer has so much to do in it, there’s hardly a single place that doesn’t have something to do in it. In free roam, there are a few games that players can get in on as a whole, while others can be brought into a private room with you, your friends, and whoever else wants to join in. Also, scattered throughout free roam are bandit hide outs, which player can run through by themselves or posses that they’ve created. In general, most everything gets you experience, which allows players to level up and unlock more things to use and equip your character with. But multiplayer isn’t all about killing folk, there’s also gambling. With the downloadable content that is available for purchase players can round up a few people and play poker, liars dice, or black jack.
All in all Red Dead Redemption is an amazing game with solid gameplay, incredible characters, gorgeous graphics, an authentic and beautiful soundtrack, and a whole host to do after the game is done. With multiplayer, challenges, and more weapons to unlock Red Dead Redemption will keep you coming back again and again. So, mammas be ready to let your babies grow up to be cowboys, because this game is a genuine western experience. A
The story of Red Dead Redemption follows a rough and tough cow boy named John Marston, who has been hired by the government to remove some undesirables from the state of New Austin. These undesirables used to be members of a gang that John Marston ran with. Throughout the game we learn more about the mysterious past of the main character, his motivations, his up brining, his hopes and dreams.
The gameplay of Red Dead Redemption is that of a cover-based shooter game. However, Rockstar keeps things diverse with a host of different side missions, and random instances that take place along side the road.
The core of the game is based around shooting and killing, this is a Rockstar game after all. The game has snap-to aiming, which means that when players aim, if they’re looking in the general direction of an enemy it will lock on. This keeps the game moving at a steady and fast pace when in a shoot out. Red Dead Redemption also has a “Dead Eye” mode, which players can go into while aiming their gun. Dead Eye throws the world into a sepia-toned Matrix by slowing everything down. The Dead Eye runs on a meter which drains as players use it. Players can increase their Dead Eye skills by completing challenges throughout the game.
Players will spend a large amount of time traveling from one point to another through the surprisingly beautiful landscape. The only drawback of this is the somewhat awkward controls when on horseback, but after a while it becomes easier to manage as you progress and get better horses. Along the way the game will throw random instances at players. These can be anything from helping a guy out who is being chased by wolves to catching fugitives who escaped from a local sheriff. Some random encounters can happen right in town, with locals coming up to John Marston and asking to help because someone gone and rustled their horse. Sometimes it’s to challenge him to a duel.
Every time John Marston gets in a duel it immerses the player in that classic moment of the showdown. Showdowns start off with the nail biting stare, then the screen flashes “DRAW”, the game goes into Dead Eye while the player marks places on their opponent. The ability to shoot the enemy in specific points can allow the player to end the duel in a single shot, or emptying their gun into their enemy, who signed their death warrant by challenging John Marston.
These different primary missions, side missions, and random instances earn players money, honor, and fame. Fame increases no matter what, as tales of John Marston’s actions spread throughout the land. Honor always seems to increase with every mission. Very few missions give players the choice to something dishonorable. However, doing something dishonorable doesn’t particularly suit the character of John Marston.
John Marston may be one tough bounty hunter who ruthlessly hunts for his former brothers in arms, but he is a gentleman at his core. He speaks with dignity, is polite to people he meets in town, and he honors the bonds of marriage. This is just John Marston, every single character, even the side characters, are this diverse. Having characters this deep and engaging creates a wonderful experience in and of itself. Everything in the game has an element of character, even the world in which Red Dead Redemption takes place.
Surprisingly the old west is gorgeous, and not just a bunch of sand and dead plants. Every different county of New Austin is recognizable by it’s vegetation, which may be vivid or sparse depending on the whereabouts you venture. From the crags and valleys of Gaptooth Ridge, to the great wide open plains of Hannigan’s Stead, to snaking ridges of Ojo Del Diablo. Every bit of Red Dead Redemption has character, and it is accompanied by an equally diverse, beautiful, and unique score that further enhances and immerses the player into a genuine cowboy experience.
The music of Red Dead Redemption is about as diverse as its characters. Each area has it’s own theme, which is piped in the background as you ride about the state of New Austin. This goes for the action sequences as well. every time there is someone shooting at you there is a piece that is particular to wherever you’re at in the game. There are only three licensed tracks in the game, and are used at the most opportune moment in the game, to truly enhance the sequence. Like when John Marston lands on foreign soil and travels along it’s lonesome roads in pursuit of his former gang members.
Also there is multiplayer.
Red Dead Redemption multiplayer puts players in free roam of New Austin. There are three different modes of multiplayer: Friendly, where players can’t kill other players, Normal, where players can kill other players, and Hardcore, where players can not only kill other players, but not see their tags over their heads. Multiplayer has so much to do in it, there’s hardly a single place that doesn’t have something to do in it. In free roam, there are a few games that players can get in on as a whole, while others can be brought into a private room with you, your friends, and whoever else wants to join in. Also, scattered throughout free roam are bandit hide outs, which player can run through by themselves or posses that they’ve created. In general, most everything gets you experience, which allows players to level up and unlock more things to use and equip your character with. But multiplayer isn’t all about killing folk, there’s also gambling. With the downloadable content that is available for purchase players can round up a few people and play poker, liars dice, or black jack.
All in all Red Dead Redemption is an amazing game with solid gameplay, incredible characters, gorgeous graphics, an authentic and beautiful soundtrack, and a whole host to do after the game is done. With multiplayer, challenges, and more weapons to unlock Red Dead Redemption will keep you coming back again and again. So, mammas be ready to let your babies grow up to be cowboys, because this game is a genuine western experience. A
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