Gaming Mojo

From the creators of Max Pane, Alan Wake, the newest horror game to finally hit the market will this long awaited released yesterday. And by my surprise has something decent to offer.

Obviously you play as Alan, a writer suffering from writer’s block, to combat this he takes his wife to the sleepy, idyllic northwestern town known as Brightfalls. With friendly local and amazing views, this town seems pleasant during the day, by night things do get interesting.

The story is set up in to episodes, similar to TV show, these section put where they won’t you to with cut scenes tying in the gaps between. If only the writing could match the level of the story, you may be not as into the story as the developers would have like with characters that are hard to believe in and some really cheesy lines.

The game is classed as Horror, but plays more like and action game, will a basic assortment of weapon and equipment. It make you really feel like a more realistic game, in the sense that Alan is not a super Spartan or skull bashing super hero and what he can use are a common assortment of items that are typically found in this type setting.

For the vide review vist Review – Alan Wake – gametrailers.com

Dead to Rights: Retribution is the newest game to hit the market this week, and having to compete with some tough competition as a third person shooter.

This game has players take control of the good cop officer Jack Slate with the aid of his K9 companion Shadow, fighting the rise of street gangs with an emerging conspiracy. Bursting out cheesy one liners and forgettable character interaction, there isn’t much for player to hold onto.

Retribution players like a standard 3rd person, with 10 chapters to complete, each containing a stealth in which you take control of Shadow. The rest of the time you play as Jack, taking out enemies with head shots or snapping necks, and constantly ditching and replacing weapons from fallen enemies. The 8-10 hour experience will be alright familiar with the standard issue weapons; assault rifle, shotgun and pistol. And with no additional modes there’s no incentive to go any further.

The combat system allows for a mix of gunplay and hand to hand combat and the all effective take down move. With the melee combat component, the gunplay it’s a little more forgiving than usual, allowing for easy kills with not a lot of stress and some ridiculous headshot whilst bind firing. But beware of your step as no grenade indicators can leave biting the dust. Shadow can also be commanded via the D-pad with basic attack, stay commands, this additions adds for some cool take down plays but won’t revolutionize the game play. Unfortunately with some dazed and an outright kamikaze attempt from some enemies will make for some all too easy kills.

This game won’t win you on presentation, with basic and some outright ugly visuals and music that will be remembers for its annoying nature. Retribution just steps up to the line and it’s a disappointment because of it.

Overall a needed graphical boost like Gears of War 2 and a more engaging and well written story like Mass Effect 2 would have blasted Retribution out of the sewers and into charts. Sadly this will be a game played once and stuffed in the draw; an all too common standard issue game with no stand out features won’t cut it in these days. If you’re looking for another game to play and finish and have the cash, by all means give this a shot, for others; bigger and better games, worth the money will here soon enough.

Video review can be found at gametrailers.com

Well the all awaited sequel to the appealing yet quirky take on the RPG franchise is back with its 1st Sequel, Does it deliver the goods to hold up to it predecessor

You return to Rapture; an underwater utopia created in the 40’s. This time its 10 years after the 1st, but you now take on the role as Delta, the original big daddy. As per to Rapture’s renown atmosphere, this place is complicated with deranged personal, Big Sister’s and the watchful eye of Sofia Lamb. Your role is simple though, track down your little sister; Eleanor Lamb and get the hell out there. The story does dip from time to time, but the emotional tethers will keep on toe, with Lamb’s revelations amounting to grave evils, an off putting travel companion and plenty on fan pandering cameos. Regardless the story is strong with choices that will affect the outcome.

The design of the game hasn’t change much from the original, you explore and scavenge derelict environments, rescue little sisters, hack vending machines, and put the drill to anyone that stands in your way, literally. With completing the main objectives that stand in your way. What’s different this time, is that the game is designed in a linear fashion, no back tracking for forgotten sisters and hackables that you missed which kills the illusion of a living, breathing city that first provided.

A few rumours and game play videos may have given off wrong impressions, the all advertised Big Sisters striking at anytime turns out to be scripted and triggered. Also the underwater routings are actually scenic scuba transitions as you wade to the next point. Being a Big Daddy has you swapping your wrench for a fuel powered drill, just remember to re-fuel or it will remain useless. You will still fight other Big Daddy’s have to choice to adopt their little sisters to harvest ADAM for you.

Multiplayer has been added, with a chaotic 5v5 match out with weapons and powers achieved through levelling and ranks, its a nice bonus to play with but you’ll probably be down with it in a few hours and move you to your usual.

There are some truly great moments that pick up the repetition and the end game really picks up and drives the story home. Its disappoint that it picks up as its ending but multiple ending may encourage you to play it again, though this is no Mass Effect 2.

Bioshock is a FPS, with a tactical, slower feel. Accuracy and reflexes will serve you to a point, but weapon management and ammo variations is what will keep you alive. The old NPC return with some added new ones to keep things fresh, with the Big Daddy’s and new Big Sisters you and the ability to change up your approach to combat, this aspect shouldn’t tire. The old plumbing hacking game is gone, replaced with a new real-time challenge that you can attempt whilst in combat, a definite improvement but just be careful not to spam the med kits.

Even if the setting is familiar, Rapture is still deep. Art direction and voice acting stand par with the first, this excellent work make it a place that you can’t help but inhabit even as you try to escape. The hidden rooms show of great architecture that its lacks the variety that the 1st so well provided.

A feeling of “Blockbuster” just doesn’t fit this game as oppose to the 1st, having been built up from the outrageous success of the 1st, it is a bit of a hit and miss. But it might be harsh to stack up against its predecessor. It does have great combat, some truly stand out set pieces and a story you’ll want to see through to the end.

Bioshock is a thinkers FPS and it stands out for this reason.

Bioshock 2 Review – gametrailers.com

MAG is one of the new games to come out on the PS3 this year, its a game on its own for PS3 users with an interesting take, brought to by the creator of the SOCOM series