Reviews about Video Game Titles

TimothyL says "Basic Hidden Object game and mystery" about Big Fish Games - Murder, She Wrote

TimothyL — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:01:17 GMT

Big Fish Games - Murder, She Wrote - is a hidden object game bringing the tv series into a cartoon/comic-panel game. There isn't any animation - at least, none on the first book, and you can only play the first book in the hour demo - and only cartoon-ish scenes to bring the story. As with most hidden object games, you must find all the objects on the list to proceed; certain objects require other objects to be located and used before they can be found themselves. The hint button refreshes slowly, and only speeds up if you find the protagonist, Jessica Fletcher's, typewriter ribbon. The list of items is missing vowels, which can be revealed once you find those missing vowel typewriter keys.

There are five titles of "books" - that is, five different mysteries - to solve, but after solving the first in about 50 minutes, I estimate the game will last about 4 hours of game time. The tv series didn't intrigue me and the game is rather simple, so I recommend playing the demo for fun...

...

TimothyL says "Mindless easy fun" about Big Fish Games - Cake Shop 2

TimothyL — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:51:37 GMT

Big Fish Games - Cake Shop 2 is a time management game where you serve customers by filling their orders of cake, with or without a combination of soft drink, coffee, popcorn, and ice cream. Similar to Stand O'Food's conveyor belt, but not as difficult (as you can pick items off the belt to build the cake, or fill the cone or cups, wherever they may be and are not limited to picking up the first item on the belt), this game is simple and easy. While you pass each level, you can use your money to upgrade two ways - by starting and completing construction on the next Cake Shop, and also upgrading your current shop with a soda machine, coffee maker, ice cream dispenser, etc. It is different than Cake Mania as you don't have to bake cakes or frost them or decorate them. The conveyor belt already has the cake pieces, and the filling or frosting, and you just stack them as you would a hamburger.

It's really just mindless fun. No thinking required, as you can eventually buy all the upgrades,...

...

bodomxshredder says "When will it stop?" about Activision - Guitar Hero 3

bodomxshredder — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:16:46 GMT

To be honest, I'm not thrilled with this Guitar Hero. There are only so many times you can re-hash the same product. How many different versions are there now?

Nothing changes except the songs from what I can tell. All they need to do is make an end-all product that let's you add any songs you want.....oh wait, they did that didn't they?

This just seems like another attempt by Activision and the GH franchise to get your money. Hopefully as much of it as possible before you realize what they're pulling over on you.

I think the original concept of Guitar Hero was great, and that is the only reason it is getting two stars.

My advice for anyone interested in buying this: Save your money. Buy a used copy of Guitar Hero 1 or Guitar Hero 2. Buy the guitar controller separately if you can't find a copy of the game that comes with it. You should have no difficulty getting your hands on either of those.

My advice to Activision: Please, don't be like the Saw movie franchise. I don't need a Guitar...

...

TiffanyChandler133 says "Final Fantasy VIII is a great game with romance, action and more" about Sqauresoft - Final Fantasy VIII

TiffanyChandler133 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:16:28 GMT

Final Fantasy VIII is the first final fantasy game I ever played. The moment I started playing I was addicted to the storyline and the characters. After playing this game I urgently sought out every other final fantasy game ever made and have been a Final Fantasy addict ever since.

The core of any Final Fantasy game has always been its story, and Final Fantasy VIII's story is one of the best the series - and likely the genre - has ever seen. With Final Fantasy VII, Square showed that it had mastered the epic; with VIII, it shows that it has mastered the personal. The characters and their relationships are all extremely believable and complex; moreover, the core romance holds up even under the most pessimistic scrutiny. The decision to eschew a cast of dozens and focus on a central cast of six major characters appears to have been a wise one. The characters don't seem like base archetypes or generic "heroes," but like actual people.

Squall Leonheart is a student at Garden, the world's...

...

TiffanyChandler133 says "An rpg masterpiece" about Sqauresoft - Final Fantasy 7

TiffanyChandler133 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:44:14 GMT

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I would have to say like the majority here says and that's final fantasy 7. That is a one of a kind game. You will find nothing else like it. The story, the gameplay (a masterpiece in the old days, although put FF7 graphics to now, FF7 looks like crap), the original cast of characters, the music, the world map, the ability to explore and seek side story adventures or just go with the main story, all the mini-games! the cool limit breaks! the materia system! the materia! the accessories, weapon, and armor had a cool setup system. It was cool how materia levels up and gets more powerful, enabling stronger magic spells. AND they had different commands for each color materia! The materia system was the major player that made this game fun, along with everything else I mentioned.

FF7 is and always will be my all time favorite. It was the first RPG I started out playing, that probably has a huge impact on my decision, but not only that, I played all the FFs after...

...

BBGirl5 says "Kicks your butt" about Nintendo - Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009

BBGirl5 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:44:53 GMT

I recently purchased my Wii Fit Board and the Jillian Michaels work out tape.

All I can say is I am glad that she is not IN my house when I do this LOL.

You can hear her in the background when you are doing the exercises right, but you can also hear her when you do them wrong! I really enjoy the workout and she does offer a variety of workouts on it. I have been doing the Circuit type training so far and you do get a workout, if you are a reallly physically fit person it may not be as difficult for you, but for those of us that are a little out of shape and working to get back into shape, this will do the trick and get you started.

I will definately look for more of her workout videos for Wii.

...

zeppyrkr says "RPG meets FPS in this beautiful addicting masterpiece" about Borderlands for Xbox 360

zeppyrkr — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:15:56 GMT

Well i first saw info on Borderlands I wondered why hasn't anyone made a good FPS RPG, I mean its common sense to mix two great types of games. The graphics in borderlands may have some people wanting more but while it make look a tad simplistic at first when you play the game more and realize the detail of the cell shading it does look nice. I think this style of graphics worked perfectly with the style of gameplay. Now be warned this game is highly addictive and can easily consume hours of your day before you know it. The game starts off so fun that it was difficult for me to put the controller down. Although after a couples days and reaching higher levels there was part of me getting bored pretty quickly. But having a few friends come over and join me spices it up again and there just always something to do. You can just level up or kill bosses or take quest, you never walk around not knowing what to do like in Fallout 3. This is a must have or any FPS or RPG fan.

...

RevampSkunk says "Original Arcade game that's still unbalanced." about Capcom - Marvel VS. Capcom 2

RevampSkunk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:06:02 GMT

EDIT: This game costs 1200 MS Points (roughly $12.50 or so), not 800 MS Points ($10.00)

For those that are unfamiliar with this series of games, this is the second game of the Marvel VS Capcom series; where you can play as X-men, Darkstalkers, or some other famous characters from the Marvel comic book series, and the Capcom game series.

I would rate this game a 8 out of 10.
This game does keep its nostalgic qualities and has very improved graphics from the arcade or dreamcast versions, however this game is surprisingly still very unbalanced and very cheesy and cheap at its core in order for a pro to win.
Wasn't for that this game would be rated a 10/10, but I hardly play this game ...anymore because everyone on a ranked matches or player matches uses either Sentinel, Cable, C.C, Storm, Iron Man, Iceman, T-Bonne, Guile, Juggernaut, Venom or Akuma. Rarely I see people use other characters...which is bull crap.

For most people to win (especially online) they have 2 easily usable and cheap...

...

krayzie1870 says "the greatest game on earth" about UFC 2009: Undisputed for PlayStation 3

krayzie1870 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:42:13 GMT

the ultimate fighting championship broke the mold when they came out with ufc undisputed 2009. this game happends to be my favoritee game of all time. the realistic fighting still makes my head spin, the knockouts are incredible, the submissions are phenominal, and the overall quality is an a+. The career mode is just as exciting, how you start out as a nobody and work your way to a title shot is unbelievable. what I was most interested in was the hall of fame fights, where you need to finish the fight in the exact same round and the exact same fashion is so much fun. the only problem that I think I had with the game was the fact that there wasn't an ultimate knockout highlight reel. there needs to be a way to save the best knockouts, so you can show your friends how you kneed your other friend to sleep!!! other than that ufc undisputed 2009 is the best game I have ever played, they did fine work with this one

...

nytengale19 says "Amazing and fun" about EA Sports Active for Nintendo Wii

nytengale19 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:37:30 GMT

The Wii Active was the best 10,000 points I have ever used from my VISA rewards program. This game/fitness activity is the only workout plan that I have stuck to in my life. So far, since aquiring the program back in July, I have completed two thirty day challenges and have lost 5 pounds. I love that you can create your own workouts as well. My boyfriend who is not into working out more than he has to, loves the 'sports workouts' i have put together. He will work out with me more times now than ever before. I have also since modified a few of the routines, adding light weights to my wrists and ankles and using hand weights for squats and lunges. It is a plaus to be able to come home from work, change into a t shirt, shorts and socks and go into the living room and work out. no hassle of fighting traffic or the stress of finding room at the gym. It really is a great program if you want something easy to do in the comforts of your own home.

...

redjen says "JAK II - a great action packed PS2 video game" about Sony - JAK II by Naughty Dog

redjen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:41:07 GMT

I play alot of console games ranging from X Box to Gamecube.
I think we have a total of three game consoles and they are all working
and being used weekly. We Play alot of adventure games due to the children.
I recently came across one that I really enjoy as a grown up.
Jak II is a high speed adventure game that involves a elf like creature and his
companion, a small rodent. He has been in jail for two years and just got out.
He has alot of anger issues due to being in jail and is required
to complete a series of tasks as the plot thickens.
Some of these tasks include shooting down ships and flying through the skies.
You lead Jak through these different scenes and have to help or fight different
objects and other game related creatures.
There is one part in the game where you learn how to use a jetboard and how to
get the jetboard to do tricks while you are on it and earn extra points.
The JAK II game is great for teens and adults alike and even my younger daughter,
aged 10, enjoys the game.

...

TimothyL says "Slow, aggravating, and uninspiring." about Big Fish Games - Alabama Smith in the Quest of Fate

TimothyL — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:25:50 GMT

Big Fish Games - Alabama Smith in the Quest of Fate - is a hidden object game, where you find objects to help you continue the storyline and jump between different times with an amulet. While the top menu bar tells you what you need to find in the room, and the bottom inventory tells you what you've got, I found it a bit aggravating that you couldn't pick up objects until you needed them (e.g. you can't pick up a knife that you will need later until after you pick up all the idols).

The game also ran rather sluggish on my computer, and the mini-games (while most were easily solved) didn't run smoothly either. There is a blog walk-through (I'm guessing many people need it) but after trying to play the game for my free trial hour, I gave up. It wasn't interesting enough to hold my appeal, and my sister who played along wanted to quit within 30 minutes of it.

My recommendation: save your money or Big Fish Game credit for another game.

...

LoveisJoy says "Transformer Autobots: A Fun but Repetitive Video Game" about Activision - Transformers Autobots for Nintendo DS

LoveisJoy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:24:00 GMT

Transformers: Autobots is the first video game I've ever played on Nintendo DS. Like many 4-year olds, my grandson is a huge fan of the Transformers franchise. His dad bought him the videogame, which he then wanted to show me. I began by watching my grandson play for awhile, and then I took the controls myself. It was surprisingly enjoyable.

Transformers begins with a 3-dimensional cityscape complete with roads, skyscrapers, light poles, and traffic. The Transformer can run around on its own "feet" or drive around as a vehicle. In true form, your Transformer can scale buildings, throw cars, and smash things. However, the bad guy robots will soon begin to attack with lasers and bullets. At that point, the battle begins and things start exploding as you navigate through the game.

Transformers: Autobots is rated for 10+ but my 4-year old grandson found it easy enough to enjoy. The setting is cartoonish so there is no worry about blood or gore, and although blowing things up certainly indicates...

...

LoveisJoy says "My Grandson's Favorite Web Slinger in a Handheld Video Game" about Activision - Spiderman: Web of Shadows for Nintendo DS

LoveisJoy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:15:57 GMT

I'll be the first to admit that I pretty much suck at video games. After spending some time showing me how to play Spiderman: Web of Shadows on my 4-year old grandson's Nintendo DS, he would probably be the second to agree with me. I'm not very good at playing, but I sure had fun trying.

Although the video game is rated 10+ years, my 4-year old had no trouble figuring out the object of the game and which buttons to push to get Spiderman to make all of his bold action moves. He's only allowed a very limited time to play with video games, so he hasn't gotten to all of the levels yet. But he's having a great time trying.

What I like about Spiderman: Web of Shadows is that the graphic elements are of cartoon quality. The "bad guys" don't look like menancing adults; they look more like big cartoonish blobs. The animation was fun to watch as he went through the different rooms and levels, getting into mini-brawls along the way. Once I got a hand at trying the controls, I found that it wasn't...

...

asturdy says "Great Game, but do not get it for PS2 " about Activision - Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

asturdy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:46:48 GMT

I loved the first game in this series. Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and played it through several times. The second one has all the charm of the first, and then some. The character list has all your favorites plus some great additions for those who know and love the comic books.

The gameplay is a standard 4 player co-op and it is easy to figure out the controls. You are able to play characters from the Marvel universe both good and bad. The game provides you with a major over-arching storyline as well as several sub quests that you can choose to take or ignore. How you decide to play the game decides the outcome.

The only downfall of this game is the PS2 version. The graphics are not as good and the gameplay is very choppy. So save yourself the embarassment and hassle and get it for one of the other systems that is offered. You will not be disapointed, on anyother system the graphics and gameplay are farly superior.

...

TimothyL says "Great Hidden Object Game but scary" about Activision - Mystery Case Files - Return to Ravenhearst

TimothyL — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:22:44 GMT

Mystery Case Files - Return to Ravenhearst - is the sequel, or rather third in this particular Mystery Case Files series (the first being "Ravenhearst", and the second being "Madame Fate"). Like typical hidden object games, you find items on a list in each scene, but also, afterwards, you find an item to be used later in the game. Not all items found are used immediately; some are used several scenes later, so you will have to search all areas that are available to progress.

As the other user commented, the mystery follows the villain of the first "Ravenhearst", a murderer, and so it may not be suitable for younger children, unless you shut off the sound and music. It is the sound and music which make the game scary. Finding the hidden objects is rather easy; the more difficult tasks and the storyline make the game worthwhile. But it leaves room for another sequel, or rather chapter in the Ravenhearst series.

...

TimothyL says "A bit frustrating without the guide" about Big Fish Games - Hidden Expedition - Devil's Triangle

TimothyL — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:37:40 GMT

Big Fish Games - Hidden Expedition: Devil's Triangle is one of the newest hidden object games offered on the site. As the story takes you to the Bermuda Triangle, the main plot-line is to solve the 400 year old mystery. Besides finding objects on a list (which is the standard for all hidden object games), you must use certain objects (which are placed into your inventory) to crack clues to advance in the game. When I played the free trial hour, it was a bit frustrating at times (mainly because the hints do not tell you which inventory items can be used in combination or where it would be used), which is why it seems the walk-through / strategy guide was made.

If you like mysteries that aren't scary (i.e. murder or detective or crime mysteries), and hidden object games, then this one might be worth cracking your brain power as its not easy to finish in two hours. If you don't, then this game might not be worth your time.

...

quis3315 says "Play Fable 2" about Fable 2 for Xbox 360

quis3315 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:59:21 GMT

was a little bit giddy when unwrapping my copy of Fable 2 for the Xbox 360. This is the follow up to the insanely ambitious fantasy action adventure role-playing game Fable for the Xbox. This game is set five hundred years after the world of Fable and the fantasy European world of Albion has evolved in complexity and detail in every measure of the word.

If you ignore the previous game and look at Fable 2 on it's own you will see an wholly successful action adventure game that can stand on it's own merits. This builds on and expands on the conventions of Fable crafted by Lionhead games. That is a phrase that really applied to Fable 2; handcrafted. You can tell that this game was a labor of love by Sir Peter Molyneux. You know it is going to be good when it is a game designed by a knight of both England and France. The first game is not a prerequisite but if you liked the first game than you are going to eat this game up. It is going to be yummy.

The world of Fable 2 comes off incredibly...

...

whyforyouum says "perty nice and all" about Grand Theft Auto IV- by Rockstar Games - Xbox 360

whyforyouum — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:13:13 GMT

Well, you should be familiar with the GTA series. Its one of the most popular of all time. We have had a number of GTA's. All great violant games. But now, GTA IV, has topped the mark. Hell, its topped the mark on everything. GTA IV is one of the best games ever. There is a lot of critisicm thrown at it. But why?GTA IV is truly amazing and highly addictive with limitless possibilities. Now the story mode focuses you on Nico Bellic, who has moved to Liberty City by his cousin in letters telling him what a mansion he owned with cars and hot woman and all that. So Nico comes over to find that it is a lie and an utter tip. Liberty City, he finds out, is full of gangsters, mobsters, riots and poachers. Its a violant underworld that he cant escape from. Nico is forced to stay on the island due to his cousin, Roman, who has made money deals that he wont pay to people. He gets beat up, assualted by a knife and more. So Nico is forced to stay and help his cousin from getting killed. And through...

...

whyforyouum says "perty nice and all" about Xbox 360 - BioShock

whyforyouum — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:11:15 GMT

There's no question that Bioshock is a very good game that would be enjoyed by RPGers and FPSers alike. The graphics and setting are simply amazing and completely immersive but the story is not very engaging and by the end, the action begins to feel a bit like more of the same.

Since the developers themselves hold up Bioshock as the spiritual successor to System Shock 2 one cannot help but take them up on the comparison and there are a lot of similarities between the two. In short, while Bioshock clearly excels visually, SS2 is a better game.

The game starts off with you out in the middle of the ocean next to a crashed airplane. You swim to a nearby rocky outcropping and descend into an underwater city. You are almost immediately contacted via the radio by someone else in the city who wants to help you
The first thing that will strike you is that there is water everywhere. It's clear the developers nailed the visual effects here and just wanted to show it off. There are puddles and pools...

...