Kristine Steimer
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Writing For
IGNLatest Reviews
Every modification to the gameplay and structure of Dragon Age II is a clear improvement over the previous game. The combat is more responsive and bloody, you don’t need to fight the inventory system anymore, and conversations are more engaging thanks to the adapted Mass Effect wheel. There are downsides though; the semi-linear story and repetitive environments have a negative effect on what is otherwise a great role-playing game. Despite these complaints, Dragon Age II is a game I’m eager to replay.
The Sims 3 on the DS finally delivers an open-world god-sim experience, but it’s not without some minor frustrations. Karma powers don’t work nearly as well on the handheld as they do on consoles, but if you look at it as a bonus feature rather than an integral piece of the gameplay, it’s not a huge deal. If you’re looking for your Sims fix on the go, the third time is clearly the charm.
In New Vegas, the fun Fallout 3 formula is intact, with more polished combat, high-quality side missions, and the exciting setting of the Vegas strip. Unfortunately, the bugs also tagged along for the ride. If Obsidian and Bethesda had polished up the game by fixing the AI, improving the animations or even gotten it to run smoothly, perhaps it would feel less like a giant expansion of Fallout 3 and more like its own game. Be that as it may, Fallout 3 was a great game, so as similar as it is, Fallout: New Vegas is still a fun ride that offers more for fans of the series to enjoy. If you can look past its shortcomings, this is definitely a wasteland worth exploring.
The Behemoth’s incredibly fun cooperative beat–em-up would’ve been pure brawler perfection if the multiplayer had launched in better form. It’s incredibly frustrating that it’s easier to play Castle Crashers with strangers than with your friends, but it’s still a great brawler that will soak up your time. Between unlocking new characters so you can level them up to finding all of the hidden weapons and animal orbs, there’s a lot to do in the campaign mode. If you never experienced the Xbox 360 version, or you happen to have more friends on your PSN list, Castle Crashers is a great game though you might want to wait for a multiplayer patch before investing.