Latest Reviews
I had high hopes for Atelier Meruru. The way the series shuns world-threatening evils for personal conflicts is refreshing, and the crafting system is so deep I could get lost in it forever. But this latest entry makes changes to the overall structure that obscure the game's best elements instead...
Dragon's Dogma
It’s a strange game, Dragon’s Dogma; it does some really brave and interesting things, but it also feels unfinished, with technical problems that often spoil things. The combat, though, is one of the best real-time RPG fighting systems around, with flexibility and variety that carries the whole game. It deserves...
It’s a shame that most will not have the wherewithal to endure the 20 or so hours of bad game to get to the really juicy story moments. The twists that are thrown are guaranteed to surprise. Unfortunately you’ll need to wade through an often ugly, buggy, and...
Diablo II
Twelve years. Twelve long years of waiting and fans are finally playing Diablo III, and, if my recent marathon sessions are any indication, they will be for the foreseeable future. So many systems from previous Diablo titles have been improved, making for an approachable, rewarding and deeply satisfying treasure hunting...
V2's gratuitous X-Ray kill-cam adds a macabre elegance to every perfectly-timed shot you make that gives your careful handiwork an appealing artistic flair. While the ground combat and close-up encounters aren't as tight as you'd expect from a common shooter, the sniper gameplay is front-and-center here, and it's delivered with...
Summoning a ghostly raging bull to smash the monkey into a turret? Nonsense, but a strong tactic. Blowing yourself up to slow down a group of invading attackers? Same deal. Awesomenauts loves how silly it is, but it takes its strategy seriously. This is a deeply tactical game, but it...
Fable Heroes has a big-deal developer taking a chance on something that should be a sure-fire hit. By putting more Fable heart than good-game soul into its work, however, Lionhead compromised its experiment. The playful visuals hardly compensate for old ideas and mundane action. Hardcore Fable nerds may find something...
Titles like Botanicula are why the point-and-click adventure genre continues to exist. It may not be as hilarious as adventure games of yesteryear, but it’s persistently delightful, oozing character and grabbing hold of the imagination. Many games strive to be fun, and Botanicula not only accomplishes this, but also manages...
Having no impact is kind of the M.O. of Prototype 2. I enjoyed leveling up Heller and completing side quests, but none of it really meant anything to me. Outside of the Trophies I have for my efforts, I doubt I'll remember much of Prototype 2's sterile side missions and...
With Risen 2 Piranha Bytes continues to demonstrate skill at crafting big, believable worlds. Dark Waters is at times beautiful, offering a finely detailed set of islands to explore on your quest to become a notorious pirate captain and vanquish an ancient evil. It's Piranha Bytes' most accessible game...
At only 1200 Microsoft Points, it’s fair to say that Bloodforge simply isn’t trying to compete against the likes of God of War, Darksiders, or any number of the fully-priced retail third-person action games that it’s aping. Still, considering how Xbox LIVE Arcade is chockfull of amazing gameplay experiences like...
Trials has cleverly adapted to its environment and become even more of an everyman's game. It's still incredibly challenging, but the hill to the hardest levels is less steep. The thrills are more thrilling. Track sharing and multiplayer make it more communal. Rarely have I played a game that better...
