Restarting offtrack starcraft betting, expanding on previous success, delving into the three dimensional controllers, and revitalizing former glory hounds didn’t exactly begin 2010 but it did end that way. 2010 showed a new change in holiday season releases pushing back games like Gears of War 3 into 2011 to keep away from the mix of powerhouse holiday releases creating a more even set of releases. This is probably a bit more coincidental with the 2012 end of days paranoia or prevalent consumer practices when consoles have reached their peak in their era. If your Christmas stocking this year wasn’t filled with at least one blockbuster, coaly disappointment is all that’s left to be eaten for there was no lack of choices. Without further ado, here are some quick reviews of games from 2010.
Xbox360:
Quantum of Solace – 5 hour completion. Rough controls. Alpha Protocolish looks at times and overall quite bland. Odd non-matchup to movie. Cover system buggy or annoying (if kneeling behind cover and you break cover you go straight to standing up instead of remaining kneeling). Usual made from movie disappointment. Skip at all costs. RATING: {–3.0}
Army of Two: 40th Day – 10 hour completion. Simple and easy controls. Fun co-op with scaling difficulty. No save system for partners progress/cash in splitscreen? (unless they are signed in but it doesn’t tell you to). Storyline was basic yet choices allow for at least a second play through. Character customization such as mask creation from online is a nice addition. One of the better early releases of 2010 and one of the few games where co-op is needed rather than playing single player. RATING: {4.0}
Spinter Cell: Conviction - When a series changes its ideals and style to fit a wider audience, it tends to lose some of the magic in the progress. Where the music industry has lost touch with music, Ubisoft has began to focus on storyline presentation and making the almighty dollar instead of making the extremely difficult, trophy under the belt, award winner. Still a fun 3rd person shooter even if anonymity has been lost in translation, expect to play once and never to play again. RATING: {5.0} [Previous Review]
Alpha Protocol - When companies like Obsidian branch out to attempt something new they are taking a chance and with Alpha Protocol they failed much like typical UPN comedies of the 90s. All the pieces are there but bugginess and odd voice acting overshadow the quality greats such as the reactive dialogue system, storyline, and black market character customization. Too bad networks like CBS still seem to use laugh tracks because even UPN realized that doesn’t work and neither did Alpha Protocol. RATING: {1.0} [Previous Review]
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening - This standalone expansion was a reminder that things such as expansions aren’t necessary to play and do not always meet eye to eye with their former colleague. Origins was this type of release and at the time was more about no other releases rather than quality. Skip and wait for the second title coming next year unless the original was entrancing to the heart. RATING: {3.5} [Previous Review]
Bioshock 2 – In rare occasions the way a game looks and plays match and are above levels that an average game can barely reach. In the case of Bioshock 2 it is slightly less of a shock as the first but still well worth playing at least once especially in preparation for Bioshock Infinite. Big Sisters and polished looks are improvements over the first but the storyline is a bit of a departure. Multiplayer is not the high point again so stick with a need to rent if anything. Jules Verne, Jacques Cousteau, Steve Zissou and Scuba Steve approved. RATING: {8.0} [Previous Review]
Final Fantasy XIII - A radical change in relation to previous Final Fantasy games, XIII has taken my personal relationship with Square-Enix to the point of a new low. Where others may attempt to play it in a classic manner, the fact that the battles are real-time places the player at a disadvantage if not auto-attacking in a very boring manner. An item creation system that in the end is unnecessarily unused leaves the game playing out more as a movie than a game made even worse due to the most linear exploration for a Final Fantasy game yet. If only Square-Enix could get their act together a bit more in their MMOs, I may revaluate the RPG relationship again. Dues Ex 2 coming out in 2011 gives them another chance to sway anyone in their non-RPG realm which has started to blossom lately in comparison to their classic series. RATING: {3.0} [Previous Review]
Mass Effect 2 – With this release, Bioware has truly become a shining leader in RPG releases. A storyline written by actual certified writers with similarities that rival the X-Files and a sequel that matches the original in such a quality manner that it begins to feel like an MMO expansion, Mass Effect 2 is quite the must play. The only downside is a bit of overzealous DLC that tends to add up in the wallet region even if each has a chocolaty nougat center. Throughout 2011 leading up to the third release, we’ve been promised addition DLC matching the story between the second and third so until then a second play through hopefully saving all the companions is not a bad idea. (X-Play’s game of the year for 2010.) RATING: {9.5} [Previous Review]
Dead Rising 2 - Weapon creation, connecting storyline, and easier to rescue survivors are some of the best improvements for DR2 while attempting to complete it within 10 – 15 hours. The overall difficulty seems easier than the first but aiming and control ease might have something to do with this. The multiple endings are available again for an extra play through or two and DLC is scheduled for release later in 2011. Cutscene meshing is well done but occasional over the top voice acting is sprinkled in for cheesy zombie movie reminiscing. If zombies or the original are your forte` then add DR2 to the playlist for a rental in 2011. RATING: {6.5}
Medal of Honor - As far as single player FPSers are concerned, Call of Duty is quite experienced for giving the player an emotional connection to the characters. MoH is no exception and makes for the best single player reality FPS game of the year. MoH still suffers from the feeling of constant spawning of enemies that use the same running patterns to reach the player, but this isn’t nearly as obtusely ignorant as the multiplayer is concerned. If you are into nail scratching chalkboards then the MoH is for you as the hype, TV commercials, and promises pierce straight to a deep place of confusion since it is done so poorly. Respawning can be a huge annoyance when outnumbered and the flow of battles feel jerky and unsmooth making multiplayer pale in comparison to MW. Rent for just the single player. RATING: {5.5}
Halo: Reach - The other FPS single player game that is better but set in the realm of Sci-fi is Halo: Reach. An overhaul of a game that is very similar to the first release with storyline, level design, and the feeling of a multi-world war is accomplished quite well in H:R. Both single and mulitplay are beacons as everything has been revamped toward improvements. Single player can be done in co-op modes and is by far the best co-op game of the year meshing beautiful cutscenes and just the right amount of difficulty to keep the challenge that the first Halo had. Multiplayer has additional character unlocks and customization and new game modes to expand on keeping multiple games from getting repetitive. As long as one can stand the Sci-fi environment that is less like Dune but more like Stargate, H:R is a very enjoyable game all-around. RATING: {9.5}
Fable 3 – Lionhead Studios and their head Peter Molyneux have quite a knack for Monty Python references as well as creating a very unique RPG. Taking a progressive character that develops physically to the choices the player makes, Lionhead has pushed this idea further making weapons and a whole kingdom that does the same. The rest of the game is similar to the previous two which means that the end comes at an abrupt unwanted time when one wants more and the co-op suffers from camera and character distance trouble. Anyone who enjoyed the first two for their British personality will again find solace in Fable 3. RATING: {5.0}
Fallout 3: New Vegas - An intriguing release with a behind the scenes checkered company past doesn’t phase this game. With many similarities to Fallout 3, this game is more appealing to those that played the turn-based originals with many turns and twists connecting the older games to this one. At times the game is buggy and on the consoles will be subject to freezes, especially outside of New Vegas, but those problems become overlooked when the depth of large scale questlines and timing of when and what order those quests are completed are taken into consideration. A large amount of replayability is very likely but the 50-100 hour completion time (coinciding with the amount of exploration you undertake) may be overwhelming for the meek and merry. My favorite release of the year and a definite must play. Additional DLC will be arriving in 2011. Just be ready for your tongue to get used to the taste of a good ol’ sarsaparilla. RATING: {8.0}
Modern Warfare 2: Black Ops - 2008-2010 high school yearbooks were signed with begrudgingly sly comments of kill to death ratios all because of MW2. But since then corporate changes occurred without surface flashiness when Treyarch played smoke and mirror games with commercials of Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Kimmel in order to hit record sales. Minus the change in the creation guard, some obvious differences between this and MW2 are obvious once the game is played. The multiplayer visually is a step backwards which seems awkward and quite a glaring oversight but the gameplay is one of the best as always. Shots required to kill an enemy have been increased a bit changing overly annoying people that go for single shot kills at an alarming rate but also making killstreaks or sniping a lot more difficult for everyone. New unlock customization orders and game modes in multiplayer are some big changes but welcoming after repetitive prestiging. The single player is extremely short again but still well done in all of its sweatiness of jungle warfare. Great for multiplayer but basic in single player, MW:BO is a trophy release of the year but yet seems like it won’t reach the glory that MW2 had. And if you play and like this game, forum trolls with all their spiky hair will tell you can only like this game and can’t enjoy Halo: Reach at the same time for some reason. RATING: {9.0}
PC:
King’s Bounty: Armored Princess – There are two main types of turn based RPGs, the final fantasy non-grid type of battle system or the ogre tactics grid/board game type of battle system. King’s Bounty is grid based but uses a very different idea in the fact that usable units are finite. Types of units vary in attributes and therefore amounts of single unit army numbers, but these differences in how units and battles play out make for a difficult game. Ease of progression is best done by finicky back and forth map movements picking off weaker enemies while avoiding the steroidal beefcakes but in doing so your movement paths look ridiculously overlapping. Armored Princess is the third in the series and is slightly easier than previous games and is not for everyone even RPG fans. This is a demo tryout game for sure before purchasing because so few people will enjoy this. RATING: {1.0}
Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty – Even after Korean videogame “athletes” were found to be involved in betting schemes, a new round of superstars will emerge with SC2. Yes, SC2 is the best multiplayer strategy game out there due to quality of game that Blizzard produces. One sad change is the single player game has cutscenes that match WoW visually and voice acting that is downright headshaking in its terribleness. The story if one can separate these problems, is ok but not as grasping as the original or expansion but the missions and level design are above average. If you purchase SC2, multiplayer should be the only reason, and that part won’t disappoint. The DOTA mod will soon be available too for all those that enjoy the hero units. But Blizzard, why do SCV units say, “in the rear with the gear?” RATING: {9.0}
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl + Call of Pripyat – Ukrainians and Russians are not exactly alike but GSC Game World know exactly how to make a player feel like they are in the shoes of a Russian. One of the sleeper hits of 2007 and a not as amazing but still good sequel in 2010, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a series to revisit from time to time. A survival game that focuses heavily on realism, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is an instant classic. It may be a bit expensive to throw into the mix of all the late 2010 hits, but everyone should make it a point to play the first at some point in their lifetime. Brush up on the pronunciations of the Russian alphabet before you do because P may confuse you for a pirate’s theme song. RATING: {9.5 / 4.0} [Previous Review]
Metro 2033 - Vampires and zombies may be all the rage lately but Metro 2033 can scare anyone more than a horde of raving Twilight fans. A linear game compared to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, Metro 2033 is good the first time through even if the story is as confusing as trying to quickly read Lost Paradise. Shotgun shells almighty, this game will make the typical player feverishly throw random lead into every dark corner as light and sound play tricks and the environment gives anyone a case of claustrophobia. Rent it and ram it. RATING: {4.5} [Previous Review]
ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead – Where Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising showed that converting the series to the console is a bit more difficult than Codemasters would like to admit, the PC reality war series ARMA still holds the torch for one heck of a large scale warfare FPSer. Operation Arrowhead is a bit shorter than the original OF game but a change in where the fake wars take place is a nice change. The desert environment is not as flashy as MOH’s Middle East but instead OA will give the player the opportunity to place themselves at the helm of commanding troops and modern armaments such as the fast attack Bradley vehicle. Large amounts of controls, modding, and replayability are all included with an ARMA game yet this expansion is much shorter than ARMA 2’s story. Old command bugginess and clipping graphics are the worst of OA’s problems but no other game has been able to match this series’ broad scope military strategies. Hold a candle for freedom and move your platoon twenty clicks in real-time you badass you. RATING: {5.5}
Command and Conquer 4: Tiberium Twilight – Rest in peace C+C. TT when compared to any other strategy game or its own series should give a person the remorsefulness that can only come when putting down an old pet. You’ve enjoyed your time with that family rascal, from the days when it was spry and cheerful, to the later years of many lovely memories, and now at the end of its life you begin to remember how it used to be rather than what it is now. It’s the worst part of getting old but yes all living things die, Command and Conquer reaching that time now. We will miss you Kane. We will miss you NOD attack bike that inspired hero units in today’s strategy games. Oh what fun we had. RATING: {1.0} [Previous Review]
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – MMOs are unique in that they last much longer than the initial release date of usual games and even longer with expansions. Most MMO players find that each expansion takes away from the original direction of the game and sometimes can be the breaking point for people to leave the game altogether. Wrath of the Lich King was much like this for WoW in that dungeon raiding was brought down to a new low in boredom almost killing the series. Now with the release of Cataclysm a new revitalization has occurred. Much of the major originality has been brought forth again. Dungeons are quite difficult again and many improvements such as guild levels, visual and enthralling questlines, and graphically changed old worlds are among some of the multiple changes. Blizzard has come full circle and reborn a MMO unlike many other MMOs could never do: hit the seven year mark and still go strong. RATING: {8.0}
