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PS3 Review: Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands

Ubisoft backtracks to a prettier prince with the prequel to Warrior Within. The sands make a comeback, along with a female sidekick, a common move for the Prince of Persia series. As the Prince and his brother Malik break an ancient seal, they release King Solomon’s sacred army, a misnomer. These skeletal and armor-plated fiends operate under an evil spell that threatens to cover the world with a sandstorm. With the help of a magical Djinn named Razia, the Prince wields the elements of water, wind, fire, and ice as his only hope against the power-hungry Ratash.

The Forgotten Sands sits more comfortably among earlier PoP games like Sands of Time than the recent experimental ones, such as the cel-shaded remake that, as gorgeous to view as it was, made a lot of players grumpy (who wouldn’t be after that cakewalk and story ending?). This run-around takes a step down in graphics, but it does construct a stable balance between traversing obstacle courses of spikes and whirly gigs and engaging in combat. Players can rewind time as usual, but what makes this edition unique is how it challenges gamers to mix environmental and water manipulation and aerial boosts on command. Thanks to Razia, the Prince can solidify water and interact with it like he would a wall or beam. Timing is key, camera clues are vital, and specialized aerial jumps and area restoration add an extra edge to the gameplay. A few instances will leave players exasperated with buggy missteps, but for the most part, the Prince follows orders (nudge, nudge).

The game quickly immerses players by introducing various fighting methods and enemy types. The selectable upgrade system, based on experience points gained in battle, enhances combat and allows for a better grip on health and magic (longer water and time control, more powerful elemental attacks, etc.). Over the course of the game, these upgrades feel as unnecessary as opponents are redundant. The Prince swings a mean sword, and it does the job right.

A little more dedication to the adventure could have saved players from occasional boredom. Scattered throughout the palace, the blue sarcophagi that award bonus XP act as the sole incentive for careful exploration. Forgotten Sands falls into fits of uninspired gameplay, only to pick up its pace and then lapse into a creative coma again. While the narrative blows over more like an bothersome breeze than a strong sandstorm, at least the vigorous final boss fight justifies the investment.

The Forgotten Sands isn’t altogether unwelcome, but it does little to earn a valuable place as a member of the Prince of Persia series. 7/10

Tags: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Prince of Persia, PSP, The Forgotten Sands, Ubisoft, Wii, Xbox 360
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PC Review: Silent Hill 2: Director’s Cut

As the most acclaimed of the series, Silent Hill 2, much like protagonist James Sunderland, shoulders a considerable burden. After nine years, do the mannequins and geometric monsters still emerge from the woodwork as viciously as before? Revisiting that “special place” should fill any gaps in memory. I plugged in a PS3 controller and loaded the PC version, companion to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox editions.

What You’ll Like

Turn Left on Nathan Avenue

Restless Dreams blankets players with the town’s looming isolation. The sirens, otherworlds, and even the staple flashlight and radio slowly drop into the player’s lap. Between Sunderland’s impeccable map-keeping abilities and the direct tactic of gameplay, players can navigate Silent Hill without breaking too much of a sweat. Memorable, unique architecture distinguishes key locations, and the heavy atmosphere complements the dreary wallpaper settings. Akira Yamaoka’s outstanding musical score and his fifty-plus sound effects provide each moment a haunting undercurrent.

Of Special Interest

Although James often pines over his late wife, even he enjoys a good puzzle—and so will the player. In addition to the several gameplay modes, selecting the riddle difficulty ensures a manageable experience. Logical and fair, the puzzles occasionally call for pen and paper solutions, but the clues rarely stump for long.

Fighting, split between light and heavy attacks, proves an equally satisfying affair, and James can target different enemies with a quick tap. A little exploration returns a big profit, as the game packs surpluses of ammo and health into its nooks and crannies. Keeping the flashlight shining will attract James’ attention to any noteworthy item, as well.

You Say Mary; I Say Maria

Silent Hill 2 gushes with more than blood: It writes the book on psychological horror. Voice-acting striking a reasonable chord, the dynamic characters interact purposefully with James throughout the gradually developing story, which is topped with a grand reveal. The clever scares, second only to the intelligent psychology manipulating them, lure players deeper into James’ mentality.

Pyramid Head, who has become the series’ go-to icon, triumphs as an unsettling antagonist, goading players onward through paranoia.

“Born from a Wish” places the seductive Maria in the midst of a haunted mansion. The extra scenario offers a less engaging run-around and little incentive other than a deeper look into Maria’s character, which interested players can appreciate.

What You Won’t Like

Look Sharp

Sometimes the game’s eerie perspectives enhance the frightful effect. In many cases, though, the stubborn camera controls inhibit exploration and acts as a nuisance, particularly upon entering rooms. James’ health meter also suffers from poor construction. Except for the unmistakable red health sign that appears when James is about to keel over, the static distortions viewable from the inventory screen give a lazy estimate of his overall status.

Recommendation: Rewarding and gripping, Silent Hill 2 expertly handles its love story bridled with horror. A solid game, players will find themselves venturing through the fog more than once, minor inconveniences doing little to dent the impressive experience. Few will forget the terror waiting among James Sunderland’s memories … unless they can’t bear to remember. 9/10

Review format credited to the Girls Entertainment Network

Tags: Akira Yamaoka, Creature Lab, Director's Cut, Konami, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Restless Dreams, Silent Hill, Team Silent, Xbox
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Somebody Call Walter Sullivan: Dexter Composer Moves In

Recently at E3, Silent Hill owner Konami debuted a trailer for a post-Akira Yamaoka title. The game, temporarily labeled “Silent Hill 8,” follows a convict Murphy Pendleton as he stumbles into the nightmarish town. Now, really. Who just “stumbles” into Silent Hill anymore? Play us a new tune, Alessa.

I guess that’s where composer Daniel Licht comes in; he’s got quite the reputation (Hellraiser, Children of the Corn, Dexter), but will his songs fit the series? The music sounds a bit too exotic for my tastes, and the gameplay looks like it meddles in the action-adventure genre (get that out of my survival horror!), but who knows. The thematic face lift could be just what the nurses ordered.

The game’s director does promise an “evolution of the franchise’s core combat.” What do you think? Too much Homecoming, too little James Sunderland, or just right, Mary?

Vatra Games is developing the 2011 title for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows.

[GameInformer]

Tags: Daniel Licht, Konami, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Silent Hill, Vatra Games, Xbox 360
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PC Review: Plants Vs. Zombies

I’ve never been much of a PC gamer, even though my first video game experiences involved Wolfenstein 3D and a desultory Sherlock Holmes game. But thanks to the generous PopCap folk, I hunkered down with Plants Vs. Zombies, which had already caught my eye, and played to my heart’s content. And luckily PVZ serves an all-you-can-grow veggie buffet. Check out the review at OneMetal.com

Grab a rake and plant yourself in front of PopCap’s most recent tower defense game that sprawls bloom and doom … on your lawn. Plants Vs. Zombies challenges your green thumb and hones your zombie extermination skills. Players harvest sunflower power and command an earth-friendly army, saving your house one recycled undead at a time. These plants pack quite a head chop, and thankfully the game’s foundation holds just as well—rain, shine, or zombie..

Tags: iPhone OS, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Plants Vs. Zombies, PopCap, Xbox Live Arcade
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PS3 Review: Mini Ninjas

Appealing to the stealthy ninja wannabe in all of us, Mini Ninjas sculpts eye-popping animation, cutesy forest animals, and all-ages entertainment into one package. Of course, more cynical gamers know that flowery aesthetics don’t equate to full genius, and even the stealthiest of heroes can’t ensure a mighty punch. Well, rest assured, because Mini Ninjas infuses all of its ancient samurai muscle into a presentation as reliable as bamboo-chomping pandas … predictable, mind-numbing pandas.

Mini Ninjas markets as a game satisfying to both children and adults, and the influence leaves a clear trail throughout the game’s entirety. The difficulty setting can be adjusted with one quick trip to the options menu, and even your enviable Kuji magic integrates various hint methods for when you get stuck chasing fireflies and picking tiger lilies. Luckily, there’s a lot to admire about such a feel-good game that doesn’t hesitate to pull at the heartstrings. As you zip through mesmerizing, gorgeous painted environments, you’ll relax with soothing music one moment and then glide into unleashing your fearsome ninja moves the next. Along with the user-friendly controls and activity pallet, the result feels virtually therapeutic—certainly advantageous when you need to unwind after a long day.

Regardless of the many hints sprinkled about, Mini Ninjas shows you the courtesy of free-style gameplay. You follow a basically linear course, but gamers are encouraged to meddle with different scenario approaches and take-down methods. The six ninjas at your beck and call each bring a distinguished technique to the array of challenges, and some are better suited to the present situation than others. Everything stacks together neatly; each level’s finish totals your score of freed animals, compiled potion ingredients and scrolls, special gold tokens, and Jizo statues and allows you to replay sections at more convenient times. The weaponry and equipment at your disposal wield impressive versatility, as well. Your ninja hat, for example, acts as a boat, snow sled, and overall protection against flying arrows and falling debris.

But behind the smoke and mirrors parlor tricks essential to the ninja trade, a handful of flaws rear their ugly heads. Mini Ninjas strays from its own beaten path disappointingly little. Eventually you’ll tire from gathering dainty plants, decking silly mini (or in some cases, giant) enemies, and breaking probably expensive pots. The commonplace hunt-and-gather missions render the more carefully hidden treasures into cheap yard sale trinkets. When the game does veer towards something new, it either fails sorely or taunts you with a fresh taste of ephemeral action. The avalanche aka sledding sequence nudges excitement with a stick, but the technical frustration nips any possible thrills before they can flourish.

Mini Ninjas sustains quite a few odd yet minor bugs concerning maneuverability and functionality, including rotating your makeshift boat and aligning your character with the ropes spanning buildings. Plus, although enemies gradually advance in more ambitious and trying waves, you’ll practically be swimming in health and other replenishing items; even in the toughest battles, deaths are few and far between. Despite all that extra magic and commodity, your supposedly convenient Ki wheel never expands slot-wise, forcing you to rummage through your inventory menu instead.

Mini Ninjas delivers better as a rental: It has an innovative concept and inspiring visuals, but replay value and entertainment rewards simmer down after several hours. Character extras delightfully tell the ninjas’ origins, but the in-game storyline could have benefited from such charming personality. Like the breathtaking world, the dominating features might be superficially breathtaking, but the qualities underneath lose their polish, sucking the mystery out of the ninja heart. 7/10

Tags: Eidos Interactive, IO Interactive, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Wii, Xbox 360
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Spawn Kill Favorites: Bioshock

This February promises the highly-anticipated sequel to the action-adventure RPG with a dash of horror, Bioshock. But what was so great about the first game’s underwater dystopia, you ask? Hop on over to Spawn Kill and check out my review, which went live yesterday (hooray!).

Few video games arouse genuine nirvana in players, but even less promise a blossoming underwater world only to swallow gamers whole and leave them wanting more wretched decay, both lovely and sanguine. BioShock is one such praised gem, and experiencing the game without feeling like the developers literally poured their souls into its creation is virtually impossible. Indeed, BioShock at its very core flourishes as a polished experience, and quite a mighty one at that.

Tags: 2K Games, BioShock, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
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PS3 Review: Assassin’s Creed II

However innovative Assassin’s Creed was, it ultimately failed to shine. Plagued by flaws and repetitious action, many tossed the box aside before even reaching the supposed grand finale. The sequel promised to remedy those problems, and thankfully the developers built a much steadier foundation this time around.

Assassin’s Creed II still follows the same brittle formula as its predecessor: The player enters the ancestral link of the Animus; assassinates a bunch of targets, each more fallible than the last (more now, so half of Italy); explores cities while avoiding Templar guards. But besides offering countless missions and puzzles, there’s one thing AC2 delivers that the first game dismissed. If you guessed character interaction as rich as Italian nobles, then consider yourself savvy. Regardless of whether or not you favor Desmond or even Ezio Auditore, the oblivious but handsome protagonist of Renaissance Italy, there are dozens of other characters to gush over (or loathe)—including the humorous Leonardo da Vinci. Even voice work impresses alongside the intriguing musical score. Assassin’s Creed II incorporates all its historical research by allowing you to access said information when encountered. The result? A mind-blowing world as interactive and thriving as the 15th-century.

The developers clearly paid attention to the blunders of AC—you don’t travel back and forth between cities nearly as often, for example—but they made a few errors of their own. The game’s “puppet controls” are euphemistic QTAs, and they’re just as annoying and randomly placed. Although an indicator pops up as a signal, you’ll probably be reading those wonderful Italian translations instead.

Thanks to the wealth of missions and weaponry consciously livened by fresh scenarios, gameplay rarely feels dull and readily connects with not only Ezio’s story, but Desmond’s and Altair’s. While scaling buildings for viewpoints remains intact, Ezio can reach higher ledges after learning a certain technique. With vendors scattered about cities, you can beef up Ezio with armor, health supplies, weapons, and even ammunition like smoke bombs. The several factions (NPCs) at your disposal, though sometimes vexatious, are surprisingly efficient and minimally glitch-impaired. Mercenaries, courtesans, and thieves will allow you to advance unscathed and make your pocket delightfully weightier. Money isn’t hard to come by—but equally as easy to spend.

Hunting eagle feathers might be as boring as hording flags, but at least there’s a manageable number and treasure at the finish line. Even simple tasks like blending and stealing are more intelligently designed, as are assassination techniques. Plus, this assassin can swim. Finally.

There are troublesome areas, though. Earning money is good and well until you have to return to a single location to retrieve it; tearing yourself away from your current activity to collect interest just doesn’t appeal. Whereas you always know where your money is and wish it were closer to your Italian destinations, navigating your map can be a clueless experience. Showing which way Ezio faces at any moment could have easily resolved such open-world woe. Not to mention frequent and sluggish load screens add to the headache.

Once child’s play, combat demonstrates a vast improvement from the series’ trial run. Countering won’t always do the trick in battle; some guards are outfitted with superior armor and weapons, making disarming and executing a satisfying feat. Although fights don’t always flow smoothly, with a convenient weapon wheel boasting a versatile selection of items, you can turn combat from a mundane hindrance to an exciting chance to show off your moves.

Bottom line, Assassin’s Creed II is one of the most playable, entertaining, and visually stunning games of the year. Not everything sparkles the way it should, but the incredible historically detailed environments, engaging character stories, and meticulous improvements to the sins of the old provide a sensory overload of quality. As for the ending, you might cringe a little at the overused danger it implies. Let’s just say we might look for Assassin’s Creed III come 2012. 9/10

Tags: Assassin's Creed II, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Ubisoft, Xbox 360
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PS2 Review: Silent Hill 4: The Room

Wake up, Henry. Clever fans will note the connections between the fourth game and previous installments: from the significance of the superintendent Frank Sunderland’s name to the mysterious “There was a HOLE here; it’s gone now” in SH2 and the repeated mentions of a certain murderer throughout the series. Wonder no more, because Silent Hill 4: The Room means to unravel the truth—whether you like it or not.

What You’ll Like

21 Ways to Die

Henry Townshend finds himself inexplicably locked in his apartment for five days. The windows won’t open, nobody on the outside can hear him when he yells, and somebody’s chained his door from the inside along with the friendly note, “Don’t go out — Walter.” When a strange hole forms in his bathroom wall, that’s when the nightmare really begins.

Your apartment, haunting-free. You live on wine and chocolate milk, apparently.

“Walter” turns out to be the name of a deranged serial killer named Walter Sullivan, who believes he can resurrect his “mother” by carrying out the ritual of the 21 Sacraments—which consists of twenty-one separate murders, including his own suicide. Henry crawls through the hole in his apartment to different Otherworlds, where he meets the last of Walter’s to-be victims; he can do nothing to keep Walter from killing them and ensuring their deaths in the real world, as well. Soon he and his neighbor, Eileen Galvin, are the only two intended victims still living.

While the characters aren’t developed much due to their, erm, untimely deaths, the story itself plays out in a unique and incredibly chilling manner. You’ll be dragged down into the abyss with Henry—especially once your apartment no longer acts as a sanctuary, instead susceptible to various types of deadly haunting. The Room specializes in a genuine feeling of suffocation and growing isolation: People are dying around you, and no one outside your room can hear your cries. On top of that, you’re left with a frighteningly nonexistent sense of control. Henry becomes an unwilling servant to the 21 Sacraments, forced to stop an immortal Walter from completing the ritual. Ghosts can’t be killed, only warded away or stopped; half the time you have no idea where the Otherworld holes are going to take you next; your apartment and soon the entire building becomes a hell, whose limits Walter eventually breaches. No place is safe, and the game you thought you were playing starts taking on an entirely different set of rules.

Lose the Black, Keep the Trenchcoat

As far as villains go, Walter Sullivan succeeds at freaking me the hell out—and he completely takes advantage of that fact. With a blood-stained, terrifying visage and an intimidating demeanor, Walter lives up to his serial killer name. The first time you meet you practically run into him on the stairs, and before you can even think to run away, he starts having a pleasant conversation with you. Of course, he actually intends to trick you by giving you a cursed item. From the beginning, Walter toys with you, knowing he’s saving you for last. From the hospital scene to the forest chase, Walter’s actions are horrifyingly unpredictable … and wonderfully so.

This washed out picture really doesn't do Walter justice. I'll be over there, crying.

The Cut-Out Heart of Interior Decorating

The Room boasts detailed, grotesque environments completely aware of their place. Your apartment feels bland, like all crappy apartments are—at least until hauntings begin to adorn it with bloodied chairs, faces in the wall, and children’s shadows in your closet. Regardless of evil spirits, each time you return to room 302, there’s something new to be discovered—whether it’s red diary pages from the resident before you tucked neatly under your door or Walter stalking you through your door’s peephole.

And of course, Akira Yamaoka provides an always excellent score; strengthened with vocals by Joe Romersa, the soundtrack wields some of the best vocal songs in the series.

What You Won’t Like

Next Time Bring the Chocolate Milk

The concept of traveling through holes to other dimensions—which reveal the secrets of the cult-run Wish House where Walter grew up—plays out well until you’re burdened by inconvenience. Silent Hill 4 bears the shame of being the only game in the series with a limited inventory system and no means of discarding, which means you’ll have to make frequent and annoying trips back to your room and dig through its storage box in order to progress. Combat suffers from cumbersome execution, as well. Although the dodge and charge features are helpful, there’s no way to efficiently switch between targets.

Monkey see, monkey do. Enemies aren't too difficult once you know their mannerisms.

Having virtually no control over your situation makes for a captivating story, but not when it comes to gameplay. You’re given practically no guidance as to why collecting saint medallions and saving loads of health are important measures to take for later in the game, which can lead to a decent dose of frustration.

And speaking of that, Eileen might be that caring and self-conscious girl next door you never get the chance to ask out since you’re, oh yeah, trapped in your room thanks to a madman, but she quickly becomes one of the worst examples of escort missions. She’s injured to begin with, and her limp and clingy nature means constantly making sure she’s close enough to follow you through doors. This quickly becomes irritating due to the growing presence of ghosts and Walter, who turns aggressive in the latter half of the game. Plus, Eileen can’t drop down holes or use ladders, so you’ll have to find a different way to move from Otherworld to Otherworld. However, she can be surprisingly advantageous a fight, and needs much less healing than Henry.

Hurry, Henry!

The pieces slowly come together in the first half of the game, but the second chunk with Eileen focuses too much on cramming story and gameplay into several hours’ time. Returning to your apartment won’t heal you; although the interaction between the Otherworlds and your apartment—like it’s being contaminated by Walter’s reality—makes the game more interesting, the hauntings don’t really start until the second half. You’ll want to hunt down every holy candle you can, because later each visit back to your apartment means another haunting to clean up before the situation worsens.

Ghosts will give Henry (and you) a sizable headache.

Not to mention you can almost zip through the Otherworlds revisited, whose maps are significantly less extensive the second time. Compared to previous Silent Hill games when the sirens take over, the change here feels more than a little lacking.

Silent … Mountain?

The game begins in South Ashfield Heights and takes you to Otherworlds near your apartment—the subway, St. Jerome Hospital, etc. Silent Hill has little do with it, including the style. Ghosts have never had prominence in the series, and the absence of boss battles causes the game stray from the usual, too. I’m an advocate of giving series titles the room (no pun intended) to evolve, but not when it comes to wandering away from its spirit (again with the puns) entirely. The Room probably would have been better off if it had been released as a separate game altogether. At least the voice-acting is decent … except for the emotionally stunted yet handsome Henry and his hilariously emo way of dying.

Recommendation:

While I enjoyed The Room, it wasn’t until my second play-through that I truly warmed up to the game. It barely holds on to the name Silent Hill, for gone is the flashlight and sirens, heavy shadows, and psychological torment. As far as horror goes, SH4 does a decent job, yet perhaps not on the level of the series’ previous titles. For a game that only requires around ten or eleven hours depending on whether or not you know what you’re doing, a more even pace for the latter half would have done a world of good. Even though flaws in execution bring Silent Hill 4: The Room down a notch or two, the overall experience is still impressively worth the, well … sacrifice. 8/10

Handsome Haunted Henry.

Review format credited to the Girls Entertainment Network

Tags: Konami, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Silent Hill, Team Silent, that isn't eyeshadow she's sporting, that or she was going to slut it up at that party, that outfit tells me yes, The Room, Xbox
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