Wednesday 20 February 2013
Review: Dead Space 3
Howdy folks!
One of the most influential games of our recent years, Dead Space has remodelled the zombie and horror industry, furthering the tactics and gameplay more than just "Aim for the head."
Since the very first time Isaac Clarke took control of a Plasma Cutter, many gamers have been hooked on the horror of space, necromorphs and the extremely detailed storyline. With the finale Dead Space 3 finally in our hands, the words "once more unto the breach" come to mind as this is definitely the largest Dead Space story to date.
With another Dead Space, I must first mention the gameplay. To be honest, I was extremely worried that some enemies will fight back with guns, especially the necromorphs. While the game is much more heavily action packed, the horror is still alive and strong. Many moments will see you entrapped in small, dark places as well as enemies pouring from under your feet and out of the snow all the while, the crazed followers of Unitology trying to shoot both you and them. With brand new enemies, new ways to kill and the crafting option (I'll get to that soon), the gameplay is unique each and every time. The only exception is the Optional/Co-Op missions. While these can be fun and give you huge boosts to your salvage, many of the areas are quite dull and can repeat...a lot.
The storyline is just as impressive as before. Gunner Wright as the voice and face of Isaac Clarke returns to his anger filled role and truly brings his A game. Alongside John Carver (Ricardo Chavira) brings some funny back and forth moments during elevators as well as during gunfights. Ellie (Sonita Henry) while slightly bland in the prequel to the game finally came out of her shell, so to speak, as the fights between Isaac and her new partner Robert (Robert Gant) begins to escalate.
Graphics, while updated, still have the odd moment of oddness during some cutscenes. The enviroment looks amazing, but maybe some of the characters needed a little bit more work, even if they were only side characters.
Musical scores have been majorly updated this time around; while scores were rare but beautiful during the prequels, Visceral really went out on this one. From large booming music, to city life, to the eerie void of space, somewhere through the game you will always have a chance to listen to this gorgeous musical score.
Now, ono the bonuses.
This time around, crafting weaponry, med packs, ammo and more has made the game that much more of a challenge. Areas won't open unless you craft a handle for the door, ammo won't appear unless you craft it in Hardcore mode and so on. Removing the Shop option for the first time in a Dead Space game was a risky move, but gamers can expect to spend half an hour alone crafting and testing new weapons, attaching powerful clips to your guns, salvaging all you can with your Scavenger Bots and much much more. However, a warning: I have been experiencing a lot of glitches and bugs. Going up or down ladders, opening a new door or even trying to craft a new weapon has been leaving my game frozen. Music, sound effects and even conversation between Isaac and the others will still commence but the game will completely freeze. There hasn't been a lot of reported cases of these but this still quite diminished the experience.
All of which aside, Dead Space 3 is longer, more action packed with huge amounts of gore and violence. For those still considering buying this game, I'd definitely recommend it; the storyline, gameplay and even the Co-Op gameplay is a huge treat. Dead Space 3 is one of those rare games that leaves you craving for more and out of breath and to dig into spoiler territory: remember to watch the credits.
Out of 10, I give Dead Space 3 an 8/10
Good Points
+ Utterly excellent storyline.
+ Gameplay is fun and addictive
+ Crafting has huge brownie points
+ Co-Op brings a whole new side to the game
+ Musical score/voice acting = sublime
Bad Points
- Bugs and glitches = Sad face.
- Deaths of side characters...a bit pointless
- Graphics on characters could have had a bit more time worked on
Dead Space 3 is out now for the standard price of $80
Since the very first time Isaac Clarke took control of a Plasma Cutter, many gamers have been hooked on the horror of space, necromorphs and the extremely detailed storyline. With the finale Dead Space 3 finally in our hands, the words "once more unto the breach" come to mind as this is definitely the largest Dead Space story to date.
With another Dead Space, I must first mention the gameplay. To be honest, I was extremely worried that some enemies will fight back with guns, especially the necromorphs. While the game is much more heavily action packed, the horror is still alive and strong. Many moments will see you entrapped in small, dark places as well as enemies pouring from under your feet and out of the snow all the while, the crazed followers of Unitology trying to shoot both you and them. With brand new enemies, new ways to kill and the crafting option (I'll get to that soon), the gameplay is unique each and every time. The only exception is the Optional/Co-Op missions. While these can be fun and give you huge boosts to your salvage, many of the areas are quite dull and can repeat...a lot.
The storyline is just as impressive as before. Gunner Wright as the voice and face of Isaac Clarke returns to his anger filled role and truly brings his A game. Alongside John Carver (Ricardo Chavira) brings some funny back and forth moments during elevators as well as during gunfights. Ellie (Sonita Henry) while slightly bland in the prequel to the game finally came out of her shell, so to speak, as the fights between Isaac and her new partner Robert (Robert Gant) begins to escalate.
Graphics, while updated, still have the odd moment of oddness during some cutscenes. The enviroment looks amazing, but maybe some of the characters needed a little bit more work, even if they were only side characters.
Musical scores have been majorly updated this time around; while scores were rare but beautiful during the prequels, Visceral really went out on this one. From large booming music, to city life, to the eerie void of space, somewhere through the game you will always have a chance to listen to this gorgeous musical score.
Now, ono the bonuses.
This time around, crafting weaponry, med packs, ammo and more has made the game that much more of a challenge. Areas won't open unless you craft a handle for the door, ammo won't appear unless you craft it in Hardcore mode and so on. Removing the Shop option for the first time in a Dead Space game was a risky move, but gamers can expect to spend half an hour alone crafting and testing new weapons, attaching powerful clips to your guns, salvaging all you can with your Scavenger Bots and much much more. However, a warning: I have been experiencing a lot of glitches and bugs. Going up or down ladders, opening a new door or even trying to craft a new weapon has been leaving my game frozen. Music, sound effects and even conversation between Isaac and the others will still commence but the game will completely freeze. There hasn't been a lot of reported cases of these but this still quite diminished the experience.
All of which aside, Dead Space 3 is longer, more action packed with huge amounts of gore and violence. For those still considering buying this game, I'd definitely recommend it; the storyline, gameplay and even the Co-Op gameplay is a huge treat. Dead Space 3 is one of those rare games that leaves you craving for more and out of breath and to dig into spoiler territory: remember to watch the credits.
Out of 10, I give Dead Space 3 an 8/10
Good Points
+ Utterly excellent storyline.
+ Gameplay is fun and addictive
+ Crafting has huge brownie points
+ Co-Op brings a whole new side to the game
+ Musical score/voice acting = sublime
Bad Points
- Bugs and glitches = Sad face.
- Deaths of side characters...a bit pointless
- Graphics on characters could have had a bit more time worked on
Dead Space 3 is out now for the standard price of $80
Sunday 10 February 2013
Friday 8 February 2013
Tuesday 5 February 2013
Review: Black Ops 2 Revolution DLC
Howdy guys and gals!
The Call of Duty series is extremely well known within the gaming community these days, veteran gamer or brand new or even not at all, many people have heard of Call of Duty. However, with knowledge comes a reputation and the CoD franchise. The best quality of Treyarch and why I respect them very much is due to how they listen and care for what the fans like and wish to see and with their latest DLC, Black Ops 2 is definitely taking many gamer's notice.
Featuring four brand new maps, one brand new Zombie map as well as a brand new mode, Revolution has definitely come running out of the gate. The map Hydrid takes place in a large hydro plant overlooking a water fall. However, the massive game changer is how during randomised time during mid match, a voice will call and the water level will suddenly rise. Any person caught down there or who try to face the current will die. Grind is definitely my favourite, taking place in a skating arena in L.A, this map features curved and slanted areas, providing odd cover. While you may be behind cover, there's still a chance that you're not. While the map is fun, it does encourage mass amounts of camping due to its high points. Mirage takes place in a sandstormed China hotel. The map is large with open areas but has chokehold areas as well. This map favours the SMG users and makes perfect practice for the brand new weapon, the Peacekeeper.
Downhill features on a giant mountain top. While this map is indeed spacey, like Grind, it favours many campers. Fun to play on and definitely the fan favourite at this current time.
Die Rise is the brand new Zombie map and I must admit, I'm quite in love with the setout of the map. Make sure to play with friends as veterans will go on without on the elevators and leave you stranded, as every zombie floods to the elevators for access to the other pieces of brains. Weapons are very, very rare on walls until you get the power on, but this can be done within the first level if you play by yourself. Remember to lay traps (if you have them) and watch your corners as Zombies can come flooding out walls to which you can't patch up, even with Carpenter.
The brand new mode Turned is the first in its kind to allow players to play as Zombies. One person who reaches the marker first is the human and as a zombie, you long for his brains. The gameplay is set for 5 minutes each round and is very fast paced. Each kill earns you a brand new weapon, from pistol, to shotgun, to assault rifle and more. However, each kill forces you to load these weapons and leaves you defenceless if smart zombies attack in a group. While this new mode is only set for The Diner so far, I hope this makes it to the other maps, as all previous modes are now available on every single map, excluding Die Rise.
The one biggest fault with the DLC is that it's automatically loaded into all gaming modes, so folks without the DLC will be booted from the match, since they don't have it. While it does offer you to play the new maps seperately, folks who don't have the new DLC might be slightly annoyed.
Overall, this is definitely a DLC that you don't want to miss out on. Zombie fans will be extremly pleased with the new map and modes and MP fans will love the brand new map packs and Peacekeeper, the first of its kind.
Out of 10, I give Revolution an 7.5/10
The Revolution DLC for Black Ops 2 is out now for 1200 MSP or free for Season Pass Holders
Featuring four brand new maps, one brand new Zombie map as well as a brand new mode, Revolution has definitely come running out of the gate. The map Hydrid takes place in a large hydro plant overlooking a water fall. However, the massive game changer is how during randomised time during mid match, a voice will call and the water level will suddenly rise. Any person caught down there or who try to face the current will die. Grind is definitely my favourite, taking place in a skating arena in L.A, this map features curved and slanted areas, providing odd cover. While you may be behind cover, there's still a chance that you're not. While the map is fun, it does encourage mass amounts of camping due to its high points. Mirage takes place in a sandstormed China hotel. The map is large with open areas but has chokehold areas as well. This map favours the SMG users and makes perfect practice for the brand new weapon, the Peacekeeper.
Downhill features on a giant mountain top. While this map is indeed spacey, like Grind, it favours many campers. Fun to play on and definitely the fan favourite at this current time.
Die Rise is the brand new Zombie map and I must admit, I'm quite in love with the setout of the map. Make sure to play with friends as veterans will go on without on the elevators and leave you stranded, as every zombie floods to the elevators for access to the other pieces of brains. Weapons are very, very rare on walls until you get the power on, but this can be done within the first level if you play by yourself. Remember to lay traps (if you have them) and watch your corners as Zombies can come flooding out walls to which you can't patch up, even with Carpenter.
The brand new mode Turned is the first in its kind to allow players to play as Zombies. One person who reaches the marker first is the human and as a zombie, you long for his brains. The gameplay is set for 5 minutes each round and is very fast paced. Each kill earns you a brand new weapon, from pistol, to shotgun, to assault rifle and more. However, each kill forces you to load these weapons and leaves you defenceless if smart zombies attack in a group. While this new mode is only set for The Diner so far, I hope this makes it to the other maps, as all previous modes are now available on every single map, excluding Die Rise.
The one biggest fault with the DLC is that it's automatically loaded into all gaming modes, so folks without the DLC will be booted from the match, since they don't have it. While it does offer you to play the new maps seperately, folks who don't have the new DLC might be slightly annoyed.
Overall, this is definitely a DLC that you don't want to miss out on. Zombie fans will be extremly pleased with the new map and modes and MP fans will love the brand new map packs and Peacekeeper, the first of its kind.
Out of 10, I give Revolution an 7.5/10
The Revolution DLC for Black Ops 2 is out now for 1200 MSP or free for Season Pass Holders
Monday 4 February 2013
10'000 Views!? THANK YOU!
G'day there guys and gals!
First off, HOLY MOTHER! 10'000 Views!? Really!? Thank you all so very much!
Four months ago, this blog reached its second birthday, two days ago we were four views short of 10'000 and already I'm now here! I honestly believed I'd never get this far, this is just fantastic.
I know it's silly, but there's a few people I'd like to give a small shoutout to. Thanks very much to James D and Ryan S for all the support and giving me info when I desperately needed it, it's always better to ask for help when you need it. To friends and family alike, I thank you all deeply from the bottom of my heart. James B, thanks for forever putting a smile on my face, Rachael McF, thank you for all the motivation, Blade B, thank you for always having my back. There's so many others but remember that your support is always so greatly appreciated!
To my good buddy James Mills AKA LittleVMills, many, many thanks for all the support and encouragement and especially your music. A man with greater talent than I, I wish you all the best for the future and I still owe you that match! I haven't forgotten, but time differences are annoying!
Also, special thanks to Rick Murray, Malufenix and a bunch of other Youtubers for giving me heaps of support with my YT content.
And finally, there's one more shoutout to give. You. That's right, you. If you just lucked upon this random page on the internet looking for a second opinion for a video game you want buy, an easier way to get a little boost to your achievements or just a video to watch, relax and have a chuckle, I can't thank you enough, especially those who have stuck by me these past few years.
Re-reading my very first review, it's interesting how much I've changed my style of reviews from writing my opinion to writing down page after page of info about that game. I should make that into a video one day.
BUT I digress.
In short, thank you all so much for all the support, letting me know you actually read my ramblings and watch me get scared in videos, if I can get at least one person watching me, then it's worth it. But now, there's been 10'000. That is just phenomenal.
And as always, have fun and game on!
Al.
PS: Black Ops 2 Revolution review coming up!
First off, HOLY MOTHER! 10'000 Views!? Really!? Thank you all so very much!
Four months ago, this blog reached its second birthday, two days ago we were four views short of 10'000 and already I'm now here! I honestly believed I'd never get this far, this is just fantastic.
I know it's silly, but there's a few people I'd like to give a small shoutout to. Thanks very much to James D and Ryan S for all the support and giving me info when I desperately needed it, it's always better to ask for help when you need it. To friends and family alike, I thank you all deeply from the bottom of my heart. James B, thanks for forever putting a smile on my face, Rachael McF, thank you for all the motivation, Blade B, thank you for always having my back. There's so many others but remember that your support is always so greatly appreciated!
To my good buddy James Mills AKA LittleVMills, many, many thanks for all the support and encouragement and especially your music. A man with greater talent than I, I wish you all the best for the future and I still owe you that match! I haven't forgotten, but time differences are annoying!
Also, special thanks to Rick Murray, Malufenix and a bunch of other Youtubers for giving me heaps of support with my YT content.
And finally, there's one more shoutout to give. You. That's right, you. If you just lucked upon this random page on the internet looking for a second opinion for a video game you want buy, an easier way to get a little boost to your achievements or just a video to watch, relax and have a chuckle, I can't thank you enough, especially those who have stuck by me these past few years.
Re-reading my very first review, it's interesting how much I've changed my style of reviews from writing my opinion to writing down page after page of info about that game. I should make that into a video one day.
BUT I digress.
In short, thank you all so much for all the support, letting me know you actually read my ramblings and watch me get scared in videos, if I can get at least one person watching me, then it's worth it. But now, there's been 10'000. That is just phenomenal.
And as always, have fun and game on!
Al.
PS: Black Ops 2 Revolution review coming up!
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