Review: Gripshift (PS3)

Graphics- 7/10
Sound- 8.5/10
Gameplay- 6/10
Replay Value- 6/10
Overall- 6.5/10

Gripshift for the PS3 looked like a nice racing game to get since there aren't too many games out right now, and for only $10 and loads of content, I decided I couldn't pass it up. However, it gets repetitive quick and after you realize this, nothing will keep you coming back for more.

If you read my preview of Gripshift, you know that I thought Gripshift would get repetitive. And it most certainly is. There are a nice variety of tracks, and although I'm not sure about the exact number, there are a LOT of tracks. Unless you have OCD and you must complete every game you own 100%, you will get bored. And even then, you will still probably get bored. This game is incredibly repetitive. To worsen the situation, the game features a steep learning curve. There are five difficulty levels: beginner, easy, intermediate, hard, and insane. Beginner is too easy. Easy is mostly easy, with some occasional hard objectives that require excellent timing to complete. Intermediate is somewhat easy, but starts to get a lot harder. Hard is pretty damn hard. Insane, well, to be honest, I gave up on this game before I got to insane, but I imagine it would be pretty freakin' insane. The game gets hard fairly quickly, and people with short attention spans (me) will get bored really quickly.

To mix up the gameplay, there are a few different environments the tracks are in. They all look nice, but there was nothing that wowed me. The cars also are well done, with cartoony graphics that actually add to the gameplay in the same way Katamari Damacy's did; it draws you into the experience. Also, the game features a techno soundtrack that fits well into the game. The soundtrack has good songs, and plenty of them, I think somewhere upwards of 30. I don't listen to techno, but I found several songs that I like.

That about sums up the single player section. Except for the racing. Yea, the racing... it's not very good. In the preview, I thought it was too easy. Well, the race that was featured was the first race in the entire game. The racing is easy in beginner and easy, a little harder in intermediate, challenging but still doable, and insane is near impossible. The racing features a "weapon system;" I guess you can call it that. There are three items: shield, TNT, and rockets. The shield is self-explanatory, the TNT is like a bomb or a mine, and the rocket is a homing missile. Simple enough, only the homing missile, the most useful of the weapons, has a tendency to suck. Turn sharply, and it will zoom right past you. And don't even try to use it on loops; it will only hit the enemy if they are two feet in front of you. The only multiplayer is online, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, except for there aren't many people online. On the plus side, there is a good sense of speed, and the game does feature simple and easy-to-use controls. So if you have $10 to spend and you need to play a decent racing game on the PS3, or you really like techno, buy this game. Otherwise, this game is a pass.

Pros: Only $10, soundtrack, simple controls, lots of tracks.
Cons: Repetitive, steep learning curve, repetitive, nobody online, repetitive.

Review: Eric

Review: Dynasty Warriors 4 (PS2*)

Graphics- 4/10
Sound- 6/10
Gameplay- 4/10
Replay Value- 6/10
Overall- 5/10

The 4th part of the Dynasty Warriors series- not much has changed... and that's a problem, a BIG problem.

Dynasty Warriors 4 is simple enough. You're in ancient China fighting thousands of cloned foot soldiers, squashing them like ants. As you rampage through the bland battlefield, a rock'n'roll soundtrack with a hint of the orient rages. This is the basic premise of Dynasty Warriors 4, just like 2 and 3.

The gameplay involves using the same two buttons to attack over and over again, making the game horridly repetitive and boring. Although you might find a few power ups and mounts such as horses and elephants along the way, it doesn't change. I've said it and I'll say it again- this game is PAINFULLY repetitive... As well, the graphics are so bland it's like you never change battlefields. Although the game allows you you to use different characters and unlock more along the way, it still plays the same in the same bland battlefields. The only bright spot is the music, for some. The mix of hard, metal rock and Chinese instruments might be welcomed by some, but it'll be annoying to others. The graphics, as I said, are bland. Although the player characters are actually well designed, the enemies in the game are all the same, and most of the time, that's all you'll see- the cloned soldiers and you. And as for the environments, I've already mentioned them- not good.

Dynasty Warriors 4 is a game that uses the same gameplay, same enemies, same environments, and same music throughout... no thank you.

Pros: Some might like the music, and the player's character looks cool.
Cons: Repetitive, repetitive, and repetitive. Bland environments and bland enemies.

Review: Vedran

* Also for Xbox, review only for PS2.

Editorial: Xbox 360 Elite- Is It Worth It ???

Many would wonder what the deal is with the 360 Elite. Is it even worth the money? Well, it's really up to the consumer. The main features of the Elite are an HDMI output and 120 gig hard drive. As well, the Elite has a matte black finish. What's missing though is a built in HD drive, meaning you still have to buy it separately. As well, the 120 GB hard drive can be bought separately. Also, the HDMI output can only be used on HDTVs with the HDMI input, and TVs such as this can be quite pricey. There is no real reason to trade in a regular 360 even if you have a TV with a HDMI input, the picture may not be that different from a component connection which also gives you a HD picture. And as I said, the 120 GB hard drive can be bought separately. The only real reason to get the Elite is if you don't have a 360 AND if you have the extra cash. Basically, the Elite plays the same games, MAY look a bit better through the HDMI output, and is matte black. This is just another 360 in my opinion...

Review: Guild Wars (PC)

Graphics- 9.5/10
Sound- 10/10
Gameplay- 10/10
Replay Value- 10/10
Overall- 9.5/10

Many people would have you believe that the only good thing about Guild Wars is that it's an MMO without a monthly fee. This is far from the truth. The fact that you get a huge online world without a monthly fee is just icing on the cake. Guild Wars offers tons of adventure, pvp, and story packed into a huge, wonderful, and beautiful world. This one is a must.

Many people would tear me apart if I said this game was better than WOW, about 8.5 million people would tear me apart, actually. But I really don't care, I'm here to give facts, not opinions. The first thing to note about Guild Wars is that it's online RPG without a monthly fee. But this is far from the only good thing about Guild Wars, in fact, this is just icing on the cake. The moment you get to the log on screen, an amazing score takes you away into a world of wondrous fantasy and adventure. Along with the beautiful music, the sound effects of this game are very clear and sharp. The sound really makes the game much more immersing. Along with the superb sound are some fine graphics. I will tell you now that the graphics are certainly NOT the best out there. Even so, the graphics are better than many other MMOs. But the reason the visuals are so wonderful is due to the game's stunning design. The environment, which is one of the most important parts of a RPGs, keeps you in the game's world with lands of rolling hills, snowy mountain peaks, amazing cities, dense forests, and the list just keeps going. The artists really took their time to design a world of true fantasy. Your surroundings are always filled with color and lots of detail. You can easily be taken by the environments.

But now it's time to focus on the most important part of a game- how it actually plays. Guild Wars easily delivers in terms of visuals and sound, but does its gameplay actually hold up to today's RPGs? Short answer- yes, it does, easily. Many would scorn this game as it has a level cap of level 20. But that's not the game's main RPG point. As with many RPGs, you have skills to use according to your character class. In fact, you have well over 100 of the most detailed skills in any RPG. These is where the game really shines. You can learn as many skills as you want, but you can only equip 8 skills for use. Also, every skill has very detailed effects. For example- you get +10 attack with a melee weapon, but if target blocks, you deal 10 damage only, but target is knocked down. In fact, this is actually one of the simpler skills available. These features make the gameplay heavy on quick strategy and smart skill combinations. As you level up, the effects of your skills get better and more skills become available, but you have to make smart choices when choosing which skills to use and how to do so. As I said, the skills available depend on your class, which can be- Warrior, Ranger, Mesmer, Elementalist, Necromancer, and Monk. From these professions, you can choose a primary and a secondary class. Along with all the skills you use throughout the game, you also come across various weaponry and armor that can be customized for various effects.

A very interesting part of Guild Wars is that it eliminates most of the grind that plagues so many MMORPGs by making gameplay very quest heavy. The easiest way to get armor, weapons, skills and experience is by completing the hundreds of quests available. Another interesting feature is the choice of making a RPG character or a PVP character. By choosing a PVP character, you get a level 20 character right away and can fight in arena style PVP matches. The problem is, you can't adventure into the actual world of Guild Wars and you can only use a small selection of armor and weapons. Although, if you choose the RPG character, you start from level one, and grow to level 20 with all the explorable areas open to you and access to all the weapons and armor available. Once an RPG character reaches level 20, they too can fight in arena PVP just like PVP characters. As well, lower level RPG characters have access to some PVP arenas, but the choices aren't as big as those in the level 20/ PVP only arenas.

Guild Wars is a game with a lot to offer- online play, PVP, a huge world filled with stunning creatures and environments, and tons of quests. Along with this, you get an amazing musical score with some of the best fantasy designs in a game. As well, you can travel endlessly through the world, so that, along with the PVP, keeps you playing for months on end. Guild Wars is easily one of the best games out there.

Pros: Lots of quests in a huge and stunning world. Wonderful designs. Great gameplay with lots of action and strategy. Great soundtrack.
Cons: Not the best graphics out there.

Review: Vedran

Review: Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!

Graphics- 8/10
Sound- 9.5/10
Gameplay- 9/10
Replay Value- 8.5/10
Overall- 8.5/10

Brain Age is a great pick up for the price, but be warned this is not for every one. It strays away from typical video games and actually forces to think. Seriously.

Brains age is Nintendo trying to capture a different audience when it comes to Video Game. They where aiming for an adult audience, if you remember the commercials that ran when this game first came out. It was aimed at the "forgetful" adult, who wants to improve their brain power. This game apparently achieved that because it is one of the best selling games for the DS. To me it is pretty obvious why. It is actually a good game, I did not expect to like it as much as I did. From your first brain age check you will become hooked on lowering it to twenty. The problem is that when you get it low you might not play for a few days because you are afraid of re-lowering it, or you risk having to take a test that you are bad at. Speaking of tests let's talk about those seeing as that is the main point of the game.

The first two tests I'll talk about are the most obvious ones, the calculation tests. There is Calculation x20 and Calculation x100. The two tests are basically said numbers of different types of Math problems. Calculation x20 is obviously the easier of the two, but not just because there is a lower amount of problems, they also seem to be easier. Calculation x100 is much more grueling and annoying (in that good "I'm so close" way.) The only big problem is you will most likely have problems with some numbers at first, mainly four and eight. The problem with four is that sometimes it can be misread as a nine, which is understandable. The bigger of the two problems it eight - you have to draw it perfectly straight and that is pretty hard when you are trying to go really fast. After awhile though you won't have that much of a problem. The next test is Syllable Count. This test is simple enough, yet addictive. You are given a phrase and you have to write the correct amount of syllables. The first time you attempt this test you might be surprised, because it is actually harder than it seems. The first couple of times I was surprised at my overall score, but by the third time I was much improved (yes, the game does actually work.) I still remember the first time I didn't get any wrong, it was surprisingly exciting. The next test is by far the worst one - Reading Aloud. You are given a passage and you have to read out loud as fast as you can..don't slur though. There are two problems A.) You feel like a complete idiot, and B.) It is way two easy to cheat, you can just hit next even if you haven't read the passage. Thank god you have the option of saying weather or not you can speak aloud. Nest is Head Count. One of the hardest ones by far. You have to count a certain number of people and then a house falls down in front of them. People then start to enter or leave the house. You have to keep track of the number of people in the house because at the end you have to write the correct number of people in the house. Lastly we have is Low to High. Sets of numbers are shown on the left and you have to quickly memorize them because once they disappear you have to touch the correct boxes from low to high on the right side. There are a few other tests I didn't mention, mainly because they are nothing special and they work well.

The other aspect of the game is the Sudoku. This works out very well mainly because any number problems you experienced seem to melt away during play. This is also helped by the fact that you are given time to make sure the number is read correctly before you accept. There are over 100 puzzles on three varying levels of difficulty, so it's sure to keep any Sudoku avid busy for at least a little bit. The other great thing about this game is Dr. Kawashima - he's hilarious! Just watch his face and you'll see what I'm talking about and some of the tips he gives you are actually pretty useful. The only really bad thing is that you have to unlock certain games and they can take a real long time, at least some of them can. If you are thinking about buying this game be warned this is not a party game, but it is fun in general. Basically Nintendo nailed what they were trying to do by appealing to older gamers so proceed with caution if you aren't and older gamer or if this is something that isn't that appealing to you...if it isn't why are you reading this?

Pros: Sudoku, Dr. Kawashima, Some games work well.
Cons: Some games don't work well, Not a party game.

Review: Dan

Review: Internet Channel (Wii)

Overall - 8.5/10

The trial version of the Internet Channel was very well done but it did lack a lot of features. The final version of it seems to have cleared up most of those problems rather nicely.

Ever since I got the trial version of the Internet channel I was very excited to see what could be done with the final version and if you can't already figure it out, I am very impressed. They managed to clear up one of my biggest problems with the trial version. The loading time. Starting up the channel took forever, a good two minutes sometimes. Now, it seems like it won't take longer than thirty seconds. Speaking of loading times, the pages also seem to load quicker, always a welcomed improvement to any web browser. The improved loading times appear to have helped Nintendo achieve their original goal of making the Internet Channel something that can be used "quickly during commercials to look up that actors name." In addition they also added parental controls making it more family friendly, stressing the whole family aspect that Nintendo is trying to achieve with the Wii.

Those aren't the only think that Nintendo/Opera has improved on. They have improved zooming and scrolling. The zooming still has set levels to zoom but rather than there only being to set levels there are multiple levels, allowing you to get nice and detailed. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be clear zoom feature. As for the scrolling, I never had a big problem, but lots of people apparently complained. Now I can see why people were complaining because the new style is much easier to use. Another thing is you can now store up to 48 favorites, and while I never hit the limit before, more is always welcome. Moving right along, next we have the built in search feature. It's nice but not 100% necessary, but I guess it does make searching faster. Next, we have new cursor animations and operation sounds. They both weren't needed but they do look/sound cool, so it's positive. In addition they have added the option to delete cookies (pervert) and also have added a built-in support manual (definitely helpful for some). Lastly, you can now enter an address from the toolbar. Before you had to go back to the home page to do this. Along with those improved features there are many other ones that I didn't mention.

My only true problem with the browser is it's lack of support for certain types of pages. There are plenty that it does support but there are some missing. The biggest one being the new Yahoo Mail (Beta). One of Nintendo's goals was to allow people to check there email from the living room. Sorry Nintendo, not working out so well for me. There are other pages that aren't supported, I just don't know the type. The only thing you need to know from reading this is that you should download this. Even after June when it costs 500 Wii Points ($5.) It is well worth it and hopeful will be even more worth it in the feature (Opera should be able to improve it via download-able updates .)

Pros: All improvements/changes seem to work well.
Cons: No clear zoom function, Certain types of sites lack support.

Review: Dan

Review: Ratchet and Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal (PS2)

Graphics- 9.5/10
Sound- 9.5/10
Gameplay- 10/10
Replay Value- 10/10
Overall- 10/10

Ratchet and Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal is the best game in the series from Insomniac. They took what worked well from the previous game, and added multiplayer, both split-screen and online, to create a very fun adventure that shouldn't be missed.

If you've read my reviews for the first two games, you'll notice that I am a huge fan of the Ratchet and Clank series. And after the second one, I was very excited to see what would be in store in the next edition. And, even with such high expectations, those expectations were met. No, exceeded. This game throws you right in the action and never lets you out. There is never a dull moment in this game. And because of this, this game is a little harder than Going Commando. I think this is because the developers were assuming if you are playing this one, you have played the one or both of the previous two, so you know what you are doing. Also, as a side note, this game is making me incredibly excited for Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (the next game in the series, coming out on PS3 later this year, if you didn't know).

Up Your Arsenal looks about the same as Going Commando, as in there are no huge graphical upgrades, but this definitely isn't a bad thing. The universe that Insomniac has created is vast and brings the game to life. And so does the sound. The weapon sound effects are fantastic and unique, and the background music is creative and fits well in this universe. The graphics aren't perfect, though, as there are some minor clipping issues, especially with big head mode. On the plus side, however, they have fixed the camera problems from the previous game. Also, even when the screen is loaded with enemies, there is no lag to speak of, which is quite an accomplishment for a later-gen PS2 game. Plus, the developers added in a new control scheme, called Lock-Strafe mode. Although it took a little getting used to, it paid off because it is very useful.

This game is shorter than the previous one, and about as long as the first, maybe a little longer. Because of this, you can finish the story in a weekend (which I have actually done). But I said story for a reason. There is so much to do in this game that it would be impossible to finish 100% in one weekend. The weapon upgrading is back in this version, but now you can upgrade your weapons to eight different versions (five in first run-through, three in challenge mode), as opposed to only three in Going Commando. Also, titanium bolts (gold bolts in Ratchet and Clank 1, platinum bolts in Ratchet and Clank 2) are back, and instead of using them for weapon upgrades as in the first two, they are used to by skins for Ratchet during the game. Gameplay with Clank is just about gone, as you will only use him three or four times throughout the whole game. I was rather disappointed with this move, as the Clank sections are often the most creative gameplay-wise in the whole game.

The thing that sets Up Your Arsenal apart from the previous two games was the addition of multiplayer. There are three different game modes: deathmatch, capture the flag, and siege, where there are two teams trying to destroy each other's base. The game is fun to play with your friends in split-screen, but really shines online. The online system worked very well. The only bad part was that stats could be somewhat manipulated and the ranking system was a little finicky at times. Other than that, though, the system was very solid for Insomniac's first attempt at online. By the way, I have checked, and even though this game was released in 2004, and a sequel (Ratchet: Deadlocked) has come out, people are still playing this game online. This game is amazing and you should buy this game if you are looking for a fun, and funny, adventure.

Pros: Somehow better than Ratchet and Clank 2, online multiplayer, funny, controls.
Cons: Some clipping issues, (almost) no playing as Clank.

Review: Eric

Review: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PS3*)

Graphics- 9.5/10
Sound- 10/10
Gameplay- 10/10
Replay Value- 10/10
Overall- 10/10

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for the PS3 is the best game out for the PS3 thus far. It is just about the same game as the 360 version, but with added content and improved loading times. And as with the 360 version, this game is a must-buy.

Wow. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is simply stunning. If you have a PS3, or a Xbox 360 for that matter, you must buy this game. It is just that good. There is just so much stuff to do. If you have been living under a rock, let me explain what kind of game Oblivion is. It is an RPG set in a huge world with plenty to explore. And like I said before, there is plenty to do. If you like being the warrior, killing everything in sight, you will have fun. If you would prefer to be a mage, casting spells and doing other mage things, you will have fun. And if you just like to goof off and mess around, oh man, will you have fun. The main quest is pretty good, but other than that, there are so many other quests, each as interesting as the next. There are plenty of factions to join, along with a new one for the PS3 version. The combat system works well, and there is plenty of stuff to kill. And once you kill those things, you will discover the immense multitude of items and weapons in the game.

The orchestral soundtrack is a perfect fit for this game. The graphics are also amazing, and everything in the game is super-detailed. But because of the violence, some people might be turned off by this game. The only problem with the graphics is the weird animations for your character. I you don't know what I mean, switch to third-person view, walk in a diagonal line and jump. Other than that, though, this game is nearly perfect. If you need more convincing, read the 360 review.

That being said, this game is, more or less, the same game that came out for the Xbox 360, and all of the extra content can be purchased for the Xbox 360 version. Not that that's a bad thing. It's just that if you have played the 360 version, you know what you are getting. I guess this is the better version, but there isn't much of an improvement. On the other hand, if you can afford an Xbox 360 and a Playstation 3, then you should have enough money to afford both copies. So, like I said before, buy this game. I think my friend described it best when he said, "So, it's like an MMORPG, without the online multiplayer aspect," which is exactly what this game is. A massive RPG. Get this game. You will not be disappointed.

Pros: Plenty to do, graphics are amazing, sound is amazing, very fun, problems with 360 version fixed.
Cons: May not be for everybody, some animations look weird.

Review: Eric

*Also available for the 360. Review for PS3 only.

Editorial: Why "Home" Could Push the PS3 to The Top

Dan: Damn you Sony. I now want a PS3 more than ever. I will admit to being a pretty big Nintendo fanboy but it looks like Sony is pulling to the top, at least with strong ideas. Let it be known that I was always going to get a PS3, I was just going to wait for a time that I could purchase one without getting shot in the face by a BB... which doesn't hurt as much as you would think. I knew nothing about home until I saw the trailer above and I was floored. The potential that is there is phenomenal. I really hope they don't screw this up.

Eric: To be honest, Home came as a surprise to me. I was hoping Sony would make something that could compete with Xbox Live, but I didn't think they could do it without totally ripping Live off. Instead they decided to rip off Second Life, which is fine with me. Unlike some people, I am very excited about what Sony could do with Home. I am also a little worried. Home could work very well, or it can turn into a scam to get people's money. Hopefully, though, Sony will get this right.

Let's start with what they could get right. They could allow people to see where their friends are and let them join their friends. They could not charge for Home. They could, in addition to having brand-name products, Nike, Adidas, etc., allow users to create their own products to wear. By the way, that was stuff that they should do. Some suggestions that I have would be to have a leaderboard for games in the lobby or somewhere else. Also, if they included some sort of system where you get better stuff the more achievements or the more games you have beaten, that would be pretty sweet. However, I think it would be rather difficult to do this without some people taking advantage and misusing the system.

Now let's talk about what they might do wrong. First off, if they charge for Home, they made a mistake. I expect them to charge for some things in Home, like games, etc., but not for the ability to use Home. They say they won't, but does Sony always keep their promises? Second, if some of the products in Home are relatively expensive (more than $5), they made a big mistake. People had to shell out $600 for the console, they shouldn't have to keep making us pay. Lastly, if they do not include some sort of achievement system, they made a huge mistake. This is one of the best parts in Xbox Live, and adds a sense of competitiveness to every game (nevertheless, games should be worth playing without achievements; achievements should just be an add-on). Sony needs this so you can see if you are better than your friends, assuming you have friends (no offense to lonely people).

Dan: Eric is right, the money aspect worries me. Charging for things would really make the idea sour in my mind. They could really screw up by charging for everything. It appears that they will be charging for upgrades. Such as a bigger house... etc. This is ok with me long as they give you a reasonable sized house to start out with. The other thing that they could mess up is charging for items. I expect there to be items by big companies like NIKE that you can pay for but I hope that Sony will have plenty of free or really cheap items. They could even go as far an in game currency system to buy certain items. To me what they charge for and how much could determine if it sinks or swims. So, they had better not charge for Home. While I would probably shell out the money eventually, it would feel the same to me. I would feel more obligated to play it so I didn't waste my money on something I don't play. If they didn't charge I would pick it up any play at my leisure and enjoy it much more. Lastly, Eric is right - an achievement system of some sort is all but required. It is a huge mistake to not include something along those lines. Look at how successful it is on the 360. The do need a wall of fame for all time high scores on games. Imagine if you were on that wall. To be honest it can make a bad game good. Many games that you wouldn't want to play normally you will want to go back to because you think you can get a really good score that everyone can see.

Eric: Well, that's our opinions about PS3 Home. It'll be good if it's free/cheap and if Sony can do an achievement system well. It'll be bad if it's expensive and doesn't enhance the gaming experience whatsoever. You can expect our preview in April or May (when the beta is supposed to be released) and the final review in fall.

Editorial: Dan, Eric

Review: Super Mario Sunshine (Gamecube)

Graphics- 9.5/10
Sound- 10/10
Gameplay- 9.5/10
Replay Value- 9/10
Overall- 9.5/10

Super Mario Sunshine is the sequel to the massively successful Super Mario 64 for the N64. This puts it against some pretty stiff competition. That being said the game is still very well done and manages to incorporate many of the elements of Super Mario 64.

This is one of the better reviewed games on the Gamecube and for good reason. This game manages to recapture a lot of the magic that Super Mario 64 presented, but unfortunately this game isn't as groundbreaking as 64 was. Don't misinterpret that as me saying that it is a bad game, it's still great. The game starts out with Mario, Peach and Toad on a vacation to Delfino Isle. Once they arrive they discover the island has been covered with graffiti. As a result, the islands power source, "Shine Sprites" have disappeared and to make matters worse the person polluting the island is disguised as Mario, leading to him being accused of all the pollution. He is tried and found guilty and must clean up the island as punishment. This is achieved with the help of a hand-dandy little tool called "FLUDD," which of course stands for "Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device." I give Shigeru Miyamoto props here, as he strayed away from the typical formula of Princess captured, Mario rescue. Well at least for awhile anyway...after a certain number of stars Peach is in fact captured and the focus of the game is shifted to her recuse rather than cleaning. Speaking of cleaning I forgot to mention that it is actually pretty fun even if it doesn't sound like it. In fact, that is the reason I didn't purchase the game when it first came out. I liked Mario games and wanted his next 3D adventure but the thought of you cleaning an island as the main focus just did not appeal to me. I was wrong, the FLUDD does add a whole new, great element to gameplay. Speaking of gameplay another new feature was added that I'm undecided about. It's the blue coins, every ten you collect you can purchase a Shine Sprite. I'm just not sure if you should be able to buy stars in a Mario game, they're about collecting stars and challenging yourself to get them all.

One of the things that was highly touted before this game was released was the graphics. They where touted for a good reason, they where they best on the Cube at that point and still are up towards the top. The best part of the graphics is defiantly the water graphics, which seems appropriate given the goal in the game. Unfortunately you might not get to admire the water graphics all that well because you will not be swimming underwater a lot. This isn't because there isn't opportunities to, because there are, it's because the underwater swimming system is very annoying and hard to control. Unlike Super Mario 64 underwater swimming is something you will want to avoid. Speaking of Super Mario 64, this game is definitely a sequel to it. It has many of the same elements that made is a massive success. You may ask why the score is slightly lower than its successor. That is mainly because this game lacks the newness that Mario 64 presented and is know for. However along with that comes the other thing that Super Mario 64 is well known for - the bad camera and unfortunately the camera is pretty much the same in Sunshine. There is one big improvement in this area , and that is the see-through system. When the camera gets caught and you are behind a building or wall that would normally obscure your view and easily make you lose some of your life everything will became see though. This allows you to be on the look-out for enemies and items and the like.

To me the best feature is the music/soundtrack. The music sets the "tone" nicely for a Mario game. The main music for Delfino Plaza gets annoying because you are in that area so much, but it still catchy, especially when you are riding Yoshi (he's back!) However the best music is far and away when you do "throwback" levels (old Mario side-scroller with a 3D twist.) It's the best because it's the original Mario theme...only it's a capella. C'mon. That is up with the likes of "It's Dangerous!" It just doesn't get any better than that. While that is the best feature the worst feature is something I can't believe was messed with... and that is the stars. They have been fine in previous games, but they just look queer. To be fair they are "Shine Sprites," not stars, but still. Seriously though, the main problem with this game is it's lack of freshness that we expect from a Mario game... hell, a Miyamoto game for that matter. That leads to me not wanting to play the game for as long as I did with Super Mario 64. Then again it might be unfair to compare this game to one of the best games ever (second to me behind Ocarina of Time.) Yet, to argue my point again that is what I was expecting from this game. Wow, I think I've even confused myself now. The point is this is still a great game and should be purchased before stores stop selling Gamecube games.

Pros: Many of the same elements of Super Mario 64, Music (a capella!), Graphics.
Cons: Camera is the same, Queer "stars," No new freshness.

Review: Dan

Review: Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn (PC)

Graphics- 9/10
Sound- 10/10
Gameplay- 10/10
Replay Value- 10/10
Overall- 10/10

Baldur's Gate 2 is quite a RPG. It has all the ingredients needed for a great role playing game- lots of depth, lots of action, lots of exploration, and A LOT of character choices.

I remember picking up Baldur's Gate 2, I was very interested in it as it is one of THE best RPGs out there. First off, don't worry if you haven't played the first Baldur's Gate as most of it is explained to you in the first part of the game. This is one of the most notable features of Baldur's Gate 2- the conversations. Sometimes characters will walk up to you and talk to you, and the rest of the time it's up to you to talk to people. Once the conversation starts, you'll choose what you want to say to the character. These choices will branch out the conversation into many different directions, some good, some very bad. This in turn effects the entire game, which is a very nice feature that really sucks you right into the game. As well, the choices can have a personal effect on you depending on your class. Here's an example: you choose to be a paladin (think very good knight who deals out justice "efficiently"). Along the way you're looking for answers from someone, but they're not giving them to you. You lose your cool and you choose to hurl insults and threats at the character. This isn't very paladin like, you can't forget that you're a warrior of honor, so there are penalties for this. This system works very well to keep the player in character and in the game's fantastic world. Of course, events like these depend on your class, of which there are many.

When you first start the game, you go through a rather deep character creation process. First off, you choose your gender and portrait (a picture that represents your character in the menus). These choices don't really effect the game, so choose what looks good. After that, you choose your race. The races are quite interesting: humans, dwarfs, elves, half- elves, half orcs, gnomes and halflings. The variation is nice and effects your character's appearance in the game. More importantly though, each race has certain classes it can be and various talents that can either aid you or hold you back in certain areas. All the races have pros and cons, so choose carefully. Next up are the classes, each one will heavily effect the way you play the game. There are plenty on options including paladins, warriors, bards, wizards, rangers and more. Even then, there are a couple specially customized versions of every class, or you can customize the class you choose yourself. This includes attributes such as strength and dexterity. For attributes you receive a certain number of points which you choose how to disperse. Afterwards, you choose which weaponry you're skilled in, for which you get points as well to spend as you see fit. After that, you choose the physical appearance of you character such as hair and skin color. But this is as deep as the customization for your appearance goes. Even still, you've just gone through a lot of choices, these is all before you actually get into the game! And all these choices will really effect how you play the game.

Once you actually start the playing, you'll meet some old friends and, if you choose, you can work together to escape a sort of prison you're stuck in. You should definitely keep the friends you make, you'll need them. Once you unite with others, you have full control over them along with your character. The game is in an isometric view with prerendered graphics and 2D character models. Although the game looks aged for it's time, the colors and details of the world and characters are wonderful, pulling you into this huge fantasy adventure. Your control over the main characters is some what like in a strategy game. You have a cursor with which you select what you want to do: you can click on a character to select them or you can click and drag to select multiple characters, you click on enemies to attack them, you click where you want your characters to go, you click on various items to use or activate them, and you click on the various icons on the side bars to do various actions. The icons available to you do various actions: on the bottom right the formations, which you use to control in which order your characters stand in; on the right are the portraits of all the characters in your party which can be used for quicker character selection; on the bottom left and bottom center are the many actions your characters can do, such as spells and skills, and boxes used for quick item access (such as health potions); and on the right side are icons used for things such as journals and inventory. All these icons are used throughout the game in various ways to help you along your huge journey. When you encounter enemies you click on them to have your selected characters attack. As well, you will make use of the items, skills, and spells your characters have in battle. Because there are so many actions your characters can do in the midst of battle, fighting can get very complicated- from selecting which characters you want to use at a certain point in the fighting to select the enemies you want to attack and which actions you want to do. For this reason you have the choice of making use of the pause and play system. This system basically a turn based feature. You can either choose when the game pauses (such as when an enemy is sighted) so you can select what each character does. As well, you can use the space button to pause the game at any time, allowing a more free formed style of turn based action. And, of course, you can play the game in real time. These options can be selected at any time, seamlessly. But believe me- the game can get very deep and complex during fights. Although, these is the beauty of the game- having plenty of choices even in fights, and lots, and LOTS of depth. This makes for a very classic RPG feeling.

As you journey and fight your character will gain experience points which you use to level up and get stronger. Leveling up gives you plenty of options in which areas you want to get stronger, increasing the amount of character depth and choices available. As well, you'll find and buy many weapons, armor, and items which strengthen your character and, in terms of weapons and armor, change the appearance of your character. This game is very deep. There are plenty of options from your conversations to your battles with epic fantasy creatures. The game big, there's plenty to do and tons of things to see. As you journey on, a wonderful soundtrack surrounds you with an epic fantasy world. As well, the movies have some of the best voice acting ever. All of this is packaged in a deep, complicated, involving, and VERY enjoyable and memorable game. This is a classic RPG to the core- all I can say is that this game is HUGE and unbelievably involving.

Pros: A lot of choices in all that you do, and there is a lot to do. The world is big and full of classic fantasy and memorable creatures and environments. The conversations and battles are very deep. The game is overall a classic and wonderful RPG with great designs throughout.
Cons: The graphics could be better.

Review: Vedran