Review: MLB 07: The Show (PS3)

Graphics- 7/10
Sound- 8/10
Gameplay- 9.5/10
Replay Value- 9.5/10
Overall- 8.5/10

The Show is back! MLB 07: The Show for the PS3 is pretty much the PS2 version of the same game. This really isn't a bad thing, except in the graphics department. The Show is fun on all systems, but the PS3 version is probably the best. If you are a baseball fan, I highly recommend this game.

The next edition of the Show is here with MLB 07: The Show, finally out for the PS3. It was released two and a half months after the PS2 and PSP versions, which were released before the start of the season. The '07 version includes several new features, most notably the Road to the Show career and ability to create online leagues with up to 30 players. Like I said before, the game is almost a direct port of the PS2 version with better graphics and some additional features. However, the graphics certainly are hurt by this. The graphics aren't bad, but the game does not have that next-gen shine and polish that other games have, and doesn't look nearly as good as MLB 2K7. Also, there are several animation glitches that occur during gameplay. Most of these have to do with collision detection, such as going right through a player during a hard slide (this only happens some of the time). The announcing on the game is done well, with the help of Rex Hudler, Matt Vasgersian, and Dave Campbell. However, a consistent problem is that the sayings tend to overlap and do not necessarily correspond to the current play. Also, the soundtrack is not all that great. It fits in well, but only three or four of the 18 songs are any good (personal opinion).

However, baseball games aren't about the graphics or the soundtrack, well, maybe a little bit, but it is mostly about gameplay. And that is the area at which MLB 07: The Show excels. The controls work well and are easy to learn, besides the SIXAXIS controls, which feel tacked on. The new pitching system works incredibly well, and adds a fair amount of depth to the game. Also, the developers added in a system that is supposed to imitate the tendencies of an umpire, creating changing strike zones. This feature adds realism, and can be helpful, but can get annoying if it isn't working in your favor. The career mode from the first edition is back and is still amazing. But in addition to that, the new Road to the Show mode allows you to skip every play you are not involved in, speeding up the process. The only complaint I have with this mode is that the buttons that represent the bases control different bases when you play different positions, but, if you understand what I'm saying, this is a minor complaint. The franchise mode is also back, and is very deep and fun. All of these modes add up to plenty of hours that can be spent playing this game. And that is just the offline play. The online system is well done, allowing you to match up with people who have the same skill level as you. Also, as I mentioned before, you can create online leagues with your friends for up to 30 people. All in all, this game is an excellent baseball simulator, and if you are looking for a baseball game on the PS3, this is it.

Pros: New features work well, Road to the Show, deep Franchise mode, online adds plenty to do.
Cons: Graphics look dated, soundtrack, animations.

Review: Eric

*Also available for PS2 and PSP. Review for PS3 only.

Review: Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (Gamecube)

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

The only Mario Kart game on the Gamecube is the worst in the series for a non-porable system, mainly due to bad couse design. But don't misinterpret that to mean it's a bad game, because it's still a good game.

I was very excited about this game when it came out, because it was a Mario Kart game and you should always be excited about any Mario Kart game. I was also excited about the newly added multiplayer mode, which as you should know involves two players on the same kart. This seemed like it would be really fun, and at points it is fun. However, some of the times it is the last thing that you want to do, especially if the person that you are stuck with sucks. The things that make it fun, are really fun. There is the item strategy, meaning that the person who isn't driving gets the items, and seeing as one of the newly added features of this game is each player has there own "special item," it can really effect the outcome of the race. The other feature that makes the new multiplayer really fun is the side swipes. In other words the person who isn't driving can hit L or R and they will reach over and punch in that direction - possibly stealing an item from a kart next to them.

On to the main problem that I hinted at earlier, which is the course design. It is by far the worst in any Mario Kart game to date. Sure there are great courses like DK Mountain, Wario Colosseum, and Waluigi Stadium. However, these good courses get outweighed by terrible courses like Dino Dino Jungle, Dry Dry Desert, Bowser's Castle, and Daisy Crusier - to name a few. Not only that the courses that are in the middle, a.k.a the average ones, usually fall one lower end of the scale. For example, Baby Park is a small circle courses that involves almost no skill and is solely based on your luck with items. Not only is the course design lacking, single player is to. This is because the game was obviously designed with only the multiplayer aspect in mind. The problem is that in single player you have to still choose two players, and when you are racing this can become very distracting - trying to have the right player in position when need that crucial item. That is not as bad though as multiplayer battle however. The course design in this part of the game is the worst I have ever seen anywhere, and isn't even worth mentioning.

I realize that my views do differ with a majority of the owners of this game, and I'll be honest, the other games in this series have spoiled me a great deal. I was just hoping for a lot more in this game. I guess it was somewhat predictable - the changes they made that is - the graphics are enhanced, new players and courses etc. Bottom line, this game is a great multiplayer game if you aren't battling your friends, and this is a great game to add to your collection if you are one of the owners of the Cube.

Pros: Multiplayer racing is fun, Enhanced graphics, Some good courses.
Cons: Lots of bad courses, Multiplayer battle, Single player, Expect more.

Review: Dan

Review: Demon Stone (Xbox*)

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

Based on the Dungeons and Dragons setting Forgotten Realms, Demon Stone is a heavy hack n' slash RPG. With 3 main characters, the game's story has a nice bit of depth as well. Also, the game's music is one the biggest highlights.

As you begin Demon Stone, you quickly realize how much this game focuses on the hack n' slash gameplay. Although their are bits and pieces of times in the game where the elements of play are changed, you'll find yourself mowing through legions of enemies most of the time. As you fight, you'll come against a lot of classic fantasy monsters such as orcs, trolls, and a red dragon (which is a pretty sweet part of the game in my opinion). As well, their will be some not so well known creatures to fight. But the biggest feature of the game is being able to switch between 3 different characters at any time. The 3 members of your party are a human fighter, a human wizard, and a drow (dark elf) rogue. All three are together after the first level. Each of the characters have their own unique skills. The fighter can take tons of hits and deal them also, the wizard excels at long range magic fighting, and the rogue can sneak behind enemies for one hit kills. For the bulk of the game, you'll probably be using the character that most appeals to you. Although, there are plenty of moments when a certain character's skills are specifically needed. So the game offers plenty of variety in the long run, but there is still a heavy focus on just fighting. On the RPG side, you'll get what you expect- experience points to get stronger and gold for better equipment. The way this portion of the game is set up is kind of simplistic. Along the way you collect gold, and at the end of each level the gold, along with experience points, is totaled up. At this point, you can spend your experience points on better moves and improved attributes and your gold can go towards new equipment. The whole process is simplified by letting choose to get all the best upgrades possible with the amount of gold and experience points you have for all the characters at once. Over all, these game mechanics make the game a fun, although a bit simple, action RPG. The action is actually really good and keeps you on the edge of your seat. But a warning, the game can get a bit annoyingly hard. The big problem, though, is the camera, of which you have no control over. Every once in awhile the angles used for the camera become a problem, although, the game still stays fun.

Besides the camera, the rest of the visuals are pretty good. The graphics themselves are good and offer nice detail. The colors, as well, are done nicely. There is a tone used in the colors that really gives the game a different, original, and very fitting feeling (think stylish dark, not spooky dark). But, in the end, the designs are my personal favorite. The character's faces have feeling and are very fitting to each of the characters' roles. As well, the designs of the equipment are some of my favorite in any RPG and I hope to see more of such designs in other Dungeons and Dragons based games. The animation, too, is very well done. The character's moves are very appealing and make you think "wow, I wish could do that" plenty of times. But the games visuals are bested by the sound. More specifically, the music. The fantasy setting soundtrack is filled with movie quality music that really gets you into the action and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

All in all, Demon Stone offers plenty of fun, simple, and action packed fantasy gameplay. The visuals and animations are well done and the music really shines. As well, the replay value is very good as you can play through the game using any of the 3 main characters.

Pros: Action packed, cool designs, lots of fantasy creatures/ settings, and great music.
Cons: Kind of simple, fighting can get repetitive, bad camera.

* Also on Playstation 2, review only for Xbox version.

Review: Vedran

Editorial: Upcoming Games to Look Forward To

-Wii-

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - When this game gets released this year it will most likely have the best graphics on the Wii. The Metroid Prime Series had some of the best graphics on the Gamecube and when this game was shown at E3 2006, it looked similar to Metroid Prime 2: Echoes in terms of graphics but has sense been overhauled. People from GamePro where allowed to play an early version of the game and said "The graphics have had a huge overhaul since E3 -- vastly better than games like Halo 2." Not only will the graphics be good, the game play should fully use the Wiimote. While talking about Wiimote use in the game the President of Nintendo of America said "When we release it, it will be perfect." This is something that has yet to be done in a Wii game, so this makes me very excited.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl- This is the most wanted game by Wii owners, and I can see why. To original game was very well done and a huge success. This game appears to expand a lot, one way is with characters. The list of confirmed characters includes Fox, Kirby, Link, Mario, Meta Knight, Pikachu, Pit, Samus, Snake, and Wario. Obviously the inclusion of third party characters is really cool especially if the do end up putting Sonic in the game. My only concern would be that they try and make it too kiddish because it has already been confirmed that Wario will have a fart move. Gameplay appears to be the same as the other two games in the series, even down to the controller because you have to use the classic controller or a Gamecube controller. While I was hoping to be able to use the Wiimote, I understand this. This is a game you will be hearing about a lot so get ready.

Wii The Sims - When I first heard about this game I was very excited because I loved the original Sims on the PC. Then I saw some screen shots for the game and all my hopes came crashing down. The game appears to be designed with a 3-year old in mind. However there does appear to be all the elements from classic Sim games in this game but the game will focus on you fixing up a house in your grandparents town. I would have purchased this game originally, but now this game seems underwhelming, especially in terms of the graphics. Not only that but it seems like your choices for making people and house will be very low. To me this game looks like a major disappointment.

Super Mario Galaxy - Oh boy, this is the game of the year, if not for all systems at least for the Wii. As you can see my expectations are a little high, but any game that Shigeru Miyamoto is involved in this much should be good. Super Mario 64 was such a big a hit because it was groundbreaking, as this game should be. Most of the game takes place in outer space along a vast chain of miniature planets, with every planet having it's own unique features. The Wiimote should add a bunch of great moves that will make this a game to remember.

Wii Music - This is the game that everybody is forgetting about, but shouldn't. If this game is anything like Wii Sports it should be pretty fun. When this game was shown at E3 it was meet with rave reviews despite there only being two songs to choose from. There have been two types of gameplay that are confirmed: Drums and Orchestra. Drums uses the Nunchuck and the Wiimote as drumsticks and Orchestra uses the Wiimote to conduct an orchestra. After you finish a number score is shown and you are given a rating of Passionate, Graceful, and Methodical. So far only Drums had multiplayer, and if other modes turn out to multiplayer this could be a great muliplayer game. Also like Wii Sports and Wii Play the Miis will be involved in gameplay. This is a title that is flying under the radar and deserves to have more attention focused on it.

Pokémon Battle Revolution - This game is going to a big hit, I'm not kidding. It is the first game for the Wii to allow online multiplayer as well as the first game to feature the Wii DS connectivity, allowing you to transfer your Pokemon from Diamond or Pearl onto the Wii. This is is most likely going to be the reason it will sell well because of the success of Diamond and Pearl. The gameplay appears to very similar to that of Pokemon Stadium, but with enhanced graphics, this time it actually shows the Pokemon being attacked rather than just showing the attack and cutting scenes. This game could actually be pretty good, especially with simultaneous battle, which is 2 vs. 2.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games - Ah, the long awaited get-together of two of the most famous characters in video game history, but is this going to be a game to remember? I do not think so. I am really only writing about this game because Mario and Sonic are finally in the same game together. The game does have a little potential, but I expect it to be just average, in fact it is probably the only game that I am writing about that I will not purchase. Unfortunately, there is little to say about the game because not much is know about gameplay other than it will use the Wiimote to it's full potential...which is really not anything to go by because every game that has come out on the has apparently used the Wiimote to it's full potential. Anyways, here's to a long relationship between Mario and Sonic that will hopefully make its way onto Brawl.


-Handheld-

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - This game will have the best graphics on the DS. However with graphics in the same style as Wind Waker, this game might be as controversial as it. However if gameplay is good it won't matter. This game will also have the sailing aspect that was present in Wind Waker, but this time you will use a steam boat, so you won't have to mess around with the wind. The other thing that should be really cool is that you will be able to make notes on the map, which will be on the top screen (you will flip the screens to write.) Not only that but there will be a WiFi battle mode, which could be really cool, because that is what Zelda games have lacked up to this point. This game is set for and October release and if you want a copy right away, you had better reserve it because this game will be very popular.


-PS3-

Lair - Lair has been followed by a lot of hype since it was first seen last year. In Lair, you are a dragon rider who controls his dragon with the SIXAXIS control of the PS3 controller. People have been saying that the controls are working very well, and add a nice element to the game. This game is supposed to be incredible, and the first title that makes the PS3 worth buying for some. Lair will be coming out in late July. It has had high expectations since day 1, and lets hope it delivers.

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction - If you have read any of my reviews of the previous games in the Ratchet and Clank series, you should be able to tell I am a huge fan of the series. So I am very excited about the next chapter in the series. Ratchet and Clank Future is going back to the format of the first three games, as opposed to Ratchet: Deadlocked, which focused on arena-style combat. This game looks stunning from what has been shown so far, and it looks to be a fantastic game come launch.

Warhawk - Warhawk is a reincarnation of a game with the same title, that was originally on the PS1. The game was supposed to have a single player function in addition to the multiplayer, which was the main part of the game. However, the developers thought the single player's quality was lacking, so they canceled it to focus solely on multiplayer. If the quality was low, then I am glad they made this move, and I think other companies should have the guts to do this also. The multiplayer looks to be tons of fun, with the standard deathmatch and capture the flag. But the new feature is called zone. In it, teams try to expand their areas by capturing bases. This allows the team to gain new weapons and have access to turrets and such, alowing the team to gain in power. Warhawk should be a fantastic game when it comes out this summer.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - MGS4 has been hyped every since it was first shown. The PS3 exclusive has had people excited ever since MGS3 was released. However, the hype is so big that it may not reach that level. From what has been shown so far, though, it most likely will meet those expectations, and even has a chance to exceed them. Expect this stealth-shooter to be released late this year/early next year.


Heavenly Sword - Heavenly Sword was first shown at E3 2006. Not much has been seen since, until Sony's recent game conference. However, the game looked amazing. It has been nicknamed "Goddess of War" by many people due to its likeness to "God of War," which isn't a bad thing, because of the high pedigree of the God of War series. Critics has been astounded at the game so far, and it is looking to become an incredible game.


-Xbox 360-

Halo 3 - The last Halo game is coming. The end to the storyline. The best and some new weapons are here. Stunning visuals. Crazy multiplayer. Click on screenshot... 'Nuff said.

Too Human- Stunning and over the top action is what this game is all about. The visuals are very pleasing, as well. Along with intuitive, easy to use controls make this game some thing to look forward to.

Bio Shock- In a twisted, dark setting, you fight to survive and explore a seemingly dead underwater city. Surrounded by freaky creatures and with lots of adventure and action as the filling, this game should be one wild ride.

Mass Effect- Bioware continues to please with its soon to be released Mass Effect. The setting is in a far off future where humans are trying to fit into the alien filled universe with a mysterious threat coming. As you take control of the main character, (whom you make) you command a group of agents, trying to solve the threat and exploring the huge setting available to you. With plenty of worlds to explore, beautiful graphics, and a huge RPG element blended with action/shooter gameplay, this game seems to be a big hit.


-PC-

Starcraft 2- After so many years of waiting, it's here. The game that was such a huge hit is back. With a new storyline, new units, and wonderful, detailed graphics, this one is sure to please.


-Multi-Platform-

John Woo Presents Stranglehold - Stranglehold is a third person shooter from Midway, bringing back Chow Yun Fat, reprising his role of Inspector Tequila. This game is supposed to be a sequel to the movie "Hard Boiled," which came out in 1992. In fact, the PS3 collector's version will contain a version of "Hard Boiled" on Blu-Ray. Stranglehold has looked good from the start, and still does, and should be a fun shooter when it is released in summer.

Guitar Hero 3 - The sale of RedOctane to Activision was great for Wii owners, because now Guitar Hero 3 is on every platform. Specifically it's on: PS2, PS3, 360, Wii, and DS (Wha..?). Some great songs have already been confirmed such as School's Out by Alice Cooper, Paint It Black by the Stones and Rock and Roll All Nite by Kiss. Along with those songs many others have been confirmed or rumored and it appears there will once again be a great selection of music. All versions will also have online and muliplayer, along with changable face plates for your guitar controller, so everything seems to be falling into place to make this another great game in the guitar hero series. Lets just hope that there are no issues with any of the controllers.

Rock Band - Think Guitar Hero, but with a guitar, drums, and a microphone. That is the basic premise of Rock Band from Harmonix. Since it is made by Harmonix and not RedOctane, the guitars might not be compatible, but that looks to be the only downside so far. Hopefully the game will have as good a soundtrack as Guitar Hero when it is launched for the PS3 and Xbox 360 late this year.

Devil May Cry 4 - For those who don’t know, the Devil May Cry games are third person shooters from Capcom that are known for being rather difficult. According to the game’s producer, however, DMC4 will have not as steep a learning curve as DMC3. Another change is that the game will feature Nero as the main playable character, as opposed to Dante. However, it is reported that Dante will be a playable character, but will have a more minor role. Once a PS3-exclusive, DMC4 will be released on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC in September.

The Darkness - The Darkness may not be as highly anticipated as Assassin’s Creed or Metal Gear Solid 4, but it still looks like a very good game. In it, you play as Jackie Estacado, a mafia hitman, who gains the powers of the darkness on his 21st birthday. The darkness is a supernatural ability Jackie to take down enemies or move objects he normally would not be able to. Also, the darkness’ power is stronger when the player is in darkness. This unique shooter will be available in late June.

Assassin's Creed - Assassin's Creed looked like it would be the PS3's killer app. Then it was announced that it would not be an exclusive. Despite this, Assassin's Creed looks to be one of the best games of the year. The character models look amazing, and so do the environments. The gameplay also looks to be innovative and the AI is supposed to be excellent. I will most likely get this game at launch, unless some news comes out that there is a major flaw in the game. This won't happen though, so pick this game up when it is released in fall.

Mercenaries 2: World in Flames - Mercenaries 2 is going to be like the first game in the series, only the destruction element will be more emphasized. In case you didn't know, this is a good thing. The videos shown have looked spectacular. Also, it looks like the excellent physics engine is back and better than ever. This time around, the game will be set in Venezuela and the environment will be bigger than the two areas from the previous game combined. Also, the game will feature co-op that will allow a friend to join into your single player game online, allowing for a ton of possibilities. Mercenaries 2 looks to improve on the first, creating a game that is all the first game could have been, and maybe even better.

Editorial: Dan, Eric, Vedran