best & worst of 2010

As the year comes to an end, we here at Gamedae sadly put down our controllers and spend time paying attention to our family, instead of our virtual family: Mario, Luigi, Princess, the Kongs.

Thus for our final post of 2010, I decided to get the gang all together in one post to reflect on the past year of gaming. What we have played what we have liked and what we are looking forward to in the new year.

Hit the jump to see what all the Gamedae contributers thoughts.

pixeljunk monsters

PLATFORM: PS 3
RELEASE DATE: 1/2008
DEVELOPER: Q-Games
ESRB RATING: Everyone
PROGRESS: 85%

I am a perfectionist, a bad winner and sore loser, what some may refer to as a "Type A" personality; which is why I became immediately obsessed with PixelJunk Monsters, a tower defense game, by Q-Games. The meditative music, simple but charming graphics and highly addictive yet uncomplicated game play makes this a perfect choice for a novice gamer who does not like to lose.

spike video game awards 2010

PLATFORM: TV
RELEASE DATE: 12/11/2010
DEVELOPER: Spike

Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris (NPH), the annual VGAs started out with a fun pun on his Oscar singing and dancing number. Gamedae is pro NPH so we were very much looking forward to the award show. As per usual, the crowd was super awkward but Neil does his best to save the show. Using video game technology on stage to project recreated level graphics from different games was a neat idea, but felt like a crutch. I just kept thinking about how dumb it must look in person as compared to on screen since the people in the room were not able to see the backdrop of the scene the actors were playing out. For example they kick it off with Neil being "questioned" in the dark interrogation scene from Call of Duty: Black Ops. All in all, the show could have been better (open bar might have helped the crowd) but it is the only televised video game award show, so they really are the only game in town.

Maybe it's just me but I don't think its appropriate to condescend your audience. I have issues with the continued references to gamers as stoners and perverts. And, what was with all the swearing? It seemed forced and was missed by the censors. I realize Spike Network is trying to appeal to their demographic but shouldn't they want to broaden their audience? Award shows have the potential to draw Super Bowl-size television ratings. Sadly, the VGAs are just not there yet and I fear, they never will be if they keep up these antics.

Hit the jump for some links and highlights

netflix instant queue

PLATFORM: PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, PC
RELEASE DATE: 2009-10
PUBLISHER: NETFLIX

I've been laid up all week with back pain. Really a shame too as I have some hot new releases (see currently playing section) to play. Since I consume movies just as much, if not more, than video games, I would like to discuss my second favorite thing in this generation of game consoles: Netflix Instant Queue. It requires a subscription to Netflix to access the instant queue but it may have you rethinking your cable subscription.

Hit the jump for more and some of my recent Netflix Instant Queue picks

bionic commando rearmed

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 10/2010
DEVELOPER: Team17 Software
ESRB RATING: T

Progress: 100%

Most would agree that nostalgia can be a powerful force, especially when influencing which video games you spend your time playing. I've told you, or someone else has, that "your memory of a game may be better than it actually was". This holds true for most old games and some movies as well. Times have changed and games have improved so much it can be jarring to replay some of the classics after a while. Their limited game play controls and simple 8 bit graphics just can't compete. One such game that stands up to the test of time is the original Bionic Commando.

independent games festival @ babycastles arcade

PLATFORM: Babycastles Arcade

RELEASE DATE: 11/2010
LOCATION: New York City
MY STATUS: Missed the opening but played the games
 

Right here in midtown NYC we have a little piece of the 2010 Independent Games Festival happening. There is a pop up art space on 42nd Street, split as the Showpaper Gallery/Babycastles Arcade. This great spot features about 6 very unique old school arcade cabinets each decorated with its own style. Running on these are highlights from the 2010 IGF. While I was there I got to play Joe Danger, Tuning, Super Meat Boy, Star Guard and Continuity.

The Showpaper Gallery also features the sculptures of Mark Stilwell who I had the pleasure of briefly meeting. He explained that some of his sculptures are actually costumes for a performance magnificently titled Mega Beast vs Mega Defense Force. Pictures are after the jump enjoy.

alien breed: impact

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 10/2010
DEVELOPER: Team17 Software
ESRB RATING: T

Progress: Level 3 with 13% of trophies

Sometimes games can be so gargantuan, so all encompassing, that they feel more like a bad lashing than something fun you can enjoy. You know what I mean: games with 70+ hour story lines, a minimum of three play-throughs in order to enjoy the full story and not to mention a big boss fight that has you so rattled you get fed up you put the game down for months before you are willing to try again. And then there is the constant reminder of that game on your shelf staring at you, taunting you...

If you find yourself in this predicament then let me remind you of the joy that can be had with lighter, arcade-style games, specifically Alien Breed: Impact. It features game elements like aliens and machine guns, that I like, but without the massively deep plot line and subsequent motion comics and source material you need to consume just to enjoy the experience. Don't misunderstand, this is not a groundbreaking game style, nor does it have a gripping story but it is a lively shoot-em-up that you can just jump in and play. The game also offers a on-line/offline co-op option for your buddies to join in.

fieldrunners

PLATFORM: PSN, PSP
RELEASE DATE: 10/2009
DEVELOPER: Subatomic Studios
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: 60%

I don't think much of "PS minis"; the smaller, more affordable and downloadable-only games, originally designed for the PSP and PSP Go and since ported to the PS3. Generally, I find them unimaginative, small and ultimately a waste of time. I have found few exceptions to this thinking, but I'm happy to say Fieldrunners is one of them. This is yet another iteration of the ever popular tower defense style games. The goal with Fieldrunners: stop enemies from crossing the field by building various styles of towers to kill them. Strategy is key. Placing your towers and using them to steer the oncoming herd of villains is how victory is accomplished.

last week's links volume 2

Well, it is now the eve of Halloween weekend and I haven't played (or written) a lot this week so I'm giving you another instalment of Last Week's Links. Lets kick it off with a struggle for human kind. Personally, I haven't been into the Resistance franchise yet. Resistance 3, from Insomniac Games, hits this holiday season. This amazing live action trailer has me very excited get into the battle and now I may go pick up Resistance 2. I think I can skip the first one at this point.

More linkage after the jump

dead space by b-real

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 10/2008
DEVELOPER: EA
PUBLISHER: EA
ESRB RATING: M

Progress: 100%

Are you tired of having to shoot zombies in the head to take them out? Has firing 10 rounds into a Nazi’s chest become lackluster? Well then, Dead Space is the third person shooter for you! The name of the game is to amputate the limbs of the aliens, any way you can. Thus, Dead Space is all about precision. It’s not tedious precision; it’s more like really scary carnage, with a bit of surgery.

nycc cosplayers

PLATFORM: NY Comic Con 2010

RELEASE DATE: Oct. 8-10,2010
LOCATION: New York City
MY STATUS: Wish I was still there

Getting in the mood for Halloween with the fancy new zombified Gamedae banner up top. I hope you dig it I had fun making it. Also, there was so much to see at this year's comic con I thought I would dedicate another entire post to pictures I have of the cosplayers this year. People have been dressing up for years for these kinds of conventions but these days it is referred to as cosplay; short for "costume play", it is a type of performance art. Participants dress in costumes that represent a certian character or idea. Often they mimic characters from Japanese manga, American comic heroes and video games. However, anything goes. There was even a pricey book documenting the rise of cosplay in America for sale at the con that looked worth picking up. Enjoy the gallery starting with the Bioshock Big Daddy (above) after the jump.

new york comic con 2010

PLATFORM: NY Comic Con 2010

RELEASE DATE: Oct. 8-10,2010
LOCATION: New York City
MY STATUS: Friday/Saturday

Welcome to a partial look at NY Comic Con. In case you've been sleeping under a rock this event has gone completely mainstream becoming the hub for all things movies, television and of course video games. It is impossible to actually try to recap it all for you. I'll be reporting on all the games I saw of course but even still it is tough to get to see them all. This year there were major booths for a lot of top brands and some great games being showcased. Comic Con can get very busy and crowded, the crowds were estimated to be close to 100,000 over the three days. However whether it was some guy sporting a giant backpack of a half naked fairy princess bumping into you as you try to find your way down the "alleys" everyone seems to get along very well. It is a strange paradise that celebrates all things sci-fi and fantasy. I took as many pictures as I could of the action.

demon's souls

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 10/2009
DEVELOPER: FromSoftware

PUBLISHER: Atlas
ESRB RATING: M

Progress: 0%

Demon's Souls recently made the PlayStation "hit list" meaning: it's been giving Greatest Hits status. Greatest Hits labeling means a lower price tag and usually a resurface of active players online--not that this game needs it. This game was originally released in Japan and its fans have been spotted all over in North America. DS has cult followings both online and around the world wide web with numerous web pages like this and this and that, where players gather to trade walk-throughs, item knowledge and strategy.

Demon's Souls is set in medieval times, where you face armored knights, ogre hoards, dragons and of course demons. It is a very action oriented take on, the sometimes slow, Role Playing Game (RPG) genre. The medieval setting is done very well with all the dirt and blood you may expect from the time. Players have access to various RPG characters classes as you may have expected, each one with their own intricacies. However you choose to start out, you begin at the foot of a castle with heavy, clunky armor and a sword. A glowing spot on the floor, left by another online player, reads "the real Demon's Souls begins here."

canabalt

PLATFORM: iPad

RELEASE DATE: 09/2010
DEVELOPER: Semi Secret Software
ESRB RATING: NA

Progress: 5683km (so far)

Every now and then a game comes along that really gets under your skin. You hear the music and find yourself reliving the moments in your head. You run back to play it every chance you get -- not so much to advance or improve but rather, just to get your fix.

Canabalt is one of those games. This truly casual game, which anyone could get into, has graphics that consist of simple game sprites and even simpler backgrounds with only one thing the player needs to do: jump. One button control is all that's needed to play and in some cases it is as simple as just tapping the screen. As the game's tag line says "Outrun the demolition of your city with just one button!". This is a survival game, meaning: try not to fall and you can keep going. Your character simply runs from roof-top to roof-top, hurtling through the air. The only control is the jump button which is sensitive allowing you to choose a lighter jump rather than a longer jump.

grand turismo 5 event

Running off a tip from the PlayStation blog I found out about a surprise event in Times Square, NYC. Honda was throwing this massive event focused around their car and 3D tech. Walking up to the heavily branded event sponsors were on hand. Maxim girls were passing out 3D glasses and the current issue featuring Anna Kournikova in 3D. Honda was showing off their new CR-Z Sport Hybrid coupe which is one of the playable cars in Grand Turismo 5. Of course, there was a Grand Turismo 5 station at the event. With custom "racing sled" set ups where you could try out the new game in 3D. Hardly enough time to do a decent review but the lines were fairly short. The highlight of the event was a free concert by N.E.R.D. which sounded pretty good. The event hosts also showed the first 3D comercial featuring the CR-Z which was impressive but still just a commercial. Also, wearing 3D glasses outside in public is a little weird.

More photos of the event (and models) after the jump:

ea active: more workouts

PLATFORM: Wii

RELEASE DATE: 11/2009
DEVELOPER: EA Canada

PUBLISHER: EA
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: Again and again

EA Active: More Workouts is one of the best home workout video games.

It is a step up from the Wii's first work out game, WiiFit. The workouts feel more legit and the Wii motion controls are more engaging and intuitive. This is the second release in the EA Active line. The music is pretty good - just the right amount of motivation, the island paradise setting is nice - they did a decent job with the graphics. Decent, not incredible, and very "Wii looking." The game comes with a small set of peripherals, specifically a leg strap and a resistance band. You can take on a 6 week workout challenge, or just complete preset or custom workouts (basically different combinations of various exercises) and you can even workout with a friend.

I decided to start a 6 week challenge to get fit and shed a few pounds. Before getting started, I realized I needed a base so I could measure my results. I had to weigh myself in Wii Fit; I have to say I find it strange that EA didn't include a scale option in EA Active: More Workouts. Anyway, according to Wii Fit my ideal weight is 157.2 lbs (22 BMI) for my age and height. My actual weight is 180.5 lbs (25.28 BMI) which Wii Fit considers overweight! Obviously no one wants to be overweight (despite Wii Fit being known to be a bit harsh) so I set a goal: lose 5 lbs in 2 weeks (shortest period of time allowed by the software). Let's go.

ps home report 01

PLATFORM: PS Home
RELEASE DATE: 12/2008
DEVELOPER: Sony
ESRB RATING: NA

Is it really a gambling addiction if there isn't real money exchanged? I've spent countless hours exploring Sony's social gaming platform Playstation Home. Home is the gathering place of the PS community where everyone person with a PS3 can join as an avatar and explore the numerous spaces available; all for free. By far the most popular of these spaces is the EA Sports Complex. Surprisingly, the main draw is the poker tables and trying to build your avatar's bankroll up, rather than focusing on the many successful EA Sports franchises.

Never mind the brand new games I have, or the freshly downloaded content, I always find myself back here. Texas Hold'em is what's playing on the the three colored game tables in the space. Green felt for the novice, red for the skilled and black for the expert games. The red and black tables require a buy-in that you can build up to with your bank roll from playing on the green tables. Playing with the PS Home "friends" that I remember or with strangers, it's always the same game, but just like real poker it's always a different experience.

transformers: war for cybertron

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 06/2010
DEVELOPER: High Moon Studios
PUBLISHER: Activision
ESRB RATING: T

Progress: 35% of trophies at time of posting

Lets talk about childhood dreams for a minute shall we. I don't know about you but when I was a kid I had some very specific things I wanted from the future. I wanted Jason to fight Freddy, I wanted to see Aliens fight the Predator, I even wanted working hoverboards (still waiting on those I guess) But most of all I wanted to be a Transformer. Now this review may be a little bit tainted like the Dark Energon scorching through Megatron's veins but here we go.

Presenting a new contributor and format for reviews on Gamedae®: The co-op review. Welcome Verdeberg my go-to online companion. Hit the jump to read the new mulitplayer review format.

last week's links volume 1

The other night I settled in for a night of Netflix streaming. Found and re-watched Street Fighter 2 The Animated Movie. I enjoyed it so much I dug around the streaming movies library and found Street Fighter Alpha Generations then decided to make it a double feature night. I found a couple more SF animated movies going to check them all out eventually.

joe danger

PLATFORM: PSN
RELEASE DATE: 06/2010
DEVELOPER & PUBLISHER: Hello Games
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: 35%

GAMEDAE DISCLAIMER: Welcome our newest casual game critic, Pixel Princess -- it is what it is.

If you are a die-hard, old-school Mario Kart fan (if I was cool I would say Excite Bike here, but I am me, so I say Mario Kart!) but find yourself squealing and running into walls playing Burnout or Modnation, then Joe Danger is for you! It is also for those who have mastered the latest racing game and really anyone who is up for a ridiculously fun, fast paced challenge that requires just the right amount of skill, enthusiasm and chutzpah.

The premise is simple, you are Joe Danger, a racing legend, has-been, and you are on your comeback tour - showing off all your skills and winning challenges in order to earn enough stars to continue to unlock new levels.

the tester casting call round 3

PLATFORM: PSN
RELEASE DATE: 7/2010
Progress: Round 3 (1/100)

I must confess, I just signed up for this cause I saw the word Playstation on the site. Next thing I knew it's a battle for votes - may the best contenders (or perhaps just those who have figured out a way to rack up thousands of votes) survive! I've been wandering around Home and mentioning it at poker games and harassing my friends and family to vote for me daily. If you read this site, I hope you are voting and if not, you need to vote for me each day during this last week! It is not looking great for the top 10 spot for me but I've managed to stay on the second page of Contestants for pretty much the whole game. So without begging too hard please vote and lets get me working for Playstation!

Hit the jump for some pictures of the host and my submission for the round three essay*:

wipeout hd

PLATFORM: PS3/PSN
RELEASE DATE: 9/2008
DEVELOPER: SCE Studio Liverpool 
PUBLISHER: Sony

ESRB RATING: E10+

Progress: 7% trophies as of posting

Racing fans get ready for the future. WipEout HD was one of the first five Playstation games to receive the upgrade to 3D. Sony has recently upgraded their PS3 system to be 3D ready for new corresponding 3D Televisions. This update was a digital download straight to the system. WipEout HD may have come out in 2008 but it is not a new game; in fact this franchise has been on each of the PS systems. WipEout HD has a large fan base and is just the latest iteration from the franchise. Wipeout HD is also one of the first "full games" to be available on the PS Store and most recently as a free download to PS Plus subscribers. I happened to subscribe, so strap into your hovercraft and don your 3D glasses (sold separately) and let's check out WipeOut HD.

modnation report 03

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 5/2010
DEVELOPER: United Front
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: loading...

I wouldn't be doing much in the way of reporting if I didn't warn my readers about the game-stopping load times in ModNation Racers. It is a crippling factor you should be aware of before purchasing that hides the beauty and hard work that so obviously went into making this game. The game is still bananas-fun but I'd feel bad not telling you outright.

the tester casting call

PLATFORM: PSN
RELEASE DATE: 7/2010

Progress: Round 2 (1/500)

Last season PSN proved they could create some original content for the community with the reality game show The Tester. Despite its quirkiness the show was fun to watch and successfully integrated itself into the PS Store and PS Home spaces. Eleven contestants and 8 episodes of surprises gave the lucky winner, Cyrus, a dream job as a Playstation Game Tester. With season one now under their belt the good folks at Playstation are ready for season two. This time the PS Community gets to vote to elect some of the cast and anyone can try out! 


IMPORTANT UPDATE:
I have made it through to round 2 but I need your votes! Click the link and vote (sorry about the registration but it seems safe to me).
http://casting.thetester.com/anotherdae

darksiders

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 01/2010
DEVELOPER: VIGIL
PUBLISHER: THQ
ESRB RATING: M

Progress: 32% Trophies

My hopes were set high with this game, from the first moment I heard comic book superstar Joe Madureira had been drafted to the project. Joe Mad!, as he is known, is a legend for his comic work on X-men, Battle Chasers and most recently Ultimates 3, and it has earned him quite a fan following. The trailer for this game is one of my favorites to date and had me purchasing Darksiders on day one. In fact, I had even stood in line for a signing with Joe Mad! at Big Apple Comic Con and got to play an earlier demo of the game, but more on that later. This is an action RPG game of a fairly high caliber. Slick, post-apocalyptic graphics featuring different gods doing battle for the fate of the world always warrants some attention. The graphics and design, you'll see, are the game's saving grace.

monopoly

PLATFORM: Wii
RELEASE DATE: 10/2008
PUBLISHER: EA
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: 100%

I have found that I actually enjoy playing Monopoly. It's something that just works: on family trips, during a black out or when attempting to ease tension after fighting with your girlfriend.

I was quite excited to find Monopoly for the Wii and bought it without hesitation.  My main motivation being my ongoing mission to persuade my disenchanted friends (and said girlfriend) into playing the Wii with me. It worked like a charm. Despite some major problems I had with the game; it brought hours of fun, routy competition and some long nights.

hustle kings: basement crazy dlc

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: JAN 2010
PUBLISHER: SONY
ESRB RATING: E
Progress: 35% at time of posting

Loving the new "Crazy" tables in Hustle Kings. It really changes the game up. My buddy Verdeberg and I have been playing. The Basement Crazy Table is shaped like a "V" with a elevated area off the felt; that we treat almost like a skate park. Best part of this new table is the download content is free.

fragger

PLATFORM: PC
RELEASE DATE: 6/2010
DEVELOPER: Armor Games
ESRB RATING: NA

Progress: 100% (Normal Difficulty) 

I stumbled upon a late night gem. Fragger. I know some of you out there are internet game skeptics, but some of them are fun, even if fleeting. If you’ve got 30 minutes or an hour to spare, you can play and probably beat this game. (Well on normal level difficulty).

wii in the woods

PLATFORM: Bachelor Party
RELEASE DATE: June 2010
STATE: VT
ESRB RATING: M
Progress: 110%

Camping in the woods can be a lot of fun. Combine it with the epic landscape of Vermont and 10 of your great friends and you got the makings for a successful bachelor party. But I felt I needed to contribute more than just beer, liquor and the usual bad jokes so I packed a little something extra in my gear. Combined with my buddies projector the Wii packed more punch than expected. We had ourselves the first log-cabin-in-the-woods Wii games! Hope you enjoyed it, Simon, can't wait for the wedding. Enjoy the pics more after the jump.

E3 2010 impressions

PLATFORM: Electronic Entertainment Expo

RELEASE DATE: 6/2010
LOCATION: LA
MY STATUS: Not invited

I don't understand why this really didn't start last Monday because the doors may not have been open but the content was streaming all over the web. My invitation must have been lost in my junk mail (yuk yuk). Thank god for GameTrailers.com and Kotaku.com and everyone else for their live streams and live blogs. Basking in the glory of E3, safely from behind a monitor, here are my impressions from this expo and also some of my favorite trailers.

ratchet & clank future: a crack in time

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 10/2009
DEVELOPER: Insomniac
ESRB RATING: E10+

Progress: 76% trophies as of posting

Right off the bat I need to tell you this review is completely biased. I'm fairly certain Ratchet & Clank is my current favorite video game/franchise. The graphics from the first Ratchet &Clank Future PS3 Release in 2007 is the reason I dropped my Wiimote and came over to The Darkside Playstation. The latest release in this very sucessfull Playstation exclusive franchise is Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time. This is a very finely polished platformer that excels with its engaging story, humor and action. Go forth and join this fuzzy, alien Lombax named Ratchet on his journey to rescue his lost buddy Clank and uncover some secrets about himself.

modnation report 02

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 5/2010
DEVELOPER: United Front
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: 20% trophies as of posting

My first Modnation Racers and piña colada party was this past Friday! In fact, I think I have invented a new trend in gamer parties: themed drinking/gaming soiree. I prepped for this particular bash by getting a new blue Dualshock 3 controller and had my friends B-real and Verdeberg over. Verde' brought his own controller; bringing our controller count up to 4. The lovely Megan, my girlfriend, was on hand to race and man the blender for piña coladas. If you care to recreate my awesome get together, Megan's amazing and very simple piña colada recipe is below.

lostwinds

PLATFORM: Wiiware
RELEASE DATE: 5/2008
DEVELOPER: Frontier Developers
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: 100%

Wiiware is Nintendo's first step into the downloadable game market. The choices are slim and most are not very good. LostWinds is a hidden gem among some of the bad offerings on the Wiiware system. The game takes full advantage of the unique Wii  console motion control system. You play as the lovable Toku and his spirit guide Enril. With Enril's help, you navigate Toku through the levels, which are basically puzzles utilizing the motion control system. While Enril is an important character in the game, he is always by your side because he is actually your Wiimote cursor. Using Enril you can control the wind and propel Toku, who cannot jump, across chasms and higher and higher ledges. LostWinds is very short game, and is really just the first three chapters of a larger story to be told in future releases.

modnation report 01

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 5/2010
DEVELOPER: United Front
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: 20% trophies as of posting

There was no real decision for me in purchasing Modnation Racers. As a big fan of Little Big Planet and the whole concept of "Play, Create, Share" combined with a history of Nintendo kart racing-love this was indeed a day one purchase for me. Seeing as this game will very likely represent years of content and challenges for me I felt a normal review wouldn't cut it and this is the first of many "Modnation Reports" I will be posting.

burn zombie burn

PLATFORM: PSN
RELEASE DATE: 9/2009
DEVELOPER: Doublesix
ESRB RATING: M

Progress: 10% trophies as of posting

There is no huge story or deep meaning to this game. Your mission: shoot zombies to stay alive and in the process rack up points. Now, I like shooting zombies. If you like shooting zombies, Burn Zombie Burn (BZB) is sure to make your thumbs sore and challenge you. It's a top-down view shooter, survival of the fittest, zombie onslaught. You have an assortment of weapons at your fingertips: everything from a hand gun (w/ unlimited ammo,) to a brain-sucking gun, to a lawnmower among many more. Endless waves of zombies are after you as you dash around, laying down a sea of lead, struggling to survive and earn big points towards achievements and ultimately unlocking more levels.

kingdom hearts 358/2

PLATFORM: NINTENDO DS

RELEASE DATE: SEPT 2009

PUBLISHER: SQUARE ENIX
ESRB RATING: E
Progress: 80% at time of posting

Missing the heart?

With the new announcement of Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, I feel that this post is timely. Let’s hope that Birth by Sleep doesn’t put me to put me to sleep like Kingdom Hearts 358/2. In my opinion, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 was the glimmering hope to revitalize the action role playing Kingdom Hearts franchise. 358/2 tells the story of Roxas, a young nobody trying to learn the meaning of his existence and why he is in Organization XIII. The story is good, but the whole game is based off someone with amnesia, so the story seems lackluster. The game alludes to the other Kingdom Hearts storylines, but fails to provide the piece to continue the Kingdom Hearts storyline. The reason the story becomes attenuated because to advance the story is to do random missions throughout the Disney worlds. The storyline suffers from the mission based game play. Furthermore, the storyline becomes a bit confusing because the main character Roxas suffers from amnesia. And it is the player’s task to piece together his shattered memories (This could be especially confusing for someone who has not played other Kingdom Hearts games).

portal

PLATFORM: PC
RELEASE DATE: 10/2007
PUBLISHER: VALVE
ESRB RATING: T

Progress: 11 of 19 rooms

Have you seen the movie The Cube? Portal is a puzzle game that looks like that movie and plays as a first person shooter; the only thing, is you're not really shooting anything. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative video games and offers gamers hours of unique gameplay. The story begins with you in a room, with a voice telling you that your taking part in an experiment, that your job is to make it through the puzzles that are set before you. The gun you see in the banner above is your Portal Gun which you acquire almost right away. The Portal Gun enables you to create portals which are imperative to traverse through the different rooms, each with their own unique puzzle. Of course I'd heard of it, read some stories about it but just never played Portal myself. That is, until last week when developer Valve decided to give Portal away for free for a limited time; and before you ask, both PC and Mac editions are available.

marvel ultimate alliance 2

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: 9/2009
PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION
ESRB RATING: T
Progress: 80% at time of posting

Building off of previous great brawler games: X-Men Legends 1 & 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 1, developer Vicarious Visions, released Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (MUA2) in mid 2009. The premise for the story, which involves all the mainstay heroes from the Marvel Universe, is 2009's Civil War story line. Civil War is a fan favorite mini series that pits hero against hero against villains over a new government ruling that all super heroes need to be registered or considered terrorists. It's an exciting tale that parallels modern society in some ways. You can play through two campaigns of the Civil War story line as either pro-registration or anti-registration; both giving you access to certain characters and different battles.

super mario bros. crossover

PLATFORM: FLASH GAME
RELEASE DATE: 4/2010
PUBLISHER: EXPLODING RABBIT
ESRB RATING: NA
Progress: 80% at time of posting

There is and has been a thriving, user generated Flash game scene for years. Shame on me for neglecting it; well no more! A little game called Super Mario Bros. Crossover has changed all that. You may have seen some different emulators/ports of Super Mario Bros. (SMB) before but never with additional characters from classic NES games. This is the team-up I've dreamed about playing as a child. The idea is simply genius, play your way through the complete eight SMB worlds as Mega Man, Samus, Link, Bill (Contra), or Simon (Castlevania) and of course Mario.

beyond good & evil

PLATFORM: NGC

RELEASE DATE: LATE 2003

PUBLISHER: UBISOFT
ESRB RATING: T
Progress: 60% at time of posting

This action-adventure game focuses on the antics of Jade, a female investigative reporter/part time ninja. Jade, the protagonist, is an attractive female of Latin decent and one of a handful of human characters. Page, the pig/guy, is your loyal side kick in the beginning of the game. They live in a island city called Hillys that is under alien attack from the DomZ. The loyal citizen's of Hillys only defense is the militant Alpha Sections who have been acting very suspicious as of late. Working with a band of resistance fighters, the "Iris Network", Jade finds herself wrapped up in uncovering an alien conspiracy. Beyond Good & Evil ("BG&E") was originally envisioned as the first part of a trilogy, it received stellar reviews from critics at the time and was even nominated for Game of the Year by the GDC. Alas, it didn’t make enough money or convert enough gamers to become a great commercial success.

punisher: no mercy

PLATFORM: PS3 

RELEASE DATE: JULY 2009

PUBLISHER: ZEN STUDIOS
ESRB RATING: M
Progress: 80% at time of posting

A PlayStation Network-exclusive, Punisher-themed, first-person shooter sounded like such a great idea. I could easily pass for a Punisher fan boy. I've seen all three movies. Used to love Jim Lee's work on War Journal in the 90's but stopped just short of buying a skull shirt. This was an impulse purchase for me and I paid the price. The following is less of a review and more of a warning to interested gamers.

resident evil 5 dlc

PLATFORM: PS3, XBox 360
RELEASE DATE: RE5 March 2009, DLC February 2010
ESRB RATING: M

PUBLISHER: CAPCOM

DLC Progress: 60% at time of posting

Capcom proves more of the same can be great.

Anyone who gets excited about horror movies, good or bad, should be playing Capcom's 2009 release Resident Evil 5 (RE5). This game was made for you. Now a year after it's first release this legendary video game series shows it can always find new ways to deliver fresh zombies for us to consume with its newly available download content (DLC): Lost In Nightmares and Desperate Escape. These latest editions to the survival horror third-person game are available as DLC or on the new disk based re-release RE5 Gold Edition.

hustle kings

PLATFORM: PS3
RELEASE DATE: JAN 2010
PUBLISHER: SONY
ESRB RATING: E
Progress: 35% at time of posting

Hustle Kings is a billiards simulator available for download in the PlayStation Store. It is remarkably fresh and modern looking for a release costing $9.99. It features an assortment of classy looking tables and pool halls and a host of eight different pool games. Ever wonder how to play that game with red and yellow balls? Well you can find out here and of course there is an American 8 ball game. 

review scores

Letter grades are in effect. Giving scores or "stars" to games doesn't tell the whole story and can be misleading. Gamedae believes readers can get more out of the notes of a game then just it's rating. You may be familiar with how it works but just incase you missed high school: A (highest grade, excellent), B (above average), C (average), D (usually the minimum passing grade), and F (fail).

Wikipedia: Letter Grades

That said, there may be plus or minus as well. Hopefully you will find the reviews on this site a little more like talking to a friend than the official word from another site. Maybe we will be able to think about an aspect of a game you hadn't considered. Or maybe you just disagree with everything which is welcomed.

mission statement

A weekly report of a new video game or retro classic from this gamer's prospective. I will be reporting on games while I’m playing them, some after I have finished them, others that I will never finish. My only credentials are a love for the medium. Honest reviews you can relate to from another gamer on the front lines with my fellow consumers.

Games featured will only be games I have personally spent time with. I'll try to post the percentage of the game I'm through as well as the hours played. For the near future this will be limited to the consoles systems that I own. No intentional neglect to the other systems is intended and I welcome insight from players of all systems. Reviews will be done by myself and on occasion by guest reviewers of my choosing.

If any of these reviews help you find a new game or dust off an old classic: mission accomplished.

ALL IMAGES AND LOGOS USED ARE THE SOLE PROPERTY OF THEIR OWNERS AND ARE USED ONLY WITH GOOD INTENT. I MAKE NO POINT TO TRY AND INFRINGE ON ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. I WILL REMOVE ANYTHING IF ASKED BY THE RESPECTIVE OWNERS.