Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on July 7th, 2006
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Newer super hero cartoons usually leave me feeling bland to be honest. They generally pass them off as too kid friendly and not enough to satisfy me as an adult. Not to mention that they often use anime style drawn characters almost too much that the cartoons become borderline ugly and generic to look at. Thankfully in recent years there have been a few exceptions, one being Teen Titans. Its familiar cast of Robin, Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven & Cyborg are fun to watch as they appeal to both kid... with its anime style and to adults with some darker story lines and great action. Thankfully, they have now released a video game for the Playstation 2 to match and there are pretty good results to follow.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on July 5th, 2006
Ultimatiums, High Prices, and Barely Nothing to Show For Your Fourth of July weekend, welcome to the drunken firework spectacular known as Dare to Play the Game.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on June 28th, 2006
Legal briefs, Hot Coffee, Street Fighting, and a Chic. It’s a new column, yeah babyie yeah!
Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on June 26th, 2006
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Since nobody really plays Playstation portable games (at least nobody that will admit it), Rockstar finally did the smart thing and ported the best selling PSP game ever to the Playstation 2 console. I am happy to report that Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is here, for the PS2 in all of its greatness with a budget price tag. As one would expect, it has all of the great replayability one would expect from a GTA game, however it has the graphics one would expect from a PSP port too. The ...reatest thing about this game has to be the idea that this is just GTA III part 2. Of course, it could be argued that this is the worst thing and a simple rehash of a past game. However, you would be overlooking quite the little gem.
Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on June 11th, 2006
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The Driver series has had a pretty interesting history to date. The first two games were very impressive driving sims for the original playstation and showed a lot of potential. However, when it came to the playstation 2 and subsequent nex-gen consoles, Driver 3 (or Driv3r) took a bold step. The step to become the first real Grand Theft Auto clone. However, it was best described as a failure. Plagued by bugs, collision detection and just general bad gameplay, most feared that would be the end...of the franchise. Thankfully, Atari came back and decided to give it at least one more go. I am happy to say that the new Driver corrects most of its mistakes. But is it the GTA true alternative we have been hoping for? Hrmm, well maybe.
Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on May 27th, 2006
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Special Editions are nothing new to dvds, they are good ways to make the perspective consumer take that “double dip” and buy something more than once. However, when it comes to video games, this is a rare occurrence. However, with the advancement of technology and games using the cd/dvd format, the opportunity is there to make games with special content. Not to mention with games being released two or three times due to the platinum/greatest hits moniker, it is a great chance to lure people lik... it is a whole new experience. So we come to such a title in Devil May Cry 3 SE: Dante's Awakening. With great results, this title shows that adding some extras and keeping the same fantastic play, you will want to play it all over again.
Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on May 13th, 2006
Scene in EB Games/Gamestop: wow, Rampage: Total Destruction for $20; didn’t I play that game when I was a kid at the arcade or on my NES? Yes, yes you did. And for the record it hasn’t changed much. Rampage has made its PS2 return and hundreds (or at least dozens) are anxious for George, Lizzie & Ralph to start punching buildings again. To this game’s credit, they get something pretty decent to fill the bill. In addition, even if the main game doesn’t provide enough umph, the bonus material will certainly take ...ou down memory lane.
Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on February 18th, 2006
Traditionally, I don’t get into peripheral type games. You know the ones, dance your life away with the dance pad, or here is a huge $200 controller – go play a tank game. It’s a gimmick, to get us to buy something extra that we will never use for another game (unless a sequel is produced). More often than not, these peripherals break, and then you can’t even play the game anymore. Well I am happy to report, I have found a set that is the best hands down. Better than Karaoke Revolution, better than Dance Dance R...volution, it is Guitar Hero. For $75, you get a great controller & a great game.
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Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on November 20th, 2005
Compilations are so plentiful these days but often what once was, is not meant to be. Too few games, games that don't hold up with time, and bad porting can make this practice extremely hit or miss. When one is awful, it destroys our relationship with that game of yesteryear so much that we might curse older games, and don't pick one up for quite sometime. However, when the compilation is well drawn up and executed proficiently, it gives us a sense of our lives before and what made those old games so great. Capcom Cl...ssics is of the latter. It takes 22 games from the period of 1984-1992 and inserts them onto a DVD for some good ole fashioned fun. From Street Fighter 2 to the 194x series to Ghost & Goblins and beyond; a little of every arcade type genre is included from Capcom. It boasts graphics, sound & most importantly great gameplay to a mere twenty dollar disc.
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Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on February 20th, 2005
The shooter games of yesteryear, no I'm not talking about Doom or Blake Stone (never wanted to see a Blake Stone reference again did you?). The games I'm talking about are ones like Gradius, Galaga, or more specifically the 194X series. But wait, those games don't exist anymore. Or one would think. Castle Shikigami 2, also known as the sequel to Mobile Light Force 2(remember that game you passed over for at the bargain bin with three chicks on the cover?, that one, but its a decent game too, trust me), is a great...little shooter. It expands over its ancient roots and provides a satisfying link to your childlike experience with video games and expands fairly well into the next gen console.
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