Well, 2011 is three weeks old, and I thought I'd look back on what a great year it was, not only for games, but movies and entertainment as well. Today I'm kicking it off with the Top 5 Video Games of 2011. These can be from any console, and it doesn't have to be a game that I have reviewed. Let's start with # 5:
Number 5: Super Mario 3D Land
Nintendo had some slim pickings this year, and after the somewhat failure of a launch for the Nintendo 3DS, many wondered if we would ever receive good games for the system. Thankfully, our prayers were heard, and, in addition to Mario Kart 7 and Ocarina of Time, we were blessed with Super Mario 3D Land, a clever mix of 2D and 3D platforming. The 3D effect is brilliant, and it actually matters in this game. I complained about the simplicity of the game in my review last November, but it remains as my favorite 3DS game to date.
Number 4: Portal 2
The original Portal was a work of art. A first-person puzzler where you control Chell as she escapes from Aperture Laboratories. You're armed with your Portal gun, and you make your way through various test chambers to escape. The sequel improves on the foundation set by the original, adding new mechanics like light bridges and goo, and including a story that will make you scratch your head. The graphics aren't top- notch, but who cares? The writing is rock solid, and I found myself laughing out loud at Wheatley's witty remarks and Glados's insults.
Number 3: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
When I bought my PS3 last year on Black Friday, I made sure to pick up Uncharted 3 as the first game I would play on my new system. Two months later, and I'm still playing it on a regular basis. Nathan Drake and company are back, and they've got another globe trotting adventure to embark on, involving Nate and Sully's past. The story matches that of Uncharted 2, and the graphics and gameplay heavily outdo the original. The game is short, but you've got 100 treasures to find among the levels, and the multiplayer will keep you around long after the campaign is finished. A true treasure.
Number 2: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Like I said, it was a rough year for Nintendo, especially on the Wii. Thankfully, the one big title for the Wii delivered, and Skyward Sword takes it place at the top of my list of best Zelda games. The Wii Motion Plus adds an all new dimension to the game, and motion control is, I believe, the future of the franchise. The storytelling is brilliant, and Skyloft and the flying mechanics work like a charm. The host of new characters and beautiful graphics and music only add to the fact that this is the greatest Wii game of all time.
Number 1: Batman: Arkham City
I don't exactly know what I expected diving into Arkham City. Having not played Asylum, I was a bit confused at why I would want to play this game anyways. Tons of hours in, however, and I've found out why. You are Batman. That's the game. The plot of Arkham City is great and well fleshed out by a number of characters, and comic book fans will get a kick out of seeing all their villains in one game. As you glide around Arkham City as the famed Caped Crusader, you solve the mystery and get to the bottom of what the heck is going on. The combat succeeds in being simple enough for new players to get, and being complicated enough for vets to have fun. Challenge maps and side-quests extend the replay value greatly, and new playable characters like Catwoman help too. Arkham City is the Batman experience, and the reason to own a PS3 or 360 this winter.
Showing posts with label skyward sword. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skyward sword. Show all posts
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass vs. Spirit Tracks
As both Zelda entries for the Nintendo DS, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks weren't exactly what Zelda fans were looking for. They were too similar, and too similar to other additions to the franchise, namely Wind Waker. Therefore, I'm going to explain which is better, for your buying sake. Spirit Tracks is definitely better than Phantom Hourglass, for a variety of reasons.
First, the mode of transportation. We already saw a boat in Wind Waker, so boating in PH was no real thrill, and it felt like a chore, and kind of an afterthought. There weren't nearly as many islands in PH as there were in WW, and you lost the sense of exploration like there was in WW when you were exploring a gigantic 7x7 map. In ST, however, we were introduced to train conductor Link, traveling around Hyrule on a steam locomotive. This worked great. The touch controls were easy to use, the cannon was a blast (lol), and it was just much more exciting, as you explored all four regions. You also got a sense of discovery, thinking, "what's around this bend?", and you were enticed to explore.
Second, the central dungeon, as explained above. PH had the Temple of the Ocean King, which you were required to return to and re-explore after each main dungeon. The hourglass gimmick was fun, and racing around the temple before time ran out was a bit nerve-wracking and exciting, but having to re-visit the temple upwards to 5 times was a real chore, and it just became not fun after the first few times. ST kept this same idea of a central dungeon, but it was presented differently. After completing each realm, you unlocked another floor of the tower, and this was completely different from the floor below it, presenting a wholly original challenge each time.
Third, the gameplay that made ST great just wasn't there in PH. PH felt way too similar to WW, and while, I wouldn't mind that, I don't want two identical clones, they have to be at least a bit unique. ST felt new, and even with the similar graphical style, I didn't let that stop me from enjoying an adventure different from PH. Having Zelda along for the ride was a welcome treat, and a constant companion with you was a nice change in the formula. The items in ST were also better suited for the type of game that it is. For example, in PH you receive items identical to games before it, not providing you with much variety, but rather with a sense of deja-vu. ST, on the other hand, had the whip, which was all new, and it was used in very unique ways both in and outside the ocean realm. Also, the deku spinning thing was also cool, and it made for different and more challenging puzzles. The last element that trumps PH is the addition of the Spirit Flute. Similar to the Ocarina and Wind Waker, the spirit flute allowed you to play various songs to trigger outside events. The DS microphone and stylus were put to great use, and, although not very bus-friendly, it was a lot of fun playing the duets with the lokomos.
First, the mode of transportation. We already saw a boat in Wind Waker, so boating in PH was no real thrill, and it felt like a chore, and kind of an afterthought. There weren't nearly as many islands in PH as there were in WW, and you lost the sense of exploration like there was in WW when you were exploring a gigantic 7x7 map. In ST, however, we were introduced to train conductor Link, traveling around Hyrule on a steam locomotive. This worked great. The touch controls were easy to use, the cannon was a blast (lol), and it was just much more exciting, as you explored all four regions. You also got a sense of discovery, thinking, "what's around this bend?", and you were enticed to explore.
Second, the central dungeon, as explained above. PH had the Temple of the Ocean King, which you were required to return to and re-explore after each main dungeon. The hourglass gimmick was fun, and racing around the temple before time ran out was a bit nerve-wracking and exciting, but having to re-visit the temple upwards to 5 times was a real chore, and it just became not fun after the first few times. ST kept this same idea of a central dungeon, but it was presented differently. After completing each realm, you unlocked another floor of the tower, and this was completely different from the floor below it, presenting a wholly original challenge each time.
Third, the gameplay that made ST great just wasn't there in PH. PH felt way too similar to WW, and while, I wouldn't mind that, I don't want two identical clones, they have to be at least a bit unique. ST felt new, and even with the similar graphical style, I didn't let that stop me from enjoying an adventure different from PH. Having Zelda along for the ride was a welcome treat, and a constant companion with you was a nice change in the formula. The items in ST were also better suited for the type of game that it is. For example, in PH you receive items identical to games before it, not providing you with much variety, but rather with a sense of deja-vu. ST, on the other hand, had the whip, which was all new, and it was used in very unique ways both in and outside the ocean realm. Also, the deku spinning thing was also cool, and it made for different and more challenging puzzles. The last element that trumps PH is the addition of the Spirit Flute. Similar to the Ocarina and Wind Waker, the spirit flute allowed you to play various songs to trigger outside events. The DS microphone and stylus were put to great use, and, although not very bus-friendly, it was a lot of fun playing the duets with the lokomos.
Monday, June 6, 2011
E3 2011
Well, E3 is upon us, folks, and on my blog I'll be covering all your Nintendo news from their live media conference tomorrow morning. You can catch the show at 9:30 Pacific time on G4, or just check my blog for updates if you don't get that channel. We'll be seeing the all-new console, Project Cafe, as well as new games like Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and all kinds of 3DS news and games. As always, expect a couple of surprises, so be sure to stay tuned to my blog for all the details.
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