Batman: Arkham Asylum Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just picked up the game a little while ago so these are just my first impressions. I'm not going to discuss in depth gameplay or graphics; these things have been covered to death in the past couple of months. So to get it out of the way, it's a great game, especially if you're a batman fan and it looks great on the PS3.

The meat of this review will be focusing on the collector's edition and it's contents.

First off, the box for it is huge! Not obnoxiously huge, but substantial. The case that holds everything is a nice plastic batarang shape with sturdy feeling hinges. They did a good job there. Inside foam pieces keep everything from moving around.

As stated on the message boards, the batarang is in fact plastic and it is attached to the stand, though it doesn't look like it would take much effort to detach it. It looks like there's just a small tab holding it in. I would have been much happier with a metal version, even if it drove the cost up a bit. Also of note, the batarang (at least the one I got) has what appear to scratches all over it. I'm not sure if this is normal, but this is how mine showed up. I'd be interested in hearing how others' batarangs are condition-wise. Also, I was under the impression it was a gray color. It's actually black.

The leather bound book is decent in quality but the pictures make it look more substantial than it actually is. It's actually quite thin. The book inside is nice though, with matte pages and lots of pictures. Great for reading up on arkham's finest criminals.

As for the game package, they really dropped the ball on this one. I was expecting a nice case, like those that come with metroid prime trilogy or resident evil 5. Not so, you get a cheap looking and feeling cardboard outer sleeve and inner sleeve that holds the game and bonus DVD. Again, I'd have gladly paid more for a metal case. Or even just the regular game case with a slip case for the DVD, like the fallout 3 collector's edition. Being a collector in the truest sense, I removed the DVD and game and put them in standard ps3 cases and put the cardboard case back in the box to prevent any damage to it. Cardboard cases for games are extremely primitive in my opinion. They show wear way to easily.
The discs themselves are also non-standard in that they both look like old film reels and are labeled as disc one and two. Again, give me the retail game and the bonus DVD separate. I might just pick up the retail game later on and put the collector's edition back in the box.

All in all, I love the game but feel iffy about the collector's edition contents. If they would have just included the retail game and not the cheap cardboard box and colorless discs I'd probably have been satisfied. As it is now, I don't regret the purchase at all, I just feel a bit let down by the contents. It'll bug me until I buy the retail version of the game and I know it's just more money thrown at the game but I'm extremely anal about keeping my collectibles in pristine condition.

So my verdict:
The game gets a 5/5. It's a great game and even more so if you're a batman fan.
The collector's edition content gets a 3/5 for being average. The game's packaging is what really let me down here.
So the average is 4 stars and my score overall. If I were reviewing just the game it would get 5 stars.

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Product Description:
Batman: Arkham Asylum is a single player, third-person action/adventure in which the Dark Knight is forced to take on his greatest challenge yet when he is trapped by arch rival, the Joker, within Gotham City's facility for the criminally insane, Arkham Asylum. A blend of exciting arcade style combat and stealth mechanics packed with amazing graphics in a moody, immersive setting, Batman: Arkham Asylum offers diverse gameplay options that push the envelope for all action, adventure and superhero games.

Kick it in combat gameplay.
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And stealth action.
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Match wits with The Joker.
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Utilize utility belt gadgets.
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Take on dangerous bosses.
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Batman: Arkham Asylum features an original story penned exclusively for the game by famous Batman author and five-time Emmy award winner, Paul Dini, whose credits include "Lost" season one and "Batman: The Animated Series." As the game begins Batman is personally delivering his nemesis, The Joker, to the asylum at Arkham Island, but he is uneasy. Although the Arkham asylum is well fortified, he has a nagging feeling that all is not well, which proves to be the case when seconds after turning The Joker over to the guards, the master criminal breaks free of his captors. Even more surprising than this quick turn of events is the revelation that it was never The Joker's intent to escape the vault-like facility, but instead to trap Batman there. Surrounded by an asylum full of dangerous criminals, many of which he put there and all at the beck and call of the Joker, can Batman survive and discover what is behind the Joker's intricate plot?

Gameplay
In Batman: Arkham Asylum players strap on the gadget-heavy utility belt of the Caped Crusader. Gameplay here is a combination of both the knuckle crunching rush of hand to hand combat as you take on the hordes of thugs that infest Arkham Asylum, and stealth gameplay in which you must dispatch individuals from the shadows. Players can expect an engrossing single player campaign in which Batman continually moves forward to face the henchmen, bosses and traps that The Joker has set for him. With regards to opponents, in addition to The Joker who you will hear more than you see, the dark walls of Arkham also hold familiar villains from the the Batman criminal universe including Harley Quinn, Victor Zsasz and Killer Croc, that you will have to deal with, but don't expect a one-dimensional experience. As players progress from environment to environment within Arkham they will have to use varying combinations of muscle, detective skills, gadgetry and a certain degree of light RPG-like leveling of Batman's skills, arsenal and physical characteristics to survive and discover what The Joker's underlying scheme is.

In addition to the story-driven single player campaign Arkham Asylumalso contains various additional play modes. These include an arcade styledcombat mode where players accumulate points by engaging hordes of thugsin a hand to hand slugfest across a series of maps, in which Batman'sphysical strength and agility play a major role. The key here is to chaintogether as many attacks as possible due to the fact that with each successfulcombo players increase the point multiplier associated with their actions.The game also features a time-based stealth mode where players must honetheir ability to strike silently from the shadows. This gameplay, referredto as 'Invisible Predator' utilizes the Dark Knight's skill with gadgetslike the grapple tool, batarang and explosives. These allow for vertical/horizontalmobility, the ability to quickly strike from above and at a distance andto take out enemies and create distractions, even through walls. But rememberthat Batman works solo and is not superhuman. Your enemies will congregatearound trouble areas and work as a team against you, so you must besilent, plan your attacks wisely, strike quickly and discover the valueof encouraging fear within enemies.

Key Features

Utilize the unique FreeFlow combat system to chain together unlimited combos seamlessly and battle with huge groups of The Joker's henchmen in brutal melee brawls.
Investigate as Batman, the world's greatest detective, by solving intricate puzzles with the help of cutting edge forensic tools including x-ray scanning, fingerprint scans, 'Amido Black' spray and a pheromone tracker.
Face off against Gotham's greatest villains including The Joker, Harley Quinn, Victor Zsasz and Killer Croc.
Become the Invisible Predator with Batman's fear takedowns and unique vantage point system to move without being seen and hunt enemies.
Choose multiple takedown methods, including swooping from the sky and smashing through walls, and use the predator camera get a closer look at the action.
Explore every inch of Arkham Asylum and roam freely on the infamous island, presented for the first time ever in its gritty and realistic entirety.
Experience what it's like to be Batman using batarangs, explosive gel aerosol, the Batclaw, sonar resonator and the line launcher.
Unlock more secrets by completing hidden challenges in the world and develop and customize equipment by earning experience points.
Enjoy complete superhero freedom in the environment with the use of Batman's grapple to get to any place you can see, jump from any height and glide in any direction.

PlayStation 3 Batman: Arkham Asylum Collector's Edition Bonus Items Include:

Waynetech Batarang Storage Box.
14" In-Game Design Batarang (stand attached).
Dr. Young's Journal (50 page full color character encyclopedia).
2 Sleeve DIGI-Pack Including:

Game
Behind the scenes 5 chapter series DVD, including: interviewswith Mark Hammil and Kevin Conroy.

Collector's Edition Challenge Map DLC.
PlayStation 3 exclusive Joker Challenge Map DLC.
Joker voice over performed by Mark Hammil to accompany the bonus Jokercontent.
Manual.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off i'm writing mostly about the goggles. I have to say I was very skeptical about them and didnt expect much, I do this so I won't get let down but when I turned them on. It was amazing, totally worth the money at 150, I don't know about now since their being sold for 100 dollars more but they are really cool. You can see in abosolute darkness, I was amazed. The game itself is, well come on, COD 4 the II. I like games that deliver what the hype is promising. And yes I even stayed up till midnight to get the game for my kid brother on his x-box. Happy Birthday Adrian. P.s. The goggles need 5 double A batteries to work, but it works like no other.

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Product Description:
Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person tactical shooter and the sixth entry in the popular Call of Duty series. True to its name and following the lead of its predecessor, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, it places players in modern combat settings, as opposed to the WWII environments of the earlier Call of Duty games. This modern approach brings with it new weapons, action and options. Coupled with a variety of gameplay modes including single player, multiplayer and the co-op Special Ops Mode, it is destined to be one of the most popular games of 2009 and a worthy addition to the Call of Duty series.

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Dragon Age: Origins Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Here we go again... Bioware releases another game and I lose another 100+ hours of my life to gaming.After 11 hours of play (completing 8% of the story) I thought I'd share a few thoughts in case you're considering purchasing this game.

What's good:

Bioware RPG's always have great stories with deep background and entertaining character interactions.This one does not disappoint.New for this game are multiple character opening stories-- hence the "origins" in the title.Depending on your class and race, you experience an extended opening that really sets the stage for your character and gives you something to think about.The opening for the mage included two quests to play through and a several difficult decisions to make before it merged with the main story line.

Voice acting is excellent, graphics are good and 1080p (though nothing like Metal Gear Solid or GTA4).Combat is fast, furious, and just a little out of control-- and exciting.

What's bad:

I had hoped to see the next generation of RPG, but the game's architecture feels like reused modules from other Bioware games.Character gen is from Mass Effect, 3rd person view and movement from KOTOR, inventory mechanics and interface much like Baldur's Gate.It's all competently designed, but feels a little worn.But maybe Bioware is suffering from Pixar Syndrome - if it doesn't outdo itself with each new release it seems plain.

My only real complaint is that character attributes and abilities are not sufficiently explained.The small paper manual says things are explained in detail in the in-game help but that is not the case.

Lastly:

Be aware that this game isn't suitable for kids.It's a mature game with some disturbing subject matter-- that's why Bioware calls it a "dark fantasy."Kudos to Bioware for aiming for a serious game, but know what you're buying before putting it on the holiday gift list for your little ones.(Wait until after they're in bed and have an epic time playing it yourself!)

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Product Description:
From BioWare, the makersof Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, andBaldur's Gate comes Dragon Age: Origins. An epic tale of violence,lust, and betrayal, Dragon Age: Origins is a single player role-playinggame (RPG) set in a fantasy game environment, and featuring three playablecharacter classes, accessible in the form of three races. In addition, thegame features extreme character customization, a new game engine, party-basedgameplay utilizing non-player characters and a built-in personal historysystem for each hero character rooted in a variety of possible origin stories.

6 possible hero Origin Stories.
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3 classes and 3 races to play as.
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Stunning 3D environments.
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Spell combining abilities.
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In Dragon Age: Origins the survival of humanity rests in the handsof those chosen by fate. You are a Grey Warden, one of the last of an ancientorder of guardians who have defended the lands on the continent of Thedasthroughout the centuries. Betrayed by a trusted general in a critical battle,you must hunt down the traitor and bring him to justice. As you fight yourway towards the final confrontation with an evil nemesis, you will facemonstrous foes and engage in epic quests to unite the disparate peoplesof a world at war. A romance with a seductive shapeshifter may hold thekey to victory, or she may be a dangerous diversion from the heart of yourmission. To be a leader, you must make ruthless decisions and be willingto sacrifice your friends and loved ones for the greater good.

Gameplay
Dragon Age: Origins is a 3D oriented RPG based in a dark, heroic,fantasy realm where moral choices have a lasting impression on the peopleyou meet, the members of your own party and the world around you. Theinclusion of subtitle "Origins" in the game's title refers to the sixunique origin stories available to new heroes as a new game begins. Eachof these has an impact on the player's motivations and his or her experience,and renders a unique prelude, path, and possible ending(s) to the game.There are many different endings to the game based on the origin storyof the character and the choices you make as you play through the game.The game features three character classes--warrior, mage, and rogue--andthree races of being--Human, Elf or Dwarf--that can assume these classes.Although most game elements, such as weapons, magic, etc., are availableto any character, each class and race has different strengths, abilitiesand affinities which lend themselves to better utilizing different elements.

Dragon Age: Origins is a single player game based on party-basedgameplay and combat where the player can join, control and quest withup to three non-player characters (NPC). Players can also quest aloneif they so choose, but with the chance of survival are slim. ConvincingNPCs to join you, and treating them well may be necessary depending onthe varying sentiments between the player and the NPC, or between theNPC's in the party based on the chosen history written into the originstory accepted at the beginning of the game. This uncertainty allows fora variety of possible dynamics within the party ranging from open hostility,all the way to romance. The game progresses in real-time via a pause-and-playtactical combat system that allows the player to check inventory levels,equip a character, etc. in a slight vacuum. Additional features foundin the game include: a combination of a standard loot system and a currencysystem based on gold silver and copper; advanced character customizationfunctionality; the use of poison, traps and herbalism; dual-wielding skills;and "spell combos," which allow players to chain together different spellsto create a unique effects.

Key Game Features

BioWare's deepest universe to date with over 80 hours of gameplayand more than double the size and scope of Mass Effect.

Travel throughout dozens of environments and fully immerse yourselfin a shattered world that is on the brink of utter annihilation.
An epic story that is completely shaped and reactive to your playstyle.

Complex moral dilemmas offering no easy choices.

Tailor your Dragon Age: Origins experience from the verybeginning by choose from six different origin stories.
Decide how to handle complex issues like murder, genocide, betrayal,and the possession/sacrificing of children without the securityof a good/bad slider to tell you what to do.

Full character customization allowing the player to sculpt a heroin your own image or fantasy.

Elaborate character creator allows you to create your own herounique from anyone else.
Shape your character's personality and morality based on the choicesyou make throughout the game.

Engage in bone-crushing, visceral combat engaging in battle againstmassive and terrifying creatures.

Unleash legendary powers and choose from over 100 different magicalspells and skills.
Experience the adrenaline rush of brutal combat, beheading yourfoes or casting spells that make enemies explode from within.

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Demon's Souls Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had imported Demon's Souls in April, and finished it 3 times since then. I have a long review below but if you want a few sentences here it is:

The game has an excellent atmosphere, great character customization, enjoyable combat, some unique online elements, but very little story and minimal npc interaction. It is also very unforgiving, but it is strangely addictive if you don't get frustrated easily. It takes about 40 hours in your first play through. It's not because the game is huge... It's because you'll die a lot and repeat a lot, which results in playing very cautiously (which also adds to the atmosphere).

***Review***

Demon's Souls is an action RPG game with some unique online elements. I loved the game but I can also see why some people (even RPG lovers) might hate it. Although I gave it 5 stars, I cannot say the game is for everyone. Just read the paragraph at the end where I explain some game mechanics, and if it sounds frustrating to you then might want to try the game first before buying.
For me 3 things are very important for an RPG. A good story and well-developed characters, deep character customization, tactical and fun combat.

Story

In DS, the people in different realms/worlds are possessed by demonic souls and you are to get rid of them. When you kill them you collect their souls and get more powerful and eventually fight against the final demon. That's basically it. The game has very little story and minimal amount of non player characters (NPCs). There are about 15-20 NPCs in total (including the merchants and blacksmiths), and most of them are located in a hub called Nexus. Furthermore, you can talk to them but there are no dialogue trees. They'll say 2-3 new sentences after each time you kill a demon boss, giving you some background about the setting. Sometimes they'll initiate a sidequest, by asking you to find/do something. That's all.

If you are expecting something like Mass Effect or JRPGs in terms of story or dialogue this is not it. However, the game has a very dark and immersive atmosphere. It just sucks you in and makes up for its lack of story. Also, sometimes new characters/enemies appear depending on World Tendency (world tendency is something like an alignment that can change toward black or white), which provides replay value.

In sum, unlike most other RPGs, this is not a game that you play for the story. There is minimal story and dialogue, but the game has an excellent atmosphere which gives you the feeling of being alone and overwhelmed.

Character Customization

Character customization is probably the most important aspect of an RPG and this is where the game shines. You start the game with a certain class you picked, but it doesn't restrict you. You can develop your stats in anyway you like and completely turn it into something else (kind of like Oblivion). For example, weapons/armors have different stats requirements, but they are not restricted to classes. As long as your character meets the stats requirement you can use it. So you can mix and mash classes anyway you like. There are 8 different attributes, and when you level up you can raise one of those attributes by one point (there is room for up to 99 for each attribute).

Weapon upgrades are done by using the ores you find. You can do regular upgrades (e.g. long sword +2) or you can change it into a different weapon (e.g. dragon long sword) depending on the ores you found. There are several different types of ores that opens a different upgrade branch. There are also some special upgrades, if you choose to use a demon's soul that you obtained from a boss, which will give you a unique weapon.

Combat

The customization also affects your gameplay. For instance, you can wield double swords, sword and shield, sword and crossbow, sword and a wand, two shields (if you want to be fancy) etc. Moreover, any sword can be wielded two handed or one handed. Of course, if you choose to wield a two handed sword with one hand, you character becomes clumsy. If you choose to wield a one handed sword with two hands, then you make stronger attacks with different animations.

The combat is in real time and it is like an action game. In the controller, L1-L2 is assigned to the left hand, and R1-R2 is assigned to the right hand. L1 is used for guarding, L2 is either for parry (when wielding a shield) or attacking (weapon on left hand)). On the other hand, R1 is regular attack, and R2 is strong attack. You can also roll, run, but you cannot jump. So you end up having different combat gameplay and tactics depending on what you choose to equip.

Online Gameplay

If your PS3 is connected to the internet, you'll automatically play the game online. That lets you do different things. First, you'll see some messages left by other players. They can provide some clues, warnings etc. You can also leave messages but you can only create them by combining preset words and phrases. You cannot type whatever you want. And if someone finds your message helpful and rates it, then your health replenishes. Second, you'll see pools of blood and if you touch them it will show you a ghost of some other player and how he/she died. It's just another clue to help you in the game.

Third, and the most important one, is playing with/against others. If you are in body form, you'll see blue signs on the ground left by other players. By touching those signs you can summon up to two more people to your game and they'll fight along with you in your game helping you out. On the other hand, when you are in body form some other player can invade your game and try to kill you. If you are in soul form, then you can put a blue sign on the ground in order to be summoned by others or you can use an item to invade another player's game.However, you cannot just invite your friends to your game. If you and your friends are on different servers (which you have no control over) you won't see the signs they left and will not be able to summon them. If you happen to be on the same server, you can arrange a location in the game to put the sign (via XMB message) and then summon the other person.

Conclusion

In sum, Demon's Souls is one of the best games on PS3. It has a great atmosphere and addictive gameplay that makes you come back, even after you died for the tenth time in the same boss battle. Unfortunately it is not a game for the impatient. Just take a look at the cover art (the regular cover art which happens to be the Deluxe Edition cover in US release) of the game. You see a lone, battered knight, who is about to give up. That's Demon's Souls for you. If you are willing to take the challenge, victory will be very satisfying.

***About the difficulty and potential frustration***

First of all, the game is very unforgiving. Even regular enemies can kill you with 1-2 blows, and they will kill you many times. However that's not the main issue. The real difficulty comes from not being able to save in the middle of a stage/map. The stages don't have checkpoints either. Also dying is very costly. When you die, first you will drop your souls at the location you died (You gain souls by killing enemies, and souls are used as both experience points to improve your stats and also as money). Then you will lose your body (which means losing half of your life bar, making the game even harder) and you will respawn in soul form at the start of the stage. However all the enemies will also respawn. Furthermore, if you die again before reaching the location you died, you will lose all the souls you have dropped previously for good. That means no experience/no money from all that playing. Also reaching your corpse does not give your body back, it only gives back your collected souls. You can gain your body (half of your life bar) if you beat a boss, or invade another player's game and kill him/her, or use a special item.

In brief, you will be playing the same stage from the beginning over and over again, until you beat the boss at the end of the stage. In a lot of cases, you will not gain any experience/level during this process, because you'll die a second time before reaching your corpse. However, the stages are not very big. It generally takes about 5 to 10 minutes to get to the boss if you know the way and IF you don't die. A new respawn point appears at the end of the stage, after a boss is defeated. (The game has 5 worlds and each world has 4 stages/bosses). So, after you beat a boss you can spawn from that location if you want.

Still, a lot of people would probably hate this no save/checkpoint mechanic combined with the games unforgiving difficulty. It's like 80s arcade games which takes you back to the beginning of the stage when you die.

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Product Description:
Beautiful, compelling, and at times unforgiving, Demon's Souls is the hardcore RPG experience PS3 owners have been waiting for since the platform's launch.Revolutionary online features define your adventure like never before, presenting seamless interconnectivity that serves in every instance to enhance the single-player game. Unprecedented in its depth and subtlety, peerless in its relentlessly challenging gameplay, Demon's Souls is the ultimate action RPG.KEYFEATURES- Ultimate hardcore RPG challenge - In this brutal land, death is inevitable, but not final.Combining the best features of an action game and RPG, you'll slice, smash, shoot, and cast magic against some of the most horrible, vicious enemies ever encountered. Are you strong enough to face up to the impossible and win?- Ground-breaking online capabilities - Network features go far beyond any previous RPG, allowing players to leave hints for each other, replay death scenes, cooperatively revive dead players, or invade and wreak havoc in another's game. Not merely an add-on feature, multiplayer options are vast, and uniquely focused on changing and intensifying the single player experience.- Freeform and flexible - The open-ended structure of the game means that there is no single path, but rather a wealth of options. Set your own pace and progress as you like. Build exactly the character you want by creating a detailed avatar, nurturing the right stats, and customizing your skills and equipment.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just like its most recent predecessors, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: World at War, the campaign portion of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a really fun game with extremely intense battle sequences. The downfall is that it's very very short. So let me start by saying that if you're not set up to, or you just don't intend to, play the online co-op or multiplayer modes, you really want to think twice before paying full price for this game. Single players either need to rent this or wait for an inexpensive used copy to go on sale.

So you get three game options: Special Ops (online isn't necessary, but at least two players are required for some of the missions), Multiplayer (designed to be played online; this is no fun split-screen with a max of 4 players), and the single player Campaign that took me less than 6 hours to finish.

In single player Campaign mode, you're a first person shooter (soldier) on the frontlines, and this time the frontlines aren't limited to overseas territories. Primarily you're playing separate, interlacing missions all over the world as two different characters. The story takes place several years after CoD 4 ended. And just as in CoD 4 you're with a team of characters that are truly your band of Artificial Intelligence brothers. On easier settings the AI soldiers can do practically all of the work for you on some missions; the help you might get from your team is based on the difficulty setting you've chosen. So unless you want to just glide through the game, definitely don't pick the Recruit difficulty (the other difficulty options are Regular, Hardened and Vet).

I could take away a star from the overall score of this game for how short the single player mode is, but I won't....All of a sudden it's not so short when you go back and try to play on the Vet setting and spend the time looking for all of the Intel items.

You arrive in single player boot camp just like in all of the previous CoDs, and you get a brief tutorial on how to maneuver around, shoot your weapons & throw grenades. After boot camp you get to choose the difficulty setting, then you're immediately strewn into various battles. (Once you've completed the game on any setting you can go back to various chapters to clean up any items or trophies missed, and at the start of each chapter you can choose to attempt on the higher difficulties.)

You fight your way through some intense chapters....really intense. In fact, when you first start off, there's even a warning that you'll be in for some VERY disturbing sequences, and you have the option to tell the game to skip "offensive material". Ummm...no thanks. I think that this is the first game that I've played that offers the option to censor itself if you choose the option. The story is a bit choppy at times, but the battles are wild. The graphics are out of this world, and some of the "familiar territory" scenes will just blow you away with how much it really looks like your own back yard.

The weapons are plentiful and sophisticated. You're shooting whichever modern-day weapon you happen to have picked up along your objective route. Objectives that guide you along are updated regularly as you complete each task throughout each chapter. And some of those tasks are brutal. There are frequent checkpoints (I think I remember even reaching new checkpoints without firing a single shot) in the campaign, so no need to worry about respawning back before what seemed to take an eternity to complete. On the other hand....

....There is the Special Ops portion of the game. I think that there are 23 different missions for you here, and you can play each one by trying to earn 1, 2 or 3 stars in each mission. Some of these are darn hard, especially the final 3-star unlocks. You will be frustrated by playing some of these a few times before you beat the levels to earn your stars. And there are no checkpoints in these missions, so if you fail in the final moments of a mission, you start over from the beginning of that mission.

Special Ops is most fun with a partner. It's best online so that you get to play full screen, but if you have a guest over you can play split screen offline. For all you World at War players looking for Zombies, you're out of luck here. You get Special Ops instead. There was a silly rumor that MW2 would have an "Alien Invaders" mode that would rival the Zombie mode of WaW, but that indeed was just a silly rumor.

Online Multiplayer is where you'll get addicted. No AI brothers here...just your fellow gamers. You'd better have your FPS skills honed if you think that you'll score better than some of the MW2 online players. A very high percentage of the online players have been honing their skills online for years now with CoD4 and World at War.

The concept with Multiplayer is certainly not new. The more you play, the higher you rank allowing you to unlock more (fine tuned) weapons. The game sets you up in matches with people at your level and rank, but that ain't gonna help you if you're new (you will be fondly referred to as a noob by your swell fellow online players) and you're up against the CoD4 or WaW vets.

What makes MW2 Multiplayer more than just a new map pack for CoD4 is that the Multiplayer weapons and perk system are vastly improved. And so is connectivity (so it seems in the initial week of play after a few day one and two glitches). You get 10 times the amount of points for the kills and captures that you're used to getting only 5 or 10 points for in CoD4 and WaW. You also now get points for not just killing and capturing, but for taking out enemy air support, coming back from deathstreaks, killing your nemesis, breaking an enemy's streak and other stuff.Yeah, Multiplayer is good fun, habitual and bad for a marriage.

So all in all Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is major fun. The only drawbacks to this awesome game are that the campaign is really short and the multiplayer action is a bit familiar. But the MW2 Multiplayer improvements over its predecessors far out weigh the familiarity.

Modern Warfare 2 is a must for FPS fans. Add it to your cart, soldier!

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Product Description:
Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person tactical shooter and the sixth entry in the popular Call of Duty series. True to its name and following the lead of its predecessor, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, it places players in modern combat settings, as opposed to the WWII environments of the earlier Call of Duty games. This modern approach brings with it new weapons, action and options. Coupled with a variety of gameplay modes including single player, multiplayer and the co-op Special Ops Mode, it is destined to be one of the most popular games of 2009 and a worthy addition to the Call of Duty series.

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Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time is a great conclusion to the series, but the beautiful part about it is that you can play it without having played any of the other games before it.When you first pop in the disc you're greeted with a short movie that explains all of the events leading up to this game.Once that's over, you're up to speed and ready to roll.

The story is quite interesting, it's loaded with laugh-out-loud humor, and the characters are voiced to perfection.This rivals any of the Hollywood CGI movies that have come out in recent memory in terms of animation, story, humor, and the acting performances.

The game is loaded with variety.As Ratchet, you'll be flying around in your spaceship, in kind of an open-world setting, where you can visit various planets and moons in each space sector and accomplish side-tasks.The moons are spherical and come in two really fun varieties: platforming segments which will you remind you of Super Mario Galaxy, and shooting segments which will you remind you of Super Stardust HD.The planets are where the story actually takes place and you will explore much larger environments and meet new characters.In space, you can get into dog-fights with Dr. Nefarious' minion space-ship fighters, or you can meet up with various other space-travelers and help them with their requests.Your ship is upgradable, you just have to find little creatures called Zoni.There are 40 of them hidden throughout the game's universe, many of them are found by completing the optional moons.While roving around in your ship, there are also 4 fictitious radio stations to choose from.They all feature wonderful music of different varieties for different tastes, and DJs that will make you laugh out loud with their banter.

The weapons are ingeniously conceived, and you'll find yourself laughing when you see what some of them do.Humor is a big part of this game.But it's not all about humor.There is some serious gameplay here, too.Fun platforming, creative puzzles, RPG-like systems where your character levels up as he gains experience, granting him more hit points, and all of your weapons level-up with use, as well.Also, the weapons can be upgraded with parts that you find hidden around the universe, and some of the weapons can even be custom-painted.

Some of the best gameplay in this package comes from Clank and the new time-based puzzles.There will time-pads placed around the Clock at the Center of the Universe (the area that Clank traverses throughout the game), and you can record yourself doing things on these time-pads, then play back the action simultaneously while doing something else with your present self.In other words, you can set up recordings of past-selves to help your present-self accomplish tasks that would otherwise be impossible alone.The mechanics may remind you of a game called Braid.It's all very-well implements and often ingenious, always fun.

The game itself is rather easy to get through on the lower difficulties, it will be appropriate for children and adults alike who may not have much experience gaming.You'll get to see the whole game without much difficulty.But there are also Normal and Hard difficulties, which amp up the challenge, and seasoned gamers will find them more than sufficient to give them a fun time that's not too easy or too frustrating.This game is perfect for all-ages, it's appropriate for kids as well as adults, and I recommend it highly!

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Product Description:
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is a single player platform shooter that reunites Sony's famous space age duo for another comedic romp through the universe. The final game in the Ratchet & Clank Future sub trilogy, A Crack in Time answers many questions raised in the previous two games in the sub series, and introduces addictive and challenging new puzzle-solving Clank gameplay.

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Tekken 6 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Good:

LOTS of characters to play, with plenty of depth and technical mastery required to truly master the game.If memorizing complex juggles, 5-10 hit combos, safe/unsafe moves, and the frame data for your moves and the moves of your opponents sounds like 'good times' for you then this game has got you covered.

The Bad:

Everything else.The graphics look waxy and dated compared to other recent releases (SC4 which was released by the same company...), the scenario campaign is a tedious grind--hint: choose Devil Jin as your free unlockable and thank me later--although it's not the torture others make it out to be, and most are reporting the online play is laggy (although I didn't notice it the few times I went online to remind myself that I am a horrible Kazuya player).

Final verdict:

The hardcore purists will enjoy the game for it's depth and steep skill requirement--and be frustrated with the online play, but those of you just looking for a pretty game to sit on the couch and button-mash with your girlfriend, you might want to skip this one.

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Product Description:
Raise your fists and get ready to fight to the brutal finish. The battle comes alive with bone-jarring realism as you pummel your opponent and do your utmost to inflict maximum damage. Your fists are fast and your grip is strong, but will it be enough to help you dominate in the ultimate King of Iron Fist Tournament?


Stunning Graphics
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Bone Jarring Punches
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Fight Online with Friends
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Synopsis
The storied fighting franchise returns for another bout in Tekken 6. Select from an impressive roster of fighters, each with a signature set of deadly techniques, and unleash your most powerful and lightning-fast moves and combos to overcome your opponent. Customize your character to achieve unique advantages, and battle mano a mano as the King of Iron Fist Tournament comes to life around you in stunning high definition.


Key Game Features:

Select from among the largest character roster in the Tekken series, including familiar faces as well as brand-new fighters
Employ each character's unique techniques, moves and attack combinations to powerful effect
Experience an array of gameplay modes, new features and new environments that heighten the fighting intensity
Savor the realism of bone-jarring punches and gut-wrenching grapples as the fight comes to life around you in dazzling HD
Take the fight online to engage in classic match-ups or compete for ultimate world domination

The Story Continues:
Following his victory in the previous tournament, Jin Kazama has taken charge of the Mishima Zaibatsu and now possesses tyrannical ambitions. Using his resources within the organization to become a global superpower, he severs the Mishima Zaibatsu's national ties and openly declares war against all nations. This action plunges the world into a chaotic spiral, with war erupting around the globe and even amidst the space colonies orbiting the planet. Kazuya Mishima, is aware of this and finds Jin's interference in his own plans for global domination to be a nuisance. Now in charge of G Corporation (which was put under his command following a violent fury against the company's heads), Kazuya is seen as the only force who could oppose Jin and places a bounty on Jin's head for anyone who can capture him. Jin's response is to announce The King of Iron Fist Tournament 6 in order to battle Kazuya and crush G Corporation.

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