Indie Game Review: "DLC Quest"

Publisher: N/A

Developer: Going Loud Studios

Release Date: November 2, 2011 (USA)

Premise:

DLC Quest is a side-scrolling platform game that is a satire about DLC in games. The main goal is to rescue the princess.

Gameplay: 

The gameplay of DLC Quest consists of traditional platforming. While you initially play, certain features are restricted, such as the ability to move left or pause the game. As you progress through the game, you are able to unlock necessary features by purchasing DLC in-game (not real DLC but the game calls it DLC as a satire of game companies restricting content).

Gameplay revolves around exploring the world by running and jumping around collecting coins so that you can purchase the necessary DLC that you need to finish the game, all the while poking fun at the ever-increasing craziness of real-life DLC in games.

Graphics:

The graphics are retro pixelated, and some animations such as walking have to be unlocked to be used.  The game is kept very simple and straight-forward and is reminiscent of past games that had simple, clean interfaces and looks.

Sound:

Sound is another aspect of the game that you must unlock through DLC as you progress through the game. Having ambient music in the background and sound effects of hitting things with your sword and moving around are all unlocked as you play.

Length:

DLC Quest is not a very long game, not at all. You can complete a playthrough in roughly an hour or maybe even less. The game is kept very simple with easy objectives that are told to you plainly so you always know where to go and what to do.

Value:

I applaud the developers for making a satire out of the nature that DLC has taken on in the past years, and for providing the experience for simply $1. If you're looking for a quick pick-up-and-go game that will give you a few chuckles than I would recommend buying this game off of the Xbox Live Indie Game Marketplace.

XBLA Review: "Dungeon Defenders"

Publisher: Reverb Communications

Developer: Trendy Entertainment

Release Date: October 19, 2011 (USA)

Premise:

Dungeon Defenders is an RPG/Tower Defense game where you play as many different child characters who are defending their homeland from the invading monsters while their parents are out in the world fighting monsters themselves.

Gameplay: 

Dungeon Defenders blends the RPG elements with a heavy emphasis on Tower Defense. You choose from a bunch of different characters, such as a Mage, a Knight, an Archer, etc. that each have their own unique attacks and defenses they can build. You can choose to attack the incoming monsters with your character using their primary attack, or you can use Mana points to build Defenses, which is the core of the game.

There are several different defenses that each character can make and in-between each wave you have unlimited time to build defenses. To build defenses you must collect Mana Crystals that are dropped from every enemy that you kill, as well as inside chests that reappear at the end of every round. You can also hot-swap between characters during the building phase to put out traps from every character, but there is a limit to the number of Towers you can build so you have to plan your strategy.

There is also a leveling up aspect of the game that gives you the ability to level up your character by gaining XP and earning Skill Points when you reach the next level. These skill points can be put into making your attacks stronger, your defenses better, giving you more health and much more. There is also a loot system in place; sometimes enemies will drop weapons and armor that you can equip or buy and sell at the store that you visit between missions.

Graphics:

The graphics in Dungeon Defenders are mostly on the cartoony-side, though that isn't a bad thing. The environments make you feel like you're in a toy chest playing with different toys. The models of the characters are nicely done and what they lack in detail they make-up for in execution. The visual effects of the defenses attacking and the magic around you bring a certain sense of vibrancy to the game. 

Sound:

There's all sorts of different sounds in the game, though there's very little music. Each defense has its own unique sounds and the characters make varying sounds of accomplishment as you progress in the game.

Length:

Dungeon Defenders has several different levels you play in, as well as additional game modes to increase the replay value. After completing a level in the Story Mode, you can replay the level in a new Challenge mode. These challenge modes vary in their modeling; some of them involve beating the level without building a single defense and others have it where you can only use defenses and cannot attack with your character.

You can customize the challenges a little bit by adding or removing certain features which can further extend the gameplay. There are several hours of gameplay to be had here, easily over 10 hours, just from playing the levels and going back to try and beat the challenges put forth.

Value:

Dungeon Defenders is a very fun game, and it only becomes more fun when you play Co-Op with other people. The fact that the game does not tend to get repetitive-feeling enables you to replay the game over and over and still feel satisfied. Because of this I would say this game is worth the full price on the Xbox Live Arcade.

Purchase: Microsoft Xbox LIVE 1600 Marketplace Points

PSN Review: "Dead Nation"

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Developer: House Marque

Release Date: November 30, 2010 (USA)

Premise:

Dead Nation is an Isometric-style Twin-Stick Shooter. The player takes control of one of two main characters (or both if playing Co-Op) and fights hordes of zombies through various cities as they aim to escape the zombie apocalypse.

Gameplay: 

Being an Isometric-style Twin-Stick Shooter means you always see your character from the top down, though it's only Three-Quarters so you can see the immediate area around you. The objective in the game has you running from checkpoint to checkpoint, similar to Left4Dead, as you run around different areas killing zombies and earning money. You can then spend the money you earned at the beginning of each checkpoint at the store, which is an armored van.

Inside the van you can purchase and upgrade new weapons as well accessories such as grenades, flares, landmines and more. As you play the game, you will need to explore the areas to find crates that can contain anything from more ammunition to pieces of armor. When you find new armor you can equip the armor at the store, choosing a balance between very armored clothes that weigh a lot and slow you down and light armor that provides less protection but lets you run faster.

Graphics:

The graphics for this Playstation Network Game are very nice. The animations of the zombies are done really well and the textures of the environments really give you the feeling that the end of times have arrived. The buildings and vehicles you come across are richly detailed and look as though all hell broke loose not too long before you arrived, meshing perfectly with the game.

Sound:

There isn't a whole lot of different sounds in the game, there's some music that plays during the game to get you in the mood of shooting zombies and even some emotional music during the few cut-scenes there are and it's good. The sounds that the zombies make as they run after you are just about what you'd expect a zombie to sound like. The weapon noise seems appropriate as well, nothing too much or too little.

Length:

Dead Nation is not an Open-World type game, though you can explore the areas you visit. It is a linear title that sees you running through streets, parks and other areas trying to get to the next checkpoint. While there isn't a huge area to explore, there is a necessity in scavenging as much as you can to collect all of the money, ammo and armor pieces you need to survive. A typical playthrough will take you between 4-6 hours depending on how much exploring you do.

Value:

Dead Nation is a very fun game to play, especially if you play it with a friend on the same screen so you can team up for some zombie-killing fun. I purchased this game at full price on the Playstation Network and haven't regretted it yet, so I would definitely recommend you picking this title up if you just can't get enough zombies.

PC Review: "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim"

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios

Release Date: November 11, 2011 (USA)

Premise:

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an Open-World Action-Adventure game. Skyrim is similar to Oblivion in that it uses the same engine although it's been heavily modified and improved. You start out as an unknown character who is about to be executed for a crime. Before you can be beheaded, a huge Dragon attacks the town you're in and you escape to a nearby city. After composing yourself, you head out into the world of Skyrim to find out about the Dragons.

Gameplay: 

Like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, gameplay conists of First & Third-Person perspective viewing. Most of the game involves exploring the icy continent of Skyrim in search of Quests, Dungeons, Towns and much more. As with all Bethesda games, there is an extensive loot system in place that lets you pick up (or steal) almost any object in the game world. There are hundreds of weapons to choose from, such as bows and swords as well as magical staffs and shooting magic from your hands or conjuring spells.

Through exploration you can find hundreds of Side Quests and miscellaneous tasks to do through interacting with the environment, talking with people or just simply running around. There are a few new features in the game now in addition to the overhauled inventory and HUD. You can Dual Wield weapons such as two swords, use magic attacks in one hand and a sword in the other and there is also a Sprint feature that lets you run faster for a period of time until your stamina runs out.

The main theme of the game is Dragons. As you explore the world you will come across random encounters with Dragons and other people. Dragons can be defeated to earn Dragon Bones & Scales which can be used to craft Dragon Armor as well as Souls which can be used to unlock Thu'um's that you find around the world; these Thu'um's are powerful blasts of energy known as "Shouts" that deal destruction to your foes.

Graphics:
The Graphics have been drastically improved in Skyrim. The terrain is very complex and real-looking, the buildings have great structural detail and the character models are amazing; all of the textures in the game are pretty top-notch and make the entire atmosphere engulf you into it.

The downside to the typical Bethesda Open-World game is the re-use of textures and interiors. Every single Hotel/Inn that you enter is exactly the same look and setup with no differences at all. A lot of caves and buildings you enter will be modeled very similarly and sometimes identical, giving you the feeling of Deja Vu as you play. While this is disappointing, it is understandable given the scope of the game and in no way does it break your game experience.


Sound:
There is a lot of music in the game and the theme of the game fits very well in the world space. Casting the different spells will create different noises and the sound of swords and melee weapons hitting enemies makes you feel like you're really doing it yourself. The general ambience of the environment is very well done.


Length:
Having an Open-World the size of Skyrim, and knowing that it's a Bethesda game, means that it's going to be very long. I have racked up over 160 hours of gameplay so far and have not finished everything. It would be a safe bet to say that if you wanted to complete the game and collect all of the unique items and do all of the Quests that you could plausibly spend over 200 hours in the game world.


Value:
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a huge game with great detail put into the creation of it. As is customary with Bethesda games it seems, there were literally several hundred bugs in the game at launch since Bethesda chose to not do any Beta Testing of the game prior to release. It took several months before the majority of the bugs were fixed, including a few Game-Breaking ones. Given the scope of the game, I would say that it is worth the full retail price.

Xbox 360 Review: "Fallout: New Vegas"

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

Release Date: October 19, 2010 (USA)

Premise:
Fallout: New Vegas is a 2010 First/Third-Person Open-World Action-Adventure game. The player takes control of an unnamed person known as "The Courier" who had the job of delivering items from one place to another. At the beginning of the game, the player is shot by an unknown man in a white suit and buried, presumably dead. A robot digs The Courier up and after getting aid from a doctor at a local town, The Courier heads out into the Wasteland to find out what happened.


Gameplay: 

Gameplay in Fallout: New Vegas is completely identical to Fallout 3, as it uses the exact same engine. The setting this time, though, is in the West, in Nevada. The player runs around the Mojave Wasteland in search of answers to why he/she was shot and along the way can perform a vast amount of Side Quests in addition to the Multiple-Path Main Quests.

There is an extensive loot system in the game that allows the player to collect thousands of different objects, weapons, armors, plants, and much more. As the player levels up through earning Experience Points (XP) by completing Quests or killing enemies, they can allot Skill Points into a number of different Skills to improve their character's shooting, health, sneaking, etc.

When the game first came out and for the first few months, there were several hundred bugs in the game that could be minor or even game-breaking. While there are still a host of bugs in the game, a vast majority of them have been cleaned up to improve the experience of the player.


Graphics:

There isn't anything super special about the graphics in Fallout: New Vegas. The textures are relatively low-quality, including the terrain and all of the different buildings that you can enter and explore. Weapons look pretty well done and the character models and creatures are above average. All told, the graphics don't seem to be anywhere near a deal-breaker, even though they do leave something to be desired.


Sound:
There are many different sounds in the game and the weapons you use have pretty authentic sounds, though a majority of them are reused on multiple weapons. There are radio stations that you can listen to in the game but each one of them replays the same songs over and over, and the one radio station where you have a person DJing (known as "Mr. New Vegas" who is voiced by Wayne Newton) will say the same things over and over for the majority of the game, though as you progress through the game he will mention things that you've done and speak of new topics.


Length:
Since the game is an Open-World, you can explore hundreds of different areas and there are many buildings to enter and explore. It's not uncommon for players to rack up well over 100 hours of gameplay time, even 150+ hours if you decide to go out and collect all of the hundreds of different collectibles in the game ranging from magazines and books to unique armor and weapons.


Value:
Fallout: New Vegas can easily satisfy the gamer who loves Post-Apocalyptic worlds. There is so much to do in the game that you will be playing the game for months on end to completely see everything there is to see. There are multiple endings to the game and many different factions to align yourself with, so there is a necessity in replaying the game on multiple playthroughs to experience everything in the game.


Though the game has reached the bargain bin only a few months after release due to the bugs, I would still feel comfortable saying this game is worth full retail price and is a must-play for any Wasteland lovers.

Xbox 360 Review: "Max Payne 3"

Publisher: Rockstar Games

Developer: Rockstar (Various Studios)

Release Date: May 15, 2012 (USA)

Premise:
Max Payne 3 is a 2012 Third-Person Action game. You star as the titular character Max Payne who has now managed to make his way to São Paulo, Brazil working as a bodyguard for a rich and powerful man. When the man's wife is kidnapped, Max is drawn into a web of conspiracy and betrayal as he battles his own personal demons to save the life of another distressed woman.

Gameplay: 

Max Payne 3 is a Third-Person-Shooter. All of the classic elements of the Max Payne franchise return in this newest installment. The game involves a lot of shooting, then some more shooting and after all of the shooting, there's more shooting. Bullet Time makes a return, allowing you to slow time down to gain an advantage against your foes.

Max Payne 3 also employs a cover system that you will need to take full advantage of at all times. Enemies are very accurate in their shooting and most of the time just a few bullets is all it takes to kill you. The traditional Painkillers are back as the method of Health Kits, and there is a new feature included called "Last Man Standing." What that means is if you have at least 1 Painkiller in your possession and you get shot enough to where it would normally kill you, you have the chance to kill the person who last shot you. Doing so lets you continue the game but takes away a single Painkiller.

Graphics:
The graphics in Max Payne 3 are just about as good as it gets for an Xbox 360 game. The character models are absolutely amazing, as you can tell Rockstar went into great detail with each NPC as well as Max, such as adding blemishes and skin flaws to make them look even more real. The environment is crafted perfectly, and the textures look amazing along with the detailed and vibrant cities, towns, jungles and other areas that you visit throughout the game.

Sound:
In addition to the original music score that is the most well-known to Max Payne fans, there are some additional musics that really get you caught up in the game. The weapons sound very authentic as well as the ambient sounds of the environment of doors, wild animals and much more.

Length:
Max Payne 3 is a linear story/action-based game. It will take you roughly 6-9 hours to complete the entire game which can be extended if you spend time scrounging around each area you visit for the collectible Gold weapons, more Painkillers and finding "clues" around the world that give you a further glimpse into the story as it unfolds around you.


There are several difficulty levels to unlock as you complete the game multiple times, as well as an "Arcade" mode that's similar to Gears of War 3's Arcade mode in which you play the campaign with the goal of racking up the most points possible. There is also a multiplayer element to the game that lets you battle against people on Xbox Live.

Value:
Max Payne 3 is a hell of a great experience. The story is filled with raw emotion and sadness from Max as well as a shit load of heavy action. The fact that the game was done so well, I would gladly pay full retail price to show my support to Rockstar for making such an amazing game.