Tag Archives: PS3

Heavenly Sword (PlayStation 3)

Heavenly Sword

Developer(s) – Ninja Theory 

Publisher(s) – Sony Computer Entertainment

Director(s) – Nina Kristensen, Tameem Antoniades & Andy Serkis

Producer(s) – Matt Hart

PEGI – 16

Released in 2007 following a slew of questionable launch titles for the PlayStation 3, such as Lair and Genjo: Days of the Blade, Heavenly Sword was a game that helped to shed light on the appeal of the console early on. And can be seen as an earlier example of how cinematic video games came to evolve into what they are today. Excelling in the story and doing fairly well to impress in terms of gameplay at the same time. It received a mixed reaction from critics at the time. But in my opinion, whilst not being among the best titles on the system in the end, certainly does hold up well enough.

Graphics – 8.5/10

The game’s visuals, whilst not doing exceptionally well to stand out conceptually, certainly stood out technically at the time. And as such, it did an exceptional job of displaying what the PlayStation 3 was capable of on the graphical level in the console’s infancy. Motion capture was used extensively on the project for each of the actors to interpret facial expressions as well as possible. Including the motion capture master Andy Serkis. For the number of enemies that also appear on the screen at any one given time, the developers took care to make sure the frame rate didn’t drop as dramatically as what players could’ve possibly come to expect. It doesn’t hinder gameplay too much.

Gameplay – 7/10

Speaking of gameplay, Heavenly Sword is a linear hack n’ slash game similar to games like God of War and Darksiders. Complete with a variety of weapon types, special abilities, and quick-time events. Indeed, the game does require a certain degree of strategy to deal with different types of enemies. In that swift attacks must be used to best fight against agile enemies. And powerful attacks must be used to best fight slower and heavier enemies. The principle is prevalent throughout the entire game, especially in the boss fights. There are also instances in which the player controls an alternative character, who wields a bow. And they can use the PlayStation 3’s SixAxis controls to steer arrows toward enemies, which I particularly enjoyed. 

Controls – 10/10

Although the small drop in frame rate can hinder the game to a small extent, the game’s control scheme itself poses no problems. Again, it was quite impressive to me how the developers implemented the SixAxis controls as well as the conventional controls. Everything moves as fluently as needed and the controls pose no unnecessary complication either.

Lifespan – 5/10

Clocking at around 4 hours, the game’s lifespan falls short of even hack n’ slash games that had come and gone before it. The game excels in technical visuals, gameplay, and story. And these are the aspects in which the developers showed off the budget, but for me, it would’ve been better spent making sure the player had as much to do in the game as possible for as long as possible. As opposed to being left with a linear and one-dimensional experience it turned out to be

Storyline – 8/10

The story of Heavenly Sword centers around Nariko, a young warrior of a small tribe fighting against the forces of a relentless ruler named King Bohan. Nariko’s weapon, the titular Heavenly Sword, is actually a divine relic. And a form of sentient life Nariko suffers from an inner conflict that culminates as the game progresses. Similar to how the ring of power works in Lord of the Rings. She makes it her resolve to master the sword. And use it to liberate her clansmen and drive King Bohan back.

The story blends together elements of comedy, tragedy, and drama. And makes for a particularly engrossing experience in this respect. Andy Serkis’s performance as King Bohan, in particular, is outstanding. With excellent acting and well-written dialogue to complement him. Though his character is nowhere as conflicted as his portrayal as Monkey in Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, the intentions of King Bohan are made clear from the start. And Andy Serkis flawlessly conveys it. 

Originality – 6.5/10

Though the game certainly stands out in terms of story, it fails to stand out to any great extent in respect of either gameplay or conceptual design. And the experience suffers somewhat as a result. The main focus of a game should always be on the gameplay. And making that stand out more than any other element of the game. And it’s evident that wasn’t the case with Heavenly Sword. It feels very much like the story was the primary concern of the developers. And although the gameplay is not terrible by any means, it could’ve been better given more of a focus.

Happii

However, for as many criticisms I have cited over the course of the review, Heavenly Sword is a game with a moderate amount of variety. And is still pretty enjoyable to play regardless. Its story is worth experiencing a single playthrough for. And it seemed to set the precedent for more games that were, even more, enthralling in terms of story on the PlayStation 3. 

Score

45/60

7.5/10 (Good)

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (PC, PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360)

Kane and Lynch 2

Developer(s) – IO Interactive

Publisher(s) – Square Enix

Director(s) – Karsten Lund & Kim Krogh

PEGI – 18

Released in 2010, among a plethora of other critically acclaimed mainstream titles, such as Mass Effect 2, Final Fantasy XIII, and Red Dead Redemption, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a third-person shooter that was received with mixed or average reviews upon its release. With many citing its lack of fun or substance. And in this case, I’m inclined to agree with the general consensus. There were far better games made of the same ilk at this time with much more substance to them. Making it stand out like a sore thumb among the best of what the seventh generation had to offer. 

Graphics – 6.5/10

The game’s settings are of modern-day China perpetuating one gritty and horrific atmosphere after another. With a film grain effect to compliment it. I understand that this was done to add to the game’s feeling of dread. But overall, it just makes things needlessly complicated during gameplay. Especially whilst trying to take out enemies from a distance. The way the game was designed visually was far more of a hindrance rather than being compelling to look at. For the most part, the game’s settings in general also seem far too generic. Even compared to other games like it that were out at the time. Such as Grand Theft Auto IV and the games in the Saints Row series. It should’ve been expected from a development team that game artist Rasmus Poulsen once said that they were trying to make it look non-pleasing.

Gameplay – 6/10

The game is a third-person shooter, whereby the sole objective is to simply get from A to B. With no secondary objectives to keep things varied, or any further incentive to play other than simply advancing the story. There are a few instances of vehicular combat throughout. But not enough to maintain a decent level of variety. Especially compared to most other games throughout the seventh generation in general, let alone 2010. This game certainly needed an extra push to make it better than what it turned out to be. But the lack of substance makes it come across as if the developers couldn’t be bothered trying. 

Controls – 10/10

The only aspect in which there are no flaws in the game is in the control scheme. But scenes as they had a blueprint to follow at this point with the likes of Gears of War and Uncharted games having been released prior, there shouldn’t have been an excuse to get the controls wrong. But the fact that no unique control mechanics were added to make this game stand out didn’t do the developers any favors. 

Lifespan – 4/10

Clocking in at around 5 hours, the game is also criminally short. Third-person shooters at the time seemed to be relatively short by nature anyway, with Uncharted and Gears of War games taking around the same time to complete, but the difference being is the two former examples offered far more in terms of gameplay than what Kane & Lynch 2 does, and therefore both warranting more than one playthrough, whereas depending on what way players may look at it, Kane & Lynch 2 may not even be good enough for even one playthrough. 

Storyline – 6/10

Taking place four years after the original game, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days reunites Kane & Lynch in Shanghai, China, where they become embroiled in a generic gangster plot where they must stick together in order to survive. Yes, it is honestly as forgettable as it sounds. I couldn’t even be bothered remembering the character’s names for the most part as I was not inclined at all to become emotionally invested in the story. The only reason I remembered the names of the two main characters is simply because the game is named after them.

Originality – 3/10

Simply put, there is next to nothing unique about Kane & Lynch 2; it perpetuated many of the same things that a lot of other seventh-generation games had done years before this but offers players nothing to make it stand out among the plethora of great games that had come prior. Somehow, there were talks emerging at one point of this game being adapted into a film, but due to the lack of interest in general, it never happened. But given how little there is to it in gameplay, it probably would’ve worked better as a film than it does as a game. 

Angrii

Overall, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is definitely one of the most unoriginal and tedious games of the seventh generation. A black mark on the developers of the Hitman series, nowhere near as much thought was put into this series as there was with either the former or their obscure gem, Mini Ninjas

Score

35.5/60

5.5/10 (Far Below Average)

Braid (PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X & Switch)

Braid

Developer(s) – Number None

Publisher(s) – Number None & Microsoft Game Studios

Director(s) – Jonathan Blow

PEGI – 12

Released back in 2009, Braid was one of the games that truly Kickstarted the influx of independently developed games, which would be seen throughout the eighth generation and beyond, along with the likes of Minecraft, Fez, and Castle Crashers. It was received with universal acclaim upon release proving to be one of the most influential games of the 21st century. With many critics even citing it as one of the very games of all time. Although I found it to be brimming with artistic merit and certainly having well earned its place within gaming history, I wouldn’t go so far as to call it one of the best of all time. But nevertheless, there was a lot to be enjoyed with this one

Graphics – 10/10

The first thing to notice and to truly be awe-inspired by is the visuals. Hand-drawn and taking place within environments are equally vibrant and colorful as well as dark and ominous, visually, the game was expertly put together to the extent that it makes players feel that this wasn’t programmed on a computer by a developer. But rather painted onto a blank canvas by a master artist. The game’s soundtrack is also expertly composed by three classically trained musicians. Further perpetuating the contrasting feeling of calmness and ambiance with that of danger and dark portent. 

Gameplay – 7/10

The game is a 2D side-scroller with puzzle-solving elements to it, similar to a lot of indie experiences to have seemingly been influenced by it. Such as Chronology and The Swapper. But also features a lot of gameplay elements similar to that of the Super Mario series. The puzzle-solving element is not quite as intricate or subtle as what it is in Jonathan Blow’s future game, The Witness. But nevertheless, players will have to have their thinking caps on in order to progress through this game. As the puzzles can be particularly challenging at times. 

Controls – 10/10

Aside from the jumping controls feeling somewhat stiff, the game’s control scheme poses no problems at all. All I would suggest is to get either the console or Steam version, since all these versions offer controller support. Unlike the PC version on CD-ROM which forces players to use the keyboard. This is exactly how a game like this should never play out. At least with the Steam version, keyboard mapping becomes available. 

Lifespan – 3/10

Braid can only be made to last around 2 hours. Which for a game that came out in the middle of the seventh generation, is nothing. Especially when since its release, there have been plenty of other games made in the same ilk that have been made to last considerably longer than this. This is the main reason why I’ve not been so hasty as to label it one of the best of all time. Since whilst having as much artistic credibility as this game does, it should only be secondary to things like gameplay. And in this day and age, lifespan, and I didn’t find that it was in this case. 

Storyline – 7/10

The story of Braid tells of a man named Tim who is searching for his princess that has been taken by an evil monster. Like Super Mario Bros, the game’s story sounds extremely simplistic in scope. And again, for a game that was released when it was, you may think that wouldn’t be enough since games were becoming more geared towards telling stories. But what makes this game hold up in that respect is in the details. Plot threads and backstories are accessible throughout the game. And it gives it more substance than players may think at first glance. There are also a few twists and turns before the end that players will not see coming at all. 

Originality – 7/10

Whilst this game was by no means the first game to do the majority of things that it does do, the fact of the matter is that it went on to inspire a new generation of developers to come up with their own ideas and share them with the world, and props need to be given to both Jonathan Blow and the team of developers behind it. This game, along with many other released around at the same time, taught the new generation that they don’t need to be part of the mainstream to realize that they can become successful developers. And that with the know-how and the effort, that a great game can be developed on a budget. 

Happii

Overall, Braid, whilst I can’t bring myself to consider it one of the best, is certainly one of the most influential. And still quite a lot of fun for the short time it lasts. Jonathan Blow went through an arduous process to bring this game to life. And in the end, he deserved his success. 

Score

44/60

7/10 (Fair)

Assassins Creed

Assassin’s Creed (PC, PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360)

Developer(s) – Ubisoft Montreal

Publisher(s) – Ubisoft

Director(s) – Patrick Desilets

Producer(s) – Jade Redmond

PEGI – 18

Released in the holiday season of 2007, and originally intended to be released as a Prince of Persia game following the success of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Assassin’s Creed marked the start of an even more prolific series of games. Whilst the first game was met with generally favorable reviews at the time, future entries would go on to establish it as one of the definitive IPs of the seventh generation of gaming. And going on to provide a basis of sorts for several games made throughout both the seventh and eighth generations. Including Batman: Arkham Asylum and Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor. As for my own personal opinion on the original game, it is admittedly quite typical. I feel that whilst it was a very decent game overall, the best of the series would be yet to come.

Graphics – 8.5/10

Set primarily in the Holy Land during the third crusade, the vast open world is lovingly crafted to represent the structure and architecture of three primary cities; Acre, Damascus, and Jerusalem. The attention to detail of what these locations would have looked like during this era is staggering (something the developers of the series would become renowned for as it would go on), and though the visuals on the technical level perhaps haven’t aged quite as well as other entries in the series, they were nevertheless cutting-edge for the time. And the game is still a joy to look at on the conceptual level. 

Gameplay – 8.5/10

The object of the game, as the name suggests, is primarily to carry out assassination missions. Players gather information by pickpocketing, eavesdropping on intriguing conversations, and can take advantage of several different weapons and methods of combat to carry out each kill. But apart from that, there are also various sidequests to be completed throughout each of the cities. Which improve the player character’s abilities. The player is also given access to new weapons and abilities after each main assassination throughout the story.

Such as throwing knives and additional armor. Again, more features would inevitably be added with later installments of the Assassin’s Creed series. But as far as this game goes, this provided more than just a blueprint for that. It provided players with an immensely addictive experience, going further than what Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time did. I always thought personally that The Prince of Persia revamp of the early 2000s could’ve done with a game being set in an open world, and this was Ubisoft’s answer to that concern. 

Controls – 9/10

The control scheme was almost perfect, which was relatively impressive, given that truly nothing like this game existed beforehand. But the biggest issue I had with it, was the one-on-one combat system. It works loosely similar to what it does in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. And with players locking onto one target at a time to attack them, whilst also being able to counter-attack other surrounding enemies in the process.

Whilst it would be refined in later Assassin’s Creed games, I found it to be somewhat flimsy at times in the first. And it was at these points that I could tell that it was a new idea that needed tweaking if the series was ever to progress past this game. Luckily, however, the rest of the game’s mechanics were handled brilliantly. Movement across buildings, streets, and rooftops is extremely fluent. Which again, was impressive given that the idea was a relatively new thing at the time.

Lifespan – 7/10

The biggest disappointment that comes with the first Assassin’s Creed game, however, is the amount of time that it lasts. Whilst not being criminally short, it clocks in at around a total of 30 hours. Which is good. But nowhere near the time it could’ve been made to last with the inclusion of a few more sidequests. As again, later games in the series would demonstrate. Especially given how the size of the team expanded throughout the game’s development.

Storyline – 9/10

The story of Assassin’s Creed is something that would become disjointed over time. But the first lay the foundations for something special. It begins with the main character Desmond Miles, having been imprisoned by an organization named Abstergo. Their intentions are to uncover ancient secrets hidden in Desmond’s ancestral past through a VR machine known as the Animus. Which allows the user to experience the lives and events of their descendants. The experiment’s overseer, Warren Vidic uses Desmond and the Animus to tap into the ancestral memories of Desmond’s predecessor, Altair Ibn-La’Ahad. Who was a senior member of an organization known as the Assassin Brotherhood. Following a failed attempt on the life of Robert de-Sable, Altair is stripped of his rank. And ordered to carry out various other assassination missions in order to restore his status and reputation among the brotherhood. 

The events of the story, from the perspectives of both Desmond and Altair, unfold into something that will be completely unexpected by players. And truly helped massively to make this game stand out as a hallmark in telling an effective story in gaming throughout the seventh generation. Although fans of the series have had mixed reactions to the directions in which the story was taken, later on, there can be no doubt that the story in the original game was expertly presented. It’s exciting, tense, suspenseful. And without spoiling anything specific, ends on a masterfully executed cliffhanger that you will not believe.

Originality – 8.5/10

Despite Assassin’s Creed having its many influences, such as Ubisoft’s own Prince of Persia and Grand Theft Auto, the fact of the matter is that this series has always delivered something unlike any other before it. And it was all very effectively perpetuated with the original game. Since I first played through it, which was many years ago, I’ve come to have a newfound respect for the original game. And everything that is accomplished at the time. During the series’ early years, especially after the release of Assassin’s Creed II, (which remains my favorite installment), I used to look at the original game as being simply the inferior blueprint. But after having played it again recently, I’ve since discovered a new appreciation for it.

Happii

Overall, Assassin’s Creed, whilst not being the best game in the series, still remains one of the defining gaming experiences of its time. It’s a game that still holds up, despite its few flaws. And I recommend it to anyone looking to revisit a seventh-generation classic. 

Score

50.5/60

8/10 (Very Good)

Fallout 3 (PC, PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360)

Fallout 3

Developer(s) – Bethesda Game Studios

Publisher(s) – Bethesda Softworks

Director(s) – Todd Howard

Producer(s) – Ashley Cheng & Gavin Carter

PEGI – 18

Fallout 3 released in 2008 following a long dispute between Bethesda and Interplay over the rights to the franchise, was developed on the same engine as Bethesda’s previous seventh-generation hit, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. But provided a very different take on the RPG genre, incorporating first-person shooting elements. As well as many of the gameplay elements from the original 2 Fallout games. Although I think the best of the Fallout series was yet to come following both the release of this game and Fallout: New Vegas. The third game in the series is a moderately enjoyable title. Despite the fact that it was such a radical departure from the original Fallout formula, (which in and of itself caused quite a divide among fans). And regardless of its flaws, still does fairly well to hold up.

Graphics – 9/10

In stark contrast to the world of Tamriel from The Elder Scrolls, Fallout 3, like in the original series, is set in the post-apocalyptic USA following a resource war fought between America and China. But the third is specifically set in a post-war Washington DC known as the Capital Wasteland. As such, several Washington landmarks are darted across the land. Such as the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. But the environment is heavily irradiated and the city is in ruins.

The visuals of this game are its most striking feature, going beyond what Oblivion delivered on the technical level. And providing something that most RPG fans at the time wouldn’t have been accustomed to. Since although the first 2 Fallout games sold relatively well among the circle of PC games in the late 90s, the series didn’t find its way into the top echelon of games until the release of this title. The entire atmosphere of the game is wonderfully dark and gritty. And a lot of the locations found around the Capital wasteland make the player feel things emotionally that they will not expect to feel going into it. 

Gameplay – 7/10

The game is an RPG first-person shooter hybrid; a lot like Borderlands without the use of cel-shaded visuals. Players level up using the SPECIAL system that had been perpetuated since Fallout 1. And experience points are also spent on improving attributes such as computer hacking, lockpicking, and proficiency in various different types of guns. Again in a somewhat similar fashion to Oblivion’s character progression system. The game also has a new take on turn-based combat with the inclusion of VATS (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System). This allows players to scan enemies and aim for specific parts of the body that may be more vulnerable than others in order to gain the upper hand in battle. 

Especially when the player becomes stronger over time, using VATS can feel extremely satisfying. And watching the cinematic kills has become a beloved feature of the series since. But besides this, there are a plethora of secrets, side quests, and different locations to discover throughout the Capital Wasteland that will have players hooked for many, many hours. What I would recommend is that players find a copy of the Game of the Year edition. Since not only will they be treated to even more content, but this version also fixes the game’s biggest flaw. Which is the inability to play past the end. 

Controls – 6/10

The biggest problem with this game, however, is its control scheme; especially in the early stages of the game. Because the player character is not yet necessarily proficient enough in shooting or accuracy, the lack of accuracy can become a particularly big problem. In some cases, even to the point where players may switch off early doors. It’s no wonder Bethesda later enlisted the help of id Software to hone the FPS mechanics with Fallout 4,

Because it is a big problem that presents itself in a very profound way in this title. Especially given the countless amount of FPS games that came before it. Mercifully, the game gets better to play as the player character progresses level by level. But patience can potentially wear thin with some players as well. The Pip-Boy system can also take a little bit of getting used to at first. But that doesn’t pose anywhere near as much of a problem as the shooting does early on. 

Lifespan – 10/10

Given everything, there is to do in this game, and the DLC, it can take way beyond 100 hours to complete. This is long enough for any gamer to enjoy. It easily outlasts Fallout: New Vegas, since, in that game, there’s hardly anything to do in comparison. But it also greatly outlasts the original 2 Fallout games. It’s no wonder the fanbase was largely split down the middle when this game came out since despite being such a departure, there was plenty to enjoy with this game.

Storyline – 6/10

The story of Fallout 3 takes place 200 years after the US is destroyed in the nuclear war with China. The player character is an inhabitant of Vault 101. And after reaching adulthood, his/her dad James, voiced by Liam Neeson, leaves the vault. Causing the rest of the inhabitants to descend into chaos. After being hunted down by the rest of the inhabitants, the player character is basically forced out of the vault into the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Capital Wasteland and resolves to find his/her father.

It sounds simple in scope, but events later unfold into something far bigger when it’s discovered why James left the vault and the number of different factions that become involved in the situation. Such as the Enclave and the Brotherhood of Steel. As well as being pretty compelling, it also stays remarkably true to the source material of the original games and provides players with a fairly engrossing experience in terms of story. 

Originality – 7.5/10

What makes Fallout 3 game as unique as it is are a lot of things, such as the different approach to first-person RPG combat, the contemporary settings not normal for an RPG, and the amount of controversy this game created at the time. It becomes obvious very early on that game goes places that other developers would dare not go at the time. Places such as the Dunwich Building and Tranquility Lane make for experiences that I’d never felt playing a game before, and several of the other vaults darted across the Capital Wasteland have their own sordid stories to tell. A majority of this game’s story is told through its lore, and it’s awesome to experience. 

Happii

Overall, Fallout 3, whilst not, in my opinion, the timeless classic that other gamers tend to praise it as, is still a very enjoyable gaming experience. And in my opinion, better than the original Fallout. It’s not the best entry in the series (in my opinion, that would be Fallout 4). But it’s still a very respectable entry despite its flaws and one of the more unique Western RPGs ever developed. 

Score

44.5/60

7/10 (Fair)

Resident Evil 2 (PC, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast & GameCube)

Resident Evil 2

Developer(s) – Capcom

Publisher(s) – Capcom

Director(s) – Hideki Kamiya

Producer(s) – Shinji Mikami

PEGI – 18

Released in 1998 generating more revenue than most Hollywood movies at the time, Resident Evil 2 is a continuation of the story of the original with new characters, and a new setting. And new dangers to overcome besides the zombies littering the mansion on the borders of Raccoon City. For various reasons, I found the second game, whilst suffering from a few of the same problems as the first, to be a decisive improvement on its predecessor in a number of respects. 

Graphics – 9/10

The most notable improvement of which, in my opinion, is in terms of its visual quality. With the player no longer being confined to a single mansion on the outskirts of Raccoon City. But rather in the heart of Raccoon City itself. Locations range from the ruins of Raccoon City streets to the Raccoon Police Department to research facilities and it was a welcome change of scenery at the time that made the franchise a lot more diverse. The quality of the zombie sprites was also a lot more varied than in the original game with different outfits for zombies, zombie policemen, and even female zombies too. There were visible improvements in both the technical and conceptual aspects of the game, which were pleasant to see. 

Gameplay – 8/10

In terms of gameplay, it plays out pretty much like an extension of the first game with a couple of added mechanics thrown in for good measure. Like in the first game, there are two scenarios to play through with two different characters. So it almost felt like two different games at the time. Especially as it came on two discs.  It also presents more of a challenge in the respect that it has new kinds of puzzles and new enemies to fight that require different strategies to take down. As well as a greater number of boss fights, which would later become a staple of the series. 

Controls – 7/10

The game’s control scheme, as such, is also the same as it was in the first game, and therefore, it suffers from very much the same issues as it did in the first game. With movement feels very stiff and clunky. Seemingly needlessly when compared to other games on the system. There had been some minor adjustments made. But enough for the game to deviate further from the problems that came with the first game. The whole formula would go on to be improved with games like Onimusha. But overall, it didn’t make the game unplayable. 

Lifespan – 7/10

The game can be made to last the same amount of time as the first game. 15 hours give or take. That’s to play through both scenarios on both discs. There are a few more side quests in comparison to the original game. But overall, it lasts as long as Resident Evil. As a fan of the Onimusha series, I can’t help but think what the game would’ve been like if Capcom had implemented the same kind of ideas they had with Onimusha 2 in comparison with the original Onimush. How even more varied gameplay would’ve been and what different kinds of events could have been made to happen as a result. 

Storyline – 7/10

The story takes place around 2 months after the events of the original Resident Evil. It follows the journeys of Leon Kennedy. A STARS officer on his day with the department. And Claire Redfield, the brother of the previous game’s main protagonist Chris Redfield. She has come to Raccoon City to try and track him down. The two soon become embroiled in a zombie outbreak across Raccoon City and they set out on a journey to discover the source of the outbreak.

The quality of the story is much better than in the original game. With a better script and even better voice acting to a certain extent. It still comes across as somewhat corny and cliche at times, but it was certainly an improvement in the quality of writing that the first game had to offer. I’ve yet to come across many bigger memes in gaming than the whole Jill Sandwich thing; thankfully there’s nothing quite as laughable in this game as that. 

Originality – 7/10

A common problem I encounter with survival horror sequels is that when the same threat is included as in the original game, it seems far less scary when the player knows what they’re up against. But in Resident Evil 2, there is a new threat added to keep things diverse, which has become another staple within the series. The second game introduces players to the Lickers and other eldritch abominations that spawn from the new G-virus that acts as the main threat of the game, which at the time did relatively well to keep things fresh in comparison to the first game. The zombies didn’t seem as scary anymore, even at the time, but encountering a Licker for the first time most definitely instilled fear in me back in the day. 

Happii

Overall, Resident Evil 2 made some very definitive improvements over the original game in almost every respect. I recommend it far more than I do than the first game as even taking the recent remaster into account, the original experience still holds up to this day. 

Score

46/60

7.5/10 (Good)

Portal 2 (PC, Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3)

Portal 2

Developer(s) – Valve

Publisher(s) – Valve

Director(s) – Joshua Weier

Producer(s) – Gabe Newell

PEGI – 12

Released some years after the original game to widespread critical acclaim, Portal 2 is considered one of the best titles of the seventh generation. Perfecting the formula of the original game and expanding on it in many different ways. Whilst I had a few issues to address where the game was concerned, it is still a decisive improvement over the first title and still holds up as being one of the more unique gaming experiences of the last decade or so.

Graphics – 8/10

One of the most notable improvements in the conceptual design of the game over the first. A lot of the settings were pretty much identical to one another in the original game before the end of GLaDOS’s trials. But in the second, the replication of textures and scenery is much less noticeable. It reminds me very much of the same improvements made with Skyrim over Oblivion. Where every ruin or cave no longer looked the same as one another and had a lot more individual diversity to them. The inclusion of new enemies to have to deal with only adds to the conceptual design of the overall series in addition. 

Gameplay – 8/10

The core gameplay has remained the same as that of the original. The player must use the Aperture Portal device to create portals in order to solve puzzles and progress through the game. However, far more elaborate puzzles have been included that build on the premise of the original game. Which has helped to diversify and broaden the entire concept. The inclusion of a plethora of easter eggs to discover throughout the game also does exceptionally well to expand on the mythology of the series. Whilst at the same time. Further linking it to the Half-Life universe. The ending boss fight is also handled wonderfully differently from that of the original game.

Controls – 10/10

There were no issues with the control scheme of the first game. And as the second game was built using the same engine and including the same principle gameplay features, there aren’t any issues to be had in the second game either. It’s actually quite impressive to me how the developers managed to further build on the concept of the original game without having to alter anything about its control scheme. They managed to keep things as simple as possible. Whilst developing a game to be as intricate as possible. 

Lifespan – 4/10

Where Portal 2 still doesn’t excel is unfortunately in its lifespan. The second portal game can be made to last a maximum of 3 hours, not counting multiplayer. This is the only factor whereby decisive improvement was not made. But was for me, the factor that needed the most improvement in order for it to stand among the very best games ever developed. Maybe one day Valve will get around to making a third game in the series. But inevitably, this game’s short lifespan has left gamers, including me, wanting so much more. 

Storyline – 9/10

The game’s basic story is not too dissimilar to that of the first. The game’s main character Chell remains trapped within the Aperture Research Facility and must find a way out. This time, however, she is up against a new threat in addition to the facility’s supercomputer GLaDOS. But also a sociopathic drone robot named Wheatley, voiced by Stephen Merchant. Wheatley appears as a friend at first. But his true intentions soon become clear and it is up to Chell to stop him. And find a way to escape Aperture once and for all. The story, as well as most of every other aspect of the game, is also made even more diverse with its further developed sense of dark humor. Although GLaDOS still contributes to that side of it greatly, so does Wheatley. And it’s hard to pick a favorite out of the two. 

Originality – 9/10

As I alluded to before, the original Portal presented players with a new outside-of-the-box way of playing a puzzle game originally dreamed up by a group of programming students who were later scouted by Valve after their work on the game Narbacular Drop. But the second portal game went above and beyond what the original offered to players. By keeping the concept fresh with new mind-bending puzzles to solve and backstories to discover. There are many why these games have gone on to become cult classics. The main reason I attribute to that is because of how well they stand out from every other game that has been developed before and after.

Happii

In summation, Portal 2, whilst still far too short in my opinion, is an enjoyable time for the criminally short time it lasts. And will provide players with a far more stern and entertaining challenge than its predecessor. Before they became focused on the maintenance of Steam, Valve was renowned for giving players something new to play that they hadn’t played before. And Portal 2 certainly does not disappoint in this respect

Score

48/60

8/10 (Very Good)

God of War II (PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 & PlayStation Vita)

God of War II

Developer(s) – Santa Monica Studios

Publisher(s) – Sony Computer Entertainment

Director(s) – Cory Barlog & David Jaffe

Producer – Steve Caterson

PEGI – 18

Released back in 2007 when the seventh generation of gaming had just started out, and with many critics describing it as the swan song of the PlayStation 2 era, God of War II built on its predecessor continuing the story. And adding many new combat features and mechanics required to solve new and more puzzles to progress through the game. Most reviews I’ve read seem to point to this game being far superior to its predecessor. But in my opinion, it’s about on par with the original God of War for a multitude of reasons. 

Graphics – 8.5/10

In terms of the technical aspect of the visuals, there isn’t a great deal of difference between this and the first game. In my opinion, there are no real improvements in the quality of the graphics. Which in hindsight was to be expected to an extent, given the relatively short development cycle. That being said, however, in terms of conceptual design, there is a massive improvement. In terms of diversity in scenery and level design. Keeping the tableau of the series fresh and distinguishable from the first God of War. The second game takes Kratos across an even bigger range of different landscapes than the first. It is for the most part confined to only a few different locations. There’s also a mixture of old and new enemies to fight. This also adds to the mythology of the series in a big way. 

Gameplay – 8.5/10

The gameplay is so similar to that of the original God of War that it’s ostensibly an extension of the original game. It’s heavy on combat and puzzle-solving and has the additional elaborate boss fights to contend with. Arguably even more elaborate than those of the first game. There are a number of new weapons and spells to cast to keep things diversified, but overall, it still offers the same amount of satisfaction to be had in upgrading weapons and learning new abilities. And, of course, progressing through a new story. 

Controls – 10/10

With the seamless introduction of a few new mechanics, the game’s control scheme is identical to that of the first game. There are no issues, and combat is as fluent as what needs to be (especially on harder difficulties). And three are no needless complications to frustrate players. The context-sensitive sequences had been fractionally refined. But players will be able to go from the first game to the second without skipping a beat. 

Lifespan – 6/10

As with the first game, the second can take there around 6 to 7 hours to finish. Which again in hindsight may have been expected in light of the development time. But still wasn’t any kind of decisive improvement over the first game. The best of the God of War series would be yet to come. And this game is good for the time it lasts. But I think a little more time needed to be spent on this game for it to be considered better than the first in every respect, including lifespan. 

Storyline – 9.5/10

The most decisive improvement God of War II made over the first, however, was in its story. Having now fallen out of favor with the gods of Olympus, Kratos now seeks revenge. With the help of the banished titans from the Titanomachy. In order to defeat Zeus, he is instructed to find the Sisters of Fate, who are reputed to have the ability to grant great power to those deemed worthy. Playing out somewhat similar to Homer’s Odyssey, it doesn’t exactly play out like as much of a traditional Greek tragedy as the first game does. Contrarily, it does better to perpetuate a strong sense of hope for Kratos. And even to set a precedent for where the rest of the franchise goes from hereon.

Originality – 8/10

The concept of Greek Mythology in gaming was a relatively new idea at the time of the release of the second game anyway, but the developers managed to keep the whole God of War formula fresh with the introduction of a whole load of new elements in every respect, which is all the more impressive, given the fact that first game ended on a very strong note of finality. I was surprised when I first heard there was to be a sequel to the original God War after having played the first game back when it was released; I was also impressed by the fact that it didn’t fail to impress in and of itself a sequel that I had absolutely no idea of where it could’ve possibly gone. 

Happii

Overall, God of War II is every bit as great a game as its predecessor. The combat remains intense, the storyline has been kept fresh, and it paves the way nicely for the later games, which provided even further improvements that would later be made to this legendary franchise. 

Score

50.5/60

8/10 (Very Good)

God of War (PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 & PlayStation Vita)

God of War

Developer(s) – Santa Monica Studios

Publisher(s) – Sony Computer Entertainment

Director – David Jaffe

Producer – Shannon Studstill

PEGI – 18

Released back in 2005 to universal acclaim, the original God of War game introduced gamers to the exploits of the Spartan warrior Kratos. And the series has since become one of Sony’s flagship franchises. Alongside the likes of Little Big Planet, Uncharted, The Last of Us, and Ratchet & Clank. The first game in the series won several Game of the Year awards for 2005 and is considered one of the better games on the PlayStation 2. And since playing it for the first time, I have become an avid fan of the series. But this title provided a ground-breaking starting point for the franchise. 

Graphics – 8.5/10

The first game is primarily set in ancient Athens. But the game takes Kratos to a plethora of locations across the ancient Greek landscape like Pandora’s Temple and the depths of Hades. As such it is also littered with creatures, characters, and enemies that featured prominently throughout the medium. Such as harpies, minotaurs, hydra, and gorgons.

It presents players with a wonderfully dark and gritty take on the whole Greek mythos. Which was quite a unique medium to take on at a time when a lot of games focused on other prominent mythological subjects like medieval fantasy, post-apocalyptic futures, or steampunk universes. On a technical level, it also did extremely well to showcase what the PlayStation 2 could do. As the sixth generation of gaming was a year or so away from drawing to a close. Impressively, it plays out at 60 frames per second. Which for a game of its graphical quality, was outstanding at the time.

Gameplay – 8.5/10

According to David Jaffe, the creator of the original game, he designed it in mind for the player to let their inner beat free, and go nuts. And this game certainly affords the opportunity to do that. Playing God of War is a wonderfully brutal experience from start to finish; definitely not for the faint of heart, who dislike violence. But a whole lot of fun for those who don’t mind it. As a hack-and-slash game, the objective is to cut through wave after wave of enemies as the game progresses. and with more enemies thrown at the player over time, and more violence is ramped up.

The combat is intense to an unfathomable degree, and it gets progressively more so. not to mention the sheer quality and clever handling of the boss fights. One thing players will notice about this game, as well as every other game in the entire series, is that they always strive to leave a lasting first impression on players. and this game does that better than others in the series. with the first boss being a towering Hydra at sea. But besides this, there are also instances in the game, particularly later on. where combat is swapped out for elaborate puzzle-solving. This gives the game a fair amount of variety; again, something that would go on to become a staple of the series. 

Controls – 10/10

The God of War games has also become renowned throughout the industry for its clever implementation of game controls. Most notably the context-sensitive sequences during puzzle-solving and boss fights. They would go on to become more elaborate with each installment. But even in the first game, they’re handled particularly well. Leaving no room for unnecessary frustrations in a game designed to challenge players. 

Lifespan – 6/10

The biggest problem with the original game, which would eventually be something the developers would go on to address over time, is the lifespan. With the original game only being made to last their sound 6 hours in total. Jaffe also said in an interview that the original idea was to make a game like Onimusha, just set in Greek mythology. Although they succeeded in terms of gameplay, it’s a pity they couldn’t have even made it last as long as the former, which didn’t have an overly impressive lifespan itself. I think there was definitely room for expansion on the idea. This of course was demonstrated in the sequels. But it would’ve been nice to see it in the original game. 

Storyline – 9/10

The story of God of War centers around Kratos, a former Spartan warlord championed by the gods as a divine warrior. He is tasked by Olympus to kill the god of war Ares. Ares has laid waste to the city of Athens in defiance of Zeus and Athena. On the promise that if he succeeds, the gods will absolve Kratos of his past sins that have tormented him for ten years.

Throughout the story, Kratos’s extensive backstory is gradually revealed and the player will get more of a sense of the kind of character that he is. Which all fits in perfectly with the tableau of a classic Greek tragedy. The story is expertly written and the dialogue never comes off as forced or comedic. As what a lot of video games before this were prone to doing. It presents players with a fantasy world grounded in realism. As the themes like human mortality and moral conflict play significant parts. In not only the original story but throughout the series as well. 

Originality – 8.5/10

As I alluded to, the game presents players with a theme of Greek mythology. Something that was uncommon in gaming at the time. It also helped to break the mold of their simply being plain good and evil. With no shades of grey to contend with. Nowadays, a lot of stories that are portrayed in fiction are gritty. And morally ambiguous with no true sense of right and wrong. But this game was among a handful of others. Such as those of the Legacy of Kain series, that tackled the subject before it became cool to do so. Therefore it helped to make it stand out among many other titles of the sixth generation.

Happii

Overall, God of War is a triumph in its own right, which later spawned one of the most recognizable and successful series in all of gaming. The original game did the job to establish the wonderful staples that the series would lat. Ber adapt for future installments, but still, it remains a certified pleasure to play through every time. 

Score

50.5/60

8/10 (Very Good)

Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction (PlayStation 3)

Ratchet and Clank Tools of Destruction

Developer(s) – Insomniac Games

Publisher(s) – Sony Computer Entertainment

Director – Brian Allgeier

PEGI – 7

Released shortly after the PlayStation 3 console back in 2007, Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction introduced gamers and fans alike to the Ratchet & Clank Future series. Telling a new story following the events of the original trilogy. It has all the hallmarks of the previous two games. Whilst introducing new locations, new characters, new weapons, and a new villain. Speaking as a fan of the series, he left a long-lasting and positive impression on me personally. The best of the Future trilogy would be yet to come, but this game was an excellent way to kick it all off. 

Graphics – 8/10

The game starts off in the same system as the first Ratchet & game, but it later introduces players to the galaxy of Polaris. A distant star system currently under the tyranny of Emperor Percival Tachyon. The game’s main villain. The game’s various different planets and moons offer players yet another wonderfully varied and well-designed world. Which on a technical level, also did extremely well to demonstrate early doors just what the PlayStation 3 was capable of on the graphical level. The game’s soundtrack also wonderfully adds to the whole atmosphere of the game. Going along with the tableaus of each planet’s respective theme.

Gameplay – 8/10

The gameplay follows very much the same formula as Ratchet and Clank 2 & 3 with the same controls and style of combat with the additional side quests to undertake in between. But what makes this game stand out is the new weapons and means of subduing enemies, as is the main hallmark of what makes each game in the series stand out from one another. This was also the game in which the developers introduced the Mr. Zurkon weapon, which in my opinion, is the best weapon in the entire franchise, and has since featured in most games following this. New gadgets are also introduced in order to solve new puzzles along the way, which also does well to add to the variety of the overall series. 

Controls – 10/10

The controls had been refined as necessary with the release of Ratchet & Clank 2: Going Commando, and as this game operates within the same principles, there are no issues with the controls as such, and really, there haven’t been any issues with the controls since. Tools of Destruction in particular, however, also makes use of the PlayStation 3’s six-axis controls, with players having to move the controller to instigate character movement, which in this game, is handled particularly well. 

Lifespan – 8/10

To complete the game 100% will take there around 20 hours tops, which at the time was about the average for a Ratchet & Clank game to last. The average lifespan of games in the Ratchet and Clank Future series would go on to fluctuate from thereon, with the lifespan of Ratchet & Clank: Quest For Booty being a major insult, and then Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time’s lifespan being legendary, then finally with Ratchet & Clank: Nexus’s lifespan again seeming far too short. But Tools of Destruction definitely represents a middle ground in that respect; It’s not too short but is the reason why the best of the Future series would be yet to come. 

Storyline – 7/10

The story of Tools of Destruction follows Ratchet & Clank in their adventure across the Polaris Galaxy in their bid to stop Emperor Percival Tachyon from taking over and bringing back his ancient race that once almost wiped out the entire universe. The game’s story is extremely compelling in that it focuses a lot on Ratchet’s backstory, and where exactly he came from. And the fate of his race and his family. Which would be a running plot point in the entire Future series. There are a plethora of twists and turns in this respect throughout the story, but especially towards the end. Without spoiling exactly what happens, this game ends on one of the most intriguing cliffhangers I’ve ever seen in gaming. 

Originality – 7/10

In terms of every respect of this game, from the new weapons, new gameplay tropes, new characters, and stories to the introduction of a side of Ratchet that gamers hadn’t ever seen before, the game does extremely well to stand out from not only every other Ratchet & Clank game but most other games on the PlayStation 3 in my opinion. For a game that was originally aimed at kids, it does deal with some mature and deep-rooted themes, which gives the game a boost because it perpetuates the whole idea that video games can indeed be considered an art form. 

Happii

Overall, Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction is by far a better game than what I gave it credit for after my first playthrough; it was a great way to kick off the Ratchet & Clank Future series and still holds up as a particularly enjoyable gaming experience. 

Score

50/60

8/10 (Very Good)