Shadow of the Colossus Review

Introduction

This is by far for me, my favourite Playstation 2 game of all time! Everything that I've wanted in a game, Shadow of Colossus delivers. And that is why I thought I would start the PS2 Reviews with a bang!

Shadow of Colossus is a Action-Adventure game developed and published by Sony for the Playstation 2. The game follows the adventure known as Wander who must travel on horse back to slay the 16 Colossi, in order to restore life into a young girl called Mono.

Presentation

Though some PS2 games do not have the best of graphics, for me Shadow of Colossus brings great depth and outstanding graphics for a PS2 game. The land on which you travel around is spectacularly designed to be an open,  free-roaming environment, which really helps to bring out the beautifully designed land. Some graphics can be a bit edgy but what can you expect from a PS2 game.

There's hardly any music throughout this game but when there is, it's powerful! You either get the soft melodic music for the intro and end cut scenes. And then you get the powerful, intense music for when you fight the gigantic colossi's. The music throughout this game is put together perfectly.

Gameplay

In Shadow of Colossus the gameplay is very basic yet very enjoyable and intense as well. As in: You only have two weapons: Your trusty sword, and your loyal bow and arrows. Your probably thinking.'' How on earth are you going to do that much damage to these gigantic colossi's with just a sword and a bow'' But that's what makes this game amazing! You have to face all of this monstrous colossi's that are so much more powerful than you with just your two weapons. So again a great feature.

Throughout the game you have to find where the colossi's are hiding out. Your sword uses a beam of sunlight to guide you to where your next foe will be. Once you have reached your destination your use the usual jump and climb technique, but like all games you cant go wrong with that excitement of exploring. Now you will be faced by one of the many colossi's. And this game just brings it all, you have to use your skill and your wit to find a designated area of the colossi to destroy in order to defeat it. Some have one and some have loads, and they can be anywhere. Once you have found that area strike it with your sword and after a while the colossi will be defeated! An intense action packed adventure, filled with puzzles.

My one and only bad point for this game is that they could of added a few more colossi's into the game, just to make it that little more longer and enjoyable. But there is always a time attack mode for any of you that fancy a challenge.

Verdict

Shadow of Colossus for me is an amazing game. I've had it for years now, yet I keep coming back to it for more and more play throughs, sometimes just to explore all the areas that I never did before. If you love your over the top Action-Adventure games with a few challenging puzzles and twists, and get excited about being up against ridiculous gigantic creatures, and then your little self then you will love this. A must by for all PS2 fans.

Score:

5/5

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Review

Intro

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is anaction role-playing game developed bySquare Enix for the PlayStation Portable. The game is a prequel to Final Fantasy VII and is also the sixth instalment in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII.

Presentation

Where to start... we all know that all Final Fantasy games have spectacular graphics.. so the question is, how are the graphics on a handheld console? Well the cut scenes are absolutely stunning, no surprise there, you'll be taken away every time a cut scene appears.

As for the in-game graphics, their obviously a little knocked down from the movie cut scenes, but are just as amazing. They look smooth, crisp and suit the game just perfectly for a PSP.

Gameplay

Well to begin with the gameplay has changed from the usual Final Fantasy fighting gameplay. Instead of the, wait your turn to attack, then it's your chance to attack style of gameplay that we all come to love. Which is a great change to the previous games. The controls are a bit technical at first, taking some time to get used to but once you get into it the game controls will just come naturally. The controls really give this game a real depth to the fighting style of this Final Fantasy game.

Verdict

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core is a great game, with fantastic visuals and amazing cut scenes for a handheld console. The gameplay also is a great take on what a PSP can do. The different style of fighting hasn't down-founded anything about this title.

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core is a defiant for your collection and at such a great price you'll be missing out on a classic game for your PSP.

Score:

4/5

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Review

Intro

Ghostbusters: The Video Game is a 2009 actionvideo game. The game was released amidst several delays in development and multiple publisher changes.

The game, based on the Ghostbusters film franchise, follows the player's character as a new recruit in the Ghostbusters, a team of parapsychologists who pursue and capture ghosts. The game is a third-person shooter, but instead of using a traditional gun, players are equipped with a "proton pack", a laser beam-like weapon, and a ghost trap to fight and capture ghosts.

Presentation

The graphics for me are not to bad yet not beautifully stunning. But still look half decent.. an average all-round looking game. Though the lip sinking can be slightly tedious throughout the game. Especially online.

The visuals on the levels are nicely polished and well put together. And because it's set in third-person view you get a chance to really see the environment around you and appreciate the work put into them.

The ghouls look great, when your facing all types of ghosts and ghouls they look fantastic as you walk around blasting your way through the levels.

Gameplay

Gameplay for Ghostbusters: The Video Game is based the same as any other third-person game, yet this really seems to work for Ghostbusters, making it a very fun and enjoyable game.

The story mode is relatively short and can only take you a couple of hours to complete. But the online does make up for it. You team up with fellow Ghostbusters in loads of different variations of game modes. To me the best feature of the game is the online. its quick and easy to get into and great to play, and has loads of online trophies to keep you entertained online for a long time.

Verdict

Ghostbusters: The Video Game is a great game, minus the disappointment of story mode, as it's not the longest story mode but still is really enjoyable. Online, well if Ghostbusters didn't have online I probably wouldn't of purchased the game to be honest, but with that said the online is fantastic, and will keep you playing the game for as long as it will take you to achieve all the greatness from online.

A must pick up if your into third-person shooters and fighting ghosts online and of.

Score:

4/5

Fat Princess Review

Intro

Fat Princess is a downloadable game for the Playstation Network developed by Titan Studiosand published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released in North America, Europe, and Australia on July 30, 2009.

Fat Princess is primarily a one to thirty-two multiplayer game with the basic goal of collecting the Princess, bringing her back to the team's base, and then protecting her. The game contains six character classes (The Villager, The Worker, The Mage, The Ranger, The Priest, and The Warrior) each of which helps to make the team's task of capturing the princess easier.

Presentation

The look for Fat Princess is created just perfectly for the game. The cartoony, comic book look makes this game look brilliant and such a pleasure while you're playing the game. The visuals really do make this game stand out and really bring such emphasis to this brilliant title.

Gameplay

Now if you're looking for a game to pass the time or a game to take over in you in online mayhem, then Fat Princess is for you either way. You have six types of characters to play, all with their own special techniques to win the game or to pick up loads of kills.

There's lots of different online game modes to choose from, that all go on for a long time, so you can fully enjoy your time while playing this great game. So choose your class and get stuck into hectic, fast paced multiplayer, that will keep you playing this game for a very long time.

Verdict

Fat Princess to some may cost a fair bit of money, which I do agree on, and that's why I was sceptical in buying it. But I was glad that I did. It has such depth to it's online mode, that will keep you playing for years to come. Also the trophies will keep you coming back to get that pesky 100%.

For me Fat Princess is defiantly worth the money and is a fantastic game with such an amazing multiplayer, that will get you hooked from the moment you first play the game.

Score:

4/5

Tomb Raider Underworld Review

Introduction

Tomb Raider: Underworld, also known as Tomb Raider 8, is the eighth game in the Tomb Raider series. Tomb Raider: Underworld continues Lara Croft's search for Avalon, the mythical resting place of King Arthur, and the place where Amanda claimed Lara's mother is.

Presentation

Tomb Raider: Underworld brings in depth graphics, much better than it's predecessors.. Yet that's probably why the graphics for this game stand out a lot more. Nonetheless the scenery for each level is beautifully designed, perfect for a Tomb Raider game.

Gameplay

If your familiar with previous Tomb Raider games then your have no problem with the controls, though they can be really slow controlling and tedious at times. You have to take your time with each jump, because if you don't she'll end up doing something you didn't command her to do.. What can be really frustrating at times.

The story is a pretty basic storyline, it's your typical Tomb Raider storyline. Once you get into it, it is a very fun, yet interesting game to follow, minus the bad points. Two of those bad points are the length of the game. The certain levels may be frustratingly long but as a game as a whole, it is rather short, six chapters in all. And unless your good with puzzles your struggle on this. They have really notched it up a bit with the puzzles from the last ones. They can be really time consuming, thoughtful, and annoying as well. But if your into your Tomb Raider's then this will satisfy you for as long as it lasts you.

Verdict

This is a fun and enjoyable game while it lasts, if you can get past the fiddly and frustrating controls at times. If your a huge fan of Tomb Raider games then this one is still for you, so if your into it or not I do recommend you pick it up for a steal price or it's perfect for a week rental.

Score:

3/5

Prototype Review

Introduction

Prototype is developed by Radical Entertainment. The game is set in New York City as a virus infects people and the military attempts to put an end to it. The protagonist of the story is named Alex Mercer, who has enemy-absorbing and shape shifting powers. He can take memories, experiences, biomass and physical forms of enemies through absorption. Alex can also shape shift into more specialised forms for attack, defence or sensory enhancement.

Presentation

Prototype as you know is a dark game, so most of the gameplay is going to be fairly dark, but needless to say it doesn't ruin the graphics at all for me. The scenery is designed perfectly to suit the atmosphere and style of the game.

Gameplay

Now for me Prototypes gameplay is one of the best types of games (Free roaming). All of the abilities and superpowers that you gain really makes this game a great experience. Having the skill to switch and use each skill to benefit you to make things easier for you takes skill and great knowledge which can make the game very challenging at a lot of times.

There are two down points though to Prototypes gameplay which are; The story mode can be short. Now if you run from one mission to the other constantly, you will probably complete the game within a day (I did).

And secondly there can be a few glitches and bugs now and then, but if your someone who doesn't get fazed by them, then this will be no problem for you.

Verdict

Prototype is a great Action packed, over the top, free roaming game, which can be one of the best games your buy this year, with a great story line and action packed gameplay throughout.

There are a few bad points to this game, like how you do the story mode and a few glitches here and there. But like I said it's all about how you want to play your game.

But even if the story mode doesn't do it for you, at least the Trophies will keep you going with a lot of hard work needed.

It's a defiant pick up from me.

Score:

4/5

Damnation Review

Introduction

Damnation centers around a group of freedom fighters led by a Hamilton Rourke in a desperate attempt to protect a war torn, heavily industrialized America from a dictator.

Presentation

Damnation's graphics, let's just say are not up to stratch. The graphics are just apoorling for the PS3 system, they do nothing to show the true potenital of the PS3's graphics. I started on the game, playing it in non HD for the first two levels. Then after that I plugged in the HD.. And to be honest I couldn't tell the difference.

Everything to the scenery to the voice overs are just not there. I really found it hard to get into the scenery views.. I couldn't be bothered to look around and take them in, yet this game is suppose to be the free-roaming, climb anything, exploring game that Damnation is suppose to be.

Gameplay

Again a lot of negative views on the gameplay. I'm always up for a challenge and to try new game's and game styles out, yet Damnation may of just ended that for me. The controls are poor, controlling your character to do the roof-climbing, cliff hanging moves are a pain. The character in all seems very stiff and very stressful to use.

The story mode.. Well I never managed to actually get into nor follow the story mode at all.. And I played the game through three times. They added in a Multiplayer mode.. Which is a nice touch if it was actually worth it. After finally deciding to go for it and try it out I didn't much care for it at all.. Because in single player it's a pain to control your people you can manage how stressful playing online can be.

I hate to be hard on games.. I really do, but Damnation pushes it a bit to far.. But I will give it one good point.. Trophies. If your a fellow Trophy Hunter then you may as well pick this game up for rental, as I managed to get Platinum in one day of rental. And the reason I say rental is because you defiantly don't want to buy this game more than a £10. You will be ripped of.

Verdict

I know there's been a lot of really bad reviews for Damnation scattered around everywhere.. But all I can say is there all right. Damnation is a terrible game, and I'm not one to put a game down, I'm willing to try anything.. But.. Damnation doesn't do anything right: Graphics, voice overs, gameplay, story.. nothing. So avoid Damnation at all costs.. unless.. your a Trophy Hunter.. Let's just say it's another quick Platinum to add to your collection. But if your into your your oldie shooter games (But nothing like Uncharted) then you may see yourself enjoy it.

Score:

1/5

Wipeout 2048

There are 30 Trophies that can be collected.

Bronze

2048 Champion

Complete the 2048 season

2049 Champion

Complete the 2049 season

2050 Champion

Complete the 2050 season

2048 Elite 1

Get an ELITE PASS on the C Class Time Trial on Capital Reach in 2048

2048 Elite 2

Get an ELITE PASS on Empire Climb Zone Mode in 2048

2048 Elite 3

Get an ELITE PASS on the C Class Combat Event on Metro Park in 2048

2049 Elite 1

Get an ELITE PASS on the B Class Race on Unity Square 2049

2049 Elite 2

Get an ELITE PASS on the A Class Time Trial on Metro Park in 2049

2049 Elite 3

Get an ELITE PASS on Downtown Zone Mode in 2049

2050 Elite 1

Get an ELITE PASS on Queens Mall Zone Mode in 2050

2050 Elite 2

Get an ELITE PASS on the A Class Race on Empire Climb in 2050

Multiplayer Begins

Finish an Online Multiplayer event

1 Down, 19 To Go

Complete your first Online Multiplayer Level

50 Kills

Destroy 50 ships in Online Multiplayer

Silver

Completist

Complete all events in the Single Player Campaign

Prototype

ELITE PASS all Prototype Ship Challenges

Speed Thrills

ELITE PASS any A+ Class Challenge

50 MP Events

Finish 50 Online Multiplayer events

Halfway There

Complete 10 Online Multiplayer Levels

Rank 25

Reach Rank 25

The Unlucky 7

Destroy 7 opposition ships in any Race in the Single Player Campaign

2048 Speed Pads

Hit a total of 2048 Speed Pads

Perfect Pir-hana

Get a Perfect Lap in the Pir-hana Prototype, in the A Class, Unity Square, Speed Lap

Gold

Elite Completist

ELITE PASS every event in the Single Player Campaign

Multiplayer Finished

Finish the Online Multiplayer Campaign

Multiplayer Completist

Complete all nodes in the Online Multiplayer Campaign

Rank 50

Reach Rank 50

Beat Zico

Altima, C Class, Speed Lap, Pir-hana Speed – beat 52.00 seconds

Mach 1.5

Reach Zone 65 in any Zone Event

Platinum

This is WipEout!

Obtain every Trophy in WipEout 2048

Welcome Park

There are 13 Trophies that can be collected.

Bronze

Digit Chase Prize

Complete Digit Chase in 1 minute or under.

Digit Chase Tap Prize

Complete Digit Chase Tap Stage in 30 seconds or under.

Digit Chase Flick and Drag Prize

Complete Digit Chase Flick and Drag Stage in 20 seconds or under.

Digit Chase Rear Touch Panel Prize

Complete Digit Chase Rear Touch Panel Stage in 20 seconds or under.

Snap + Slide 15 Piece Prize

Complete a Snap + Slide puzzle with 15 pieces in 50 seconds or under.

Snap + Slide 14 Piece Prize

Complete a Snap + Slide puzzle with 14 pieces in 40 seconds or under.

Snap + Slide 8 Piece Prize

Complete a Snap + Slide puzzle with 8 pieces in 30 seconds or under.

Snap + Slide 7 Piece Prize

Complete a Snap + Slide puzzle with 7 pieces in 20 seconds or under.

Skate Axis Prize

Get 500 points in Skate Axis.

Sound Loop Prize

Create 20 Sound Balls in Sound Loop.

Hello Face Prize

Use Hello Face to bring 3 faces to life.

Silver

Welcome Park Prize

Play through all the tutorials in Welcome Park

Gold

Welcome Park Master!

Collect all trophies in Welcome Park.

Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour Edition

There are 49 Trophies that can be collected.

Bronze

Arcade Beginner 

Clear a stage in Arcade Mode 

Doubles Beginner 

Clear a stage in Arcade Mode Doubles 

Grand Slammer 

Clear Singles Mode 

Doubles Grand Slammer 

Clear Doubles Mode

Balloon Popper 

Pop 30 balloons in Practice Mode 

Exhibitionist 

Play 10 Exhibition Matches 

In Your Face Tennis! 

Win 5 VR matches 

Screen Sharer 

Play a Touch VS game 

Classic Photographer 

Take a classic photo with VT CAM 

Great Sniper 

Achieve a 5x Combo in Clay Shooting 

Mother Hen 

Deliver at least 10 chicks simultaneously to their mother in Egg Collector 

Hat Tricker 

Score 3 goals in a row in Ace Striker

Bomb Fiend 

Detonate 20 bombs in the opponent's court in Bomb Match 

Moneybags 

Collect 1000 coins in Coin Match 

Wind Master 

Pop 3 balloons in one Wind Match 

Wall Whiz 

Hit a wall 5 times with the ball in one Wall Match 

Turkey Bowler 

Get a turkey in Pin Crusher 

Emergency Stop 

Stop the ships 10 times in Rock the Boat 

World Tour Cleared! 

Clear the game 

Famous 

Become: Famous

Future Champion 

Win the final tournament of the Tour Break 

Look Alike 

Create a player by taking a picture 

Regular Customer 

Stop at the Management Office 30 times

International Traveler 

Play an online visitor 10 times 

Tycoon 

Earn 1,000,000 in total prize money

Shopeholic 

Purchase 50 types of items in the Kit Catalouge 

Online Debut 

Play online with a customised character 

First Online Victory 

Win a match online 

Online Streak 

Win three consecutive matches online

Loving It! 

Win 10 Love games

Endless Rally! 

Sustain a rally for 30 shots

Marathon Runner 

Run 42km (26mi) 

Swing Machine 

Swing 5000 times 

Best Stroker 

Win 100 points with ground strokes 

Volley Master 

Win 100 points with volleys 

Pro-Tennis Fan 

Play using all the real tennis players 

Full Swing! 

Hit 50 MAX power shots 

Breakthrough 

Win 10 games as the receiving player

Silver

Great King 

Defeat the King in Arcade Mode Singles

Poker Face 

Get 10 royal straight flushes in Royal Poker

Accomplished 

Become: Accomplished

Top Condition 

Reach a Condition level of 20

Big Hitter 

Hit 250 MAX Serves 

Power Smash! 

Hit 250 smashes

Super Player 

Hit 100 super shots

Gold

Ticket to the SPT Finals 

Make it to the playoffs

Jack of all Trades 

Take lessons for all play styles

Online Master 

Reach Rank A

Platinum

Tennis God 

Collect every trophy

Unit 13 (EU)

There are 44 Trophies that can be collected.

Bronze

New Recruit

Complete the Unit 13 Training Course.

Snakechaser

Complete a Direct Action operation.

Lamplighter

Complete a Covert operation.

Speed Demon

Complete a Deadline operation.

L337 $0LD13R

Complete an Elite operation.

Less Me, More We

Complete an operation in co-op.

Friendly Rivalry

Get a higher mission score than someone on your friends list.

Adapt and Overcome

Complete a Daily Challenge operation.

By Strength and Guile

Reach level 10 with RINGO.

One Shot, One Kill

Reach level 10 with ALABAMA.

De Oppresso Liber

Reach level 10 with ANIMAL.

Honneur et Fidélité

Reach level 10 with CHUCKLES.

Facit Omnia Voluntas

Reach level 10 with ZEUS.

It Pays to be a Winner

Reach level 10 with PYTHON.

Trick Shot

Eliminate an enemy by setting off a mine.

Twin Foiled

Eliminate 2 enemies with a single melee attack.

Two For One

Eliminate 2 enemies with a single bullet.

Crowd Control Jr.

Eliminate 2 enemies with a single grenade.

Badass and Bulletproof

Eliminate 13 enemies without taking damage.

Brainstorm

Score 13 headshots in a single operation.

13 Squared

Eliminate 169 enemies over the course of your career.

Life of the Party

Show your enemy that you get down with the best of ‘em.

Blast from the Past

Find an homage to what has come before…

Extra Credit(S)

Watch the credits.

Silver

Variety is the Spice of Life

Complete 13 different Dynamic missions.

Action Hero

Complete all Direct Action operations.

Master Ninja

Complete all Covert operations.

Time Killer

Complete all Deadline operations.

Ch13f Op3r471v3

Complete all Elite operations.

World Peace in 36 Easy Steps

Complete all Covert, Deadline, Direct Action, and Elite operations.

Unstoppable

Achieve the highest score multiplier.

Lucky 13

Achieve a 5-star rating in 13 operations.

Dead Winger

Eliminate PHOENIX.

Witchiker

Eliminate WIZARD.

Anti-Venom

Eliminate VIPER.

Last Laugh

Eliminate HYENA.

Fat Chance

Eliminate BIG SLICK.

Sworded Out

Eliminate SCIMITAR.

Fangdango

Eliminate VAMPIRE.

Doublecrossed

Eliminate GRIFTER.

Finish Him!

Eliminate SCORPION.

Gold

Sine Labore Nihil

Max out all operatives.

Cloud Nine

Eliminate all High Value Targets.

Platinum

13-Star General

Obtain all Bronze, Silver, and Gold trophies in Unit 13.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss

There are 56 Trophies that can be collected.

Bronze

Relic Finder

Find the strange relic.

Survivor

Defeat 75 enemies in a row without dying.

100 Headshots

Defeat 100 enemies with headshots.

Hangman

Defeat 20 enemies with gunfire by aiming while hanging.

50 Kills: 92FS – 9mm

Defeat 50 enemies with the 92FS – 9mm.

50 Kills: Micro – 9mm

Defeat 50 enemies with the Micro – 9mm.

30 Kills: Wes – 44

Defeat 30 enemies with the Wes – 44.

30 Kills: Desert – 5

Defeat 30 enemies with the Desert – 5.

70 Kills: FAL

Defeat 70 enemies with the FAL.

70 Kills: M4

Defeat 70 enemies with the M4.

30 Kills: Moss – 12

Defeat 30 enemies with the Moss – 12.

70 Kills: SAS – 12

Defeat 70 enemies with the SAS – 12.

50 Kills: M79

Defeat 50 enemies with the M79.

50 Kills: GP32 – BND

Defeat 50 enemies with the GP32 – BND.

50 Kills: Dragon Sniper

Defeat 50 enemies with the Dragon Sniper.

30 Kills: RPG – 7

Defeat 30 enemies with the RPG – 7.

200 Kills: GAU – 19

Defeat 200 enemies with the GAU – 19.

30 Kills: Mk-NDI

Defeat 30 enemies with the Mk-NDI.

Steel Fist Master

Defeat 20 enemies with a single punch, after softening them up with gunfire.

Charted! – Easy

Finish the game in Easy Mode.

Secrets of the Kuna

Complete the mystery.

Odessa mining company

Complete the mystery.

The Conquistadors

Complete the mystery.

Proof of Life

Complete the mystery.

Poisoned Powder

Complete the mystery.

The Revolution

Complete the mystery.

Trail of Vincent Perez

Complete the mystery.

The Sete Cidades

Complete the mystery.

The Friar's Pilgrimage

Complete the mystery.

The Lost Civilization

Complete the mystery.

The Circle of Heaven

Complete the mystery.

The Ring of Earth

Complete the mystery.

Treasure: Turquoise Glyphs

Complete the treasure set.

Treasure: Jade carvings

Complete the treasure set.

Treasure: The Menagerie

Complete the treasure set.

Treasure: Minor Deities

Complete the treasure set.

Bounty: Arcana

Complete the bounty set.

Bounty: Pieces of Silver

Complete the bounty set.

Bounty: Spanish Gold

Complete the bounty set.

Bounty: Cadiz

Complete the bounty set.

Bounty: Gemstones

Complete the bounty set.

Puzzle Master

Complete all puzzles.

Rub One Out

Complete all rubbings.

Paparazzo

Complete all photographs.

Touch my Rear

Use rear touch pad to climb a rope or chain.

The Collector

Collect first treasure or mystery.

Ruffle My Feathers

Force José Parrot to squawk out 8 unique quips.

Silver

250 Headshots

Defeat 250 enemies with headshots.

Bare-knuckle Slugger

Defeat 50 enemies with hand-to-hand combat.

Master Ninja

Defeat 50 enemies with stealth attacks.

Steel Fist Expert

Defeat ten enemies in a row with a single punch, after softening them up with gunfire.

Charted! – Normal

Finish the game in Normal Mode.

Gold

Charted! – Hard

Finish the game in Hard Mode.

Charted! – Crushing

Finish the game in Crushing Mode.

Platinum

Platinum

Collect all other 55 Trophies for this Trophy