KillerK1991

The Darkness II (2012)

An Excitingly Accessible Follow-Up

The Darkness 2 takes most of what you loved about the original and cranks things up a few notches. The meticulous pace of the original is thrown into a black hole in favor of a breakneck pace akin to modern releases, for better and for worse.

(+) - The story does a nice job of continuing on where the original left off, while also keeping the stakes high. As over-the-top as it gets, you will be invested in Jackie's plight all the way through. - The smoother gameplay, while a tad bit chaotic, is still something that needs to be experienced. The tentacles are utilized in a much more fluid, active way this time around, as you will rely on them to get the job done. A myriad of new moves and some old favorites are back as well, giving us a wild experience that may go down in history as the best presentation and utilization of superpowers brought to a game yet; you will not miss your darkling friends much as you hurl a pole into a mans sternum in a horror movie-esque manner. - The art style, while a far cry from the grittiness of the original, is still fun and looks fantastic. - The voice acting is still great; Brian Bloom does a good job at giving us a Jackie that's more jaded yet driven than ever before. - The fast pace is nice in that the game never wears out its welcome.

(-) - Most, maybe even all, of the new characters are pretty darn annoying, from the obnoxious antagonist, to the inexplicably British, somewhat lovable Darkling sidekick that accompanies you on your quest. These guys pale in comparison to the nervous expository human sidekick that plagues the game right from the get go. You will want to enact vengeance on this skittish mess before all is said and done. - Most of the moves are mapped to one button in ways that will screw you over. - The gameplay overdoes Jackie's weakness to light, in a way that makes even the annoying parts of the first one seem tame at times. You will be blinded easily many times, something that works on paper but is extremely annoying in action. - The ending makes you feel like you are only halfway through the game, setting up a sequel that may never happen unfortunately.

The Darkness 2 possesses the same kind of unabashed, fun spirit I have not seen since the Timesplitters series. Never a slave to the original, this romp will leave you wanting more once the credits roll. -

The Darkness (2007)

Jackie's odyssey is one to be experienced

Another fantastic, gritty, story driven experience by the creators of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, The Darkness is a unique shooter that plays by its own rules for better or for worse.

(+) - This game has style in spades. New York is even grimier and foreboding than ever. - The voice acting is top notch. Kirk Acevedo nails the lead with an abundance of world weariness and charm. His monologues throughout are a nice touch; very amusing. Mike Patton is amazing as ever as the sinister Darkness. The fact that it is a 2 man show for the most part makes the performances even more impressive. Kudos to the actors behind Jackie's grandpa, Butcher, Captain Eddie Shrote, and Jenny as well. - The story is one of the best you'll see in a shooter especially. Jackie and his less than savory acquaintance have a certain uniqueness to them - You need to actually aim well(though there is a little assistance) to win the day. You will get smoked if you go guns blazing, as the ai's aim is actually quite precise in comparison to its easier peers. - The minions and powers are all very amusing and fun to use. - Doesn't pull any punches with the subject matter without getting over-the-top. - The soundtrack fits the mood perfectly.

(-) - The surreal World War 1 Darkness sequences were visually arresting but confusing to traverse; I couldn't wait to get back to the real world. - Though having a sense of realism, besides involving hellish creatures that rip people apart, the clunkiness of movement made the game as frustrating as it was fun at times. - Doesn't really explain much at times, leaving to some annoying sequences that will make you slap yourself upside then head when you figure them out(Okay, this might be a personal problem on behalf of yours truly) - Hard to see what's going on. There are certain moments involving flashing lights that will make you wonder if they are purposefully trying to give you a seizure.

These somewhat minor gripes aside, I recommend this experience to anyone who like shooters, story-driven games, comic books, and a shadowy aesthetic.

(8/10)

Thomas Was Alone (2012)

A dramatic story about the plight of rectangles

Thomas Was Alone is an adventure that should be tried by anyone young or old; an existential tale of the struggle of the titular Thomas and his rectangular cohorts to find meaning, knowledge, and a path to freedom. A puzzler in more ways than one, including the overall story in general, 'Thomas manages to accomplish so much with so little, giving us a character driven, exciting, narrative with little more than a few shapes; each with a dynamic personality of their own. Themes of futility, love, friendship, jealousy, and much more are explored in such a simple, sterile, environment in a greater and more diverse way than most big budget titles before or since. A huge element in the success of 'Thomas lies in the charming narrative provided by humorist Danny Wallace. His delivery is top notch throughout, providing a unique personality to each of our rectangular heroes with delightful exuberance. All would be for naught if the game was not fun, and thankfully, the game is. The puzzles are perfect in that they are easy enough to not frustrate yet challenging enough to maintain interest to its thrilling yet abruptly vague conclusion. Thomas Was Alone is a mysterious game that anyone looking for something simple yet different should experience right away.

Resident Evil 6 (2012)

Resident Evil on crack

Resident Evil 6 makes Resident Evil 5 look subtle. It hits the ground running and never really stops. This is quite jarring at first, and made me put it aside for about a year before coming back to it. What we have here is a somewhat airheaded yet well-made game that is best experienced with another person. The gameplay works like a somewhat sea-sick version of what was started in #4, with the revolutionary idea of moving and aiming finally being implemented. It takes some getting used to, but is eventually quite fun thanks to every character now having the martial prowess of Bruce Lee. A perk system is added; a nice touch that gives the game tremendous replay value. Not so successful is the strange inventory system; I still don't really know how it works 5 campaigns later. It seems like you never have enough space for ammo or anything really; I think they could have avoided this by not giving a limit to what you can carry. The campaigns all have a certain flavor to them, trying to call back to certain eras in Resident Evil's history and are split across multiple protagonists to varying degrees of success. What we end up getting all around is a frenetic pace with some tacked on gimmick levels involving all sorts of goodies like stealth segments and the occasional vehicle driving sequences. The quicktime/running segments are back in full force as well, and while fun will leave you shaking your head when a bad camera angle leads to your death. The story takes a backseat to the proceedings, and just works as an excuse to move game along. The plot isn't even fully explained until the final bonus campaign; a doppleganger situation between two important characters making the overall story even more confusing than it needs to be. The voice acting is actually pretty decent, with some series favorites returning to their iconic characters; though they don't have much to work with besides yelling at each other this time around. Resident Evil 6 works best when you leave your mind at the door and accept it for what it is: the video game equivalent of a roller coaster ride. The scares are almost non-existent, but as far as co-op action games go, you can do much worse.

8 Chris punches/10

WrestleMania XXX (2014)

'Few months later retrospective: Daniel Bryan and Evolution save the day.

Diary of an insane wrestling nerd: Rock/Austin/Hogan's opening segment was pretty cheesy and lame; worst of all running far longer than it should have. I weep for when they took their characters seriously. Probably took time out of the other matches if that's how it works, even though it doesn't make any sense for ppv's to have a strict run time, especially 'Mania. I will ponder this by my pond; shall we continue?

Triple H/Daniel Bryan was great. Might go down as one of my favorites. The main event hit all the right notes as well. It's a shame that Bryan's injuries have finally caught up with him; I don't know why they let him use the diving head-butt after the Benoit tragedy.

'Taker and/or Vince wanted the sad "broken-down-warrior-dies-fighting" ending, but it just came off as anti climactic. Lesnar was as gassed as 'Taker; pretty mundane affair. The shock ending was a great moment just on fan/Heyman/Lesnar reactions alone.

I liked Cena/Wyatt though the way they booked who won at each ppv over the course of the feud was completely off & made the whole thing pointless(Cena should've only beaten him in the Last Man Standing match).

The Shield match was pointless and almost killed Billy Gunn(oh the humanity!). They had to immediately hit the rewind on Kane afterwords to make up for it.

Everyone else was thrown into a decent battle royal; kiss any solid under-card matches goodbye.

I either skipped or blocked the opening tag match out of my mind, I'll let you decide, though the wrestlers involved are good so I might have to go with the former if I were you.

AJ destroyed the other divas; at least the right girl won.

All in all, this ppv proves that filler matches matter on the Grandest Stage of the all, as most of the marquee matches delivered, yet a feeling of emptiness pervades once its all said and done.

Royal Rumble (2000)

Retrospective: Fun ppv. Predictable Winner. Progressive Ending.

This ppv still stands up there as one of the better Royal Rumbles; the weak point being the actual rumble itself. - The opener was short but sweet. Its fun to see that Angle was pretty great right from the start, effortlessly riling up the crowd and taking some wild bumps to the outside. Some nice spots like the suplex reversal on the entrance ramp. Tazz did good enough as the debuting unstoppable bad a**, but as history can tell, that one-note character will only get you so far in Vinnie Mac's kingdom. - The Hardyz and the Dudley Boyz stole the show; the action being literally too fast for the cameras to catch at times. A perfectly plotted roller-coaster, with some crazy bumps. The risk factor of Jeff's final plunge is crazy seeing how he not only had to fall but cover enough ground to hit his target. - The whole bikini contest kind of made me chuckle. Jacqueline sure knows how to show her stuff. - The odd couple of Jericho and Chyna squabbled over the IC title, with Hardcore Holly thrown into the mix. Nothing too offensive here. Holly was booked strong. - The Tag Title match was over before I knew it. Blink and you'll miss it. - The WWF Title bout is the other reason to watch this show. Foley's at his manic best, punching Spanish announcers and squealing psychotically as he beats down a bad a** Triple H in his prime. It's really a shame that Foley's main event tenure, and even WWF career ended up being so short, but I guess this is the price of greatness. The pace was the opposite of the table match, yet just as violent, with buckets of blood thrown in for good measure. Nice cameos by the Rock...and a cop. - The 'Rumble was as predictable as the sunrise. Who else was going all the way? Big Show? Kane? Lots of downtime from this who's who of Attitude talent. Fun performances from the New Age Outlaws, Too Cool, The Rock, X-Pac, and the aforementioned big men make this not a total stinker. Not used to seeing the final celebration cut short. Showed that the Rock's road to Wrestlemania would be a lot different than the triumphant journeys of past uber-faces.

Overall, I'd say this ppv is worth a look. The WWE in the middle of one of its most exciting and productive eras.

Half-Life: Opposing Force (1999)

More Half-Life fun.

Opposing Force is an expansion that cranks the action up to 11. I'd argue that the game itself is more difficult than its predecessor and even more satisfying at times with its approach of ditching those tedious little puzzles for some intense action; once it gets going, it doesn't let up until its finale. That classic half life 90's sci fi atmosphere is in full effect here, and serves to immerse you in a way unlike most other games, just like the original. The secret to this lies in its adherence to making Black Mesa as realistic and ordinary as possible, this place feels like it could exist in the real world minus all of the new aliens and spec ops soldiers. Speaking of those suckers; they will give you a run for your money far more often than not. Add in a nice training area that references Full Metal Jacket in every possible way and the coolest marines this side of Aliens, and you have a classic that adds to the Half Life goodness.

Fable III (2010)

Anticlimactic yet Interesting.

Fable 3 does more right than wrong. What we get is a game that is enjoyable and holds great promise, but doesn't surpass expectations in the long run.

Story: Satisfying for the most part. The trademark brit humor is back and brings the game up a few notches over others. The concept of becoming King is something that needs to be explored more, and is done pretty well here. The next game needs to be all about running a kingdom, as its a case of too little too late in this game. The final showdown with both your mortal and supernatural enemies respectively are also a complete joke and feel rushed.

Gameplay: One of the easier games out there. You can get through the whole game without even a worry of being defeated once you figure things out. The combat is still pretty satisfying, as you are able to whip out any of its three styles of combat at a moments notice, yet the game hardly pushes you to go outside the box in order to overcome your repetitive foes.

Graphics: Easy on the eyes, but a hideous brownish tone permeates the proceedings.

Sound: The voice acting is top notch. A who's who of quality Brit talent shows up to liven things. The soundtrack is classic Fable, and though repetitive, manages to capture the themes of the game perfectly.

Multiplayer: A great addition to the game. Frolicking around with a buddy both online and off, though a little confusing at first, works great. The frequent reminder of friends' stats is another interesting addition and breeds competition in a positive way.

Lasting Appeal: There was still quite a bit to do once I finished the game. The minigames are amusing.

Overall, while not quite as impactful as the first Fable, Fable 3 is a solid game in its own right, and not a bad way to spend the day.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)

One of the titles that kicked the 360/PS3 generation into gear...

A testament to this game's charm can be found in the very idea of going back to it after the gameplay-improved, graphically superior Skyrim. This game holds a certain mysterious quality to it masked in an almost sunny exterior that puts it over its dreary predecessor and even drearier successor; the lighter atmosphere in this game being somewhat ironic since it is the one out of the series involving an invasion from the gates of hell(oblivion!) itself. This juxtaposition of light and dark gives it a certain unpredictability the other games lack, even though the gameplay definitely shows its age at this point. A key quality to this game can be found in the writing itself; the quests range from bizarre(getting stuck in a painting), to humorous(saving the rats in the cellar for once), to epic(fending off said invasion force in front of a populated city). With performances from the likes of Sean Bean(Boromir!), Terrence Stamp(General Zod!), and Patrick Stewart(Professor X!) to add some excitement to the main quest and an entrancing, fantastical soundtrack top it all off. Did I mention that the world itself is gorgeous, especially in its time? These factors help Oblivion transcend its somewhat dated, simplistic action gameplay and create an experience that should be tried out by anyone.

God of War: Ascension (2013)

God of War at its most underwhelming is still better than most games..

Setting. - Some fun locales to be visited here, standouts being the statue of Apollo and the oracle of Delphi's snake themed temple.

Story. - Almost bare-bones, yet well told. Mostly done in a flashback style. You will have a kind of "that's it?" feel once the game reaches its conclusion rather quickly. That said, it is nice to see a simpler time in Kratos's life.

Characters. - Kratos yells less and seems more confused than usual; still the warrior we know and love. - The furies...play out like a watered down version of the sisters of fate; their machinations in this game pale in comparison to the time jumping exploits of the sisters in the second game. They still serve their purpose as mustache twirling villains you want to stab in the teat by game's end, though their motivations are a little perplexing seeing as they're supposed to be the ones who wrote the book on justice, and since they can't use the Pandora's box corruption excuse...I'll stop there. - The wimpy son of the furies and ares provides a decent narration to the story, but is underdeveloped as all hell and not too interesting beyond accomplishing the amazing feat of actually befriending Kratos. - How could I forget the conjoined twins who stand in Kratos's way about halfway through the game? The trophy you get for ending them is as priceless as the way you dispatch them.

Graphics. - On par with God of War 3, however I noticed some moments where things would go rather awry, like the mess that is the final pan out of the final scene.

Sound. - No problems here, sinking your blade into a beast's flesh is as satisfying as ever.

Gameplay. - More fun, forgiving, and accessible than ever. The chains associated with each god is cool, the mega-power associated with each one are even better. The usable weapons are nice, but they can't touch the weapons from #2 or the awesome nemean cestus from #3. The puzzles are simple as can be; didn't stop one of them from stumping me for a little while. The boss fights are all pretty fun, the final boss being something out of the climactic ship battle at the end of Pirates of the Caribbean 3...in a good way. The platforming/quick-time events are amusing in this go around as well, with a downhill slide-style mini-game being a new addition here that adds a roller coaster-like exhilaration to the proceedings more often than not.

Multiplayer. - The timed coop is not too much fun. I'll leave it at that.

God of War Ascension doesn't do much to change the series, it feels like more of an expansion, but what's here is still an entertaining action romp.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)

bang for your buck...

Black Ops 2 doesn't reinvent Call of Duty in any startling ways, however it cranks the fun factor up to 11.

The campaign is a little boring at first, however things start to escalate in such a ridiculous manner that you will want to see the shooting gallery go to the bitter end.

A factor in this is the cornucopia of talent they assembled for the game; you will be surprised at who from Hollywood shows up for this romp even in the most minor of roles, including the likes of Tony Todd, Michael Rooker, Michelle Rodriguez, and the great Michael Keaton. Kamar de los Reyes steals the show with his performance as the menacing Raul Menendez; a great villain that proves to be more interesting than the protagonists.

The score done by Trent Reznor is subtly enjoyable. A standout piece is the one seen in the very menu you start off in that serves as a motif during certain parts of the campaign.

The graphics aren't bad, but they are beginning to show their age. Haven't noticed any significant changes from modern warfare 4 to now, however they still look good so its not a total loss.

The maps are a lot more interesting this time around in comparison to the last iteration. Generic warzones of the past are replaced with fun locations like a yacht to duke it out with the online community.

The modes are back in full force. Victory doesn't seem to be that important in this game, as the brilliant customization lets you set goals for yourself. An addictive premise that will keep you coming back for more. A new create your own emblem is almost a game in itself, as almost anything can be depicted to your friends and strangers alike to represent you. You will see the ugly side of humanity online as unicorns in compromising positions seem be the order of the day for most would be comedians out there, along with certain parts of the human anatomy in action...but I digress.

Tranzit(zombies!) is brilliant; the closest this game comes to adding something new to the table. You will be familiar with the mechanics of nazi zombies, however the map has been greatly expanded and filled with mysteries around every corner. The closest thing we'll get to a co-op zombie free roam for now. The grief mode is an amusing multiplayer mode in itself that can lead to some intense struggles for survival.

Black Ops 2 aims to get you as much out of your dollar as possible in the same way the orange box attempted to years ago. Treyarch's unique sense of humor shines through to round out the package, the bizarre post credits sequence being a highlight. Treyarch has done it again without taking themselves too seriously, kudos.

God of War II (2007)

A therapeutic ancient romp....

God of War II is a must for any gamer with an interest in either a)brawling, b)Greek mythology, c)brutality, and doesn't mind a puzzle around every corner. The story is rather epic in scope, with Kratos having even bigger fish to fry this time around, ranging across the mythology spectrum from Perseus(played ironically by Harry Hamlin) to Zeus himself. Each boss fight lives up to expectations, and the game has a cliffhanger that is done right; it doesn't let you feel cheated, only excited for whats to come. It helps that the way Kratos dispatches his foes manages to redefine what brutality in video games is all about; many memorable finishes, it almost makes you wonder if they came up with how each encounter and demise would play out before even writing the story itself. The puzzles are rather numerous, and managed to stump me each time in the silliest of ways(I'm stupid). Most of them are somewhat amusing, and its somewhat forgivable due to the mythical setting. What a setting it is. This game definitely pushes the ps2 to the limit without a hitch, providing plenty of locales to gawk at. About as subtle as a kick in the balls by a clown, god of war 2 is an excellent entry in the franchise; a game that will satisfy that craving to punch someone, along with amazing you with its brutality and spectacle.

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005)

A retrospective review

I bought this in the midst of the xbox's heyday, and for whatever reason,let it sit and collect dust until this past week for whatever reason.

+positives - The gameplay is actually pretty fluid and fun. There are complex moves, however I never had to really go beyond my range of fireballs, uppercuts, and quick jabs to win the day. Simplicity is key for a co-op figter like this, and there's enough added depth to carry you through the game.

• The areas of the game are well designed for the most part, you will get a nostalgia shot to the face from visting areas like the living forest and the acid baths from MK II.

• Co-op is always a nice touch; this is one of the best uses of it in the last gen.

• you get a nice bonus at the end which may make you want to replay this ditty.

• most of the fatalities are well done, a favorite of mine is what happens to a certain four-armed feline fellow towards the game's climax.

-negatives - Backtracking is in full force in this romp, fortunately the areas are small enough to were it wasn't as painful as it could have been, but backtracking is backtracking, and should not be allowed. The enemies respawn in every area after you leave; I didn't feel too heroic having to run back through them to get to the next moment in the story.

• The voice acting is pretty awful for the most part; it gives the movies more than a run for their money. Things will be repeated, the obvious will be stated.

• The graphics are nothing to write home about once the animation gets into play. People will fall into acid pits then just comically blip into the end result. You can say its an old game, but this would look bad back then as well.

All in all, this game is a fun detour into the tacky mortal kombat universe and a must for fans of the series. People may say its short, however I felt it ended right before it could overstay its welcome. They need to make more co-op games(brawlers) like this even in this day and age; perhaps a next gen sequel is in order.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned (2009)

A good companion piece to GTA 4

LAD carries on what makes GTA games so fun, having the hilarious characters, the gritty storyline, and wicked soundtrack to boot. The radio ads are still fun as ever; gta does the impossible and makes advertisements fun, if only the real world could accomplish this. People may complain that the biker characters are a little shallow, however I find it refreshing to have characters that aren't in denial of their psychotic tendencies; I'm looking at you CJ. The storyline will keep you hooked just to see sly connections betweenit and the main game. Unfortunately, the biker saga ends rather anti climatically. It also happens to be incredibly short; you can burn through this in a few hours, which is forgivable since it is essentially dlc. The new guns are awesome; favorites of mine being the auto pistol and devastating machine-shotty. While not quite as robust and game-changing as red dead's zombie nightmare, this game reminds me of the fun that can be had in the gta universe. Recommended to those who want more out of their GTA 4.

WWE '12 (2011)

A solid, yet glitchy iteration of the franchise

WWE 12 tries to reinvent the series. While it doesn't quite do that, its definitely an improvement over last years product. The biggest issue with the series to date with the gameplay is that none of the characters you choose feel different from the other beyond looks and finishers; a lot of them even have similar moves in the basic area of things. The replay value of this game is much better than the reverse-fest of last years, however the matches definitely have that by the numbers feel as a result of said character similarities. The joystick grapples have been removed almost pointlessly; i don't feel the change adds or breaks anything. Another huge problem that has been plaguing the series for years is the unimportance of the stats. Damage is basically unaccounted for, and it basically comes down to who can mess up the new pin system first. The new pin system works wonders for the carpal tunnel and broken controller crowd, however I miss the old tap fest. The submission system is similar to the good old days, but is kind of a joke as it basically lets the attacker win at a certain point; the struggle is nonexistent. The roster is a good reflection of the current roster; a whole lot of people you don't care about. The legends are the savior of the game, with greats like Booker T and Eddie coming to the party once again, along with surprises like Brock Lesnar. A lot of the good wrestlers like HBK and Batista you have to pay for via DLC in a cheap cash out by the developers. Bret Hart and Jericho are nowhere to be seen unfortunately, however these additions make the group quite formidable if you are willing to front the cash. The storyline is worse than the 5 from last years. You are forced to play as Sheamus and Triple H in story lines that are about as boring as they sound along with a creative superstar in an odd WCW invasion angle. The crime here is that you basically have to fight the same people...in the same situations, the whole way through, along with having to play them in order. Popular stars like CM Punk are oddly nowhere to be seen throughout all three. At least the atrocious backstage walking is largely absent. Create modes are tremendous as always,however the parts have barely changed over the last 5 years. WWE Universe is fun as always, however I think its time to spice things up by adding story lines to it and making the rankings make sense. The glitches are really out of control at this point(I once had undertaker run through the arena endlessly, stretching the arena into a tiny dot in a world of blackness...yeah), and the graphics are serviceable at best. THQ needs to take time off and seriously put work into this series. They can rival the legitimacy and fun of other fighting games if they wanted to, but not with this year to year structure.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009)

A frenetic, beautiful actioner

This is my first foray into the Uncharted series. The plot is harmless enough; kind of on the boring side. Something about Marco Polo and Shambala and what not. Nathan Drake and his supporting cast are pretty likable, the woman I would recognize as one of the new gears in Gears of War 3 does a fine job here as femme fatale Chloe. The main baddie is your typical Russian goon, a man that would make Ivan Drago proud. Alongside him in the villainy I noticed was the man who played Alistair of Dragon Age fame, playing a similar character here yet with a darker edge. The game is fun, and at times gorgeous(except when it freezes!). I found the puzzles to be frustrating and tedious at best, thought they are over very soon. Most of the firefights actually get rather repetitive, I was just waiting for the next eye-pleasing climbing episode as I chugged along in the game. Speaking of gears of war, this game basically plays like a fluid version of marcus n' friends' romp yet with an odd pg-13 no gore angle that makes kills a lot less satisfying beyond the awesome melee/stealth kills. Drake is really a killing machine by the time all is said and done. The set pieces are really a sight to behold, highlights being a car chase involving the monkey-like Drake having to jump from car to car and the falling train moment depicted on the cover that you thankfully have to experience twice. Uncharted is a world were everyone has the climbing abilities of a lemur and will be shunned if they display any less. Not quite Raiders of the Lost Ark, yet entertaining nonetheless, Uncharted 2 is a game one should run through at least once; the multiplayer is pretty robust and fun in itself as well I might add.

Dragon Age: Origins (2009)

PS3 version: A solid fantasy romp not without its flaws

Make no mistake, Dragon Age is definitely another solid entry in Bioware's ever-expanding library of successful story-based rpgs. Story is definitely the star of the show in this regard. While the main plot rehashes the Bioware staple of the-hero-and-friends vs seemingly unstoppable dark forces, the individual moments and chapters possess a plethora of memorable moments and characters in perhaps a greater supply than its Kotor and Mass Effect brothers and sisters. It helps that a big decision lies within almost every section of the game, the choices made actually seemed to have interesting consequences at every turn; something I found lacking from most modern games that imply that the choice is there. Even at the onset, you get a staggering amount of options on what kind of character you want yours to be, getting your own origin story; a great touch that I haven't seen since. The graphics are simply all over the place. While character models look good and the blood will flow to an almost humorous and definitely satisfying degree, I found the environments severely lacking and frustratingly dull, bland if you will. The music is nothing really to write home about beyond the eloquent main hymn. The game plays like an updated version of kotor; I found the pathing to be quite troublesome, and the menu is a sluggish nightmare. The worst problem the game has lies in the fact that you are staring at the same load screen for the majority of the time, a costly price for the sheer amount of written content thrown into the game. This is a lengthy adventure; I tried burning through it as fast as possible and it still took me about 24 hours to complete the dang thing. Recommended if you are willing to overlook its last-gen antiquities for a good, dare I say great, choose-your-own-adventure, dark fantasy yarn.

Dark Souls (2011)

An infuriating masterpiece

Dark Souls is the ultimate test of a gamer's discipline and patience. The challenges aren't inherently hard, however you will die countless times before this journey is over and you learn this fact.

[+] The positives - The art style is astounding. Each world has its own personality, one second you will be in a picturesque beauty-and-the-beast style castle stage, the next you will be toiling in a horrific mixture of tombs surrounded by a fiery inferno(think the Moria section of the fellowship of the ring film). It helps that all of this is connected- you will see past stages as you trudge along in your current predicament, creating an unprecedented sense of immersion. - The amount of choices you have is staggering, almost limitless, to the point of intimidation. Almost every medieval weapon, spell, and armor type is accounted for, and most of them work in the way you would imagine to a satisfying degree. - The foreboding sense of doom that permeates the walls of every nook in the world of Dark Souls. This world is not a happy place, making it all the more satisfying as you conquer each of its unique challenges. - The music kicks in at all the right moments,standouts being the sorrow on display at the central hub whenever you traverse it and the even beautiful piano score that punctuates the experience during the final battle. - This game is addictive as it comes, you will wonder where your 60+ hours went.

[-] The negatives - The muliplayer is a failure in execution. Players will crash your party and murder you in the laggiest way possible. The amusing messages you can leave for other players to see even cost game items this time around. - The framerate can become an atrocious nightmare...on singleplayer. Just play the demon ruins or the blightown swamp levels to the revel in the true horror of the game. - Despite it having the artistic goods, the game can look downright ugly at times, especially if you crank up the brightness level. - This game is unforgiving and will turn off many a person with its harsh rules. - Don't play this if you are looking for a captivating narrative beyond its interesting setting and backstory.

Overall, Dark Souls is the game to get if you are willing to overlook its technical missteps and buckle down for a hardcore challenge in a world that is the stuff of nightmares.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare (2010)

A good extension of the main game...

Undead Nightmare is really a little bit more of what you loved from Red Dead Redemption. The zombie killing is actually pretty fluid for the most part, and there are new toys to play around with like the torch and the blunderbuss. The storyline is hilarious in its tongue-and-cheek approach to characters established in the main game, especially the beginning moments, but kind of loses steam at the end, which is a shame as the main game in itself is incredibly short. The Challenges are back in a more satisfactory form; no more godawful plant collecting to be seen, however I did find it to be a little bit tedious wandering the wilderness waiting for one of the awesome horses of the apocalypse to appear;though these magnificent beasts are worth the sidetrack or two. The multiplayer is once again a standout here, red dead gets its own hordish mode that has great pick-up-and-play value. Recommended to those who liked and have the first; I wouldn't buy this on its own like it is being sold in stores due to how fast you can power through the main quest, one sitting if you are a Speedy Gonzalez.

Red Dead Redemption (2010)

Everything you could want in a western game

Rockstar has done it again, creating another sandbox classic that does the unthinkable in bringing a truly great multiplayer suite along for the ride. Something must be said of the vast, natural scenery in this game, as it truly steals the show in making you forget the repetitive aspects of the title. The setting is downright picturesque, blowing any competitors out of the water; it is fun to just ride around and let it all sink in. The "free" nature of this game is another fantastic aspect, as it is at its best when you put obligations aside and indulge in the countless mini games, challenges, hideouts, and other strange encounters that inhabit the west. The soundtrack is fantastic, whether that be the always interesting twang that pervades the proceedings or rare moments were a song will play during an important part of John Marston's spiritual journey, and what a journey it is. Rockstar has been kind of hit or miss with their story lines, however they knocked it out of the park with this character piece. Mr. Marston is a character you will root for through and through, as he goes on an odyssey full of characters that get more despicable and tacky as the game goes on in a riveting battle for his soul. RD Redemption is a must play for anyone looking for the total package in a game. The multiplayer is a never ending honeymoon between single player bliss and social excitement and the single player itself is one of Rockstar's very best, all taking place in a stunning, immense interpretation of the legendary wild west.

Diablo III (2012)

A well-polished finale

Diablo 3 is the Diablo you know and love, minus the tedium that reared its ugly head in older installments. Scrolls are nonexistent, items' finer points are highlighted green to lessen the thought provoking struggle to decide which item is better, the potion guzzling madness has been toned down completely, and there are frequent checkpoints in case you ever want to go outside. The combat here is just as fun and intuitive as ever; the game is a fun clickfest whether you want to go it alone or with your acquaintances. Every new spell/skill here seems to matter unlike the hefty amounts of seemingly cool fluff in the last game waiting for you to make the wrong decision and ruin your character; this game wants you to succeed. I don't think the cast of playable characters of #2 can be topped, however the new guys and gals are interesting in their own rights and mix the abilities of their predecessors in exciting ways. The audio presentation is a standout here- from the protagonist and accompanying merc's many lines for almost every new encounter to the simple fact that excerpts you find sound off while you run along creates a nice pacing; the action never stops. The cinematics are up to blizzards standards, perhaps even surpassing them with the showcase of not one, but two biblical encounters that though short, must be seen to be believed. The art style is definitely world of warcraft-esque(cartoony) unfortunately, however it looks great and doesn't hold back with the gut spewing gore seen in the last installments. Though the immersion level is definitely higher with the player character interacting with everyone, the plot kind of resorts to the typical blizzard twist that I guess must be in every one of their games these days. This twist leads to the epic locale of the finale, so I'm not complaining...too much. The voice acting is top notch for the most part, kudos to veteran actor James Hong's hilarious turn as the enigmatic Covetous Shen along with the man behind Lyndon the Scoundrel, a performance that captures a roguish whimsy similar to Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow. Besides the final act, I was a little disappointed in the similarities to the acts of the last game, sometimes I felt like they ran out of ideas at points as exact bosses from previous games made their returns almost randomly and in almost the same chronological order they appeared in the older games, though the first act's numerous references to the first game were quite amusing. There's a particular moment near the end were you fight a fallen foe from the past while an exciting fight with an angelic adversary is only teased. All in all, Diablo 3 is a great entry in the hack n' slash genre, as its level of accessibility is above most games of any genre. Highly recommended...if you have internet, that is.

Silent Hill 3 (2003)

Another good addition to the franchise.

Silent Hill 3 carries the precedent set by the last two games in stride; a creepy must have for both fans of the series and those just looking for a cerebral scare. This iteration doesn't do much to change the game in the slightest; the controls are still clunky yet somehow leaps and bounds above its RE cousin, and the enemy variety is once again extremely lacking. The scares again are beautifully subtle, the winner here being the ever-present sense of dread that stands out even in moments of silence. The graphics are similar to Silent Hill 2's yet containing a level of polish that helps it hold up even to this day. The plot actually succeeds in being the first of the series to attempt to somewhat explain the nature of the town seen in the original game, creating a good mix of the cult plot of the original,and the sexual imagery of the second. The characters are all likable here, despite the dialogue being all over the place. Heather grows on you; she is one of the toughest, most unique female video game characters I have yet to see, and her performance picks up as the game continues, however sidekick and second-most seen character Douglas unfortunately sounds like he is in some kind of bizarre trance. It should be mentioned that the game is extremely short compared to the last two, and most games for that matter; however there are some exciting, easily accessible extras to keep you coming back. All in all, this game is one of the last good bastions of the classic ps-ps2 survival horror era, one that should be picked up by anyone who is a fan of the series or the genre.

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (2005)

X-Spelunkers

This game benefits greatly from an interesting roster and an even greater intro, however the level design alone almost turns this mutant romp into an ordeal. Unlike the last game, which took us to interesting places like the Shadow King's domain and an arctic base(basically every x-locale you can think of along with the mansion and danger room), this game is a generic tomb/factory/cave fest, an idea that is hammered into your skull before you can even get to the somewhat interesting New York level. Even though the plot leaves much to be desired(2 betrayals and a whole lot of shut this and that down), the boss fights can be amusing; the battle with the titular baddie lives up to expectations and the early throwdown with abyss is a the show stealer. Recommended if the 1st game wasn't enough for you.

Batman: Arkham City (2011)

A satisfying sequel...

Rocksteady made the right choice of remaining conservative with their second bat-outing. Having played all the way through the first one about 9 months ago, I would have to say the changes to the graphics and gameplay are minimal at best, a few new gadgets and an increased emphasis on bat-gliding notwithstanding. This ain't-broke-don't-fix approach is acceptable as the formula from the first game remains exciting as ever. The subtle/maybe not so much, upgrade to the graphics is found in the scale; Arkham City is an impressively beautiful vigilante sandbox that shockingly does not have even noticeable slow down or hiccups at any point. The performances are solid throughout, and the plot plays like a superb, dark episode from the animated series, which is more than a good thing. Unlike the last game, this game feels over way too fast. That said, any self-respecting super hero fan needs to give it a try.

C.H.U.D. (1984)

A B-Movie which brings a little bit more to the table then expected.

My main gripe with this film is that it gets off to a shamefully slow start after the amusing beginning sequence, however once it gets to its last 40 minutes, business picks up. The performances in this film are surprisingly good; that rag-tag 80's new york sensibility of day-to-day survival is upheld on all ends of the acting spectrum; they are a group you actually care about. It also helps that this is the most visceral depiction of the seedy-side of New York I've personally seen since Taxi Driver. The labyrinth of derelict sewers especially give off a feeling that the whole city is about to cave in on account of its own decay. This film tries to convey a message on the consequences of environmental degradation even in a place like a city, but it doesn't really follow through with it beyond using it as the backbone of the plot, which is perfectly fine in a film like this. Daniel Stern's ramshackle underground soup kitchen hero, is the standout, his interactions carry the film and bring everyone together by the story's end. Kudos to Christopher Curry for not overplaying a certain pivotal, depressing moment for his character; he truly plays the worn down cop to an exceptional level as we watch him reach his breaking point. The creatures are definitely creepy to this day, and the gore effects hold up even better, perhaps due their understated use throughout, it never reaches ruinous excess like its dated peers. The ending was both amusing and anti-climactic at the same time. Recommended for those that can handle its slow, methodical pace.