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Reviews

[Review] Toy Soldiers

Overall Feeling: 
Toy Soldiers is a fun, polished, action oriented tower defence game that has interesting elements not generally seen in a tower defence. If you're into this genre, defeneitly check it out.
The Pros: 
It's not based in WWII. A good entry to the TD genre. Action is fast paced and varied and flying a bomber around the map raining scale model death is good times.
The Cons: 
The could be more variety in the amount of towers and the addition of some more advanced TD concepts like controlling enemy paths.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Tower defence games are a pretty niche genre and Army Men... a non-existent one. Both of which I’m big fans of, though on Army Men I liked the idea better than the games. Toy Soldiers takes place on a basement Ping-Pong turned model war table. You’ll experience World War I in a way you never have before: in a game. It’s good to see another historical war used as the backdrop other than WWII.

[Product Review] Able Planet True Fidelity NC300B headphones

Overall Feeling: 
The Able Planet True Fidelity NC300B headphones may not have a snazzy name or feature but that doesn’t mean they don’t sound good. The True Fidelity headphones deliver some sharp audio that sounds terrific while listening to music and playing games. With a reasonable price point the NC300B’s are definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for some new headphones.
The Pros: 
They’re really comfortable. The sound quality is really staggering while playing a game and the headphones maintain a nice level of quality while listening to a layered musical track. It may not matter but the packaging is sleek and it’s an added plus that a travel case is provided.
The Cons: 
Some may be annoyed that a battery (which is included in the package) is required to power the headphones. The size, while small and not uber large, may still put some off since they’re not miniscule ear buds.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

When it comes to purchasing a good pair of headphones things can become a bit confusing. Unless you’re an audiophile or know exactly what you’re looking for down to precise details nabbing a good pair of headphones can be a bit difficult this day and age. After all aside from the popular brand names like Sony and Bose there are new fangled “celeb” headphones from the likes of music legend Dr.

[Review] Heavy Rain

Overall Feeling: 
Whilst it's mechanics may not be to everyone's liking, the emotional connection that Heavy Rain forges between the player and the characters is unlike anything seen in the industry to date. An incredible plot with various different branches, all of which are entirely at the player's control, coupled with a phenomenal score and voice work makes this a truly unique experience.
The Pros: 
A tense and engaging narrative. Player choices have a genuine impact on the outcome of the plot. Intuitive controls give the sensation of performing the on-screen action. A powerful score that invokes your emotions. Believable characters brought to life through fantastic voice work.
The Cons: 
Movement can feel a little clunky and unresponsive.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

“Interactive drama”. That's the term David Cage, Heavy Rain's director uses to describe the experience on offer. It's not so much a game in the conventional sense of the word, but rather a story in which you control the lead characters' every action and decision. It's this  combined sense of freedom and control, couple with a terrific plot, that makes Heavy Rain so emotionally charged. Through an intuitive control scheme, you're drawn closer to it's characters than any traditional game could manage. It's precisely for this reason that you simply have to experience this game.

[Review] Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing

Overall Feeling: 
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing isn’t a revolution in the kart racing genre nor is it the standard by which future games will be judged by. Instead it offers longtime Sega fans what amounts to fan service that is wrapped up in a highly enjoyable experience that plays wonderfully despite sticking to the basics.
The Pros: 
Enjoyable racing mechanics that are backed by a diverse roster of racers and courses. Visuals aren’t amazing but they capture the look and feel of the Sega franchises perfectly. Listening to old Sonic songs while racing down Seaside Hill is something that should make every Sega/Sonic fan happy.
The Cons: 
Weapon list is a bit small. It would’ve been nice if there were more franchises represented on the driver/course roster. The online mode is a bit simplistic in how its designed. Load times are a bit long.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Back when I was a young wee lad Sega was an absolute powerhouse game and console manufacturer.  With the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog as their main franchise and company mascot Sega gave the mighty Nintendo some stiff competition in the early 90s.

[Review] Aliens vs. Predator

Overall Feeling: 
Aliens vs. Predator is far from being the train wreck that we associate most games based on popular franchises to be. It’s clear that the developers at Rebellion know how to tackle the Alien and Predator franchises but despite their best efforts the final product is lacking and is rather unfulfilling, which can be attributed to an array of things. With spotty story campaigns for the Colonial Marines, Alien and Predator along with a multi-player mode that is rather lackluster due to balancing issues AvP sadly doesn’t quite live up to the lineage of the old AvP game and the franchises as a whole.
The Pros: 
Nice atmosphere in the Colonial Marines campaign. The graphics may not be stellar but they do a decent job of establishing a mood and staying true to the style found in the Alien movies. Ripping heads off or doing tail decapitations is fun and the general brutality of the game is nice.
The Cons: 
Story leaves a lot to be desired as it doesn’t do a lot aside from setting things up in the first 2 two minutes of the game. The level design is a bit dull and doesn’t really suit the abilities of the Predator that well. Aside from the generic Colonial Marines campaign the Predator and Alien campaigns don’t seem to be fully tailored to the characters in terms of their abilities and background. The multiplayer mode leaves a lot to be desired through its unbalanced gameplay which really kills the experience.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

With a game like Aliens vs. Predator it’s hard not to have an incredible amount of hype going given the nature and history of the series. When you release a game based around two huge franchises that happens to be a follow-up to a beloved PC game the anticipation amongst gamers old and new will be quite large. It’s almost to the point where the game may have the odds stacked against it since everyone already has their own vision of what the epic battle of Aliens vs. Predator should be like. So with that being said I expect some folks to be a bit let down by the Xenomorph vs. Predator vs.

Brooklyn to Babylon: Shinobi Ninja Attacks iPhone Review

Overall Feeling: 
An innovative band iPhone app that includes a great arcade game and interesting extras.
The Pros: 
Awesome arcade beat-em-up action. Music and Movie unlockables. Download the EP for free once you beat the game. Innovative "Live Show" features.
The Cons: 
3.99 regular price will likely be too pricey for players only interested in the game, which is a little short. 8 Point touch control pad would have been better as a Joystick, similar to Simpsons Arcade.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Recently we were asked to review a new iPhone game for the band Shinobi Ninja out of New York City. For those of you who don’t know them (and I’ll be honest I didn’t prior to them emailing me) Shinobi Ninja is an independent rock/rap group which features lead singers DA and Baby Girl, bassist Jonny on the Rocks, drummer Terminator Dave, guitarist Maniac Mike, and DJ Axis Powers. Shinobi Ninja is an interesting fusion of rock, alternative and hip-hop party music.

[Review] Dante's Inferno

Overall Feeling: 
Dante’s Inferno isn’t a terrible game nor is it another shameless clone of God of War. It’s just an odd mish-mash of thematic elements which is bookend by combat that fails to get the blood pumping. The team at Visceral Games should be applauded for taking on a project like this but Dante’s Inferno is far from being the next big action game let alone a hit on the same level as Dead Space.
The Pros: 
The art design is amazing and it really sets the tone that Hell is a place you don’t want to visit. For a game that is a dramatic mish-mash the voice acting is its one saving grace as the performances from the cast are just terrific. The combat is easy to get into and some may like the good and evil paths players can take.
The Cons: 
Combat is a bit uninspiring and there aren’t a whole lot of cool scenarios. The puzzles and platforming sections are rather lame. Visuals are a bit inconsistent at times. The story and the game as a whole never really finds the right tone.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

From the moment it debut at the Spike Video Game Awards two years ago there has always been some form of controversy surrounding EA’s adaptation of the classic poem Dante’s inferno.  The first sticking point about the game many had was that it’s based on an amazing piece of literature that was seemingly being diluted into a standard hack and slash action game. Turning a poem of Dante’s Inferno caliber into a game seemed like one of those sacred things that simply shouldn’t be done.

[Review] No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

Overall Feeling: 
No More Heroes 2 is one of those rare occasions when the sequel is actually good. While the game doesn’t top its predecessor it does offer some nice improvements which help make the game feel like a proper sequel instead of NMH 1.5. A few of the boss battles are disappointing but the game still offers a nice amount of fun which should please the No More Heroes fans out there and those looking for a solid mature game on the Wii.
The Pros: 
Slicing enemies in two is still fun as hell. The visuals and overall presentation has gotten a major upgrade. The boss battles that are fun are really, really fun. Amazing voice acting from a cast of veterans that includes Robin Atkin Downes and Jennifer Hale.
The Cons: 
Some of the boss battles aren’t that fun and lack that crazy feel to them. The game as a whole is missing some of the charm that was in NMH1. Shinobu’s platforming sections are terrible.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Three years ago the Wii probably saw the release of one of the defining games for the system in the form of No More Heroes.  From acclaimed developer Suda 51 (Killer 7) and his company Grasshopper Manufacture, the game showed that mature titles on the Wii could work and along with that it was also a bloody good amount of fun that had a compelling story to go along with the uber violent hijinks that filled the game.  Now No More Heroes is back with a sequel that tries hard to top the first game and at times it does but at the end of the day NMH2 doesn't quite reach the same level o

[Review] Dark Void

Overall Feeling: 
Dark Void ended up being what we all thought it wouldn’t be: a forgettable action game. Even though the premise is interesting and it comes from a solid heritage the game boils down to being nothing more than standard action that never once feels compelling or that entertaining. Compared to the games that have come out in the past few months and what’s ahead I have a feeling some people may completely forget about Dark Void since the game doesn’t really do anything to make it stick out.
The Pros: 
The voice acting from veterans such as Nolan North, Paul Eiding is nice. To my surprise the game has one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard. The last boss battle is cool. Zipping around on a jetpack does have its moments.
The Cons: 
Cliché story that as a whole feels a bit spotty at times, especially the ending that tries too hard to set up a sequel. Most of the missions are rather boring as they follow a standard pattern that is almost never broken up. Art direction is bland and the so-so visuals don’t help. Weapon variety is a bit small and as a whole the weapons look and feel a bit weak. You can beat the game in around 6-9 hours and it offers no replay value outside of Trophy/Achievement whoring.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

When a new IP launches this generation there may not be a lot of hype for it but there’s always a certain amount of buzz and hope. In this day and age having an original game come out that not only looks interesting but is something that can be considered unique is almost an endangered species of sorts.

[Review] Darksiders

Overall Feeling: 
With its varied combat, challenging puzzles and epic plot Darksiders succeeds in merging many elements , and in doing so offers a terrific experience that’s likely to have something to offer for most who will play it. But more importantly, rather than feeling like yet another simple clone, Darksiders genuinely feels like a legitimate contender.
The Pros: 
Addictive combat with a large variety of enemies to face and moves to master. Epic boss battles. A gorgeous visual style that has as much variation as the combat itself. A plot filled with entertaining characters as well as a few twists along the way.
The Cons: 
War’s character is all too generic. The camera often leaves you unsure of where enemies are leaving War wide open.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Creating a game which draws its influences from some of modern gaming’s biggest series is a bold move on the part of developer Vigil Games, but it’s certainly one that has paid off. By enlisting the help of artist Joe “Mad” Madureira the slick visual style on display in Darksiders alone is enough to make the game stand out. Add to that a combat system that’s as deep as it is rewarding along with a handful of massive boss battles and you have a game that goes well beyond the title of clone.

[Review] Army of Two: The 40th Day

Overall Feeling: 
Army of Two: The 40th Day is a massive improvement over its predecessor as it’s no longer a silly dudebro action game but it still has a few flaws. Amazing action scenarios are coupled with slightly repetitive battles and the story is still a bit loose even by Hollywood action movie standards. Salem & Rios have matured greatly and the game shows that through important game refinements but there’s still a few key things missing that make Army of Two: The 40th Day from becoming a truly great and amazing co-op action game.
The Pros: 
Shanghai looks gorgeous and EA Montreal did an excellent job at setting the tone through the visuals which never miss a step. The actual shooting mechanics are fun now since they no longer feel loose and the action as a whole has more of a tense feeling. While not exactly groundbreaking the Morality Moments do a nice job at trying to make the game more than just a mindless shooter.
The Cons: 
The story is still a mess and ends in a somewhat ridiculous manner which takes a bit of the overall impact away a bit. Boss battles are boring NES style “Shoot the red spot” type affairs which don’t require a lot of skill. The multiplayer is good but some may not like the lack of options and overall variety it offers. For being a game about co-op action there aren’t a whole lot of unique co-op scenarios.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

Two years ago we witnessed a special friendship between two men. Not only were they friends on and off the battlefield but they were also dudebros.  When you have a friend that you can fist bump, high-five and chest bump with after you kill 50 generic terrorists then that indeed is a special bond.  These two bro-tacular soldiers are Elliot Salem and Tyson Rios, the stars of EA’s Army of Two.  When Army of Two premiered two years ago it was somewhat unique as before there hadn’t been an action game to aggressively focus on co-op play, both with an A.I.

[Movie Review] Daybreakers

Overall Feeling: 
Daybreakers is a good film but it isn’t the vampire tour de force some had hoped it would be based on the trailers. The film is still good as it’s quite nice visually and has some good acting but the story is missing a certain amount of depth to it which hinders things a bit. It’s nice that we have a vampire movie that doesn’t have romance or is merely gore porn as Daybreakers does some unique things and is a solid film to check out if you have your expectations dialed down a bit. If you like the aspects of vampire society that was shown in the first “Blade” movie then you’ll probably love Daybreakers as it’s that amped up a bit.
The Pros: 
The style of the film is good and the Spierig Brothers show their talent in directing despite this only being their second film. Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe turn in nice performances with Sam Neill being the best out of the bunch as the antagonist. Thankfully Daybreakers doesn’t hold back with the gore and doesn’t have CG blood and all around has some nice special effects.
The Cons: 
The story is a bit weak at times with under developed characters. For a world whose population is mostly vampires the exact rise of that society is laid out a bit too conveniently. Even though the gore is awesome it may be a bit too much for some, especially at the end of the film which as a whole falls apart a bit.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

In this day and age vampires just aren’t what they used to be. Sure, they still have that mystique to them but for the most part they’ve been relegated to starring in the dreams of women, and surely a few men, due to the craze of Twilight and True Blood. For a good portion of their history aside from being romanticized vampires were also extremely deadly and frightening creatures that just didn’t fall in love with girls and sparkle in the sun.

[Review] Rubik's Puzzle Galaxy: Rush

Overall Feeling: 
Rubik’s Puzzle Galaxy: Rush may not seem like it but it’s one of the most cohesive and entertaining puzzle games to be released on a console. The puzzles are engaging and despite the difficulty of some of the more advanced ones it never feels too cheap or like it’s impossible to complete. The game boasts a nice amount of content and for $6 it’s an absolute steal.
The Pros: 
Entertaining puzzles that while difficult are always fun to tackle. The production values are really sharp which is surprising considering the fact that it’s a puzzle game based on a toy. Listening to techno buttery beats while trying to solve a puzzle never gets old.
The Cons: 
It would’ve been nice if there were more multiplayer modes. Other than that it’s just up to personal preference if you enjoy the puzzle offerings of Rubik’s Puzzle Galaxy: Rush. Oh, it also would’ve been amazing if you could make your own puzzles and share them online.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

One of the biggest things to hit the world of pop culture in the last thirty years was the Rubik’s Cube.  Somehow this simple toy captured the attention of the world as it became notorious as being impossible to solve.

[Review] The Saboteur

Overall Feeling: 
The Saboteur may not be the best or the most polished sandbox game to be released but when it comes to setting a mood and giving players something they haven’t seen that’s where the game excels. The WWII genre had lost its luster and appeal but thankfully The Saboteur gives it a much needed boost of life with a game that is the definition of easy going pulp style fun. If you enjoy blowing things up and sticking it to the Nazis then The Saboteur is the game for you.
The Pros: 
The atmosphere and mood in the game is unlike anything else we’ve seen in the WWII genre and other sandbox games. Thankfully the game doesn’t drag its feet with the missions as there isn’t any unnecessary padding that’s required to play in between story missions. The story, which while a bit over the top at times, is enjoyable in a pulpy Hollywood action movie type way. When it comes to setpieces, both from a gameplay and dramatic perspective, the game does an excellent job of giving the player some interesting scenarios.
The Cons: 
Most of the controls feel a bit unrefined which while not game ruining may put a small damper on the enjoyment of the game. At times the amount of enemies you take on is a bit too much to handle which may lead to a few frustrating or cheap deaths. Despite being straight to the point the story feels like it’s missing a few added sections as characters simply disappear after they’re introduced or have unsatisfying conclusions. Some of the side missions are a bit standard and may not compel players to continue their journey after they wrap up the story missions.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

Over the past decade there has never been a short supply of games set during WWII.  In fact there have probably been too many most of which bordered on mediocrity or were just retreads of what we’ve seen already.   Even a shift in military campaigns still left gamers craving for something else as playing as a soldier in an fps game is something that really wasn’t taken to the next level in terms of how immersive it is and originality.  Now after almost 10 years of essentially playing the same type of WWII game we finally have something that we haven’t seen or experienced

[Review] Rogue Warrior

Overall Feeling: 
Rogue Warrior is pure unfiltered garbage. There’s simply no other way to put it than that. The game has PS2 quality visuals and has some of the most uninteresting fps gameplay I’ve ever played in my history of playing fps games. The only reason you should ever pop this into your PS3 or Xbox 360 is if you want some easy Trophies/Achievements or if you want to hear Mickey Rourke say some rather inventive expletive laced comments involving communists and the word co*k.
The Pros: 
You can finish the game in two hours and have at least 25% of the Trophies/Achievements. Mickey Rourke is slightly funny in the extremely shallow and generic role of a Navy SEAL.
The Cons: 
Everything. Ugly graphics, boring level design, glitch laden gameplay, and terrible writing. Shooting and stabbing a man in the face is somehow not entertaining in this game. WTF indeed.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
1

When you have a game in which the hero sprouts out sayings like “God damn c**k breath commie motherf*****,” or “I own your f****** soul you commie bitch” you know you’re either in for an awesome game, a goofy game, or a big piece of crap that looks like it was designed by people who failed at game design school.  In the case of Rogue Warrior from Rebellion Software and Bethesda it’s the last option as Rogue Warrior is the epitome of what makes a game bad.

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