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Tritton Switchblade for PS3 [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 09:59
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Overall Feeling: 

The Tritton Switchblade for the PlayStation 3 is a durable and extremely reliable option for gamers out there looking for something solid to use while playing online.  With a sleek design and small footprint, the Switchblade doesn’t feel like you’re talking to someone through a string can as the quality on both the audio and mic side of things is handled well.  Outside of having to come to grips with making the Switchblade comfortable, the ear clip can’t be adjusted and isn’t too flexible, the device is certainly worth investing the money in for those looking for a completely wireless and affordable audio solution.

The Pros: 

+ The design is simple yet incredibly effective.

+ Not everything may sound like it’s coming from a perfect source, but the audio quality in general is good and is almost comparable to high-end headsets.

+ Charge time is rather short and a full charge doesn’t drain too quickly.

+ Having a docking station is nice and makes charging the device a breeze.

The Cons: 

- Ear clip would’ve benefitted from some padding or alternate clip sizes.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

Advances in technology can be great and this generation we’ve become more acclimated with certain things which have become a part of our lives in one way or another.  In video games we’re used to playing online multiplayer modes, perhaps more often than standard single-player experiences since having some competition against another person is more engaging and there’s always the added bonus of trash talking being thrown in as well.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword [Review]

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/22/2011 - 14:43
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Overall Feeling: 

Skyward Sword is the best sum of all of the Zelda parts to-date: It takes advantage of the hardware in unique and interesting ways without feeling tacked on, it features a host of gadgets new and old that all feel awesome to wield, it's story is a grand epic that manages to tie-in with the franchise more directly than most, and the mount (bird) in the game is the best way to get around since Epona. The game features numerous nods and allusions to previous outings in the franchise, and by the end of the game you've had a full-on Zelda experience that brings forwards memories of all your favorites from the franchises long history, while providing an altogether new experience. 

The Pros: 

+The Wiimote Plus controller is taken full advantage of, allowing unparalleled percision with the controller. 

+The game is one of the biggest ever, taking a minimum of 30 hours just to clear the main-story.

+Traversing the world with the game's primary transportation system, a giant bird, feels like it rewards a bit of skill beyond "pointing in the direction you want to go."

+The library of 'gadgets' that Link has this time out is potentially the greatest to date. 

+The story connects directly with over-all Zelda series, specifically Ocarina of Time, and it a rarity for the franchise that gives all kinds of nerd-happiness. 

+The game adheres to the Zelda formula, but provides the best presentation of each to date. 

The Cons: 

-The ability to swing a sword in ANY direction still isn't quite there, and instead the game relies on an eight-way axis for the swinging mechanic of the sword's slashes. 

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
10

While playing through the most recent incarnation of the Zelda franchise, Skyward Sword, I've stumbled upon somewhat of a personal revolution. Zelda, to me, is to video gaming what James Bond is to movies. To be clear, I'm a big fan of the James Bond franchise, and it has several key features that keep me coming back every time there's a new one launched: One-liners, cars, women and gadgets. Zelda works within a similar 'formula' that repeats ad-nauseam, but somehow never gets stale. Where Zelda is concerned though: it's a mount, rather than a vehicle.

Velocity G1 IZ68 Gaming System from Memory Express

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 10/19/2011 - 13:13
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Overall Feeling: 

The bottom line is that the system is definitely worth the price-tag. It will slaughter every game currently on the market with ease, and chew up your daily computer-centric routines. If you have always been interested in having a superior gaming rig, but don't trust yourself to build one, or just want someone else to blame when things inevitably go wrong, then you can't really ask for much more than this. 

The Pros: 

+Optimized performance

+Serious bragging rights

+Ability to smoke any game currently on the market

+Support staff behind it, should anything go wrong

The Cons: 

-Rather pricey build

-Caters to an unusual crowd (enthusiasts that don't DIY)

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Over the last couple of weeks I've had the honour of test-driving Memory Express' first over-clock PC build. It was left in my 'capable' hands to try and break the thing, while also testing out what kind of performance it could deal out as both a home computer (handling my day-to-day tasks like editing podcasts, writing, video editing, and other such boring-talk), as well as a gaming rig. Fans of gaming rigs in general are likely to appreciate everything that went into this, but it was also a phenomenal improvement to my work-life, increasing my workflow about 50 times over...

Space Channel 5: Part 2 [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 10/11/2011 - 08:53
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Overall Feeling: 

Space Channel 5: Part 2 is a fun and vibrant rhythm game that despite being nearly a decade old has aged extremely well. The buttery beats are still fresh and dishing out moves to destroy evil robots and agents of the Rhythm Rogues is simple yet offers a nice, if slightly steep, challenge.  If you never played Space Channel 5 Part 2 then I recommend having a go with Ulala as the intergalactic journey offered in the game is a classic.

The Pros: 

+ Gameplay is still fun and doesn’t feel too archaic.

+ Visuals look good on a HD platform, even with some noticeable jaggies.

+ Music soothes my soul in how varied and catchy it is.

+ Tone of the game is completely silly but it’s so damn fun.

The Cons: 

- Difficulty spikes may be a bit much for new players.

- Controls feel a bit unresponsive here and there.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Going into a video game and not hacking and slashing everything or engaging in ruthless gun battles may be shocking to some, but I for one welcome the change of pace every now and then.  Gamers are of course used to getting some action through puzzle games or simulation racers, but there aren’t too many games out there that take a completely original approach to something which while bucking a genre trend is still entertaining.  Back in 2002 Sega released Space Channel Five: Part 2, the sequel to the raucous dancing sci-fi romp that hit the Dreamcast in 1999.

Eufloria [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 09:33
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Overall Feeling: 

Eufloria is a game that takes a novel approach towards the RTS genre and partly succeeds and fails in what it attempts to do.  The unique presentation and small hints of a story are something to be appreciated, but the monotonous gameplay is a bit hard to handle despite how easy it may be to creature structures and send units out to battle.  Those who dig indie games that are a bit out there may dig Eufloria but just be prepared for a game that requires a hefty time investment and isn’t as satisfying as it could be.

The Pros: 

+ Art design is terrific.

+ As an RTS the game has really intuitive controls that never bog the game down.

+ There may not be a heavy story, but the world of the game and the small things that are dropped are really intriguing – even if they seem drug induced.

The Cons: 

- Pace of the game is really, really slow.

- Battles can sometimes feel a bit cheap no matter how many units you send.

- Difficulty is ramped up a lot in the later stages which combined with the pace of the game leads to long battles that are a tad boring.

- Lack of any multiplayer modes is disappointing since conceptually it could’ve worked.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

One thing inherently wonderful about this generation of gaming is that almost anyone can develop a game and see it through to an actual retail release. Obviously not everyone can make a game, but those dedicated to whatever visions they have can see their concept through conception until it’s in the hands of gamers – whether it be through a hard copy or through digital distribution. Now even if someone has a cool idea for a game they still may not be able to see it through simply because of whatever market trends are dictating what’s popular at the moment.

Dead Nation: Road to Devastation [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 10:39
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Overall Feeling: 

Dead Nation: Road to Devastation is what more DLC add-ons should be – simple, to the point and cheap to buy.  Now focusing on a round based branching path adventure, Road to Devastation adds a wee bit of strategy to the Dead Nation experience as it allows gamers to somewhat tailor their zombie killing experience.  Even without the addition of any major new weapons or enemy types, Road to Devastation is DLC that’s worthy of forking your cash over since it’s well made and adds tremendously upon the base product.

The Pros: 

+ Branching paths add a lot to the game and offer a nice amount of variety amongst each other.

+ Multi-kill score mechanic is nice and further adds an arcade dimension to the game.

+ Level variety may not be that different compared to what Dead Nation already offered us, but there are still a lot of cool set-piece moments in the game.


 

The Cons: 

- Not being able to save in between rounds and having to restart upon dying is a pain.

- Would’ve preferred if level variety (art design, setting) was handled better.


 

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

The ever continuing zombie fad may be something that is further drawing the ire of gamers and people in general, but every now and then we do get a gem out of whatever undead mayhem surfaces.  There still is definitely an easy route that video game developers can take with their undead action but for some reason Dead Nation just clicked with people. At first it seemed like the game had two strikes against itself seeing as how it’s a twin-stick shooter and a zombie game that doesn’t have the name Resident Evil bandied about anywhere.

Captain America: Super Soldier [Review]

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 13:17
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Overall Feeling: 

Straight up, it's a knock-off of Arkham Asylum. That's it. It's as easy as that to describe the game in point-form. Thankfully that's not exactly a bad-thing, and the story is good enough that it's worth the time to go through.

The Pros: 

+Great original story.

+Ties-in with the movie in a unique and smart way.

+Offers some interesting mechanics for the shield.

The Cons: 

-Takes everything from Arkham Asylum and breaks it.

-Challenge modes are pretty much a joke.

-Game difficulty is ridiculously easy.

-Everything feels a little 'off' in a way that makes you question why.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
5

Let’s just go ahead and skip right over the usual “movie game tie-in” rhetoric, shall we? Captain America is all of those things for sure, but it feels like it does a little better job of expanding on the story established within the film that most other movie tie-ins that I’ve played in the past.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings [Review]

Submitted by JJ Webb on Mon, 08/01/2011 - 17:55
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Overall Feeling: 

The Witcher 2: Assassins of kings holds nothing back.  As you battle spirits, monsters, and everything else you can think of in a fantasy setting, you will find yourself feeling rather accomplished.  As the game takes its dark and mature twists and turns you will find yourself along with the ride of an excellently crafted action/RPG.  The guys of CD Project Red have created a shining gem with their brand new engine. Without any major gameplay problems except for some clunky inventory management, you will find yourself getting lost in this world of fantasy beauty. With a brand new combat system that you will find as fast paced as the depth of it, you can’t help but feeling rewarded at what they have put up to offer you. And you should in one of the best looking RPGS of today.

The Pros: 

+Brand new engine produces one of the best looking games out

+A fast pace, in depth combat system that remains fresh all the way throughout

+A mature and dark story that holds nothing back

+Just the right amount of side quests to keep you busy with the world

+They make a healthy use of their mature rating

The Cons: 

-The lack of tutorials can sometimes feel like they have thrown you to the fire

-Voice acting not always up to par

-Inventory system can be a little clunky

-If you did not play the first you might be feeling a little out of the loop

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

I know what you’re thinking: “Who the hell is developer CD Project Red and what have they ever done?” Well back in 2007 they made a little ‘hidden gem’ of a game for the PC called The Witcher, based upon Andrzej Sapkowski’s (don’t worry I am not sure how to pronounce his name either) book series of the same name. Now I don’t know if you can call selling over one million units a ‘hidden gem’, but in today’s console craving culture it seems like a lot of PC exclusive games don’t get the credit they perhaps deserve, especially in the case of The Witcher.

Killzone Series 1 DC Direct Figures [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 10:10
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Overall Feeling: 

Once again DC Direct has offered a solid line of figures that don’t stray from the source material and manage to have more detail than you would expect given the price point.  Fans of Killzone will surely appreciate the design of the Assault Infantry and Sniper figures as both look as they do in the video games. The lack of a few additional details in the helmets and somewhat restrictive battle poses is a slight bummer, but aren’t detrimental to the overall quality of the figures. 

The Pros: 

+ The design of the figures is nearly perfect as they capture the essence of how the characters look in the games.
+ There’s a plethora of tiny design touches on both figures.
+ Unlike other figures on the market, the price point for the Series 1 figures is really affordable.

The Cons: 

- Not being able to put the figures in different poses is slightly disappointing.
- There’s just something missing in how the glowing Helghast helmet eyes are portrayed.
- Having a second accessory or decorative display stand would’ve been a nice touch.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

Compared to when the video game industry once again hit its stride in the mid-1990s and later boomed in the early 2000s the business is completely different in every possible way.  Video games are no longer solely an interactive experience as some brands extend to more “normal” forms of entertainment like novels, comic books, films and in some cases action figures.  In a way video games and toys go hand in hand as they allow us to see something cool and at one point in our lives when we were younger, playing with toys like G.I.

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 09:18
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Overall Feeling: 

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon is basically a 1950s monster sci-fi movie updated to be a video game.  The latest EDF game may not scoop to the low levels of an Ed Wood movie, but it is a fun experience that does have a few noticeable flaws which in some cases only adds more character to the game.  Shooting giants alien controlled ants may be simple but EDF: Insect Armageddon is far from being easy and at times a lot of the enjoyment from the game is derived from the grinding that’s required to access the higher tier weapons.  If you’ve played the previous EDF games then you know what to expect out of Insect Armageddon and if you’re a newb to the series then prepare for some straight forward bug shooting action which may or may not burn you out after one hour.

The Pros: 

+ The scale of the game is impressive, even if the visuals aren’t on the level that’s to be expected from these days.
+ Leveling up specific battle armor and acquiring new weapons is really addicting since it does pay off during combat.
+ Playing online is a blast since it does require some teamwork at times.

The Cons: 

- Some of the enemies are annoying bullet sponges.
- There isn’t a ton of design variety in New Detroit and as a whole the city is rather bland looking.
- At times it feels like the levels simply peter out as the objectives and enemy encounters become predictable and repetitive.
- If you’re a graphics whore then maybe you shouldn’t play EDF: Insect Armageddon since the game isn’t that pretty.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

As a person who enjoys playing video games I like to experience something where I can turn off my brain for a bit and merely blow stuff up.  I do enjoy experiencing a deep journey that at times may involve a bit of self-reflection or will leave me pondering about a particular subject matter, but in the end video games are all about fun thus blowing stuff up equals a good time.  Recently I haven’t played too many games which fully require the player to turn off their mind and merely press a button non-stop and enjoy the ensuing carnage that’s created.  But since I like to try

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